Blackpoll Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2023
Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Lake Apopka North Shore, FL, Jan 15, 2023
Trinidad Motmot, Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Tobago, Mar 20, 2023
Pearl Kites, Aranguez, Trinidad, Mar 21, 2023
Whistling Warbler, Montreal Nature Trails, St. Vincent, Mar 22, 2023
Plumbeous Warbler, Road to Morne Diablotin NP, Dominica, Mar 24, 2023
Green throated Carib, Pigeon Island NP, St. Lucia, Mar 24, 2023
Osprey, Everglades NP, Flamingo, FL, Mar 27, 2023
American Redstart, Rocky Branch Trail, Shenandoah NP, VA, Jul 17, 2023
Long billed Dowitcher, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 6, 2023
Toco Toucan, Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023
Rufous winged Tanager, Cerro Jefe, Panama, Dec 15, 2023
Say's Phoebe, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Dec 17, 2023
Hard to believe but yet another year has now come to an end. I made a few trips away from the area including a January trip to mid Florida, a cruise to the southern Caribbean in mid March with stops before and after the trip to south Florida, a short summer trip in July to Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania in place of our original trip to Colorado and a long awaited trip in December to southern Brazil and then a stop in Panama on my way back. I visited a total of eight countries on trips with five of those being new for me (Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Brazil and Panama). When not travelling the vast majority of my time was spent exploring around Hampshire County.
Overall for the year I added 280 new species bringing my life total to 1993 with the breakdown in new species by location as follows: Trinidad & Tobago-29 species, St. Vincent-1 species, Grenada-1 species, Dominica-4 species, St. Lucia-1 species, Florida-1 species, Brazil-213 species and Panama-29 species.
My trips for warblers yielded 45 species for the year with seven of those being new warbler species for me. More on the warblers for the year (with loads of photos) can be found at warblers 2023 review.
I added two new species to my Hampshire County list with a Long billed Dowitcher in August and a Say's Phoebe that stayed around long enough for me to see it when I got back from my Brazil/Panama trip in December, bringing my county list to 306.
I continue to use eBird to keep track of sightings and add to the database and this year I submitted 5226 checklists and tallied 787 species.
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Jan 2, 2023
Pale/leucistic Canada Goose, Hadley, MA, Jan 5, 2023
Common Yellowthroat, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Jan 5, 2023
Greater Scaup, Hadley Falls Canal Park, South Hadley, MA, Jan 6, 2023
Mallard in a tree, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Jan 7, 2023
Although I had to work on the first of the year I was out the next day to start catching up on birds including finding a warbler for the month (a Yellow rumped Warbler) extending my streak of consecutive months with a warbler in the county to 69. The new year unfortunately brought me another bout of covid but thankfully this one was not too bad either and I ended the first week of the year with an impressive collection of rarities and lingering species.
Swamp Sparrow, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Jan 8, 2023
Greater White fronted Goose, Mt Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, Jan 10, 2023
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Jan 10, 2023
As the second week of January came around I found several other new species for the year with multiple lingering species. I was on pace to have a great monthly total for the county at that point with 91 species so far.
