Breeding Bird Survey completed this morning

Great Blue Heron, Breeding bird survey stop #9, Ware, MA, Jun 6, 2026

White tailed Deer, Breeding bird survey stop #21, Palmer, MA, Jun 6, 2026

Prairie Warbler, Breeding bird survey stop #34, Monson, MA, Jun 6, 2026

Northern Yellow Warbler, Breeding bird survey stop #40, Monson, MA, Jun 6, 2026

Sawmill Brook, Breeding bird survey stop #42, Monson, MA, Jun 6, 2026

Farm fields, Breeding bird survey stop #31, Monson, MA, Jun 6, 2026

UMASS orchard, Breeding bird survey stop #3, Belchertown, MA, Jun 6, 2026

Although I usually try to run by annual breeding bird survey route on a Sunday the forecast looked better for Saturday so I ran it today.  With our weekends always seeming to produce less than stellar weather I did not want to take a chance and wait for a later Sunday in June.  Breeding bird surveys are long term studies to look at breeding species along a 25 mile route with three minute stops every 1/2 mile.  The survey starts early (4:42AM) so being a morning person certainly helps!  This was my 17th consecutive year conducting this route that starts in Belchertown and continues south to the Connecticut state line.  Although not a record breaking year for species I still had a good showing with a total of 75 species.  The top five species as far as being recorded at the most stops included  American Robin (40 stops), Gray Catbird (31 stops), Ovenbird (30 stops), American Crow (29 stops) and Red eyed Vireo (28 stops).  No new species for the route this year so my total whole conducting the route still stands at 114 species.  Full trip report at the following link: BBS 2026 trip report.

Below is table of each year I have conducted the survey with # of species seen and date of survey

year            # of species            date of survey 

2010             71                         June 20 

2011             64                         June 26 

2012             56                         June 3 

2013             67                         June 23 

2014             70                         June 15 

2015             75                         June 14 

2016             78                         June 19 

2017             73                         June 22 

2018             71                         June 22 

2019             83                         June 9 

2020             76                         June 14 

2021             71                         June 19 

2022             78                         June 5 

2023             77                         June 25 

2024             84                         June 2

2025             77                         June 8

2026             75                         June 6

Annual Breeding Bird Survey route completed today

Common Yellowthroat, Breeding Bird Survey stop #45, Monson, MA, Jun 8, 2025

Chestnut sided Warbler, Breeding Bird Survey stop #34, Conant Brook Reservoir, Monson, MA, Jun 8, 2025

Eastern Towhee, Breeding Bird Survey stop #34, Conant Brook Reservoir, Monson, MA, Jun 8, 2025

American Kestrel, Breeding Bird Survey stop #29, Monson, MA, Jun 8, 2025

Fields as skies clear, Breeding Bird Survey stop #29, Monson, MA, Jun 8, 2025

Morning fog, Breeding Bird Survey stop #3, Belchertown, MA, Jun 8, 2025

I completed my annual Breeding Bird Survey route today with weather that started with a little fog and then cleared off to hazy sun. This was my 16th consecutive year running this route, which starts in Belchertown and then heads south to the Connecticut border.  For those who don't know what a Breeding Bird Survey entails I will give a quick overview. The survey routes consists of 50 stops for three minutes each at half mile increments and many have been conducted for years thus showing population trends among species over time.  The route I conduct has been in place since 1967.  The route begins early at 4:42AM and I usually finish up some time around nine.  It is interesting to see how the species count and make up changes over time. It is also a little sad as with each passing year more and more houses pop up along the route and with the houses come a loss of forest species and all the perils to birds that people bring. I try to conduct the route on a Sunday to minimize traffic noise and disturbance from people.  Although time is at a premium during the survey I managed to get a few photos this time.

