A big warm up and multiple nights of good migration conditions

Purple Martin and Tree Swallows, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 19, 2026

Purple Martin, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, May 19, 2026

Northern Cardinal with nest material, Bachelor Brook Conservation Area, South Hadley, MA, May 19, 2026

Mourning Warbler, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 19, 2026

Gray cheeked Thrush, Belchertown, MA, May 19, 2026

Raccoon swimming, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 19, 2026

Ruby throated Hummingbird, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2026

Lawrence's Warbler, Hardwick, MA, May 18, 2026

Gray Catbird, Ware, MA, May 18, 2026

Butterfly species, Quabbin Park, MA, May 18, 2026

Blue gray Gnatcatcher constructing nest, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2026

Rainbow Scarab, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2026

Solitary Sandpiper, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 17, 2026

Magnolia Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 17, 2026

Tree Swallow with nest material, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 17, 2026

Bay breasted Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 17, 2026

Worm eating Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 17, 2026

Blackpoll Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 17, 2026

Hooded Merganser eggs in duck box #2, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 17, 2026

We have had multiple nights of great migration conditions thanks to southerly winds that also ushered in record setting temps in the 90's.  As expected I have been out as much as I can each morning before returning to take the Wilson for his required walk.  Even with some species still moving through to points to the north breeding activity around here is in full swing with the first waterfowl young out and about and many species collecting nesting material and building nests.  I have added several new species for the year in the county as well as some rarities.  The highlights included Purple Martin, Gray cheeked Thrush, Yellow breasted Chat, two new species of warbler for the year as part of my warbler big year in the US and a Lawrence's Warbler.  Migration has now peaked at this point and now we begin the downhill slide of another spring migration.  

Mid May through the end of the fourth week of the month

Wood Duck with ducklings, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 15, 2024

Least Bittern, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 17, 2024

Ruby throated Hummingbird, Quabbin Park, MA, May 17, 2024

Mourning Dove fledglings, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 18, 2024

Prothonotary Warbler, Bachelor Brook Conservation Area, South Hadley, MA, May 18, 2024

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 19, 2024

Canada Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 19, 2024

Rose breasted Grosbeak, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 20, 2024

Red Crossbill, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2024

Magnolia Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2024

Tennessee Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 20, 2024

Carolina Wren fledgling, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 21, 2024

Wild Turkey, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2024

Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 22, 2024

Lawrence's Warbler, Montague, MA, May 23, 2024

Chestnut sided Warbler, Rail trail, Ware, MA, May 24, 2024

Eastern Bluebird nest with eggs, Home, MA, May 25, 2024

American Woodcock, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 25, 2024

Yellow Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 25, 2024

Looking down toward lower fields, Poverty Mt, Shutesbury, MA, May 26, 2024

Wilson enjoying the sun, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 26, 2024

Blue winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 27, 2024

Black and White Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 28, 2024

Dusted Skipper, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 28, 2024

Hummingbird moth, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 28, 2024

As expected the last couple weeks of May has been busy and I have certainly not posted as much as I wanted to.  I have posted some unusual sightings (including White eyed Vireo, Least Bittern, Prothonotary Warbler) and some other notable stuff including species #174 in the yard (Peregrine Falcon) and the bird survey at Poverty Mountain.  I have also completed my first of two Eastern Whip Poor Will surveys and had loads of other sightings along the way.  My back issues have slowly gotten better but I still can't make the hikes I love to take up some of the steep areas in the county.  I'll include a variety of photos to sum up the last couple weeks and let the photos speak for themselves.

The third weekish of June

Cerulean Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 22, 2023

Cedar Waxwing, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 22, 2023

Great Blue Heron and Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 22, 2023

Wilson waiting for dinner, Home, Jun 21, 2023

Wood Duck with ducklings, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jun 21, 2023

Mallards, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jun 21, 2023

Barn Swallow fledgling, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Jun 21, 2023

House Wren with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 21, 2023

Painted Turtle laying eggs, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 19, 2023

Lawrence's Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 19, 2023

Ruffed Grouse, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 17, 2023

Wood Duck with ducklings, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 17, 2023

Birding continues to be a bit curtailed as the third week of June has come and gone as I stay close to home to be with Wilson as he recovers from his surgery.  Nonetheless I have tried to get out a bit  early every day that I'm not working and I have found a number of decent birds including relocating the Lawrence's Warbler at Quabbin Park I last saw on June 1st and a Cerulean Warbler singing a parula like song today at Quabbin Park.  Breeding season is in full swing and I have found lots of evidence of successful breeding with some juveniles around and many adult birds carrying food at many different locations.