Buff breasted Sandpiper and Black Tern to finish out a rainy end to the first week of September

Buff breasted Sandpiper and Least Sandpiper, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2025

Buff breasted Sandpiper, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2025

Buff breasted Sandpiper, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2025

Buff breasted Sandpiper, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2025

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 7, 2025

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 6, 2025

To end out the first week of September we got a nasty line of thunderstorms yesterday afternoon followed by some continuous light to moderate rain overnight into today. I was not going to head out following the line of storms last night but when Ted reported a Buff breasted Sandpiper in Hadley I thought perhaps other stuff might have been put down by the storms. I didn’t have the time or energy to make the ride over to Hadley so decided to head to Winsor Dam and I was glad I did. I was rewarded with a distant Black Tern moving over the water and occasionally picking something off the surface as it worked back and forth out toward the boat launch area. If it was earlier in the day I would have tried heading up to Gate 8 but it was just too late and the road down would be closed long before I got there. Although distant the views through the scope were good enough to cinch the ID but just too far away to get any useful photos or videos. I was up before dawn today and headed out in the rain to go see if the Buff breasted Sandpiper stayed and given the poor migration conditions I was hopeful. I arrived and ran into Ted and we started scanning the fields and picked up on the very active individual fairly quickly. It was a fair distant away initially and made getting any useable photos tough. Eventually it moved in slightly closer and I got some passable photos and videos. Two new species for the year in as many days…not too shabby at all.  I now stand at 232 species for the year in Hampshire County which puts me just too behind my best ever YTD total at this point (which was 2021 when I ended with my highest year total ever in the county with 249).  I doubt I will beat my old record but it will end up being a very good year overall with only adding a handful of remaining expected species.  Now if we get a tropical system to impact the area I could add multiple species but the chances of that for any given year are fairly low and there is no activity in the Atlantic right now.

The last few days around the area

Tennessee Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 25, 2021

Tennessee Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 25, 2021

Nashville Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 25, 2021

Lincoln's Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 25, 2021

Blackpoll Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 25, 2021

Yellow Warbler, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 25, 2021

Palm Warbler 'western', East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 25, 2021

After a few days of strong southernly winds, the winds switched around to northwest after a front moved through yesterday and last night featured some decent migration conditions.  I decided to start my morning at Arcadia where I arrived to find somewhat clear conditions with fog visible very close by.  The American Woodcocks once again put on a show early on as they left their roosting location around dawn.  Unfortunately dawn also brought in the fog that stuck around for a bit before finally burning off.  There was also a good showing of Wood Ducks right around sunrise with at least 44 passing by.  Other notables for the morning included a still singing Yellow throated Vireo, a number of thrushes calling early with multiple Swainson's and Wood Thrushes, a good showing of sparrows with continued high numbers of Lincoln's Sparrows and a dozen species of warbler including large numbers of Tennessee Warblers with at least ten present as well as my first Orange crowned Warbler of the fall.  As the crowds started showing up at Arcadia I decided to spend the rest of my available time in the East Meadows.  I had a few shorebirds including four Least Sandpipers and a few Killdeer as well as a flyover shorebird species that may have been a Dunlin but I was never able to get on it or get a recording...oh well.  I also checked a weedy field for sparrows but could not find anything too unusual but I did turn up at least three Yellow Warblers as well as a brief look at a Marsh Wren.  

Eastern Bluebird, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 24, 2021

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 24, 2021

The last few days featured some strong southerly winds and some heavy rain yesterday.  With the south winds migrants were not moving in from the north and I had to be content with catching up with birds that were already in the area.  Yesterday was rainy for most of the morning and eventually the rain let up in the middle of the afternoon and I had commitments at home that kept me from getting out too much.