Little Blue Heron, Lake Apopka North Shore, FL, Jan 15, 2023
Vermilion Flycatcher, Lake Apopka North Shore, FL, Jan 15, 2023
Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Lake Apopka North Shore, FL, Jan 15, 2023
Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal hybrid, Lake Apopka North Shore, FL, Jan 16, 2023
Snail Kite, LeRoy Wright Rec Area, Cocoa, FL, Jan 17, 2023
Common Yellowthroat, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 17, 2023
Short tailed Hawk, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Jan 17, 2023
Bonaparte's Gull, Round Island Conservation Area, Vero Beach, FL, Jan 18, 2023
Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron and White Ibis, Round Island Conservation Area, Vero Beach, FL, Jan 20, 2023
Yellow throated Warbler, Fort Pierce Inlet SP, Fort Pierce, FL, Jan 20, 2023
River Otter, Peaceful Waters Sanctuary, Wellington, FL, Jan 21, 2023
The middle of the month found me making my first away from the area for the year with the destination being Florida with the first few days of the trip in the Orlando area and the remainder the coast near Fort Pierce. I ended the trip with 147 species with eight of those new for me in Florida. I also found a few unusual species over the course of about a week. It was certainly nice to get away to some warmth, even if only for a short time. Warblers for the trip can be found at the following: Florida warblers
Barred Owl, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jan 22, 2023
Wilson in the snow, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jan 24, 2023
Pale/leucistic Canada Goose, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Jan 26, 2023
Common Yellowthroat, Slobody Farm Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Jan 28, 2023
Ross's Goose, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Jan 29, 2023
Hooded Mergansers and Bufflehead, Snow Pond, Ware, MA, Jan 30, 2023
After my return from Florida I spent the last week plus trying to find new species for the year and having some success. It was overall warmer than normal with just a little bit of snow. Highlights included a very late Common Yellowthroat and Ross's Goose on the 29th and a decent selection of waterfowl plus other lingering species. Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Feb 1, 2023
Red Squirrel, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Feb 1, 2023
Ring necked Duck, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 5, 2023
Red shouldered Hawk, Wentworth Farm Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Feb 7, 2023
Eastern Bluebird, Wentworth Farm Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Feb 7, 2023
I started off February with finding two warblers and continuing my streak of consecutive months with a warbler in the county to 70! The warmer than typical weather of the winter took a vacation for a couple days in early February when we had record breaking cold, which hit some of the lingering half hearty species hard. By the end of the first week of February I had added multiple new species of waterfowl and reached the 100 species mark for the year in the county. I also got a new camera (Canon R7) so I was out trying to learn it and having some success.
Sunrise over the Connecticut River, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Feb 9, 2023
American Robin with elongated bill, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Feb 9, 2023
Lesser Scaup, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 9, 2023
Feeders after a bear visit, Home, Belchertown, MA, Feb 11, 2023
Black Bear on his way to destroy feeders, Home, Belchertown, MA, Feb 11, 2023
Gadwall, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 14, 2023
The second week of the month continued to feature above normal temps overall with no snow. The variety of waterfowl continued to increase thanks to the above mentioned conditions and lack of much ice. Vultures also continued to increase during this week with double digit counts of Turkey Vultures. The warm weather also produced a Black Bear that raided the feeders on the 11th...never thought I would ever deal with bears in mid February here!
Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 16, 2023
Horned Larks, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Feb 21, 2023
Common Grackles (with a few other species mixed in), Meadow St fields, Amherst, MA, Feb 21, 2023
Black capped Chickadee with leg bands, male banded in 2019, Home, Belchertown, MA, Feb 21, 2023
We got a little snow to end out the third week of February as the pattern changed to a cooler and stormier pattern. The best species of the week was a Yellow headed Blackbird in among a large mixed flock of grackles, blackbirds and cowbirds. Sadly I didn't get a photo of the bird but my views were distant so not too surprised about that. I also spent some time at home checking out the hordes of Black capped Chickadees coming to the feeder including several banded individuals (one being a male originally banded in June 2019).
Eastern Phoebe, Hadley DPW, Hadley, MA, Feb 22, 2023
Black Vulture, Moody Bridge Rd, Hadley, MA, Feb 22, 2023
Ring necked Ducks, Beaver Lake, Ware, MA, Feb 24, 2023
Wilson in the snow, Home, Belchertown, MA, Feb 28, 2023
The last week of February continued to be cold overall with a few bouts of snow. A numbering of lingering species continued and waterfowl continued to slowly increase in diversity. Wilson was glad to see more snow.
Lapland Longspur, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Mar 1, 2023
Double crested Cormorant, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Mar 3, 2023
Northern Pintail, Hadley, MA, Mar 7, 2023
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian x American) intergrade, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Mar 7, 2023
The cold and snow continued into the first week of March and brought in a good influx of waterfowl with quite a few Green winged Teal (including an intergrade) and the increased numbers of Northern Pintails.
Canvasback and Lesser Scaup, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Mar 8, 2023
Pale Canada Goose, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Mar 8, 2023
American Robin, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Mar 10, 2023
Snow Goose with Canada Goose, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Mar 10, 2023
American Coot, Fitzgerald Lake, Northampton, MA, Mar 12, 2023
Killdeer, Meadow St fields, Amherst, MA, Mar 15, 2023
Egg is duck box #2, Home, Belchertown, MA, Mar 17, 2023
American Wigeon, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Mar 17, 2023
Some unusual waterfowl showed up early/mid in March including a Canvasback, scaup, American Coot plus the continued pale Canada Goose. By the middle of the month one of our biggest snow storms of the year arrived and the first egg in the duck boxes appeared.
