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September 2005 Sightings
Hampshire, Hampden & Franklin Counties of Massachusetts
First of the Year in RED
September 1 - Thursday - Pleasant
QUABBIN PARK+ (from Larry Therrien) Made a trip over to Quabbin Park in the afternoon, as well as a stop at Covey WMA in Belchertown. Not alot of activity, but a nice day outside anyway. Quabbin Park- Eastern Wood Pewee (2), Eastern Towhee (3), Brown Creeper (1), Red Brested Nuthatch (2), and a few Barn Swallows out over the water near the Windsor Dam. Quite breezy in the afternoon which seemed to have kept the birds down a bit. Covey WMA- Hooded Merganser (1), Great Blue Heron (2), Kingfisher (2), Eastern Phoebe (2), Tree Swallow (25+), Cedar Waxwing (2) and Gray Catbird (3).
AMHERST (from Heather McQueen) - First Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the fall.
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH - Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Doug James, Joe Wojtanowski, John Weeks, John Wojtanowski Visitors: Pam and Josh of Washington, D.C., their three-month-old daughter Michaela, and their Belgian Tervuren, Max. Josh is a novice hawkwatcher, and got some life-sightings today. Welcome all! Weather: Partly cloudy (decreasing from 80% to 40% through the day). Wind NW to W, 10-25 mph. Temperature 65-77 F. Observations: Thirteen raptor migrants, of five species, including our first Sharp-shins (5). Non-migrants: BLACK VULTURES (2), Turkey Vultures (4), Bald Eagles (2 adults), Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawks (2+), Broad-winged Hawk (1 adult). BIRD OF THE DAY: AMERICAN PIPIT -- very early migrant. It came down and bathed in a small pool near the glacial erratic boulder here. Chimney Swifts (4), Hummingbirds (3), Tree Swallows (9+), Barn Swallows (4+). Monarchs: 2.
September 2 - Friday - Sunny and Warm
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH - Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Joe Wojtanowski, John Weeks Visitors: Josh H. returned -- we have a budding hawkwatcher here -- with his mother Susan, his brother Bruce, Bruce's wife Susan, and their children Sarah and Reed. All admired the friendly Pipit at close range. Weather: Almost cloudless skies, but much haze. Wind W 5-15 mph. Temperature 70-85 F. Raptor Observations: A baker's half-dozen (7) migrant raptors. Non-migrants: Turkey Vultures (7), Bald Eagles (3 -- adult, sub-adult and immature), Red-shouldered Hawks (2), Broad-wing, Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: The American Pipit was back. Seemingly unafraid of people, it preened and posed within 20 feet of us, and ran -- RAN -- down a moth. Other birds: Chimney Swifts (23; one flock of 14 passed low overhead), Hummingbird, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (adult male), Common Ravens (2), Barn Swallows (2), Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler. Monarchs: 3.
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by Bob Packard) A few highlights from Fitzgerald Lake in Northampton late afternoon: Wood Duck-15 Nighthawk-1 Red-breasted Nuthatch-1 MARSH WREN-1-song fragments at boat launch Canada Warbler-1 Swamp Sparrow-1 Black Bear-1-trying to cross the path as people were walking by. He chickened out and crashed back into the woods and swamp.
AMHERST (psoted to Massbird by Scott Surner) Harvey Allen called early this evening to say he had a Western Kingbird on Station Rd in Amherst. From the corner of Southeast St/Station Rd-take Station Rd (heading east) and go past the horse farm on the left. Just beyond the pasture there is a section of dead trees-look for the bird in this area. Good luck. Nighthawk migration was pretty slow again this evening- 9 at Mt.Pollux in Amherst and 20 in Northampton. Scott Surner
September 3 - Saturday - Sunny and Pleasant
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH - Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, Seth Kellogg Visitors: Josh Horwitz (for the third day in a row -- he's hooked), and his friend, Jim Coe. Thanks to both of you for spotting several birds. Weather: Mostly sunny; cloud cover 5-35%. Wind NW (occasionally W) 10-20 mph. Temperature 66-75 F. Raptor Observations: Two Ospreys and two Bald Eagles in the first 20 minutes, then a trickle of birds. Non-migrants: Turkey Vultures (4), Bald Eagle (adult), Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawks (2+), Broad-winged (adult), Red-tailed (2). Non-raptor Observations: The American Pipit continued for a third day. Others: Woodcock (I almost stepped on it walking back to the car at 3:20 EDT), Chimney Swifts (6), Belted Kingfisher, Common Ravens (2), Barn Swallows (8), Red-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebirds (3), Palm Warbler ("Eastern").
NORTHAMPTON + (posted to Msasbird by Mark Lynch) East Meadows with artist Andrew Magee : Osprey (1) Sharp-shinned Hawk (2) Cooper's Hawk (1) Red-tailed Hawk (minimally 2) A Kestrel (1imm) Peregrine Falcon (1imm) Killdeer (12) Greater Yellowlegs (1) "Traill's-type" empid.: (2) Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (1) Horned Lark (1) Tree Swallow (5+) Bank Swallow (45+) Barn Swallow (15+) House Wren (1) Gray Catbird (4) Cedar Waxwing (6) Yellow Warbler (2) Magnolia Warbler (1: migrant) Palm Warbler (2: 1 "Western"+ 1 "yellow") Common Yellowthroat (4) Field Sparrow (1) Savannah Sparrow (13) Song Sparrow (44) Indigo Bunting (4) Dickcissel (2: 1 1stW+1adF), Bobolink (288: mostly in two big flocks) Red-winged Blackbird (376) Brown-headed Cowbird (19) A Goldfinch (9) QUABBIN PARK: Turkey Vulture (16) Bald Eagle (5ad: including 2 perched in a tree on Ram) N. Goshawk (1imm) Broad-winged Hawk (2) Red-tailed Hawk (1) Ruby-throated Humminbird (1 migrating west across the water of Quabbin) Tree Swallow (9) Common Raven (3) E. Bluebird (1)
AMHERST (posted to Massbird by James P Smith) I was lucky enough to relocate the Western Kingbird reported by Harvey Allen yesterday. In late afternoon I enjoyed very close views as it perched up with Eastern Kingbirds for extended periods. I found the bird feeding just 100 yards west of the parking area marked on the south side of Station Road. The bird was often with Eastern Kingbirds but sometimes disappeared for 5-10 minutes at a time. I understand that this bird was searched for in the morning but not seen, so perhaps late afternoon/early evening offer the best chances.
WHATELY (from Chris Gentes) At Pilgram Airport we saw 14 Killdeer and 10 Least Sandpipers.
September 4 - Sunday
RUSSELL - MT. SHATTERACK HAWK WATCH (from ABC Bird News) Oberver - Tom Swochak : Migrants Counted Saturday 9/3 5 Osprey 5 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Broad-winged Hawk 1 Peregrine Falcon Non-migrating raptors: 2 BV, 1 adult BE, 2 RS, 1 CO, maximum TV's at one time - 15, ,maximum RT's at one time - 3. Migrants on walk to Lookout: BTGreen Warblers - 3, Nasville Warbler - 1, Red-eyed Vireo - 3. From lookout: Ravens - 2, RB Nuthatch 1. RS Towhee - 1 Migrants Counted Sunday 9/4 1 Bald Eagle 1 Osprey 2 Broad-winged Hawk 1 American Kestrel Observers: Tom Swochak TV's not active at all today. Max TV's seen at one time - 2 birds. Migrants noted on walk to & from the lookout (about 12 minutes one way). Warblers: Nashville - 1, BT Blue - 1, BT Green - 3, Ovenbird - 2, Chestnut-sided - 1, Magnolia - 2, Blackburnian - 1, Other migrants: Red-eyed Vireo - 2, Warbling Vireo - 1, Hummingbird - 1. Migrants noted at lookout: Olvie-sided Flycatcher - 1, Prairie Warbler - 1, Magnolia Warbler - 1, Red-eyed Vireo - 1.
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Chris Gentes, Heather McQueen, John Weeks, Pam Witaszek Weather: Sunny to start, then increasing clouds (from 3% to 60%); wind NW/N 0-10 mph. Temperature 69-80 F. Raptor Observations: Modest numbers of seven species. Non-migrants: Black Vulture, Turkey Vultures (2), Bald Eagles (2 or 3), Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed. Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swifts (9), Hummingbird, Eastern Bluebirds (4), juvenile Eastern Towhee eating seeds we scattered. Monarchs: 10.
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by James P Smith) 09/04 - This morning I had good but brief views of several Dickcissels in the East Meadows at Northampton. It was difficult to estimate the true numbers but I noted four individuals at least (2 adults including 1 bright male, and at least 2 first-winters). I managed to take a few images but just missed out on the bright male; http://keenbirding.com/Fall05/Dics040905.html The 'sweet spot' seemed to be a weedy strip in a depression sandwiched between corn fields, about 600 yards south of the Red Barn, ie. well passed the 'crossroads', where a dirt track bears right. I've checked this spot throughout the fall and always seen Bobolinks there but this was the first day that found Dickcissels. I didn't see any Dickcissels elsewhere in the fields. All of the birds were with a tight group of about 80 Bobolinks, and seen within a relatively short period of time. Much like the Bobolinks, the Dickcissels would perch up on weeds and crops for short periods, sometimes allowing time for a photo and sometimes not. Patient waiting with a scope produced some nice results. I suspect that there could be more than four Dickcissels in the meadows right now, and none of the birds that I saw/photograhed today resembled the bird that I found on there August 29th. All of the birds were nervous, due mainly to the presence of raptors and this morning I noted Peregrine (juvenile), Merlin, American Kestrel, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, and a single Broad-winged Hawk. Otherwise, the most notable birds were Semi-palmated Plover (1), Least Sandpiper (1), ‘western’ Palm Warbler (5), Willow Flycatcher (2), Indigo Bunting (14), and Swamp Sparrow (2).
AMHERST (posted to Massbird by Scott Surner) The Western kingbird still continues at Station Rd in Amherst. so far, the best time to try for the Kingbird seems to be late afternoon or very early morning. The Kingbird was seen early this morning-about 6:50 to 7:10. At which time it took flight and headed north and out of sight. I return this evening (about 5:45) and met up with Jim Marcum, Mark Lynch & Shelia Carroll. After about 10 minutes Mark located the Kingbird on the south side of the road. We watched the Kingbird for about 10 minutes on headed out.-good luck.
September 5 - Monday - Sunny and Pleasant
NORTH HADLEY+ (from Heather McQueen) Aound 5:30pm I was sitting inside when I heard an odd call from outdoors. I looked out and saw a Bobwhite standing next to Route 47. It ran across the street and down behind the firehouse. Earlier in the day I recorded a nice flurry of birds including the following highlights: DC Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Sharp-shinned Hawk, 5 woodpeckers species, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Canada Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Scarlet Tanager-4, Rose-breasted Grosbeak. At the Muck Puddle in DEERFIELD we say 12 Least Sandpiers and 4 Solitary Sandpipers.
EAST LONGMEADOW (posted to Massbird by Russ Titus) This morning there was a Connecticut Warbler at the Jarvis Nature Sanctuary (p.227 of Bird Finding Guide to W. Mass). From the main path by the stone marker walk south, cross the small brook, veer southwest toward a lower wet area about 250 feet from the brook. The bird gave a couple of call notes then came into pishing, landing in a white pine. I left a small piece of white paper on the ground by the pine to indicate where bird was seen. Also along the overgrown path on the eastern edge of the sanctuary there were Warbling, Philadelphia (2) and Red-eyed vireos.
