Cool stretch of weather continues

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 10, 2017

Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 10, 2017

Black throated Green Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 10, 2017

Black capped Chickadee with nest material, Quabbin Park, MA, May 10, 2017

Cape May Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 10, 2017

Blackburnian Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 10, 2017

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Quabbin Park, MA, May 9, 2017

Northern Parula, Quabbin Park, MA, May 9, 2017

Ovenbird, Quabbin Park, MA, May 9, 2017

Blue winged, Quabbin Park, MA, May 9, 2017

Yellow bellied Sapsucker, Quabbin Park, MA, May 8, 2017

Although our weather continues to be much cooler than normal with much more in the way of clouds than sun, there have still been times of the day the sun has been out and the birds are out there to found.  The current conditions should last through the end of the week and then we have a larger rainstorm to contend with Saturday through all day on Sunday.  After the storm passes we should break the pattern and get warmer temperatures and more sun and I'm sure a big influx of migrants as migration peaks.  Highlights the last three days include a White eyed Vireo at Quabbin Park (a new Quabbin bird for me) and both species of cuckoos yesterday and a Cape May and Bay breasted Warbler today at Quabbin Park.  I will add a few photos and lists from the last few days (lots of photos and audio in some of the lists)...also added my 22,000 eBird list today.

May 8th
Quabbin Park:  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36650632

May 9th
Mitch's Way  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36680571
Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36680593
Quabbin Park  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36680566

May 10th
Quabbin Park  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36704439

CATTLE EGRET in Hadley plus a Cape May Warbler and a huge group of Common Ravens

Cape May Warbler, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 7, 2017

Cape May Warbler, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 7, 2017

Yellow rumped Warbler, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 7, 2017

Black throated Green Warbler, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 7, 2017

Common Ravens (part of group of 67), UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 7, 2017

Although I didn't have high hopes in finding lots of stuff this morning given the weather conditions of cool temperatures and a steady breeze I was pleasantly surprised.  I started off at Orchard Hill at UMASS and although it began rather slow it eventually got active.  The first notable sighting began when I heard some Common Ravens calling and looked up and noticed a group of several moving north to south which quickly grew and grew as more and more birds streamed by.  My total ended up at at least 67 individuals!  Easily the largest group of raven I have ever had here in spring (or even fall for that matter when larger groups are more likely to occur).  I have no idea where they came from or where they were going.  The big question is why there would be such a large group of this species when they should be paired off and nesting.  Perhaps it was all juvenile birds that were not ready to breed...very interesting.  As I was making my last pass through the top of the ridge on the way back to my car I could hear a few Yellow rumped Warblers and Northern Parulas calling so I got closer to investigate them and found a large mixed species flock that contained lots of good stuff with the highlight being a stunning male Cape May Warbler.  Although it never strayed far from the very tops of the trees it still provided some great looks and vocalized quite a bit.  Scott arrived and I was able to get him on the bird right away.  It was nice to see Orchard Hill produce some good stuff again.  The Cape May Warbler stayed in view for 25+ minutes and only moved down the ridge and out of site just before I left (and Joe arrived after getting my message)....hopefully he relocated it.  I also hit a few more spots on campus but I didn't find too much and the skies looked threatening and eventually produced some rain.  Full lists:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36613506
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36614172

American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, May 7, 2017

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, May 7, 2017

As the rain stopped on my way home and the clouds parted a bit allowing for the occasional break of sun I headed through Quabbin Park to see what I could find.  I didn't hit as many spots as I typically do and the cool temperatures breeze made it a little bit tough to get loads of birds.  Nothing too out of the ordinary but I did find my first Swainson's Thrush of the season plus the continued hybird Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler.  Full list with more photos here:  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36616184