Sora, Green Cay Wetlands, Boynton Beach, FL, Mar 18, 2023
White eyed Vireo, Gumbo Limbo Trail, Everglades NP, FL, Mar 27, 2023
Osprey, Everglades NP, Flamingo, FL, Mar 27, 2023
Shiny Cowbird, Everglades NP, Flamingo, FL, Mar 27, 2023
Swallow tailed Kite, Everglades NP, FL, Mar 27, 2023
Ovenbird, Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP, FL, Mar 28, 2023
We travelled to warmer climates just after the mid month mark with the big getaway being a cruise out of Barbados. We made brief stops in Florida on the way down and the way back and I added a few more species to my Florida list (plus a lifer Common Myna).
Trinidad Motmot, Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Tobago, Mar 20, 2023
White tailed Sabrewing, Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Tobago, Mar 20, 2023
Venezuelan Flycatcher, Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Tobago, Mar 20, 2023
Yellow hooded Blackbird, Caroni Rice Fields, Trinidad, Mar 21, 2023
Pied Water Tyrant, Sewage Ponds, Tunapuna-Piarco, Trinidad, Mar 21, 2023
Scarlet Ibis, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad, Mar 21, 2023
Whistling Warbler, Montreal Nature Trails, St. Vincent, Mar 22, 2023
St. Vincent Parrots, East side of island, St. Vincent, Mar 22, 2023
Grenada Flycatcher, Montreal Nature Trails, St. Vincent, Mar 22, 2023
Red footed Boobies, At sea off Grenada, Mar 23, 2023
Plumbeous Warbler, Road to Morne Diablotin NP, Dominica, Mar 24, 2023
Blue headed Hummingbird, Morne Diablotin NP, Dominica, Mar 24, 2023
Red necked Parrot, Morne Diablotin NP, Dominica, Mar 24, 2023
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, Pigeon Island NP, St. Lucia, Mar 24, 2023
Scaly breasted Thrasher, Pigeon Island NP, St. Lucia, Mar 24, 2023
Gray Trembler, Pigeon Island NP, St. Lucia, Mar 24, 2023
A very productive cruise to the southern Caribbean visited the islands of Trinidad & Tobago, St. Vincent, Grenada, Dominica and St. Lucia and provided me with three new warbler species and a total of 37 life birds. It was a fantastic getaway to warm and tropical locations with great birds. Full album with photos at the following link.
Great Egret, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Mar 29, 2023
Intergrade Green winged Teal (American Green winged teal x Eurasian Green winged Teal aka Common Teal), Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Mar 31, 2023
I was out a bit at the end of the month after returning home and added a few new arrivals including an early Great Egret, hordes of Green winged Teal (including an intergrade), Greater Yellowlegs, Pine Warbler and others.
Eurasian Green winged Teal (Common Teal), Meadow St fields, Amherst, MA, Apr 3, 2023
Pectoral Sandpiper, Meadow St fields, Amherst, MA, Apr 6, 2023
Lesser Yellowlegs, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 6, 2023
Louisiana Waterthrush, Hadley, MA, Apr 6, 2023
Wilson's Snipe, Dufresne Recreation Area, Granby, MA, Apr 7, 2023
To add to the above mentioned intergrade I had a seemingly pure Eurasian Green winged Teal (Common Teal) on the 3rd. The remainder of the first week of April brought in some unusual gulls and ducks, early shorebirds and an early Louisiana Waterthrush.
Canada Goose on nest, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 11, 2023
Ruby crowned Kinglet, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 12, 2023
Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 14, 2023
Common Grackle, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 14, 2023
Palm Warbler 'yellow', Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 14, 2023
Eggs in duck box #3, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 11, 2023
The second week of April was dry and overall unseasonable warm with a couple recording setting days of heat. Although there was nothing extremely rare around there were a number of early arrivals and increased numbers of early season migrants and some birds already on nests. My three duck boxes at the house all had eggs in them by the second week.
Broad winged Hawk, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 18, 2023
When I got out of work on the 18th and headed over to do some birding in Hadley I didn't think I would end the morning with my highest count ever for Broad winged Hawks in the spring but I did and ended with over a thousand individuals.
Yellow throated Warbler, Mt Toby State Forest, Sunderland, MA, Apr 20, 2023
A rare warbler for western mass showed up to end the third week with the arrival of a Yellow throated Warbler in Sunderland (plus another that showed up in Hampden County the same day)...sadly not in Hampshire County but I was glad to see it nonetheless.