AGAWAM (from Seth Kellogg) There were 4 Green-winged Teal on Leonard Pond. HADLEY (from Dave Mako) The most interesting bird that I encountered over the long weekend was a Chukar! It was near the road this afternoon about 100 yards east of the intersection between South Maple and Mill Village Rd in Hadley. I spoke to a couple of girls in the pumpkin patch nearby to ask if they raised the bird. No, but they said it has been around for a long time and they don't know where it came from. They said they have tried to capture the bird without success.
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Chris Chinni, John Weeks, Paul Rubino, Seth Kellogg Weather: Sunny and warm; light NE winds, becoming variable in the afternoon. Temperature 61-73 F. Actual start-time: 7:40 EST. Raptor Observations: Non-migrants: 3 Turkey Vultures, 2 Bald Eagles, Cooper's Hawk, 4 Red-shouldered Hawks, 1 adult Broadwing, 2 Red-tails. Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swifts (5), Blue-headed Vireos (2), Red-eyed Vireo, Barn Swallow, Cedar Waxwings (18), Magnolia Warblers (2), Black-throated Blue Warbler (1st-yr female), Black-throated Green Warblers (2), Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart. Moonarchs: 2.
MOUNT TOM (from Larry Therrien) various trails and a short stop at Goats Peak-Black Throated Green Warbler (1), Osprey (1), Red Tailed Hawk (2), Turkey Vulture (7), Pileated Woodpecker (1), Yellow Bellied Sapsucker (1), Brown Creeper (1), Red Brested Nuthatch (1), Cedar Waxwing (6)...and lots of Black capped Chickadees.
RUSSELL (from ABC Bird News) Shatterack Mt in Russell Sept. 5 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Daylight Time Observers: Cheryl Hollister, Tom Swochak Migrants Counted Bald Eagle 2 4 4 Osprey 1 9 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 13 13 Broad-winged Hawk 1 7 7 Maximum TV's at one time - 7. Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Migrants at the lookout: Sapsucker - 2. Tom Swochak
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, September 5.
A WESTERN KINGBIRD was found on Friday in Amherst and was last reported Sunday evening. It has been seen on both sides of Station Road a short way from Southeast Street, usually in dead trees just past the horse farm field.
DICKCISSELS continue to be found on the east meadows of Northampton both at the red barn beyond the last house on Cross Path Road and in fields several hundred yards beyond the barn and past the four corners. As many as four have been observed. Other reports from Northampton included a MERLIN and a PEREGRINE FALCON, 5 GOLDEN PLOVERS, a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, 53 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS, 2 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, a PHILADELPHIA VIREO, CANADA, WILSON’S, CONNECTICUT and MOURNING WARBLERS, 14 INDIGO BUNTINGS, and 300 BOBOLINKS.
As many as 8 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were still in the field off Main Street at the Hatfield-Whately town line on Wednesday, but have not been reported since.
Also there were 7 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 30 LEAST SANDPIPERS, a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER, and 70 KILLDEER.
Noted in Amherst were several EASTERN KINGBIRDS on Station Road, a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, 9 WOOD THRUSH, and 2 VEERYS.
In Hadley there were 2 COOPER’S HAWKS, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER, a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, and BLUE-WINGED, CANADA, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and WILSON’S WARBLERS.
Two PHILADELPHIA VIREOS and a CONNECTICUT WARBLER were at Jarvis Sanctuary in East Longmeadow, a PHILADELPHIA and a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO , 2 OVENBIRDS, and a BLACKPOLL WARBLER were in Southwick, a MARSH WREN was at Fitzgerald Lake in Northampton, and 2 BLACK VULTURES and a record early AMERICAN PIPIT were seen in Granville.
Hawks migrating over Granville since Sept. 1 totaled 15 OSPREYS, 8 BALD EAGLES, 5 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 19 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 3 COOPER’S HAWKS, 11 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, and 20 AMERICAN KESTRELS. Three days of counting at Shatterack Mt. in Russell produced 8 OSPREYS, a BALD EAGLE, 12 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, a COOPER’S HAWK, 5 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, an AMERICAN KESTREL, a MERLIN, and a PEREGRINE FALCON.
September 6 - Tuesday - Sunny and Pleasant
MIDDLEFIELD (from ABC Bird News) Dave St. James reports - I have had (on two occasions) White-winged Crossbills (about 4-6, they're hard to see) On Cone Rd. in Middlefield on the Fox Den Wildlife Management Area. Cone Rd. is off East River Rd. that goes south from Rte. 143 near the Peru-Worthington town line.
September 7 - Wednesday - Sunny and Warm
WILBRAHAM+ (posted to Massbird by Russ Titus) Highlights from Fountain Park Wilbraham this morning included Philadelphia Vireo, Red-breasted Nuthatch (3), E. Bluebird (15), 12 warbler species: Orange-crowned (1, path into brush dump) Nashville (1) Parula (1) Chestnut-sided (2) Magnolia (3) Black-thr. Blue (2) Black-thr. Green (4) Pine (8) Prairie (3) Black-and-white (1) Am. Redstart (5) C. Yellowthroat (5). This evening there were 13 nighthawks over Mapleshade St., E. Longmeadow. Four were over the yard.
AMHERST+ (from Larry Therrien) Station Rd area: No Western Kingbird seen by me this morning. Following highlights in a short period of time: Yellow Rumped Warbler (1), American Redstart (3), Common Yellowthroat (2), Red Eyed Vireo (12), Warbling Vireo (1), Eastern Phoebe (7), Eastern Kingbird (2), Eastern Bluebird (3), Eastern Wood Pewee (2), Cedar Waxwing (2), Tree Swallow (40+), Chimney Swift (3), Gray Catbird (15). WESTFIELD- This evening I had Common Nighthawk (5) moving north.
LONGMEADOW (from ABC Bird News) Allen Bird Club Wed AM Walk Stebbins Sept 7, 2005 Highlights: Wood ducks-50+ Bald Eagle-1 (imm) Semi Plover -1 GC Flycatcher-3 Redstart-3 BTGreen-3 Pine Warbler-1 Yellowthroat-9 Indigo bunting-1 RB Grosbeak-6 Baltimore orioles-4 John Hutchison
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, John Wojtanowski Weather: Mostly sunny and warm. Winds light, variable to start, then NE to E. Temperature 72-86 F. Raptor Observations: Four Kestrels on the hill when I arrived. Slow after that. Non-migrants: 3 Turkey Vultures, 2 Red-shouldered Hawks, one Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swifts (6), Eastern Bluebirds (8), Black-throated Blue Warbler (f), Black-throated Green Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Dark-eyed Junco. Monarchs: 4.
September 8 - Thursday - Sunny and Pleasant
NORTHAMPTON/EASTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) - Arcadia in the AM, foggy for most of time down there. Wilson's Warbler (1), Canada Warbler (1), Black Throated Green Warbler (3), Black and White Warbler (1), Yellow Warbler (1), Ovenbird (1), Common Yellowthroat (11), American Redstart (2), Warbling Vireo (2), Red Eyed Vireo (2), Yellow Bellied Flycatcher (1), Great Crested Flycatcher (1), Empidonax Flycatcher (1), Osprey (1) hunting the oxbow, Great Egret (1) also hunting in the oxbow, Great Blue Heron (3), Cooper's Hawk (1), Sharp Shinned Hawk (1), Eastern Phoebe (5), Killdeer (1), Ruby Throated Hummingbird (3), Eastern Bluebird (3), Pileated Woodpecker (2), Double Crested Cormorant (2), Carolina Wren (1), Gray Catbird (38), Wood Duck (1), Kingfisher (1), Savannah Sparrow (3), Song Sparrow (15), Cedar Waxwing (5), Mallard (20), Tree Swallow (8), Chimney Swift (1) and other typicals. SOUTHAMPTON: Great Egret (1) in Lyman Pond from at least late AM through late afternoon.
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Joe Wojtanowski, John Weeks Weather: Sunny, with cumulus clouds building up through the afternoon (reaching 75% cover). Winds 0-10 mph, mostly SW. Temperature 74-82 F. Raptor Observations: Seven species noted; curiously, eagles were not among them today. Five Harriers is a good number for this site. Non-migrants: Black Vultures (4), Turkey Vultures (4), Red-shouldered Hawks (3), Broad-wing, Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swifts (3), Hummingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Chestnut-sided Warbler, BT Green Warbler (2), American Redstart. Monarchs: 7.
LONGMEADOW (psoted to Massbird by Russ Titus) A mid-morning loop through part of Fannie Stebbins Refuge produced 2 Mourning and 1 Connecticutt warbler, all great views. The CT was between Bark Haul Trail and Tina Lane, on the unmarked trail that crosses Longmeadow Brook. It was just N of the brook/area of broken culverts; I moved an empty black plastic oil container into the middle of the path where the bird was seen. One Mourning was about 500' N of this spot, and the other along Tina Lane 50' west of the fallen tree limb in the road
NORTH HADLEY (from Heather McQueen) A few nice birds today: Merlin, Amrican Golden Plover-3, Killdeer-25, Least Sandpiper-8, White-rumped Sandpiper-1, Spotted Sandpiper-2, American Pipit-1
RUSSELL (from ABC Bird News) Shatterack Mt, Russell, Hawkwatch Sept 8 9:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Observers - Cheryl Hollister and Tom Swochak 1 Osprey 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Broad-winged Hawk Maximum TV at one time - 11. Magnolia Warbler - 1. Wood Pewee - 1, BTgreen Warbler - 1. 20+ cedar waxwings feeding at the lookout throughout the watch time. Raven - 1. Towhee - 2.
September 9 - Friday - Sunny and Pleasant
WESTFIELD (from ABC Bird News) In a quick one hour walk through Stanley Park Nature Trails Highlights: Brown Creeper-1 calling Philadelphia Vireo-2 Blue Hd Vireo-3 Red Eyed Vireo-6 Redstart-4 Canada Warbler-1 Pine Warbler-1 John Hutchison
LONGMEADOW+ (from Larry Therrien) - Stebbins: Northern Waterthrush (1), Black Throated Green Warbler (1), Chestnut Sided Warbler (1), Black and White Warbler (1), Ovenbird (1), Common Yellowthroat (9), Warbling Vireo (5), Red Eyed Vireo (1), Blue Gray Gnatcatcher (1), Indigo Bunting (1), Scarlet Tanager (2), Rose Breasted Grosbeak (6), Great Crested Flycatcher (1), Empidonax Flycatcher (1), Eastern Wood Pewee (2), Eastern Phoebe (6), Bobolink (2), Green Heron (1), Great Blue Heron (5), Ruby Throated Hummingbird (1), Sharp Shinned Hawk (1), House Finch (5), Wood Duck (127)...everywhere..one little pond had 65+ on it, Kingfisher (1), Carolina Wren (2), Gray Catbird (45+), Cedar waxwing (7), Northern Flicker (7), Mallard (55+), and good numbers of the other usuals. Only one group of migrating warblers found during the entire morning. GRANVILLE- Blueberry Hill- I leave the reporting of raptor numbers up to the hawk watch to provide. During the time I was up there, the numbers were fairly good with broad wings starting to move through in numbers. Beyond the raptors had the following around the hill today: Magnolia Warbler (2), Black Throated Blue Warbler (3), Black Throated Green Warbler (2), Chestnut Sided Warbler (2), Common Yellowthroat (3), American Redstart (1), Eastern Towhee (3), Eastern Bluebird (2), Common Raven (3), Eastern Wood Pewee (1), Ruby Throated Hummingbird (1). WESTFIELD- Common Nighthawk (2) flying south at 6:50 this evening.
