Brief stops at Winsor Dam

Groundhog ignoring the coyote decoy, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 30, 2014

Tree Swallow (that blurry speck in the upper right corner...or perhaps it is some dust on the lens?), Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 30, 2014

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 30, 2014

Today featured overcast skies and occasional drizzle and I hoped to find some waterfowl down on the water at Quabbin when I stopped at Winsor Dam in the evening but didn't have too much luck.  Just a couple Common Loons, a Double crested Cormorant and a dozen Canada Geese.  It appears we didn't have as much luck with unusual waterfowl compared to the Berkshires which had species such as Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Ring necked Duck, American Wigeon and White winged Scoter among others.  Perhaps the weather set up which featured a front draped across the Berkshires and east winds pushed the birds east until they hit the front?  Although I didn't have too much luck with waterfowl I still found some good stuff including a few raptors moving south and a late Tree Swallow moving northeast to southwest at a fairly good height.  I watched it in the scope for about 30 seconds and attempted some photos through the scope with less than stellar results....I managed one blurry shot of the swallow (or perhaps captured a UFO in flight or Bigfoot in a swimming pool?).  Tomorrow it is forecast to be rainy so perhaps a better chance to get waterfowl forced down...fingers crossed.

As September comes to an end I will look at my totals for Hampshire County once again (I know everyone is just dying to see where I stand!).  As of now I stand at 228 which is now one ahead of last year at the same time.  September was another good month with a total of 152 species in the county for the month, six of which were new for the year.  We shall see what the last quarter delivers.

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, Sep 29, 2014

I also stopped at Winsor Dam briefly yesterday morning looking for waterfowl and had a single flyby Wood Duck, a dozen Canada Geese and 26 Mallards plus a Winter Wren singing.

Pine Siskins continue to arrive and some early waterfowl at Winsor Dam

Pine Siskins, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 28, 2014

White winged Scoter, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 28, 2014

White winged Scoter, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 28, 2014

Greater Scaup, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 28, 2014

Winsor Dam as the fog slowly lifts (with Canada Geese on water), Sep 28, 2014

With just a few hours this morning before having other commitments I decided to stay close to home.  The fog was very thick this morning and only started to truly lift as I ran out of time to be out birding.  I started predawn at Winsor Dam listening for nocturnal flight calls and had a few.  I then headed over to Lake Wallace in the hopes of finding some fog free areas but no luck.  I still managed to find nearly fifty Wood Ducks there (and I suspect there were many more).  I then headed back to Quabbin and hit a few places in Quabbin Park where I turned up 36 species including eight species of warbler.  The incursion of Pine Siskins continues and I had a couple of small flocks that totaled seven birds.  It was actually interesting in that I had one group of three in a tree and then a few more flew over and the ones in the tree started calling over and over until the other birds joined them.  A final half hour stop at Winsor Dam produced some great early waterfowl including a White winged Scoter, a Greater Scaup and a Green winged Teal in among the 90+ Mallards and 50+ Canada Geese.  Managed a few distant shots with the iPhone through the scope...still amazing the results I can get given the distances involved.  It was interesting to slowly watch the fog lift and reveal more and more birds sitting on the water.  Wish I could have stayed a little longer there or checked some other areas for waterfowl but no time today.

Honey Pot this morning

 

Ruby crowned Kinglet, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 27, 2014

Field Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 27, 2014

Swamp Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 27, 2014

White throated Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 27, 2014

Song Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 27, 2014

Indigo Bunting, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 27, 2014

Sun caused arc in fog, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 27, 2014

Although this morning started out with it feeling like fall it warmed up into the low 80's and felt a lot more like summer on the first full weekend of autumn. Conditions for migration were great once again last night and the turnover of species was quite evident. I started before dawn at Winsor Dam listening for both migrants and other nocturnal birds. I had several flights calls including at least three Swainson's Thrushes. I then headed over to the Honey Pot section of Hadley and spent a few hours exploring the area including "that's a plenty farm", the 90 degree turn and the area of the dike. A large increase in both numbers and diversity of sparrows with a corresponding drop in warblers...a real sign of fall as far as I'm concerned. The early morning fog made viewing a little difficult at times but it eventually burned off to a perfectly sunny day. Full list for the morning is attached below.

