Black bellied Whistling Duck, McCray's Farm, South Hadley, MA, Nov 10, 2024
Harlequin Duck, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Dec 1, 2024
Sunbittern, species #2000 for me, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica, Mar 6, 2024
Kirtland's Warbler, Abaco National Park, Abaco, Bahamas, Jan 19, 2024
Tri colored Heron, Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, Tavernier, FL, Jan 23, 2024
Great Currasow, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica, Mar 6, 2024
Western Tanager, Lighthouse Country Regional Trail, Qualicum Bay, BC, Canada, Jun 29, 2024 Sabine's Gull, Sebastian Inlet SP, Vero Beach, FL, Nov 17, 2024
Saffron crowned Tanager, Tunkiwasi Lodge, Cusco, Peru, Dec 8, 2024Hooded Mountain Tanager, The Death Road, La Paz, Bolivia, Dec 11, 2024
Another revolution around the sun is now in the books and 2024 has come to an end. I took a number of trips away from the area for the year including a trip Abaco Island in The Bahamas and then to south Florida in January, Costa Rica in March where I got my 2000th life bird (Sunbittern), Canada in late June into July with stops in the Canadian Rockies and Vancouver Island, a short getaway to Florida in mid November and finally a long anticipated trip to Peru and Bolivia in December. I added two new species to my Hampshire County list with a Black bellied Whistling Duck that showed up in late September and stayed through the middle of December and a self found Harlequin Duck at Winsor Dam to start December, bringing my Hampshire County list to 307 (I lost one species when the Hoary Redpoll was lumped with the latest taxonomic update). Many of my trips once again concentrated on warblers and a much more in-depth look at warblers can be found at the following link: warblers 2024.
Over the course of the entire year I found a total of 822 species with 158 of those being new for me with the breakdown in new species as follows: two species in the Bahamas, two species on trips to Florida, five species in Costa Rica, three species in Canada, 117 species in Peru and 29 more in Bolivia. I have now seen a total of 2160 species ever.
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Jan 1, 2024
Eastern Screech Owl, Hatfield, MA, Jan 1, 2024
Say's Phoebe, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Jan 2, 2024
Fox Sparrow, Swift River, Ware, MA, Jan 3, 2024
I started the new year with a record setting pace within the first three days of the year thanks to having three days off, good weather and a number of lingering species (including the Say's Phoebe that showed up again). I continued my streak of warblers with some Yellow rumped Warblers.
Pine Warbler, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Jan 5, 2024
Wilson in the snow, Home, Jan 7, 2024
Red Crossbill, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Jan 15, 2024
After loads of looking I finally relocated Pine Warblers at Winsor Dam on the 5th. We then got our first big snow storm on the 6th into the 7th with about a foot of snow. A number of irruptive species continued through mid month as did the Say's Phoebe.
Bahama Yellowthroat, Abaco National Park, Abaco, Bahamas, Jan 17, 2024
Bahama Swallow, Abaco National Park, Abaco, Bahamas, Jan 19, 2024
Western Spindalis (Bahamas Green-backed), Abaco National Park, Abaco, Bahamas, Jan 19, 2024Kirtland's Warbler, Abaco National Park, Abaco, Bahamas, Jan 19, 2024
In the middle of the month I made a short trip down to Abaco in the Bahamas where I had some great luck with endemics as well as a multitude of overwintering species. Highlight by far were two Kirtland's Warblers (more on warblers from the trip here: Bahama warblers). I also added two life birds on the trip with Bahama Swallow and Key West Quail Dove.
Little Blue Heron, Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, Tavernier, FL, Jan 23, 2024
Great Crested Flycatcher, Long Key SP, Layton, FL, Jan 23, 2024
Northern Cardinal, Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammocks State Botanical Park, Key Largo, FL, Jan 24, 2024
Prairie Warbler, Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP, Key Biscayne, FL, Jan 25, 2024
Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP, Key Biscayne, FL, Jan 26, 2024
After my time in the Bahamas I took a short flight over to south Florida where we spent the next week before coming back to the cold north. Our time was spent in the keys followed by a few days on Key Biscayne.