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Joe Wojtanowski, John Weeks, Larry Therrien, Seth Kellogg Weather: Mostly to partly cloudy (a mix of cumulus and cirrus); wind N-NE 5-10 (15) mph. Temperature 66-77 F. Raptor Observations: Our first significant Broad-wing (117) flight. Past 1 PM EDT, the birds began to fly extremely high. Many were probably out of sight. Non-migrants: Black Vulture, 8 Turkey Vultures, Bald Eagle (immature), Cooper's Hawk, Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swifts (3), Hummingbird, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Bluebirds (8), Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warblers (3), Magnolia Warblers (6), Black-throated Blue Warblers (3), Black-throated Green Warblers (3), American Redstarts (2), Common Yellowthroats (3). Monarchs: 4. One Smooth Green Snake sunning itself on ledge near the lookout. Two silver balloons migrating south.
RUSSELL (from ABC Bird News) Shatterack Mt, Russell Hawkwatch Sept 10 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Daylight Time Observers: Cheryl Hollister, Tom Swochak 2 Bald Eagle 2 Osprey 6 Sharp-shinned Hawk 247 Broad-winged Hawk 1 American Kestrel Total: 259 Maximum TV's at one time - 7. BW kettles 65,45,21,19,15,12. Non-raptor Observations: Common Loon - 1. Canada Geese , a flock of 40 birds appeared to be migrating. Cedar Waxwing - 10+, Towhee - 2+. Tom Swochak
September 10 - Saturday - Sunny and Pleasant
LONGMEADOW+ (from Chris Gentes) This morning at Bondi's Island Heather and I saw a juvenile Black-bellied Plover and 16 Least Sandpipers. Nothing at the Westfield River and at the Longmeadow sandbar just 2 Killdeer. In NORTH HADLEY we saw 12 Killdeer, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 7 Least Sandpipers and 7 Spotted Sandpipers.
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Bob Snyder, Brian Faggioni, Chris Blagdon, Doug James, John Weeks, Myles Conway Weather: Sunny, with clouds increasing until noon, then diminishing. Wind N/NNW until 1 PM EDT, W thereafter, 5-10 (gusting to 15-20) mph. Temperature 63-72 F. Raptor Observations: A second day of Broadwings (177) in kettles (largest was 40 birds); most had passed through by 11:15 EDT. Many were high-flyers hard to see in the blue. Non-migrants: 7 Turkey Vultures, 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 Sharp-shin, 1 Cooper's, 1 Red-shouldered, 1 Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swift, Hummingbird, BT Green Warbler, Common Yellowthroat. Monarchs: 2.
September 11 - Sunday - Sunny and Pleasant
NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) This morning Heather and I saw Great Blue Heron-2, Killdeer-10, Solitary Sandpiper-1, Semipalmated Sandpiper-1, Least Sandpiper-7, Spotted Sandpiper-2.
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by Scott Surner) This morning (Sunday, Sept. 11th) Susannah Lerman and I had a Sedge Wren at the north end of the Ibis Pool in the West Meadows- Northampton. The Wren gave just a couple call notes and offered brief but adequate views. We found the bird around 10:00am and observed it on and off for the next fifteen minutes. Directions to the Ibis Pool- Page 181 of the BIRD FINDING GUIDE TO WESTERN MASS. From Old Springfield Rd take Pynchon Meadow Rd (Dirt Rd) North until you come upon your first road on the left. Park your car in this area, and proceed down the left hand road until you see 2 bluebird boxes also on the left. This is the area where the Wren was last seen. -This is a large weedy field...Good Luck. Other highlights from Arcadia Marsh and Sanctuary- Wood duck-5 Hooded Merg-2 Northern Harrier-1 Solitary Sandpiper-1 Pectoral sandpiper-1 R.T.Hummingbird-2 E.Wood-Pewee-1 Warbling Vireo-2 one calling. Red-eyed Vireo-4 Red-breasted Nuthatch-2 E.Bluebird-12 Black-thr Green Warbler-3 Pine Warbler-1 American Redstart-3 Co.Yellowthroat-4 Wilson's Warbler-1 Scarlet Tanager-3 White-throated Sparrow-2 1st of the fall. Rose-breasted Grosbeak-5
HOLYOKE+ (from Larry Therrien) - Ashley Reservoir: Wilson's Warbler (1), Prairie Warbler (1), Northern Parula (6) with some calling, Magnolia Warbler (3), Nashville Warbler (1), Yellow Rumped Warbler (3), Pine Warbler (6) with at least two birds calling, American Redstart (2), Red Eyed Vireo (1), Warbling Vireo (1), Scarlet Tanager (4), Ruby Crowned Kinglet (1)...all of these above mentioned birds except one pine warbler and the warbling vireo in one loose group along a wooded edge...numbers are conservative...some birds never gave me a good chance to view them. Also present there were Eastern Phoebe (5), Eastern Wood Pewee (1) still calling, Ruby Throated Hummingbird (1), Gray Catbird (9), Cedar Waxwing (6), Red Brested Nuthatch (4), Double Crested Cormorant (4), Wood Duck (2), Great Blue Heron (2), Pileated Woodpecker (1), Killdeer (1), Northern Flicker (3) and others. NORTHAMPTON- State Hospital trails: Broad Winged Hawks (4) circling overhead late AM, Common Yellowthroat (2), Warbling Vireo (3), Eastern Phoebe (2), Eastern Wood Pewee (1), Gray Catbird (5), Ruby Throated Hummingbird (1).
MOUNT TOM+ (posted to Massbird by Tom Gagnon) With nearly clear blue skies, hawks were hard to see. We were on the tower from about 10:15 to 12:40 then headed elsewhere. We listed the following from the Tower on Goat's Peak on the Mt. Tom State Reservation in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley. Turkey Vultures 6+ (locals) Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 Coopers Hawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 2 (locals) Broad-winged Hawk 96 Osprey 5 (one circled over the tower by about 40 feet) Marsh Hawk 1 Bald Eagle 1 adult and 1 immature Northern Raven 1 (17 yesterday) Monarch Butterfly 7 After lunch we tried for the Sedge Wren reported by Scott Surner in the Northampton West meadows but had no luck.
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks, Seth Kellogg Weather: Sunny with increasing cirrus cover. Light winds, E/NE in the morning, swinging 180 degrees to W/SW in the afternoon. Temperature 58-74 F. There was no coverage for one-half hour, between 3 and 3:30 PM EDT. Raptor Observations: Three small kettles of Broad-wings (101) -- the tail-end of yesterday's flight? Two kettles (50, 25) appeared between 11:15 and 11:25 EDT; the third (14) at 4:15 EDT. Nine Turkey Vultures were our first migrants. Bald Eagles at 12:47 EDT (2 ad, imm.) and 1:31 EDT (juvenile). Non-migrants: 7 Turkey Vultures, 2 adult Bald Eagles, Red-shouldered, Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Great Blue Heron, Chimney Swift, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Red-eyed Vireo, Common Ravens (7 in a kettle), Magnolia Warbler. Monarchs: 4. One praying mantis.
RUSSELL (from ABC Bird News) Shatterack MT Hawkwatch Sept 11 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST Observers: Cheryl Hollister, Tom Swochak 2 Osprey 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Cooper's Hawk 35 Broad-winged Hawk Raptor Observations: 19 BW's 8-9am STD & 11 BW's 9 to 10am STD, all single birds up to one kettle of 5, & all were low naked-eye birds. For the next three hours only 5 BW's. Maximum TV's at one time - 4. Great-Blue Heron - 1, Hummingbird - 1. Towhee - 2, Junco - 1, Cedar Waxwings - 8, Raven - 2. Tom Swochak
SHUTESBURY (from Kevin Weir) Woodcock (1), lots of phoebes, ruffed grouse (2), turkey flock is back, red sholdered hawk (1) and barred owls calling every night and am (4).
September 12 - Monday - Sunny and Very Warm
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) Arcadia, area around Ibis Pool, and trolley line: Sedge Wren (1) present at 7:30ish along road in lower third of weedy section near Ibis Pool toward Old Springfield Rd...seen and heard several times...as close as 5 feet away. Also had Wilson's Warbler (2), Palm Warbler (3), Northern Parula (2), Magnolia Warbler (2), Black Throated Green Warbler (2), Black and White Warbler (3), Yellow Rumped Warbler (3), Yellow Warbler (1), American Redstart (4), Common Yellowthroat (13), Yellow Throated Vireo (1), Red Eyed Vireo (11) with at least one still calling, Warbling Vireo (2) also still calling, Most warblers and vireos moving south along trolley line...again several went by without being identified, Yellow Bellied Flycatcher (1), Vesper Sparrow (1), Savannah Sparrow (55+), Song Sparrow (60+)...many of the sparrows were in the weeds near the Ibis Pool...especially earlier in the AM...had 30 Savannah's perched on the telephone wires at one time...looks like it will be a really good spot for birds as the fall goes on. Eastern Phoebe (3), Ruby Throated Hummingbird (3) including one harassing warblers and vireos along the trolley line, Merlin (1) made pass over Ibis Pool, American Kestrel (2), Cooper's Hawk (1), Indigo Bunting (1), Gray Catbird (35+), Eastern Bluebird (1), Killdeer (1), Great Blue Heron (2), Pileated Woodpecker (1), House Wren (1), House Finch (8), Cedar Waxwing (12), Northern Flicker (7), Tree Swallow (4), and other usuals.
NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) I was at the Ibis Pool area today around 1pm and was lucky enough to see the Sedge Wren for a very brief time near the bluebird boxes mentioned in Scott Surner's post. Also 1 Kestrel.
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Weather: Sunny with cirrus cover increasing through the day. Blustery W winds 10-20 (gusting to 30) mph. Visibility telescoped downward as haze became so thick and obfuscatory that it could have been sliced up and handed out as a White House press release.5 Osprey 2 Bald Eagle 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk 39 Broad-winged Hawk 4 American Kestrel 54 Total Raptor Observations: Surprisingly, small clusters of Broad-wings actually braved the stiff winds and moved SW. Several flew low, straight and fast, like accipiters in football pads. Non-migrants: 9 Turkey Vultures, 2 immature Bald Eagles (apparently "commuting" between area reservoirs), Cooper's, Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swifts (3), Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow. Monarchs: 1.
RUSSELL (from ABC Bird News) Shatterack Mt, Russell Hawkwatch Sept 12 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. DST Observer Tom Swochak 3 Bald Eagle 3 Osprey 1 Northern Harrier 5 Sharp-shinned Hawk 105 Broad-winged Hawk 2 American Kestrel 119 Total 98 of the 105 BW's were seen during the 11am - 1pm STD time-period. They were streaming low over the lookout(eye level to the limit of the unaided eye)solo & in loose groups. almost no kettling observed. Between 11:10am & 11:30am three Adult BE passed close by the lookout all following the same path, but 5 to 10minutes apart. Maximum TV at one time - 7. BV 2 noted at 9:50 STD time low & close by the lookout. Ravens - 2. Towhee - 2. Tom Swochak
NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor_ This evening at dusk from our deck, we watched a solitary Common Nighthawk casually flycatch and move slowly South. Shortly after we noticed a migrating flight of 8-10 Eastern Red Bats.
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, September 12
A SEDGE WREN discovered at the weedy slough of the west meadows of Northampton near the Arcadia sanctuary on Saturday was seen again today. Around the Arcadia marshes there were 2 HOODED MERGANSERS, a PECTORAL and a SOLITARY SANDPIPER, a WILSON’S WARBLER, 3 SCARLET TANAGERS, and 5 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS. In the east meadows 2 DICKCISSELS were still at the four corners on Sunday.
