The fourth week of the month and totals for all of May

Least Sandpiper, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 22, 2021

Semipalmated Plover, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 22, 2021

Vesper Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, May 22, 2021

Scarlet Tanager, Mt Holyoke Range SP, Hadley, MA, May 23, 2021

Pileated Woodpecker, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 24, 2021

Yellow Warbler, Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, May 24, 2021

Brewster's Warbler, Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, May 24, 2021

Dawn, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 26, 2021

Spotted Sandpiper, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, May 27, 2021

The always exciting and too short month of May has now come to a close and with it the large influx of migrants coming in from the south to either spend the breeding the season here or just stopping briefly before continuing further north.  The fourth week produced multiple days of great late season migration conditions and many species heading further north flew past without any obvious sign of stopping over.  At the beginning of the fourth week of the month the small puddle in the East Meadows produced several more shorebirds (including both Semipalmated Plover and Semipalmated Sandpiper) before it was plowed under for the year.  Other highlights for the fourth week included a Blue Grosbeak in the same area the species has bred for the last couple years, multiple Vesper Sparrows in Hadley (one of the few reliable breeding locations in the state), a Grasshopper Sparrow in Amherst (where they have bred in the past), another Brewster's Warbler and a Gray cheeked Thrush.

Double crested Cormorants, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, May 31, 2021

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2021

The very end of the month featured a big cool down with some heavy rain and temperatures that never even made it to 50 degrees for multiple days (ruining Memorial Day plans for many).  I went out looking for grounded late season migrants when I could but failed to turn up anything of note.

Overall for the month in Hampshire County I had 180 species, which is the highest species total I have ever had for the month of May (previous best was 178 in 2019...the last ten year average for the month is 165).  As far as warblers go the month produced 31 species (with 30 of those in Hampshire County) plus a number of hybrids.  More details on warblers can be found at the following link: May warblers.  So far for the year I have now had a total of 223 species in Hampshire County, which is way ahead of any previous year at this time which I attribute mainly to the remnants of the major irruption of multiple species this past winter.  My best previous year to date total by the end of May in Hampshire County was 218 in 2019.  The previous ten year average total by the end of May comes to 201...with the last five years averaging 207 (so obviously this year has been great so far).  Does this mean I will exceed my record setting year of 2020 when I had 248 species?  Unlikely unless a tropical system dumps some unusual species and several rarities show up...but you never know.

Third week of May

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2021

Wilson's Phalarope, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 20, 2021

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Southampton WMA, Southampton, MA, May 20, 2021

Common Yellowthroat, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, May 20, 2021

White eyed Vireo, Southampton WMA, Southampton, MA, May 19, 2021

Black Bear, Southampton WMA, Southampton, MA, May 19, 2021

Great crested Flycatcher with nest material, Quabbin Park, MA, May 19, 2021

Yellow Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2021

Brewster's Warbler, KC Trail, Amherst, MA, May 17, 2021

Red necked Phalarope (yes,really), East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 17, 2021

Blue winged Warbler with yellowish wing bars, Quabbin Park, MA, May 15, 2021

As is typically the case in mid to late May the last week has been very busy with new arrivals (including a number of rarities).  Although the peak of migration is coming to an end there are still late season migrants moving through even as many local species get down to nesting activity for the year.  The most notable rarities found during the last week were two species of phalaropes with a Red necked Phalarope showing up at a small puddle in the East Meadows on the 17th and then three Wilson's Phalaropes in the same puddle found on the 19th (I saw them the following morning).  Any phalarope is unusual in western mass but to have two different species show up within days of each other at a small puddle with the weather nice is unheard of.  Another good rarity that showed up was a White eyed Vireo in Southampton.  I managed to get to see the the bird on the 19th but it has not be relocated since.  While in the area enjoying the vireo I noticed an odd Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid and as I walked up the path trying to get some photos a large Black Bear came out of the tangles and blocked the path.  Eventually a detour needed to be made as the bear appeared to be in no hurry to move.  I made it back to the same area the next day and got some photos of the hybrid (no bear this time!).  I also completed a warbler big day in Hampshire County on the 18th and found a total of 28 species of warbler.  A very productive week for sure with overall pleasant weather conditions with some real warmth by the end.