Say's Phoebe, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Jan 31, 2024
Wilson with a stick, Belchertown, MA, Jan 31, 2024
Once back in the north I finished out the month of January by relocating the Say's Phoebe once again and ended the month with 98 species in the county.
Pine Warbler, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 6, 2024
Say's Phoebe, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 4, 2024
Eastern Towhee, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 3, 2024
Red breasted Nuthatch, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 3, 2024
Red Crossbill, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 1, 2024
Pale/leucistic Canada Goose, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Feb 1, 2024
The first week of February produced a number of notable sightings including the continued pale Canada Goose, Horned Grebe and Common Loons, Iceland Gull, the Say's Phoebe, Ruby crowned Kinglets, many Red Crossbills, Eastern Towhee, Fox Sparrows, Yellow rumped Warbler and at least seven Pine Warblers together and other lingering species and irruptive species.
Red Crossbill (with Pine Siskins), Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 8, 2024
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Feb 8, 2024
Eastern Towhees, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 9, 2024
Black Vultures, East Hadley Rd, Hadley, MA, Feb 11, 2024
Wilson, Belchertown, MA, Feb 14, 2024
We had some record warmth and then a bit of snow to finish out the second week of February with a few rarities continuing and had two warbler species for the week.
Fresh shavings in duck box #1, Home, Belchertown, MA, Feb 16, 2024
Pine Warbler, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 17, 2024
Red tailed Hawk, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 19, 2024
American Robins, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 20, 2024
To end out the third week of the month I had the continued Pine Warblers at Winsor Dam and had more continued rarities. I also took the time to prep the duck boxes for another season.
Cedar Waxwing, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Feb 22, 2024
Turkey Vultures, Hadley, MA, Feb 24, 2024
Pine Warbler, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Feb 26, 2024
By the end of February I had managed a fairly count of species for the month with a total of 96. A number of rarities continued throughout the month. The number of overwintering Pine Warblers reached double digit counts just in Belchertown...vulture numbers also reached the double digits.
Eastern Bluebird, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 1, 2024
Say's Phoebe, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 3, 2024
March started productively with two species of warbler, the continued Say's Phoebe and other lingering species plus some waterfowl.
Sunbittern, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica, Mar 6, 2024
Cape May Warbler, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica, Mar 6, 2024
Arenal volcano, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica, Mar 6, 2024
Howler Monkey, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica, Mar 7, 2024
Red legged Honeycreeper, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica, Mar 7, 2024
Emerald Tanager, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica, Mar 8, 2024
White necked Jacobin, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica, Mar 8, 2024
Streak headed Woodcreeper, Villa Decary, Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica, Mar 10, 2024
Early March found us making a long overdue trip back to Costa Rica to the Arenal area where I added five life birds including species #2000 for me with a Sunbittern. It was great to be back in Costa Rica again and it was a great trip despite some flight delays at the beginning and some lodging issues at the end. It was trip #15 for us down to Costa Rica and I still love going there (although missing the Rio Magnolia Lodge that is no longer open).
Tree Swallows, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Mar 14, 2024
Say's Phoebe, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 17, 2024
American Robin with leucism, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 14, 2024
Wilson walking the trail just before his 13th birthday, Belchertown, MA, Mar 14, 2023
Eggs in duck box #3, Home, Belchertown, MA, Mar 13, 2024
Once back home I found some early migrants, the continued Say's Phoebe and uniquely plumaged American Robin. I also checked my duck boxes and found eggs in two of the three boxes. March 15th also brought another birthday for Wilson (lucky 13).
Pine Warbler, UMASS demonstration forest, Belchertown, MA, Mar 27, 2024
Say's Phoebe, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 27, 2024
Rusty Blackbirds, Home, Belchertown, MA, Mar 28, 2024
Barn Swallow, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Mar 29, 2024
Unfortunately I caught a cold within a few days of getting home from the tropics and then suffered from it almost until the end of the month. I got out when I could and found a few birds of note including the continued Say's Phoebe and an early Barn Swallow. By the end of the month I had tallied 101 species in the county despite being away in Costa Rica and then being sidelined a bit with the cold.