A CONNECTICUT WARBLER and 2 MOURNING WARBLERS were found in Longmeadow on Thursday, but were gone the next day. Also in Longmeadow were 130 WOOD DUCKS, a GREEN HERON, a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, 3 GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHERS, a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and 2 BALTIMORE ORIOLES.
Reported in the Ware River watershed were a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, a PHILADELPHIA VIREO, a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, and 3 NASHVILLE, 6 MAGNOLIA, and 4 BLACK-THROATED BLUE, 4 BLACKBURNIAN and 2 CONNECTICUT WARBLERS.
Seen in Wilbraham were a NASHVILLE WARBLER, 3 PRAIRIE WARBLERS, 8 PINE WARBLERS, a NORTHERN PARULA, and 2 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS.
On Bondi’s Island in Agawam a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and 16 LEAST SANDPIPERS were present.
Two COMMON NIGHTHAWKS, a PHILADELPHIA VIREO, a BROWN CREEPER, and a CANADA WARBLER were in Westfield, and in Holyoke there was a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, a NASHVILLE WARBLER, 3 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, a WILSON’S WARBLERS, a PRAIRIE WARBLER, and 6 NORTHERN PARULAS.
Noted in North Hadley were an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, a WHITE-RUMPED, a SEMIPALMATED, a SOLITARY, and 7 LEAST SANDPIPERS, and an AMERICAN PIPIT.
Five WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were observed in Middlefield last week, 3 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, a GREAT EGRET, and 2 LESSER YELLOWLEGS were in Sheffield, and a MAGNOLIA WARBLER and 2 LINCOLN’S SPARROWS were in Pittsfield.
In Southwick there was a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 6 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS, a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, 2 PHILADELPHIA VIREOS, 4 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, 2 OVENBIRDS, and 2 BALTIMORE ORIOLES.
Hawks counted migrating over Granville this week totaled 29 OSPREYS, 12 BALD EAGLES, 10 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 55 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 5 COOPER’S HAWKS, 441 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, and 45 AMERICAN KESTRELS. On Mt Shatterack in Russell hawk counts for the week were 13 OSPREYS, 8 BALD EAGLES, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 23 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 498 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, and 9 AMERICAN KESTRELS. Over Mt Tom on Saturday there were 5 OSPREYS, a NORTHERN HARRIER, 6 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, and 96 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS.
September 13 - Tuesday - Sunny and Warm
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) Arcadia meadows- Tennessee Warbler (1), Blackpoll Warbler (2), Blue Winged Warbler (1), Black Throated Green Warbler (4), Chestnut Sided Warbler (2), Black and White Warbler (3), Northern Parula (1), American Redstart (6), Common Yellowthroat (14), Warbling Vireo (1), Red Eyed Vireo (2), Peregrine Falcon (1), Northern Harrier (1), Sharp Shinned Hawk (1), Indigo Bunting (1), Eastern Wood Pewee (1), Eastern Phoebe (2), Empidonax Flycatcher (1), House Wren (3), Ruby Throated Hummingbird (1), Savannah Sparrow (8), Song Sparrow (40+), Northern Mockingbird (1), Cedar Waxwing (12), Gray Catbird (35+), Northern Flicker (3), American Goldfinch (35+), and others.
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Weather: Sunny to partly cloudy, with atrocious haze (visibility 2 miles all day). Wind variable (mostly E in the afternoon), but very light. Temperature 77-90 F. Even the hummingbirds flew sluggishly in the heavy air. Raptor Observations: Five minutes of excitement around 1:15 EDT: two small kettles of Broad-wings(53) passed overhead. Otherwise, a very slow day. Non-migrants: Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Sharp-shin, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swifts (10), Hummingbirds (2), Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Red-eyed Vireo, Tree Swallows (3). Warblers: Magnolia (5), BT Blue (f), BT Green, Prairie, American Redstart (f), Common Yellowthroat. Monarchs: 7. Swarms of flying ants were annoying early in the watch.
September 14 - Wednesday - Mostly Sunny and Humid
NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) Early this afternoon there was 14 Killdeer and 1 American Golden-plover on the small island in the Oxbow - visible from the marina parking lot.
HOLYOKE+ (from Larry Therrien) Ashley reservoir: Tennessee Warbler (2)..both birds together at eye level, great looks, Nashville Warbler (1), Pine Warbler (2), Yellow Rumped Warbler (1), Northern Parula (4), American Redstart (2), Common Yellowthroat (1), Red Eyed Vireo (2), Eastern Phoebe (3) with one calling, House Wren (1), Carolina Wren (1), Great Blue Heron (1), Wood Duck (6), Double Crested Cormorant (3), Gray Catbird (2), Red Brested Nuthatch (2), Northern Flicker (5), Cedar Waxwing (5). WESTFIELD- Marsh area along Root Rd- Yellow Rumped Warbler (1), Common Yellwothroat (1), American Redstart (2), Philadelphia Vireo (1) great looks, Warbling Vireo (1), Red Eyed Vireo (6), Gray Catbird (10), Wood Duck (1), Kingfisher (1). EASTHAMPTON/HOLYOKE- Mt Tom State Reservation in ealry to mid afternoon: Swainson's Thrush (1), Black Throated Blue Warbler (2), Black and White Warbler (1), Chestnut Sided Warbler (1), Yellow Rumped Warbler (1), Scarlet Tanager (1)...it actually called a few times, Junco's (4) at goats peak, Osprey (2), Sharp Shinned Hawk (2), Red Tailed Hawk (1), Turkey Vulture (8), Chimney Swifts (23) passing goats peak tower, Tree Swallow (2), Common Raven (1), Brown Creeper (1). EASTHAMPTON/NORTHAMPTON- Arcadia near visitors center at mid to late afternoon: Pine Warbler (2) with one calling, Magnolia Warbler (1), American Redstart (2), Red Eyed Vireo (2), Scarlet Tanager (5), Rose Breasted Grosbeak (1), Brown Creeper (1), Eastern Bluebird (2), Kingfisher (1), Gray Catbird (4), Eastern Phoebe (3), Tree Swallow (2), Chimney Swift (12).
NORTHFIELD (psoted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) While trying to re-find a Lincoln's Sparrow for my wife, she noticed a warbler foraging in the Jewelwing. It was a 1st winter Connecticut Warbler! Definitely a new yard bird. A first winter Common Yellowthroat added some confusion to the mix but the undertail coverts, faint hood, and eye ring of the Connecticut were conclusive. More pishing produced a nice microburst of activity in the same weedy area overshadowed by Arbor Vitae. Warblers were all first winter females. Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Black and White Warbler CONNECTICUT WARBLER Common Yellowthroat Non-warbler species: Indigo Bunting Lincoln's Sparrow
September 15 - Thursday - Rainy and Humid, front moved through late afternoon
NORTHAMPTON (from Chris Gentes) On the big dead tree in Ned's Ditch near the trolley line there were 2 adult Bald Eagles. Then I looked for birds around the Ibis Pool for 15 minutes without any luck. On the road there were 2 Palm Warblers. I checked the Oxbow and saw a tern sitting on a "No Wake" barrel out naer the island. It was a bit distant but seemed to be a Common Tern.
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by Bob Bieda) I observed the tern at the Northampton Oxbow Marina at 3:30 p.m. I agree with Chris Gentes that it appears to be an adult Common Tern. Also, at least one of the Dickcissels reported by James Smith from the "swan pool" in the east meadows of Northampton was still present yesterday (Thursday). It was a nicely marked adult female along with 20 or so Bobolinks, a western Palm Warbler, a Lincoln Sparrow and several Savannah Sparrows. This is the location that had the Trumpeter Swan last year and a Tundra Swan several years ago. It is now dry (or was yesterday) and filled with a nice variety of weeds.
HOLYOKE (from Larry Therrien) HOLYOKE- Ashley Reservoir- Connecticut Warbler (1), Tennessee Warbler (1)...maybe a left over from yesterday?, Pine Warbler (5)..still vocal, Nashville Warbler (1), Black Throated Green Warbler (1), Northern Parula (4), Yellow Rumped Warbler (1), American Redstart (2), Eastern Phoebe (1) one continues to call, Empidonax Flycatcher (1), Double Crested Cormorant (8), Kingfisher (1), Spotted Sandpiper (1), Great Blue Heron (1), Tree Swallow (4), Gray Catbird (5), Brown Creeper (1), Cedar Waxwing (5) with a begging juvenile still being fed, Red Breasted Nuthatch (4), Northern Flicker (2).
September 16 - Friday - Rainy and Humid
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) Arcadia meadow: A nice group of warblers along the trolley line with the following seen: Northern Waterthrush (1), Ovenbird (1), Magnolia Warbler (2), Black and White Warbler (3), Northern Parula (3), Yellow Rumped Warbler (1), American Redstart (3), Common Yellowthroat (4), Red Eyed Vireo (5), Indigo Bunting (4), Bobolink (2), Brown Thrasher (1), Sharp Shinned Hawk (1), American Kestrel (1), House Wren (3), Gray Catbird (13), Savannah Sparrow (2), Song Sparrow (10), Cedar Waxwing (2). HOLYOKE- Mt Tom State Reservation, area around goats peak: Blackpoll Warbler (2), Magnolia Warbler (1), Common Yellowthroat (3), Hermit Thrush (2), Junco (5), White Throated Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (1)...got rained out up there during the morning. SOUTHAMPTON- Manhan Meadow Sanctuary: Black Throated Blue Warbler (1), Black and White warbler (1), Northern Parula (1), American Redstart (3), Ruffed Grouse (1), Gray Catbird (2)...again, got rained out.
NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) This afternoon between 4:00-4:15, I observed 5 American Golden Plovers with appox. 60 Killdeer in the plowed potato field off of River Rd. in West Northfield. This road is off of Rt. 142 N. I can provide more detailed directions if needed. One of these AGPL was an adult in transitional plumage, the remainder juveniles. Other species of note: 6 American Pipit.
September 17 - Saturday - Mostly Cloudy
HADLEY+ (from Chris Gentes) Heather and I checked the following spots for shorebirds - Hadley Cove - there was some mud along the shore but no birds. AGAWAM - Bondi's Island had a Black-bellied Plover juvenile and a Least Sandpiper. LONGMEADOW sandbar had 2 Killdeer. Pondside we saw 2 Pied-billed Grebes, 90 Wood Ducks, 1 Green-winged Teal and 1 Blue-winged Teal. In WEST NORTHFIELD we saw 4 juvenile and 1 adult American Golden Plover, 3 Semipalmated Plover, 30 Killdeer, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Least Sandpiper, ~40 Pipits, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cooper's Hawk. Elsewhere in NORTHFIELD we saw 70 Killdeer. Later in NORTH HADLEY there was a Merlin, 2 Killdeer and a Pectoral Sandpiper.
GRANVILLE (ABC Bird News) A 10 am walk in the Blueberry Hill woods produced the following: 2 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Nashville 2 Parula 5 Magnolia 1 Black-thr Blue 1 Yellowrump 5 Blackpoll 2 Redstart 2 Palm ~Seth Kellogg
AMHERST (posted to Massbird by David Norton) Surprise.. I just had 4 common nighthawks fly over the house.... ahead of quite ominous storm clouds... lots of bird activity in the trees, but was surprised to see them this late in September...heading southwest.
