April ends with some rain

Blackburnian Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 30, 2026

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 30, 2026

Black and White Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 29, 2026

Song Sparrow, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 29, 2026

Wood Ducks, Belchertown Land trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Apr 29, 2026

Wilson relaxing after a walk, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 29, 2026

Broad winged Hawk, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 28, 2026

Red breasted Mergansers, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 28, 2026

Purple Finch, KC Trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 28, 2026

White tailed Deer, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 28, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 27, 2026

Field Sparrow, Covey WMA, Belchertown, MA, Apr 27, 2026

April ended on a rather rainy note with rain in the morning and cool temps and then drizzle and overcast conditions for the remainder of the day.  I had hopes the rain would have downed some unusual species but no luck for me in finding any.  The previous few days were more pleasant with mainly sunny conditions and warmer temps although the winds were less than great for migration.  Nonetheless some birds continued to move into the area and each day featured the arrival of a few more species with no real big influx yet.  On Wednesday I did some guiding for a birder from India and we had a decent day with a few targets found for her.  Warblers have been slow to arrive in the typical numbers and diversity for the end of April although I did manage to add one more warbler species for the end of the year today despite the rain (more on warblers for April at the following post).  I found a total of 142 species in Hampshire County for the month which given the poor migration conditions recently and being away for just over a week in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona was quite good and fits in around average for the last ten years or so for me.  Now comes May and with it the big influx of migrants from the south moving north to breed for the summer.

The last week back home

Black and White Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 21, 2026

Pine Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 21, 2026

Purple Finches, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 21, 2026

Beaver gathering grasses, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 21, 2026

Wilson checking out some deer, Belchertown, MA, Apr 21, 2026

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 20, 2026

Merlin, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 20, 2026

Osprey carrying nest material, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 18, 2026

Osprey carrying nest material, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 18, 2026

Ring necked Ducks, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 18, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 18, 2026

Tree Swallow, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 18, 2026

American Robin building nest, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 17, 2026

Red Eft, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 17, 2026

Now that I have been back from my trip to Texas, New Mexico and Arizona for almost a week I will try to catch up on some sighting here.  When I first arrived home last Wednesday we were in the midst of a big warm up with highs in the 70's and 80's and I got to enjoy the beautiful weather for a few days before it got much cooler and eventually cold.  There were some early arrivals during the warm spell but now things have slowed a bit as expected with colder weather and poor migration conditions.  Nonetheless birds still trickle in as it is getting toward the end of April and birds will move even in less than ideal conditions.  I have added a dozen new species for the year here since getting back with the most unusual one being an American Bittern plus a few early arrivals including Solitary Sandpiper, Northern House Wren and Black and White Warbler.  Birds are starting to nest in numbers including a variety of raptor species that only breed in small numbers in the county including Osprey at Lake Wallace plus Merlins and Sharp shinned Hawks at Quabbin.

Back in the arctic hell of home

Yellow rumped Warbler 'Myrtle', Arcadia, Easthampton, MA, Mar 5, 2026

Wood Ducks, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Mar 5, 2026

Winsor Dam with the reservoir frozen solid, Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 3, 2026

Now that I have been back in the land of ice, cold and snow I truly ready to leave again.  Although the worst of cold seems to be behind us there is still a foot and half of snow on the ground and multiple bouts of additional sleet and freezing rain the last few days.  I have tried to get out to catch up with some new species for the year and have had some success but it is just not fun dealing with the cold, lack of open water and general malaise that comes from the end of winter (plus I'm missing the sun and warmth of Texas and Arizona).  Since I got home I have added just four new species with Killdeer, Wood Duck, Mute Swan and American Wigeon and my total for the county stands at a paltry 92.  On a positive note I did track down some Yellow rumped Warblers that look to have successfully overwintered.  Maybe a forecasted warm up with break up some of the ice and see an influx of waterfowl....we shall see.

The fifth (and last) week in Florida

Wood Stork, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 2, 2026

Sunrise, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 2, 2026

Common Yellowthroat, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 2, 2026

Blue gray Gnatcatcher, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 2, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 2, 2026

White eyed Vireo, Thornby Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 2, 2026

Yellow throated Warbler, Campbell Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 2, 2026

I started off the last week in Florida hitting a few local parks not too far from the house including Gemini Springs Park, Thornby Park, Campbell Park and Audubon Park.  It was yet another cold morning with temps in the 20's with a slight breeze (at least it was not quite as cold and windy as the day before).  It was weird to see some thin ice on some of shallow part of marshes.  Given the conditions I tried to find some edges that got sun early in the morning and this proved somewhat successful with a number of species taking advantage of the sun warming things up.  Overall a more productive day then the day before.

