Minor migration

Northern Rough winged Swallow, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 7, 2013

Northern Rough winged Swallow, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 7, 2013

Black throated Green Warbler, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 7, 2013

Black throated Green Warbler, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 7, 2013

Black throated Green Warbler, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 7, 2013

Cooper's Hawk, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 7, 2013

Tree Swallow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, May 7, 2013

Although overall another quiet day I still managed to find a few noteworthy birds. It did turn out to be a very warm day with temperatures reaching 80 degrees by late morning. I visited a variety of locations in the valley during the morning starting with a brief stop at Winsor Dam. I then went to the East Meadows, Arcadia, Mitch's Way and then Skinner SP. I ended the day with 16 species of warbler and four species of vireo with a total of almost 90 species. Typically I would have been up over100 species covering these same areas in a normal year but this year is far from normal. Winsor Dam was quiet with not too much activity. The East Meadows produced a few warbler migrants but most were likely breeders. I also ran across one flock of Horned Larks numbering around 35 but could not find anything unusual with them. This area is extremely dry and dusty and driving the roads is like driving on the beach...a very dusty beach. At Arcadia I checked the rookery and the old orchard area. No sign of any unusual waders in among the typical herons. The old orchard was in full bloom and looked absolutely primed for migrants to be all over the place but I found just a single warbler in the area, a Magnolia Warbler, which became species #178. With little activity there I headed across the river to Mitch's Way to hunt for something unusual. I didn't find anything too unusual but got some good looks at a few migrants as well as resident birds setting up shop. After a fairly long walk at Mitch's Way I decided to make a quick stop at the base of Skinner SP to see if I could hear any Worm eating Warblers. I heard one fairly quickly so despite being tired I decided to hike up to the top to see if the Cerulean Warblers made it back too (the state still has gates closed for the season so the only way up is a steep hike). No luck with the Cerulean Warblers but the Worm eating Warblers became species #179.

Wilson trying to round up grasshoppers

Later walks with Wilson around various areas produced a few more species but nothing unusual and few obvious migrants.  Wilson had fun trying to 'herd' grasshoppers for the first time this season.  His only real success came in picking up ticks!

Sunset at Quabbin, May 7, 2013

Another evening vigil at Winsor Dam didn't turn up anything unusual but the sunset was once again spectacular.