Middle of August

Semipalmated Plover, Hatfield, MA, Aug 14, 2018

Ovenbird, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 3, 2018

White tailed Deer fawn, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 3, 2018

Green winged Teal and Mallard, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 7, 2018

Peregrine Falcon after capturing Green Heron in flight, Hatfield, MA, Aug 11, 2018

The first two weeks of August have featured similar weather to what we had in July...heat, humidity and almost daily bouts of showers/storms.  Shorebirds have continued to show up in small numbers with ten species so far for the month with the most notable being the Upland Sandpiper seen at the beginning of the month, a few Semipalmated Plovers on the fourteenth and a Black bellied Plover today in Hatfield.  While looking for shorebirds last weekend I noticed a group of four Green Herons flying over first thing in the morning and out of nowhere came a Peregrine Falcon that whipped past me and rapidly climbed taking out one of the herons before they even noticed the falcon...amazing to see.  Other notable or continued species include calling Eastern Whip Poor Wills at Quabbin Park, Marsh Wren through at least August 10 at Lake Wallace and a Merlin in Belchertown on August 11.  This August is looking to be my most productive ever in the county with 129 species for the month so far.  The year is also shaping up to be one of the more productive with 219 species already...had not planned on doing another big year but I may put in a little more effort if the unusual species keep showing up.

Red Fox, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 15, 2018

Veery, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 15, 2018

Raccoon, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 10, 2018

Scarlet Tanager, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 10, 2018

Warbling Vireo, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 8, 2018

All of the nesting birds at the house have now fledged and the first groups of mixed species flocks have started to move through.  The motion cameras continue to catch a variety of both birds and mammals.