More migrants today and a forecast for an irruptive year from the north

Wilson's Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2018

 Philadelphia Vireo, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2018

 Barred Owl, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2018

 Northern Parula, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2018

 Black throated Green Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2018

More migrants arrived overnight after a cold front moved in after midnight and I headed out after work to Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River to see what I could find.  Thankfully the mosquitoes were slightly less extreme this morning so I could stand being there for a longer period.  I had a number of highlights including a close look at a Barred Owl, a couple Philadelphia Vireos and 13 species of warblers including a Connecticut Warbler and Mourning Warbler.  Full list from the morning at the following link.

Bohemian Waxwing, US Fish & Wildlife HQ, Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2012

Common Redpoll, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 14, 2012

The annual finch forecast that is prepared by Ron Pittaway has been released and it looks like it could be a very good irruptive year with a number of species forecast to head south.  A number of species mentioned in the report have already started moving through including Red breasted Nuthatch and Purple Finch  There is expected to be a good flight of  Common Redpolls, Bohemian Waxwings and possibly Hoary Redpolls and a moderate flight of Pine Grosbeaks and Evening Grosbeaks.  Other species could also make an appearance but not in large numbers. The full report with details on each species can be found here: Finch Forecast.

Yesterday marked the 80th anniversary of the Hurricane of 1938 that devastated the northeast and brought in a large selection of storm birds which I detailed in a post about tropical storm related birds.  Although the chances of another hurricane as strong striking New England is not extremely high it is certainly possible with the right set of conditions.  The tropics have quieted down a bit but a new tropical storm has developed (Kirk) off the African coast and is forecast to march across the Atlantic and perhaps threaten the Lesser Antilles by the end of next week.