Friday, December 31, 2021

The annual year end review

Western Meadowlark, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Nov 16, 2021
Least Bittern, Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, FL, Mar 26, 2021
Common Yellowthroat, Burdett, NY, Jul 18, 2021
Citrine Warbler (crappy photo but species #1600 for me), Reserva Huashapamba, Loja, Ecuador, Nov 9, 2021
Jocotoco Antpitta, Reserva Tapichalaca, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador, Nov 12, 2021
Belding's Yellowthroat, Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, Dec 2, 2021
Yellow throated Warbler, John D. MacArthur Beach SP, North Palm Beach, FL, Dec 8, 2021

Another year has come to an end and with it comes another end of year review.  The Covid pandemic continued on but travel finally opened up a bit at the end of the year but only in a few spots.  I was unable to travel internationally at all last winter with the only getaway in March to Florida.  This fall was more friendly to travel and I made trips to southern EcuadorBaja California Sur in Mexico, and Florida with the focus of the two international trips being warblers.  It was nice to be able to travel again and I'm hopeful more countries will open up this coming year although with the latest surge that seems more of a wish than anything else.  The only trip planned so far is a long overdue return to Costa Rica.  Overall for the year I had 615 species with 83 of them being life birds which brought my life list up to 1664 (I gained a couple species with some splits this year).  The life birds for the year were found in the following locations:  Ecuador -75, Mexico -7, United States-1.  The use of eBird has made it really easy to keep track of everything and I would encourage everyone to submit their sightings.  I added over 4200 lists to the eBird database this year and I'm sure I will add many more next year.

I had a yet another record breaking year for species in Hampshire County with an amazing 250 species with one of those (a Western Meadowlark) being a new species for me in the county, bringing my Hampshire County total to 302.

A review of all the warblers for the year can be found at the following link.

Sage Thrasher, Hatfield, MA, Jan 1, 2021
Red headed Woodpecker, Northampton, MA, Jan 1, 2021
Eastern Phoebe, Hadley, MA, Jan 1, 2021
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Hadley, MA, Jan 1, 2021
Tennessee Warbler, Athol, MA, Jan 6, 2021
Harlequin Duck, Cabot Camp, Montague, Jan 6, 2021

The year began with sunny, calm weather and I spent the first day of 2021 catching up with a number of continuing rarities including Sage Thrasher and Red headed Woodpecker plus a couple Yellow rumped Warblers and finished the day with a record setting 67 species in Hampshire County and by the end of the first week I had found 87 species.  I also made a trip north of the county to check out a few rare birds including an overwintering Tennessee Warbler and Harlequin Duck


Lincoln's Sparrow, Aqua Vitae Rd, Hadley, MA, Jan 8, 2021
Leucistic Canada Goose, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Jan 14, 2021
Iceland Gull with Ring billed Gull, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Jan 20, 2021
Ring necked Ducks, Quabbin Park, MA, Jan 20, 2021

The middle of January featured several continued unusual species including Eastern Phoebe, several species of sparrows plus an odd Canada Goose.  I had a great day out on the 20th when I had multiple unusual gull and waterfowl species and pushed my total to the month over the 100 species mark...the fastest I have ever made it to that total in the county by a wide margin (I usually don't reach 100 species until March).  

Townsend's Warbler, Sagamore Beach, MA, Jan 25, 2021
Yellow throated Warbler, Lancaster, MA, Jan 25, 2021
Common Eiders, Sagamore Beach, MA, Jan 25, 2021
Common Redpoll, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jan 26, 2021
Wilson enjoying some snow, Belchertown, MA, Jan 28, 2021

Toward the end of the month I made a trip out to the Eastern part of the state primarily in search of warblers and had some great luck.  By the end of the month the temperatures dropped substantially and we got some snow after an overall warmer and dryer than usual start to the year.  With a number of irruptive species around plus some rarities and lingering species (and having more time locally as travel was not happening due to the pandemic) I ended January with an amazing 105 species in Hampshire County (my previous best January was 93 with most years averaging in the high 70's to low 80's for species).  

