The first week of June

Worm eating Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jun 1, 2023

Ruby throated Hummingbird, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 1, 2023

Lawrence's Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 1, 2023

Yellow Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 1, 2023

Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 3, 2023

Louisiana Waterthrush fledgling, Hadley, MA, Jun 5, 2023

Winsor Dam with wildfire smoke, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 6, 2023

Eastern Towhee, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 6, 2023

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 6, 2023

Olive sided Flycatcher, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Jun 6, 2023

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Jun 6, 2023

American Redstarts at nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 7, 2023

Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 7, 2023

Eastern Towhee, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 7, 2023

Gray Catbird, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Jun 7, 2023

Hooded Merganser, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Jun 7, 2023

American Robin building nest, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Jun 7, 2023

Blackburnian Warbler, Cadwell Memorial Forest, Pelham, MA, Jun 7, 2023

The first week of June has now come to a close and although there are still a few species moving through to points further north, most birds around now are breeders.  I'm certainly still trying to track down late migrants and have had some luck with a few late moving warblers and flycatchers (much more on warblers for the first week of June at the following link).  As the breeding season arrives I will be spending even more time tracking down breeding species and conducting a variety of breeding bird surveys.  I have already completed my two Eastern Whip Poor Will surveys and will soon be doing some field surveys on Prescott plus conducting my annual Breeding Bird Survey from Belchertown down to the Connecticut line as well as other surveys.  It is a fun time of year and not nearly as hectic as May when every day brings lots of new potential and I'm usually out the door well before the sun comes up.  There certainly is the chance of rarities to still show up but chances are a bit less and I'm not out looking as hard for them as most birds around now are here to breed.  The weather has been a bit more unsettled and cooler than normal and we continue to get smoke from wildfires in Canada which at times has cut visibility way down.  Nonetheless there are lots of birds to see and it well worth getting out to look and listen as much as you can.

Wilson getting belly rubs, Home, Jun 6, 2023

Wilson enjoying a walk a few years ago

Tomorrow my buddy Wilson goes in for his surgery and we are all hopefully it goes smooth with no complications and he will be back to getting around without difficulty after several weeks of healing.  I miss our walks and can't wait to get back to doing them again.