Eastern Whip Poor Will, Quabbin Park, MA, May 19, 2021

Ruffed Grouse, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, May 20, 2021

Sunset at survey stop 1, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, May 20, 2021

I completed both of my annual Eastern Whip Poor Will surveys on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.  It is tough to get these surveys completed sometimes as the conditions have to be just right (clear skies, little or no wind) and only completed when the survey window is open (related to the phases of the moon).  The two survey routes consist of Quabbin Park and south and the second on Prescott Peninsula.  The conditions were perfect on Wednesday for the Quabbin Park route and we had a great showing of Eastern Whip Poor Wills and I even managed a very crappy photo of one.  The conditions on Thursday were less than perfect with some wind but the route got completed nonetheless.  Being able to be 'behind the gates' at Quabbin after hours is always fun and almost guarantee some Moose sightings (which I had on Prescott as usual).  I look forward to conducting field surveys on Prescott once nesting season is in full swing.

Hooded Merganser egg remnants in box 2, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 18, 2021

Eastern Bluebird eggs in nest box, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 20, 2021

Gray Catbird nest with eggs, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 20, 2021

 Blackpoll Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 15, 2021

Swainson's Thrush, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 15, 2021

Meanwhile at home lots of birds have either completed nesting or have just started.  The second Hooded Merganser box fledged (unfortunately the camera set up on the box malfunctioned and I didn't get any video of them leaving the box).   I have found a few different nests around the yard including Eastern Bluebirds in one of my nest boxes and a Gray Catbird nesting right off the deck.  The yard has also produced a number of migrants including several Blackpoll Warblers and a Swainson's Thrush that stayed around all day feeding along the driveway.

WILSON'S PHALAROPES in the East Meadows

Wilson's Phalarope, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 20, 2021

Wilson's Phalarope, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 20, 2021

Wilson's Phalarope, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 20, 2021

Wilson's Phalarope, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 20, 2021

Wilson's Phalarope, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 20, 2021

After a long day of birding yesterday I was resting before doing the first of my Eastern Whip Poor Will surveys for the season after sunset (more on those surveys later).  While sitting around catching up on emails I got a text from Theresa telling me she located three Red necked Phalaropes in the same small pool one was found just a couple days before.  I had her send me a few photos and she sent some blurry back of camera photos that looked very interesting.  I quickly had her send a few more in focus shots and we both quickly determined the birds were all Wilson's Phalaropes and not Red necked Phalaropes.  I knew I would not be able to make it over with the quickly fading light and my previous obligation for a survey.  I quickly texted a few people and some living close were able to make it there before the sun set and got to see the birds.  I completed my survey late and finally got to bed and tried to get some sleep before I planned to make the trip over to Northampton at first light in the hopes they would still be there.  I got up and going before the sun was up and made it to the East Meadows just before five as it was getting light and found both Derek and Joe already there.  It was just getting light enough to see and although there were a number of shorebirds enjoying the small muddy puddle the phalaropes were not seen right away.  After a bit of scanning Derek relocated them and we all got great looks of them as they actively fed among the mud and old corn stalks.  With the great migration conditions last night I was pleasantly surprised to still have the birds present this morning.  As the sun came up the views got better but the lighting was less than ideal as you had to look into the sun while viewing the puddle in the morning.  The birds stayed through at least the morning and allowed many others to see the very rare visitors to the area.  The last sighting of the species was back in 2004 at Arcadia where it fed in a flooded field for a single day before moving on.  A true rarity in the valley and only the second time I have ever had the species in Hampshire County.  Amazing to get two species of phalarope in the same small puddle in the matter of just a few days...makes me wonder when a Red Phalarope will drop in there.

