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September 2004 Sightings FIRST
OF THE YEAR IN RED
Hampshire, Hampden & Franklin Counties of Massachusetts
September 1 - NORTHAMPTON. 8am. No shorebirds seen early this morning in east meadows. One spot was very birdy with RT Hummingbird, Catbirds, Thrashers (2), Goldfinches, Song Sparrows, Cardinals all in same field of view. Near Ibis Pool an interesting LeContes/Henslow type Sparrow briefly seen perched on a wire before it flew off. Very buffy Orange with dark streaks on side of breast and an eye ring. Didn't get good looks before it flew off. (from Chris Gentes).
September 1 - NORTHFIELD. 5:30-7pm. Adult Golden-Plover (1), Semipalmated Plover (7), Greater Yellowlegs (1), Least Sandpiper (2), Baird's Sandpiper (2). (From Chris Gentes)
September 1 - NORTHAMPTON Andrew Magee found a Lark Sparrow in the East Meadows in Northampton at 7pm. Directions: Look for a sign for the Northampton Airport O.4 mile west of the intersection of Rte 9 & I -9. Take the road to the airport. Continue straight, go under I-91, past the airport, past the manure piles into the meadows. Take the road until you come to two roads that bear to the right -- take the second one. It will parallel the river. Continue on it until you are across from Mitch's Marina. The bird was seen in the road just south of this spot. Good Luck. (posted to Massbird by Jan Ortiz)
September 2 - NORTHAMPTON. Heather and I went looking for the lark sparrow 4-5pm but didn't see it. Harvey Allen was there and he hadn't seen it either. We did see a Peewee in the cornfield and a hummingbird. Earlier around noon near Paradise Pond there were 2 DC Cormorants, a Bluebird, and a group of juvenile Goldfinches.(from Chris Gentes).
September 2 - NORTHAMPTON. This morning I had a Merlin making numerous passes at doves along Pynchon Meadow rd near Old Springfield Rd. I got great looks over the course of over 10 minutes of action. Also had a pair of Coopers Hawk getting harrassed by a large group of crows near the mill river. I also had a female American Kestrel hunting the fields and then get harrassed by a hummingbird. In addition I had an Osprey flyby, as well as a few Red Tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures...a good raptor morning. I went back this afternoon and also had a pair of Bald Eagles (1 juv., 1 adult). Beyond the raptors this morning I had Killdeer (7) but no other shorebirds. Laer toward vening near the fairgrounds in Northampton: Common Nighthawk (36), Lesser Yellowlegs (1) flyby, calling and Killdeer (1). (from Larry Therrien)
September 3 - NORTHAMPTON. Drove through the East Meadows early and didn't see much of anything. Drove by where the Lark Sparrow was and it wasn't there. Noon-time I drove around Arcadia Meadows and didn't see much of anything other than a Kestrel. The birdiest spot was along the road going in behind the Bowling Alley on Route 5 where there are a few dried out woddland ponds. Above here there were a few Tanagers and Black-throated-Green Warblers feeding. Also titmice, nuthatchs, Downys, Blue Jays. (from Chris Gentes)
September 3 - WARE. So I got out of work quite late this eve., as I drove into the center of Ware at ~7:30 I noticed a bunch of pigeons flying around the mill buildings as it was getting dark-- and then realized they weren't pigeons at all, but nighthawks! It was a wonderful sight-- I parked the car and walked around Main St. and down to the river, and there were at least two dozen nighthawks all just flitting around like bats, quite low, often below the level of the rooftops, and down below the bridge by the river... I hung around for 10 minutes or so, and they seemed in no hurry to migrate anywhere... it was really getting rather dark at that point, and the white on their wings stood out. They are so silent... The other large group of nighthawks I saw this summer was in early August while on a evening raft tour on the Snake River in the Grand Tetons-- we were sort of on the cusp of a thunderstorm (that never quite got to us!) and the sky at one point was full of nighthawks and swallows-- but these nighthawks were all vocalizing-- all these "peent"s as they flitted through the sky-- yet I have never heard this with the ones I see here in the fall. Do they ever vocalize in migration? The Rt. 9 marsh still has a now resident great egret, and there were three kingfishers, actually fishing, and my first green heron there of the year this am. (posted to Massbird by David Norton)
September 4 - Heather and I started the day in NORTH HADLEY where we encountered a small wave of birds: RT Hummingbird (1), E Phoebe (2), Black-throated Green Warbler (3), Yellow Warbler (1), Black-and-white Warbler (2), Am Redstart (2). We headed up to NORTHFIELD where we observed Killdeer (52), Semipalmated Plover (2) and an unidentified peep. On the west side of the river in some hedges alongside some dry cucumber fields we observed: Turkey Vulture (1), RT Hummingbird (1), Pileated Woodpecker (1), E Phoebe (7), Empid. Flycatcher (2), Catbird (3), Raven (1), Common Yellowthroat (2), MOURNING WARBLER (1 first fall), RB Grosbeak (2), Song Sparrow (4). We headed to Expo Grounds, Bondi Island, and Longmeadow and were duely disappointed with a high river and dry fields.In WEST SPRINGFIELD we saw an Osprey.