Honey Pot

 

Canada Goose  31
Mallard  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Northern Harrier  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Killdeer  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  9
Mourning Dove  5
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
Downy Woodpecker  4
Hairy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  5
American Kestrel  1
Eastern Phoebe  7
Red-eyed Vireo  4
Blue Jay  13
American Crow  65
Horned Lark  4     Flyby
Black-capped Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
Brown Creeper  1
House Wren  7
Carolina Wren  5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  4
Swainson's Thrush  1
American Robin  14
Gray Catbird  17
Brown Thrasher  1
American Pipit  3
Cedar Waxwing  12
Common Yellowthroat  17
Magnolia Warbler  1
Palm Warbler (Western)  4
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  9
warbler sp.  2
Chipping Sparrow  11
Field Sparrow  4     One singing
Vesper Sparrow  2     One singing
Savannah Sparrow  36
Song Sparrow  83
Lincoln's Sparrow  10
Swamp Sparrow  8
White-throated Sparrow  54     Minimum
White-crowned Sparrow (Eastern)  1
Scarlet Tanager  2
Northern Cardinal  2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  12     Minimum
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
House Finch  3
Pine Siskin  1     Flyover seen and heard
American Goldfinch  22
 

A late Common Nighthawk among many others at Arcadia

Common Nighthawk, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 26, 2014

Common Nighthawk (as found still alive along road), Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 26, 2014

Common Yellowthroat, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 26, 2014

Indigo Bunting showing rufous on wing, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 26, 2014

Indigo Bunting showing rufous on wing, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 26, 2014

Indigo Bunting showing rufous on wing, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 26, 2014

House Wren, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 26, 2014

Red eyed Vireo, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 26, 2014

Song Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 26, 2014

Dawn, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 26, 2014

With beautiful weather and a day off I decided to spend the morning at Arcadia starting there before dawn and staying over four hours during which I found some 63 species with many highlights and decent numbers of various species.  The weather was just fantastic with sunny weather, a light breeze and temperatures that quickly climbed once the sun came up...comfortable in a T-shirt by 9AM at the end of September is a good day!  I have included the full list of species below.  The highlight (or perhaps lowlight) was finding a Common Nighthawk along the roadside near the large field where the Bobolinks breed in the summer.  Sadly the nighthawk was injured and was down on the ground slowly flapping its wings as I drove up the road.  I stopped and checked the bird out and moved it from the road as I tried to figure out what to do with the it.  As I sat on the side of the road with the bird for a few minutes contemplating if a wildlife rehab could help I noticed the bird stopped moving and it died there.  A closer examination of the bird revealed that it appeared to have a broken neck, likely from a strike with a car.  The bird was otherwise in perfect condition so I thought perhaps someone could use the bird for research or education so I called Dave at Arcadia (who oddly happened to be walking up the road as I called him).  After some discussion we decided I would drop the bird off at the Arcadia visitors center.  My latest date in the fall for this species I have ever had (previous latest date was Sept 17th...and I haven't seen one this year since Sept 6th).  Hopefully some good will come out of the death of this bird.  Common Nighthawks (like all nightjars) are just fascinating to me and are such unique birds.  It was impressive to see the bird up close and actually hold it in hand...always amazing how small and light the birds are.  Tough to see such a beautiful creature meet its end (especially when almost certainly human caused) but glad I was there to witness it.

