Today

Few new arrivals today, but old friends are always welcomed. At Bennett Meadows in Bernardston, MA, there were 8 Wood Ducks, and at least two Hooded Merganser hens. Here's one of those hens ...

Along the West River, a single Common Merganser drake was guarding his harem of eight hens, though I only got four of the hens in this picture. Some appeared a bit reticent toward him ...

Then they all got spooked by the long thing that I was pointing at them ...

But the highlight of the morning birding had no feathers. Along the railroad tracks near the boat launch on the Connecticut River, this mink came up the bank and started to cross the trestle ...

... then it became aware of some odd creature on the other side. Curiosity did not get the better; the mink retreated ...

The sighting of the mink sent me to resources about this mammal. Kaufman's Mammal Guide says that it is fairly common in marshes, rivers, & lakes. It sometimes appropriates the use of a muskrat lodge for its den, "often after killing and eating the previous owners."  So, behind that sweet face is the soul of a foreclosure banker.

Good birding!