Yellow Warbler, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 23, 2021

Yellow Warbler, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 23, 2021

Yellow Warbler, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 23, 2021

Common Yellowthroat, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 23, 2021

Savannah Sparrow, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 23, 2021

Swamp Sparrow, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 23, 2021

On Thursday I initially planned to stay close to home with the forecast that showed little promise of new migrants.  I started my morning at Lake Wallace where I had a Sora calling predawn.  As the winds did not seem to be too bad I decided to head over to the East Meadows to check on sparrows and possibly locate the unknown wren species I heard there the day before.  The wind unfortunately was blowing fairly hard when I arrived and did not let up much during my time there...at least the winds kept the mosquitoes down to a tolerable level.  I had no luck relocating the wren species nor the Yellow headed Blackbird that has been seen sporadically in the area.  Nonetheless I still found some good birds including at least four Yellow Warblers as well as other warblers and sparrows.  

Brown Thrasher, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2021

White crowned Sparrow, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2021

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 22, 2021

Buff breasted Sandpiper, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2021

 

Buff breasted Sandpiper and Killdeer, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2021

  

Yellow Warbler, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2021

  

Palm Warbler 'western', East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2021

  

Lincoln's Sparrow, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2021

Wednesday started off for me at Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River where I found a ton of mosquitoes as well as a few birds including my first White crowned Sparrow of the fall as well as a small mixed flock.  I then made a few stops along the river on the Hadley side of the river including at Huntington Road and the Honey Pot.  The highlight of these stops was a distantly calling Great crested Flycatcher at Huntington Road.  I then headed across the river to check the East Meadows and found a great bird at the first freshly tilled field I checked with a Buff breasted Sandpiper working the area along with a bunch of Killdeer and American Pipits...a really good fall for Buff breasted Sandpipers this year for sure.  I also had a flyover American Golden Plover that I was never able to find on the ground.  After letting a few people know about the shorebirds I spent the rest of my time checking out a large patch of weedy growth that has turned up some unusual sparrow species in the past.  Although I didn't find any unusual sparrows I did find a decent number of more typical sparrows as well as multiple warblers including multiple Yellow Warblers as well as a flyover Dickcissel.  I also had a wren species that sounded off just once from a wet, weedy field and I was never able to locate it or get a recording...the one that got away for the day.

Western Kingbird today and rare shorebirds the last few days

Western Kingbird, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 11, 2021

Western Kingbird, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 11, 2021

Western Kingbird, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 11, 2021

Mourning Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 11, 2021

Common Yellowthroat, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 11, 2021

Philadelphia Vireo, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 11, 2021

Monarch, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 11, 2021

Philadelphia Vireo, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 11, 2021

The migration conditions last night into this morning were great and the radars were busy with birds with loads of flight calls heard every time I was able to listen.  Although I was functioning on very little sleep after a long shift at work I headed right out to see what I could find.  I decided to focus my energy at Arcadia trying to track down any recently arrived migrants (with the hopes of a Connecticut Warbler).  I hit a bunch of hedgerows and tree lines and found a few pockets of birds with highlights including three Philadelphia Vireos, a Great crested Flycatcher, loads of House Wrens and Common Yellowthroats, three Yellow Warblers, a Mourning Warbler and Dickcissel.  As I was walking back to my car to shed some of my water resistant (but too warm) clothes I caught a brief glimpse of a bird perched near the top of a small bush but mostly obstructed from view.  I could only see part of the head but knew it was something interesting.  I stepped about a foot to the left to try to get a better look at the bird at which point the bird turned showed a pale yellow belly and then it promptly flew off.  I decided to fire off as many photos as I could as it flew away for review later and eventually I got focus on the bird.  My initial impression was a Myiarchus flycatcher but my views were brief and I was not totally sure of the identification.  I got out the word to a number of birders I knew were nearby to have them be on the lookout for the bird.  I then spent the next hour and a half looking in vain for the bird.  Mary arrived just as I was leaving and I gave her the details I had.  I was totally beat at this point and didn't have a lot of energy left so I headed for home.  Not long after I got home I got a text from Mary saying she had a western type flycatcher in the general area I had my bird.  Although I really needed a nap I decided instead to review my photos and the shots clearly showed a Western Kingbird (only my third Hampshire County record of the species with my previous records in September 2003 and December 2004).  A number of other birders also found the bird independent of my sighting and many obtained some great photos.  I initially sighted the bird around 8:40am and it was then seen again by other about a half hour later and then continued to show on and off for the remainder of the day.  I was certainly happy that others were able to see this rarity.  Besides the birds there was an impressive showing of Monarch butterflies for the morning.