September 5 - Today at 0957 a SANDHILL CRANE flew from the East to the West of Blueberry Hill Hawkwatch in Granville on ENE wind, 15mph. Raptors: Osprey-5 Bald Eagle-6 Northern Harrier-2 Sharp-shin Hawk- 6 Cooper's Hawk-1 Broad-winged Hawk-10 American Kestrel-5 TOTAL 35 (Posted to Massbird by Joe Wojtanowski)
September 5 - There was a brief downpour/thunderstorm on Sep 4 so Heather and I thought we'd see if any puddles had been created. The NORTHAMPTON Meadows were still dry. We saw a Pheasant, a Harrier, a single Catbird, a Phoebe, a mixed flock of 30 Blackbirds and 12 Goldfinches. The Arcadia Meadows weren't much better with only 2 Killdeer, a Cormorant and an Indigo Bunting. In HATFIELD things picked up. Down in the fields of Little Neponset we found some small puddles and 4 Killdeer, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, and 15 juvenile Least Sandpipers. But that was the only place where there was wet ground in Hatfield. We did see a few other birds there including a Kestrel mobbing a Harrier, and up at the dry airport a Merlin. On Lower Road in DEERFIELD we 34 Killdeer, 4 Least Sandpipers, 8 unidentified peeps, and a Scarlet Tanager. We checked a few other fields and they were all dry and empty of birds. As we drove over the Sunderland Bridge we noticed the river appeared very low. Later in the afternoon I walked to a spot on the river near the Sunderland/Hatfield line where there are sandbars when the river is low. There were some exposed sandbars but no shorebirds other than a single Spotted Sandpiper. A nearby cucumber field was also dry and devoid of birds. I drove back up to the Sunderland Bridge, but the river had already risen - covering much of the sandbars that had been exposed a few hours earlier. The power company must have lowered then raised the river - long enough to expose the sandbars, but not long enough for shorebirds to find them. (from Chris Gentes)
September 5 - SOUTHWICK 1 Lincoln's Sparrow, 2 Prairie Warbler, 1 Chestnut-sided. (from Seth Kellogg)
September 6 - At 4:30am two Great Horned Owls were calling in North Hadley.With the rivers high and the fields dry looking for shorebirds seemed pointless so Heather and I headed over to the Arcadia Meadows to see if any migrants had come in. The NEXRAD radar didn't really show a movement the night before, but we thought we'd give it a shot anyway.In the oxbow was a Cormorant. In the tilled field next to the Ibis Pool there were 20 Killdeer. Most of the birds we found were along the old trolley line. These included a Raven (migrating), three Phoebes, 1 Peewee, Red-eyed Vireo, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, six Catbirds, a Common Yellowthroat, a Yellow Warbler, and two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. We then checked Little Neponset in HATFIELD, but the shorebirds had moved on. Just before sunset Heather got the idea to take a walk up Mount Warner. The highlights included 5 Phoebes, 10 Catbirds, 1 Brown Thrasher, 2 House Wrens (sounding like catbirds), 10 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (all together - various plumages), two American Redstarts, and four Ruffed Grouse. We flushed one grouse while walking up the mountain. On the way back we flushed another. We stopped and then noticed one ten feet up in a tree not too far away. We then discovered two more in the same tree. We got excellent looks at them as they stood there and walked along the branches and flew up from one branch to another. We were able to tell they were the rufous form ruffed grouse. (from Chris Gentes)
September 6 - Blueberry Hill Hawkwatch: (posted to Massbird by John Weeks) Weather: Warm (59-70 F); light wind (ENE to SE at 5-10 mph); high thin clouds covered most of the sky. Observations: A modest but interesting flight. Almost half (19) of the migrants passed Blueberry Hill between 11 and 12 EDT. Our first Black Vulture of the season (the earliest one we have ever recorded in the fall) was at 2:17 EDT. Unlike most Black Vultures we see, this bird actually flew towards the southwest (the "normal" direction for most migrants). Three adult Bald Eagles passed by, headed northwest (!), starting at 2:40 EDT. Great Blue Heron, Common Nighthawks (2), Chimney Swifts (9), Hummingbirds (4), Empidonax species, Tree Swallows (2), Barn Swallow, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler (female), American Redstarts (2). One of the hummingbirds harassed the first Kestrel as it passed through -- a dangerous game!
September 6, Westfield, Lincoln's Sparrow, 2 Thrasher, 2 Indigo Bunting (from Seth Kellogg)
September 6 VOICE OF AUDUBON HIGHLIGHTS Seen in Southwick were 33 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS, an EASTERN KINGBIRD, a GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. GREAT EGRETS were in Westfield and Longmeadow, where 25 migrating COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were counted.
SEPTEMBER 7 - Tuesday - NEXRAD showed no major bird migration
overnight, although Larry Therrien heard migrating birds in Florence Monday
evening. Tuesday's weather was mostly cloudy, clearing later on in the afternoon.
Currently waiting for cold front and remnants of Hurricane Frances to pass through.
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) Went to Arcadia this morning and walked a few of the trails and stopped in the meadows for a bit too. Arrived at 6:30am and stayed for three hours. Sightings as follows: Chestnut sided Warbler (1), Black Throated Green Warbler (1), Yellow Warbler (1), Common Yellowthroat (10), American Redstart (8) Yellow Throated Vireo (1), Red eyed Vireo (5), Rose Breasted Grosbeak (1), Scarlet Tanager (3)...all of the birds so far (with the exception of 8 of the Common yellowthroats) were in a mixed flock near the visitors center, Carolina Wren (2), House Wren (3), Eastern Bluebird (3), Eastern Phoebe (4) w/one calling, Empidonax Flycatcher (3), Brown Thrasher (2), Northern Mockingbird (4), Bald Eagle (1) adult, Pileated Woodpecker (1), N. Flicker (2), Ruby Throated Hummingbird (1), Killdeer (21) near Ibis Pool, Blue Jay (30+)...seemed to be everywhere, Gray Catbird (27), Chipping Sparrow (6), Song Sparrow (25+) including one without any tail feathers...plus other usual birds. Returned to Arcadia midday...activity had dropped quite a bit. Only highlight would be a Osprey (1). Visited Fitzgerald Lake this afternoon. I went in from North Farms Rd. Highlights would be Common Yellowthroat (2), Black Throated Green Warbler (1), American Redstart (1), Red eyed Vireo (2), Rose Brested Grosbeak (2), Empidonax Flycatcher (1), Ruby Throated Hummingbird (1) which hovered for several seconds right in front of my face, American Kestrel (1), also the usual other birds you would expect there.
NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) There was a modest group of 12 Nighthawks above Mount Warner and North Hadley Pond at dusk. They seemed to circle the area a few times.
At 7:30pm (9/7) the radar looked like
this. Along the cold front in Western New York there are bands of rain and to
the south the rain associated with 'Frances'.
7:30pm
By 10:30pm a major migration behind the cold front was
underway. The green/yellow circles in Michigan/Indiana/Illinois etc. are birds
being picked up on radar. Hopefully when the front passes through New England
we can expect a similar migration bringing in Connecticut Warblers, shorebirds,
warblers and western vagrants.
10:30pm
SEPTEMBER 8 - Wednesday - Much needed rain has arrived - the fields will be primed for migrating shorebirds.
6:00
pm
SEPTEMBER 9 - Thursday - Huge shorebird fallout today. A
cold front pushed through northern New England during the day on Wednesday.
Behind this front on Wednesday night the migration began. But the birds didn't
get too far due to the remnants of Frances. A stationary front was stretched
across Massachusetts. The passeriformes probably didn't make it out of northern
New England before being put down;; however, some of the high flying shorebirds
made it to the stationary front and were put down into the rain drenched fields
of the valley.
10:00
am
This morning (7:45-8:30) in HATFIELD Heather and I had a nice shorebird fallout in the big plowed fields (in between pepper field and kale field) near Great Pond. Heading North on Main St. on the left past the sewage plant before the graffiti barns. Black-bellied Plover-1 Am Golden Plover-10 Unidentified Pluvialis-20 Killdeer-50+ Semipal Plover-1 Greater Yellowlegs-1 Lesser Yelowlegs-1 Solitary Sandpiper-3 HUDSONIAN GODWIT-2 Buff-breasted Sandpiper-1 Ruddy Turnstone-4 Least Sandpiper-3 Unidentified Peeps-64 The Godwits and the unidentified plovers flew in around 7:50 and left at 8:25. Everything else was still there when we left. The buff-breasted was close to the road in some puddles in the cut kale. The field has a rise so not everything can be seen from the road. There was probably more that we missed but there was off and on heavy rain and we had limited time and we were focusing on the godwits. Later in the day up in NORTHFIELD in brisk winds we observed another huge gathering of shorebirds. These included: Black-bellied Plover (1ad, 3juv), Am. Golden Plover (6juv), Semipalmated Plover (20+), Killdeer (30), Hudsonian Godwit (1), Lesser Yellowlegs (1), Least Sandpiper (7), Semipalmated Sandpiper (190), White-rumped Sandpiper (40), Pectoal Sandpiper (18). Also 1 Nighthawk.
