Various locations this weekend

Northern Cardinal, Wentworth Farm CA, Amherst, MA, July 8, 2012

Black and White Warbler, Wentworth Farm CA, Amherst, MA, July 8, 2012

Belted Kingfisher, Wentworth Farm CA, Amherst, MA, July 8, 2012

Willow Flycatcher, Wentworth Farm CA, Amherst, MA, July 8, 2012

Song Sparrow and fledgling Brown-headed Cowbird, Wentworth Farm CA, Amherst, MA, July 8, 2012

Chimney Swift, Wentworth Farm CA, Amherst, MA, July 8, 2012

Song Sparrow carrying food, Wentworth Farm CA, Amherst, MA, July 8, 2012

Today I started a little after dawn at Wentworth Conservation Area in Amherst and then over to the rail trail.  I spent a few hours exploring the area with hopes of running across Black-crowned Night Herons that were seen in the area a week or so ago.  No luck with them but still some good stuff around.  I ran across a flock of 16 Bobolinks with a few adult males transitioning out of breeding plumage.  There were also at least three Orchard Orioles in the area as well as many recently fledged birds.  A Beaver working on a dam just below the footbridge allowed a very close study of the building of a dam.  Quite entertaining to watch.  I next stopped by the rail trail walking in from Mill Lane past Hop Brook.  Nothing out of the ordinary there today.

Scarlet Tanager feeding fledgling, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

Scarlet Tanager, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

Veery fledgling, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

Gray Catbird fledgling, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

Gray Catbird collecting nest material, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

Eastern Phoebe, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

On Saturday I spent a few hours in the morning around Quabbin Park.  Yet again lots of evidence of breeding success with recently fledged young being attended to by adults and many adults carrying food to nests or hidden fledglings.  There were birds still nest building preparing for their second broods.

Cedar Waxwing bathing, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

Pine Warbler, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

Red-eyed Vireo, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

Red-eyed Vireo, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

Baltimore Oriole, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

I found a spot where a small stream empties into the reservoir that had several birds coming in to bathe.  It was interssting to see what came in as I sat there watching.  Among the birds coming in where Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Gray Catbird, Pine Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Red-eyed Vireo, Veery, American Robin, American Goldfinch, Eastern Phoebe, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Song Sparrow and Black-capped Chickadee.

Mink, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

Eastern Cottontail bunnies, Quabbin Park, July 7, 2012

I came across quite a few mammals as well including a Mink swimming right in front of Quabbin HQ, River Otter and a couple Beaver in the route 9 marsh, several White-tailed Deer, Muskrat, Eastern Cottontails and various squirrels and chipmunks.

At home, after an absence of several weeks of no singing, a Louisiana Waterthrush was singing loudly this morning here at home. I had seen a few of them over the last few weeks and had them chipping at me but this is the first singing for quite some time. Reminds me of spring all over again!