Arcadia

Canada Goose 46    
Wood Duck 27
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 13
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 1    
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Ring-billed Gull 13
Mourning Dove 4
Common Nighthawk 1 Late. Seen on side of road on ground moving wings slightly. Appeared to have been hit by car. Moved bird off road where it died a couple minutes later.
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 8
Pileated Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher) 1 Silent bird
Eastern Phoebe 24 High count. Minimum
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 12    
Blue Jay 29
American Crow 12
Black-capped Chickadee 16
Tufted Titmouse 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 6
House Wren 3    
Winter Wren 1 Singing
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 13
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 95
Gray Catbird 29
Brown Thrasher 1
Northern Mockingbird 2    
European Starling 11
Cedar Waxwing 3
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 31
American Redstart 1
Northern Parula 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Palm Warbler (Western) 6
Palm Warbler (Yellow) 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
warbler sp. 4 Flight calls
Chipping Sparrow 7
Field Sparrow 1 Singing
Savannah Sparrow 37    
Song Sparrow 69
Lincoln's Sparrow 7
Swamp Sparrow 15    
White-throated Sparrow 8
sparrow sp. 1
Northern Cardinal 10
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2    
Indigo Bunting 14 A few singing, one with rufous on wing that at quick glance may make you think blue grosbeak.
Bobolink 22
Red-winged Blackbird 370
American Goldfinch 14
House Sparrow 2

Jabish Canal marsh, Belchertown, MA, Sep 26, 2014

After leaving Arcadia I stopped briefly along the Connecticut River in Hadley looking for shorebirds and found four Least Sandpipers and a couple Spotted Sandpipers.  A walk along Jabish Canal with Wilson held about twenty species with the highlight being a flock of 26 Common Ravens heading east.  Not my largest flock of this species in western Massachusetts but in the top three.

Arcadia meadows at dawn, Northampton, MA, Sep 24, 2014

I tried my luck on Wednesday morning at Arcadia too trying to catch back up with the Blue Grosbeak I saw there on Tuesday but no luck.  Not really surprising as I had my camera with me this time and that almost guarantees anything unusual will stay out of sight!  Still good stuff around the small area I covered near the Ibis Pool including a somewhat late Warbling Vireo, a Northern Waterthrush that flushed from the Ibis Pool and then perched in a tree, six species of warblers and five species of sparrow plus a few Indigo Buntings and Bobolinks still hanging around.

A good night for migration brings a Blue Grosbeak to Arcadia, the winter finch forecast is out and my setup to catch late season hummingbirds is ready

Last night featured some great migration conditions and the radar lit up early and was still going this morning before dawn.  I actually had a few flight calls before dawn including a somewhat late Veery flying past.  With limited time this morning before work I had to decide where my best chances might be to catch up with something good.  I made a brief stop (just a few minutes) to scan for shorebirds from the dike in the Honey Pot but came up empty.  I then headed over to the Arcadia meadows concentrating around the Ibis Pool as the sun came up.  There certainly appeared to be an influx of birds with the biggest increase seeming to be Swamp Sparrows (several today vs. just one yesterday).  Other highlights among the 35 species seen included two Lincoln’s Sparrows and double digit counts of Savannah and Song Sparrows plus at least four Indigo Buntings (with one still singing).  The best species by far was a brief view of a female Blue Grosbeak that flew from the Ibis Pool to the brushy edge at the north end of the Ibis Pool.  The Blue Grosbeak not only became a new species for the county this year (#228) but also became a new species for Hampshire County overall (#282).  I have actually only had one other Blue Grosbeak in western Massachusetts and that was on the Prescott Peninsula back in April of 2011.  I really wished I could have spent some more time exploring this morning but just didn’t have the time.

Ruby throated Hummingbird, Belchertown, MA, Sep 23, 2014

Ruby throated Hummingbird, Belchertown, MA, Sep 23, 2014

Ruby throated Hummingbird, Belchertown, MA, Sep 23, 2014

Meanwhile at home I have started my new setup to see if I can capture an image of any unusual hummingbirds showing up when I'm not looking.  The setup involves a motion activated camera set up on my most popular hummingbird feeder and I managed to get a photo of a Ruby throated Hummingbird showing up at 10:15AM and 6:08PM.  It is not really late for this species but they will become very unusual by the time October starts.  Fingers crossed for finding something unusual!