MOUNT TOM - GOATS PEAK (posted to Massbird by Tom Gagnon) I guess the stormed fooled us all. Very few hawkers were at Goat's Peak today but the four of us that did show up enjoyed nice views. Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 Coopers Hawk 1 Bald Eagle 1 adult-local Osprey 12 Marsh Hawk 1 Merlin 1 Red-tailed Hawk 3 Turkey Vultures 20+ locals Northern Ravens 5 DC Cormorant 31 Tree Swallow 2 Monarch 5
WESTFIELD+ (from Larry Therrien) - I had a group of 30+ Turkey Vultures near the turnpike in the morning. LONGMEADOW-Pondside in the late AM: Red Eyed Vireo (3), Warbling Vireo (2), Scarlet Tanager (2), Eastern Wood Pewee (1), Eastern Phoebe (2), Rose Brested Grosbeak (1), Gray Catbird (8), Great Blue Heron (3), Cedar Waxwing (15+), House Finch (8), Kingfisher (1), Wood Duck (25+), and others. WESTFIELD- In the afternoon I had a very vocal Coopers Hawk flying around the area. Also a good group of Chipping Sparrows (25+).
September 18 - Sunday - Mostly Cloudy
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) I led small group of Athol Bird and Nature Club members through the East Meadows in Northampton this morning and with the exception of a 1st winter Dickcissel in the weedy field, after the four corners on the right ( aka "Trumpeter Swan Field"), bird movement was hard to come by. We then moved on to the West Meadows to check out the "Ibis Pool" area. As soon as we stepped out of our vehicles a Sedge Wren called from a thin strip of weeds on the opposite side of the road. The wren hunkered down and became silent but eventually flushed giving us a good look, albeit brief, of its smaller size and light colored upperparts, when compared to Marsh Wren. Its first several calls were diagnostic and were as 'Sibley' describes as being more like a Common Yellowthroat's rattle. While tying to get better views of the wren on the "Ibis Pool" side to where it flew, a Lincoln's Sparrow and 2 Palm Warblers were all that showed up after that. We then moved down through Arcadia and on to River St. near a marina and were surprised to hear and see an Olive-sided Flycatcher in the trees overhanging the water. Good numbers of Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Phoebes, and Chipping Sparrows here along with one female American Redstart. Even slow days in the field can have their rewards.
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by Tom Gagnon) This morning I lead a walk for the Massachusetts Butterfly Club. Our destination was the Northampton Community Gardens. As soon as we got there at about 10:50 a.m. we had a stream of Broad-winged Hawks passing overhead. Some coming out of kettles and then forming new kettles. Many were naked-eye birds. Total was 745 with only 2 Coopers, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 2 Osprey with them. As we were watching the kettles overhead I called Scott Surner who was on Mt. Holyoke. At that point he had only seen about 8 Broad-wings from Mt. Holyoke. Later apparently the flight drifted a little more east and he started to see more hawks. I do not know what his total was for the morning. Hopefully he will post his totals. Our fight petered out about 12:30 with just a few birds after that. Oh yes, the butterflies were great with the best being a COMMON CHECKERED SKIPPER in the gardens.
HOLYOKE- Mt Tom State Reservation: (from Larry Therrien) Arrived at the tower at 9:45 and stayed until 1:45 and then returned back up from 2:40-3:15. Biggest push of broad wings from 10-noon and again around 1:30. At 3:00 another push of 312 came through and were still going when I left. Should be some big numbers from throughout the area. Several others up on tower throughout the time I was there. Broad Winged Hawk (1992+)..probably missed alot...hundreds in view at once a few times, Shapr Shinned Hawk (29), Cooper's Hawk (3), Red Tailed Hawk (3) resident birds, Peregrine Falcon (1), Merlin (2..maybe 3), American Kestrel (11), unknown falcon (1), Northern Harrier (4)..one adult male, Osprey (7), Bald Eagle (5)...at least 4 adults and a juv, Turkey Vulture (12) with three juveniles sitting on the tower when I arrived this morning, Common Raven (1), Double Crested Cormorant (33) w/ groups of 18, 12 and 3, Canada Geese (12), Tree Swallow (3), Chimney Swift (5), and along the trails neat the summit-Ovenbird (2), Magnolia Warbler (2), Red Eyed Vireo (1).
MOUNT HOLYOKE (psoted to Massbird by Scott Surner) Val Miller and I birded the East Meadows this morning and then got up to Mt.Holyoke about 10:30. When we arrived other observers had totaled about 40 Board-wings, and then the gates started opening up a bit more. The Board-wings were moving west of the summit house until about 12:30, after that we could see them shifting more to the east. The following totals are up to 1:00pm.... Mt.Holyoke - 15+ observers. Osprey-8 Bald Eagle -1ad. Local No.Harrier-1 Sharp-shinned Hawk- 18 Cooper's Hawk-3 Board-winged Hawk- 672 - largest kettle- 94. Red-tailed Hawk-2 local Am.Kestrel- 3 Merlin-2 Peregrine-1 T.Vulture-2 other sightings from lookout. Raven-1 Barn Swallow-4 Evening Grosbeak-1 E.Meadows-Northampton No.Harrier-1 Am.Kestrel-2 E.Phoebe-5 Warbling Vireo-2 Red-eyed Vireo-2 House Wren-1 No.Parula-2 Am.Redstart-1 Co.Yellowthroat-4 I.Bunting-7 Am.Goldfinch-20 Deerfield Meadows- 9/17/05 Gr.Blue Heron-1 Wood duck-6 Am.Kestrel -1 R.t.Hummingbird-1 Trails Flycatcher-1 Tree Swallow-4 Yellow-rumped Warbler-4 Palm Warbler-5. 1-western/4 eastern Co.Yellowthroat-14 Field sparrow-1 Song Sparrow-40+ Lincoln's Sparrow-1 Swamp Sparrow-2 R.B. Grosbeak-5 Indigo Bunting-16 Am.Goldfinch-22
RUSSELL (from ABC Bird News) Shatterack Mt, Russell Hawkwatch, Sunday Sept 18 Observers: Cheryl Hollister, Tom Swochak 8:30 a.m. -5: p.m. 4 Bald Eagle 7 Osprey 47 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1112 Broad-winged Hawk 7 American Kestrel Total: 1178 Black Vulture - 2. `Tom Swochak
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Allen Bird Club, Hoffmann Bird Club Visitors: Visitor-observers included: Doug Guyett and Dick Gibbs (who contributed the Vesper Sparrow), Chris Ellison, Ray Burk, Paul Desjardins and friend Mona, Francie and George Cornwell. Thank you for your help. Apologies to those whose names I have inadvertently omitted. Weather: Mostly cloudy (95% decreasing gradually to 65%); cloud-cover sometimes dark and rain-threatening, but no rain came. Wind NW/WNW/W 5-10 mph, gusting frequently up to 20 mph. Temperature 65-73 F. Today was the rain-delayed Allen Bird Club/Hoffman Bird Club hawkwatch and picnic. Twenty people participated, coming and going through the day. Raptor Observations: After three days of rain and tropical humidity (thank you, Ophelia), the big breakout started today. 1181 Broad-wings were counted between 10 and 2 EDT. Non-migrants: 4 Turkey Vultures, one adult Bald Eagle, one Cooper's Hawk, one Red-shouldered, one Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Common Loon, 1 shorebird species (size of Pectoral), Chimney Swifts (2), Hummingbirds (2), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, "Traill's" flycatcher species (2), Tree Swallows (8), Barn Swallow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebirds (2), Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Vesper Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco. Warblers: Northern Parula, BT Blue, Yellow-rumped (6), BT Green (2), Blackpoll (3), American Redstart (2), Common Yellowthroat (6). One anglewing species; 22 Monarchs.
MONSON (psoted to Massbird by Mark Lynch) A group of us from Broad Meadow Brook MAS had an interesting and fun morning birding trip to the Conant Brook Dam, Army Corps of Engineers Property in Monson this morning. This area is very rarely visited by birders (most people don't even know where Monson is) , but is covered in the western Mass "where-to-find" guide in an article written by Bill and Nancy Cormier (who were with us: owners of Wild Bird Crossing in Sturbridge). This is a good sized parcel with a network of walking trails, mixed forest, a dam and some marsh habitat. Our main purpose was to see if the dam was a decent hawkwatch spot. Apparently it is (see below). We started with a short hike around the modest marsh to see some migrants, and then did a dedicated hawkwatch for a few hours. After several hours of birding Conant Brook, we zipped off to Bill and Nancy's new home in Holland for a great picnic lunch. I wish all bird trips could end this pleasantly! Great Blue Heron (1) Turkey Vulture (14) Canada Goose (56) Hooded Mergansers (4imm: likely bred here or nearby) Osprey (5) Bald Eagle (2ad) N Harrier (1imm) Sharp-shinned Hawk (13) Cooper's Hawk (4: one bird continually bombed and harassed a TV) Red-shouldered Hawk (4: 2 pair that were calling and diving at each other, sometimes right overhead, giving us a great show) Broad-winged Hawk (22) Red-tailed Hawk (9) A Kestrel (8) Merlin (1) Great Horned Owl (1) Chimney Swift (8 migrating ) Belted Kingfisher (1) Downy Woodpecker (7) Hairy Woodpecker (2) N Flicker (2) Least Flycatcher (1) Eastern Phoebe (11) Red-eyed Vireo (4) Blue Jay (18: lots of carrying acorns) A Crow (24) Common Raven (7) Tree Swallow (5: late) Black-capped Chickadee (40+) Tufted Titmouse (8) Red-breasted Nuthatch (5) White-breasted Nuthatch (6) Brown Creeper (5) House Wren (2) A Robin (52) Gray Catbird (24) Cedar Waxwing (76) WARBLERS: Nashville (1) N Parula (5) Chestnut-sided (2) Magnolia (1) Blackburnian (1) Pine (7) Prairie (4) Blackpoll (26) A Redstart (1) C Yellowthroat (5) Scarlet Tanager (2) Chipping Sparrow (36) Song Sparrow (9) Lincoln's Sparrow (2) Swamp Sparrow (4) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1) Red-winged Blackbird (8) Common Grackle (110) Purple Finch (3) A Gldfinch (11) PLUS: 17 migrating Monarchs; Nodding Ladies Tresses (an orchid); Turtlehead; E Painted Turtle; Greay Tree Frog, Spring Peeper.
September 19 - Monday - Sunny and Warm
MOUNT TOM (posted to Massbird by Tom Gagnon) From about 10:00 am to 1:30 pm I was on the tower at Goat's Peak. Low banks of fog FINALLY started to lift by about 11 and we listed the following: Sharp-shinned Hawk 23 Coopers Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 120 Osprey 2 Sparrow Hawk 2 Other species on the Mt. were: Lincoln's Sparrow 1 Chimney Swifts 13 Hummingbird 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 male We had great looks at many of the hawks as they were rather low at times.
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Joe Wojtanowski, John Weeks, Seth Kellogg Weather: Hazy blue skies, with scanty clouds only in the afternoon. Wind NW/W and light. Temperature 66-76 F. Raptor Observations: A major fall-off from yesterday's flight -- but we may have missed many birds in the aching blue sky. Dozens of those that we did see went HIGH. Non-migrants: 4 Turkey Vultures, adult Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered, 2 adult Broad-wings (!!), 2 Red-tails. Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swifts (6), Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Common Ravens (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglets (2), Eastern Bluebirds (5). Warblers: Nashville, Northern Parula (2), Magnolia (2), Yellow-rumped (10), BT Green (2), Palm (2), Blackpoll (2). Monarchs: 19.
AMHERST (from Heather McQueen) A Lincoln Sparrow was seen near our zinnia patch. On the bikepath there were 15 Phoebes near Amherst College and in Hadley there were 3 Snipe near the mall.