Short eared Owl, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Feb 2, 2021
Common Yellowthroat, Deerfield, MA, Feb 3, 2021

Wilson in the snow, Belchertown, MA, Feb 10, 2021
Hooded Mergansers (with Common Mergansers and Black Ducks), Swift River, Ware, MA, Feb 23, 2021
Bald Eagles and Common Ravens at deer carcass, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 26, 2021

February started off the same way January ended with very cold temperatures and snow.  The increase in cold temperatures started freezing out more and more locations so the remaining species of waterfowl became more concentrated.  By the end of the first week of the month I had found a few more new species for the year including a Common Yellowthroat overwintering in a greenhouse in Deerfield.  With a decent amount of snow and cold temperatures (plus lots of work) I didn't make it out much in the middle and end of the month but I did manage to get out and relocate the continued Sage Thrasher.  By the end of the month the weather started warming a bit which brought in the vanguard of waterfowl migration.  I also managed another record breaking month for Hampshire County with a total of 97 species for the month.

Greater White fronted Goose, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Mar 6, 2021
Ring necked Ducks, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2021
Eastern Phoebe, Hadley DPW, Hadley, MA, Mar 11, 2021
Fox Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Mar 13, 2021

The arrival of March brought in waterfowl to start the month and they continued throughout the month.  There was a slight warm up for a few days around the middle of the month before it cooled once again.  A number of lingering species continued through the month.

American Wigeons, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Mar 20, 2021
Tree Swallow, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Mar 21, 2021
Iceland Gull (middle) with Ring necked Gulls, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 22, 2021
Hooded Merganser egg in nest box #1, Home, Belchertown, MA, Mar 22, 2021
Pine Warbler, Covey WMA, Belchertown, MA, Mar 31, 2021

By the third week of the month waterfowl peaked and additional migrants arrived into the area as the grip of winter slowly weakened.  With the change of season came the first hint of birds breeding with Hooded Mergansers once again using the nest boxes at the house.

Least Bittern, Green Cay, Boynton Beach, FL, Mar 26, 2021
Brown Pelican, Coconut Point Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach , FL, Mar 27, 2021
Western Spindalis, Pelican Island NWR, Vero Beach , FL, Mar 28, 2021
Common Gallinule, Orlando Wetland Park, Christmas , FL, Mar 30, 2021

We finally managed to get away to a warmer climate late in the month of March with a short trip down to Florida.  Although not as nice as getting to the tropics it was a nice respite from winter and the pandemic.

Hooded Merganser eggs in nest box #1, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 4, 2021
Red breasted Nuthatch and Black capped Chickadees, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 5, 2021
Palm Warbler, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 2, 2021
Tree Swallow, Covey WMA, Belchertown, MA, Apr 6, 2021

The first week of April brought birds in the yard as well as a number of early season migrants among a total of 97 species for the week.  

Green winged Teal intergrade, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 8, 2021
Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 14, 2021
Wilson enjoying the snow, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 16, 2021

Snow Goose, Lake Warner, Hadley, MA, Apr 16, 2021
Snowy Egret, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 17, 2021
Black Bear, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 19, 2021

On April 8th I found intergrade Green winged Teal at Lake Wallace and the bird stayed around until the middle of the month.  The middle of the month brought a snow storm with a few inches of snow but also produced both a Snow Goose and Snowy Egret!  The cameras around the house continued to capture some good stuff including a great series of shots of a Black Bear.

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 22, 2021
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Apr 28, 2021
Yellow bellied Sapsucker, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 29, 2021
Hooded Warbler, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Apr 30, 2021
Black crowned Night Heron, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 30, 2021

As the end of April arrived there were a number of good days of migration with a really large influx of Yellow rumped Warblers on the 28th.  The very end of the month brought in a few rarities including Black crowned Night Heron and Hooded Warbler.  

Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2021
Black throated Blue Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2021
Glossy Ibis, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 3, 2021
Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, May 3, 2021
Orange crowned Warbler, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 4, 2021
Hooded Merganser on eggs in nest box #1, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 6, 2021
Blue winged Warbler, Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, May 7, 2021

The first week of May featured a big increase in migration (as expected) with highlights including Glossy Ibis, Lawrence's Warbler, Orange crowned Warbler as well as Caspian Tern and Black Tern and hundreds of swallows that showed up due to rainy, cool weather. 

Hooded Mergansers chicks in nest box, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 12, 2021
Brewster's Warbler, KC Trail, Amherst, MA, May 12, 2021
American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, May 14, 2021
Yellow bellied Sapsucker, Quabbin Park, MA, May 8, 2021
Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, May 10, 2021
Golden winged Warbler, Montague, MA, May 10, 2021

Toward the end of the second week of the month the Hooded Mergansers fledged from the nest boxes at the house.  Migration conditions improved somewhat by the end of the second week as the cooler than normal temps relented a bit.                                         

Red necked Phalarope, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 17, 2021
Wilson's Phalarope, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 20, 2021
White eyed Vireo, Southampton WMA, Southampton, MA, May 19, 2021
Black Bear, Southampton WMA, Southampton, MA, May 19, 2021
Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2021
Great crested Flycatcher with nest material, Quabbin Park, MA, May 19, 2021

The third week of May was very productive for phalaropes with a Red necked Phalarope showing up and then multiple Wilson's Phalaropes all coming into a small puddle in the East Meadows.  The third week of the month had the peak of migration arriving and multiple species already successfully breeding.  Among the notable species for the third week was a White eyed Vireo.

Pileated Woodpecker, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 24, 2021
Mourning Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 24, 2021
Brewster's Warbler, Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, May 24, 2021

The month of May ended on a cold note but the month overall produced my highest ever total for species in Hampshire County with 180 species!  It is a shame May goes by so fast. 

Semipalmated Plover, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Jun 1, 2021
Semipalmated Sandpiper and Least Sandpiper, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Jun 1, 2021
Eastern Bluebird nestlings, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 2, 2021
Worm eating Warbler, Mount Holyoke Range SP, Granby, MA, Jun 3, 2021

June began with a nice showing of late migrants including a number of shorebirds in a small puddle in the East Meadows as well as lots of breeding activity.

Banded Black capped Chickadee in net, originally banded in yard in 2019, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 8, 2021
Black capped Chickadee being banded, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 8, 2021

Although the annual Neighborhood Nestwatch stopped coming by the yard to band birds this year I was lucky to have a PhD student looking for a yard to band in and I readily offered up my yard.  The banding took place on June 8 (he returned in July to band again).  

Purple Martin, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jun 13, 2021
Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jun 10, 2021
Turkey Vultures and Black Vulture, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Jun 15, 2021
Field at BBS stop #29, Monson, MA, Jun 19, 2021

Toward the middle of the month I caught up with a couple of species that are unusual around here that appeared to be trying to breed including Blue Grosbeaks (returning for a third year to Hadley) and Purple Martins (which have not bred in the area in a hundred years).  I also found a large vulture roost at the Holyoke Dam that peaked out at 102 Turkey Vultures and four Black Vultures.  On the 19th I completed my breeding bird survey for the 11th year in a row.

Cerulean Warbler, Mount Holyoke Range SP, Granby/Amherst, MA, Jun 18, 2021

One the the cooler experiences of the whole year was eventually catching up with a Cerulean Warbler along the Mount Holyoke Range that sang both a Black throated Blue Warbler and Black and White Warbler song!  It took a very long time to track the bird down but was totally worth the time and effort...more on that at the following link.

House Wren with leg bands feeding young, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 29, 2021
Killdeer, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Jun 28, 2021
Purple Martins (first day with three present), Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jun 27, 2021
Canada Warbler, Pelham, MA, Jun 26, 2021

Overall the month of June was very warm and produced the highest total for species for the month I have ever had in Hampshire County with 145 species!

