Birding during a long heat wave

 

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

Virginia Rail, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 24, 2022

Raccoon, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 24, 2022

Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 23, 2022

Gray Catbird, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 23, 2022

Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Jul 23, 2022

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

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

Northern Mockingbird at nest, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jul 21, 2022

Cedar Waxwing, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Jul 21, 2022

Great Blue Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 20, 2022

We have endured a nearly week long heat wave that peaked today with highs in the upper 90's with high humidity.  I have spent most mornings birding early before the heat of the day peaked with most of my time spent continuing to check Lake Wallace at dawn with lots of activity continuing there but so far no unusual waders (more on some of the goings on at the lake at a previous post).  I also checked out a few areas along the river (again looking for unusual waders dispersing) and farm fields for a variety of breeding species and potentially early migrants.  I also relocated a Lawrence's Warbler that has successful bred in Belchertown after not being seen for a few weeks.  This morning I hit a few gates on the southwest side of Quabbin with the main focus being the ongoing (and increasing) incursion of Red Crossbills into the area.  I had several and got recordings of all of them and all turned out to be Type 10 (which is the main Type being seen and heard in the area).  I write up a longer post on this subject in the near future.