NORTHAMPTON+ (from Larry Therrien) Arcadia meadows in the AM in the fog, Common Yellowthroat (2), Lincoln's Sparrow (1, maybe 2), Swamp Sparrow (2), Chipping Sparrow (3), Savannah Sparrow (30), Song Sparrow (25+), Coopers Hawk (1) buzzed the Ibis Pool a couple times, Red Tailed Hawk (1), Eastern Phoebe (1), Eastern Bluebird (1), Cedar waxwing (7), House Wren (1), Gray Catbird (10). HOLYOKE- On the M&M trail off Rt 141: Wilson's Warbler (1), Magnolia Warbler (4), Black and White Warbler (1), Northern Parula (1), Red Eyed Vireo (2), Swainson's Thrush (1), Sharp Shinned Hawk (1) perched in dead snag, Eastern Phoebe (1). HOLYOKE- Mount Tom SR, Goats Peak and surrounding area. At tower for 1.5 hours. Broad Winged Hawk (18), Sharp Shinned Hawk (9), Red Tailed Hawk (1), Northern Harrier (1), Turkey Vulture (17)..all together at once, Black and White Warbler (1), Nashville Warbler (1), Ovenbird (1), Common Yellowthroat (1), White Throated Sparrow (5), Chipping Sparrow (5), Gray Catbird (1), Junco (1), Chimney Swift (30) migrating past tower, Tree Swallow (2), Pileated Woodpecker (1).
SPRINGFIELD (from ABC Bird News) Birds seen Monday at Van Horn Park in Springfield 1Tennessee Warbler 1Northern Parula 1Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 Black and White, 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 Brown Creeper 1 Red-eyed Vireo 9 Wood Ducks ~Lois & Al Richardson
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, September 19
Still being seen, with recent reports, were a DICKCISSEL in the east meadows and a SEDGE WREN in the west meadows of Northampton. Also seen in the meadows were an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, a NORTHERN HARRIER, a LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and 2 NORTHERN PARULAS.
A COMMON TERN was around the Connecticut River oxbow on Thursday Birds found in Northfield were 5 AMERICAN GOLDEN and 3 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, a PECTORAL and a LEAST SANDPIPER, 40 AMERICAN PIPITS, a LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and a CONNECTICUT WARBLER.
A BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER was on the Connecticut River in Agawam, and in the Longmeadow marshes there were 2 PIED-BILLED GREBES, a BLUE-WINGED TEAL and a GREEN-WINGED TEAL.
Seen in an urban Springfield park were a NORTHERN PARULA, a TENNESSEE, a CHESTNUT-SIDED, and 2 BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS, while a SNOWY EGRET was noted in a small pond in East Longmeadow.
A tour through the Conant Brook Dam property in Monson produced 4 HOODED MERGANSERS, a MERLIN, a LEAST FLYCATCHER, a NASHVILLE WARBLER, a BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, an AMERICAN REDSTART, a MAGNOLIA WARBLER, 2 CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS , 4 PRAIRIE WARBLERS, 26 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, a NORTHERN PARULA and 2 SCARLET TANAGERS.
The Phelon Forest in Granville was searched several times during the week. Observed were 3 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS, 2 “TRAILL’S FLYCATCHERS” (willow or alder flycatchers), 3 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, 2 NASHVILLE, a CHESTNUT-SIDED, and 9 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, 5 NORTHERN PARULAS, 3 BLACK-THROATED BLUE, and 8 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, over 20 YELLOW-RUMPED and 4 PALM WARBLERS, 6 AMERICAN REDSTARTS, 2 CONNECTICUT WARBLERS, an OVENBIRD, a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, a MOURNING WARBLER, and a VESPER SPARROW.
Hawks were counted migrating over the region Sunday and Monday when the weather cleared. Over Granville there were 11 OSPREY, 2 BALD EAGLES, 70 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 5 COOPER’S HAWKS, 1,357 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, 26 AMERICAN KESTRELS, and 4 MERLINS. Over Mt. Tom in the last two days were 9 OSPREYS, 4 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 42 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 4 COOPER’S HAWKS, over 2,000 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, 13 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 2 MERLINS, and a PEREGRINE FALCON.
The count over Mt. Holyoke on Sunday was 8 OSPREY, 4 BALD EAGLES, 47 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 672 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, 3 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 2 MERLINS, and a PEREGRINE FALCON. Over Mt. Shatterack in Russell there were 10 OSPREY, 4 BALD EAGLES, a NORTHERN HARRIER, 74 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 2 COOPER’S HAWKS, 1,231 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, 10 AMERICAN KESTRELS, and a PEREGRINE FALCON.
Two WHIP-POOR-WILLS were calling in Southwick, a MERLIN and PECTORAL SANDPIPER were noted in Hadley, and a “TRAILL’S FLYCATCHER” (willow or alder flycatcher), 5 PALM WARBLERS, and 16 INDIGO BUNTINGS were reported in Deerfield.
September 20 - Tuesday - Sunny and Warm
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Weather: Overcast, foggy and windy, with drizzle and occasional showers. Wind SW 10-15 (gusting to 20-25) mph, but dropping abruptly to 5 mph at noon (EDT). Temperature 69-72 F. Exact start-time: 9:20 EDT. Raptor Observations: A handful of the birds that don't mind flying into a head wind. Non-migrants: Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shin, 2 Red-shouldered Hawks. Non-raptor Observations: Blue Jays (3 migrants -- first of season), Common Raven, Blue-headed Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin. Warblers: Northern Parula (2), Magnolia (3), BT Blue (1 male), Yellow-rumped (6), BT Green (2), Blackpoll, Black-and-white (2), Common Yellowthroat (f). One ichneumon wasp and 3 Monarchs.
September 21 - Wednesday - Sunny and Warm
NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) This morning in our yard and surrounding woods, between 7:00-7:30, I had a nice wave of wood warblers. With the high pressure front that moved in last night, I suspected it might be a good morning. Armed with Mark Lynch's advice on optimum times to catch these movements, as well as keying in on Chickadee movement, the birds came in as advertised. My first bird though was a Swainson's Thrush still vocalizing its flight call while grounded. Interesting. Here's the warbler list: Northern Parula Nashville Chestnut-sided Black-throated Blue Black-throated Green Blackpoll Black-and-White American Redstart Common Yellowthroat
NORTHAMPTON (from Larry Therrien) Arcadia: Spent a little time this morning exploring the trolley line and came up with the following: Yellow Breasted Chat (1)...popped up for about 30 seconds [at end of trolley tracks in the recently cleared area of old farm equipment - aka the old Quonset Hut or where Pete had the Prothonotary Warbler] then dropped back down in the thickets and I could not relocate it, Black Throated Blue Warbler (1), Black Throated Green Warbler (4), Nashville Warbler (2), Yellow Warbler (1), American Redstart (1), Common Yellowthroat (4), Blue Headed Vireo (1), Red Eyed Vireo (7), Scarlet Tanager (1), Indigo Bunting (2), Brown Thrasher (2), Bobolink (2+) heard, Lincoln's Sparrow (2), Swamp Sparrow (1), Savannah Sparrow (15), Chipping Sparrow (2), White Throated Sparrow (6), Song Sparrow (17), Ruby Throated Hummingbird (2), Gray Catbird (25+), Kingfisher (1), House Finch (1), House Wren (2), Cedar Waxwing (30+), Northern Flicker (4). Also Common Mergansers (2) in the Mill River up near South Park Terr.
AMHERST (from Chris Gentes) This morning I saw a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 2 Lincoln's Sparrow, a Field Sparrow.
AMHERST (posted to Massbird by Henry Lappen) Yesterday, my neighbor brought me a Yellow Breasted Chat, which she picked up sitting on our walkway. We gave it a bit of water, it revived and flew away, but couldn't be relocated. A yardbird and lifebird all in one!
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Joe Wojtanowski, John Weeks, Noreen Mole, Seth Kellogg, Tom Begley, Tom Collins Visitors: J. Daniel Schell and Patti Steinman of Massachusetts Audubon, who will be leading a hawkwatching class on Blueberry Hill this Saturday, Sept. 24th. Weather: Sunny. Winds NW/WNW until noon EDT, then W all afternoon; wind speed generally 10-15 mph, with lulls and gusts up to 25 mph. Temperature 62-76 F. Actual start-time was 8:50 EDT. Raptor Observations: If there was another major Broad-wing flight today, we got burned again -- disappointing numbers. Non-migrants: 3 or 4 Turkey Vultures, Red-shouldered, Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (50 migrants), Chimney Swift, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, Common Ravens (15 in a kettle -- not migrating), Ruby-crowned Kinglets (2), American Pipit. Warblers: Northern Parula, Magnolia (2), Yellow-rumped (12), BT Green, Blackpoll (4), and WILSON'S. Monarchs: 13.
RUSSELL (from ABC Bird News) Shatterack Mt, Russell Hawkwatch 9/21 9:15- 2:45 DST Observer Tom Swochak Osprey 7 Sharp-shinned Hawk 17 Cooper's Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 55 American Kestrel 3 Total: 83 Black Vulture - 2. Maximum Ravens at one time - 8. Other Migrants: Canada Geese - 41, Swift - 4. ~Tom Swochak
LONGMEADOW (from ABC Bird NEws) The Allen Bird Club walk at Stebbins on Wednesday morning had the following highlights: D-C Cormorant - 1 Great Blue Heron - 2 Great Egret - 1 Wood Duck - 50 Common Flicker - 23 Phoebe - 6 Warbling Vireo - 1 Red Eye Vireo - 2 Magnolia Warbler - 2 Black Throated Green Warbler - 1 Black & White Warbler - 1 Scarlet Tanager - 2 Rose Breasted Grosbeak - 1 Indigo Bunting - 2 ~George Kingston
September 22 - Thursday - Sunny and Warm
SOUTH AMHERST (from Chris Gentes) This morning Heather and I saw a Lincoln's Sparrow, a Field Sparrow, 2 White-throated Saprrows, and a very low flying Osprey.
SOUTH AMHERST (posted to Massbird by Jacob Morris-Siegel) This afternoon Bruce Scherer and I had a Western Kingbird on the Brookfield Trail in South Amherst. The trail entrance is across from 1581 Southeast Street, which is about one mile south of South Amherst. We originally had the bird in the first hedgerow after the trail crosses a small stream. It then flew to the next row of bushes and then to the top of the trees on the right hand side of the field.
UMass( posted to Massbird by Bob Packard) There is a Great Egret hunting the UMass Campus Pond in Amherst. He's been here for over a week, sometimes within 5 feet of all the students on the banks. One Green-winged Teal was also there w/ the Mallards yesterday.
NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) Day 2 of warbler watch in my yard here in Northfield. From 7:00-7:40 I observed a bigger wave than yesterday. Now nursing a bad case of 'Warbler Neck'. I, with no exaggeration, missed 50% of what went through during this time period. Here's the list: Red-eyed Vireo Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3) Tennessee Warbler Nashville Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler (2) Magnolia Warbler (2) Black-throated Blue Warbler (3) Black-throated Green Warbler (6) Bay-breasted Warbler Black-and-White Warbler (3) American Redstart Common Yellowthroat (2)(these two are probably local breeders and not part of the migration yet) Lincoln's Sparrow (2) White-throated Sparrow (6)
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Janice Zepko, John Weeks, Seth Kellogg Visitors: Tom Wilson, surveyor. He showed me a chart giving the official NGS elevation for Blueberry Hill -- 453.3 meters, which works out to 1487.2 feet. Weather: Sunny with minimal, mostly cirrus clouds. Wind SW and increasing to 10-15 mph, with frequent 20-25 mph gusts. Temperature 71-79 F. Raptor Observations: Only a few dozen Broad-wings braved the stiff head wind. A season-high 14 Ospreys found it more to their liking. One Kestrel started to land on my Tilley-hatted head, thought better of it, and perched instead on an upright pipe eight feet away. She gripped the aftmost part of a dragonfly in her beak. Non-migrants: up to 7 Turkey Vultures, Red-shouldered, immature Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Chimney Swifts (4), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Savannah Sparrow. Warblers: Nashville (2), Northern Parula (2), Magnolia (2), BT Blue (male), Yellow-rumped (10+), Palm, Black-and-white (female). Monarchs: 14.