Purple Martins, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jul 1, 2021
Black Vultures, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Jul 2, 2021
Chimney Swifts, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Jul 4, 2021
Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, Jul 9, 2021
Lesser Yellowlegs, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Jul 10, 2021
Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jul 10, 2021
Horned Lark, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Jul 11, 2021

July began with rainy weather and that pattern continued for most of the month.  A number of rarities continued through the beginning of the month with Purple Martin and Blue Grosbeak among the highlights.  The cool weather concentrated swifts along the river and I had a high count of 580 on the 4th of July.  We also had a tropical storm (TS Elsa) brush past us early in the month.   Some shorebirds arrived though the middle of the month as well as confirmation of breeding by the Blue Grosbeaks in Hadley. 

Common Yellowthroat, Burdett, NY, Jul 18, 2021
Yellow bellied Sapsucker, Potomac Road, Finger Lakes NF, Hector, NY, Jul 19, 2021
Northern Waterthrush, Armitage Rd, Galen, NY, Jul 20, 2021

On the 18th we took a short trip out to the Finger Lakes where we spent four days and despite it not being a birding trip I still managed to get out a bit each morning with the main goal of tracking down new warblers I had not yet seen in New York.

Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Jul 23, 2021
Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 27, 2021
Great Egrets, Meadow St fields, Amherst, MA, Jul 31, 2021
Black capped Chickadees in net, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jul 29, 2021
Black capped Chickadee with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jul 29, 2021

The remainder of July featured more rain (setting a record as the rainiest July) but at least we got some sunny days between the bouts of rain.  The influx of post breeding waders as they disperse before migration south got underway with a nice showing of Great Egrets.  The end of the month also featured another visit from Sebastian to band birds in the yard as part of his PhD work.

Northern Parula, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Aug 3, 2021
 Purple Martins, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 9, 2021

I started off the month of August with some continued rarities including both Purple Martins and Blue Grosbeaks as well as a record early arrival of a Northern Parula.

Black crowned Night Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 12, 2021
Little Blue Heron, Hatfield, MA, Aug 12, 2021
Great Egrets, Hatfield, MA, Aug 12, 2021

Around the middle of the month I was mainly focusing on finding dispersing waders and had some great luck with Black crowned Night Heron and Little Blue Heron among the highlights.  Successful nesting of the Purple Martins in Hadley was also confirmed.

Lesser Black backed Gull, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 22, 2021
Whimbrel, Oxbow, Northampton, MA, Aug 23, 2021
Wilson's Snipe, Granby, MA, Aug 23, 2021
Snowy Egret, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Aug 24, 2021

Hurricane Henri hit the area on August 22nd and despite it looking great to produce some epic birds here it was a letdown overall with almost no storm driven species.  I did manage to find a Lesser Black backed Gull at Winsor Dam but that was it during the storm.  The flooded areas after the storm were a bit more productive with shorebirds being the main players with a Whimbrel being the most unusual species.  I also had a Snowy Egret at the Holyoke Dam on multiple visits. 

Semipalmated Plover, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 3, 2021
Baird's Sandpiper, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 3, 2021
American Golden Plover, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 4, 2021
Black and White Warbler, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Sep 5, 2021
Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 6, 2021
Dickcissel, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 7, 2021
Palm Warbler 'western', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 7, 2021

The month of  September began with the remnants of Hurricane Ida moving through and bringing down some shorebirds (I unfortunately missed a Red Knot that showed up as I was working).  The rest of the first week of the month brought more shorebirds and passerines. 