Say's Phoebe, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 2, 2024
White crowned Sparrow, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Apr 2, 2024
Sandhill Cranes, Hatfield, MA, Apr 2, 2024
Wilson enjoying the snow, Home, Apr 4, 2024
The first two days of April were quite productive with a a number of rarities around including Sandhill Cranes, White crowned Sparrow and (amazingly) the continued Say's Phoebe (starting its fifth month at the dam). We got a storm that lasted for days with rain, sleet and snow and that slowed down migration. Although I was not pleased with the snow Wilson, of course, loved it.
Wilson ready for the eclipse, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 8, 2024
Eggs in duck box #2, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 8, 2024
Song Sparrow, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 13, 2024
Say's Phoebe, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 13, 2024
Barred Owl, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 15, 2024
Great Blue Herons at nest, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 15, 2024
Early migration had fits and starts through mid month with some early nesting species already on nests. There was also a nearly complete solar eclipse on the 8th. I also confirmed nesting in all three duck boxes at the house. Of course the Say's Phoebe continued!
American Coot, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Apr 17, 2024
Hooded Merganser with odd plumage, Fitzgerald Lake, Northampton, MA, Apr 19, 2024
Glossy Ibis, Northampton, MA, Apr 20, 2024
Black capped Chickadee excavating nest hole, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Apr 21, 2024
Ruby crowned Kinglet, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Apr 21, 2024
The third week of April featured a few rarities as migration continued to be a bit slow with the highlights including a high count of Glossy Ibis and an American Coot.
Hooded Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 23, 2024
Hooded Merganser eggs in duck box #1, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 24, 2024
Veery, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 26, 2024
Mallards, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 30, 2024
Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 30, 2024
As the fourth week of April began a Hooded Warbler showed up and end of the month brought in a flurry of new species and set a new record for me in April in the county with 156 species.
Glossy Ibis, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 1, 2024
American Robin with nest material, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 1, 2024
Northern Parula, Quabbin Park, MA, May 1, 2024
Baltimore Oriole, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 3, 2024
Cape May Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 3, 2024
Yellow bellied Sapsucker, Quabbin Park, MA, May 4, 2024
Ruffed Grouse, Quabbin Park, MA, May 6, 2024
Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 6, 2024
Orange crowned Warbler, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 6, 2024
Brewster's Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 7, 2024
The first three days of May brought in a decent haul of migrants as one would expect for that time of year. A number of unusual to rare species also showed up for the rest of the first week including a Sedge Wren. By the end of the first week of the month I had my highest total ever for the first week of May with 153 species!
Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 8, 2024
Hooded Merganser eggs in duck box #2, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 9, 2024
Rose breasted Grosbeak, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 9, 2024
American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, May 9, 2024
Bay breasted Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 9, 2024
Mourning Dove nest with young, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 10, 2024
Chestnut sided Warbler at nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 11, 2024
Lincoln's Sparrow, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 13, 2024
Palm Warbler 'western', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 13, 2024
Black Bear, Quabbin Park, MA, May 13, 2024
Wood Thrush, Hadley, MA, May 14, 2024
White eyed Vireo, Hadley, MA, May 14, 2024
The second week of May featured many highlights including birding for Global Big Day, multiple hybrid warblers a White eyed Vireo, a 'western' Palm Warbler and tons of other migrants.
Wood Duck with ducklings, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 15, 2024
Least Bittern, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 17, 2024
Blue Jay carrying nest material, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 17, 2024
Ruby throated Hummingbird, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2024
Prothonotary Warbler, Bachelor Brook Conservation Area, South Hadley, MA, May 18, 2024
Indigo Bunting, Quabbin Park, MA, May 19, 2024
Canada Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 19, 2024
Red Crossbill, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2024
Tennessee Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2024
Peregrine Falcon, Yard species #174, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 20, 2024
Wilson, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 19, 2024
Carolina Wren fledgling, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 21, 2024
Wild Turkey, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2024
Lawrence's Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024
American Woodcock, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 25, 2024
Yellow Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 25, 2024
Looking down toward lower fields, Poverty Mt, Shutesbury, MA, May 26, 2024
Wilson enjoying the sun, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 26, 2024
Dusted Skipper, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 28, 2024
Black and White Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 28, 2024
Hooded Warbler, Ludlow, MA, May 29, 2024
Tree Swallow with leg bands, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 31, 2024
May continued to be busy as the month wore on with bird surveys (including the 19th year of the Poverty Mountain count as well as Eastern Whip Poor Will surveys) and lots of birding through the fourth week of the month. By the end of May I had found 174 species in the county despite being a bit limited due to a back injury at work. I even made a few trips outside of the county looking for unusual warblers including Lawrence's Warbler and Hooded Warbler. Warbler featured in many of my birding trips for the month and I had my best May ever in the county for warblers with a record breaking 31 species!
