A few stops on a foggy morning

Pileated Woodpecker (iPhone shot through binoculars), Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 20, 2013

Green Heron, (iPhone shot through binoculars), Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 20, 2013

Snapping Turtle laying eggs on beaver lodge, (iPhone shot through binoculars), Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 20, 2013

I set out today with the goal of catching up with a few species I have not yet seen this spring but have a reasonable chance of finding with a little (or perhaps a lot of) luck.  The main targets were Olive sided Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Lincoln's Sparrow, Mourning Warbler and Hooded Warbler.  Although I didn't have any luck finding any of these species it was fun trying and the search for them allowed me to run across lots of other species.  Also decided to experiment today (in poor light with fog and clouds) with taking photos with my iPhone through my binoculars and with a little practice, patience and luck, it can work in a pinch.  I started off at the rail trail in Amherst and the highlights there included five species of swallows, a male Orchard Oriole and lots of other species on nests or building them.  Also had a Snapping Turtle burying eggs atop a beaver lodge. 

Ruby throated Hummingbird, (iPhone shot through binoculars), Quabbin Gate 10, MA, May 20, 2013

Northern Watersnake, Land trust trail, Belchertown, MA, May 20, 2013

After the rail trail I headed to a few different gates on the west side of Quabbin walking a few miles and coming across quite a few resident birds and a few migrants.  I later picked up Wilson and went for a long walk along the land trust trail but again nothing too unusual.  A brief stop early afternoon at Lake Wallace also failed to produce an Olive sided Flycatcher there but it was worth a try anyway.