GOLDEN WINGED WARBLER at Quabbin Park and another Brewster's Warbler to end the month of May

Golden winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2017

Golden winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2017

Golden winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2017

Golden winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2017

Golden winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2017

Golden winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2017

Golden winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2017

May certainly ended on a high note despite the damp, rainy and cool weather with a male Golden winged Warbler this morning at Quabbin Park and another Brewster's Warbler late in the morning elsewhere in Belchertown.  My plan this morning was to just bird around Quabbin Park but I got a later start then I hoped for when the gates to the park didn't open until almost seven.  I checked a few spots outside the gates but didn't turn up anything unusual.  Once the gates opened up I headed in from the east entrance and almost immediately the steady drizzle started up and then became a near constant light rain.  Nonetheless I turned up the ongoing Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid once again.  As the conditions continued to deteriorate I thought about trying to head elsewhere but figured the weather would be the same so I might as well just stick it out at Quabbin Park.  I was certainly happy with that decision a short time later when I stopped in the area of Goodnough Dike and heard an unusual call.  I fully expected to track down an oddly singing Blue winged Warbler but much to my surprise I found a gorgeous male Golden winged Warbler instead!  Only my fifth record of this species in the county and easily the most cooperative one I have ever had.  The bird was singing an odd single pitch long buzzy song and continued singing it nearly the entire time I was there watching it.  It moved back in forth within a large brushy area but never strayed too far although it was out of sight much more than it was in.  The bird stayed through the day and allowed a number of people to see it (a lifer for several of them).  It is not too often I add a new species to my Quabbin list but this warbler became species #245 for me at Quabbin.  Other notables around the park included a few late migrants such as Blackpoll Warbler, Wilson's Warbler and another Mourning Warbler.

Full list from the morning here (with audio links): http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37286251

Additional photos and video link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/albums/72157681432202874


I finally left Quabbin Park after a few hours and ended up with around 80 species (between the park itself and Winsor Dam).  Once I got home I picked up Wilson and we headed out for a walk.  Much to my surprise upon arriving for our walk along the land trust trail I found a silent Brewster's Warbler working its way along the edge of the small parking lot near the middle school.  I tried to get a photo through the binoculars but had no luck and the bird didn't stay in view very long.  I was never able to turn it back up despite quite a bit of effort.

Overall for the month of May I managed to find 30 species of warblers plus both a few hybrids including a Lawrence's warbler, two Brewster's Warblers and the other unnamed hybrid.  Highlights besides the Golden winged Warbler included at least seven Mourning Warblers, three each of Bay breasted Warblers and Cape May Warblers and an Orange crowned Warbler.  I only missed two other warbler species that were reported (Kentucky Warbler and Yellow breasted Chat) but both of these were seen briefly by the original observers and not relocated.  Beyond warblers it was a great month for other species and overall for the month I found 161 species with highlights including a Brant at Winsor Dam, a Cattle Egret and Snowy Egret in Hadley, a White eyed Vireo at Quabbin Park and a Painted Bunting in Huntington.

Olive sided Flycatcher, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 28, 2017

Olive sided Flycatcher, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 28, 2017

Olive sided Flycatcher, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 28, 2017

On Sunday I made it over to the annual bird count at Kevin and Cynthia's land (even if I was a little later than I intended).  Still waiting to hear the final results for species but overall it seemed to be about average or perhaps a little less than average for diversity and abundance.  At home a check along Jabish Brook in the afternoon turned up an Olive sided Flycatcher (my sixth yard record and my fourth in spring).  This species can be tough to come by and my yard has certainly become my go to spot to find it.