Black and White Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Jun 1, 2024
Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Jun 1, 2024
Dawn at the UMASS orchard, BBS stop #3, Belchertown, MA, Jun 2, 2024
Brown Thrasher, Covey WMA, Belchertown, MA, Jun 3, 2024
Wild Turkey with poults, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 5, 2024
Worm eating Warbler, Mount Holyoke Range SP, Granby, MA, Jun 7, 2024
To start off the month of June I conducted my annual breeding bird survey and got my highest species count ever for the route. By the end of the first week of June I had a total of 126 species with a number of unusual species around.
Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 8, 2024
Common Ravens, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 10, 2024Purple Martin, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jun 15, 2024
Virginia Rail juvenile, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 17, 2024
Common Mergansers, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 18, 2024
Hooded Warbler, Sunderland, MA, Jun 18, 2024
Black and White Warbler, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 19, 2024
Yellow bellied Sapsucker nestling, Mt Holyoke Range SP, Amherst, MA, Jun 21, 2024
By the middle of the month there were lots of breeding species around including returning Purple Martins and I managed to submit by 50,000th eBird list on the 18th. I birded a bit more in the area before headed out of the area to Canada for our 20th anniversary.
Peyto Lake, Banff NP, Alberta, Canada, Jun 24, 2024
White Common Loon, Columbia Wetlands, Wilmer, BC, Canada, Jun 25, 2024
Black Bear, Kootenay NP, BC, Canada, Jun 25, 2024
Red necked Grebe, Saw Mill Pond, Radium Hot Springs, BC, Canada, Jun 25, 2024
Emerald Lake, Yoho NP, BC, Canada, Jun 26, 2024
MacGillivray's Warbler, Lighthouse Country Regional Trail, Qualicum Bay, BC, Canada, Jun 29, 2024
Chestnut backed Chickadee, Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, Parksville, BC, Canada, Jun 30, 2024
Humpback Whales, Offshore Campbell River, BC, Canada, Jul 1, 2024
Pigeon Guillemot, Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park, BC, Canada, Jul 1, 2024
In late June for our 20th wedding anniversary we decided on a two part trip to Canada with the first stop to the Canadian Rockies in Alberta and British Columbia and the second part to Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It was a nice great filled with spectacular scenery and certainly some birds (I got three lifers despite it not being a birding trip).
Osprey at nest, Hadley, MA, Jul 11, 2024
Purple Martin, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jul 7, 2024
Once we got back from Canada the weather back at home was hot and humid with multiple heat waves. I got out a bit early in the month and found a number of unusual breeders in the county including Osprey, Purple Martin and Blue Grosbeak.
American Redstart, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Jul 12, 2024
Eastern Kingbirds, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 13, 2024
Sora, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 13, 2024
Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 19, 2024
Bonaparte's Gull, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 20, 2024
Song Sparrow, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 20, 2024
Peregrine Falcon, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Jul 21, 2024
The heat was really on for almost the entire month of July and I worked a lot during the month to help pay for trips away. The middle of the month found lots of evidence of breeding and some unusual species turned up or continued through the end of the third week of the month.
Sanderling, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Jul 25, 2024
Prairie Warbler, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Jul 26, 2024
Common Goldeneye, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 27, 2024
Sedge Wren, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jul 27, 2024
Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jul 28, 2024
Wilson amongst the raspberries, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jul 28, 2024
Snowy Egret, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Jul 31, 2024
Despite the hot weather and working multiple overtime shifts by the end of the month of July I still managed to have my highest species count for the county with 147 species. Among the unusual species seen during this time was a Sanderling that showed up on the 25th and a Snowy Egret at the very end of the month.
