Blackburian Warbler and Bonaparte's Gulls and many others at Quabbin Park

Bonaparte's Gull, Quabbin Park, MA, April 20, 2012

Bonaparte's Gulls, Quabbin Park, MA, April 20, 2012

Bonaparte's Gull, Quabbin Park, MA, April 20, 2012

I started this morning right around six at Winsor Dam before heading into Quabbin Park.  Out on the water was a Common Loon and a group of gulls.  Once I got the scope on the gulls I noticed three smaller gulls near the Ring-billed Gulls which turned out to be Bonaparte's Gulls.  Not completely unexpected but some years I don't see any.  There was also a very vocal Brown Thrasher near the parking lot as well as three swallow species including Northern-rough winged.  A flyby Osprey as well as Bald Eagles bringing food to the nest finished off the noteworthy sightings from here.  After several minutes the gulls took flight and headed southwest not to be seen again.  I then headed through Quabbin Park itself.

Blackburnian Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, April 20, 2012

Blackburnian Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, April 20, 2012

As I went through Quabbin park I ran across a male Blackburnian Warbler near the entrance to Goodnough Dike. I heard it singing over and over but it took quite a bit of time to track it down and get some marginal ID photos of it. A very early date for this species here in Massachusetts. Also had four other warbler species (including a Pine Warbler carrying nest material) so managed five total for the day.  Other highlights included a couple cormorants, 11 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, five Blue-headed Vireos, a Winter Wren singing, a couple singing Hermit Thrush's, 19 Eastern Towhees, four Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, lots of Chipping Sparrows and a Purple Finch.  Certainly a large influx of birds last night.