At least 18 Arctic Terns at Quabbin today!

Arctic Terns, Quabbin Gate 5, Belchertown, MA, May 13, 2022

Arctic Terns, Quabbin Gate 5, Belchertown, MA, May 13, 2022

Arctic Tern, Quabbin Gate 5, Belchertown, MA, May 13, 2022

Arctic Tern, Quabbin Gate 5, Belchertown, MA, May 13, 2022

Arctic Terns, Quabbin Gate 5, Belchertown, MA, May 13, 2022

Although I figured the migration conditions would be fantastic last night which would result in an epic morning of birding I was wrong and the morning was overall a bit lackluster but given that it is mid May it was still good.  I spent a few hours hunting down warblers in the Hadley and Amherst area and then headed home to take Wilson for a walk.  While I was almost done with the walk I got a text from Marshall regarding a couple likely Arctic Terns in Berkshire County and at least one inland in Connecticut so I quickly made my way to Winsor Dam (Marshall had mentioned a few days ago the possibility of Arctic Terns turning up inland following a large number of the species being displaced into the mid Atlantic due to several days of strong northeast winds).  Initially I didn't see anything at the dam but a final look before I left turned up some very distant terns.  They were too far out to identify but I figured a look from Gate 5 might produce better views.  I quickly made my way there and as I hurried down to the water I got more reports of Arctic Terns with up to 26 reported inland in  Connecticut!  Once I was down at the waters edge at Gate 5 I started scanning and quickly turned up first 8, then 13 and then 14 Arctic Terns!  Amazing when you remember there are only a few previous Hampshire County records ever with the most notable being a long staying individual at the Holyoke Dam in 1999.  I got the message out to as wide an audience as I could and updated as time allowed.  The birds were mainly feeding actively over the water and showing their very long tails and acrobatic flight.  A Common Tern was with them for a bit but overall the show was Arctic Terns.  Occasionally the group would land on the water before taking to the the air again to hunt.  I noticed a few new individuals join the initial group and I maxed my count at 18 Arctic Terns!  Really amazing to witness.  At this point most of the birds drifted off to the north, moving up the west arm of the reservoir.  Thankfully a couple birders arrived in time to see the few remaining birds before they also disappeared off to the north.  More and more birders arrived but the birds did not return while I was there.  Thankfully a few birds did return eventually and more birders got to see the terns.  There were numerous other reports of inland Arctic Terns the rest of the day and it will be interesting on the final tally from this very unusual occurrence of inland Arctic Terns (extra amazing as the weather was not rainy and windy as is usually the case with terns inland in the area).  The terns were extra special as they were a new Hampshire County species for me (#303)...not something that happens too often for me.   It is certainly worth keeping an eye out over the next few days to see if any more show up.  Friday the 13th was not unlucky for me today.

A great explanation of what produced the large incursion of Arctic Terns can be found within Marshall's eBird report from Gooseberry Neck.  

Link to a Flickr album with more distant photos as well as multiple videos: Arctic Terns -May 13