More warblers and other migrants

Brewster's Warbler, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 11, 2012

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, MA, May 11, 2012

Ovenbird, Skinner SP, MA, May 11, 2012

White-crowned Sparrows, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 11, 2012

Hooded Warbler, Quabbin, MA, May 11, 2012

Worm-eating Warbler, Skinner SP, MA, May 11, 2012

I decided to spend the morning today trying to catch up with as many warbler species as I could.  I had some good luck today and finished up with 24.5 species of warbler.  Not as many as I got last week but still a very nice number for a morning out and about.  I visited a few spots on the west side of Quabbin and then headed over to UMASS and finally down to Skinner SP and Mitch's Way.  Highlights included Hooded, Cerulean, Worm-eating, Brewster's, Tennessee, Canada and Wilson's and many others.  Migration was certainly in evidence and there was a noticeable turn over in birds in some of these areas compared to a few days ago.  Many birds today appeared to be on territory and several were already building nests or carrying nest material.

Red Admiral

Beyond the great birds another natural phenomenon that showed itself everywhere I went today was the invasion of Red Admiral butterflies.  At times I had over 50 in view at once.  Almost like being back down in south Texas with so many butterflies!

Eastern Bluebird at nest box, Belchertown, MA, May 11, 2012

At home I finally got a bluebird to visit the new nest boxes.  This was the first activity at them since I put them up.  A few minutes later a pair of Tree Swallows visited the same box.

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, MA, May 11, 2012

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, MA, May 11, 2012

Worm-eating Warbler, Skinner SP, MA, May 11, 2012

Red-eyed Vireo, Skinner SP, MA, May 11, 2012

I added one more species today to my county list for the year, Lincoln's Sparrow.  I now stand at 173.