In the midst of a long period of sunny weather with a few interesting species

Orange crowned Warbler, Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Oct 23, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Oct 23, 2026

Turkey Vulture, Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Oct 23, 2026

Eastern Towhee, Belchertown, MA, Oct 23, 2026

Mourning Dove, Belchertown, MA, Oct 22, 2026

Ring necked Duck, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 22, 2026

White tailed Deer, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 22, 2026

Very low water at Gate 52, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 22, 2026

Dark eyed Junco, Ware, MA, Oct 21, 2026

House Finch, Ware, MA, Oct 21, 2026

Porcupine, Belchertown, MA, Oct 21, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Belchertown, MA, Oct 20, 2026

Savannah Sparrows, Aqua Vitae Rd, Hadley, MA, Oct 20, 2026

Dickcissel, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Oct 20, 2026

Cape May Warbler with unusual bicolored bill, Belchertown, MA, Oct 19, 2026

Cape May Warbler with unusual bicolored bill, Belchertown, MA, Oct 19, 2026

Common Yellowthroat, Belchertown, MA, Oct 19, 2026

Red breasted Nuthatch, Belchertown, MA, Oct 19, 2026

Black Scoter, Amherst, MA, Oct 19, 2026

We are the midst of a week long plus period of sunny weather thanks to multiple high pressure systems.  Some days have been fairly breezy with temps around normal to above normal.  Migration conditions have largely been very good and lots of late season migrants have arrived and many species have largely headed south until next spring.  I have gotten out every day for at least a bit and have found a few late species including a few warblers with the most unusual being a Cape May Warbler with a bicolored bill plus some rarities including a few Dickcissel.  The number of Purple Finches and Red breasted Nuthatches continue to increase and Red Crossbills are still around at multiple locations.  I have also had some close encounters with a few mammals as well as a very close Black Scoter on a small pond (usually I see the species at great distance at Quabbin).  Waterfowl continues to increase and sparrow migration has peaked as we make the slide toward late fall and eventually winter.  It will continue to be largely sunny until at least the middle of next week with most lows overnight at or below freezing.  The chances of rarities from out west showing up will continue to increase as November rapidly approaches.  Certainly glad to have finalized plans to get away from this arctic wasteland for the majority of winter.