September 23 - Friday - Sunny and Warm
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Janice Zepko, John Weeks, John Wojtanowski, Seth Kellogg Weather: Overcast with drizzling rain in the morning; skies cleared rapidly after 1 PM EDT. Wind W, strengthening to 10-15(20) mph, until 2 PM; shifting to NW thereafter. Temperature 69-75 F. Raptor Observations: For the fourth time this week, we found ourselves on the far western flank of the Broad-wing flight in New England, with disappointing results. (Kudos to Barre Falls for getting over 9,000 Broad-wings today!) Excitement was provided by the Broad-wings and Ospreys we did get, by the 6 Harriers (including our first male of the season) and by the two Peregrines that flashed past a quarter of an hour apart. Non-raptor Observations: A hundred or more Monarchs passed overhead after 5 PM EDT -- a remarkable sight. Monarch total: 133. Birds: Double-crested Cormorants (13), Canada Geese (38), Chimney Swifts (3), Hummingbird, Blue Jays (15), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robins (13). Warblers: Northern Parula, Magnolia, Yellow-rumped (6+), BT Green, Palm (3), Common Yellowthroat.
September 24 - Saturday - Sunny and Warm
NORTH HADLEY+ (from Chris Gentes) Heather and I spent the morning looking for lingering shorebirds without too much luck. In North Hadley we saw Killdeer-15, Least Sandpiper-1, Spotted Sandpiper-1, Pipit-2. TURNERS FALLS at the Rod and Gun Club we saw a Pied-billed Grebe and 2 Great Blue Herons. In NORTHFIELD we saw 7 Killdeer. At Hell's Kitchen we saw 20 Phoebes, 4 Ravens, 6 Wood Ducks and 10 Myrtles. Later back in NORTH HADLEY we saw 2 Great Blue Herons, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 Brown Thrasher, 7 Catbirds, 1 Magnolia Warbler, 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 2 Scarlet Tanagers, 2 Towhees, 1 Field Sparrow and 30 White-throated Sparrows. Also 2 Pearl Crescents, 10 Monarchs, a Painted Lady and 3 Garter Snakes.
WESTFIELD+ (from Larry Therrien) Field with wooded edge along Summit Lock Rd this morning: Nashville Warbler (2), Black Throated Green Warbler (1), Yellow Rumped Warbler (1), Common Yellowthroat (4), Blue Headed Vireo (1), Red Eyed Vireo (5), Ruby Crowned Kinglet (1), Cooper's Hawk (1), Eastern Phoebe (3), Eastern Bluebird (1), House Wren (1), Gray Catbird (4), Cedar Waxwing (3), Song Sparrow (8). HOLYOKE- Mount Tom S.R. with a just over two hour stop at Goats Peak ending about 12:30 and walks on a few other area trails. Broad Winged Hawk (186) many of the birds were distant or lost in the blue, tough to find today. Sharp Shinned Hawk (15), Cooper's Hawk (3), Red Tailed Hawk (2), Bald Eagle (7), Osprey (3), Northern Harrier (2), Turkey Vulture (6), Common Raven (6) quite active along the ridge, Double Crested Cormorant (4), Winter Wren (1), Pine Warbler (1), Black Throated Green Warbler (6), Blue Headed Vireo (2) including one calling on and off for 15 minutes, Red Eyed Vireo (2), Chimney Swift (1), Eastern Phoebe (1), Junco (13), White Throated Sparrow (6), Chipping Sparrow (12), Canada Geese (65).
COLRAIN (psoted to Massbird by Mark Lynch) We spent the morning birding a few areas in the beautiful Massachusetts "hill town" of Colrain (west of the Connecticut River and on the Vermont border). At first light, there were some decent movements of warblers, but most were hard to see and high up in the trees. There were also decent movements of jays and chickadees as well as White-throats and juncos. It's a slightly "weird" list, not only for what's on it, but what's not or what was found in low numbers. Turkey Vulture (6) Canada Goose (flock of 70 heading south overhead) Sharp-shinned Hawk (5) N Goshawk (1imm) Red-shouldered Hawk (1) Broad-winged Hawk (12) Red-tailed Hawk (7) American Kestrel (1) Merlin (1) Peregrine Falcon (1ad) Ruffed Grouse (1) Wild Turkey (20) Killdeer (flock of 10 in a small corn field) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (7) Downy Woodpecker (3) Hairy Woodpecker (7) N Flicker (4) Eastern Phoebe (7) Blue-headed Vireo (6) Blue Jay (113) A Crow (22) Black-capped Chickadee (207) Tufted Titmouse (7) Red-breasted Nuthatch (19) White-breasted Nuthatch (4) Brown Creeper (9) House Wren (1) Winter Wren (4) Golden-crowned Kinglet (23) Ruby-crowned Kinglet (8) Hermit Thrush (8) A Robin (only 4) Gray Catbird (only 3: all in one scrubby field) Cedar Waxwing (6) WARBLERS: N Parula (3) Magnolia (1) Black-throated Blue (2) Yellow-rumped (22) Black-throated Green (20) Blackburnian (3) Pine (2) Bay-breasted (1) Blackpoll (23) Black and White (1) Connecticut (2imm) C Yellowthroat (3) Chipping Sparrow (17) Field Sparrow (5) Savannah Sparrow (1) Song Sparrow (12) Lincoln's Sparrow (1) White-throated Sparrow (93) Dark-eyed Junco (46) N Cardinal (8) Purple Finch (7) A Goldfinch (18) Plus: one huny Porcupine snoozing in a tree. Lots of Monarchs migrating.
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: J. Daniel Schell, Janice Zepko, John Weeks, Larry Konefal, Marilyn Konefal, Myles Conway, Patti Steinman, Paul Desjardins, Paul Rubino, Seth Kellogg Weather: Partly cloudy (80%) to start, with clouds diminishing to 5% or less after 2 PM EDT. Wind NE/ENE 0-10 mph, with occasional 15-mph gusts. Temperature 55-67 F. Raptor Observations: Today was probably the last burst of Broadwings in New England for this fall. They moved early and suddenly, just after 9 AM EDT, and stopped just as abruptly after 1 PM. It was fun while it lasted. J. Daniel Schell and Patti Steinman of MassAudubon's Arcadia Sanctuary (Easthampton, Mass.) led a hawkwatching class here this morning, and they got to share in the excitement. Note: Two of the Kestrels were observed about an hour before the formal watch began; they are included in the first hour's stats. Notable non-migrants: 8 or 9 BLACK VULTURES. We saw one go southwest at 12:58 EDT, then eight streaming north at 1:35. They briefly formed a kettle to the east. Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (42), Chimney Swift, Hummingbird, Common Ravens (4), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebirds (4), American Pipit. Warblers: Northern Parula (2), Yellow-rumped (several; no number reported to me), BT Green (2), Palm, Blackpoll (2).
SOUTH AMHERST (posted to Massbird by James Smith) Susannah and I looked at the rail trail in Amherst this morning with some nice results but nothing too outstanding. Norwottuck Rail at Station Road, Amherst, MA (07:20 - 10:40hrs); Great Blue Heron - 2 Green Heron - 3 (3 juveniles ). Turkey Vulture - 1 Mallard - 9 Wood Duck - 2 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 Killdeer - 3 Solitary Sandpiper - 2 Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Wilson’s Snipe - 1 Yellow-shafted Flicker - 9 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 6 Hairy Woodpecker - 2 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Belted Kingfisher - 1 White-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1 Eastern Phoebe - 8 Eastern Bluebird - 4 Hermit Thrush - 1 Blue-headed Vireo - 1 Red-eyed Vireo - 14 Gray Catbird - 15 Winter Wren - 1 House Wren - 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 39 Eastern Palm Warbler - 5 Chestnut-sided Warbler - 2 Tennessee Warbler - 3 together (Our first of the fall). Black and White Warbler - 1 Blackpoll Warbler - 1 Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 Nashville Warbler - 1 Magnolia Warbler - 1 Common Yellowthroat - 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1 Swamp Sparrow - 4 Lincoln’s Sparrow - 2 White-throated Sparrow - 3 Rusty Blackbird - 3 (Our first of the fall). Purple Finch - 5 Also, 2 Dark-eyed Juncos and 2 Common Ravens on the rail trail between Snell and South Maple Streets, Amherst. East Wood-Pewee and Golden-crowned Kinglet in our yard on Baker Street, Amherst, MA.
September 25 - Sunday - Cloudy and Cool
NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) This afternoon I saw the following: Northern Harrier-1, Merlin-1, Killdeer-25, Least Sandpiper-3, White-rumped Sandpiper-1, Pectoral Sandpiper-1, Americn Pipit-30.
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by James P Smith) A cool and very autumn like morning down in the East Meadows, with complete cloud cover and some light sprinkles of rain. Overall, a pretty solid morning with some very birdy patches. The Sora and Marsh Wrens were both surprises in the dry weedy areas betweens the fields. Highlights in the East Meadows, Northampton (07:30-12:30hrs); Canada Goose - 26 (all fly overs) Northern Harrier - 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 American Kestrel - 1 SORA - 1 juvenile in flight, flew into my field of view during a binocular scan of weedy strip for Bobolinks and sparrows. Landed 10 feet in front of me but I didn't see it again. Killdeer - 2 American Golden Plover - 1 circling the fields at around 10:30hrs. Tree Swallow - 20+. MARSH WREN - 4 in weedy strip favored by the Dickcissels earlier this month. Several gave excellent views by the track. Horned Lark - 3 American Pipit - 128 scattered about the fields. Easiest to see at the Red Barn with about 75 there. Yellow-rumped Warbler - 110+. Western Palm Warbler - 24 Eastern Palm Warbler - 5 Nashville Warbler - 1 Common Yellowthroat - 12 Song Sparrow - 90+ Savannah Sparrow - 83 Lincoln’s Sparrow - 12 Swamp Sparrow - 5 White-throated Sparrow - 2 Indigo Bunting - 16 American Goldfinch - 14 Bobolink - 65 Also a Tufted Titmouse wandering about the cornfields. Here's a few images of the Marsh Wrens and pipits; http://keenbirding.com/Fall05/MarshWren250905.html http://keenbirding.com/Fall05/AmericanPipit250905.html
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: John Weeks Visitors: Greg Douglas, Debbie Morse and Debbie's mother, Fran (credit to them for the first Kestrel); Heidi & Bob Fitzgerald and son Jamie of Granby, CT; Mary and Denis Kearns, and daughter Christine -- Denis's family once owned a large part of what is now Phelon Forest, the New England Forestry Foundation preserve that includes Blueberry Hill. Weather: Overcast and breezy. Wind SW 10-15 (20) mph. Temperature 62-67 F. Rain began at 1:50 EDT and ended the watch. Actual start-time: 10:10 EDT. Raptor Observations: Just before the rain came, an Osprey and six Broad-wings came in. The Osprey continued on through, but the Broad-wings dropped into the trees around Blueberry Hill. Non-migrants: Turkey Vulture, Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: American Robins (11). Monarchs: 1.
