Despite southerly winds the last few nights I had some good luck with early arriving warbler this morning in the Belchertown/Pelham area. The birds have likely been around for at least a few days as the migration conditions were not great for them to arrive in the last couple days. I found three early arrivals including a Northern Parula, a molting Bay breasted Warbler and a Tennessee Warbler. All of the warblers were with mixed species flocks and it is always fun to sort through the largely silent flocks as they move through the woods.
Before looking for warblers I stopped by Lake Wallace to see what might be around and I was quite surprised to get my highest count of Green Herons for the year with at least 33 individuals present. The numbers had been declining lately after peaking out at 31 on August 8th. The total this morning came up four short of my highest total of 37 on August 16th in 2018 (which is also the highest total ever for the species in Hampshire County). The species should be heading out soon to points south (as everyone should!). Besides the Green Heron I had at least one Virginia Rail (likely two), a continued Great Egret as well as a juvenile Red shouldered Hawk that showed well and pestered most of the other occupants of the marsh.
We have one somewhat warm day tomorrow before another cold front comes in and drops the temps a bit and likely pushes more early migrants in. I currently sit at 156 species for August in the county, which is my second highest total ever by this date and my total for the year in the county is at 228, which ties me for my highest total ever YTD...guess I should have chased more rarities earlier in the year to give me a shot of topping my highest total ever...oh well! Should still end up being a decent year by the end of December.
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