HATFIELD (from Dave Mako) I went to the field you described on massbird this afternoon between 4:45 and 5:45p. I didn't see the great variety you had but was thrilled to find buff-breasted sandpipers (another lifer). Mark F. showed up with a scope and we noted 6 buff-breasted, 5 sanderling and at least 8 killdeer. A large flock of peeps (~150) took off from the next plowed field to the south but we weren't able to ID them.
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by Tom Gagnon) After work today I drove to the Northampton East Meadows. Road conditions were very poor. Getting around was not pleasant but, made easy by just going barefoot, mud up to my ankles and rain coming down. I listed the following: Black-bellied Plover 3, Golden Plover 60, Semipalmated Plover 1, Killdeer 4, Semipalmated Sandpiper 50, Least Sandpiper 9, Pectoral Sandpiper 8, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER 6.
BARTONS COVE Al Richards just called to report five Red-necked Phalaropes at Barton Cove in Turner's Falls. The birds are viewed from the Rod and Gun Club off Millers Falls Road. The birds are on a mudflat offshore along with many other shorebirds including Sanderings, Pecks, and yellowlegs. A scope is needed. (from Bob Bieda) Additional Note: A few hours after being discovered the river quickly rose and the sandbar was covered with water and the birds departed.
SOUTHWICK (from Seth Kellogg) 2 Black-bellied Plover, 7 Golden Plover, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 40+ Killdeer, 6 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, 2 Least Sandpiper, 70+- Semipalmated Sandpiper, 4 White-rumped Sandpiper, 2 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Sanderling.
ORANGE (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) Checking out the median fields at Orange Municipal Airport this morning, I heard 1 Greater Yellowlegs calling in flight and saw 12 Killdeer. The highlight was an adult female (large) Peregrine Falcon, which cleared out everything in the area.
FLORENCE (from Larry Therrien) I had an Osprey over Florence at midday as well as a Common Nighthawk (1) over Florence in the evening.
VERMONT - We weren't the only place with a shorebird fallout
today. Here is a post from VTBIRD. Like here, most were gone the next day.
From: Dottie Lavallee
NEW YORK A similar fallout, and next day the birds had left.. Just returned from a shorebird bonanza at the corner of Rt4 and the southern end of Wright's Loop in Stillwater this evening. Species include: Hudsonian Godwit Killdeer Pectoral Sandpiper Semi-palmated Sandpiper Semi-palmated Plover Black-bellied Plover Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs White-rumped Sandpiper Dunlin Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Northern Pintail ...and one very wet Hairy Woodpecker! Mona Bearor South Glens Falls, NY
PENNSYLVANIA In Pennsylvanai there was a smilar shorebird fallout.
Wiltraut, Richard E"
8:20
pm
Waiting for the cold front to push through - perhaps as early as tonight (Thurs).
If so then possible migration early Friday morning, otherwise Sat. morning will
be the best bet for new passeriformes migrants. Hopefully the shorebird fallout
will continue into Friday am. (Alas, it did not).
September 10 - Friday - A cool sunny windy day. Most of the shorebirds from 9/9 had continued their migration, but a few remained.
NORTHAMPTON - Bob Bieda found a Caspian Tern on the Oxbow today - was there through at least 3:30pm (fide L. Therrien). Best viewed from end of Marina parking lot in between boats and soccer field.
NORTHAMPTON - Andy Magee discovered a WHIMBREL in the East Meadows.
HATFIELD+ (posted to Massbird by Mark Tylor) On our first pass by the kale fields (just south of the Graffiti Barns) off of Main St. in Hatfield this morning, we saw only 2 Killdeer foraging around the recently picked cabbage. We then checked out the entire East Meadows in Northampton, negotiating the hugh puddles in the road (4 wd). Absolutely barren of shorebirds. Incredible! Decided to double-back and check the cabbage fields out again on the return trip and were rewarded with 1 Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, and 8+ Least Sandpipers. Hardly the fallout of yesterday but at least the Buffy stuck around.
SOUTHWICK (from Seth Kellogg) 4 Golden Plover, 50+ Killdeer, 1 Greater yellowlegs, 3 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Sanderling.
HATFIELD - NORTHAMPTON - GOATS PEAK (from Larry Therrien) Pilgram Airport in Hatfield - no shorebirds Fields near sewer treatment plant Hatfield: Killdeer (2), Semipalmated Plover (1)...thats all...fields being worked, so anything that may have been there early was scared off. Little Neponset area in Hatfield: Least Sandpiper (2), Semipalmated Sandpiper (4), no other shorebirds despite quite a bit of looking. Also had American Kestrel (2) in the fields. East Meadows: no shorebirds, but did only a limited search of area due to mud. Arcadia Meadows: Killdeer (4) near Ibis pool. Given the limited shorebird luck I was having I decided to try GOATS PEAK to see what raptors might be moving by. I had the following from 12:30-1:30: Merlin (1) buzzed the tower, Sharp-shinned Hawk (7), Broad Winged Hawk (3), Bald Eagle (2) adults, Red Tailed Hawk (6+), Turkey Vulture (5). Other up there before me also had Osprey, Northern Harrier, Coopers Hawk, and Amer Kestrel. In addition I had Chimney Swifts (10), Tree Swallow (15+) and Barn Swallow (2) going by. I then made another pass through Arcadia with no shorebirds. I did have Caspian Tern (1) and Double Crested Cormorant in the Oxbow. Thought I had discovered the tern, but saw an earlier posting about it when I got home....still a neat bird. Surprisingly there are not as many puddles left in fields in the areas I checked...the ground just soaked it all up.
NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) A walk down though the agricultural fields behind the 'old dump' region in Northfield late this afternoon produced the following birds: 11 American Golden Plover* (2 adults showing some black on the flanks and breast. The rest juveniles. All flew in while we were walking.), 1 Semipalmated Plover, 1 Upland Sandpiper ( This bird walked 20 yds. in front of us as we walked along. It finally flew giving its flight call several times. (See Sibley), 1000+ Redwing Blackbirds (this flock flew in a long, thin undulating line and appeared to be migrating. The flock took close to a minute to fly over,) *The fields here used to be used for growing silage corn exclusively and are now used for cucumbers and other produce; ideal for drawing in these types of shorebirds in migration.
BLUEBERRY HILL (posted to Massbird by John Weeks) Weather: Sunny and clear (cloud cover 10-30%), moderately strong winds WNW 10-20 mph (with occasional gusts to 25 mph), temperature range 63-74 F, low humidity. A welcome change from the heavy rains brought by ex-Hurricane Frances the past two days. Observations: Our first "good" day of the season, with 113 migrant raptors. Of these, 84 were Broadwings moving singly or in very small groups (the largest kettle comprised 10 birds, with an Osprey, that passed right overhead). Thirteen Ospreys found the strong winds suited their predilection. We continue to get good numbers of Bald Eagles (5 today, 4 of them adults). An early Goshawk came over at 3:10 EDT and went SW. Non-migrants were the usual suspects (local CH, RT and RS), plus THREE Black Vultures that went, maddeningly enough, due north. Someone needs to conduct a serious study of the movements of these newcomers to New England--they are eccentric in the extreme. Also: Chimney Swift, 5 Hummingbirds, 8 Tree Swallows, 3 Barn Swallows.