Purple Martins, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 2, 2024
Sedge Wren, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 2, 2024
Glossy Ibis, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 3, 2024
Lesser Yellowlegs, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 4, 2024
Worm eating Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 6, 2024
Common Goldeneye, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 7, 2024
Purple Martins, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 8, 2024
House Wren nestlings, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 10, 2024
Common Yellowthroat, Ware, MA, Aug 11, 2024
I started off August with multiple rarities around including rare breeders continuing plus a Glossy Ibis and the long staying Common Goldeneye as well as lots of typical species. Our continued heat and humidity continued with a short break when the remnants of Hurricane Debby moved through. No real tropical birds but a few downed shorebirds. Another highlight for the middle of the month was a juvenile Little Blue Heron that defied me in getting good photos.
Great Egret, Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, Northampton, MA, Aug 16, 2024
Common Nighthawks, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 19, 2024
Rose breasted Grosbeak, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Aug 20, 2024
Bay breasted Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 21, 2024
Wilson's Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 21, 2024
Mourning Warbler, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Aug 22, 2024
Black Bear, Silvio Conte NWR- Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 26, 2024
Wilson enjoying an old piece of fire hose, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 24, 2024
Hail, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 26, 2024
Wood Duck, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 27, 2024
Red breasted Nuthatch, Mount Holyoke Range SP, Amherst, MA, Aug 27, 2024
Pine Warbler, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Aug 28, 2024
With the end of the third week of August I continued to find more and more early arriving warblers. The end of the fourth week continued to bring in more migrants as we continued with mainly warm conditions although some mornings were cool and more fall like.
Wood Thrush, Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Aug 29, 2024
Black throated Green Warbler, Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Aug 29, 2024
Black billed Cuckoo, Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Aug 30, 2024
By the end of August I had my second best August for the number of species for the month in Hampshire County with a total of 159 species (behind my best year of 166 species last year). Migration overall seemed to be a bit ahead of typical years by the end of August.
Great Egret, Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, Northampton, MA, Sep 2, 2024
Indigo Bunting, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 3, 2024
Eastern Towhee, Ware, MA, Sep 4, 2024
Sanderling, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Sep 5, 2024
Common Yellowthroat, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2024
The first week of September brought a few unusual species to the area (Sanderling being the most unusual for me).
White breasted Nuthatch, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Sep 9, 2024
American Golden Plover, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 10, 2024
Northern House Wren, Ware, MA, Sep 11, 2024
Cape May Warbler, Ware, MA, Sep 11, 2024
Palm Warbler 'western', Aqua Vitae Rd, Hadley, MA, Sep 12, 2024
Eastern Towhee, UMASS demonstration forest, Belchertown, MA, Sep 13, 2024
Yellow throated Vireo, Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Sep 15, 2024
Sandhill Cranes, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 15, 2024
Merlin, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Sep 16, 2024
Night after night of great migration conditions continued to move species over the area and occasionally some stopped. The eleventh turned out to be a good morning with around 80 species. The great migration conditions continued through mid month although many birds continued on to the south without stopping.
Yellow Warbler, Hadley, MA, Sep 17, 2024
Philadelphia Vireo, Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Sep 18, 2024
Red tailed Hawk, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 19, 2024
Common Tern, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 23, 2024
The third week of the month continued with great migration conditions and many species continued to have moved right on by. It continued to be a lackluster September in regards to migrants. I eventually had a Connecticut Warbler on the 19th after many days of looking. I finally found a decent rarity on the 23rd with a Common Tern at Winsor Dam.
Black bellied Whistling Duck, McCray's Farm, South Hadley, MA, Sep 28, 2024
Brown Thrasher, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 27, 2024
Swamp Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 24, 2024
My first new species for the county for the year occurred at the end of September when I got a message from my friend Pat about a Black bellied Whistling Duck at a small farm pond in South Hadley. I was very happy to see the species as I missed a group that showed up in June when I was in Canada...county species #307 for me. I also caught up with a decent show of migrants during this time period.
