Sunday, May 31, 2015

No luck finding the Snowy Egret at Arcadia but still good stuff

Common Merganser with young, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, May 31, 2015
Killdeer (adult and young), Arcadia, Northampton, MA, May 31, 2015
Red tailed Hawk eating chipmunk, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, May 31, 2015
Mallard with young, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, May 31, 2015
The rain didn't arrive in substantial amounts overnight so not much of a chance to find any grounded birds this morning. Nonetheless I still checked out Winsor Dam before dawn just to make sure but found nothing noteworthy.  Without much likelihood of finding good stuff forced down by the weather I decided to head over to Arcadia to try to find the Snowy Egret seen there yesterday. No luck finding the bird despite a few hours of effort. Although the egret was a no show the other birds around there did not disappoint. Lots of newly hatched birds about including some great views of a family of Common Mergansers as well as a few young Killdeer plus others. As I was scanning the marsh all the birds started making a lot of noise so I suspected a raptor was in the area and indeed a Red tailed Hawk came in and landed on a small tree in the marsh and then made an unsuccessful dive at some Mallard ducklings before disappearing into the woods. I then headed down the trail to try a few more vantage points looking into the marsh and on my walk back I ran across the Red tailed Hawk devouring a chipmunk just a few feet off the trail, seemingly oblivious to my presence. I set up the scope and the bird more than filled the frame at the lowest zoom. Amazing how fast the hawk managed to eat every last piece of the chipmunk. Lots of other good stuff around with all appearing to be resident birds on territory. As I was heading out I ran into Bob and Lura and they also had not yet had any luck with finding the egret either. It may be gone or just feeding in an area nearby that is not easily viewable.  Full list from the morning there (with more photos and videos):
White eyed Vireo, Belchertown, MA, May 31, 2015
White eyed Vireo, Belchertown, MA, May 31, 2015
Blue winged Warbler, Belchertown, MA, May 31, 2015
After Arcadia I made another brief stop at Winsor Dam before trying again to find the White eyed Vireo in Belchertown in between some early rain showers. Today I had much better views and got some photos as the bird called nearly constantly during my stay there. Managed to find a total of five species of vireo today which is always a good day when you can do that around here.  Also a good number of Blue winged Warblers including a distant bird singing an odd song that I was never able to get a look at.  List with additional photos and videos here:
 
The month of May has been great with lots of good weather and loads of birds as the spring migration peaked.  A total of 168 species this month including one new county record for me.  A total of 210 species for Hampshire County so far this year...a few behind last year but still a very respectable total.

The next few days will feature occasional rain (sometimes heavy), northerly winds and cool temperatures. Still a chance that something will get caught in the weather and have to halt its migration for a few days so still worth checking bodies of water and freshly plowed fields.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

The annual Poverty Mountain bird census, a second whip poor will survey and a White eyed Vireo

Sunrise over Hop Brook, Amherst, MA, May 30, 2015
I finished up my second Eastern Whip Poor Will survey last night and then headed out early this morning to make a brief check for the probable Common Gallinule along Hop Brook in Amherst before heading up to do the Poverty Mountain bird census up in Shutesbury.  The stop at Hop Brook did not turn up the target bird but it was still nice to watch the sunrise up over the marsh.
Eastern Bluebird nestlings, Poverty Mountain, Shutesbury, MA, May 30, 2015
Dung beetle, Poverty Mountain, Shutesbury, MA, May 30, 2015
We managed to find just under sixty species near Poverty Mountain during my time of the survey which is just a few species below the average. They may have turned up a few more species after I left so not sure what the overall total for the day is as of yet. Lots of activity in the nest boxes with Tree Swallows, House Wrens and some Eastern Bluebirds. Also some non bird highlights including a dung beetle rolling a ball of crap along one of the trails...actually quite interesting to see.

Blue winged Warbler, Belchertown, MA, May 30, 2015
Alder Flycatcher, Belchertown, MA, May 30, 2015
When I was up in Shutesbury I got a call about a White eyed Vireo seen in Belchertown over the last few days by a couple birders and I finally made it over to the private area in the early afternoon after finishing the survey and going to class with Wilson.  It was quite breezy by the time I arrived there and hearing calls at any distance was difficult.  I walked the area where the vireo has been seen but didn't have any luck the first twenty minutes of searching until finally the bird did an odd vocalization that I could easily mistake for a catbird.  It called just a few times from the low brushy in this overgrown orchard area and I got a fleeting glimpse but not a good look.  It seems like a great area for the bird to hang out in for awhile and the entire general area looks great to attract brushy area loving birds.  I also got another call in the late morning regarding a Snowy Egret that was seen at Arcadia during a bird walk as part of a new birding festival (I should have checked my phone before I was back in Belchertown!). A very unusual species in the county and one I probably would have tried for today if I had checked my messages earlier! Oh well...perhaps it will still be around tomorrow? 
Black Bears, Prescott Peninsula, MA, May 29, 2015
The survey on Prescott Peninsula was successful with a total of ten birds heard (eight birds at stops on the route and others in between). Also had a few American Woodcocks on the roadway as I worked back north from near the end of the peninsula.  Also a lot of mammal activity with a couple Black Bears, a Moose, a Opossum and a Porcupine.  I'll do a longer post of the whip poor will surveys a bit later.

