Checking in with old friends as Holyoke settles into spring
On some days birding in Holyoke feels like catching up with old friends.
The Canada geese are back at the nest they chose last year, and it looks like they have eggs. I believe the eggs were laid this week — I’ve been checking the site regularly, and this morning was the first time I saw one of them actually sitting on the nest:
(c) Greg Saulmon 2013
A Mallard paddled in the canal nearby, drawing the ire of the male goose when it got a little too close to the nest:
(c) Greg Saulmon 2013
The Eastern phoebe is still hanging around in Heritage State Park:
(c) Greg Saulmon 2013
(c) Greg Saulmon 2013
And, it may only be a week or so before we see this year’s brood of Red-tailed Hawks. I caught the adults switching off incubating duties this afternoon:
(c) Greg Saulmon 2013
(c) Greg Saulmon 2013
(c) Greg Saulmon 2013
(c) Greg Saulmon 2013
The Birds Downtown 
Terrific shots, Greg. I also saw a pair of Canada Geese nesting in Stebbins yesterday. The male went absolutely berserk when another male floated close by. I’ll post a couple of shots later today on FB.