MA - Acadian Flycatcher nesting in Franklin County - July 11th

Acadian Flycatcher at nest - Bernardston, Franklin Co., MA. July 11th, 2020.

A balmy Saturday evening with a strong southern wind seemed like a good opportunity to get outdoors and go for a family bike ride. Our destination was close to home in Bernardston and we aimed to do about 10 miles at a casual pace. My expectations for bird finding in the summer heat were pretty low but I carried my iphone all the same, just in case I heard or saw something unusual. We'd barely gone a mile into the ride when I heard the distinctively sharp 'peek' notes of what could only have been a calling Acadian Flycatcher. By the time I'd stopped to get a sound recording and fumbled around with my phone, Susannah and Matan were way up the road and the bird had stopped calling. But on the return leg of the journey I fared better. The bird was again calling spontaneously. This time I managed three recordings above the background noise of the stream and had brief naked-eye views of the bird zipping back-and-forth high amid the Eastern Hemlocks. Even without binocular views, I was pretty well convinced that it was an Acadian Flycatcher, a scarce/rare, low-density breeder at a handful of widely scattered sites in the Pioneer Valley. On a personal level, I recognized several years ago that I'd never actually seen an Acadian Flycatcher in Franklin County so to locate a self-found bird was especially satisfying. After the bike ride we returned to the same area, armed with bins and camera and soon located the bird, and it was still calling. It was so fast and tricky to view but, remarkably, it was clearly in the early stages of building a flimsy, basket-like nest high on the outer limbs of an Eastern Hemlock. I snapped a few pics as best I could and then moved on. 

Acadian Flycatcher at nest - Bernardston, Franklin Co., MA. July 11th, 2020.

Subsequent visits on July 13th and 14th found that the nest had very clearly been built up and attended to, and it looked relatively complete by the 14th. Oddly, there was no sign of the actual bird on either of those dates and the 11th was the only date on which I actually heard and saw the bird itself. I'll be keeping a close eye on the nest and will likely offer a more more updates to this page over next couple of weeks. 

Acadian Flycatcher nest - Bernardston, Franklin Co., MA. July 13th, 2020.

The nest had clearly been worked on since the 11th, but no sign of the flycatcher during my visit on the 13th.

Acadian Flycatcher nest - Bernardston, Franklin Co., MA. July 14th, 2020.

More material added to the nest since the previous day, but still no sign of the flycatcher on the 14th!

Covid Spring - III

Common Loon - one of two, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 9th, 2020.

April 9th: I wasn't expecting to post another blog entry so soon after yesterday's report but it was clear from my early morning run along North Cross Road and through the southern portion of the NMH campus woods in Gill that a lot a birds came arrived last night. Moreover, the cold, gray, overcast conditions were no deterrent to those arrivals and the woods were full of song. My 5K loop tallied 11 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 17 Pine Warblers, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 3 Louisiana Waterthrushes (early) and 4 Hermit Thrushes (all seen, not singing). I came across a few more of the latter two species as a drove through Gill on my way to Barton Cove where I came across my first Barn Swallows of the year. About five of them were mixed with Tree and Northern Rough-winged Swallows hawking low over the water.

Buffleheads - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 9th, 2020.

Eastern Phoebe - Barton Cove campground, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 9th, 2020.

Greater Scaup - male , Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 9th, 2020.

In addition, new waterbird arrivals at the cove included two Common Loons (full breeding plumage), five Double-crested Cormorants, a male Greater Scaup, two Buffleheads (one female, one immature male) and a female Red-breasted Merganser. Heavy rain ensued for most of the rest of the day until about 17:00 hours when there was a clearance from the NW. Surprisingly, most waterbirds had already cleared out by that time leaving just the two Buffleheads and a long staying Pied-billed Grebe that I'd missed in the morning. But, there was plenty of raptor activity and in just 20 minutes I noted 3 Bald Eagles, 3 Black Vultures, 8 Turkey Vultures, a huge female Cooper's Hawk and a male Merlin. At Barton Cove campground over 30 Fish Crows gathered once again, plus Eastern Phoebes and Pine Warblers (4+) continued to sing throughout the evening.

Double-crested Cormorants - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 9th, 2020.

Departing north after pausing at the cove for 25 minutes or so. 

Connecticut River - looking towards Turner's Falls from Barton Cove campground, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 9th, 2020.

Covid Spring - II

American Robins - North Cross Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 5th, 2020.

Two days of clear skies, warm afternoons and generally immaculate weather allowed the migrant flood gates to open. Within the last 48 hours the mixed woodlands around Gill/Montague have filled with Pine Warblers with, for example, 15 singing males on my morning bike ride through Montague yesterday (04/07). Eastern Phoebes and Tree Swallows are even more widespread, seemingly every homestead in the rural areas having both species around them. In many respects these hardy migrants are to be expected in late March and early April but to me, nothing quite says that spring has truly arrived more than the sound of the first Louisiana Waterthrush singing from the fast-flowing wooded streams around Gill. This morning (04/08) I heard my first of the year in exactly the same spot as I heard my first last year, and the year before that, and the year before that. This bird, if indeed it is the same returning male, appears to arrive a good five to ten days ahead of the main influx of Louisiana Waterthrushes in northern Franklin County. This year it was even earlier - three days ahead of my earliest date in the county. Perhaps co-incidence or perhaps part of the same wave of migrant arrivals, I also noted my first Northern Rough-winged Swallows (4) of the year, hawking over the water at Barton Cove with Tree Swallows (15). Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers appeared in numbers with many drumming males around Gill and Montague from 04/05 - 04/06, and Chipping Sparrows arrived in numbers too, visible and audible in the yards and roadsides around Gill. 

