The big migration month of May has now come to an end and it was a decent migration with the best results from those early arriving and those arriving during the peak through mid month. Later season migrants (Olive sided Flycatcher, Swainson's Thrush, Mourning Warbler, etc) were very low in number and my thoughts as to why include that many just flew right on past thanks to great migration conditions and/or the species mainly avoided the general area. Despite not being able to make it up to a few of the higher elevations and more rugged trails due to my back injury I still did as well as I could given my limitations and ended the month with 174 species in the county (which is about average for me the last several years). I know I could have added a few more species if I visited more areas but it was just not to be this year. Highlights for the month in the county included a pair of Common Goldeneyes that stayed through the end of the month at Quabbin, Least Bittern, Glossy Ibis, White eyed Vireo, Sedge Wren, a record setting 31 species of warblers including Prothonotary Warbler, two Orange crowned Warblers and Hooded Warbler as well as the Blue Grosbeaks returning to breed for another year. I also added a new yard species (#174) when a Peregrine Falcon flew overhead. Thankfully I was feeling better as the month wore on but still not up to making steep hikes but I was able to complete my first Eastern Whip Poor Will survey and the annual bird survey at Poverty Mountain. So far for the year I stand at 206 for Hampshire County which is my lowest total year to date since 2017 and this is largely due to lack of being able to chase a few rarities and a very slow season for shorebirds. It will not be a record setting year for me. I also managed to find at least 100 species every day for the entire month in the county, something I have never been able to do before and I managed this without being able to get to spots I would normally have gone to. A silver lining to walking a lot everyday to make my back loosen up a bit.
