Magnolia Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 25, 2026
Ovenbird, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 25, 2026
Merlin, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 25, 2026
Blue gray Gnatcatcher, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 25, 2026
Wild Turkey, Quabbin Gate 5, Belchertown, MA, Apr 25, 2026
Barred Owl, Quabbin Gate 5, Belchertown, MA, Apr 25, 2026
Although I didn't expect to get a whole lot this morning given the ongoing poor migration conditions the bird gods shined down on me a bit for my birthday with a
record early Magnolia Warbler at
Quabbin Park. Before going to Quabbin Park I took a walk at
Gate 5. The weather was a bit cool with temps in the upper 30's with a slight north wind...at least it was sunny. Nothing too unusual at Gate 5 although always fun to see turkeys displaying and have Blue Jays going crazy due to a Barred Owl showing itself. Once I made it to the park I started adding species and had some decent counts of a variety of species including Yellow bellied Sapsuckers, Purple Finches (lots around the last several days), Eastern Towhees and Pine Warblers. I had the pair of Merlins that are likely going to nest again in the area. I then started getting some warbler variety as I continued walking with a Northern Yellow Warbler and then the Magnolia Warbler. I was not expecting to find the species today but I heard it sing and immediately recognized it and knew it was very early so got some recordings and eventually some photos. The species usually starts arriving in the area in early May and to get one this early is very unusual, especially with poor migration conditions. My previous early date for the species in the county was April 29th back in 2011...a long standing record for me. It was my best day for warbler diversity in the area so far this year with eight species total.
No comments:
Post a Comment