Cattle Egret, East Hadley Rd, Hadley, MA, May 7, 2017

Cattle Egret, East Hadley Rd, Hadley, MA, May 7, 2017

Cattle Egret, East Hadley Rd, Hadley, MA, May 7, 2017

I was doing some projects around the house in the middle of the afternoon and was about to go outside and cut the grass for the first time this season when my phone rang and changed those plans.  Scott was calling to tell me about a Cattle Egret in Hadley that apparently was found late mid/late morning and was still there.  I immediately headed that way and thankfully the bird was still present when I arrived.  I got some great scope views and a few photos and video before I drove down the road toward the bird where I got a few more photos in passing on the very busy East Hadley Road.  The bird looked quite content and was actively feeding the entire time I watched it.  The egret was a new bird for my Hampshire County list becoming species #292.  Hard to believe I managed to get two new county birds in less than a week (Painted Bunting on May 2)...I have not had so many new county birds since Hurricane Irene!  Full album with additional photos and video here:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/albums/72157681657658510

Yellow rumped Warblers, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 4, 2017

Gray Catbird, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 7, 2017

Pine Warbler (female), Home, Belchertown, MA, May 7, 2017

Ruby throated Hummingbird, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 7, 2017

Mouse, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 5, 2017

I also checked the various motion cameras around the yard and found some interesting sightings on them with more warblers, another hummingbird as well as my first Gray Catbird capture of the season (no bands on this bird).  Still no luck capturing the Hooded Mergansers at the nest boxes but a mouse was out and about at 3:35am.

Lots of arrivals the last few days including an Orange crowned Warbler

Northern Parula, Quabbin Park, MA, May 3, 2017

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Quabbin Park, MA, May 3, 2017

Black and White Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 3, 2017

Yellow rumped Warbler 'Myrtle', Quabbin Park, MA, May 3, 2017

Pine Warbler collecting nest material, Quabbin Park, MA, May 3, 2017

Yellow bellied Sapsucker, Quabbin Park, MA, May 3, 2017

On Wednesday I started out at dawn around UMASS beginning at Orchard Hill where I finally found my first Nashville Warbler of the season. The hill was good but not nearly as good as it previously was as lots of edges and tangles have been cut down with some of the best habitat greatly altered and devoid of birds. After the hill I stayed on campus but moved over to the northwest area where it was fairly active giving me some good stuff including my first calling Tennessee Warbler. After a brief stop along the rail trail I headed back toward home and finished up my morning at Quabbin Park. Best bird at Quabbin Park was a hybrid Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler. The bird looked and sounded like a typical Blue winged Warbler except it had a yellow wing patch..interesting looking bird. More details on these stops, with photos and audio can be found on the full eBird lists attached below.

UMASS Orchard Hill http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36504692
UMASS northwest campus http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36505501
Rail trail Amherst http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36506477
Quabbin Park http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36508606

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 4, 2017

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 4, 2017

Orange crowned Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 4, 2017

Orange crowned Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 4, 2017

Opossum, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 4, 2017

Yesterday I decided to try my luck in finding the Cerulean Warbler on top of mountain at Skinner SP but before heading there I started out at Mitch's Way (link to list here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36532175)  It was a bit cool to start the morning with temperatures in the mid 30's but at least the biting insects were kept to a minimum. I also had a close encounter with an Opossum that was walking down the road toward me and eventually came within about ten feet before it stopped and rapidly ran away in the other directions....hopefully it will continue to have great luck eating ticks there. Once I finished up at Mitch's Way I headed over to Skinner SP and made the hike up the mountain (the road is closed to vehicle traffic until May 13 so no choice but to hike). I came across my first Worm eating Warbler just below Taylor's Notch and while trying to get some photos of it I found the best bird of the day when I found an Orange crowned Warbler silently working its way through the mature forest. Orange crowned Warbler is very unusual around here in the spring and this is only my third record. I started hearing Cerulean Warblers once I hit the steep curves just below the summit and I eventually found at least three males with lots of calling and interaction among them. One of the birds was making an odd abbreviated call I had not heard before (video at link here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/54277284@N05/33643223233/in/dateposted-public/ ). A really productive walk on a sunny day in May. Full list with additional photos here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36532175

Black throated Blue Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 4, 2017

Yellow Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 4, 2017

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybird, Quabbin Park, MA, May 4, 2017