Western Kingbird, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep, 11, 2021
Buff breasted Sandpiper, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 10, 2021
Sanderling, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Sep 9, 2021
Philadelphia Vireo, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep, 11, 2021
Red eyed Vireo, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 12, 2021
American Golden Plovers, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 13, 2021

The second week of September brought in a number of unusual species including Western Kingbird and Buff breasted Sandpiper plus a Sanderling.  The fall migration continued in earnest through the second week of the month with loads of birds around with the most notable being a Yellow headed Blackbird

Dickcissel, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 14, 2021
Dawn, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 14, 2021
Connecticut Warbler, Hadley, MA, Sep 16, 2021
Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 16, 2021
Clay colored Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 19, 2021
Lincoln's Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 19, 2021
Northern Parula, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 20, 2021
Tennessee Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 21, 2021

The third week of September brought lots of migrants through including some unusual species with Dickcissels, Clay colored Sparrow, Connecticut Warblers and multiple lingering species.  I spent the last three consecutive days of this period at Arcadia during which it was interesting to see the turnover of species from one day to the next as the peak of fall migration came to an end.  

Buff breasted Sandpiper with Killdeer, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2021
Yellow Warbler, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2021
Eastern Bluebird, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 24, 2021
Nashville Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 25, 2021
Blackpoll Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 27, 2021
Black Bear, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 28, 2021
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 29, 2021
Yellow breasted Chat, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 29, 2021
Least Flycatcher, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 30, 2021

The end of month brought in more unusual species including another Buff breasted Sandpiper, Yellow breasted Chat, more Dickcissels and a number of lingering species.  Overall September was another record setting month for me in the county with 171 species

Rose breasted Grosbeak, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 1, 2021
Red shouldered Hawk, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 1, 2021
Yellow headed Blackbird, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Oct 7, 2021
Connecticut Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 15, 2021
Surf Scoters, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 17, 2021
Black Scoters, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 19, 2021
Marsh Wren, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Oct 22, 2021
Bald Eagle, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 23, 2021

The first week of October produced a variety of bird in the first few days and then produced a Yellow headed Blackbird by weeks end.  By the middle of the month waterfowl had started to arrive in numbers and I also had a record late date for Connecticut Warbler.  The end of the third week brought a nice warm up and some nice birds.

Wilson relaxing after a walk, Belchertown, MA, Oct 17, 2021
Wilson on the trail, Belchertown, MA, Oct 29, 2021

October also brought some devastating news with the diagnosis of cancer for my buddy Wilson.  He continues to act as if nothing is wrong and is still a happy dog that loves to be outside sniffing stuff.

Black legged Kittiwake, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 27, 2021
Black legged Kittiwake, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 27, 2021

The end of the month brought multiple days of rain with a strong nor'easter that produced multiple Black legged Kittwakes as well as a selection of waterfowl.

Cattle Egret, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Nov 2, 2021
Northern Harrier, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 2, 2021
Common Gallinule, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Nov 1, 2021

November started off with a number of rarities showing up with a Common Gallinule and Cattle Egret.  The Cattle Egret became species #249 for Hampshire County for the year which broke my previous record for a year that I set just last year.  

Blue necked Tanager, Reserva Buenaventura, El Oro, Ecuador, Nov 14, 2021
El Oro Parakeets, Reserva Buenaventura, El Oro, Ecuador, Nov 14, 2021
Red masked Parakeet, Reserva Buenaventura, El Oro, Ecuador, Nov 13, 2021
Long wattled Umbrellabird, Reserva Buenaventura, El Oro, Ecuador, Nov 13, 2021
Crowned Woodnymph (Emerald-bellied), Reserva Buenaventura, El Oro, Ecuador, Nov 13, 2021
Three banded Warbler, Chinchas-Portavelo Road, Loja, Ecuador, Nov 12, 2021
Jocotoco Antpitta, Reserva Tapichalaca, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador, Nov 12, 2021
Russet crowned Warbler, Reserva Tapichalaca, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador, Nov 12, 2021
Flame faced Tanager, Road west of Zumba, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador, Nov 11, 2021
Paramo, Parque Nacional Yacuri, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador, Nov 11, 2021
Wedge tailed Grass Finch, Pucabamba, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador, Nov 10, 2021
Peruvian Pygmy Owl, Vilcabamba, Loja, Ecuador, Nov 9, 2021
Chiguanco Thrush, Saraguro, Loja, Ecuador, Nov 9, 2021
Gray and Gold Warbler, Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve, Guayas, Ecuador, Nov 8, 2021

I finally made a trip back to the tropics in mid November with a trip to southern Ecuador with the main focus being a number of warbler species.  I got all my target species as well as loads of others for a total of 75 life birds on the trip.  The entire trip is chronicled in the following posts:  Part 1Part 2 and warblers.

