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.