Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022
Common Eider, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 9, 2022
Arctic Terns, Quabbin Gate 5, Belchertown, MA, May 13, 2022
Turquoise Cotinga, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 13, 2022
Orange billed Nightingale Thrush, La Casa de la Montana, Monteverde, Costa Rica, Jan 21, 2022
Golden-fronted Redstart (Yellow-fronted), Junin, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 16, 2022
Great Blue Heron, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Mar 18, 2022
Yet another year has now come to an end and with it comes yet another year end wrap up. It was eventful year with the ongoing pandemic but at least I got to travel a bit....a vast improvement from last year! We finally made it back to Costa Rica in January (and then I got to stay for part 2 there when I got Covid and could not come home). In mid March I took a trip down to Colombia and then stopped in Florida on the way home. The rest of the year was mainly spent birding around Hampshire County during which I added three new species to my county list with Arctic Terns in May, a Common Eider in November and a Smith's Longspur in December, bringing my county list to 305. Although I was not doing a big county year again I still ended up with 247 species (which ties my second best year in 2020 but falls three short of my best year last year). Overall for the year I submitted 5270 eBird checklists and had 642 species. Between my trips down south and the latest taxonomic update I now have a total of 1714 species with the following new species for 2022: ten in Costa Rica, 33 in Colombia, one in Hadley and seven from the taxonomic update due to splits. A complete and detailed recap on warblers for the year (including a few new species for me) can be found at the following link: 2022 warblers recap.
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Jan 1, 2022
Eastern Phoebe, Hadley, MA, Jan 1, 2022
Snow Goose, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Jan 2, 2022
Horned Grebe, Quabbin Park, MA, Jan 3, 2022
Swamp Sparrow, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Jan 4, 2022
Pink footed Geese, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Jan 4, 2022
Wilson enjoying the snow, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jan 7, 2021
The new year began damp and warm with quite a few birds around to begin the year. Although it cooled down a bit a few days later it didn't keep notable birds from showing up including two Pink footed Geese on the 4th. Overall the first week produced a lot of species including several other notable species beyond the Pink footed Geese mentioned above including a Snow Goose, Gadwall, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby crowned Kinglet, the continued Western Meadowlark and multiple Yellow rumped Warblers.
Yellow throated Toucan, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 11, 2022
Scaly throated Leaftosser, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 13, 2022
Boat billed Flycatcher building nest, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 14, 2022
Tropical Parula, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 14, 2022
Sunset, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 15, 2022
Bicolored Antbird, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 15, 2022
Ornate Hawk Eagle, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 15, 2022
Howler Monkey, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 16, 2022
Snowy bellied Hummingbird, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 18, 2022
Turquoise Cotingas, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Jan 18, 2022
We took a long overdue trip down to Costa Rica down to the incomparable Rio Magnolia Lodge starting on the 10th and lasting through the 19th during which I managed to add a life bird there as well as several new species for the lodge (post for our time at the lodge at the following link).
Lesson's Motmot, La Casa de la Montana, Monteverde, Costa Rica, Jan 21, 2022
Golden olive Woodpecker, La Casa de la Montana, Monteverde, Costa Rica, Jan 21, 2022
Long tailed Manakin, Santuario Ecológico, Monteverde, Costa Rica, Jan 22, 2022
Golden browed Chlorophonia, Santa Elena, Monteverde, Costa Rica, Jan 22, 2022
Cinnamon bellied Saltator, Santa Elena, Monteverde, Costa Rica, Jan 23, 2022
Azure hooded Jay, Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, Monteverde, Costa Rica, Jan 24, 2022
Magenta throated Woodstar, Santa Elena, Monteverde, Costa Rica, Jan 24, 2022
Townsend's Warbler, Santa Elena, Monteverde, Costa Rica, Jan 24, 2022
The trip home took an unexpected turn when I tested positive for Covid 19 and had to stay in the country for another week. I made the most of my time there and added 13 new life birds during my stay in Monteverde. I finally made it home on the 27th.
Hermit Thrush, Piper Farm Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Jan 28, 2022
Wilson enjoying the snow, Piper Farm Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Jan 31, 2022
Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Jan 31, 2022
January ended cold and snowy with our biggest snow storm of the year to date and temps below zero. Several lingering species continued through the period.