7:40pm
9:44pm
Migration well under way, but may have missed the valley.
September 11 - Saturday - Mostly Sunny - Cool.
NORTHAMPTON (from David Mako) I checked Hatfield, East Meadows, Tri-town Beach and Deerfield for shorebirds. My only luck was at a puddle in the road just south of the manure piles in the East Meadows (south of the airport). I found 4 buff-breasted sandpipers that were scared off by a couple walking their dog and had a flyby of another peep.
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by Ian Lynch) I was at the Oxbow Marina in Northampton at dawn today. Nothing but mallards and a couple of Great Blue Herons. I left there for a look at East Meadows. I didn't have much time but did find one Buff-breasted Sandpiper. I saw someone else birding from the other side of the field and tried to get there for the better lighting and to compare notes, but was hindered by the road blocked for the hot air balloons at the airport. I suppose I could have talked them into letting me through, but I did need to get going. I stopped at the marina a second time on the way home. Still no tern, but the largest collection of Killdeer I have ever seen. There were at least 30. Belatedly, I can report a female Cape May Warbler from Brimfield on Labor Day. And a Philadelphia Vireo I could hear from my living room on 9/3. Ian Lynch
QUABBIN PARK+ (from Chris Gentes) The radar showed a big movement in New York State last night. In Massachusetts it looked like most of the flight was in Worcester County. In North Hadley at dawn there were ZERO new birds present. Heather and I decided to drive over to Ware/Quabbin to see if there were any birds. We went to the Cemetary in downtown Ware - a place we had visited in the spring and thought might be good for migrating birds. This morning there were only bluejays, chickadees, goldfinches and in the pond 15 Wood Ducks and 3 Kingfishers We then went to a few spots in Quabbin Park and saw: Turkey-15, E. Phoebe-7, Blue-headed Vireo-5, Red-eyed Vireo-4, Northern Parula-1, Chestnut-sided Warbler-1, Am Redstart-2, Prairie Warbler-1, Pine Warbler-1, Scarlet Tangaer-2. Then we headed over to Wilbraham and checked out a few spots and only had a black-and-white warbler. The highlight was a RIBBON SNAKE! Later in NORTHFIELD we saw a few lingering shorebirds: Black-bellied Plover-3juv, Killdeer-30, Least Sandpiper-14, Baird's Sandpiper-1juv, Buff-breasted Sandpiper-1 juv, and 1 Osprey.
NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) We revisited the agricultural fields that I reported from yesterday in Northfield and immediately found 5 juvenile Black-bellied Plovers. They closely resemble juvenile American Golden Plovers in this dry environment and plumage and threw me off for a few minutes. 1 American Golden Plover did drop in to join the others offering great comparisons.
10:20pm
September 12 - Sunday
MOUNT SUGARLOAF (from Larry Therrien) I was able to get a little hike in at Mt Sugarloaf this afternoon. At the summit I had the following over the course of about 30 minutes: Peregrine Falcon (2)..the resident pair I assume flying by quite close and being very vocal. A great spot to get great looks at Peregrines. Broad Winged Hawk (2), Osprey (2), Red Tailed Hawk (3), Turkey Vulture (4). Also had a hummingbird flyby at the summit. On the trail up and back not much activity beyond Chickadees, Blue Jays and a variety of woodpeckers.
NORTHFIELD (from Chris Gentes) No shorebirds at all seen
NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) Day three of checking for plovers in the ag. fields in Northfield. (Page 113,114 'Bird Finding Guide to Western Massachusetts') Today I noted 6 juv. Black-bellied Plovers and 3 American Golden Plover (1adult , 2 juvenile). The adult American Golden Plover was a new individual, which showed dark cap and cheek area, highlighting a bright, white elongated supercillium (eyebrow). More extensive black mottling on breast and belly that the other two adult (or 1 year old) birds I observed 2 days ago. .
MOUNT TOM+ (posted to Massbird by Tom Gagnon) We listed the following:
BLACK VULTURE 1, Turkey Vulture 15+, Osprey 3, Bald Eagle 1 adult 1 imma, Sharp-shinned
Hawk 26, Cooper's Hawk 3, NORTHERN GOSHAWK 1, Broad-winged Hawk 10, Red-tailed
Hawk 3+, American Kestrel 2, Hummingbird 1, Common Nighthawk 8. It was a special
day for me, for this fall I am celebrating my 40th fall hawk watching season
at Goat's Peak and the Black Vulture was the first I have seen there in 40 years.
To be there with so many special friends made it more enjoyable. The Nighthawks
were having a feast on the Flying Ants that were swarming in the area infront
of the tower. Later in the afternoon, we birded in the Northampton East Meadows
area. Here we had great looks at another immature Bald Eagle over head and a
beautiful female DICKCISSEL.
9:30pm.
September 13 - Monday - A cold front pushes through
during the day and with it Broad-wings.
8am
5:30pm
BLUBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH (posted to Massbird by John Weeks) Weather: Partly
to mostly cloudy, and very hazy. Wind N/NW/WNW (mostly NW) at 0-10 mph. Temp
range approx. 70-77 F. Observations: A blowout, but we had to work for it. Even
with a magnificent seven pairs of eyes (plus mine), it was not easy spotting
the birds far aloft in the hazy glare of the sky. During the noon hour (EDT),
kettles of 93, 80 and 300 Broadwings announced the beginning of the show. Between
12 and 2 o'clock EDT, 876 Broadwings passed over, out of a total of 1084 for
the day. It was also a notable day for Sharp-shins (40), and even more so
for Bald Eagles: 6 adults and one immature. Kestrels continue to lag, with only
9 for the day. Chimney Swift, and warblers: Nashville, Northern Parula, Black-throated
Blue, Yellow-rumped, 2 Black-throated Green, 3 Prairie and Palm. Also one Praying
Mantis flitting among the meadowsweet and low-bush blueberries.
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) This morning at Arcadia I had Common Yellowthroat
(8), American Redstart (4), Northern Parula (1), Canada Warbler (1), Nashville
Warbler (2), Magnolia Warbler (1), All the warblers excpet a few Common Yellowthroats
were in two groups...one along the trolley line and the other near the visitors
center. Lincoln Sparrow (2) in the first fields coming in from south park terrace...also
Song Sparrow (17) in the same fields, including the sparrow without any tail
feathers. Rose Brested Grosbeak (1), Wood Thrush (2), Cooper Hawk (1) chasing
birds near the visitors center, Sharp shinned Hawk (1) swooped out of the morning
fog to try for the mixed group of warblers and titmice without success, Empidonax
Flycatcher (2), American Turkey (10) in field near visitors center, Northern
Flicker (4), Gray Catbird (25+), plus other usual birds. At FITZGERALD LAKE
this afternoon I had a Magnolia Warbler (1), Black Throated Green Warbler (1),
Common Yellowthroat (2), Double Crested Cormorant (1) fishing in the lake, Sharpshinned
Hawk (2) high overhead, Ruby Throated Hummingbird (2), and a very close flyby
of a Red Tailed Hawk. Also lots of dragonflies over the lake.
Migrating birds follow during the night as seen on NEXRAD.
