A record breaking July for me in Hampshire County

Least Sandpipers, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Jul 30, 2022

Red Crossbill Type 10, Quabbin Gate 8, Pelham, MA, Jul 24, 2022

Common Mergansers, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Jul 22, 2022

Ovenbird, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 22, 2022

Marsh Wren, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Jul 18, 2022

Virginia Rail, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 13, 2022

 Sora, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 13, 2022

Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jul 5, 2022

Red breasted Nuthatch, Cadwall Memorial Forest, Pelham, MA, Jul 4, 2022

Red headed Woodpecker, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 2, 2022

As July can be a little slow and a bit boring for birds in Hampshire County I decided to challenge myself in trying to maximize the number of species I could find in the county for the month.  My previous best July was in 2018 when I had 143 species.  This year I did indeed manage to break my old record and ended the month with 144 species.  Notable species included Sora, eight species of shorebirds, both American Bittern and Least Bittern, Black crowned Night Heron, Red headed Woodpecker, loads of Red breasted Nuthatches, Marsh Wrens, Red Crossbills (more on those in an upcoming post), 19 species of warblers and Blue Grosbeaks.  I could have easily added another species (Sandhill Crane) if I took a trip up to the hill towns but didn't want to make the long drive for just one species.  I also missed on finding a Great Egret which normally can be found in small numbers late in the month.  Overall a very respectful total with working full time and doing a bit of overtime.