Buff breasted Sandpiper, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 10, 2021

Buff breasted Sandpiper, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 10, 2021

Buff breasted Sandpiper, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 10, 2021

Dawn, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Sep 10, 2021

On my way to work on Friday morning I decided to spend my limited time trying to turn up some shorebirds following the passage of a front and some overnight rain. A few days before I had noticed a field in the Honey Pot that had been freshly tilled and decided to start my morning there. The field has produced Buff breasted Sandpipers in the past and this species was very high on my list of potential sightings for the morning. I got there before dawn and immediately started to scan the field. Within just a few minutes I found a Buff breasted Sandpiper working its way through the field. I watched it for a bit and then noticed a second individual! The birds would go in and out of view as they worked through the dips and furrows of the field (video in the eBird report linked above). I took my eyes off them for a bit while I checked some other fields nearby with the scope. I then noticed a couple harriers working their way through the fields and they must have flushed the sandpipers but I never heard or saw them leave. I searched for awhile to relocate the sandpipers after the harriers moved on but failed to find them again. Chuck and Joe also looked for awhile after I left and they also came up empty. This species is tough to come by in the county with years between sightings sometimes. I have had them on about half a dozen occasions before in the county and always between late August and the first third of September (with my sighting yesterday being the latest date I have had them in the county so far). 

Sanderling, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Sep 9, 2021

Sanderling, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Sep 9, 2021

Semipalmated Plover, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Sep 9, 2021

Late in the afternoon on a rainy Thursday I got a text regarding a Sanderling that was found below the Holyoke Dam in South Hadley by Craig. I decided to make the trip down there as the weather was rainy and I figured the bird would stick around. I made it down to the dam a bit before four and ran into Scott who was just leaving and he let me know the bird was still there. I made the quick walk down to the edge of the dam and set up the scope and had distant views of the Sanderling as it fed along the base of the dam near the spillway. Other shorebirds present included a Semipalmated Plover and a Spotted Sandpiper. After getting some distant photos and video I headed back to the car to go home and then ran across Mary and quickly got her on the bird. This was only my third Sanderling I have ever had in the county with previous sightings in July 2018 and September 2020...a very common shorebird on the coast but quite rare inland. 

Meanwhile the tropics continue to be active with Hurricane Larry hitting Newfoundland today and then continuing on toward Greenland as an extratropical system that will bring very heavy snow to Greenland.  There are a number of potential areas of development including a high chance of storm development in the western Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Africa as well as a low chance of development east of the Bahamas.  I expect a couple of new tropical system to develop in the next few days.

Buff breasted Sandpiper and Dickcissel this morning plus an early Cape May Warbler

Merlin, Hatfield, MA, Aug 23, 2018

Killdeer and a Buff breasted Sandpiper, Hatfield, MA, Aug 23, 2018

Cape May Warbler (photo through binoculars), Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Aug 23, 2018

After the rain yesterday and the winds again coming out of the north I headed out after work in search of some shorebirds (or anything else I might stumble across).  I was later getting out then I intended but I eventually made it up to Hatfield where I immediately ran across a Merlin sitting on the edge of one of the fields and the calls of Killdeer filled the background.  I started scanning the fields and came across a number of Killdeer and a single Buff breasted Sandpiper that quickly took flight as the Merlin cruised toward them.  Once the birds were up in the air I counted at least 41 Killdeer plus the Buff breasted Sandpiper heading off to the north.  I attempted a number of shots through the scope with my phone but the birds were just too far out to get decent shots.  As I searched some other fields trying to track down the flock again I had a flyover Dickcissel giving its unique flight call...I managed to get a recording of the bird before it disappeared.  Full list with crappy photos at the following link.  I then headed over to Hadley to search additional farm fields for other shorebirds but came up empty.  I did however have a mixed species flock there that included a early Cape May Warbler (hopefully just the start of many more to come).

