More migrants today and a forecast for an irruptive year from the north

Wilson's Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2018

 Philadelphia Vireo, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2018

 Barred Owl, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2018

 Northern Parula, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2018

 Black throated Green Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2018

More migrants arrived overnight after a cold front moved in after midnight and I headed out after work to Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River to see what I could find.  Thankfully the mosquitoes were slightly less extreme this morning so I could stand being there for a longer period.  I had a number of highlights including a close look at a Barred Owl, a couple Philadelphia Vireos and 13 species of warblers including a Connecticut Warbler and Mourning Warbler.  Full list from the morning at the following link.

Bohemian Waxwing, US Fish & Wildlife HQ, Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2012

Common Redpoll, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 14, 2012

The annual finch forecast that is prepared by Ron Pittaway has been released and it looks like it could be a very good irruptive year with a number of species forecast to head south.  A number of species mentioned in the report have already started moving through including Red breasted Nuthatch and Purple Finch  There is expected to be a good flight of  Common Redpolls, Bohemian Waxwings and possibly Hoary Redpolls and a moderate flight of Pine Grosbeaks and Evening Grosbeaks.  Other species could also make an appearance but not in large numbers. The full report with details on each species can be found here: Finch Forecast.

Yesterday marked the 80th anniversary of the Hurricane of 1938 that devastated the northeast and brought in a large selection of storm birds which I detailed in a post about tropical storm related birds.  Although the chances of another hurricane as strong striking New England is not extremely high it is certainly possible with the right set of conditions.  The tropics have quieted down a bit but a new tropical storm has developed (Kirk) off the African coast and is forecast to march across the Atlantic and perhaps threaten the Lesser Antilles by the end of next week. 

Bohemian Waxwings (and others)

Bohemian Waxwing, US Fish and Wildlife HQ, Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2012

Bohemian Waxwing, US Fish and Wildlife HQ, Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2012

On my day off today I decided to try and turn up some Bohemian Waxwings in Hampshire County.  In addition I was hopeful for a little movement in waterfowl (but found little).  I began with a brief stop at Winsor Dam which produced four flyby Black Ducks and little else.  No waxwings in the fruiting trees here but most of the fruit had been picked clean early in the season.  Nevertheless as I was leaving a group of 29 Wild Turkeys (with several in the trees) were picking off the little remaining fruit in these trees.

Wild Turkeys (part of group of 29), Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 5, 2012

I then headed off to Amherst with a stop at the UMASS campus pond which held a small group of Canada Geese, about 150 Mallards, eight Black Ducks and the female Gadwall that has been present on and off most of the winter.  I checked the many fruiting trees around campus but found no waxwings.  I then headed past the horse farm picking up two American Kestrels and several Red-tailed Hawks.  I next made a brief stop at Lake Warner and had a lone female Common Merganser as the only waterfowl species on the north end of the lake.  I then headed back to Rt 116 and down to the US Fish and Wildlife HQ building in Hadley where I have had groups of waxwings in the past.  There were a number of Cedar Waxwings present (50+) but no Bohemian Waxwings.  I then looked briefly for the western Red-tailed Hawk but only found a typical eastern one as well as another American Kestrel.  The fields along South Maple St were quiet as was Hadley Cove that had no waterfowl at all.  A brief detour then occurred as my check engine light came on.  I was close to Northampton and I know a few mechanics there so I headed over.  After a check of the car I continued on with the assurance that the issue needs to be addressed but the car will keep going on the short term.  I headed back toward home making another stop at the fish and wildlife building which this time contained at least four Bohemian Waxwings mixed in with the cedars.  I got some great looks and photos of both species as they fed actively quite low.  After watching them for a half hour I headed for home.  A truly spectacular bird from the north that will soon be headed back that way.  As a side note the upcoming days this week will likely result in a decent turnover of birds as some of our wintering birds head further north and a nice assortment of early migrants arrive.  See the migration forecast at the following eBird link:

http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/birdcast-alert

Bohemian Waxwing, US Fish and Wildlife HQ, Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2012

Cedar Waxwing, US Fish and Wildlife HQ, Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2012

Bohemian Waxwing, US Fish and Wildlife HQ, Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2012

Cedar Waxwing, US Fish and Wildlife HQ, Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2012

Cedar Waxwing, US Fish and Wildlife HQ, Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2012

Cedar Waxwing, US Fish and Wildlife HQ, Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2012