9pm
11pm
September 14 - Tuesday
The NEXRAD radar last night showed most of the activity in central Massachusetts
with a secondary movement coming out of Northern Vermont.
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) Arcadia Meadows..I had a very interesting bird at Arcadia this morning. I got a fairly good look at it before it disappeared back into the thickets...it sure looked like a Henslow, but never having seen one before I cannot be sure. It was near a group of mixed sparrows...it had a rufous on the wing, was obviously smaller than the Song or Linclons Sparrow also present, had the facial pattern and color of a Henslow head.....I walked along the trolley line and around several fields. During the course of just over 2 hours I had the following: Nashville Warbler (3), Palm Warbler (1), Common Yellowthroat (11), American Redstart (1), Red eyed Vireo (2), Lincoln Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (32), Savannah Sparrow (12), Eastern Phoebe (2), Green Heron (1), Great Blue Heron (1), American Kestrel (3), Sharp shinned Hawk (1)...two of the kestrels and the sharp shinned were all on the telephone lines near old springfield rd...got great looks. Killdeer (6) flyby, Northen Flicker (12+) with up to six working the fields like shorebirds! Blue Jay (50+), and a Empidonax Flycatcher (1). Mid morning to MOUNT TOM with a stop at Bray Lake and four hours at the tower at Goat Peak. All the neotropical migrants, with the exception of the yellowthroats, were seen around goat peak...many seen from the tower...great eye level views. Following birds were seen Common Yellowthroat (2), Black Throated Blue Warbler (6) with at least two birds calling quite a bit, Black Throated Green Warbler (6), Magnolia Warbler (1), Black and White Warbler (3), Nashville Warbler (4), Northern Parula (5),Scarlet Tanager (2), Blue headed Vireo (1), Philadelphia Vireo (1), Red eyed Vireo (7), Common Raven (1), Double Crested Cormorant (2), Broad Winged Hawks (251)...largest kettle was 61 birds...most birds were quite distant or high overhead...many were certainly missed...largest numbers midday. Also had Sharp shinned Hawk (4), Osprey (11), American Kestrel (3), Bald Eagle (2), Red tailed Hawk (6), Turkey Vulture (12), Ruby Throated Hummingbird (1), Spotted Sandpiper (1) flying by the tower calling, Chimney Swift (1), Eastern Phoebe (1), Kingfisher (1), Chipping Sparrow (2), as well as other usual birds.
HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) This morning a modest amount of new arrivals in North Hadley including Red-eyed Vireo-1, Ruby-crowned Kinglet-1, Black-throated Blue Warbler-1, Scarlet Tanager-5, Rose-breasted Grosbeak-4.
SUNDERLAND (from Deedee Minear) From the river road I saw over 200 broadwings migrating over sugarloaf in the space of 10 min Sept 14. 50 at 11:25 and 150+ at 11:28 am. Then I went up top and saw only 1 broadwing in 1/2 hour.
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbirdby Tom Collins) Quick trip this am to East Meadows in Northampton produced the following: Buff-breasted Sandpiper 6 (Past red barn and after intersection of corn, in green grass on left ). Peregrine Falcon 1 Tree Swallow 6+ Accipter species 1 Broad-winged Hawks 100+ ( Two kettles of about fifty each over meadows; looked like heading to Mt. Tom ). TV 5+ No other shorebirds couild be found in the meadows.
GRANVILLE - BLUEBRRY HILL HAWK WATCH
Weather Almost cloudless to start; clouds increased all afternoon, ending at
75% cover. Light E wind (0-5), shifting to SE during last hour. Temp range 64-68
F. No significant haze today.
Observations A bit under half of yesterday's numbers. Today we may have seen
the right flank of the 2 to 4 thousand birds reported yesterday from the watch
sites NE of us, as they moved on farther south. (That's just a guess, however.)
Eagles continue strong (4); Kestrel numbers remain anemic (3). Eagles at 11:47,
1:33, 2:01 and 2:13 EDT.
Non-raptor Notes Canada Geese (11), Hummingbirds (5), Red-eyed Vireo, Tree Swallow,
Nashville Warbler, BT Blue Warbler (f), Yellow-rumped Warbler, BT Green Warbler,
Blackpoll, Common Yellowthroat. Monarch butterflies: 2.
8pm
September 15 - Wednesday
The NEXRAD radar last night showed a light migration through Western Mass -
possibly a continuation of the birds moving south in Vermont the previous evening.
5:40
am
NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) Not much activity at sunrise. Only new arrival would be a Parula and a Swamp Sparrow. Green Heron, Catbirds, and Common Yellowthroats still regulars.
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) Here is the list from this morning in the Arcadia meadows: Almost all the neotropic migrants were in the edges around the meadows...numbers are conservative, birds were moving all around and there were alot of them. Common Yellowthroat (16), Black Throated Green Warbler (8), Chestnut sided Warbler (1), Black & White Warbler (1), Northern Parula (7), Nashville Warbler (2), Tennessee Warbler (1), American Redstart (3), Yellow Warbler (1), Warbling Vireo (1), Red eyed Vireo (22)!, Blue headed Vireo (10), Scarlet Tanager (3), Eastern Phoebe (3), Bobolink (8), Lincoln Sparrow (1), Savannah Sparrow (2), Song Sparrow (38), Chipping Sparrow (2), Eastern Bluebird (2), Merlin (1)..which kept trying for the Blue Jays and Northern Flickers along Pynchon Meadow Rd, American Kestrel (1), Spotted Sandpiper (1), unk peep (1), House Wren (4), Northern Flicker (16) with up to 9 along the road at once, Pileated Woodpecker (1), Blue Jay (60+), Gray Catbird (30), Broad Winged Hawk (1), Great Blue Heron (1) and quite a number of the usual birds. A quick trip up MOUNT TOM to Goats peak had the following birds: Black Throated Blue Warbler (1), Chimney Swift (7), Double Crested Cormorant (13), Common Raven (2), Broad Winged Hawk (9), Sharp shinned Hawk (6), Osprey (2), American Kestrel (1), Red Tailed Hawk (1), Turkey Vulture (5).
7:40
pm
September 16 - Thursday - Humid - partly to mostly cloudy.
7am
8pm
September 17 - Friday - Waiting for Ivan
5am - Waiting
for Ivan. Note the Migration picked up on radar throughout the midwest. These
birds won't make it past the front. a red-necked Phalarope showed up in Indiana
this morning.
10pm The migration
continues behind the front along the Mississippi flyway. Meanwhile we hope for
a shorebird fallout in the Northeast.
September 18 - Saturday - Remnants of Hurrican Ivan - Heavy Rain - Local Flooding - Breezy and Cold. Clearing late in day. Plenty of puddles in the fields. A good showing of Shorebirds - but not the big fallout of Sep 9th.