Notably absent during this spring, or at least to date, has been the passage of large numbers of American Robins through the fields and meadows of Gill. Early April often brings 1200 - 2000 birds to the area but this year they've been curiously missing with c.150 on North Cross Road on 04/05 being the most noteworthy gathering.

American Robins - North Cross Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 5th, 2020.

More discrete migrants, included three Field Sparrows together at the Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club found by Josh Layfield on the 04/07, single northbound Evening Grosbeaks over North Cross Road, Gill on 03/27 and 03/28, an Eastern Meadowlark heard calling and singing on North Cross Road on 04/04, and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet singing on North Cross Road on 04/08. Indeed, late afternoon, early evening on 04/08 proved to be a productive time further south in Franklin County when Brian Kane discovered two Hermit Thrushes feeding on crab apples in his yard, and David Sibley and Joan Walsh found a decidedly early Grasshopper Sparrow in the Deerfield Meadows. Nearby, David, Joan, and Josh Layfield connected with an American Bittern in Old Deerfield, found and reported the previous day.

Hermit Thrush - Sunderland, Franklin Co., MA. April 8th, 2020. 

One of two photographed by Brian Kane in his Sunderland yard. 

Field Sparrow - one of three, with Song Sparrows, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. April 7th, 2020.

The migrant flock of Field Sparrows (3) was found by Josh Layfield.

Rather random sightings included an early Great Blue Heron heading north over Northfield Mount Hermon, Gill on 03/16, an impressive single flock of 38 Fish Crows at Barton Cove, Gill on 04/03, a flock of 65 Brown-headed Cowbirds by Main Road, Gill on 04/05, a Black Vulture south over Turner's Falls on 04/07 and a wide scatter of American Kestrels through Montague, Turner's Falls and Gill through late March into early April. Purple Finches are also back on breeding territories in Gill with several males singing on North Cross and Boyle Roads, and at Gill Elementary School.

Fish Crows - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 3rd, 2020. 

Part of a flock of 38 present that evening. 

Barton Cove continued to be remarkably quiet for waterfowl migrants though 2 Gadwall and a Pied -billed Grebe were present on 04/07 and a drake Lesser Scaup on 04/08. Any change at the cove can only be for the better!

North Cross Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. March 24th, 2020. The last snowfall of the spring, hopefully!

Good birding and Happy Passover to all,



James

MA - the first Louisiana Waterthrush - 04/11

Louisiana Waterthrush - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 15th, 2019.

There's nothing like the sweet cadence of a singing Louisiana Waterthrush to brighten up a chilly April morning. Even the haunting ethereal song of a nearby Hermit Thrush was no match for this beauty at a traditional spot in Gill today. In fact, this bird was along exactly the same stream as my first of the spring in each April since 2015! It's hard to imagine that it's the same male returning every year but if so, it's usually been about three days ahead of the first major influx. I expect the bulk will arrive in a few days time, around the 14th/15th, and pretty soon most of the fast flowing streams in the local Hemlock woods will be hosting a pair, or a singing male.

Louisiana Waterthrush - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 15th, 2019.

Louisiana Waterthrush - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 15th, 2019.

On a more sobering note, I learned in the evening that Susannah had come across a freshly dead Northern Saw-whet Owl along Main Road, Gill close to the intersection with North Cross Road. I'm ashamed to say that I haven't put in any real work looking for saw-whets in this particular winter, but this bird was found only 200 meters from where I heard one calling unsolicited (pre-dawn) on October 22nd, 2018. 

Northern Saw-whet Owl - roadside casualty, Main Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 11th, 2019.

MA - Louisiana Waterthrush and plenty more

Louisiana Waterthrush - River Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 13th, 2016.

Yesterday, April 13th, really marked a turning point in the spring, hopefully bringing an end to the cold, wintery air that seems to have been with us for the last couple of weeks. Locally, there's no better indicator of the end of winter than the arrival of Louisiana Waterthrushes to our streams and rivers. Yesterday I heard three singing males along River Road in Gill, including the showy individual pictured here.

Vesper Sparrow - North Cross Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 13th, 2016.

Perhaps more surprising was the appearance of a pair of Vesper Sparrows along North Cross Road, I think only the second time that I've recorded the species in Gill. The birds showed well, foraging at the roadside, quite literally at the side of the road. 

Common Loon - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 8th, 2016.