Rough legged Hawk, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Feb 2, 2022
Vesper Sparrow, Aqua Vitae Rd, Hadley, MA, Feb 2, 2022
Gray Catbird, Cold Spring Orchard, Belchertown, MA, Feb 2, 2022
Clay colored Sparrow, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Feb 2, 2022
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Easthampton, MA, Feb 2, 2022
Gadwall, Swift River, Ware, MA, Feb 5, 2022
Green winged Teal, Lower Mill Pond, Easthampton, MA, Feb 6, 2022
American Tree Sparrow, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Feb 6, 2022
As I had no trips planned for all of February I decided to try to beat my record for species seen in the county for the month and possibly even reach the 100 species mark (something I have never done in February here). The month got off to a good start with lingering species and some rarities with multiple unusual sparrows species around plus an influx of Rough legged Hawks. By the end of the first week I was well ahead of any other February.
Field Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Feb 8, 2022
Bobcat, Williamsburg, MA, Feb 10, 2022
Common Grackles (with a few Red winged Blackbirds), East Hadley Rd. Hadley, MA, Feb 11, 2022
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Feb 11, 2022
Wood Duck, UMASS campus pond, Amherst, MA, Feb 12, 2022
Hooded Mergansers, Swift River, Ware, MA, Feb 13, 2022
Black Vultures, Lower Mill Pond, Easthampton, MA, Feb 14, 2022
By the middle of the month I was already approaching my goal with 94 species to that point including more and more species of waterfowl and a very rare Yellow headed Blackbird in a huge flock of grackles and blackbirds.
Pale Canada Goose, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Feb 16, 2022
Lesser Scaup, East Hadley Rd, Hadley, MA, Feb 18, 2022
Greater White fronted Goose, UMASS campus pond, Amherst, MA, Feb 18, 2022
Eastern Meadowlarks, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Feb 19, 2022
House Finch, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Feb 21, 2022
The third week of February broke my previous best February in the county and brought me up over a hundred species for the first time ever thanks to a number of unusual species with a few early arrivals as we continued a roller-coaster ride of warm and cold weather.
Black capped Chickadee with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, Feb 22, 2022
Lesser Black backed Gull, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 24, 2022
Iceland Gull, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 24, 2022
Wilson in the snow, Home, Belchertown, MA, Feb 26, 2022
Vesper Sparrow and Savannah Sparrow, Aqua Vitae Rd, Hadley, MA, Feb 26, 2022
Horned Grebe, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Feb 26, 2022
Cedar Waxwing, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Feb 27, 2022
Northern Shoveler, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Feb 28, 2022
I shattered my previous best February here with reaching an amazing 108 species by the end of the month thanks to a number of great sightings. I doubt I will ever top this number for the month of February.
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Easthampton, MA, Mar 1, 2022
White crowned Sparrow, Aqua Vitae Rd, Hadley, MA, Mar 4, 2022
Common Merganser, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Mar 6, 2022
Ring necked Ducks, Swift River, Ware, MA, Mar 7, 2022
Cackling Goose, East Hadley Rd, Hadley, MA, Mar 10, 2022
Killdeer, East Hadley Rd, Hadley, MA, Mar 10, 2022
I started the month of March successfully searching for Yellow rumped Warblers. During the first week of the month I managed to get out birding a little as we continued a yo-yo weather pattern of warmth and cold snaps. I continued to find a few lingering species as well as the first decent push of waterfowl. More waterfowl (and some snow) arrived by the 10th.
Golden-fronted Redstart (Yellow-fronted), Junin, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 16, 2022
Moustached Puffbird, Laguna El Tabacal, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 14, 2022
Black crested Warbler, Alto de Vino, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 14, 2022
Blue necked Tanager, Finca Las Hermanas, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 15, 2022
Cinnamon Flycatcher, Monterredondo, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 15, 2022
Collared Inca, Monterredondo, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 15, 2022
Bogota Rail, Guasca wetland, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 16, 2022
Mountains at midday, Paramo Grande, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 16, 2022
Andean Siskin (life bird #1700), La Calera, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 16, 2022
Blue-throated Starfrontlet, Observatorio de Colibries, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 16, 2022
Green tailed Trainbearer, Observatorio de Colibries, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Mar 16, 2022
Around the middle of the month I made trip down to Cundinamarca area of Colombia with the main targets being a few species of warblers. I found all my targets and found species #1700 for me with Andean Siskin.