Northern Parula, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Sep 29, 2024
Palm Warbler 'yellow', Wentworth Farm Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Sep 30, 2024
Ruby crowned Kinglet, Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Sep 30, 2024
By the end of September I had 161 species in the county, which is far from record setting. The migration overall continued to be less than spectacular which I attribute to continued great migration conditions that did not entice species to stop and they flew right on past.
Prairie Warbler, Wentworth Farm Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Oct 1, 2024
Eastern Phoebe, Belchertown, MA, Oct 1, 2024
Chestnut sided Warbler, Wentworth Farm Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Oct 3, 2024
Cedar Waxwing, Amherst, MA, Oct 6, 2024
To start off October the first week mainly focusing on warblers and ended the week with 109 species.
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Amherst, MA, Oct 8, 2024
Northern lights, Northampton, MA, Oct 10, 2024
Nashville Warbler, Amherst, MA, Oct 14, 2024
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, Belchertown, MA, Oct 14, 2024
Through the end of the second week of October and a bit beyond I found lots of fall migrants and had some impressive astronomical phenomenon with Northern Lights and a comet.
Blue Jay, Amherst, MA, Oct 15, 2024
Ruby crowned Kinglet, Amherst, MA, Oct 15, 2024
Chipping Sparrow, Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Oct 16, 2024
White crowned Sparrow, Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Oct 17, 2024
Nashville Warbler, Amherst, MA, Oct 19, 2024
Wilson after surgery, Home, Belchertown, MA, Oct 19, 2024
Purple Finch, Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Oct 23, 2024
Bald Eagle, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 25, 2024
Brant, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 28, 2024
American Robin with leucism, Hadley, MA, Oct 29, 2024
Little Brown Bat (?), Home, Belchertown, MA, Oct 30, 2024
The third week brought continued numbers of later season migrants and an increase in waterfowl. Wilson also had another surgery to remove some masses with one turning out to be a spread of his cancer...he recovered quickly and we made the most of our time. The annual taxonomic update netted me several new species thanks to a variety of splits. By the end of the month I had found 148 species in the county with multiple rarities.
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Nov 1, 2024
Lincoln's Sparrow, Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Nov 2, 2024
White crowned Sparrow, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Nov 4, 2024
Dunlin, Arcadia, Easthampton, MA, Nov 6, 2024
Bonaparte's Gull, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 7, 2024
I started off November looking for warblers and found a couple species. By the end of the first week I had tracked down 94 species in the county which is a decent total to start off November.
Dark eyed Junco with pale plumage, Hadley malls, Hadley, MA, Nov 9, 2024
Black Vultures (part of flock of 57), Moody Bridge Rd, Hadley, MA, Nov 9, 2024
Black bellied Whistling Duck, McCray's Far, South Hadley, MA, Nov 10, 2024
Cedar Waxwing with orange tipped tail, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Nov 12, 2024
To round out the beginning of the month I found a uniquely plumaged Dark eyed Junco as well as an incredible show of vultures with double digit counts of both species. The long staying Black bellied Whistling Duck also continued.
Mottled Duck x Mallard hybrid, Peaceful Waters Sanctuary, Wellington, FL, Nov 15, 2024
Little Blue Heron, Peaceful Waters Sanctuary, Wellington, FL, Nov 15, 2024
Nashville Warbler, Pelican Island NWR, Vero Beach, FL, Nov 16, 2024
Dark eyed Junco, Pelican Island NWR, Vero Beach, FL, Nov 16, 2024
Purple Sandpiper, Sebastian Inlet SP, Vero Beach, FL, Nov 17, 2024
Broad winged Hawk, Jungle Trail, Vero Beach, FL, Nov 17, 2024
Cape May Warbler, Jungle Trail, Vero Beach, FL, Nov 17, 2024
Sabine's Gull, Sebastian Inlet SP, Vero Beach, FL, Nov 17, 2024
Hooded Warbler, Sebastian Inlet SP, Vero Beach, FL, Nov 17, 2024
We made a quick trip down to Florida in mid November to attend a 100th birthday party and then we stayed a few days in the Melbourne area before returning back home. I had a decent run of unusual species and added a number of new species to my Florida list (which finally reached 250 species).