More Mourning Warblers and unusual Blue winged Warblers plus lots of other stuff the last several days

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 23, 2017

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 23, 2017

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 23, 2017

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2017

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2017

I had a great run of Mourning Warblers during the end of May into early June. My best day was May 23rd when I ran across three individuals at Quabbin Park (the most I have ever had in a single day around here). In staying with the topic of Mourning Warblers I got in contact with a researcher (Dr Jay Pitocchelli) in New Hampshire who is continuing to study the regional variations in the songs of these warblers. My recordings revealed that the Mourning Warblers coming through here represent two of the four distinct vocal groups, the eastern and Nova Scotia groups (the other groups being western and Newfoundland). A link to the study can be found here (at least the link should work for about a month):  http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/jpitocch/MOWAsongvar.pdf

Blue winged Warbler, Amherst College Wildlife Sanctuary, Amherst, MA, May 25, 2017

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Quabbin Park, MA, May 23, 2017

On Thursday after getting out of work and just as the rain started falling again I stopped at the Amherst College Wildlife Sanctuary to follow up on an odd Blue winged Warbler call that someone heard the day before. After a bit of searching I came across the individual singing a three part 'bee buzz buzz' song but the bird looked like a typical Blue winged Warbler. I have attached the list from that morning here which contains audio, video and photos: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37132541
Although I was hoping to find something unusual like a hybrid or even a Golden winged Warbler I had no such luck but it was still interesting to hear the unusual call. This sighting just adds to my run of unusual and hybrid Blue winged/Golden winged Warblers. The hybrid also continues in the same area at Quabbin Park.

Scarlet Tanager, Quabbin Park, MA, May 23, 2017

Indigo Bunting, Quabbin Park, MA, May 23, 2017

Blackpoll Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 23, 2017

Yellow throated Vireo, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2017

Yellow billed Cuckoo, Quabbin Gate 12, Pelham, MA, May 21, 2017

Veery, Quabbin Gate 12, Pelham, MA, May 21, 2017

Lots of other birds around with less and less in the way of obvious migrants and more and more birds on territory to breed.  It also continues to be a good year for cuckoos..taking advantage of a bumper crop of caterpillars for sure.

The rain that started Thursday continued through Friday along with cooler than normal temperatures. I tried my luck in turning up stuff downed by the weather but came up empty.

More migrants over the last few days including two Mourning Warblers

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2017

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2017

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2017

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2017

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2017

Pine Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2017

American Redstart carrying nest material,  Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2017

Red eyed Vireo, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2017

I headed out before dawn today to try to get out before the crowds would eventually arrive given the weather forecast of sunny skies, low humidity and temps in the 70's.  It started out quite cool with a breeze which made spotting some stuff difficult but kept the bugs to a minimum.  My first stop was to Mitch's Way which had the expected species, with most appearing to be on territory breeders.  The number of Canada Warblers was much reduced from just a few days ago.  Once I finished up at Mitch's Way I made a quick stop at Sweet Alice Conservation Area but didn't find anything too noteworthy beyond a Tennessee Warbler but did manage to pick up a fair number of ticks.  My last stop before heading home to get Wilson was over to Quabbin Park where I had a few good birds including a Bay breasted Warbler and my second Mourning Warbler of the season.  I added another Bay breasted during a walk with Wilson up at the Cadwell Forest in Pelham.

Ovenbird carrying nest material, Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, Northampton, MA, May 19, 2017

Eastern Phoebe, Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, Northampton, MA, May 19, 2017

After getting out of work yesterday I decided to take a short walk at Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area out to the wildlife blind in the slim chance of catching up with a Yellow breasted Chat that was seen there a few mornings before. The biting insects were out in force and even with a liberal dose of bug spray they were still quite annoying. Nonetheless I made it to the blind but didn't have any luck with the chat although I did hear a call quite distantly that might have been it but it was too distant to be certain as it could have been a catbird. Lots of flycatchers around the area of the blind taking advantage of all the insects. On my walk back to the car the most notable sighting was an Ovenbird building a nest along side a fallen tree...very interesting to watch.

