Snowy Egret and Greater Scaup yesterday and warblers today

Snowy Egret, Paradise Pond, Smith College, Northampton, MA, Aug 25, 2019

Snowy Egret, Paradise Pond, Smith College, Northampton, MA, Aug 25, 2019

Snowy Egret, Paradise Pond, Smith College, Northampton, MA, Aug 25, 2019

Greater Scaup, Paradise Pond, Smith College, Northampton, MA, Aug 25, 2019

Common Mergansers, Paradise Pond, Smith College, Northampton, MA, Aug 25, 2019

I followed up yesterday on a report of a Snowy Egret that showed up at Paradise Pond at Smith College on Saturday but I could not try for due to work. Thankfully the bird stayed overnight and was feeding well first thing in the morning on Sunday when I checked on my way back to work. The species is fairly rare in the Hampshire County and this is perhaps my sixth record in the county so far with the majority coming in mid-late summer or early fall. In addition to the egret, the rare for summer Greater Scaup also continued at the pond and showed quite well (present all month). Always nice to have a couple rarities within view of each other in an easily accessible location.

Common Yellowthroat, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 26, 2019

Chestnut sided Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 26, 2019

Blue winged Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 26, 2019

Yellow Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 26, 2019

Northern Waterthrush, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 26, 2019

Great crested Flycatcher, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 26, 2019

After getting out of work this morning I made a stop at Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River to see what might have shown up overnight.  The weather had an early fall feel with low humidity, clear conditions and temperatures starting off around 50.  I made a circuit around the main trail and then along some edges and turned up a couple mixed flocks with the highlight among the nine species of warbler being a singing Northern Parula. I also ran across Ted on his way out and he mentioned having a Wilson's Warbler as well as a Worm eating Warbler (a very unusual species away from known breeding spots and late to still be around).

An update on the hurricane season as the peak part of the season rapidly approaches. Although the season is still forecast to be an average season it has started out fairly slow with only the third named system (Chantel) forming out in the northern Atlantic just last week and dissipating quickly. It was quickly followed by Dorian which formed on August 23 southeast of Barbados. This storm looks to track northwest and impact the Lesser Antilles.  The storm could hold together as a minimal hurricane after that but will be fighting some less than ideal conditions for storm strengthening....time will tell what happens.