Arcadia meadows and then Goat's Peak

Wilson's Warbler, Arcadia, Sept 16, 2011

Northern Waterthrush, Arcadia, Sept 16, 2011

Palm Warbler, Arcadia, Sept 16, 2011

I began the day at the Arcadia Meadows and then headed up to Goats Peak at Mt. Tom to get some hawk watching in.  Down in Arcadia the recent floods were still in evidence but most areas can be accessed.  There were some good birds around including a couple Lincoln's Sparrows, lots of Song and Savannah Sparrows and warblers such as a Northern Waterthrush, Yellow, Wilson's and Palm Warbler (first of the season).

Broad-winged Hawk, Mt Tom, Sept 16, 2011

Broad-winged Hawk kettle, Mt Tom, Sept 16, 2011

On Goats Peak in a couple hours of watching I had over 250 Broad-winged Hawks as well as several Bald Eagles, a few American Kestrels, a Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, Cooper's and Sharp shinned Hawks as well as several Bald Eagles.  The winds were really moving up on the tower and most birds were really moving by fairly quick.  Some great looks at some of the birds.

Various areas...

Northern Flicker, Arcadia meadows, September 15, 2010

Wood Thrush, Quabbin Park, September 15, 2010

Between yesterday and today I visited a wide variety of locations to see the ongoing migration during September. Yesterday I started at Arcadia Meadows and then moved onto Goats Peak. Lots of good stuff at Arcadia. Goats Peak didn't have the big push of hawks I would have expected given the date and northwest winds. It appears the winds may have been just too strong. A total of 138 Broad wings was still nice to see. Some birds made quick passes by the tower while others climbed up and out of view. A fast and low flying Merlin was interesting as were the continued presence of Chimney Swifts around the area. I then made a short stop at Quabbin Park and had a variety of thrushes including Wood, Swainson's, Hermit Thrushes and Veery.

Today I decided to spend the morning over in Amherst along with Ian Davie. I began the day with a quick stop at Lawrence Swamp and had a Great Horned and Barred Owl calling plus a White throated Sparrow. I then picked up Ian and we went to the rail trail. Some of the birds here included a singing Eastern Meadowlark, a Wilson's Warbler, two Brown Thrashers, a couple Solitary Sandpipers, a couple Lincoln's Sparrows and a few other migrants scattered around. After a couple hours we went back to UMASS and spent some time on Orchard Hill. Picked up several Scarlet Tanagers, Wood Thrush and several Purple Finches.

After dropping off Ian I headed over to Quabbin and visited Gates 16, 11 and 10. Found some nice pockets of warblers including a Bay Breasted with quite a bit of rust color on the flanks. The mixed species flocks were quite active despite the later hour and the breeze. Overall fifteen species of warbler today plus a wide variety of residents and migrants including first of season Ruby crowned Kinglets.

Arcadia meadows and Goats Peak

Northern Harrier, Goats Peak, Mt Tom State Reservation
Northern Harrier, Goats Peak, Mt Tom State Reservation

Black throated Green Warbler, from Goats Peak tower at Mt Tom State Reservation

Osprey, Goats Peak
Common Yellowthroat, Arcadia Meadows, Northampton, MA

Bobolinks, Arcadia Meadows, Northampton, MA

Bobolink, Arcadia Meadows, Northampton, MA

Coopers Hawk in fog, Arcadia Meadows, Northampton, MA

I decided at the last minute to head over to Northampton this morning and check out Arcadia Meadows (AKA West Meadows) and then head up to Goats Peak at Mount Tom for some hawk watching. As I got into Hadley the fog got very thick and I thought I may have made a mistake on the choice of locations this morning but it turned out to be a great morning. Despite the fog the Arcadia area near the Ibis Pool and other hedgerows was great. Lots of good stuff and some incredible looks. After a great beginning to the morning I headed up to Goats Peak tower. I had some nice movement of warblers on the way up with one group containing a Bay Breasted and several Blackpolls plus others. On the tower I had a few more groups move through during the morning. It is always interesting to be looking down on the warblers. Despite good weather conditions the 'big' movement of Broad wings didn't materialize this morning. However despite the lack of quantity the time up there made up for it in quality. A nice mix of species and some great looks. I will include the lists for today from Arcadia and Mt Tom.

Mount Tom

Canada Goose 12
Turkey Vulture 7
Osprey 5
Bald Eagle 3 adults, locals
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 most low and fast
Cooper's Hawk 3
Broad-winged Hawk 7
Red-tailed Hawk 4
American Kestrel 3
Ring-billed Gull 1
Chimney Swift 28 largest group of 20 plus other small groups
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 stopped at tower and hover for several seconds before moving on
Eastern Phoebe 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 2
Common Raven 2
Tree Swallow 21
Black-capped Chickadee 28
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Brown Creeper 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Wood Thrush 1
Northern Parula 11
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 12
Bay-breasted Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 7
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 2
American Goldfinch 4

Arcadia Meadows

Mallard 1
Cooper's Hawk 1 juvenile
American Kestrel 1
Mourning Dove 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 7
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 2
Least Flycatcher 2
Empidonax sp. 1
Red-eyed Vireo 7
Blue Jay 11
American Crow 7
Black-capped Chickadee 18
Tufted Titmouse 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 9
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 16
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 7
Cedar Waxwing 8
Tennessee Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 2
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 4 one adult, three 1st years..two together and the others singles in widely scattered areas
Magnolia Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 1
American Redstart 1
Ovenbird 1
Common Yellowthroat 39 minimum number...at times had half a dozen in view at once.
Savannah Sparrow 14
Song Sparrow 54 again a minimum number
Lincoln's Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Bobolink 34
Red-winged Blackbird 275
American Goldfinch 9

Hawk migration

I spent just under two hours this morning atop Goat's Peak tower at Mount Tom State Reservation watching the hawk migration. Given the weather conditions I was hopeful for a good flight and was not disappointed! A total of 495 Broad wings plus a few Osprey, Harriers, Sharpies, Cooper's and Kestrels rounded out the hawk migrants. In addition a total of 70 Double Crested Cormorants and an early Bank Swallow plus groups of Yellow rumped Warblers. The birds were still moving when I left at midday. I can only imagine the overall total for the day. A fantastic spring hawk watch day.

Quabbin Park and Hawkwatch at Goats Peak

I spent an hour this morning checking out a few spots at Quabbin park. Some groups of warblers around but tough to get good looks at as the breeze kept the trees really moving. I then went to Goats Peak at Mt Tom and had some good raptors. Not the big broad wing day I was lokking for but still managed over 300 Broad wings and a smattering of other stuff such as merlin, kestrel, peregrine, osprey, harrier, goshawk, coopers and sharp shinned. Also a group of six ravens and 25 Chimney Swifts. Many of the broad wings passed over quite high in small groups. Maybe tomorrow will be the 'big day'? Another interesting sighting was a juvenile Cedar Waxwing that came in and landed on the tower within arms reach and stayed for a couple minutes. He called a few times and kept looking around. I think he was expecting to get fed! Eventually he took off for parts unknown.