Limpkin, Orlando Wetlands Park, Christmas, FL, Mar 18, 2022
Northern Parula, Signia by Hilton Hotel, Orlando, FL, Mar 18, 2022
Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Lake Apopka North Shore, Apopka, FL, Mar 19, 2022
Mourning Dove, Pelican Island NWR, Vero Beach, FL, Mar 21, 2022
Black bellied Plover, Pelican Island NWR, Vero Beach, FL, Mar 22, 2022
Sunrise, Melbourne Beach, FL, Mar 24, 2022
I met Sherri in Florida after my trip down to Colombia and we stayed in the Orlando area before heading over to Melbourne. I not only got a lot of the expected species but did get a five new species for my Florida life list on the trip.
Eggs in duck box #3, Home, Belchertown, MA, Mar 25, 2022
Blue winged Teal, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Mar 30, 2022
Eastern Phoebe, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Mar 31, 2022
Once I got back home from my trips down south I had more waterfowl showing up as well as the first eggs in my duck boxes.
Red breasted Mergansers, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 1, 2022
Wild Turkey, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 2, 2022
Louisiana Waterthrush, Williamsburg, MA, Apr 5, 2022
The first week of April produced lots of new arrivals for the spring. Waterfowl figured prominently in the arrivals but passerines were also moving in including a record early Louisiana Waterthrush.
Palm Warbler 'yellow', Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 11, 2022
Hooded Merganser eggs in duck box #2, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 15, 2022
Great Blue Herons nest building, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 16, 2022
Tree Swallow, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, , MA, Apr 17, 2022
Black and White Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 18, 2022
Glossy Ibis, South Hadley, MA, Apr 18, 2022
By the middle of April more migrants arrived with warmer weather thanks to southerly winds. The duck boxes now had eggs in all three boxes. By the end of the third week of the month migration was in full swing with some unusual species around including Glossy Ibis.
Bufflehead and Lesser Scaup, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 24, 2022
Palm Warbler 'yellow', Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Apr 26, 2022
Raccoon, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 29, 2022
By the end of April migration was really picking up and I got a few rarities among the expected species with Cattle Egret and Dunlin plus some early arrivals.
House Wren with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 1, 2022
Cattle Egret, Hadley, MA, May 1, 2022
Canada Goose goslings, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 3, 2022
The first few days of May featured some obvious migrants as well as some continued rarities (like Cattle Egret) and some evidence of breeding among early arrivals.
Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 5, 2022
Pileated Woodpecker, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 5, 2022
Black throated Blue Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 6, 2022
Ruby throated Hummingbird, Quabbin Park, MA, May 6, 2022
The first big push of migrants arrived on May 6th but even before that day there were lots of birds around because it is early May and there are lots of birds around!
Long eared Owl, Amherst, MA, Apr 3, 2022
In late March a birder found a nesting Long eared Owl in Amherst and he sent me a photo to confirm the bird. I didn't ask him where the bird was exactly, just the town and I went looking a few days later and found the bird within just a few minutes off a busy trail. The original observer and the state endangered species program personnel requested the details not be given out to anyone and I respected their wishes. The bird was on the nest for over a month but it appeared to have ultimately failed unfortunately. This was the first of perhaps two breeding records in the state in 25+ years.
Brewster's Warbler, Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, May 7, 2022
Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown, MA, May 7, 2022
Great Egret, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, May 10, 2022
Blackburnian Warbler, Covey WMA, Belchertown, MA, May 10, 2022
Hooded Merganser chicks in duck box #2, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 11, 2022
The migration continued unabated through the first week and a half of the month with loads of birds around including both Brewster's and Lawrence's Warblers. I also had my Hooded Mergansers fledge out of one of the nest boxes....always a treat to see them successfully nest.
Arctic Terns, Quabbin Gate 5, Belchertown, MA, May 13, 2022
Arctic Terns, Quabbin Gate 5, Belchertown, MA, May 13, 2022
I added a new species (#303) to my Hampshire County list on May 13th when an unprecedented number of Arctic Terns showed up with a total of at least 18 present! A really amazing inland spectacle to witness.
Worm eating Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 14, 2022
Canada Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 16, 2022
Mourning Dove with nest material, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 17, 2022
At the mid month mark I had an impromptu big day for Hampshire County on the 17th and ended the day with 142 species.