Rusty Blackbird, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Nov 25, 2024
Eastern Phoebe, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Nov 25, 2024
Northern Harrier, Aqua Vitae Rd, Hadley, MA, Nov 30, 2024
As the month of November moved on the weather turned colder but with some lingering species remaining and by the end of the month we had gotten a dusting of snow and had around an average count for species in the county.
Harlequin Duck, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Dec 1, 2024
To kick off December I found a county first Harlequin Duck at Winsor Dam, which added a second new species for me in the county for the year.
Many colored Rush Tyrant, Laguna Muyna, Cuzco, Peru, Dec 3, 2024
Pale legged Warbler, Carretera a Manú--Túneles Pillahuata, Cuzco, Peru, Dec 3, 2024
Sapphire spangled Emerald, Bamboo Lodge, Cuzco, Peru, Dec 4, 2024
Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Cock of the Rock Lodge, Cuzco, Peru, Dec 5, 2024
Golden headed Quetzal, Carretera a Manú--Túneles Pillahuata, Cuzco, Peru, Dec 6, 2024
Urubamba Antpitta, Wayqecha Cloud Forest Birding Lodge, Cuzco, Peru, Dec 7, 2024
Saffron crowned Tanager, Tunkiwasi Lodge, Cusco, Peru, Dec 8, 2024
Gould's Inca, Tunkiwasi Lodge, Cusco, Peru, Dec 8, 2024
Golden naped Tanager, Tunkiwasi Lodge, Cusco, Peru, Dec 8, 2024
Versicolored Barbet, Tunkiwasi Lodge, Cusco, Peru, Dec 8, 2024
I then made a long awaited trip down to Peru and then Bolivia. I started the trip in Peru where I covered a few different areas outside of Cuzco with the main targets being three species of warblers. I found the warblers as well as dozens of other new species for me (new species for me came to a total of 113).
Hooded Mountain Toucan, The Death Road, La Paz, Bolivia, Dec 10, 2024
Yungas Warbler, The Death Road, La Paz, Bolivia, Dec 10, 2024
Buff thighed Puffleg, The Death Road, La Paz, Bolivia, Dec 10, 2024
Black throated Thistletail, RN 3, La Paz, Bolivia, Dec 10, 2024
Mountains, The Death Road, La Paz, Bolivia, Dec 11, 2024
Hooded Mountain Tanager, The Death Road, La Paz, Bolivia, Dec 11, 2024
After Peru I made a brief stop in Bolivia for a few days before making a long trip back home. The main targets on this stop were two more warbler species. It was a whirlwind trip with lots of great birds in a short time and 29 lifers bringing me to a total of 2156 species.
Cape May Warbler, South Hadley, MA, Dec 14, 2024
Once back home in the winter weather I was able to catch up with a very late Cape May Warbler coming to a feeder in Easthampton.
Black bellied Whistling Duck, McCray's Farm, South Hadley, MA, Dec 22, 2024
Yellow bellied Sapsucker, South Hadley, MA, Dec 22, 2024
Cape May Warbler, South Hadley, MA, Dec 24, 2024
Eastern Phoebe, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Dec 24, 2024
Western Meadowlark, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 26, 2024
Wilson, Home, Belchertown, MA, Dec 24, 2024
By the end of December I continued to find some rarities and lingering species in the area including a Western Meadowlark. By the end of the month I found a total of 83 species for December in the county.
If one is bored and looking for more stories and photos then check out previous year end reviews:
2023 review
2022 review
2021 review
2020 review
2019 review
2018 review
2017 review
2016 review
2015 review
2014 review
2013 review
2012 review
2011 review
2010 review
Now to where I will be headed in the upcoming year. I will be making a solo trip down to the area of Costa Rica where Rio Magnolia Lodge once operated (sadly closed now) in late January into the early part of February and then a couple day stay in the Orlando area. We will then make a return trip down to Costa Rica with a few stops including Arenal Observatory Lodge, a resort for a few days as part of a conference and then solo to Hotel Qualitales in late March into early April. I may also take a short trip out west in the early summer, perhaps to Arizona. I then retire in late July and then who knows where I will go.
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