As is typically the case in mid to late May the last week has been very busy with new arrivals (including a number of rarities). Although the peak of migration is coming to an end there are still late season migrants moving through even as many local species get down to nesting activity for the year. The most notable rarities found during the last week were two species of phalaropes with a Red necked Phalarope showing up at a small puddle in the East Meadows on the 17th and then three Wilson's Phalaropes in the same puddle found on the 19th (I saw them the following morning). Any phalarope is unusual in western mass but to have two different species show up within days of each other at a small puddle with the weather nice is unheard of. Another good rarity that showed up was a White eyed Vireo in Southampton. I managed to get to see the the bird on the 19th but it has not be relocated since. While in the area enjoying the vireo I noticed an odd Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid and as I walked up the path trying to get some photos a large Black Bear came out of the tangles and blocked the path. Eventually a detour needed to be made as the bear appeared to be in no hurry to move. I made it back to the same area the next day and got some photos of the hybrid (no bear this time!). I also completed a warbler big day in Hampshire County on the 18th and found a total of 28 species of warbler. A very productive week for sure with overall pleasant weather conditions with some real warmth by the end.
I completed both of my annual Eastern Whip Poor Will surveys on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. It is tough to get these surveys completed sometimes as the conditions have to be just right (clear skies, little or no wind) and only completed when the survey window is open (related to the phases of the moon). The two survey routes consist of Quabbin Park and south and the second on Prescott Peninsula. The conditions were perfect on Wednesday for the Quabbin Park route and we had a great showing of Eastern Whip Poor Wills and I even managed a very crappy photo of one. The conditions on Thursday were less than perfect with some wind but the route got completed nonetheless. Being able to be 'behind the gates' at Quabbin after hours is always fun and almost guarantee some Moose sightings (which I had on Prescott as usual). I look forward to conducting field surveys on Prescott once nesting season is in full swing.
Meanwhile at home lots of birds have either completed nesting or have just started. The second Hooded Merganser box fledged (unfortunately the camera set up on the box malfunctioned and I didn't get any video of them leaving the box). I have found a few different nests around the yard including Eastern Bluebirds in one of my nest boxes and a Gray Catbird nesting right off the deck. The yard has also produced a number of migrants including several Blackpoll Warblers and a Swainson's Thrush that stayed around all day feeding along the driveway.