September 26 - Monday - Cloudy - steady rain late and overnight
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS This is the Western Voice of Audubon for Monday, September 26
YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS were observed in Amherst and Northampton over the weekend.
A WESTERN KINGBIRD was found in Amherst on Thursday, perhaps the same one present two weeks ago.
Seen on the meadows of Northampton recently were an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, a MARSH WREN, 128 AMERICAN PIPITS, 110 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, 29 PALM WARBLERS, a NASHVILLE WARBLER, 12 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, 16 INDIGO BUNTINGS, and 65 BOBOLINKS.
In Amherst there were 3 GREEN HERONS, 2 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, a SPOTTED SANDPIPER, a SNIPE, a WINTER WREN, 2 CHESTNUT-SIDED and 3 TENNESSEE WARBLERS, 3 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS and an EASTERN WOOD PEWEE.
A PIED-BILLED GREBE was noted at Turners Falls, two NASHVILLE WARBLERS in Westfield, GREAT EGRETS in Longmeadow and West Springfield, and a WINTER WREN and 6 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS in Holyoke.
Early morning walks in Northfield produced a SWAINSON’S THRUSH, and a TENNESSEE WARBLER a NASHVILLE WARBLER, a MAGNOLIA WARBLER, 3 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, 6 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, a BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, an AMERICAN REDSTART, and 3 BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS.
Seen in Hadley were a SPOTTED and LEAST SANDPIPER, a BROWN THRASHER, MAGNOLIA, CHESTNUT-SIDED, and BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS, and 2 SCARLET TANAGERS.
A morning spent In Colrain resulted in sightings of a NORTHERN GOSHAWK, a MERLIN, a PEREGRINE FALCON, 7 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, 19 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 9 BROWN CREEPERS, 4 WINTER WRENS, 23 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, 8 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, and 3 NORTHERN PARULAS. Other warblers seen were a MAGNOLIA, 2 BLACK-THROATED BLUE , 20 BLACK-THROATED GREEN, 3 BLACKBURNIAN a BAY-BREASTED, 23 BLACKPOLL, and 2 CONNECTICUT WARBLERS.
Hawks counted migrating over Blueberry Hill in Granville this week were 74 OSPREY, 6 BALD EAGLES, 9 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 94 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 2 COOPER’S HAWKS, 2,078 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, 67 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 3 MERLINS, and 2 PEREGRINE FALCONS. Over Mt. Shatterack in Russell there were 30 OSPREY, 17 BALD EAGLES, SIX NORTHERN HARRIERS, 78 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 4 COOPER’S HAWKS, 1,650 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, 17 AMERICAN KESTRELS, and a MERLIN.
Nine BLACK VULTURES were seen together in Granville. Also recorded there were 2 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, a PHILADELPHIA VIREO, 6 NORTHERN PARULAS, 5 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, 2 NASHVILLE WARBLERS, a BLACK-THROATED BLUE and 4 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, a WILSON'S WARBLER, 6 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, and 6 PALM WARBLERS.
September 27 - Tuesday - Breezy, Partly Sunny
NORTH HADLEY (from Chris Gentes) On Comins Road in someones front yard there was a Ruffed Grouse early this morning.
RUSSELL (from ABC Bird News) Shatterack Mt, Russell Hawkwatch Sept 27 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST Observer: Tom Swochak Bald Eagle 2 Osprey 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 23 Broad-winged Hawk 64 American Kestrel 3 Total: 97 Observers: Tom Swochak Other Sightings: Maximum TV's at one time - 7 Maximum RT's at one time - 1 Blue Jays - 7, Swift - 2 Ruffed Grouse Raven - 2 Tom Swochak
GRANVILLE BLUEBERRY HILL HAWK WATCH Official Counter: John Weeks Observers: Andrew Magee, JoRee Pease, John Weeks, Seth Kellogg, Warren Pease Weather: Cloudy to start; skies cleared from 95% to 15% cloud-cover by 3 PM EDT. Wind NW and brisk, 10-20 mph. Temperature 58-66 F. Actual start-time: 9:10 EDT. Raptor Observations: A few dozen laggard Broad-wings, with 40 Sharpies and 16 Kestrels. Most flew low and fast. Non-migrants: 3-4 Turkey Vultures, 2 Bald Eagles, 1 Red-tail. Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese (14), Herring Gull, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue Jays (6), Horned Lark (1st of season -- landed right in front of us), Ruby-crowned Kinglets (2), American Robins (5), Yellow-rumped Warblers (3), WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, 1st-winter, spotted by JoRee Pease. Monarchs: 4.
September 28 - Wednesday - Sunny and nice
AMHERST (from Chris Gentes) Late this afternoon near the zinnia patch I counted Catbird-8, Song Sparrow-10, Lincoln's Sparrow-4, White-throated Sparrow-5, White-crowned Sparrow-2. A Great Horned Owl was calling after dusk in North Hadley.
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by James P SMith) 09/28 - Another productive morning down at Northampton’s East Meadows with the following highlights (07:10 - 11:20hrs); DICKCISSEL - 1, presumed male, showing plenty of yellow on the face and breast and rufous on the lesser coverts. Seen in the corn fields about 600 yards south of the Red Barn, close to the weedy hollow known as ‘Swan pool’. Images at the following; http://keenbirding.com/Fall05/Dicks280905.html LAPLAND LONGPSUR - 1 very vocal bird flew in from the north at 10:08 hrs, circled me twice, and then flew north towards the Red Barn. May have landed in the large fields around the Red Barn but I didn’t search for it. It wasn’t flying high, and could be worth looking for. Interestingly I had a similar observation at Krif Road fields, Keene, NH on September 29th last year, about three weeks ahead of the start of the main wave along the NH coast. Also of note - singles of Merlin, Bay-breasted Warbler, Field and Vesper Sparrows and much more in the meadows today.
AMHERST (posted to Massbird by Davis Chapman Hawkowl) A great egret continues to hang out at the UMass Amherst campus pond. I saw it the last two mornings riding by on the bus at 8am and at least four times previously around the same time.
NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by Mark Taylor) A late afternoon walk along the cut cornfield edges in Bennett Meadow WMA in Northfield, (page 112, "Bird Finding Guide To Western Massachusetts") produced some good bird activity. Highlights were 7 Rusty Blackbirds and a probable HENSLOW'S SPARROW. Although having no experience with this species, I'm fairly certain that this was the Ammodramus sparrow that I saw. Habitat seems right, and field marks seemed to fit as well, but it's a little like a UFO sighting; no one else sees it but you. The area that I saw the bird was along the western edge of the field, where the cut corn and grassy wetland begins. It was in the last tall shrub BEFORE it opens up into overgrown meadow or sedge grass that reaches into the wetland. Many berries of some kind here as well that were attracting a good number of Purple Finch. Here's the list of birds seen: Wood Duck (22) Mourning Dove (12) Red-bellied Woodpecker (2) Downy Woodpecker (4) Hairy Woodpecker (3) Eastern Phoebe (6) American Crow (36) Black-capped Chickadee (10) White-breasted Nuthatch Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2) Eastern Bluebird (2) Gray Catbird(2) European Starling (120) Cedar Waxwing (20) Yellow-rumped Warbler (12) Savannah Sparrow (4) *Henslow's Sparrow* Song Sparrow (10) White-throated Sparrow (6) Northern Cardinal (2) Rusty Blackbird (7) Common Grackle Purple Finch (12) American Goldfinch (6)
September 29 - Thursday - Fierce Storms mid-day, Cold and Clear later
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by James P Smith) 09/29 - This morning in the Arcadia (West) Meadows, Northampton a few nice species around but difficult to observe in the blustery conditions before the onset of rain/gales around noon. All of the sparrows and wrens were in the rank vegetation around the depression known as the Ibis Pool (p 181 - p.183 of the Western Mass birding guide). Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow - One of the interior forms A.n. nelsoni or A.n. alterus. Looked closer to A.n.nelsoni in the field being small and dark with bright white mantle lines, and rather well streaked bright orange-buff breast contrasting clearly with white belly. Very shy, very skulking and only seen briefly three times for a few seconds each. Somehow, I was lucky enough to grab a couple of images; http://keenbirding.com/Fall05/Nelsons290905.html Sedge Wren - This bird popped into view whilst I was watching a Marsh Wren and showed briefly but very well for just a few seconds at close range. Really difficult to say whether this was the same bird found by Scott Surner and Susannah Lerman on September 11th. Eluded the camera unfortunately. Other good birds around Arcadia Meadows today; Osprey - 3 over the Oxbow Green-winged Teal - 2 by the metal bridge. Swainson’s Thrush - 1 by metal bridge. Blackpoll Warbler - 1 by metal bridge. Swamp Sparrow - 10+ Lincoln’s Sparrow - 1
NORTHAMPTON (posted to Massbird by Bill Lafley) This afternoon there was a Clay-Colored Sparrow in the East Meadows. It was in with a group of birds that included : Yellow-rumped Warbler 15 (approx) Palm Warbler 4 Nashville Warbler 1 Swamp Sparrow 1 Field Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 5 To get to the spot go past the "red barn" toward the river until the road goes down a small hill. At the base of the hill there is a road that goes right between a weedy field and a corn field. The birds were along the road. The sparrow sat in a willow for fairly long time and then dove down into the weeds. There was also approx. 25 Pipits near the red barn and a white crowned sparrow at the far end of the small road where the other birds were found. Marsh Wren - 2+
WESTFIELD (From Larry Therrien) Chipping Sparrow (40)
September 30 - Friday - Clear and Mild
SOUTH AMHERST (from Chris Gentes) A brief stop at the zinnia patch where there was a White-crowned and a Lincoln Sparrow - evidently getting zinnia seeds. Then they were both on the same Amarynth plant getting seeds. At Smith College there has been a contingent of ~60+ Cedar Waxwings the past few days getting berries from a few Hick's Yew trees.
NORTHFIELD (posted to Massbird by James P. Smith) 09/30 - Although there was no sign of the Henslow’s Sparrow found and reported by Mark Taylor two days ago, the area was full of bird activity and I enjoyed some excellent looks at Rusty Blackbirds, Purple Finches and a Merlin. The biggest surprises were a migrating Great Egret and a late, but unidentified empidonax flycatcher. I was joined by Mark Taylor towards the end of the morning. Selected highlights (07:25 - 12:00); GREAT EGRET - 1 flew south at 08:10hrs. Canada Goose - 4 Wood Duck - 7 Osprey - 1 flew SW at 08:50hrs. Merlin - 1 fem/juv. Exceptional views. Eastern Phoebe - 9 Willow/Alder Flycatcher - 1, stayed very low in willows near trail entrance, only 1 - 2 feet above ground level. Very skulking and didn’t call. I managed to get just two rather poor quality images; http://keenbirding.com/Fall05/empid300905.html American Pipit - 10+ Yellow-rumped Warbler - 15+. Blackpoll Warbler - 2 Magnolia Warbler - 1 Common Yellowthroat - 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2 Blue-headed Vireo - 3 (together) Red-eyed Vireo - 1 Blue Jay - 75 flew SW (one flock of 55). Song Sparrow - 25+ Savannah Sparrow - 35+ Lincoln’s Sparrow - 8 Swamp Sparrow - 10+ Field Sparrow - 2 White-throated Sparrow - 33 Indigo Bunting - 2 Purple Finch - 25+. EVENING GROSBEAK - 1 flew SW at 08:40hrs. American Goldfinch - 15 A few images from this impressive place can be found here; http://keenbirding.com/Fall05/300905.html
NORTHAMPTON (from ABC Bird News) in the West Meadows at the "Ibis Pool", there was a Clay-colored Sparrow.~Andy Magee