White Wagtail, Nome, Alaska - June 24th.

Just back from an excellent Birdfinders tour of Alaska with plenty of images to post in the forthcoming days. This White Wagtail was a good find near Nome Harbor by Paul & Andrea Kelly and Steve Minton on our very last morning in Nome. I'd put all my gear away for the flight back to Anchorage but managed a few digibin shots as I drove by the dock to shuttle the group to the airport. This bird appears to be a male of the East Siberian form M.a. ocularis.

Eastern Screech Owl - June 2nd

Eastern Screech Owl - Beautiful red-phase at a locality in Hampshire County, MA.

Evening Grosbeaks - May 31st

Evening Grosbeaks - two males, Prescott, Quabbin.

Magnolia Warbler - male.

Red-eyed Vireo - on nest, Prescott, Quabbin.


A day of thundery showers didn't seem to bring too much in the way of late migrants to Prescott peninsula, Quabbin. In terms of incidental observations, two male Evening Grosbeaks was certainly a highlight. Looking back, it's been quite a few years since I've had views as good as this. However, this was certainly bettered by the sight of a Bobcat trotting down the main track of the Prescott in the middle of the day! I narrowly missed getting images through the car windscreen to share on the blog, but it was still a thrilling moment. Birds on nests today included this Red-eyed Vireo and a Least Flycatcher, with the latter seemingly one of the most abundant species on the Prescott. Magnolia Warblers too, were ever present and abundant.

Despite boreal migrants being regularly posted in the Eastern part of the state, the general dearth continues here in the West, at least on my outings! A singing Cape May Warbler on the Umass-Amherst campus on May 30th has been the migrant highlight of recent days.


GB,

James.

Acadian Flycatcher - May 28th

Acadian Flycatcher - This singing male was making the most of the sunshine on this rather cool day. Quabbin Park, May 28th.


After yesterday's muggy conditions, today's cooler, clearer weather was most welcome. Highlight of the day was this Acadian Flycatcher returning for another summer in Quabbin Park. Alder Flycatchers are also more widespread now with birds at Ware, Hardwick and UMass, Amherst today. Also in Hardwick, a female Blackpoll Warbler (a male in Quabbin Park) and a singing Blue-winged Warbler.

We still have hopes for more late season migrants.

GB,


James.

Mourning Warblers - May 27th

Mourning Warbler - male singing, October Mountain State Forest, Berkshire County, MA. Rather distant, poor quality digibin shot.


Spent a most enjoyable day in the local area with visiting birding friends from the UK, Richard and Erica Klim. High on their wish list was Mourning Warbler, so we headed off to October Mountain near Lee, MA. The Mosquitoes and Black Flies were pretty fierce but it wasn't too long before we could enjoy good views of a male Mourning Warbler in a clear fell along County Road. Another bird was seen, with a further two heard singing. I found this to be a most interesting area with good numbers of species such as Winter Wren, Alder Flycatcher, Canada Warbler and a Golden-crowned Kinglet. Later we passed through Mt Tom near Northampton to enjoy Louisiana Waterthrush, and finished the day on the North side of the Quabbin with migrating Common Nighthawks, plus Eastern Towhee, Prairie Warbler and a fabulous display and chorus of Whip-poor-wills (about 4 in total). Special thanks to Richard and Erica.

GB,

James.

Alder Flycatcher - May 23rd

Alder Flycatcher - Central Quabbin, Franklin Co., MA. This bird wasn't singing but frequently gave a sharp 'pip' call, quite similar to the 'kip' of Western Kingbird.


Blue-winged Warbler - Central Quabbin, Franklin Co., MA.


May 23rd - Another fine morning in the Quabbin, though a little breezy at times. Pleased to see the Alder Flycatcher, my first of the year and about a week later than I usually find the FOY. The Blue-winged Warbler was singing an alternate song-type that kept me on my toes for a little while until I got a good clean look at him.

Today (May 24th), 2 singing male migrant Blackpoll Warblers could be heard in Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst which are always nice to have locally.


GB,


James.

Moose

Moose - Central Quabbin, Franklin Co., MA. Highlight of today's late afternoon visit to the Quabbin.

