August begins

Sharp shinned Hawk, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 1, 2014

Sharp shinned Hawk, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 1, 2014

Sharp shinned Hawk, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 1, 2014

Yellow billed Cuckoo, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 1, 2014

Yellow billed Cuckoo, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 1, 2014

Common Loons, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 1, 2014

Common Loons, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 1, 2014

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 1, 2014

 

I started off August in search of some new species for the year but no luck today. Although I didn't find any new species I had some great sightings throughout the morning as I made stops at Lake Wallace, Quabbin Park and the land trust trail managing to find over 80 species. Highlights at Lake Wallace included 66 Wood Ducks, which is my highest number there so far this season. Quabbin Park highlights included at least five Common Loons, a cormorant, at least three Sharp shinned Hawks together in the same area I suspected held a breeding pair (two adults and at least one juvenile there today), both species of cuckoo (including some spectacular views of a Yellow billed Cuckoo), four species of vireo, nine species of warbler and others. I had Red breasted Nuthatches at several stops this morning...perhaps there will be an influx of them again this year?

 

Links to video of Sharp shinned Hawk:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/14803540155/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/14800459601/in/photostream/

 

As August begins so does an uptick in migration which will continue for months to come.  It will be interesting to see what shows up during the fall migration...stay tuned!

Meanwhile in the tropics Tropical Storm Bertha has formed east of the leeward islands and is expected to move northwest and eventually curve out to sea before becoming a threat to the US. It is not expected to become any stronger than a tropical storm at this point. I will update if anything changes but as of now Bertha will not have any impact here.