Migration finally really picked up the last few days with some fairly decent mornings. The peak of migration is still not quite here but it is getting very close. It has been great weather to be out looking with some cold mornings that warmed quickly thanks to ample sunshine and low humidity. I exceed a hundred species on most of the days. A big highlight today was the appearance of a Purple Martin back in Hadley where they bred in 2021. Unfortunately the martin was constantly harassed by Tree Swallows (and other species according to others) whenever it tried to check out a nesting gourd. It is a shame the staff there does not manage the martin houses it put up to entice the martins to breed and discourage other species from taking over. With a little management there could be a colony of the martins here. There were other highlights too (both birds and mammals) but I have limited time to list them so I'll let the photos tell the story. More on warblers recently at the following link.
Some sample lists from the last few days include the following:
Quabbin Park on the 8th with nearly 90 species
Rail trail in Amherst on the 9th
Skinner SP on the 10th
Mount Tom and Southampton WMA today
Nice sighting of the fisher!
ReplyDeleteOne of just a handful I have randomly come across in the woods. Always fun to see.
DeleteHi Larry, I'm very curious as to how the staff at Fort River Hadley can help manage the martin houses especially because I'll soon be working there this summer! I am hopeful that whatever we do can have a lasting impact
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