A quick summary of the big month of May now that it has come to an all to quick end. Overall the month ended with a lower than normal total species for me in Hampshire County with 170 species (my lowest total in the last five years but still an impressive tally). Migration was a bit later than has been typical the last several years but it finally increased mid month when I had an impromptu big day in Hampshire County with 142 species. There were a number of highlights including an amazing 18 Arctic Terns at Quabbin (a new species for me in the county...#303), a White eyed Vireo, a Cattle Egret, a returning Purple Martin in Hadley and a Red headed Woodpecker in Quabbin Park plus others. June still has the potential of some late migrants and hopefully a rarity or two but I will spend a lot of time conducting various breeding bird surveys.
On the last day of the month I checked the last remaining duck box nest and found newly hatched out Hooded Mergansers that will fledge soon. Another year of two successful Hooded Merganser nests plus another box that ended up with lots of eggs but the nest was abandoned. At least the crows and raccoons got to enjoy the eggs left over.
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