The third week of May comes to an end with lots of birds around

Blackpoll Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2023

Blue winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2023

American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2023

Yellow Warbler, Sweet Alice Conservation Area. Amherst, MA, May 17, 2023

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Sweet Alice Conservation Area. Amherst, MA, May 17, 2023

Merlin, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2023

Northern Parula, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2023

Wilson's Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2023

American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2023

Common Nighthawk, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 18, 2023

Mourning Warbler, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 19, 2023

American Redstart, Mount Holyoke Range SP, Hadley, MA, May 19, 2023

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 19, 2023

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2023

American Redstart building nest, Hadley, MA, May 20, 2023

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2023

Turkey Vulture, Moody Bridge Rd, Hadley, MA, May 20, 2023

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2023

Common Yellowthroat, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2023

Wilson's Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2023

Great crested Flycatcher, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2023

Purple Finch, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2023

Yellow throated Vireo, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2023

Olive sided Flycatcher, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2023

Song Sparrow, Hadley, MA, May 21, 2023

The height of migration continued through the end of the third week of the month with every day during the last several producing 100+ species for me.  The weather continued to mainly sunny and pleasant although we did get a few inches of rain from midday Saturday into the overnight and we had a record setting cold morning (28 degrees) on Thursday.  Again I have limited time to post any great details but I have included a selection of photos and will mention some of the highlights in no particular order.  Warblers figured prominently in my bird outings and more on warblers can be found at the following link: Warblers to end the third week of May.  Highlights for warblers included a rather uncooperative Hooded Warbler, an Orange crowned Warbler, several Mourning Warblers and multiple hybrids.  Beyond warblers the highlights included the arrival of multiple new species of flycatchers, a close encounter with a Common Nighthawk at the house when I heard it calling, watched it circle the house and then land in a pine tree where it stayed for a few hours.  I got some video of it which can be found at the following link: Common Nighthawk video.  I also likely found a breeding pair of Merlin's at Quabbin.  Migration is still ongoing but the peak has arrived and it will trail off as we enter the end of May.  

Hooded Merganser nest remains after fledging from duck box #3, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 20, 2023

Hooded Merganser nest remains after fledging from duck box #1, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 21, 2023

All three duck boxes have now successfully fledged Hooded Mergansers with the last box empty when I checked it this morning...I think I just missed them as the feathers and egg remains were still warm!  This is my most successful year yet and among all three boxes only two eggs did not hatch.  I managed to get a video of the birds leaving the nest box on the 16th and the video can be found at the following link: Hooded Mergansers leaving duck box #3.  

Wilson relaxing at home, May 20, 2023

Also some bad news for my boy Wilson.  He was having a little trouble going up stairs for a few weeks and then a bit over a week ago he started limping badly.  We thought it might have been arthritis or perhaps he irritated something in the leg when playing or running around.  When it didn't get better it looked like it might be a torn cruciate ligament and that is indeed the case.  We had a consultation with a surgeon a couple days ago and we are moving forward with surgery.  The surgery is currently scheduled for June 8th but we are hopeful the date can be moved up if there is a cancellation.  This is a tough thing for a boy that loves to walk and run around.  Even through he is not a young boy anymore there was never really a question about doing what we can to get him back to normal so he can enjoy life again without limping around.  Fingers crossed the surgery goes well and he heals up within a couple months with no complications (Wilson always seems to have complications!).