ML68371471

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

***Terribly high; MA state high count; also the highest count ever eBirded in the northeast (excluding NY) and as far south as NJ. Obviously all precautions taken in this count, but 48 is an actual exact tally of birds all visible by the naked eye and most photographed; 100% certainty. [Note: the count has climbed from 44 to 48 because of additional birds found in photos.] In fact, I no doubt missed lots of birds out of earshot or behind trees, and earlier in the morning. These birds were streaming over the second I stepped outside. I'm disappointed I didn't get out earlier because the count could've been twice this or more I'm sure. The birds were coming over in flocks of 1 to 6, and almost every single individual called at least once. This is just about an 11-minute total, after which the stream came to a halt and I had to start working. The following photos are in the order they were taken and represent 10 individuals (This is the max number of files eBird will allow.) Update later in the day: Occasional CMWAs continue to drop into the hemlocks in my yard. This appears to be one of those inexplicable overnight single-species movements, and this fall has evidently been very good for CMWA across the eastern seaboard. Update next day: 36 individuals this morning, fewer but no less incredible; I had to leave before the movement was over but count is still fairly accurate.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D

Lens

EF400mm f/5.6L USM

ISO

1250

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/2000 sec

Dimensions

847 pixels x 565 pixels

Original file size

133.65 KB