 

The finch forecast put out by Ron Pittaway from the Ontario Field Ornithologists. It appears that a few species have the potential to head in our direction but it doesn’t look like a huge flight this year but there is potential for a few species.  A quick summary for those with likely potential to become irruptive this year include Purple Finch, Common Redpoll and Hoary Redpoll as well as non finch species such as Blue Jays and Red breasted Nuthatches.  There is some potential for Red Crossbills and Pine Siskins but they are less likely.  The least likely species to head south this coming winter include Pine Grosbeak, White winged Crossbill and Evening Grosbeak as well as Bohemian Waxwings.  Hopefully a few of these species will behave as predicted and show up here.  Here is a link to the full forecast:http://jeaniron.ca/2014/forecast14.htm

Arcadia meadows

Lincoln's Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2014

Cooper's Hawk, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2014

Red tailed Hawk, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2014

American Kestrel, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2014

Eastern Phoebe with dragonfly, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2014

White breasted Nuthatch, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2014

Common Yellowthroat, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2014

Palm Warbler (western), Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2014

After the warm temperatures, humidity and tropical downpours of yesterday this morning was a refreshing change although the strong west/northwest winds made viewing tough at times as I spent a few hours at the Arcadia meadows.  Highlights were many including my third Marsh Wren of the fall.  Other notables in not particular order included two Great Egrets flying over the oxbow, nine species of raptors, 11 Eastern Phoebes, a Wood Thrush, 24 Gray Catbirds, three American Pipits, nine species of warblers (including Tennessee, Nashville and Wilson's Warblers), six species of sparrows (including 33 Savannah Sparrows, 59 Song Sparrows and 8 Lincoln's Sparrows), four Indigo Buntings, 38 Bobolinks and 50+ American Goldfinches.  Full list at this link: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19906668

A stop at the river on my way home produced just two Killdeer for shorebirds.

Tonight should feature light northerly winds so I expect a large migration event tonight and a big turnover of species tomorrow. 

Weekend birding

Vesper Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 21, 2014

Vesper Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 21, 2014

Bald Eagle and American Crows, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 21, 2014

Yellow Warbler, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 21, 2014

I woke up before dawn with the intention to try to get over to a few spots near Quabbin to try for some nocturnal birds but I immediately noticed it was pouring rain.  A quick look at the radar showed the edge of the rain nearby to the west so I headed west and spent a few hours in the gloom and occasional drizzle there...at least it was warmer than past days with morning lows in the low 60's.  It was a bit tough to get any decent photos of the birds today but I managed a few.  I managed to find 43 species including the  following:

Bald Eagle  2    
Killdeer  1
Mourning Dove  8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
Pileated Woodpecker  1
American Kestrel  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher)  1     Near thats a plenty farm, silent bird
Eastern Phoebe  3
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  4
American Crow  29
Black-capped Chickadee  7
Tufted Titmouse  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
House Wren  4
Carolina Wren  5
Swainson's Thrush  1
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  15
Brown Thrasher  1
European Starling  1
Cedar Waxwing  4
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  9
American Redstart  1
Yellow Warbler  1     A little late
Palm Warbler (Western)  8
Palm Warbler (Yellow)  2
Chipping Sparrow  10
Vesper Sparrow  3     Minimum, one still singing
Savannah Sparrow  41
Song Sparrow  35
Lincoln's Sparrow  7
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  7
Northern Cardinal  2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  4
Indigo Bunting  9
Bobolink  2
American Goldfinch  5
Plus a couple Eastern Coyotes working through the fields.

Winsor Dam, Sep 21, 2014

I also made a brief stop at Winsor Dam in the distant hope that the weather forced some birds down but no luck there...not the best conditions for that to happen, but you never know and it is always worth a quick look.