Red necked Phalarope in the East Meadows

Red necked Phalarope, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 17, 2021

Red necked Phalarope, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 17, 2021

After being out most of the morning birding I was finally home around noon and then noticed a post from Aaron that he had a very cooperative Red necked Phalarope in a small puddle in the East Meadows.  I quickly ate lunch and headed out the door to make the drive over to Northampton.  I have only seen this species once before in Hampshire County and that was at Quabbin Park back in late May of 2014.  I arrived to find that the bird had flushed from a small pool and had resettled somewhere in the nearby cornfields.  I was able to relocate it and had some decent scope views as it preened and came in and out of view among the vegetation.  The heat shimmer and distance made getting even marginal photos difficult at best.  I waited a bit for the bird to move a little closer but it seemed content to sit and preen.  It did eventually move back to the puddle near the road but I had already left at that point.  There are just a handful of reports for this species in the area so seeing it was nice.  Usually it is poor weather that puts down species like the phalarope but the weather has been clear for days with no real rain to speak of.  I suppose it saw what it liked in the small area of flooded farm field as it was flying north so it settled into feed (along with a few Least Sandpipers and Solitary Sandpipers plus one Spotted Sandpiper).   The three species of phalarope are very interesting in that the females are much more brightly plumaged and the parental roles are reversed with the males incubating the eggs and caring for the young.  The Red necked Phalarope nests in the high arctic and then spends the rest of its time primarily at sea.

The second week of May

American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, May 14, 2021

Rose breasted Grosbeak, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 14, 2021

A quick summary as the second week of May come to a close.  Our cooler than normal conditions with unfavorable migration conditions continued until almost the end of this time period and finally slackened off a bit the last couple days.  The next few days look to feature a really good influx of mid to late May migrants and I suspect some very good mornings are on tap.  Mass Audubon's Bird a Thon begins tonight and continues through tomorrow and I'll be out a bit assisting with this annual fundraising effort.

Cape May Warbler, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 13, 2021

Great Blue Heron, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 13, 2021

Brewster's Warbler, Amherst, MA, May 12, 2021

Blue winged Warbler, Ware, MA, May 11, 2021

Chestnut sided Warbler, Ware, MA, May 11, 2021

Despite the week not being great for migration the birds still trickled in as they move north to nest and fight the less than stellar migration conditions.  I have been out every morning and I have attached a sample of lists to sum up the mornings over the last week or so...most lists have photos, audio and some video of a selection of species.  

Quabbin Park on May 8th

Arcadia on May 9th

Quabbin Park May 11th

Rail Trail-Amherst May 12th

UMASS part 1 May 13

UMASS part 2 May 13th

Rail Trail Amherst May 13th

Mitch's Way May 14th

Skinner SP May 14th

Golden winged Warbler, Montague, MA, May 10, 2021

There have been a few notable species around including a Golden winged Warbler that showed up in Montague in Franklin County.  Normally I would not make a trip out of Hampshire County during early to mid May but with the less than great migration going on and having both Blue winged/Golden winged Warbler hybrids around I made the trip up there on Monday in a successful attempt to see both Golden winged Warbler and Blue winged Warbler as well as both of the their named hybrids in a single day in western Massachusetts.  Lots more details on this quest at the following link:  Golden winged and Blue winged Warblers and hybrids all in one day.

Hooded Mergansers chicks in nest box 1, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 12, 2021

Gray Catbird nest, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 14, 2021

Ruby throated Hummingbird, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 13, 2021

Baltimore Oriole, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 13, 2021

Black and White Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 9, 2021

Gray Catbird, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 8, 2021

At home the Hooded Mergansers are completing their nesting and the first box fledged out yesterday.  Video from the birds leaving the nest at the following link.  I also have a pair of Gray Catbirds that started building a nest yesterday in a rhododendron bush within arms reach of our deck.  The cameras also continue to catch species at the water feature.