{"id":6858,"date":"2016-01-12T14:23:02","date_gmt":"2016-01-12T19:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=6858"},"modified":"2016-01-12T14:23:02","modified_gmt":"2016-01-12T19:23:02","slug":"last-month-in-birding-december-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-december-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Last Month in Birding: December 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

December brought another month of amazing bird sightings to Massachusetts. Here are a few interesting observations as suggested by our experts.<\/p>\n

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides<\/span><\/em>)<\/h3>\n

This is a bird\u00a0of wide open spaces in the west, where it breeds at higher elevations but overwinters on the grasslands and plains. It often forages by hovering above a field and looking\u00a0down for insect prey. Whereas our familiar eastern bluebird has a rusty breast, the mountain bluebird is blue-grey to powdery blue, almost like a pair of faded old jeans. An individual seen at the Crane Wildlife Management Area in Falmouth was one of only a few records for Massachusetts.<\/p>\n

\"Mountain<\/a>

Mountain bluebird in Falmouth \u00a9 Tom Murray<\/p><\/div>\n

Barnacle Goose\u00a0(Branta leucopsis<\/i><\/span><\/b>)<\/h3>\n

A relative of the Canada goose, the barnacle goose has silvery-grey wings and a largely white face. It’s found in north-western Europe and Asia. Because this bird “disappears” to remote parts of the Arctic during the warm months, some Europeans developed a folk belief that it spent the summer developing underwater in the form of a barnacle. Various religious groups held that the barnacle goose’s supposed unusual life cycle meant that it wasn’t made of real animal meat\u2014so it was O.K. to eat during fasts. Two barnacle geese (in goose form!) were seen in Agawam among a flock of Canada geese.<\/p>\n

\"Barnacle<\/a>

Barnacle goose in a flock of Canada Geese, Longmeadow \u00a9 Justin Lawson<\/p><\/div>\n

Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva<\/em>)<\/h3>\n

In recent years, birders have increasingly observed an odd avian phenomenon along our coast. Swallows have been spotted flying over the chilly landscape long after our local swallow species have migrated south. Even more remarkable is the fact that they belong to a species that is normally found as far away as Texas, Mexico, and the Caribbean. These are cave swallows, and it’s\u00a0not yet clear why they now visit us every year! Cave swallows were spotted last\u00a0month in Lynn and Salisbury.<\/p>\n

\"Cave<\/a>

Cave swallow in Salisbury in 2010 (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0<\/a>) nebirdsplus<\/p><\/div>\n

Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri<\/em>)<\/h3>\n

An adaptable species, the black-chinned hummingbird can be found in both remote wild lands and urban areas in the west. Its breeding range encompasses much of the western US, dipping into northern Mexico and north as far as western Canada. Most black-chinned hummingbirds\u00a0spend the winter in Mexico and along the Gulf Coast. The male has a dark chin with iridescent purple at the base; the female is often difficult to identify in the field, but the task is made is easier when the bird is in hand\u2014<\/span>as was the case with an individual that was banded last month in Harwich. There have only been about five recorded occurrences of this species in Massachusetts!<\/p>\n

\"Black-chinned<\/a>

Black-chinned hummingbird in Harwich \u00a9 Sean Williams<\/p><\/div>\n

Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni<\/span><\/em>)<\/h3>\n

The Swainson’s hawk is a bird of the Great Plains. While it’s raising young, it eats the typical hawk diet of small mammals, birds, and reptiles, but outside of the breeding season this species is mainly an insect eater; it’s adept at catching insects stirred up by agricultural activities. A Swainson’s hawk was seen\u00a0at Bear Creek Park in Saugus. This was one of very few winter occurrences for this species in our region.<\/p>\n

\"Swainson's<\/a>

Swainson’s hawk in Saugus \u00a9 Andrew Hrycyna<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

December brought another month of amazing bird sightings to Massachusetts. Here are a few interesting observations as suggested by our experts. Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) This is a bird\u00a0of wide open spaces in the west, where it breeds at higher elevations but overwinters on the grasslands and plains. It often forages by hovering above a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[162],"class_list":["post-6858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nature-notes","tag-last-month-in-birding"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-1MC","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7584,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/100-great-wildlife-sanctuary-birding-spots\/","url_meta":{"origin":6858,"position":0},"title":"100 Great Wildlife Sanctuary Birding Spots","author":"Hillary T.","date":"May 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Bird-a-thon, Mass Audubon\u2019s annual birding competition takes place on May 13-14. Teams of birders will attempt to see (or hear) the most species in a 24-hour time span. At the same time, birders and \u201cBird-a-thon\u00a0Boosters\u201d are raising money to support wildlife sanctuaries and programs. To kick-off Bird-a-thon and celebrate 100\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/05\/wood-duck_BP_Richard-Johnson.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/05\/wood-duck_BP_Richard-Johnson.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/05\/wood-duck_BP_Richard-Johnson.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16682,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-dos-and-donts-of-feeding-birds\/","url_meta":{"origin":6858,"position":1},"title":"The Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts of Feeding Birds","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"February 23, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Feeding birds is a fun and easy activity for people of all ages. If you\u2019re new to bird feeding or looking to up your game, keep reading to learn some tips and tricks about safely feeding your neighborhood birds! Eastern Bluebird DO Do research on what type of seed to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/02\/6729Rowan_Reichard35072-750x500-93f1ae75-06bc-4df6-9c46-088f48bbc618.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/02\/6729Rowan_Reichard35072-750x500-93f1ae75-06bc-4df6-9c46-088f48bbc618.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/02\/6729Rowan_Reichard35072-750x500-93f1ae75-06bc-4df6-9c46-088f48bbc618.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/02\/6729Rowan_Reichard35072-750x500-93f1ae75-06bc-4df6-9c46-088f48bbc618.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12205,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-winter-songbirds\/","url_meta":{"origin":6858,"position":2},"title":"Take 5: Winter Songbirds","author":"Ryan D.","date":"January 22, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Whether you\u2019re briskly pacing across Boston Common or gazing out your kitchen window into a snow-covered suburban backyard, birds can be seen all winter long. 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Let's\u00a0take a look at a few of the most exciting bird sightings as suggested by our experts. \"Brewster\u2019s warbler\" (Vermivora pinus x chrysoptera) This beautiful animal\u00a0is the fertile hybrid of two closely-related birds, the blue-winged warbler (Vermivora pinus) and the golden-winged warbler\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/ycnh1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/ycnh1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/07\/ycnh1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7035,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-january-2016\/","url_meta":{"origin":6858,"position":4},"title":"Last Month in Birding: January 2016","author":"Rosemary","date":"February 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Every month we share five amazing bird sightings as suggested by our experts. Here are a few interesting observations from January. Smith\u2019s Longspur\u00a0(Calcarius pictus) Like other longspurs, Smith\u2019s longspur has a long claw (\u201cspur\u201d) on its hind toe. This bird breeds across parts of the western subarctic tundra. Its romantic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Pink-Footed-Goose.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Pink-Footed-Goose.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/02\/Pink-Footed-Goose.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5552,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-month-in-birding-may-2015\/","url_meta":{"origin":6858,"position":5},"title":"Last Month in Birding: May 2015","author":"Rosemary","date":"June 10, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Each month we take a look at a few of the previous month\u2019s bird sightings as suggested by our experts. Here are five of May's\u00a0most exciting observations. Little gull (Hydrocoloeus minutes) True to its name, this bird is the world\u2019s smallest gull. It is common across much of Europe and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/06\/booby.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/06\/booby.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/06\/booby.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6858"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7020,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6858\/revisions\/7020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}