Middle of a rainy July

Scarlet Tanager, Williamsburg, MA, Jul 15, 2021

Scarlet Tanagers, Williamsburg, MA, Jul 15, 2021

Scarlet Tanager, Williamsburg, MA, Jul 15, 2021

American Redstart, Williamsburg, MA, Jul 15, 2021

Louisiana Waterthrush, Williamsburg, MA, Jul 15, 2021

Red Admiral, Williamsburg, MA, Jul 15, 2021

Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jul 14, 2021

Mammatus clouds, Northampton, MA, Jul 14, 2021

July is now half over and it has been extremely wet with rain on most days.  We have had almost nine inches of rain so far with more rain in the forecast.  Even if no more rain occurred for the month we would still be at the fourth wettest July on record here.  Despite the less than ideal conditions I have still found a total of 132 species for the month in Hampshire County, which is the highest total I have ever had for the half way point of July.  Today was one of the only sunny days we have had lately and I spent a few hours after work in Williamsburg tracking down local breeders.  Among the highlights were three species of wren, ten species of warblers (more on warblers for July at the following link) and a Scarlet Tanager adult male feeding a freshly fledged juvenile.  On my way to work yesterday I made brief stops to check on a few continued rarities and found at least one Purple Martin still present at Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River as well as a pair of Blue Grosbeaks continuing to bring food to a nest at the Honey Pot.

House Wren with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jul 13, 2021

Raccoon, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jul 12, 2021

The cameras at home are a bit more quiet now but I have still been capturing some activity.

A cool week brings a few new birds

American Tree Sparrow, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Mar 18, 2016

Song Sparrow, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Mar 18, 2016

American Tree Sparrow with extensive white on wing, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Mar 18, 2016

American Tree Sparrows (one with extensive white on wing compared to typical individual), Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Mar 18, 2016

Fox Sparrow, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Mar 18, 2016

Yellow bellied Sapsucker, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Mar 18, 2016

I spent the morning covering numerous areas from Quabbin over the river and then to Great Pond in Hatfield then down Route 47 down to South Hadley and then back home.  Waterfowl numbers were down quite a bit and the only large group of geese were flying north against the strong northwest winds.  I had a few notable species including several American Woodcocks and Killdeer at various locations, a Ring necked Pheasant, a dozen plus American Tree Sparrows (including one individual with extensive white on its wing) and a Fox Sparrow at Great Pond, a flock of 43 Wild Turkeys at the old Pilgrim Airport, a Wilson's Snipe (#107) and a group of 77 Horned Larks along Meadow Street in Amherst, a Yellow bellied Sapsucker and a Fox Sparrow at Mitch's Way and at least seven Tree Swallows at Lake Wallace.  Overall it seemed rather quiet given the amount of area I covered but the cool temperatures and strong winds certainly didn't help.

Mammatus Clouds, Belchertown, MA, Mar 17, 2016

I arrived home yesterday following a line of showers and had an Eastern Phoebe (#106) calling from along the Jabish Brook.  Some impressive Mammatus Clouds were also visible after the storm line moved through.

Canada Goose with limited white on face, Hadley, MA, Mar 16, 2016

I have checked the Connecticut River several times this week on the way to work but have not had anything too unusual but certainly a continued increase in Green winged Teal and Wood Ducks.  I also turned up another unusual Canada Goose which had a nearly black face with very limited white.