Canada Warbler. Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 17, 2017

Lincoln's Sparrow, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 17, 2017

Wilson's Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 17, 2017

Mourning Warbler, Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst, May 17, 2017

Blackpoll Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 17, 2017

Wednesday I started out at UMASS in the hopes that Orchard Hill would produce some good stuff at first light but it was very quiet so I headed south to Mitch's Way instead and walked out a bit past the river overlook in search of new arrivals. The number of Canada Warblers here (at least seven) was impressive plus I added a couple Wilson's Warblers too. I did not manage to find my main target of Mourning Warbler there despite quite a bit of looking. I next made it over to Skinner SP but the gate to the top was still closed but I still managed to get a Worm eating Warbler right at the base of the mountain. I listened once again for a Kentucky Warbler that was reported in the area several days ago but again had no luck. With no easy way to the top of the mountain I decided to skip a walk up and instead headed over to Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River where I walked the loop and came up with more Canada and Wilson's Warblers plus many other expected species. While I was there I got a text from Mike L. telling me about an unusual plumaged Blue winged Warbler at the nearby Sweet Alice Conservation Area. I always enjoy tracking down unusual warblers so I figured I would stop on my way home...and I was certainly glad I did! Although I had no luck finding the unusual Blue winged Warbler I heard and saw a male Mourning Warbler. It showed itself quite well (at least briefly before disappearing back into the low tangles where it continued to occasionally call. I explored a bit more there to see what else was around but in the end just managed to pick up more ticks. As I seemed to be having a decent day with warblers I made a brief swing by Quabbin Park and picked up a few more species before heading home to get Wilson. I found a total of 24 species of warblers for the day among a hundred plus species overall. Wednesday was also the first of two back to back recording setting hot days with temperatures hitting the mid 90's both days but with more humidity on Thursday...quite a change from just a few days ago when the hill towns had a dusting of snow!

Bobcat, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2017

American Redstart fighting with Blue winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2017

Nashville Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2017

Black capped Chickadee, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2017

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2017

On Tuesday I had some unexpected stuff come up that kept me close to home but I took advantage of it by making a quick morning trip over to Quabbin Park where I ran across a lot of the expected species plus had a decent look at a Bobcat that was walking up the road.

Brewster's Warbler and Lawrence's Warbler today on eBird global big day and Mass Audubon's bird-a-thon plus other sightings the last few day

Brewster's Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 13, 2017

Brewster's Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 13, 2017

Lawrence's Warbler, Mineral Hills Conservation Area, Northampton, MA, May 13, 2017

Lawrence's Warbler, Mineral Hills Conservation Area, Northampton, MA, May 13, 2017

Rose breasted Grosbeak, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 13, 2017

Yellow Warbler, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 13, 2017

The forecast for today was for rain to start by late morning and the conditions to be cool and cloudy before the rain but with the bird-a-thon going on as well as eBird's global big day there was incentive to get out despite the less than ideal conditions.  I started off predawn at Lake Wallace before heading over to spend the rest of the morning at Quabbin Park (at least that was my initial plan).  My big find of the morning was a Brewster's Warbler at the park plus a number of more expected species.  With the report of a Lawrence's Warbler in a conservation area in Northampton I decided to change my plans a bit and head over that way to try to catch up with the other named hybrid of Blue winged x Golden winged Warblers.  I made my way up the muddy trail and after getting to the area it was reported in I immediately started hearing a blue winged song and quickly got looks at the bird...a Lawrence's Warbler.  I have had a few of both of these types of hybrids in the county before but never both in the same day (Before today I have had two Lawrence's, both of which were in different locations in Belchertown on 4/29/09 and 5/14/12 and four Brewster's with three total at UMASS on 5/5/12, 5/11/14 and 5/8/16 plus one at Hampshire College also on 5/5/12...only the UMASS bird in 2012 stayed around beyond the original date of the sighting)  As always it is worth tracking down every Blue winged Warbler song you hear as the reward can be some impressive birds.  After having some good luck with warblers I decided to try to get some more and headed over to Mitch's Way and then Skinner SP.  Both spots were crawling with birders (especially Skinner) but I still managed to find the expected warblers there but no luck with anything unexpected.  I got a late report of a possible Kentucky Warbler heard at Skinner SP the day before but too late to check on it while I was there.  No one else apparently came across it either so who knows if there was one there or not...time will tell if it shows back up.  I ended the day back in the Quabbin area with visits to Lake Wallace, the land trust trail and a small section of Quabbin Park.  Found a total of 113 species for the day with 21 species of warbler plus Brewster's Warbler and Lawrence's Warbler hybrids plus a further Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid...I just needed a Golden winged Warbler but no luck today.  Lists from the day here:

