Nice influx of migrants

Philadelphia Vireo, Orchard Hill UMASS Amherst, MA, Sept 10, 2012

Black throated Green Warbler, Orchard Hill UMASS Amherst, MA, Sept 10, 2012

Blue headed Vireo, Orchard Hill UMASS Amherst, MA, Sept 10, 2012

The expected influx of migrants arrived overnight and were much in evidence in the first few hours at Orchard Hill at UMASS.  I arrived before dawn and walked around the area finding a couple American Woodcocks as well as several Wood Thrush's and a Veery.  I caught up with Ian Davies just before the sun came up and he had several Swainson's Thursh and Veeries by flight call before dawn.  We stayed near the base of the hill and waited for the sun to come up and the birds to start feeding.  Once the sun started hitting the trees the activity started picking up immediately.  A Philadelphia Vireo was one of the first birds seen and then the warblers started to show.  Marshall Iliff arrived around this time and Evan Dalton arrived a bit after him.  We added several species of warblers including Connecticut (heard only-#203), Tennessee (at least 7 during the morning!), Nashville, Black throated Green, Black and White, Blackburian, Magnolia, Blackpoll, Pine and Yellow rumped Warbler plus American Redstart and Common Yellowthroat.  Other notable birds included Least Flycatcher, Eastern Wood Pewee still calling, at least ten Rose breasted Grosbeaks, Scarlet Tanagers, Purple Finch, Swainson's Thrush, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, several hummingbirds as well as White throated Sparrow and Dark eyed Junco (a sure sign of fall!).

Vesper Sparrow, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sept 10, 2012

Dickcissel, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sept 10, 2012

Bobolink, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sept 10, 2012

Red tailed Hawk, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sept 10, 2012

Barn Swallow, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sept 10, 2012

With our remaining limited time in the morning we headed to the Honeypot in Hadley  and yet again had some great birds there.  At least three Vesper Sparrows, a Dickcissel, several Barn Swallows, a Mourning Warbler perched near some corn stalks, an Alder/Willow Flycatcher, six species of sparrow including Field, Lincoln's and Swamp, several Indigo Buntings, a few Ruby throated Hummingbirds (one of which was perched on a weed and feeding from asters) and several raptor species including Osprey, Northern Harrier and Red Shouldered Hawk.  Evan left at this point and we stopped at one more weedy field before Marshall had to leave.  He had a Connecticut Warbler chipping there that would not show itself despite our best efforts.  It may have flown out as we did hear a flight call that was likely a Connecticut Warbler.

Broad winged Hawk, Orchard Hill UMASS Amherst, MA, Sept 10, 2012

Turkey Vulture, Orchard Hill UMASS Amherst, MA, Sept 10, 2012

With a few extra minutes I decided to return to Orchard Hill to try and catch up with some of the migrants but the late morning time and the fairly strong breeze kept me from adding anything of note as far as passerines go.  There were some raptors up including a few Broad winged Hawks and a few Turkey Vultures plus the resident Red tailed Hawks.