Buff breasted Sandpiper and Upland Sandpiper!

Buff breasted Sandpiper, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

Buff breasted Sandpiper, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

Buff breasted Sandpiper, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

Buff breasted Sandpiper, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

Upland Sandpiper, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

Upland Sandpiper, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

Upland Sandpiper, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

Upland Sandpiper, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

Cooper's Hawk, Honeypot, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

I spent the morning birding with Jacob and what a great morning we had.  It started out a bit slow as we worked our way through the East Meadows.  We had high hopes with the rain of yesterday and good migration conditions overnight that we would find some good stuff with the focus being on shorebirds.  We scanned though several fields in the East Meadows but all we could come up with were three Killdeer in the field they have been in my last few stops down there.  Several hundred swallows moving through including loads of Tree Swallows and lesser numbers of Bank and Barn.  Without much luck so far we had to decide where to go next to try to find some shorebirds so we decided on the Honeypot, which turned out to be a great decision!  We checked a few fields when we arrived there with much luck until I picked out a Buff breasted Sandpiper in a field close to the dike.  We got great looks at this bird as it fed out in the open and occasionally stopping and crouching down when a raptor (and a cormorant!) came by.  After scanning around and watching the bird for some time we headed deeper into the Honeypot but not before getting an early flyby American Pipit that was calling (Jacob managed some shots of the bird).  We then came across our next great bird of the day when we heard an odd call that we could not identify.  A few minutes the call repeated and then we saw a bird in the air.  First impressions were of a large shorebird with a small bill, small head, large body and long tail.  I thought 'Upland Sandpiper' but I had never heard the call before.  The bird headed south and then east calling the entire time.  We managed lots of distant shots but nothing great.  We puzzled over the bird for a few minutes until listening to the flight call of an Upland Sandpiper...dead on match!  Only my second county record of this species and the first in seven years.  A very unusual species in western Massachusetts away from its breeding area at Westover ARB to our south.  We searched for the Upland Sandpiper in several fields to the east but could not find it again.  The Buff breasted Sandpiper remained in the area we had seen it in earlier and some other birders arrived and we were able to get them on it (a life bird for some).  The one individual was joined by a second Buff breasted Sandpiper after we left the area.  I managed to add two new species for Hampshire County this year with our stop at the Honeypot...Buff Breasted Sandpiper (#224) and Upland Sandpiper (#225).

Lesser Yellowlegs, Connecticut River, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

Solitary Sandpiper, Connecticut River, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

Spotted Sandpiper, Connecticut River, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

Least Sandpiper, Connecticut River, Hadley, MA, Sep 7, 2014

We then took a quick spin through the Aqua Vitae Road area but no shorebirds due to all the fields being full of unharvested corn.  We didn't strike out completely here as we had a Dickcissel calling over and over for a couple minutes from a corn field along with Indigo Buntings and Chipping Sparrows.  Our final stop for the morning was along the Connecticut River in Hadley where we added four more species of shorebird including two Spotted Sandpipers, three Solitary Sandpipers, a Lesser Yellowlegs and a dozen Least Sandpipers.  Ended the morning with seven species of shorebirds...certainly a day of quality and not quantity...typical for the valley when it comes to shorebirds.

At home the warblers started to heat up late in the afternoon with both Bay breasted and Blackpoll Warblers in the yard.  After dark I went out to check out the migration and had quite a few flight calls as well as birds moving past the moon at a rate around 8-10 a minute.  Here are a few links to video of moon passing birds:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/15181395572/in/photostream
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/14995292947/in/photostream/