Lake Wallace: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36780471
Winsor Dam: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36780606
Quabbin Park: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36791361
Mineral Hills Conservation Area:  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36791365
Mitch's Way:  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36791372
Skinner SP:  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36791379
Lake Wallace:  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36791419
Belchertown Land Trust trail:  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36794201
Quabbin Park: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36798303

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, May 12, 2017

Yesterday I birded for a few hours in the morning with Devin in the cloudy and somewhat gloomy conditions but we nonetheless still turned up some good stuff (it is May after all).  We hoped the sun would eventually poke through but it never happened in the morning when we were out, it waited until the afternoon.  Full list from the morning here:  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36758929

In the evening I met back up with the Griffiths at Winsor dam to begin Mass Audubon's annual bird-a-thon fundraiser.  Although the hoped for nighthawks never showed the Eastern Whip-poor-wills did not disappoint with one calling very close to us...list here with a recording of the whip: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36773106

Worm eating Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 11, 2017

Yellow Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 11, 2017

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 11, 2017

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 11, 2017

American Redstart, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 11, 2017

Cape May Warbler, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 11, 2017

On Thursday I made a trip over to Hadley to take an early morning walk along Mitch's Way and I had quite a bit of activity there starting off with my first of the season Wilson's Warbler following not long after by yet another male Cape May Warbler (my third for the season so far). Lots of Rose breasted Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles were around as well as a somewhat high count of three Ruby crowned Kinglets continuing to hang around. On my way back to the car I found yet another new warbler for the season when I found a Canada Warbler. After finding 16 species of warbler during my time at Mitch's Way including some tough to find species I decided to try to see as many warbler species as I could so my next stop was over to nearby Skinner SP. I took the Taylor Notch trail up the mountain instead of my typical route up the road. Quite a bit of activity on the way to the top including my first Worm eating Warblers of the day. Once I got near the top I started hearing Cerulean Warblers and I once again had at least three singing males, including one that continues to give an odd abbreviated song. I got some video and recordings of the call and have attached them to the eBird list. No sign of any females yet but they could be staying hidden in the ever increasing leafed out trees or perhaps they have not arrived yet. After a quick errand in Amherst I made it over to Quabbin Park to find a few more warblers I was missing. By the end of my stops around the park I had found a total of 23 warbler species for the day (plus the continued hybrid BWWA x GWWA). I took a walk midday with Wilson over to Covey WMA to try to turn up some more new stuff but we only managed to find tons of ticks (the predictions of a really bad tick season appears to be coming true). Although it was once again a cooler than normal day at least it was sunny for a decent portion of the morning.

Mitch's Way:  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36727199
Skinner SP: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36728359
Quabbin Park:  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36731255

Field Sparrow, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 11, 2017

American Robin with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 12, 2017

Meanwhile at home I finally captured a bird on the motion camera at the water feature that I had never seen in the yard before. The new species was a Field Sparrow that showed up briefly late morning, becoming the 164 species in the yard. I have also captured a number of other birds including a hummingbird once again plus catbirds, robins, dove and more. Still on the lookout for any of the banded catbirds or wrens making an appearance but no luck there yet. However it appears one of the banded robins is nesting in a small pine tree right next to the house.