The forecast for tonight into tomorrow will continue to feature southerly winds with a chance of showers late tonight into tomorrow. Depending on the timing and severity of the showers the chance is there for the grounding of some late season migrants but as always there are many factors that have to come together to make this happen but the potential is there.  More substantial rain is forecast for Monday into Tuesday with cooler weather and this could also ground some migrants.  Certainly worth checking bodies of water and fields for anything noteworthy.

Friday, May 29, 2015

Black crowned Night Heron and probable Common Gallinule along the rail trail in Amherst plus Eastern Whip Poor Will survey last night

Mallard with ducklings, rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 29, 2015
Mallard with ducklings, rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 29, 2015
Black Vulture, Moody Bridge Rd, Hadley, MA, May 29, 2015

White tailed Deer, rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 29, 2015
Hop Brook marsh, rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 29, 2015
I headed over to the rail trail in Amherst with thoughts of hitting that area and then over through Hadley to Silvio Conte NWR and then perhaps down to Skinner SP or back over to some gates on the west side of Quabbin but I ended up spending almost my entire morning at the rail trail as I tried to track down a bird in the Hop Brook marsh that I'm almost certain was a Common Gallinule (a very unusual species in the county...I have only seen one before in the county back in May of 2005 in nearly the exact same spot!).  Despite hours of looking I never did get a visual on the bird but did get a lot of audio that hopefully will confirm the bird.  The only other real possibility would be an odd sounding Sora but it just doesn't sound right for that species.  All the videos are at the following link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/sets/72157651328273174
As I spent time trying to get looks at the mystery bird I had another great bird when I heard a low croaking sound coming from overhead that sounded unlike a Great Blue or Green Heron but sounded a lot like a Black crowned Night Heron.  I quickly scanned the blue skies and spotted a stocky, chunky short necked heron heading north to south a few hundred feet above the trees.  I got a several second binocular view of an overall gray heron which indeed was an adult Black crowned Night Heron!  The bird appeared to be heading past the marsh complex here as I lost it from view behind some trees.  I was never able to get the camera up fast enough to get a shot before it went out of view but I got a good view of the bird.  A long overdue Hampshire County record of this species for me, bringing my total to 284. 

I also made a brief visit to the vulture roost on Moody Bridge and managed to find a Black Vulture as it left the roost and headed toward the river.

I also completed the first of two Eastern Whip Poor Will survey routes last night with the assistance of a biologist from Quabbin (thanks Ki).  This route goes through Quabbin Park and then continues south to the Palmer line.  Despite the thunderstorms in the late afternoon the weather turned out to be very nice with light winds, clear skies and thankfully few mosquitoes!  We ended up with 11 Eastern Whip Poor Wills calling at the various stops plus two more between our ten stops.  A successful time indeed with a few of the birds calling very close to us.  Hopefully I will get the other one done tonight.  Below are a couple quick video clips of some whips calling:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/18238837252/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/18054793258/in/dateposted-public/

Thursday, May 28, 2015

The last couple mornings produce a few new birds

East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 28, 2015
Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, May 28, 2015
With the rain showers that arrived early yesterday evening and the murky, low cloud conditions this morning I had hopes of finding something brought down by the weather. I started at Winsor Dam but did not find anything noteworthy. I then headed over to check out the Connecticut River in Hadley but only managed to find lots of mosquitoes. Without much luck so far I then headed over to the East Meadows, were the roads were just a little muddy but thankfully not extremely dusty for a change. I made several stops to scan the large expanse of fields and on my second stop past the red barns I had a flyby, calling Black bellied Plover which I was never able to get a look at in the fog and low clouds (so there may have been more than one). Other shorebirds included a single Solitary Sandpiper and five Killdeer. Other notables included a group of 78 adult Canada Geese (odd to have such a large group around here so late in the season), a flyby Green Heron and other expected species.  Heading out tonight to conduct the first of my two Eastern Whip Poor Will surveys.
Turkey Vultures, Moody Bridge Rd, Hadley, MA, May 27, 2015
Bobolink, Moody Bridge Rd, Hadley, MA, May 27, 2015
Yellow billed Cuckoo, rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 27, 2015
Eastern Kingbird on nest, rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 27, 2015
I made a few stops yesterday morning including a brief stop at Winsor Dam then onto the newly repaved rail trail in Amherst and finally to the vulture roost on Moody Bridge Road. Winsor Dam was fairly quiet with a couple of Double crested Cormorants on the water and two adult eagles at the nest. The rail trail was a bit buggy so my stop there was rather brief but I still managed to get some good stuff including a Sora calling, a Yellow billed Cuckoo and two pairs of Eastern Kingbirds nesting plus many other typical species and a handful of Snapping Turtles laying eggs along the bike path. The vulture roost contained at least 14 Turkey Vultures but no Black Vultures (at least that I could see).