Blue gray Gnatcatcher, Quabbin Park, MA, May 4, 2017

Eastern Towhee, Quabbin Park, MA, May 4, 2017

After hiking back down the mountain I decided to head back east and spend the rest of the morning around Quabbin Park. I ran across a number of migrant flocks as well as increased numbers of on territory breeders. The odd Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid was still around and I got some additional photos. Lots of birds around and not tons of people so a good day in my book. I turned up a total of 20 species of warbler for the day and got great looks at many of them (as well as some decent photos).  Full lists for the morning below:

Mitch's Way:  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36530710
Skinner SP: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36532175
Quabbin Park: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36532744

American Redstart, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 1, 2017

White throated Sparrows, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 4, 2017

I checked the motion camera mounted above the pond yesterday and found that I had a visit from an American Restart on May 1st and lots of visits from White throated Sparrows yesterday.  The redstart became a new species at the water feature (#32 so far) and the seventh species of warbler.

The forecast for the coming days look to feature more rain, below average temperatures and overall cloudy weather. Migration will likely slow but once the weather changes to more favorable conditions there should be a big influx.

PAINTED BUNTING in Hampshire County plus lots of migrants among 122 species today!

Painted Bunting, Huntington, MA, May 2, 2017

Painted Bunting, Huntington, MA, May 2, 2017

Sandhill Crane, Worthington, MA, May 2, 2017

Given the weather conditions overnight into the day today the possibility was there to find some good stuff and indeed that turned out to be the case. Southerly winds with predawn rain that continued on and off through midday resulted in some great birding. Normally I would have stayed fairly local to check Quabbin closely but I heard about a Painted Bunting coming to a feeder at a private residence in Huntington so I had to try for that. I made plans with the homeowners to be there around 9AM so I thought I would use the first few hours of daylight to swing through the hilltowns of Hampshire County to pick up some tough to get in the valley birds such as American Bittern and Sandhill Crane. Although the rain would occasionally interrupt my walks and stops, I still managed to get all the species I was after plus lots of other good stuff including my first Eastern Kingbird of the year, calling Virginia Rails, nesting Great Blue Herons and a close encounter with an Eastern Coyote. As nine o'clock approached I made it to the house with the bunting and as luck would have it the bird was sitting on the feeder when I arrived. The homeowners were very nice and allowed me to view the bird from inside the house. A truly striking bird and well north of where it should be right now. Although I have seen a number of Painted Buntings elsewhere this is the first one I have seen in Hampshire County (bringing my county total to 291). The bird disappeared for about twenty five minutes to parts unknown until it came back once again not long before I left.

Bonaparte's Gull, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2017

Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2017

As I continued to find good birds despite (or because) of the weather I decided after seeing the Painted Bunting how many species I could get for the day. A little early to set any real big day record but thought it would be interesting to see what I could come up with. I headed over to the Oxbow briefly to look for grounded waterfowl/gulls/terns/shorebirds and found four Greater Scaup but not too much else noteworthy. I was originally going to head down to walk along the river but got a text from Devin stating they had a Lincoln's Sparrow at Conte NWR at Fort River so I headed there instead. I caught up with Devin and Aidan and we proceeded to continue to get some great birds. A flyby Snowy Egret (rare at any time around here but especially so in the spring) was quickly followed up by a flyby Bonaparte's Gull as well as a mixed species flock of warblers. The nearby vulture roost on Moody Bridge produced a single Black Vulture among the more common Turkey Vultures. I finally made it to Winsor Dam by late morning and I had another Bonaparte's Gull among a hundred plus Ring billed and Herring Gulls plus 15 Common Loons and hundreds of swallows.

American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2017

Yellow rumped Warbler 'Myrtle', Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2017

Black and White Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2017

Chipping Sparrow, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2017

I then headed for home to get Wilson and we headed out for a walk along the Belchertown Land Trust trail and that is when the sun finally broke through and the temperatures warmed up. My final stops for the day were over to Quabbin Park where I found several groups of migrants moving through including my first Lincoln's Sparrow and Yellow throated Vireo and then to Lake Wallace to pick up a few more species including the continued Red headed Woodpecker.

I started and ended the day with a nightjar...Eastern Whip Poor Will at Winsor Dam in the morning and an early Common Nighthawk over the house in the evening. I ended the day with 122 species including 18 species of warbler, quite respectable for the very beginning of May.