The last few days with some migrants including a Common Gallinule

Yellow bellied Sapsucker, Quabbin Park, MA, May 10, 2020

Black and White Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 10, 2020

Veery, Quabbin Park, MA, May 10, 2020

Rose breasted Grosbeak, rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 10, 2020

Northern Parula, rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 11, 2020

Scarlet Tanager, Quabbin Park, MA, May 11, 2020

Common Gallinule (right middle...really), rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 11, 2020

The last few days have featured a few notable birds but overall it continues to be rather slow given the date but this is not too surprising as the weather continues to be cooler than normal with generally unfavorable winds for migration (although we did have a decent night for migration into Monday morning).  Among the highlights the last few days was a very uncooperative Common Gallinule (originally found by Ted) I saw fleetingly yesterday and a couple Rusty Blackbirds and a Willow Flycatcher today at home.  The end of the week looks to see a change in the pattern and the probability of a large influx of migrants.  It would be a welcome break from the cold and windy weather.

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler, hybrid rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 11, 2020

Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown, MA, May 11, 2020

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler, hybrid, Piper Farm Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, May 11, 2020

The numerous hybrid Blue winged/Golden winged Warbler hybrids continue with a Lawrence's Warbler among them.  More on the Lawrence's Warbler and other hybrids at the following link.

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Home, Belchertown, MA, May 11, 2020

Gray Catbird with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 11, 2020

Black capped Chickadee with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 11, 2020

Black capped Chickadee with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 11, 2020

I have spent most afternoons around the house and have found some good stuff including 13 species of warbler after a shower yesterday plus three banded birds.  The Gray Catbird (a female banded in 2017) was found building a nest today in a brushy area near the house.  I checked on the Hooded Merganser in duck box #2 and found here still sitting on eggs as of yesterday.  I suspect the eggs will hatch and the young will fledge this coming weekend.

Black throated Blue Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 1, 2020

Eastern Cottontail, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 11, 2020

The camera at the water feature has captured a few good species including my first male Black throated Blue Warbler (I have captured females twice before)