Today also marks the anniversary of the great New England Hurricane of 1938.  It was one of the most destructive tropical systems to ever hit this area and resulted in lots of damage as the eye moved right up the Connecticut River valley.  There doesn't appear to be a repeat in the cards for this year as the tropical season continues to stay quiet in the Atlantic with no systems even likely to form in the next week.

Philadelphia Vireo, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 20, 2014

Philadelphia Vireo, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 20, 2014

Philadelphia Vireo, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 20, 2014

Red breasted Nuthatch, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 20, 2014

Northern Flickers, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 20, 2014

Yesterday I stayed close to home with a few hour visit over to Quabbin.  I only hit a small portion of the park but still found some decent stuff including the following:

Canada Goose  94
Wood Duck  17
American Black Duck  3
Mallard  2
Hooded Merganser  1
Wild Turkey  4
Common Loon  4
Turkey Vulture  2
Ring-billed Gull  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  6
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  4    
Pileated Woodpecker  3
Eastern Phoebe  8
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Philadelphia Vireo  1    
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  18
American Crow  7
Black-capped Chickadee  28
Tufted Titmouse  3
Red-breasted Nuthatch  7
White-breasted Nuthatch  4
Brown Creeper  2
House Wren  1
Carolina Wren  1
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  12
Cedar Waxwing  32
Black-and-white Warbler  5
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  1
Northern Parula  1
Magnolia Warbler  1
Blackpoll Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  11
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  1
Black-throated Green Warbler  8
Eastern Towhee  17     Minimum
Song Sparrow  3
Scarlet Tanager  3     Minimum
Northern Cardinal  3
Purple Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2

Honey Pot in the morning

Lincoln's Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Lincoln's Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Red eyed Vireo, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Eastern Phoebe, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Blackpoll Warbler, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Black capped Chickadee, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Northern Parula, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Northern Harrier and Cooper's Hawk, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Yellow rumped Warbler, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Red eyed Vireo, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Yellow Warbler, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Common Yellowthroat, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Savannah Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Indigo Bunting, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Yellow throated Vireo, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Osprey, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 19, 2014

Another cool morning start that eventually warmed to around 60 with a slight breezy out of the north found me heading over to Hadley. I made a brief stop along the Connecticut River to look for shorebirds and found just a single Solitary Sandpiper. Without much around for shorebirds I headed over to the Honey Pot where I spent the next few hours exploring the area. Lots of good stuff around the area (full list below). Between my stops in Hadley and a walk with Wilson along the Jabish Canal I ended the day with 16 species of warbler and around 75 species total. 

Honey Pot

 

Canada Goose  18
Mallard  5
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey  2
Northern Harrier  1     being harassed by cooper's hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Cooper's Hawk  3
Bald Eagle  2     adult and juv
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Ring-billed Gull  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  37
Mourning Dove  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  7
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3
American Kestrel  3
Merlin  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1     calling
Eastern Phoebe  11
Yellow-throated Vireo  1
Blue-headed Vireo  3
Red-eyed Vireo  6
Blue Jay  16
American Crow  155
Fish Crow  2
Black-capped Chickadee  12
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
House Wren  6
Carolina Wren  2
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  21
European Starling  1
American Pipit  4
Cedar Waxwing  7
Nashville Warbler  1
Mourning Warbler  1     Seen briefly working edge of corn stubble at 'thats a plenty farm'
Common Yellowthroat  21
American Redstart  2
Cape May Warbler  1
Northern Parula  1
Magnolia Warbler  3
Blackburnian Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  1     A little late
Blackpoll Warbler  3
Palm Warbler (Western)  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  4
Black-throated Green Warbler  4
warbler sp.  5     flight calls
Field Sparrow  2     One sang a few times
Vesper Sparrow  1
Savannah Sparrow  31
Song Sparrow  64
Lincoln's Sparrow  10
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  4
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  1
Northern Cardinal  7
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  13     Minimum, a couple singing
Bobolink  3
American Goldfinch  12
House Sparrow  7