Below is table of each year I have conducted the survey 

year            # of species            date of survey 

2010             71                         June 20 

2011             64                         June 26 

2012             56                         June 3 

2013             67                         June 23 

2014             70                         June 15 

2015             75                         June 14 

2016             78                         June 19 

2017             73                         June 22 

2018             71                         June 22 

2019             83                         June 9 

2020             76                         June 14 

2021             71                         June 19 

2022             78                         June 5 

2023             77                         June 25 

2024             84                         June 2

2025             77                         June 8

Breeding Bird Survey route completed this morning with my highest species count ever

Dawn at the UMASS orchard, BBS stop #3, Belchertown, MA, Jun 2, 2024

Red tailed Hawk, BBS stop #15, Palmer, MA, Jun 2, 2024

Farm fields, BBS stop #29, Monson, MA, Jun 2, 2024

Chestnut sided Warbler, BBS stop #34, Monson, MA, Jun 2, 2024

Prairie Warbler, BBS stop #34, Monson, MA, Jun 2, 2024

I ran my Breeding Bird Survey route for my 15th consecutive year and I managed to get the highest species total I have ever had with 84 species (my previous high was 2019 with 83 species).  My average species per year since I took over the route stood at 72 before this season, with my lowest species count being 56 back in 2012.  For those who don't know what a Breeding Bird Survey entails I will give a quick overview.  The survey routes consists of 50 stops for three minutes each at half mile increments and many have been conducted for years thus showing population trends among species over time.  As an example the route that I now run was started in 1967 and has been conducted by someone every year since.  My route begins in Belchertown and runs south through Ware, Palmer and Monson to the Connecticut border.  The route begins early at 4:42AM and I usually finish up some time after nine.  It is interesting to see how the species count and make up changes over time.  It is also a little sad as with each passing year more and more houses pop up along the route and with the houses come a loss of forest species and all the perils to birds that people bring.  I try to conduct the route on a Sunday to minimize traffic noise and disturbance from people.  I have now had a total of 114 species over the years along the route with three new species this year (Common Merganser, Orchard Oriole and Northern Waterthrush).  Not much of a chance to get photos of anything as I don't have time to track down species given the time constraints of the survey.

Below is table of each year I have conducted the survey

year                 # of species            date of survey

2010                 71                          June 20

2011                 64                          June 26

2012                 56                          June 3

2013                 67                          June 23

2014                 70                          June 15

2015                 75                          June 14

2016                 78                          June 19

2017                 73                          June 22

2018                 71                          June 22

2019                 83                          June 9

2020                 76                          June 14

2021                 71                          June 19

2022                 78                          June 5

2023                 77                          June 25
2024                 84                          June 2

Breeding Bird Survey route today

American Kestrel, Belchertown BBS stop 29, Monson, MA, Jun 25, 2023

Blue winged Warbler, Belchertown BBS stop 31, Monson, MA, Jun 25, 2023

Forest view Belchertown BBS stop 33, Conant Brook Reservoir, Monson, MA, Jun 25, 2023

Fields at Belchertown BBS stop 29, Monson, MA, Jun 25, 2023

Power line cut at Belchertown BBS stop 15, Palmer, MA, Jun 25, 2023

I finally got to conduct my annual breeding bird survey (BBS) route this morning.  I typically try to run the survey earlier in the breeding season but this year the weather, work and Wilson made it tough to complete any earlier than today.  I possibly could have run it on a weekday earlier but I always try to do it on a Sunday as the traffic is a minimum making birds easier to hear.  This marked the 14th year I have conducted the survey (I even did the route when the route was officially cancelled due to Covid).  The route starts at 4:42 in the morning in Belchertown and consists of 50 stops of three minutes duration each every half mile (which leaves little to no time to get photos so the ones attached are not the best).  The route travels down through Palmer and Monson to the Connecticut state line.  The conditions were really good despite some morning overcast as the winds stayed calm and the temps were warm (low for the morning was a balmy 69 degrees).  By the end of the route the sun was out and the temps warmed even more.  Despite my fear of not having as many species as usual given the later date I ended with a very respectable 77 species.  Highlights included a couple of Eastern Whip Poor Wills, a Barred Owl, an American Kestrel, an Eastern Meadowlark, 13 species of warblers and best of all, a new species for me along the route with a flyover Red Crossbill.  The Red Crossbill raised the total number of species I have had along the route in the last 14 years to 111.  The route has been active since 1967 so this marks the 56th year of the route. Below are the totals for species for each year I have conducted the survey plus the date the survey was conducted.

