Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Record setting August in the county with 166 species

 

Common Nighthawks, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 28, 2023
Black throated Green Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 27, 2023
Red Crossbills, Pelham, MA, Aug 28, 2023
Red Crossbill, Pelham, MA, Aug 28, 2023
Semipalmated Sandpiper, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 29, 2023
Sandhill Cranes, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 26, 2023
Baird's Sandpiper, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 26, 2023
Bay breasted Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 20, 2023
Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Aug 19, 2023
Dickcissel, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Aug 9, 2023
Long billed Dowitcher, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 6, 2023

My record setting month of August in Hampshire County has now about come to an end and I blew away my previous record for the month (set in 2021 with 152 species) with an amazing 166 species!  I made an extra effort this month and the arrival of a number of rarities really helped push the total up.  I started the month off with a fantastic start of 113 species in the the first two days, catching up with a number of species that start moving south early.  Shorebirds figured in prominently to the total for the month with 16 species including a very rare Long billed Dowitcher, multiple Short billed Dowitchers, Baird's Sandpiper, Black bellied Plover and American Golden Plover and great numbers of other shorebird species taking advantage of the habitat created by the floods of late July.  Warblers also added a lot to the total with 24 species for the month.  Other rarities/unusual species around included Sandhill Cranes, Bonaparte's Gull, Little Blue Heron, Marsh Wren, Red Crossbills (of four different Types), Blue Grosbeaks and Dickcissel.  I have included some photos from the last few days as well as photos of some of the rarities for the month.

Wilson checking out a bunny in the yard, Aug 28, 2023
Wilson on the trail, Belchertown, MA, Aug 22, 2023

Wilson is now almost back to his old self after surgery almost 12 weeks ago.  Nice to have my boy back to his crazy self and up for walks again. 

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