5am
HATFIELD+ (from Larry Therrien) During this morning (approx 8am) I did have the following in the fields near the graffitti covered barns in Hatfield: Killdeer (10+), Least Sandpiper (4) and Solitary Sandpiper (1). I tried the Pilgram airport and some fields in the neponset section of Hatfield without any luck at that point. I returned to Hatfield early this afternoon when the rain stopped and had better luck. Near the graffitti covered barns I had Killdeer (24), Least Sandpiper (8+), Pectoral Sandpiper (6), Solitary Sandpiper (1), American Golden Plover (6)..four juveniles, Semipalmated Plover (2), Semipalmated Sandpiper (3), there were quite a few other peeps which were too distant to ID. In addition to the shorebirds I had a great view of a Red Shouldered Hawk (1), Peregrine Falcon (1), Coopers Hawk (1), Northern Harrier (1) and in the brush nearby Eastern Bluebird (3) and Scarlet Tanager (1). Also had a few Mallards in the large ponds of water in the fields. Also American Crows (80+) in the same fields. At the Pilgram Airport I had Killdeer (9).In addition I had an Osprey over Northampton mid afternoon.
VARIOUS (from Chris Gentes) This morning in the rain Heather and I checked out a few spots in North Hadley and Sunderland without seeing any birds. Near the Funny Farm in Hatfield we had 18 Killdeer and 1 Greater Yellowlegs. Near Great Pond in the fields we had 12 Killdeer and 2 Least Sandpipers @8:30. We then headed up to Northfield where we saw Killdeer-31, Semipalmated Plover-4, Solitary Sandpiper-1, Greater Yellowlegs-1, Least Sandpiper-8, Buff-breasted Sandpiper-1. It was still raining pretty hard and was cold so we headed back to Hadley. At 1:15pm we headed out again. At the Horse Farm we found no shorebirds but we did see 6 Green-winged Teal. We decided to head back to Northfield where we picked up a few additional birds including Black-bellied Plover-3juv, Hudsonian Godwit-1, Greater Yellowlegs-2, Lesser Yellowlegs-7, Osprey-1, Eagle-1. Elsewhere in Northfield we added Killdeer-40, Pectoral Sandpiper-2, Great Blue Heron, Mourning Dove-100+. Next up was Old Deerfield where we saw Semipalmated Plover-10, Killdeer-15, Pectoral Sandpiper-3, Cowbirds-400 (in with cows on Stillwater Road). We then drove down to Whately/Hatfield and saw no additional shorebirds but plenty of puddles.
9:30pm
Once again, a cold front pushes through and migrating birds take to the air.
We here in the Conn River Valley are in the middle of 2 NEXRAD stations. Being
on the periphery we do not always get as accurate a picture of what may (or
may not) be moving through the area.
September 19 - Sunday - Under the effects of a big high pressure. Wind from the north - chilly and breezy. Good for migration but they may be flying right by.
HATFIELD (from Larry Therrien) I went to Valley St - nothing there...too much human activity. I then went up to the area near the graffitti covered barns and despite workers in the fields I had Killdeer (13), Semipalmated Plover (4), Least Sandpiper (5). At Pilgram Airport I had Killdeer (24), American Kestrel (1) and a Pileated Woodpecker (1). I searched several other fields in Hatfield, Whatley and Deerfield. Only other shorebird I had was a Solitary Sandpiper (1) along Sand Gully Rd in Deerfield. I also tried the Arcadia meadows with no shorebirds found. I also had quite a few birds passing overhead in Florence last night around 10pm. Unfortunately I was not able to make it out early to see what else had come in.
HATFIELD (from Chris Gentes) Heather and I checked out the fields in Valley Road and way in back there was a flooded pool and found 2 Am Golden Plovers (juv), 2 Semipalmated Plovers, 8 Least Sandpipers. An assortment of harriers, kestrels, red-tailed hawks etc. Ealier in North Hadley a little wave of 5 chickadees, a Black-throated Green Warbler and a Blue-headed Vireo.
NORTHAMPTON (from Jonathan Gottsche) I saw A GREAT scene of geese (45-50) go over the house just before knocking off it was around 6:15pm
GRANVILLE (from Joe Wojtanowski) Terry got a Dark Morph Broad-winged Hawk today on Blueberry Hill, It flew right over head solo. This Dark Morph Broad-winged was also seen by Sol Satin, John Weeks, myself and others.
HUNTINGTON (posted to Massbird by Bob Packard) At the Knightvile Dam WMA in Huntington this morning w/ Bruce Hart and Ilene Goldstein: Surprisingly and inexplicably, the valley behind the dam was flooded, which usually doesn't happen until winter. This meant of course that we couldn't get into the best birding areas, so we just birded the small open area at the end of the road. Canada Goose-12 Wood Duck-8 Mallard-5 TVulture-1 Redtail-1 Spotted Sandpiper-2 RTHummingird-1 Flicker-1 REVireo-2 BHVireo-2 Blue Jay-2 ACrow-5+ TTitmouse-1 BCChickadee-3 WBNuthatch-2 House Wren-1 ARobin-1 GCatbird-5 CWaxwing-2 Nashville Warbler-1 NParula-1 Chestnut-sided-1 CYellowthroat-3 Field Sparrow-1 Savannah-1 Lincoln's Sparrow-4 Song Sparrow-3+ Swamp Sparrow-3 Whitethroat-5 Indigo Bunting-5+ AGoldfinch-15+ At the water's edge was a lot of logs, trash, and floating debris. On this flotsam were thousands of insects, which must have been stranded when the water rose. Ground beetles, rove beetles, leaf beetles, stink bugs, spiders, hundreds of woolly bear caterpillars, leafhoppers, etc. A few of the birds were eating these at the water's edge, and the sandpipers on the floating logs. Along Rte 66 in Huntington were 14 Wild Turkeys.
10:42pm The 2nd
evening after the front pushed through and there is less migratory activity
in New England. Compare this image with the one from Saturday night to see the
difference.
September 20 - Monday - Clear. 70s.
NORTHAMPTON+ (from Larry Therrien) I stopped this morning at Arcadia and in the areas near the meadows over the course of two hours I had the following: Black Throated Green Warbler (7), Common Yellowthroat (5), Palm Warbler (1), Magnolia Warbler (1), Red eyed Vireo (2), Blue Gray Gnatcatcher (1), Eastern Phoebe (1), Sharp shinned Hawk (2), House Wren (2), Savannah Sparrow (7), Song Sparrow (42), Blue Jay (80+), Northern Flicker (6) and Great Blue Heron (1). I then went up to GOAT PEAK and had the following: Sharp shinned Hawk (7), Broad Winged Hawk (1), Osprey (1), Northern Harrier (2), Red Tailed Hawk (6), Turkey Vulture (6)....surprisingly low numbers...maybe I was too early...left around 12:45. In addition I had Black Throated Green Warbler (4), Black Throated Blue Warbler (3), Black and White Warbler (1), Northern Parula (1), Magnolia Warbler (1), Red eyed Vireo (2), White Throated Sparrow (8), Common Raven (1) and Canada Geese (65+) migrating overhead. Also a couple Monarch's. This afternoon stopped for a short time by the trails near the old state hospital and had Black Throated Green Warbler (6), Red eyed Vireo (1), Sharp shinned Hawk (1) as well as the other usuals.
NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) This morning in the local patch I check daily there was the biggest 'fallout' so far this month. E. Phoebe-7, Catbird-11, Blue-headed Vireo-4, Red-eyed Vireo-1, House Wren-1, , RC Kinglet-1, Parula-3, Magnolia-3, Nashville-1, BT Green-5, Redstart-2, Black-and-White-3, Chestnut-sided-3, Yellowthroat-8, Scarlet Tanager-1, Purple Finch-1, White-throated Sparrow-9
DEERFIELD (posted to Masssbird by Mark Taylor) This morning between 7:30-9:00 in road and field edges near the tobacco barn on the left, past the Deerfield Academy soccer fields in Old Deerfield, I had good numbers of sparrows and Indigo Buntings. Here's a list of birds seen. >Killdeer (20) >Belted Kingfisher >Downy Woodpecker >Warbling Vireo >Horned Lark (30) >Marsh Wren >Gray Catbird (10) >Northern Mockingbird (2) >Cedar Waxwing (6) >Yellow-rumped Warbler (36) >Common Yellowthroat (2) >Rose-breasted Grosbeak >Indigo Bunting (12) >Chipping Sparrow (6) >Field Sparrow >Savannah Sparrow (100+) >Song Sparrow (30+) >Lincoln's Sparrow (3) >Swamp Sparrow (6)
9:45 pm The 3rd
evening after the front moved through.
September 21 - Tuesday
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) I was able to make it down to Arcadia around midday and had the following sightings. Palm Warbler (1), Common Yellowthroat (2), Eastern Phoebe (1), Coopers Hawk (1), Bald Eagle (1) adult, Cedar Waxwing (43), Field Sparrow (1), Savannah Sparrow (1), White Throated Sparrow (2), Song Sparrow (15), American Goldfinch (24) and a couple Red tailed Hawks. Also had a Double Crested Cormorant flying over Rt 91 in Hatfield.
NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) This morning in the Arcadia Meadows saw an odd sparrow which I am now fairly sure is a Lincoln's Sparrow although it sure did look olive-green.
8:53pm We are
still under the effects of a big high pressure. It looks like there is still
some migration showing up on the radar - but it is subdued. All it takes anyway
is one rare bird to sneak in.
September 22 - Wednesday
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) In the Arcadia meadows from 6:45-10am I had the following: a few good groups of warblers and vireos including Wilson's Warbler (1), Black Throated Green Warbler (3), Northern Parula (6), Palm Warbler (2), Magnolia Warbler (2), Blackpoll Warbler (1), Blackburnian Warbler (1), Prarie Warbler (1), Common Yellowthroat (10), Red eyed Vireo (1), Warbling Vireo (1), Blue headed Vireo (1), other birds high in trees that could not be identified. Also had Savannah Sparrow (4), Lincoln's Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (57), Eastern Phoebe (6), House Wren (1), Pileated Woodpecker (1), Northern Flicker (7), American Kestrel (1), Broad Winged Hawk (1), Sharp shinned Hawk (3), Coopers Hawk (1), including one that just missed a song sparrow, Wood Duck (1) flyby, Canada Geese (30) flyby, Kingfisher (1), Blue Jay (70+) and other usuals. Then took a walk to FITZGERALD LAKE via N. Farms Rd entrance and had Black Throated Green Warbler (1), Red eyed Vireo (1), Double Crested Cormorant (1), Golden Crowned Kinglet (2). Then went up to GOAT PEAK tower and from 12:30-2:30 I had fairly low numbers but good variety. Following birds seen: Broad Winged Hawk (6), Red tailed Hawk (9) a couple of which might have been migrating, Sharp shinned Hawk (13), Cooper's Hawk (2), Osprey (2), American Kestrel (3), Merlin (1), Northern Harrier (1), Bald Eagle (3) 2 adults, 1 juv, Turkey Vulture (7), Common Raven (2), Chimney Swifts (2) and Junco (2).
8:30pm
September 23 - Thursday
SHUTESBURY (from Kevin Weir) I've been woken up by a barred owl for about a week around 3:45 am. Recently, a great horned started calling at dusk. At 5:30 am today the great horned was right by the house calling and almost immediately 3 barred owls started calling up and down the river valley. It lasted about 5 minutes and then silence.
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) I continued my morning trips to the Arcadia meadows this morning. Had quite a bit of activity. The numbers and variety of warbler and vireos continue. Also the numbers of sparrows, goldfinches and finches seem to increase everyday. Biggest activity is in the field they left uncut. I saw the following from about 6:45-10am. Wilson's Warbler (1) female today, male yesterday, Black Throated Green Warbler (8), Northern Parula (4), Nashville Warbler (2), Blackburnian Warbler (1), Palm Warbler (3), Yellow Warbler (1), Yellow rumped Warbler (19)...none the last few days and then 19 today....American Redstart (1), Common Yellowthroat (9), Red Eyed Vireo (8), Blue headed Vireo (1), Scarlet Tanager (1), Eastern Phoebe (6), Savannah Sparrow (5), Field Sparrow (4), Chipping Sparrow (3), Lincoln's Sparrow (2), White Throated Sparrow (17), Song Sparrow (70+)!, Red Tailed Hawk (2)...interesting activity with a chimunk...story at bottom, Bald Eagle (1) juv., Brown Thrasher (1), Empidonax Flycatcher (1), Eastern Bluebird (3), House Finch (5), American Goldfinch (31), Canada Geese (60+) flyby...I had a Canada Goose flying along with a nearly all white goose with pink legs approximately the same size as the Canada Goose. There was some darker color to the outer wing, but didn't look like a usual Snow Goose. So it may have been some type of domestic goose or could have been a Snow Goose, Great Blue Heron (1), Kingfisher (1), Northern Flicker (8), Gray Catbird (22), Blue Jay (55)...plus the usual others. Now for the story of the Red tailed and a chipmunk. I was standing on the bridge over the mill river were it empties into the oxbow and I had a chipmunk swimming across the river. I thought "I have never seen that before" and no sooner do I think that and an adult Red Tailed Hawk comes in and makes a try for it but misses. The chipmunk then turned around to swim back and the hawk tried for it again as it neared the shore, without success. So the hawk perched again and waited for it to get out of the water and then got it. The hawk perched about 20 feet away and dined on his slightly waterlogged snack. Now I know why I had never seen a chipmunk try to swim across open water before...its a bad idea! A juvenile Bald eagle then flew in and perched nearby and the Red tailed took off.
8:10pm
September 24 - Friday - Sunny and pleasant - still under the effect of the giant high pressure system.
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) Here is my list from the Arcadia meadows this morning: Black Throated Green Warbler (5), Northern Parula (2), Nashville Warbler (1), Yellow rumped Warbler (7), American Redstart (1), Common Yellowthroat (8), Magnolia Warbler (1), Baltimore Oriole (1), Eastern Phoebe (2), Savannah Sparrow (5), White Throated Sparrow (23), Swamp Sparrow (2)...pair near trolley line, Song Sparrow (45+), Indigo Bunting (1), Pileated Woodpecker (1), Red Tailed Hawk (1), Sharp Shinned Hawk (2), American Kestrel (1), House Finch (4), American Goldfinch (17), House Wren (2), Canada Geese (22) flyby, Kingfisher (1), Northern Flicker (3), Gray Catbird (13), Blue Jay (60), Red winged Blackbird (350+) biggest flocks this season so far...plus the usual others.