year                 # of species            date of survey

2010                 71                          June 20

2011                 64                          June 26

2012                 56                          June 3

2013                 67                          June 23

2014                 70                          June 15

2015                 75                          June 14

2016                 78                          June 19

2017                 73                          June 22

2018                 71                          June 22

2019                 83                          June 9

2020                 76                          June 14

2021                 71                          June 19

2022                 78                          June 5

2023                 77                          June 25

The ten most abundant species this year are listed in the table below (# of stops species present at)

American Robin                             43

Gray Catbird                                  34

Ovenbird                                        33

Red eyed Vireo                              30 

Northern Cardinal                          29   
Chipping Sparrow                          27

Tufted Titmouse                             23

Black capped Chickadee                22

Song Sparrow                                 22

House Wren                                    20

Waugh fields in the morning fog, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 24, 2023

Common Yellowthroat carrying food, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 24, 2023

Yesterday I finally made up to the restricted access Prescott Peninsula to conduct field bird surveys.  I usually try to make a few trips up there earlier in the nesting season but it just didn't work out this year.  I was not sure I would be able to make it up there yesterday with the prediction of early morning rain however the rain held off for a few hours.  No big surprises during my time on the peninsula beyond a handful of flyby Red Crossbills.  The overcast conditions with occasional drizzle probably kept some birds quiet.

                               

Breeding Bird Survey completed today

Blue winged Warbler, Monson, MA, Jun 5, 2022

UMASS Orchard before dawn, Belchertown, MA, Jun 5, 2022

Farm fields, Monson, MA, Jun 5, 2022

Sawmill Brook, Monson, MA, Jun 5, 2022

As the migration season has mostly come to an end the season on conducting various surveys for breeding birds begins.  This morning I conducted my annual breeding bird survey route that runs from Belchertown south to the Connecticut (more on the breeding bird survey at the following link).  The survey consists of 50 stops at half mile intervals with each stop lasting 3 minutes.  I try to find a sunny weekend morning (preferably a Sunday to avoid traffic noise) with calm conditions and today was prefect with sunny weather and calm winds.  The survey starts at 4:42AM so it is an early wake up call to begin the route.  Even before the survey began I had an American Bittern back at the house calling before the sun came up...a good omen I suppose.  I then started the route and spent the next three and a half hours completing it. This is the 13th year I have completed the route and I found a total of 78 species (with a dozen species of warbler).  I had two new species this year with an Alder Flycatcher and a few Great Horned Owls bringing my total number of species over the last 13 years to 110.  The route has been active since 1967 so this marks the 55th year of this route (here is a link to all the data from 1967-2021).  Below are the totals for species for each year I have conducted the survey.

year                 # of species

2010                 71

2011                 64

2012                 56

2013                 67

2014                 70

2015                 75

2016                 78

2017                 73

2018                 71

2019                 83

2020                 76

2021                 71

2022                 78

The ten most abundant species this year are listed in the table below (# of stops species present at)

American Robin                          41
Red eyed Vireo                            34
Chipping Sparrow                        32

Northern Cardinal                        31   
American Crow                           30
Gray Catbird                                29

Ovenbird                                      29

Mourning Dove                           28

House Wren                                 27

Black capped Chickadee             26 (tied)

Tufted Titmouse                          26 (tied)

                               

Black Vulture, Belchertown, MA, Jun 5, 2022

Canada Warbler, Pelham, MA, Jun 5, 2022

Scarlet Tanager, Cadwell Memorial Forest, Pelham, MA, Jun 5, 2022

Black Vulture, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 5, 2022

           
Once I completed the survey I headed back into Hampshire County and made a few stops turning up a number of species as I made numerous stops.  Notables included multiple Black Vultures around Belchertown and some good looks at breeding species in Pelham.  