In the afternoon, I recorded no less than nine species of raptor from Unity Park in Turner's Falls including my first Broad-winged Hawks (3) of the year, along with a Black Vulture and a Merlin. Barton Cove itself has been pretty quiet aside from a single Common Loon and, after the first on April 6th, the daily presence of up to nine Double-crested Cormorants. 

Double-crested Cormorant - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 13th, 2016.

Widespread arrivals of more Eastern Phoebes, Pine Warblers, Field and Chipping Sparrows and Hermit Thrushes (including one in our yard on the 14th) have taken place in the last two days and their songs have been common place around Gill. A few Fox and White-throated Sparrows have also burst into song as they pass through the fields and hedgerows. North Cross Road in particular has been good for the former.

Eatsern Phoebe - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 11th, 2016.

Finally, a rainy morning didn't put off a Ruffed  Grouse from an aggressive roadside display on April 12th. This bird quite literally charged at my vehicle when I pulled up to take a look. I became so concerned for its welfare that I gently encouraged it to retreat back into the woodland. Otherwise, it might easily have become roadkill.

Ruffed Grouse - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 12th, 2016.

Ruffed Grouse - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 12th, 2016.

White-tailed Deer - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 14th, 2016.

MA - Louisiana Waterthrush

If I was to nominate a 'bird-of-the-week' this week, it would have to be Louisiana Waterthrush. It's beautiful descending song is perhaps one of the most instantly recognizable bird sounds in the woodland around Franklin County and a sure sound of spring. In particular, the towns of Greenfield, Gill and Northfield seem to be especially good for them with most suitable wooded streams in those towns supporting one or more pairs. After hearing my first of the year on North Cross Road, Gill yesterday, they arrived en masse overnight - for example, three singing males along a one mile stretch of River Road in Gill this morning. They prefer fairly substantial fast flowing streams in mixed woodland dominated by Eastern  Hemlocks, a habitat shared by Winter Wren. Both species are shy and skulking, and much easier to hear than actually see. However, the canopy is still leafless at the moment and will be for a couple of weeks so the opportunity to is there to get out into the woods and get good views and audio of two of the more exciting species that we have in Western Massachusetts.

 Louisiana Waterthrush - River Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 15th, 2015.

 Winter Wren - River Road, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. April 15th, 2015.

MA - summer breeders slow to arrive 05/08

Gill - This morning I had the pleasure of surveying 'Blake Farm', our neighbor's property due east of the intersection of Mountain Road and Main Road in Gill. The plot consists of about 90 acres and incorporates a number of habitats including mixed woodland, field edges, small wetlands and vernal pools, early successional and several 'blow-downs', as well as the family homestead.

Over the course of four hours I tallied 228 individuals of 48 bird species. Many of these were potential breeders and there was very little evidence of any migration through the site today. Although I recorded a few 'firsts of the year' such as Wood Thrush, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, it became clear that many expected summer breeders have yet to arrive including most of the warblers and ALL the empidonax flycatchers.

However, some of the earlier arrivals seemed to be well established already with nice totals of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (11), Black-throated Green Warbler (7), Pine Warbler (8), Ovenbird (8), Common Yellowthroat (7), Eastern Towhee (4) and Baltimore Oriole (4). Personal highlights included great views of Winter Wren (3) and Louisiana Waterthrush (1). I also managed to obtain reasonable sound recordings of both of the latter species.

The whole survey was 'human-powered' as I biked into the site from home and then walked a couple of miles around the plot. This was the first of about half-a-dozen planned surveys within this plot which I hope to carry out on a near-weekly basis through late spring into early summer.

All images were taken using a Canon Powershot G10 on May 8th, 2013

 at 'Blake Farm', Gill, Franklin Co., MA. 

Common Yellowthroat - male.

Ovenbird - about 8 singing males seen and heard today.

Louisiana Waterthrush - the only waterthrush seen today

 but a bold male often singing from completely exposed song posts.



Winter Wren - one of three singing males.

Eastern Towhee - male



MA - Louisiana Waterthrush 04/25

Louisiana Waterthrush - Gill yard, Franklin Co. MA. April 25th, 2011. Singing male, present since April 17th.

This is such a fantastic time of year in Western Massachusetts. Even if winter does its best to whip back as it did on Saturday, each and every day brings newly arrived migrant birds. Some are keen to settle down and get on with the breeding cycle, whilst others are simply passing through on their way North. Either way, the promise of new arrivals sees me working with windows open in the office, and regularly checking the feeders. Only yesterday (04/24), six Purple Finches arrived seemingly from nowhere and descended on the thistle feeders. Together with resplendent summer plumaged American Goldfinches they provided a 'riot' of color.

American Goldfinches and Purple Finch (male) - Gill yard, Franklin Co. MA. April 25th, 2011.

The real star, for my money at least, has been a territorial Louisiana Waterthrush on the brook running through our yard. Susannah actually first heard him on April 17th whilst I was still in Texas, and today it was singing right outside my office window from song posts surprisingly high above the water. Described as an "Uncommon and local breeder" in the "Birds of Massachusetts" by Veit and Petersen, we are surely fortunate to have this beauty holding territory in our yard.

JPS