Yellow Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 21, 2023
House Wren with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 21, 2023
Chipping Sparrow, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 22, 2023
Eastern Bluebird, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 26, 2023
Merlin, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 27, 2023
Eastern Towhee, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 27, 2023
Ovenbird, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Apr 28, 2023
By the end of the third week of April I had a few record early (or nearly record early) warblers arrive plus had a banded House Wren return to the yard for another year. The weather then changed to much cooler than normal conditions with many bouts of rain and terrible migration conditions through the fourth week of the month and then into May. Despite the bad migration conditions some stuff still made it through but the numbers and variety were low given the time of year. Nonetheless there were still good birds including a pair of Merlin that appeared to be breeding at Quabbin Park.
Dunlin, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, May 2, 2023
Black and White Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2023
Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows and Northern Rough winged Swallows, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2023
White throated Sparrow, Quabbin Park, MA, May 4, 2023
Yellow Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 4, 2023
Blue gray Gnatcatcher, Quabbin Park, MA, May 5, 2023
Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 6, 2023
Worm eating Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 7, 2023Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 7, 2023
The first five days of May featured the same conditions we ended April with cooler than average temps, occasional rain and subpar migration conditions. These types of conditions can produce some birds put down by the weather and the highlights included a breeding plumage Dunlin and some other less rare shorebirds plus a big show of swallows at Quabbin over multiple days. By the end first week of the month the weather pattern broke a bit and more birds arrived.
White throated Sparrow, Quabbin Park, MA, May 8, 2023
Northern Parula, Quabbin Park, MA, May 8, 2023
Fisher, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 10, 2023
Worm eating Warbler, Mount Tom State Reservation, Easthampton, MA, May 11, 2023
Barn Swallow collecting nest material, Southampton WMA, Southampton, MA, May 11, 2023
Purple Martin, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 11, 2023
Cape May Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 11, 2023
Lawrence's Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 12, 2023
Remains after fledging in duck box #2, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 13, 2023
Swainson's Thrush, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 13, 2023
Barred Owl, Quabbin Park, MA, May 13, 2023
Bay breasted Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 14, 2023
By the middle of the second week some other notable species showed up including a Purple Martin and Lawrence's Warbler plus loads of expected migrants as the peak of migration began. The second weekend of the month brought the annual Global Big Day.
Veery, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 15, 2023
Common Loon, Quabbin Park, MA, May 15, 2023
Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 15, 2023
Blue winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 15, 2023
American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2023
Brewster's Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 17, 2023
Yellow Warbler, Sweet Alice Conservation Area. Amherst, MA, May 17, 2023
Blackpoll Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2023
Merlin, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2023
Wilson's Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2023
Common Nighthawk, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 18, 2023
Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 19, 2023
Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2023
Black Scoter, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2023
Great crested Flycatcher, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2023
Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2023
The third week of May brought in the peak of migration with a handful of notable species among the hordes of expected species. I also had a few warbler big days mid month. There is honestly too much to mention so I will let the photos tell the story.
Downy Woodpecker, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 22, 2023
Common Grackle carrying food, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 23, 2023
Bobcat, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 9, 2023
Wild Turkey with poults, Quabbin Park, MA, May 24, 2023
American Redstart on nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 26, 2023
Wilson enjoying some sun therapy, Home, May 30, 2023
Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 30, 2023
Black throated Blue Warbler with unusual plumage, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2023
Osprey, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2023
Lawrence's Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2023
Red eyed Vireo, Quabbin Park, MA, May 31, 2023
Smoky sunset, Quabbin Park, MA, May 30, 2023
Black Bear, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, May 31, 2023
By the end of May I had tallied a rather low count of 166 species in the county. This is likely due to a major concentration on my part for warblers all month and a rather lackluster showing of rarities overall with little weather to bring migrants down. Nonetheless another great May to be out there enjoying migration. The only real negative part of the month was Wilson tearing ligaments in his knee that would require surgery.
Ruby throated Hummingbird, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 1, 2023
Yellow Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 1, 2023
Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 3, 2023
Eastern Towhee, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 6, 2023
Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Jun 6, 2023
Blackburnian Warbler, Cadwell Memorial Forest, Pelham, MA, Jun 7, 2023
American Robin building nest, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Jun 7, 2023
The first week of June brought the end of spring migration and the beginning of various breeding bird surveys.