Breeding Bird Survey completed this morning

Swift River at BBS stop #9, Ware, MA, Jun 19, 2021

Large field at BBS stop #29, Monson, MA, Jun 19, 2021

Cedar Waxwing, Monson, MA, Jun 19, 2021

Louisiana Waterthrush, Monson, MA, Jun 19, 2021

I completed my Breeding Bird Survey route this morning despite some less than ideal weather to start.  The route begins in Belchertown at 4:42am and then travels south through Ware, Palmer and Monson and ends near the Connecticut line.  It consists of 50 stops at one half mile increments for three minutes each.  I have been running the route for eleven years now (I even ran it last year despite the official survey oddly being cancelled due to the pandemic).  The route began with overcast conditions and a slight breeze and after several stops it started to pour.  I almost scrapped the route for the day but then the rain stopped as quickly as it started so I continued on.  There were a couple more sprinkles along the way but by half way through the sun was coming through and by the end it was mostly sunny.  Overall for the route this year I had 71 species, which is around average and the same number of species I had last year. This year turned up two new species for me on the route with a Red tailed Hawk and Eastern Meadowlark.  I have now found a total of 109 species along the route.  I covered the all the previous year totals in my post on the survey last year.  Unfortunately eBird changed the way one can easily manipulate data so I can't break down the most numerous species this year. 

Breeding Bird Survey this morning

American Redstart, Ware, MA, Jun 14, 2020

Killdeer, Monson, MA, Jun 14, 2020

This morning I conducted my annual breeding bird survey route that runs from Belchertown south to the Connecticut (more on the breeding bird survey at the following link).  The survey consists of 50 stops at half mile intervals with each stop lasting 3 minutes (which doesn't allow much time for any photography but I got a couple shots nonetheless).  The surveys were initially cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic but then I heard that if the survey could be safely completed then the route should be completed so that is exactly what I did.  This is the 11th year I have completed the route and I found a total of 76 species with 1353 individuals which is around average but a bit off my record setting total of 83 last year.  Below are the totals for species for each year I have conducted the survey.

year                 # of species

2010                 71

2011                 64

2012                 56

2013                 67

2014                 70

2015                 75

2016                 78

2017                 73

2018                 71

2019                 83

2020                 76

Highlights for species this year included multiples of both species of cuckoo (less than previous years but thankfully the gypsy moths that have fed them are much reduced so not too surprising the number of cuckoos are down slightly), an American Woodcock, all four expected species of vireo, Bank Swallows, a Swamp Sparrow and a dozen species of warbler.  The Bank Swallows and Swamp Sparrow were new species for the route during the years I have conducted it and these two bring the total number of species I have had on the route up to 107.

The ten most abundant species this year are listed in the table below (% of sightings for all stops)

American Robin                         76%
Red eyed Vireo                           72%
Ovenbird                                     64%
Northern Cardinal                       64%
Gray Catbird                               60%
Chipping Sparrow                      58%
American Crow                          58%
Black capped Chickadee            52%
Common Yellowthroat               52%
Tufted Titmouse                         50%

Breeding Bird Survey route completed for another year

Bobolink, Monson, MA, Jun 9, 2019

Wood Duck walking through a freshly plowed field (nowhere near any water), Monson, MA, Jun 9, 2019

Common Ravens, Palmer, MA, Jun 9, 2019

I completed my annual Breeding Bird Survey route today under perfect conditions with sunny skies, low humidity, no breeze and temperatures starting off in the high 40's and topping off near 60 by the end of the route.  The route starts in Belchertown and continues south to the Connecticut line with three minute stops every half mile.  This is now my tenth year conducting the survey and this one turned out to have the highest diversity yet with a total of 83 species with 1273 individuals (more details on previous years at the bottom of the post).