Bonaparte's Gulls, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, May 19, 2022
Mourning Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 19, 2022
Swainson's Thrush, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 20, 2022
Red eyed Vireo, Quabbin Park, MA, May 21, 2022
Red headed Woodpecker, Quabbin Park, MA, May 23, 2022
White eyed Vireo, Fisk Meadow WMA, Chesterfield, MA, May 24, 2022
Mallard ducklings, Pines Edge Conservation Area, Northampton, MA, May 24, 2022
Hooded Warbler, Westfield, MA, May 28, 2022
Hooded Merganser chicks in duck box #1, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 31, 2022
We had a rainy and raw that downed some migrants but the weather then turned hot for few days with highs in the 90's followed by more typical temps. This time period also produced a Red headed Woodpecker at Quabbin Park that stayed for weeks. The peak of migration had gone by the fourth week of the month but there were still lots of breeding species plus a few rarities (like White eyed Vireo) to keep things interesting. Although my total of 170 species in Hampshire County by the end of the month was below the last five years I had some quality days out birding for sure.
Olive sided Flycatcher, Mt Tom State Reservation, Easthampton, MA, Jun 2, 2022
Worm eating Warbler, Mt Holyoke Range SP, Granby, MA, Jun 4, 2022
I started off the month of June checking out multiple locations and I managed an impressive nine species of flycatcher in one morning on the 2nd.
Farm fields during breeding bird atlas stop, Monson, MA, Jun 5, 2022
Black Vulture, Belchertown, MA, Jun 5, 2022
Canada Warbler, Pelham, MA, Jun 5, 2022
Red headed Woodpecker, Quabbin Park, MA, Jun 6, 2022
Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jun 11, 2022
Moose, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 12, 2022
Chestnut sided Warbler, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 12, 2022
Black Bear, Prescott Peninsula, New Salem, MA, Jun 13, 2022
Early in June I also completed my annual breeding bird survey as well as Eastern Whip Poor Will surveys (survey #1 and #2). The Blue Grosbeaks returned once again to Hadley to breed for a fourth year.
Virginia Rail young, Fitzgerald Lake, Northampton, MA, Jun 17, 2022
Grasshopper Sparrow, Westover ARB grasslands, Ludlow, MA, Jun 21, 2022
Peregrine Falcon, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Jun 21, 2022
Great Blue Herons at nest, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 26, 2022
Great Horned Owl juvenile, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 26, 2022
Virginia Rail juvenile, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 29, 2022
Green Heron, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 29, 2022
Wood Ducks, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jun 30, 2022
I spent a lot of time checking on various breeding species around the area with some highlights being Virginia Rails that were around in good numbers and showing well at Lake Wallace (Post #1 and #2 with lots of rail photos). I also made a trip down to Westover ARB to see the various grassland species that have healthy populations in the managed grasslands. I ended the month with a respectable 140 species in the county.
Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 1, 2022
Red headed Woodpecker, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 2, 2022
Red breasted Nuthatch, Cadwall Memorial Forest, Pelham, MA, Jul 4, 2022
Blue Grosbeak, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Jul 5, 2022Marsh Wren, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Jul 7, 2022
I spent the first week of July turning up a record number of species including several rarities including Red headed Woodpecker, Marsh Wren, Evening Grosbeak, Red Crossbill and Blue Grosbeak plus a breeding Lawrence's Warbler.
Virginia Rail, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 13, 2022
Great Blue Herons at nest, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 14, 2022
Bullfrog eating another bullfrog, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 14, 2022
Sora, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 13, 2022
House Wrens in nest, Home, Belchertown, MA, Jul 14, 2022
Wild Turkeys, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 14, 2022
I spent several mornings in the second and third week of July checking on the breeding species at the lake with a focus on Virginia Rail and Great Blue Heron. I also had lots of other evidence of breeding at multiple locations in the county.
Horned Larks, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Jul 15, 2022
Ovenbird, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 22, 2022
Common Mergansers, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Jul 22, 2022
Eastern Kingbird, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Jul 29, 2022
The middle through the end of the month featured multiple heat waves plus a milestone with my 40,000th complete eBird list (the milestone list came from Lake Wallace). By the end of the month I had found 144 species in the county, which broke my previous record high for the month of July.
Eastern Kingbirds, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 1, 2022
House Wren with leg bands, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 3, 2022
Black and White Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Aug 5, 2022
Red Crossbill Type 10, Quabbin Gate 8, Pelham, MA, Aug 7, 2022
August started off with continued heat and humidity. Lots of breeding evidence both at home and out in the local area. In addition the ongoing influx of Red Crossbills continued with mainly Type 10 birds around although I did record my first Type 1's ever in the county.