Monday, May 25, 2015

Common Nighthawks and lots of other stuff

Common Nighthawk, home, Belchertown, MA, May 25, 2015
Common Nighthawk, home, Belchertown, MA, May 25, 2015
Common Nighthawk, home, Belchertown, MA, May 25, 2015
Lots of Common Nighthawks over the yard this afternoon as we enjoyed a Memorial Day cookout.  At least 30 birds including lots of vocalizing as well as one bird doing a booming display...something I have heard out west but never here...really cool.  Lots of other stuff over the last couple days...I'll just attach the lists below as I don't have time to rehash it all right now.


Sunday

Mitch's Way
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23605301

Quabbin Park
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23607579


Monday

Quabbin Park and Winsor Dam
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23623343
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23623899

Home
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23631989
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23635969

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Prescott Peninsula surveys begin

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Gate 12, Pelham, MA, May 23, 2015
Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Gate 12, Pelham, MA, May 23, 2015
Mourning Warbler, Prescott Peninsula, MA, May 23, 2015
Mourning Warbler, Prescott Peninsula, MA, May 23, 2015

Magnolia Warbler, Prescott Peninsula, MA, May 23, 2015
Red eyed Vireo, Prescott Peninsula, MA, May 23, 2015

Common Yellowthroat, Prescott Peninsula, MA, May 23, 2015
Moose, Prescott Peninsula, MA, May 23, 2015
Porcupine, Prescott Peninsula, MA, May 23, 2015
I finally made it up to Prescott Peninsula on this very cool morning today (36 degrees) to begin my field surveys and check the route of my upcoming whip poor will survey there.  I ran across two Moose within just a few minutes of going through the gates including a young male that ran down the road ahead of my car.  Mainly resident birds on territory but still a few migrants around including a very cooperative Mourning Warbler, a Blackpoll Warbler and a Wilson's Warbler among the twenty species of warblers.  I also had a Merlin whip by just over the trees on the lower end of the peninsula...perhaps a breeder?  No luck in finding any Red Crossbills during my time on the peninsula today but hopefully I will run across some later on future trips there.  Full list (with lots of photos) below:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23594007

I also made a brief stop at Gate 12 but ran out of time to explore the area in any detail but did manage to find a very photogenic Chestnut sided Warbler.
Eastern Cottontail bunny, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 23, 2015
The rest of the day I spent at home doing yard work and was joined once again by the very tame Eastern Cottontail bunny that has taken up residence and helped me in cutting the grass.

Friday, May 22, 2015

Assisting with preps for a state big day

Spotted Sandpipers, Quabbin Park, MA, May 22, 2015
Spotted Sandpipers, Quabbin Park, MA, May 22, 2015
Northern Cardinal, Quabbin Park, MA, May 22, 2015
Red eyed Vireo, Quabbin Park, MA, May 22, 2015
Although I will not be taking part directly, I have been assisting in scouting out target species in the valley for a group trying to beat the state wide big day record (which they beat last year with a total of 195 species).  The goal this year is to not only beat the record but to top the 200 species mark....which is certainly possible but far from certain.  The group will start at midnight out in the Berkshires and then come through the valley before heading out to the coast and eventually down to the cape to finish the day.  The original plan was to run the route on Saturday but given the forecast for a cold start and windy weather on that day the new plan is to make the attempt on Sunday which should feature warmer temperatures, lighter winds and southerly winds the night before. A blog post from Ian regarding last years record setting big day can be found at the following link:
http://birdingacrosstheglobe.blogspot.com/2014/05/new-massachusetts-big-day-record-24-may.html

As part of the scouting I met up with Ian today to go over the Quabbin Park portion of their day as well as other nearby areas.  I spent a good part of the morning exploring Quabbin Park (a couple hours with Ian) and found a total of 93 species.  Still some migrants around but most birds appeared to be on territory.  Hopefully all the prep work by those taking part as well as those lending a hand will result in a fruitful day full of good birds and good luck.  I will update on what their final numbers end up being as soon as I hear from Ian.  Full lists from this morning at Winsor Dam and Quabbin Park below:

Quabbin Park
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23575837

Winsor Dam
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23573021
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23575799

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Lots of good stuff including Clay colored Sparrow, Black Vultures and a late Ring necked Duck

Clay colored Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, May 21, 2015
Clay colored Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, May 21, 2015
Black Vulture, Moody Bridge Rd, Hadley, MA, May 21, 2015
Black Vultures, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 21, 2015
White crowned Sparrow, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 21, 2015

Black billed Cuckoo, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 21, 2015
Wood Duck ducklings, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 21, 2015
Ring necked Duck, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2015
I decided to take today off and spend it exploring the area for late migrants and had some great luck.  I was joined this morning by Devin and we made numerous stops starting off along the Connecticut River in Hadley and then onto Mitch's Way, the Honey Pot, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Moody Bridge Road and then onto the old Amherst landfill.  We ended up with 84 species by late morning and I added another twenty four species in the afternoon and evening with a few stops around a few spots in Belchertown.  Highlights today included a Clay colored Sparrow, a White crowned Sparrow and multiple Black Vultures in Hadley and a late Ring necked Duck in the route 9 marsh at Quabbin.  We also had some really nice views of some species including a Black billed Cuckoo and a group of Wood Duck ducklings that played around in the road at Mitch's Way before mama duck called them back and they disappeared. Full lists with more photos below:

Connecticut River
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23557662

Mitch's Way
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23558319

Honey Pot
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23558644

Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23559788

Moody Bridge -Hadley
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23560941

Old Amherst Landfill
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23560322

Belchertown land Trust trail
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23561459

Quabbin Park
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23561892

Winsor Dam
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23562001

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Mid May weekend

Cerulean Warbler building nest, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 17, 2015
Cerulean Warbler building nest, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 17, 2015
Cerulean Warbler building nest, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 17, 2015
After seeing reports that the Cerulean Warblers have made it back to Skinner SP and appearing to be setting up shop to breed, I decided to head over that way this morning to try to catch up with them as well as many warbler species as I could find. I briefly checked the Connecticut River before heading to Mitch's Way but had no luck along the river finding anything of note. Once I got to Mitch's Way the mosquitoes were once again out in force but the bug spray kept them at bay somewhat. I walked to the water and back and turned up 15 species of warbler there plus some other good stuff among the 59 species there including a Yellow billed Cuckoo, 4 Black billed Cuckoo and a Lincoln's Sparrow. I then headed to Skinner to make the steep hike up to the summit before the gates opened to cars. I ran across a total of four Worm eating Warblers on the way up as well an an unusual Gray cheeked Thrush that I flushed up off the road (also had singing Hermit, Wood and Swainson's Thrushes plus robins so lots of luck with thrush species there this morning). Before I got to the summit I texted Jacob to get more details on the location of the Cerulean Warbler and got some good info which I misunderstood and after a lot of looking turned up nothing. I then contacted Devin and Aidan and after a bit of back and forth on the phone and a consultation with google maps, I found the female building a nest. I was joined by Michele during a large portion of the time on the hill looking for the Ceruleans and she finally got to see the bird. We got some great looks of the female as she worked on constructing the nest. We also heard a male calling further up the hill just below the summit which may or may not have been the mate of the female building the nest.  My intention of a quick hike to the top and back in an hour or so turned into a two and a half hour plus stay but it was worth it.

I originally wanted to try Silvio Conte NWR to try to find the Hooded Warbler again but with so much time spent at Skinner and my intention to hit Quabbin Park to get more warblers, I headed right to Quabbin after Skinner. Quabbin produced several more species of warblers and by the time the morning was over I stood at 24 species of warbler for the day. I spent the rest of the day around the yard and although there were some decent birds around I was unable to add any new warblers for the day so ended the day at 24 species.

eBird lists from the day:
Mitch's Way
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23485748
Skinner SP
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23487272
Quabbin Park
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23488479
Home
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23498083

Scarlet Tanagers, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2015
Scarlet Tanagers, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2015
Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2015
Northern Waterthrush, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2015
Black Vulture, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2015
Turkey Vultures, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2015
Sharp shinned Hawk with prey, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2015
On Saturday I had hopes that the rain showers would arrive overnight and ground some migrants but the rain showers held off until after daybreak and were not too heavy anyway.  I decided to spend my morning solely at Quabbin Park to see what I could find there.  Lots of good stuff around while birding the area from predawn until mid to late morning.  I found a total of 101 species just within the boundaries of the park.  I have included the full lists below from my stops in the park.  The rest of the day I spent around the house which produced slightly less impressive birds then the previous day but still some good stuff including 11 species of warblers (both waterthrushes and a couple Canada Warblers) and a flyby Bobolink among the 57 total species.

Quabbin Park stops
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23468433
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23466648
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23468675