The ten most abundant species are listed in the table below (% of sightings for all stops)

Red eyed Vireo                           80%
American Robin                         72%
Chipping Sparrow                      70%
Northern Cardinal                      60%
Gray Catbird                              56%
Ovenbird                                    50%
Common Yellowthroat               46%
Mourning Dove                          46%
American Redstart                     42%
House Wren                               40%

Among the 83 species were a number notable sightings including Fish Crows, an Osprey, a Red shouldered Hawk, multiple Black billed and Yellow billed Cuckoos, Willow Flycatchers and 13 species of warbler including a late Blackpoll Warbler, a Nashville Warbler and two Canada Warblers.  Of those mentioned above five are new for the route..at least as long as I have been conducting it (the five new species are Blackpoll Warbler, Osprey, Fish Crow, Nashville Warbler and Willow Flycatcher).  I have now seen a total of 105 species while conducting the route since taking it over in 2010.  Total number of species seen for each year I have conducted the survey below:

year                 # of species

2010                 71

2011                 64

2012                 56

2013                 67

2014                 70

2015                 75

2016                 78

2017                 73

2018                 71

2019                 83

Breeding Bird Survey route completed and other sightings the last couple weeks

Looking toward remains of tornado on far hill, Monson, MA, Jun 22, 2018

Eastern Box Turtle remains, Conant brook Reservoir, Monson, MA, Jun 22, 2018

I completed by annual Breeding Bird Survey route yesterday travelling from Belchertown south through Ware, Palmer and Monson down to nearly the Connecticut line.  The route starts bright and early at 4:42 am with three minute stops every half mile along the 25 mile route.  I managed to find a total of 71 species with 1042 individuals.  The total number of species is down slightly from the last few years but around the expected average.  Below are the number of species each year since I have conducted the survey:

2010-71
2011-64
2012-56
2013-67
2014-70
2015-75
2016-78
2017-73

The ten most frequent species by a percentage of stops present include the following:

Red eyed Vireo  (66%)
Tufted Titmouse  (66%)
Chipping Sparrow  (64%)
Black capped Chickadee  (62%)
American Robin  (50%)
Mourning Dove  (48%)
House Wren  (48%)
Gray Catbird  (48%)
Ovenbird  (48%)
Northern Cardinal  (44%)

In addition to the birds I had several mammals including White tailed Deer, Raccoon, Eastern Cottontail, Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel and Eastern Chipmunk.  I also sadly found a dead Eastern Box Turtle at Conant Brook Reservoir.

Virginia Rail juvenile, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 16, 2018

Virginia Rails (adult with juvenile in background), Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 16, 2018

Great Horned Owl fledgling, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 16, 2018

House Wren with leg bands carrying food, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 15, 2018

House Wren with leg bands carrying food, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 15, 2018

Blue gray Gnatcatchers at nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 14, 2018

American Redstart on nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 14, 2018

Great Blue Heron on nest, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 11, 2018

American Robin building nest, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 21, 2018

As the breeding season continues there are fledglings starting to be seen as well as a number of birds in nests.

Turkey Vultures, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Jun 8, 2018

The Holyoke Dam continues to be a great spot to see large numbers of vultures (both Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures) as well as Great Blue Herons and Chimney Swifts.  I stopped by the dam on my way home on the 20th and had a couple Black Vultures and 52 Turkey Vultures.  An earlier trip there on June 8 also produced two Black Vultures but an even higher number of Turkey Vultures (63)...the highest single location count I have ever had of the species in Hampshire County.  I wish the location was a little closer as it certainly would produce additional notable species with frequent visits.

Brewster's Warbler, Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Jun 13, 2018

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 8, 2018

As far as warblers go the Brewster's Warbler I first found in Amherst on May was still present as of June 13 in the same area.  The Mourning Warbler I had singing on territory trying to attract a mate in Quabbin Park was present though the 10th but has not been detected during several subsequent visits so it appears to have moved on.

Red Fox, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 20, 2018

The Red Fox family has become much more sporadically seen on the cameras but at least some are still around.

Indigo Bunting, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jun 8, 2018

The camera at the water feature captured another new species on June 8 when a female Indigo Bunting showed up (species #41 for the water feature).