Lawrence's Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 13, 2022
Tennessee Warbler, Ware, MA, Aug 8, 2022
Canada Warbler, Pelham, MA, Aug 9, 2022
Orchard Oriole, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 11, 2022
To end out the second week of the month I had some great stuff including my third Lawrence's Warbler of the year plus multiple early arrivals.
Black throated Blue Warbler, Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Aug 16, 2022
Common Nighthawk, Home, Belchertown, MA, Aug 19, 2022
Virginia Rail, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Aug 21, 2022
Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 22, 2022
Red breasted Nuthatch, Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Aug 25, 2022
Snowy Egret, Hatfield, MA, Aug 31, 2022
The third week of the month featured more early arrivals plus some lingering species. The end of the month brought in a Snowy Egret among other species. The influx of Red breasted Nuthatches and Red Crossbills continued.
Yellow throated Vireo, Quabbin Park, MA, Sep 1, 2022
Common Yellowthroat, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 2, 2022
American Golden Plovers, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 6, 2022
Sanderlings, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 7, 2022
September began with continued nice weather and little influx of migrants. By the end of the first week of the month we finally got some rainy weather to put a dent in our drought and the rain brought in some shorebirds. More shorebirds showed up the next day
American Redstart, Ware, MA, Sep 8, 2022
Tufted Titmouse eating Chinese Mantis, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 9, 2022
Chestnut sided Warbler, Hadley, MA, Sep 11, 2022
Turkey Vulture interacting with Peregrine Falcon, Holyoke Dam, South Hadley, MA, Sep 11, 2022
Northern Parula, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 15, 2022
Philadelphia Vireo, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 16, 2022
The second week of the month began with more migrants moving but then the migration conditions changed with little migration to finish out the second week. Nonetheless there were certainly birds around. To end the week and begin the third week I spent four consecutive mornings at Arcadia.
Wild Turkeys, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 20, 2022
Savannah Sparrow, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 23, 2022
Cape May Warbler, Ware, MA, Sep 24, 2022
Lincoln's Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 25, 2022
Northern Harrier, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 25, 2022
Connecticut Warbler, UMASS demonstration forest, Belchertown, MA, Sep 26, 2022
Bay breasted Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 30, 2022
Migration continued in a somewhat muted format through the third week but picked up a bit with the arrival of a strong cold front at the beginning of the
third week of the month. The migration started to slow down even more as the month came to an end but not before getting a two
Connecticut Warbler day on the 26th. By the
end of the month migration conditions picked up with a few big nights of migration bringing in later season migrants. I finished September with 158 species in Hampshire County, which is quite good for the month but a bit behind my record of 171 species
last year.
Cackling Goose, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Oct 1, 2022
White winged Scoters, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 2, 2022
Yellow throated Vireo, Home, Belchertown, MA, Oct 2, 2022
Tree Swallow, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 3, 2022
White crowned Sparrow, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 4, 2022
Sandhill Crane, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 6, 2022
October started with some waterfowl including an early arrival of Cackling Geese and then multiple scoters with the rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ian. Most of the first week of October featured somewhat rainy weather as the remnants of Hurricane Ian continued to churn off the coast but it finally started clearing late in the week.
Nelson's Sparrow, Hadley, MA, Oct 14, 2022
Nashville Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 12, 2022
Palm Warbler 'yellow', East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Oct 10, 2022
White rumped Sandpiper, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Oct 8, 2022
Surf Scoters, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 8, 2022
The second week of October brought in some good birds including a very cooperative Nelson's Sparrow, some late shorebirds and increased numbers of waterfowl.
Ruby crowned Kinglet, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Oct 16, 2022
Green Heron, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Oct 18, 2022
Wilson waiting to play ball, Home, Belchertown, MA, Oct 22, 2022
Dark eyed Junco, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Oct 27, 2022
Black Scoters, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 28, 2022
White winged Scoters, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Oct 28, 2022
The third week of the month was a bit slow but stuff picked up a bit by the beginning of the fourth week. Some more waterfowl arrived as the month came to an end but still less than expected although the show of Black Scoters at the end of the month was impressive.
Eastern Phoebe, Hickory Ridge Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Nov 1, 2022
Red Phalarope (really!), Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 1, 2022
Ruddy Ducks, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 2, 2022
American Coots, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Nov 3, 2022
The first week of November featured above normal temps with record breaking highs to end the week (in the 70's). The first week also featured some unusual species showing up including Red Phalarope and Yellow headed Blackbird plus some waterfowl. There were also a few lingering species around as expected.
