Migration peaks as the third week of September ends

Blue headed Vireo, Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Sep 15, 2026

Rainbow, Arcadia, Easthampton, MA, Sep 16, 2026

Green Heron, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 14, 2026

Black Vulture, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 14, 2026

Least Skipper, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 14, 2026

Eastern tailed Blue, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Sep 14, 2026

Black and White Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Sep 12,  2026

American Redstart, Belchertown, MA, Sep 11, 2026

Northern Parula, Belchertown, MA, Sep 11, 2026

Ovenbird, Belchertown, MA, Sep 11, 2026

It has been tough each and every day to get over the loss of my long term birding bud Wilson and I have tried to get out birding to get my mind off of him for awhile but as he was with me constantly most every place I go reminded me of him.  I sincerely hope it will get better with time and I think it will however at this point it is tough beyond words.  He was such a huge part of my life I feel empty without him.  To just add to the shitty last week and a half my camera broke and I had to send it back to Canon for a several hundred dollar repair.  I have tried to use my old Canon 7D without a lot of success.  Migration continues as the peak of diversity arrives and I have had some decent mornings and I reached a milestone on the 17th with my 500th species in the US this year with a Philadelphia Vireo (I have never had this many species in the US in a single year as I typically don't travel as widely in the US in a single year).  Hopefully I will get my camera back soon and can add some photos...for now the selection of photos is quite limited.  On a positive note I got to bird a little with former valley birders Devin and Aidan on the 14th at Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River.

Mid August

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 18, 2026

Black Bear, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 18, 2026

Wilson sleeping, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 18, 2026

Wood Ducks, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Aug 16, 2026

Northern House Wren, Belchertown, MA, Aug 16, 2026

Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 16, 2026

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 15, 2026

Black throated Green Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Aug 14, 2026

Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 13, 2026

Northern Yellow Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 12, 2026

Great Blue Heron, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 12, 2026

Yet another warm month is rapidly flying by as we head toward fall.  I have tried to get out as much as I can despite the horrific mosquitoes most everywhere and projects at home keeping me there.  Migration is certainly increasing and mixed flocks are starting to increase in frequency.   Common Nighthawks have started to arrive with the peak of that migration in the next couple weeks.  Red Crossbills continue to show up in more and more places and I have had a few that are not the Type 12 variety expected here with my first confirmed Type 4 today at Quabbin Park.  Shorebirds and waders are also moving through the area although Hampshire County has so far missed out on anything unusual although the show of Green Herons at Lake Wallace continue to impress.  Wilson continues to plug along with some days better than others but all things considered he is doing well for a nearly 15 1/2 year old dog.  

Marsh birds the last few days

Marsh Wren, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 11, 2026

Marsh Wren, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 11, 2026

Marsh Wren, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 11, 2026

Green Heron, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, Aug 11, 2026

Great Blue Heron, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, Aug 11, 2026

Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 11, 2026

Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 9, 2026

Great Egret, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 9, 2026

Great Blue Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 9, 2026

Wilson relaxing, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 11, 2026

This time of year is when the potential for some unusual waders to show up as they disperse after breeding and I have been out looking everyday.  No rarities (yet) but I have had great numbers of Green Herons (highest count so far for the season is 24 at Lake Wallace on August 9th.  Green Herons were around in good numbers at a variety of other locations as well.  I have also had multiple Great Blue Herons and a single Great Egret.  I also added at least two (possibly three) Marsh Wrens this morning at Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River...my 222nd species in Hampshire County for the year...not too bad with being gone most of the winter plus a few weeks in summer.

The first few days of August

Gray Catbird, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Aug 5, 2026

Common Yellowthroat, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Aug 5, 2026

Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Aug 5, 2026

Wood Duck, Rail Trail,  Amherst, MA, Aug 4, 2026

Red tailed Hawk, Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Aug 4, 2026

 

Black throated Green Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 2, 2026

American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 2, 2026

Killdeer, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 2, 2026

Looking northeast from Gate 52 over a low reservoir, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 2, 2026

Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 1, 2026

Yellow bellied Sapsucker, Skinner SP, South Hadley, MA, Aug 1, 2026

House Wren nest with nestlings, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 1, 2026

It has been a somewhat average start to August with widely variable weather including some humidity, heavy rain and then more fall like days with cool mornings.  I got out at least a bit every morning and found a total of 126 species so far with the only somewhat unusual species being continued numbers of Red Crossbills in various locations, Grasshopper Sparrow, a slightly late Orchard Oriole and continued Blue Grosbeaks in Hadley.   We are forecast to warm up again with a possible heat wave starting tomorrow and lasting into the weekend.  I will get out early to beat the heat.  On a bird related note the American Ornithological Society (AOS) is in the midst of having their annual conference and this year it is occurring at UMASS!  Wish it was not so expensive to go as it would have been interesting to hear some of the talks and presentations.  

The first week(ish) of July

Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 8, 2026

Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 8, 2026

Eastern Kingbird, Skinner SP, South Hadley, MA, Jul 8, 2026

Luna Moth, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jul 8, 2026

American Woodcock, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 7, 2026

Black throated Blue Warbler, Quabbin Gate 12, Pelham, MA, Jul 5, 2026

Wood Duck with ducklings, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 5, 2026

Eastern Bluebird nest nearly complete, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jul 4, 2026

The first week(ish) of July is come to an end and I have been out as much as I could be to add species to my July list in Hampshire County before I head out west for a couple weeks.  I have managed to put myself at a record setting pace for the month with 129 species so far which is several species ahead of a typical July here.  Lots of breeding activity continues with loads of fledglings around.