Western Meadowlark, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Nov 16, 2021
Common Yellowthroat, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Nov 26, 2021
Gray Catbird, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Nov 30, 2021
Pale Canada Goose, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Nov 28, 2021

While I was down in Ecuador I saw posts about a Western Meadowlark that was found in Hadley.  Thankfully the bird stayed around until I got back and I was able to see it on the 22nd.  The meadowlark became species #250 for the year in Hampshire County (plus a new county bird for me).  The remainder of the month I spent some time out and about and turned up some late species as well as some interesting ones including a pale Canada Goose.

Belding's Yellowthroat, Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, Dec 2, 2021
House Finch, Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, Dec 2, 2021
Least Grebe, Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, Dec 2, 2021
Osprey, Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, Dec 2, 2021
Xantus's Hummingbird, Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, Dec 3, 2021
Sunrise, Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, Dec 4, 2021
Western Sandpiper, Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, Dec 4, 2021

I started off the month of December with another trip south, this time heading to the southern end of Baja California Sur in Mexico.  The main target species was the Belding's Yellowthroat and I had success in finding both this species as well as six other life birds on the short trip.

Boat tailed Grackles, Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, FL, Dec 6, 2021
White eyed Vireo, Riverbend Park, Jupiter, FL, Dec 7, 2021
Tennessee Warbler, Riverbend Park, Jupiter, FL, Dec 8, 2021
White Ibis, John D. MacArthur Beach SP, North Palm Beach, FL, Dec 8, 2021
Yellow throated Warbler, John D. MacArthur Beach SP, North Palm Beach, FL, Dec 8, 2021
Egyptian Goose, Riverbend Park, Jupiter, FL, Dec 9, 2021
Wilson happy to have us home

After my trip to Mexico I flew to Florida to meet Sherri to continue the vacation in Florida.  We spent most of our time in the Jupiter area and had the typical species one would expect in southern Florida in December although I was able to add a new species to my Florida list with a late Tennessee Warbler.

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Dec 16, 2021
Cackling Goose, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Dec 13, 2021

After getting home from Florida after a late vacation medical issue I stayed close to home but still made it out a little while running errands and making it to doctor appointments.  There were a number of unusual species around and I also managed to catch up with a few Yellow rumped Warblers.

Swamp Sparrow, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Dec 19, 2021
Great Blue Heron, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Dec 19, 2021

I was able to take part in the annual Northampton Christmas Bird Count, at least for a little while. It was actually the longest I had been away from home since getting home from vacation.  Nothing rare but some decent numbers of a few species.  


Wood Ducks, Home, Belchertown, MA, Nov 26, 2021
White tailed Deer, Home, Belchertown, MA, Nov 18, 2021
Bobcat, Home, Belchertown, MA, Nov 13, 2021

I finally got around to checking the game camera along the brook at the house and had lots of captures.  The year overall produced lots of captures from the various cameras around the yard and above is a small selection.  There is an entire Flickr album of all the captures at the following link.

Western Meadowlark, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 24, 2021
White crowned Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 24, 2021
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Dec 27, 2021

The end of the year brought a few notable species including the continued presence of a Western Meadowlark as well as multiple lingering species.

As far as travel plans for the upcoming year the pandemic (and the scientific stupidity of segments of the public) looks to continue to curtail travel.  A trip to Costa Rica in January (and perhaps again in March) is planned but these plans may be scuttled or at least modified as travel restrictions continually change.  Time will tell I suppose. 


If anyone is really bored (or interested!) and wants to see previous year end reviews then I have provided all the links below:



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