I made a trip this afternoon back to Arcadia. I briefly stopped in the meadows area there and had very little activity...the time to go there is certainly the morning. I then walked the trails near the visitors center and had the following: Black Throated Green Warbler (6), Pine Warbler (1), American redstart (1), Red eyed Vireo (1), Scarlet Tanager (1), Eastern Phoebe (3), Chipping Sparrow (1), Broad Winged Hawk (2) and American Kestrel (1) circling together overhead, Brown Creeper (1), Red Brested Nuthatch (1) and Golden Crowned Kinglet (3) plus other usuals.
NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) In addition to what Larry saw Heather and I also saw a Philadelphia Vireo and a Black-and-White Warbler this morning along the trolley line. In addition when we bumped into Larry this morning and we all saw a Grasshopper Sparrow -
September 25 - Saturday - Sunny and pleasant - waiting for the cold front to push through overnight.
NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) Heather and I walked around the West Meadows this morning - mainly from the Ibis Pool along the dirt road to the S-curve and back. Most of the warblers Larry had been seeing during the week had cleared out. Still plenty of Sparrows. Highlights: Sharp-shinned Hawk-2, Northern Harrier-1, Palm Warbler-8, Yellow-rumped Warbler-9, NashvilleWarbler-1, Swamp Sparrow-2, Savannah Sparrow-20, White-throated Sparrow-20, Lincoln Sparrow-5, Grasshopper Sparrow-1, Red-winged Blackbirds-102 (migrating). Later in the afternoon we drove through the cemetary near Fitz. Lake North Farms Road and saw 5 Phoebes and 20+ Chipping Sparrows. At Fitz Lake North Farms entrance there was a small wave of chickadees, nuthatches and creepers with a Black-and-white Warbler, Parula, and Blue-headed Vireo mixed in. Also an Osprey overhead.
8:20pm - Front
moving through the Northeast, but too late after dark to trigger a major flight
behind it.
September 26 - Sunday - The cold front pushed through overnight, and not
much in the way of new migrants. It likely moved through too late to get them
up and moving. The image below shows the main portion of the migration in the
mid-west. Sunday night should be the big flight night in the Northeast.
5:30 am.
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) From about 8:15-9:30 in the Arcadia Meadows and had the following: Common Yellowthroat (2), Black Throated Green Warbler (4), Magnolia Warbler (1), Palm Warbler (4), Yellow rumped Warbler (11), Northern Parula (1), Red eyed Vireo (2), Blue headed Vireo (1), Eastern Phoebe (5), Lincoln's Sparrow (2), Savannah Sparrow (8), White Throated Sparrow (16), Song Sparrow (42), Sharp shinned Hawk (2), one chasing a Red Tailed Hawk (1), House Wren (2), and Red Winged Blackbird (250+) in the corn field along the road past the Ibis Pool. Overall numbers down but probably due to going through later in morning and lots of human activity. Also made a walk in to Fitzgerald Lake on the Boggy Meadow trail. Not much activity but I did have Ruffed Grouse (2), Black Throated Green warbler (2) near the swamp and Golden Crowned Kinglet (3).
NORTH HADLEY+ (from Chris Gentes) This morning in North Hadley I didn't see any local migrants. The yellowthroats are all gone as is the green heron. Replaced by swamp sparrows. Catbirds continue. Heather and I went up to SUNDERLAND to some fields we had good luck in last year with sparrows etc. The fields were planted this year so the big weedy patch is gone. We still saw a few birds including: Tree Swallow-4, Myrtle-3, Yellowthroat-1, Lincoln Sparrow-1, Swamp Sparrow-5. Up in Hells' Kitchen we saw Wood Duck-8, Phoebe-4, Blue-headed Vireo-1, Ruby-crowned Kinglet-1, White-throated Sparrow-6.
SHUTESBURY (from Kevin Wier) There was the biggest flock of grackels I've ever seen here at this time of year...stopped counting at about 300.
9:45pm - Big Flight
behind the cold front.
September 27 - Monday - Another perfect day.
NORTHAMPTON (from C Gentes) Spent a brief time in the West Meadows this morning where I saw a few sparrows including a White-crowned and Lincolns. Didn't spend a lot of time there, but there were plenty of birds about. Also a few Palm Warblers up on the wires.
8:00pm Here comes
Jeanne.
September 28 - Tuesday - Rain all day - The cold front pushed through after the rain from Jeanne hit us so it looks like no migration really got going to produce any fallout of birds here.
WEST SPRINGFIELD (posted to Massbird by Janice LaPointe) Among today's attendees at the Big E in West Springfield was a flock of 13 wild turkeys. They were feeding at the end of the parking lot which borders the Westfield River and the Agawam Bridge right along side the building near Memorial Avenue.
HATFIELD (from Larry Therrien) I checked a few fields in Hatfield mid morning today to see if any shorebirds were enjoying the flooded fields, but came up empty. It was raining really hard and there was quite a bit of human activity near the fields so that may explain the lack of action.
5:41pm - The rain
from the South got to us before the cold front from North. Not a good set up
for a fallout these parts..
September 29 - Wednesday - Rain in the morning, clearing, cool and breezy
later.
6:30 am Remants
of Jeanne
NORTH HADLEY+ (from Chris Gentes) Heather and I checked out a bunch of flooded fields in North Hadley and Sunderland this afternoon. All we came up with were 4 juvenile Black-bellied Plovers and a Pipit in a field off Knightly Road. Also about 20 Killdeer. In another flooded field off Russellville Road there were @ 30 mallards and 4 yellowlegs. Too far and looking into the sun to get more specific than that. This morning in Hatfield while it was still raining we checked some fields and only had Killdeer. In NORTHAPTON this morning there was a Great Egret on the island in Paradise Pond. Also seen 6 female Common Mergansers and an immature DC Cormorant.
10:20 pm
September 30 - Thursday - Off and on Rain/Sun - Cool.
NORTHAMPTON+ (from Larry Therrien) I checked some fields in Hatfield but no shorebirds found. I then went down to the Arcadia meadows and had the following from about 7am-9:30am: Yellow Rumped Warbler (23), Palm Warbler (3), Black Throated Green Warbler (2), Common Yellowthroat (8), Red eyed Vireo (5), Indigo Bunting (3), Scarlet Tanager (1), Eastern Phoebe (1), Ruby crowned Kinglet (1), White Throated Sparrow (37), Savannah Sparrow (8), Chipping Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (70+), House Wren (3), Bald Eagle (1) juv perched on sign in Oxbow, Sharp shinned Hawk (2), Red tailed Hawk (1), Double Crested Cormorant (1) in oxbow, Great Blue Heron (1), Red winged Blackbird (300+), Common Grackle (50+), Blue Jays (65+), plus other usuals.
NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) This morning in the trees and weeds surrounding the cat-tail wetland along Great Meadow Rd. in Northfield ( I often refer to this as being behind the "old dump") I found: Wood Thrush >> DICKCISSEL (Nice non-breeding adult. Was teed up on a bush in the wetland, just off the dirt road) >> Savannah Sparrow (6) >> Song Sparrow (4) >> Lincoln Sparrow >> Swamp Sparrow (3) >> White-crowned Sparrow (2, 1st winter).