Purple Martin, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jun 16, 2023
Sora, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jun 16, 2023
American Redstarts in nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 15, 2023
Hooded Warbler, Westfield, MA, Jun 14, 2023
Wilson finding another comfortable spot, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 13, 2023
Song Sparrow, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 9, 2023
By mid June the breeding season was well underway and I kept mainly close to home as Wilson recovered from his surgery. There were a number of noteworthy birds around including Purple Martins that showed on multiple days in the same location they bred last year. I also watched a full breeding cycle of a pair of American Redstarts at Quabbin Park.
Lawrence's Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 19, 2023
Wilson in the sun, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 19, 2023
House Wren with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 21, 2023
By the third week or so of June I was getting out a bit but mainly stayed close to home to be close to Wilson as he continued his recovery. I had a few notable warblers including a rediscovery of the Lawrence's Warbler at Quabbin Park as well as a continued Cerulean Warblers (also at Quabbin Park) including one singing a parula like song.
Eastern Towhee juvenile, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 23, 2023
American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 23, 2023
Ruffed Grouse, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 23, 2023
Fields at Belchertown BBS stop 29, Monson, MA, Jun 25, 2023
During the fourth week of June I had some good birding days including morning where I had a very tame Ruffed Grouse join me for a walk at Quabbin Park and my 14th running of my breeding bird survey as well as other sightings.
Yellow Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Jul 29, 2023
American Redstarts, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 30, 2023
June ended with a summer like feel and turned out to be one of my lowest total for species I have had in the county in June in quite awhile. Nonetheless I was still out birding as much as I could and the influx of Red Crossbills into the area was already starting.
Hermit Thrush fledgling, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jul 5, 2023
Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jul 5, 2023
Wilson with some cool goggles, Jul 5, 2023
High water at the Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Jul 5, 2023
Common Yellowthroat, Pelham, MA, Jul 3, 2023
Red Crossbill, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jul 9, 2023
July started off with hot and humid and wet conditions and lots of breeding activity. A noticeable increase in Red Crossbills also continued during this time period (and increasingly steadily after).
Black Bear, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jul 11, 2023
Common Yellowthroat, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jul 11, 2023
Flooding in meadows up to red barn, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Jul 12. 2023
Sora, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jul 13, 2023
I conducted a few bird surveys going into the second week of July including a trip to the Prescott Peninsula where I had some good birds plus a close encounter with a Black Bear. The raining weather for the month really ramped up and resulted in record breaking flooding for the month with lots of damage to crops along the river.
Burnside's Bridge, Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD, Jul 14, 2023
Yellow throated Warbler, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Sharpsburg, MD, Jul 15, 2023
Smoky view of mountains, Shenandoah NP, VA, Jul 17, 2023
American Redstart, Fox Hollow Trail, Shenandoah NP, VA, Jul 17, 2023
Hooded Warbler, Fox Hollow Trail, Shenandoah NP, VA, Jul 17, 2023
Indigo Bunting, Fox Hollow Trail, Shenandoah NP, VA, Jul 17, 2023
Potomac River in the fog, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Sharpsburg, MD, Jul 18, 2023
Prothonotary Warbler, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Sharpsburg, MD, Jul 18, 2023
View from Henry Hill, Manassas National Battlefield, Manassas, VA, Jul 18, 2023
During the middle of the month we took a short trip down to the Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia area. This was a replacement trip for the trip to western Colorado that we planned to take but had to change after Wilson need surgery. Although a short trip it was fun with a combination of nature and history. More on warblers for the trip can be found at the following link.
Least Sandpiper, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Jul 21, 2023
Greater Yellowlegs, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Jul 21, 2023
Lesser Yellowlegs with Killdeer, Arcadia, Easthampton, MA, Jul 23, 2023
Once we were back home from vacation I caught with a bunch of shorebirds taking advantage of the great habitat created by the flooding from earlier in the month.
Red Crossbill, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 24, 2023
Blue winged Warbler, Ware, MA, Jul 24, 2023
Hermit Thrush fledgling, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 25, 2023
Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 31, 2023
As the month was coming to an end the Red Crossbill invasion ramped up even more and produced my first ever Type 4 I have had here. By the end of July I had my second highest total ever for species in the county (just one behind my best every July last year.
