MA - local gems 05/08

Been having some nice mornings locally with my mum, Margaret Smith, visiting from the UK. With most of the foliage yet to unfurl these beautiful new spring arrivals have been relatively easy to spot. Nice to see Prairie and Yellow Warblers already widespread by the 5th, and Gray Catbirds seemingly everywhere. Barton Cove has been quiet with no new (or obviously so) arrivals - 1 non-breeding Common Loon and 3 female Buffleheads on the 5th. And a surprise female Merlin at Unity Park, Turner's Falls on the evening of the 8th.

 Blackburnian Warbler - male, Poet's Seat, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA.  May 5th, 2014. 

 Black-throated Green Warbler - male, Poet's Seat, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA.  May 8th, 2014. 

Broad-winged Hawk - adult, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. May 7th, 2014. 

 Black-and-White Warbler - male, Poet's Seat, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA.  May 8th, 2014. 

Black-and-White Warbler - male, Poet's Seat, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA.  May 8th, 2014. 

 Chestnut-sided Warbler - male, Mountain Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA.  May 5th, 2014. 

 Ovenbird - male, Poet's Seat, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA.  May 5th, 2014. 

Eastern Towhee - male, Mountain Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA.  May 5th, 2014. 

 Pine Warbler - male, Poet's Seat, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA.  May 5th, 2014.

 Prairie Warbler - male, Mountain Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA.  May 5th, 2014. 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak - male, Gill yard, Franklin Co., MA.  May 7th, 2014. 

 Yellow Warbler - male, Gill yard, Franklin Co., MA.  May 5th, 2014. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler - male, Poet's Seat, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA.  May 5th, 2014.

Yellow-throated Vireo - male, Poet's Seat, Greenfield, Franklin Co., MA.  May 5th, 2014.