Didn't bird seriously today but a neighborhood walk produced a couple of feeding flocks, one in Wildwood Cemetery and one on North Whitney Street, Amherst. Both flocks contained reasonable numbers of Yellow-rumped and Magnolia Warblers, and apparent migrant Red-eyed Vireos with about 8 together in the cemetery. A Tennessee Warbler on North Whitney Street was the pick and my first locally this year.

Bay-breast - May 20th

Bay-breasted Warbler - singing male, Quabbin Park.



Hermit Thrush - Gate 29, Quabbin near New Salem, May 16th.


Another morning spent searching for cavity nesters unearthed one or two interesting migrants in Quabbin Park though I must say, on the whole we seem to be stuck in a rather unproductive weather system for new arrivals. I'm a little surprised to reach May 20th without recording Alder and Olive-sided Flycatchers in the Quabbin area, but this morning I was pleased to have two Yellow-bellied Flycatchers close the entrance of Quabbin Park. In the same area, I heard and then saw a handsome male Bay-breasted Warbler moving around with a couple of Pine Warblers, a Blue-headed Vireo and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. In the afternoon, a male Cerulean Warbler gave several bursts of song, perhaps raising the possibility of the return of this former breeder to Quabbin Park.


Good birding,


James.

Jewels from the Quabbin.

Chestnut-sided Warbler - male, Central Quabbin. May 14th, 2008.

Cerulean Warbler - male, Central Quabbin. May 14th, 2008.

American Redstart - male, Central Quabbin. May 14th, 2008.

Moose - Central Quabbin. May 13th, 2008.


Most of the last week has been spent in the Quabbin region. I've encountered some real gems especially the larger mammals, with 2 Black Bears together at Gate 40 on May 12th, and another on the Prescott Peninsula on May 14th, where I also got a quick snap of the above Moose.

Birdwise it's been a mediocre week and an easterly airflow in the beginning of the week didn't produce as much as we might have hoped. That much said a few boreal migrants have filtered through and I saw two Rusty Blackbirds in the Quabbin on May 13th, and Swainson's Thrush and Lincoln's Sparrow there on May 14th.

Gate 29 near New Salem has held most of the warblers with 12 each of Magnolia and Blackburnian Warblers on May 15th, along with singing Canada and Blackpoll Warblers. 'Drumming' Ruffed Grouse have also been audible on two recent visits to Gate 29 where I also found a nesting pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks which I think is quite good for the local area.

Still much to look forward to with more North bound migrants to come.


Good birding,


James,

Warblers and more - Hampshire Co., May 8th

Well things are certainly moving along. Only two days ago I noted my first Black-throated Blue Warbler of the spring, but today I heard multiples, and Susannah even had one singing in front of our apartment. After a couple of clear spring-like days, the rain bearing front that passed through Massachusetts overnight and into the day certainly left a lot of birds behind, and most of them were warblers.

On the bike path at Amherst near Snell Street, a high feeding warbler flock contained some nice diversity including Blackpoll, Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, along with 10 plus Northern Parulas and a couple of Red-eyed Vireos. Great-crested and Least Flycatchers were present as well, and a Blue-winged Warbler sang from classic habitat further along the bike path. On short side trip to Skinner State Park on Mount Holyoke was most productive turning up the two 'hoped-for' key warblers, both of which were singing vigorously despite the gloomy conditions. The Ceruleans were most impressive with a total five seen or heard singing, including two males close to the upper parking area. Lower down the slopes, three or four Worm-eating Warblers were audible including one that gave great views close to the road. About three Hermit Thrushes could be heard singing at this site too. Black flies are on the increase but it's still an absolute pleasure to be out.

Select images from the last few days are included below.


JPS.


Magnolia Warbler - male, Winsor Dam, Quabbin, May 7th.


Pileated Woodpecker - Amherst Bike Path, Amherst. May 8th.




Cerulean Warbler - Skinner SP, Mt. Holyoke. May 8th. One of five at this site.

Worm-eating Warbler - Skinner SP, Mt. Holyoke. May 8th.

Northern Saw-whet Owl - Adult at nest. Hampshire County, MA. May 2008.