Dawn, Lake Woodruff NWR, De Leon Springs, FL, Feb 3, 2026

Bald Eagle with prey, Lake Woodruff NWR, De Leon Springs, FL, Feb 3, 2026

Sandhill Cranes, Lake Woodruff NWR, De Leon Springs, FL, Feb 3, 2026

Great Blue Heron, Lake Woodruff NWR, De Leon Springs, FL, Feb 3, 2026

Northern Yellow Warbler, Lake Woodruff NWR, De Leon Springs, FL, Feb 3, 2026

Great Egret with fish, Lake Woodruff NWR, De Leon Springs, FL, Feb 3, 2026

Purple Gallinule, Lake Woodruff NWR, De Leon Springs, FL, Feb 3, 2026

Common Gallinule, Lake Woodruff NWR, De Leon Springs, FL, Feb 3, 2026

Tuesday featured another cold start with frost.  Thankfully it was sunny with little wind so it didn't feel as bad as previous days.  I headed out well before dawn to make the trip up to Lake Woodruff NWR and arrived just after six.  With the near full moon you could walk with a headlamp on and I focused on rails and had some fantastic luck with the best by far being a Black Rail (a life bird for me...species #2186) that sounded off a few times.  I had five species of rails...something I have never done before (plus a variety of gallinules and coots).   

Lincoln's Sparrow, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 4, 2026

White winged Scoter and Pied billed Grebe, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 4, 2026

White winged Scoter, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 4, 2026

Common Ground Dove, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 4, 2026

Pied billed Grebe and American Coots at sunrise, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 4, 2026

Northern Parula, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 4, 2026

Black and White Warbler, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 4, 2026

Palm Warblers 'yellow', Gemini Springs Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 4, 2026

A morning without frost arrived for Wednesday morning (although it was still cold early with a low of 35).  Eventually the day warmed up nicely into the low 70's with abundant sunshine.  I started off before dawn at Gemini Springs Park and added a number of unusual species for the day including a White winged Scoter, Lincoln's Sparrow, White crowned Sparrow and American Redstart.

Limpkin, Campbell Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 5, 2026

Ring necked Ducks, Blue Heron Nature Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 5, 2026

Sandhill Crane with leg injury, Blue Heron Nature Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 5, 2026

Blue gray Gnatcatcher, Blue Heron Nature Park, Deltona, FL, Feb 5, 2026

After one really nice day we returned to cooler weather and some rain for Thursday.  I awoke to heavy rain so stayed at the house until it finally stopped around seven (at least for a bit).  I visited just a couple spots within a few minutes of the house including Blue Heron Nature Park.  Eventually a few showers showed up later in the morning but at least I got out for a couple hours.  

Blue headed Vireo eating a lizard, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 6, 2026

Blue headed Vireo eating a lizard, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 6, 2026

Pileated Woodpeckers, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 6, 2026

Pileated Woodpeckers, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 6, 2026

Common Yellowthroat, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 6, 2026

Yellow throated Warbler, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 6, 2026

Orange crowned Warbler, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 6, 2026

White eyed Vireo, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 6, 2026

Lincoln's Sparrow, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 6, 2026

Painted Bunting, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 6, 2026

White winged Scoter, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 6, 2026

Friday morning yet again featured frost...not what I wanted to see when I got up to head out.  At least it the sky was clear and once the sun came up things started warming up.  Of course then the wind picked up but by then I was headed home.  I spent nearly three hours at Gemini Springs Park and had a number of good sightings.  Rarities included the continued White winged Scoter and Lincoln's Sparrow.  I also got to witness some interaction among a couple male Pileated Woodpeckers (check out the video in the above attached eBird list) plus got to watch a Blue headed Vireo feeding on a lizard of some type.  I have never seen that behavior before with the species and I got video of that too.  I also added a new warbler species for the year with a Black throated Green Warbler that showed briefly in a mixed flock.  Overall a great morning despite the continued cool temps.

Bobcat, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 7, 2026

Bobcat, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 7, 2026

Pied billed Grebes, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 7, 2026

Lincoln's Sparrow, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 7, 2026

Common Ground Dove, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 7, 2026

Pine Warbler, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 7, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 7, 2026

Blue gray Gnatcatcher, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 7, 2026

Red shouldered Hawk, Gemini Springs Park, Deltona/Debary, FL, Feb 7, 2026

On Saturday the weather was very similar to the day before although thankfully no frost.  I initially was going to head up to Lake Woodruff but with the breezy conditions I figured it was not worth the longer drive.  I instead returned to Gemini Springs Park for a few hours.  The wind was an issue at times and made tracking down some stuff difficult.  Nonetheless it was still a productive morning with a few continuing rarities, nine species of warblers and some good looks at a Bobcat. 

Anhinga with fish, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

Western Cattle Egret with staining on rear, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

Northern House Wren, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

Black and White Warbler, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

American Bittern, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

 

Ring necked Duck, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

Common Gallinule, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

Common Yellowthroat, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

Northern Yellow Warbler, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

Gray headed Swamphen, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

Purple Gallinule, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

Boat tailed Grackle, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, FL, Feb 8, 2026

For the last full day in Florida I headed to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive before dawn and did a little birding at Apopka Birding Park before the gates opened.  Once the gates opened I spent a little over three hours exploring the drive and I had 90 species on the drive alone...it really is a great birding spot.  Loads and loads of waterfowl and waders and other marsh birds.  The list sums it all up quite well and it was a great way to end my time in Florida.  I then headed home a little before midday and finished packing for the trip back to the arctic wasteland of home.  I ended the day with a nice round 100 species total.  For the entire week I had 128 species with two new species for Florida.  Full report from week five at the following link.

The week in warblers can be found at the following link: Final week warblers.

Overall for my time in Florida (from January 4-February 9) I found a total of 212 species with one lifer in Florida (Black Rail) bringing my life list to 2185.  I added 15 species to my Florida list, which now stands at 265.