View of East Meadows from summit, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Aug 1, 2023
Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Aug 1, 2023
Canada Warbler, Pelham, MA, Aug 1, 2023
Wilson checking out a turkey, Belchertown, MA, Aug 3, 2023
Tennessee Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 3, 2023
Common Yellowthroat, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 3, 2023
I began August with my main focus being warblers and I had some good luck with several lingering species. I even managed to find a few record early warblers on the 3rd.
Long billed Dowitcher, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 6, 2023
Northern Harrier, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 6, 2023
Just before the end of the first week of August I added a new species to my Hampshire County list with the arrival of a Long billed Dowitcher (species #305) in the ever productive East Meadows. The dowitcher was the first new species for me in the county for the year with the last new species being the Smith's Longspur in December last year.
House Wren at nest, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 8, 2023
Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Aug 8, 2023
Dickcissel, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Aug 9, 2023
Gray Catbird, Ware, MA, Aug 11, 2023
Prairie Warbler, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Aug 11, 2023
White tailed Deer, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Aug 12, 2023
Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 13, 2023
Least Sandpipers, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 14, 2023
Bobcat, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 16, 2023
Blue winged Teal, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 16, 2023Red Crossbill Type 12, Quabbin Gate 49, Ware, MA, Aug 17, 2023
Wilson back home after a check up, Aug 18, 2023
By the
middle of the month I had added a number of unusual species including Blue Grosbeak and Dickcissel as well as some early/unusual waterfowl and shorebirds. I was way ahead of a typical August and continued on my record setting pace for the month. I had more
Red Crossbills and shorebirds plus some waterfowl with each passing day.
Sandhill Cranes, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 19, 2023
Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Aug 19, 2023
Bay breasted Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 20, 2023
Worm eating Warbler, Ware, MA, Aug 20, 2023
Pectoral Sandpiper, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 22, 2023
By the
end of the third week and into the beginning of the fourth week of August I continued to find some unusual species and the shorebirds continued in numbers in Northampton. I also had more early arriving warblers from up north as well as a
record late Worm eating Warbler.
Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 23, 2023
Yellow bellied Flycatcher, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 24, 2023
Cape May Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 24, 2023
Velvet Ant, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 24, 2023
Short billed Dowitcher, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 26, 2023
Baird's Sandpiper, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 26, 2023
Some rainy weather into the third week of the month brought down more
shorebirds including a
Baird's Sandpiper. The number of mixed species flocks also increased and I had some good days for warblers with even more early arrivals.
Black throated Green Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 27, 2023
Common Nighthawk, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 28, 2023
Red Crossbills, Pelham, MA, Aug 28, 2023
Semipalmated Sandpiper, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Aug 29, 2023
Raccoons, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 31, 2023
By the
end of the month I had shattered my old record for a high count of species in the county with an amazing total of 166 species! A number of rarities and lots of shorebirds figured prominently into the overall total.
Viceroy, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 1, 2023
House Wren, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 2, 2023
Red Crossbill, Quabbin Gate 11 Pelham, MA, Sep 2, 2023
Striped Skunk with extensive white back, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 4, 2023
White rumped Sandpiper, Connecticut River, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2023
Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 6, 2023
I
started off the month of September with a number of unusual species and some
warblers. By the end of the
first week I had added a number of unusual species as we endured a heat wave.
Northern Parula, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 8, 2023
House Wren, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Sep 9, 2023
Tufted Titmouse, Hadley, MA, Sep 9, 2023
Black bellied Plover, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 10, 2023
Baird's Sandpiper, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 11, 2023
Connecticut Warbler, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 11, 2023
American Golden Plover, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 12, 2023
Tennessee Warbler, Quabbin Gate 8, Pelham, MA, Sep 12, 2023
Black Bear, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 15, 2023
Lincoln's Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 15, 2023
American Golden Plover, North Hadley, MA, Sep 18, 2023
Pileated Woodpecker, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 19, 2023
More unusual shorebirds showed up on the 11th but I missed them by minutes but as a consolation I had my first
Connecticut Warbler of the year. By the
middle of the month the diversity of passerine migrants were reaching a maximum and I had some great luck with a variety of rarities. I added more
shorebirds just past the mid month mark.
