Friday, May 14, 2021

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.

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