Common Eider, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 9, 2022
Black legged Kittiwake, Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park, MA, Nov 10, 2022
Sandhill Cranes, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Nov 9, 2022
Song Sparrow, Hadley town well area, Hadley, MA, Nov 11, 2022
Gray Catbird, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Nov 13, 2022
My great run of rarities continued into the second week of November with back to back days with rare birds including a Common Eider on the 9th and a Black legged Kittiwake on the 10th. The Common Eider was a new species for me in Hampshire County and became species #304! I also had a few other unusual species for the second week as the weather turned much colder.
Horned Lark, Great Pond, Hatfield, MA, Nov 15, 2022
Cackling Goose, UMASS campus pond, Amherst, MA, Nov 19, 2022
Greater White fronted Goose, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Nov 20, 2022
Palm Warbler 'western', Hadley mall thicket, Hadley, MA, Nov 20, 2022
Redhead, UMASS campus pond, Amherst, MA, Nov 21, 2022
Killdeer, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 27, 2022
The cold weather continued into the third week of November and was capped by a beautiful male Redhead at the UMASS pond plus a number of other rarities and lingering species including a Cackling Goose, a Greater White fronted Goose and a very late 'western' Palm Warbler.. By the end of end of November I had found a total of 124 species in the county, breaking my old record for the month by a couple species.
Black Vultures, South Maple St, Hadley, MA, Dec 4, 2022
Gray Catbird, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Dec 4, 2022
Marsh Wren, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Dec 6, 2022
Common Yellowthroat, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Dec 6, 2022
The first week of December produced a number of lingering/late species including multiple Black Vultures, Turkey Vultues and Killdeer, Gray Catbird, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat and Yellow rumped Warbler.
Smith's Longspur, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 12, 2022
Eastern Phoebe, Hadley, MA, Dec 13, 2022
Wilson, Home, Belchertown, MA, Dec 12, 2022
The second week of the month produced a big highlight for the year here in Hampshire County when Scott found a Smith's Longspur in Hadley...a new species for me not only in the county (#305) but ever (#1714). Other notables around included an Eastern Phoebe that may be trying to overwinter for the 4th year in Hadley and our first real measurable snow (which Wilson enjoyed!)
Baltimore Oriole, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Dec 15, 2022
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, Dec 15, 2022
Dark American Goldfinch, Northampton, MA, Dec 20, 2022
Common Grackles, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Dec 21, 2022
The last couple weeks of the month featured continued cold weather and really started feeling like winter. Although I had to work on the day of Northampton Christmas Bird Count (CBC) I was able to add some count week species.
Pine Warbler, Northampton, MA, Dec 25, 2022
Redhead, Connecticut River, South Hadley, MA, Dec 25, 2022
Boreal Chickadee, Belchertown, MA, Dec 27, 2022
After failing to find a rare for winter
Pine Warbler on multiple earlier stops I finally saw it on
Christmas Day (thanks to Marcia for letting me stop to try for this warbler). Christmas morning also featured other rarities including a Redhead. Another big surprise for the end of the year was a
Boreal Chickadee that was coming to a feeder at a private residence in Belchertown. The homeowner was gracious enough to allow me to come by to see it but she was against opening the location to birders for a variety of reasons.
Pale Canada Goose, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Dec 30, 2022
Black Vultures, Hadley, MA, Dec 30, 2022
Looking north from Hank's Meadow, Quabbin Park, MA, Dec 31, 2022
I took part in the Quabbin CBC on New Years Eve day and this rounded out a
record setting December for me in Hampshire County with 103 species (breaking my previous best December back in
2018 when I had 100 species). The end of the year had several continued unusual species plus the return of a pale Canada Goose for the third consecutive year.
As far as the upcoming year goes I have several trips planned with the first being down to Orlando for a few days before heading to the coast near Fort Pierce for several more days in January, a cruise out of Barbados in March hitting several islands I have wanted to get to for years, mainly to track down warblers, including Trinidad, St Vincent and Dominica...other stops will include Tobago, St. Lucia and Grenada. We will make a brief stop on the way home in south Florida. A trip to Colorado is planned for the summer visiting areas mainly in the western part of the state. I may take a trip to Bolivia (and possibly Brazil) in the fall but those plans are far from finalized. The remainder of my year will be spent poking around Hampshire County tracking down whatever I can find.