Broad winged Hawks, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2023
Red shouldered Hawk, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 20, 2023
Lincoln's Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 20, 2023
Connecticut Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 20, 2023
Nashville Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 20, 2023
Black and White Warbler, UMASS demonstration forest, Belchertown, MA, Sep 21, 2023
Downy Woodpecker, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2023
Philadelphia Vireo, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2023
Orange crowned Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2023
Tennessee Warblers, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 23, 2023
Sandhill Cranes, Arcadia, Easthampton, MA, Sep 23, 2023
Activity continued to be fairly high through the third week of the month and into the fourth week and it culminated with my biggest
Broad winged Hawk flight I have ever had in the county with over 2200 hawks passing by in just over an hour. During this period I spent
four consecutive mornings at Arcadia as fall migration peaked.
Surf Scoters, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 29, 2023
Cape May Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 28, 2023
Common Yellowthroat, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 27, 2023
Swamp Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 27, 2023
Wilson out enjoying the start of foliage season, Belchertown, Sep 27, 2023
Veery, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Sep 26, 2023
Rose breasted Grosbeak, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Sep 26, 2023
By the
end of the month I had a nearly setting total with 170 species (just shy of my record of 171 set
last year). Even without setting my overall species record for the month I did manage to break my max for warbler species for September with an amazing
28 species. Unfortunately the tumor on Wilson's front right leg finally ruptured and we had to bring him to a surgeon to come up with a plan to remove it.
Pink Footed Geese, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Oct 3, 2023
American Redstart, UMASS Demonstration Forest, Belchertown, MA, Oct 3, 2023
Rose breasted Grosbeak, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Oct 4, 2023
Ruby crowned Kinglet, UMASS demonstration forest, Belchertown, MA, Oct 4, 2023
Black throated Green Warbler, UMASS Demonstration Forest, Belchertown, MA, Oct 5, 2023
Bobcat, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Oct 6, 2023
Wilson coming home after surgery, Oct 5, 2023
Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Oct 7, 2023
October started off with a bang with
three Pink footed Geese that showed up at the UMASS campus pond and continued through the month. There were other good stuff to finish out the
first week of the month including a decent number of
warblers. Wilson's surgery also got moved up (thankfully) from our initial date late in the month.
Wild Turkey, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 14, 2023
White eyed Vireo, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Oct 13, 2023
Field Sparrow, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Oct 13, 2023
Blue headed Vireo, Ware, MA, Oct 13, 2023
Northern Parula, UMASS demonstration forest, Belchertown, MA, Oct 12, 2023
Cape May Warbler, UMASS demonstration forest, Belchertown, MA, Oct 12, 2023
Black and White Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Oct 11, 2023
Wilson's Warbler, Arcadia, Easthampton, MA, Oct 9, 2023
Rose breasted Grosbeak, Arcadia, Easthampton, MA, Oct 9, 2023
Song Sparrow, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Oct 9, 2023
To end out the second week of October there was a huge nocturnal flight of migrants with millions of birds flying past the area. There were a number of unusual species including a
White eyed Vireo and Clay colored Sparrow.
Ruby crowned Kinglet, UMASS Demonstration Forest, Belchertown, MA, Oct 17, 2023
Pine Siskin, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Oct 17, 2023
Winter Wren, UMASS Demonstration Forest, Belchertown, MA, Oct 19, 2023
House Wren, Wentworth Farm Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Oct 20, 2023
Common Yellowthroat, Wentworth Farm Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Oct 20, 2023
Pine Warbler, UMASS Demonstration Forest, Belchertown, MA, Oct 22, 2023
Eastern Towhee, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Oct 23, 2023
The middle of the month featured large number of both
kinglet species and Winter Wrens. A number of
lingering species continued through the third week of the month and into the fourth week plus an ever increasing number of Pine Siskins.
Canada Goose with nearly complete black face, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 25, 2023
Palm Warbler 'yellow', UMASS Demonstration Forest, Belchertown, MA, Oct 27, 2023
Wilson on his first walk after surgery, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Oct 27, 2023
Bobcat, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Oct 28, 2023
Common Loons, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 30, 2023
Gray Catbird, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Oct 31, 2023
The
end of the month brought some record warmth and then a big cool down heading into November. There were a number of lingering species around but oddly a real lack of waterfowl migration overall. Thankfully the end of the month featured the three week mark of the surgery to remove the rupture tumor on Wilson's foot so we could start taking walk again.
