Amherst area stops and some more nighthawks

Double crested Cormorant with catfish, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, Aug 27, 2012

Double crested Cormorant with catfish, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, Aug 27, 2012

Today I spent some time over in Amherst before heading back home late morning.  I first stopped at the rail trail, then over to UMASS at Orchard Hill and finally to Moody Bridge Road in Hadley.  The rail trail was fairly quiet with the typical species around.  There were a few Bobolinks flying out near dawn from the fields.  I was able to see close up a Double crested Cormorant catch and then eat a catfish near the horseshoe dam. 

Ruby throated Hummingbird, Orchard Hill at UMASS, Aug 27, 2012

Ruby throated Hummingbird, Orchard Hill at UMASS, Aug 27, 2012

Least Flycatcher preening, Orchard Hill at UMASS, Aug 27, 2012

At Orchard Hill the area was still quiet as the students have not yet arrived for another year.  As far as birds go there was some activity in a few area but other spots were devoid of any activity.  I did have an interesting flycatcher that I tried to turn into a Yellow-bellied but was instead almost certainly a Least.  The view was quick and it just was not quite right for YBFL.  There were a few Least Flycatchers around as well as a handful of warblers but no big groups at all....best warbler among them was an adult male Yellow Warbler.

Turkey Vulture, Moody Bridge Rd, Hadley, MA, Aug 27, 2012

Turkey Vultures (6 of 17 total), Moody Bridge Rd, Hadley, MA, Aug 27, 2012

A quick swing through Hadley to Moody Bridge Road to once again try to find a Black Vulture in among the Turkey Vultures did not result in success.  It is like a broken record trying to find Black Vultures and finding none.  I did have at least 17 Turkey Vultures lifting out of roost but just that species.

Common Nighthawk, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 26, 2012

Common Nighthawk, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 26, 2012

Common Nighthawk, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 26, 2012

 

Around midday Wilson and I took a walk at the Jabish Canal and then in the afternoon took a walk at Covey WMA.  With the heating of the day and a breeze that picked up there was not much activity but the Red-breasted Nuthatch's were around in force with double digit counts.  I watched for nighthawks again last night and tonight.  Last night I had a half dozen in an hour and tonight I had none at all.  Perhaps the breezy conditions kept them down a bit.  I included a few photos from last night.