Eastern Towhee, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Nov 1, 2023
Blue headed Vireo, Belchertown, MA, Nov 2, 2023
Song Sparrow, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Nov 4, 2023
Wilson's Warbler, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, Nov 6, 2023
Eastern Phoebe, Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Nov 8, 2023
Black Vultures, Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Nov 12, 2023
Ruby crowned Kinglet, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Nov 13, 2023
The
first week of November featured a number of lingering species plus increased numbers of Pine Siskins. Many of these lingering species continued into the
second week of the month and I ventured briefly out of the county down to Holyoke to see the continued Tufted Duck.
Western Cattle Egret, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Nov 16, 2023
Nashville Warbler, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Nov 16, 2023
Wilson's Warbler, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, Nov 16, 2023
Cedar Waxwing, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Nov 20, 2023
Pale/Leucistic Canada Goose, Smith College, Northampton, MA, Nov 20, 2023
Field Sparrow, Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Nov 21, 2023
American Robin, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, Nov 23, 2023
Pine Siskin, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 23, 2023
Pine Warbler, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 23, 2023
Northern Shovelers, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 24, 2023
Dark eyed Junco, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Nov 26, 2023
Nashville Warbler, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Nov 26, 2023
Bobcat, Home, Belchertown, Nov 7, 2023
As the month came to an end I finally had some decent waterfowl at Winsor Dam on the
24th and more lingering species to
round out the month.
Yellow rumped Warblers 'myrtle', Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Dec 1, 2023
Ruby crowned Kinglet, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Dec 1, 2023
Pine Warbler, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Dec 1, 2023
Marsh Wren, Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, Northampton, MA, Dec 4, 2023
I started off the first couple days of the last month of the year catching up with several
lingering species including two
species of warblers. I added more lingering species toward the end of the first week including a couple
Marsh Wrens.
Red and White Crake, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023
White browed Warbler, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 8, 2023
Brazilian Tanager, Ribeirão Grande--Restaurante da Neide, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023
Purple crowned Plovercrest, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023
Black capped Screech Owl, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 9, 2023
Helmeted Woodpecker, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023
Eared Pygmy-Tyrant, Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, Brazil, Dec 10, 2023
White striped Warbler, Acesso Duas Águas, Bocaina, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023
Red legged Seriema, Boa Esperança do Sul, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023
Giant Snipe, Rio Jacaré Pipira, Dourado, Brazil, Dec 11, 2023
White wedged Piculet, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023
White rumped Tanagers, São Carlos-Cerrado da linha férrea do Broa, Brazil, Dec 12, 2023
I finally made a long anticipated trip down to the southern
Brazil with the main goal being
five new species of warbler. I got all the warblers as well as tons of other species including a total of 213 new species during my short stay. It was great to be in a totally new area in the tropics to the south and west of Sao Paulo.
Lesser Kiskadee, Gamboa Rainforest Resort Marina, Gamboa, Panama, Dec 13, 2023
Tody Motmot, Maipo Trail, Cerro Azul, Panama, Dec 14, 2023
Yellow eared Toucanet, Cerro Jefe, Panama, Dec 14, 2023
Stripe cheeked Woodpecker, Cerro Azul, Panama, Dec 14, 2023
On my way back from Brazil I made a few day stop in
Panama and although I didn't find any new warblers I did add a number of new species as I explored the south part of the canal zone and the Cerro Azul area. The warblers I did find included a few unusual for the area...more on that here:
Panama warblers.
Say's Phoebe, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Dec 20, 2023
While I was in Brazil a second county record of
Say's Phoebe showed up at Winsor Dam and it was nice enough to stay until I got back so I could add a second new Hampshire County species for the year (bringing me to 306 ever in the county).
Red Crossbill, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Dec 30, 2023
I ended the year trying to pin down as many lingering species and rarities that I could so I will have a decent idea of where they might be once the new year starts. I also assisted for a bit with the
Quabbin CBC.
Wilson on the trail, Dec 23, 2023
Thankful to have Wilson back to his old self to end out the year after a couple of stressful surgeries for him. He anxiously awaits the arrival of snow for the new year (me not so much)
What will the new year bring for birds? Who knows for sure. I will be taking a number of trips out of the area with the following planned so far: A January trip to Great Abaco followed by some time in south Florida, a March trip to Costa Rica and a summer trip somewhere for our 20th anniversary. I'm toying with the idea of a trip to Bolivia but that is not a certainty at all at this point.
To anyone who wants to spend lots of time going through tons of photos I'll attach links to previous end of year summaries below...enjoy.
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2015
