End of year wrap up

Blackpoll Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH

Prothonotary Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH

Bay-breasted Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH

Lucy's Warbler, Saguaro NP, AZ

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Sweetwater Wetlands, AZ

Blue-winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA

Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA

Ovenbird, Quabbin, MA

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin, MA

I took a total of six trips out of the area this year which was a new high for me.  The trips included the following:  Florida in January, Arizona in April, Ohio in May, California in September, Texas in November and Costa Rica in December.  Each of these trips had there own highlights that I cover in greater detail on my other blog http://quabbinbirdingandbeyond.blogspot.com/  .  As far as warblers were concerned this year I managed to end the year with a total of 47 species of wood warblers. 

Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica

Of the 47 species seen this year I added five which I had never seen before including Kirtland Warbler in Michigan which I found on a day trip during my Ohio trip.  Although it was a long drive and I didn’t get any photos of the birds it was nice to see and hear them on their breeding grounds.  I also added Virginia's Warbler and Grace's Warbler in Arizona as well as Gray-crowned Yellowthroat and Buff-rumped Warbler in Costa Rica. 

Hooded Warbler, Quabbin Gate 12, MA

In western Massachusetts I had a total of 29 species.  I totalled 19 species in the yard this year. The most interesting local warblers were a Hooded Warbler that stayed in the same area at Gate 12 at Quabbin for several weeks this spring and summer.  According to another person doing research in the same area there were several Hooded Warblers around with both males and females.  Perhaps they were breeding here?  Another interesting warbler was a Blue-winged Warbler singing a Golden-winged Warbler song in breeding habitat on the Prescott Peninsula.  Despite the golden-winged song it appeared to be a 'pure' Blue-winged Warbler but there certainly was some genetic mixing somewhere along the line.  Overall a great year with the highest number yet of wood warblers in a single year.  I have now seen a total of 49 species of wood warbler in my life and hope to add more next year.

Warblers in Costa Rica

Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Dec 8, 2011

Chestnut-sided Warbler, Rio Magnolia Lodge, Costa Rica, Dec 4, 2011

I just returned from my first trip down to Costa Rica and it was in a word...amazing!  Many life birds and an all around great trip.  I stayed at a lodge in the Pacific foothills near Dominical and spent some time at the coast too.  I found nine warbler species with two, a Buff-rumped Warbler and Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, new to me.  The most abundant warbler by far was the Chestnut-sided Warbler followed by Tennessee Warblers.  Other warblers found in small numbers (or only one) included Black and White, Golden-winged, Wilson's, and Yellow Warblers and Northern Waterthrush.  It was one of my best trips and I cannot wait to go back down there again.

Texas warblers

Orange-crowned Warbler, Estero Llano Grande SP, TX, Nov 12, 2011

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Bentsen RGV State Park, TX, Nov 13, 2011

Ovenbird, Bentsen RGV State Park, TX, Nov 13, 2011

Black and White Warbler, Estero Llano Grande SP, TX, Nov 14, 2011

Black and White Warbler, Estero Llano Grande SP, TX, Nov 14, 2011

I took a trip down to Texas on November 10 and stayed until November 15 visiting several areas in the lower Rio Grande valley.  The vast majority of the warblers seen were either Orange-crowned or Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers.  Besides these two species I had a handful of Common Yellowthroats in a few spots as well as a single Ovenbird using the water feature at the Nature Center at Bentsen RGV State Park and a Black and White Warbler at Estero Llano Grande SP.  Both of these last species were state birds for me in Texas.  I ended up with a total of five warbler species.  I missed out on the few Tropical Parula's around as well as a very rare Golden-crowned Warbler that showed up on November 20.  I will have to get them on the next trip.  Yet another successful trip with lots of great birds.

November warbler

On a Hampshire Bird Club trip on the east side of the Quabbin we came across a Yellow-rumped Warbler near the fishing area late morning.  This is a very unusual sighting for this area of Quabbin this late in the season and was one of the best birds of the day.

Magnolia Warbler in downtown Northampton

While working today I walked up Pleasant St in Northampton and at the bike path I noticed a small bird hopping around on the ground just off the trail.  I took a few more steps and then backtracked to see what it was as it stuck me as odd.  It was a Magnolia Warbler feeding just off the road.  A beautiful naked eye bird that seemed so out of place here.  Certainly a nice bird on this chilly morning and getting late for around here.  My last one was on October 1 until this morning

More October warblers

Despite the windy weather of the last few days I have managed to find some lingering warblers.  Today was quite good with Yellow-rumped, Palm, Black-throated Green, Blackpoll and Pine Warblers.  Most of these were in one small area at Quabbin Park.  Nothing too unusual but a nice selection for mid October.

early October warblers

Cape May Warbler, Quabbin, MA, Oct 9, 2011

Cape May Warbler, Quabbin, MA, Oct 9, 2011

The days of double digits warbler species counts are all finished here in Massachusetts.  Soon it will be tough to find any warblers beyond the late staying yellow rumps.  With that said I had a very nice day for warblers today.  I spent the morning in the central part of Quabbin and found a nice collection of warblers for the 9th day of October.  The weather started cool in the upper 40's but quickly warmed to a record setting mid 80's high.  The surprise warbler of the day was an adult male Cape May in a mixed species flock.  There were a total of  eight species with the vast majority being Yellow-rumped Warblers.  The other species seen included Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat, Palm, Blackpoll, Pine and Black throated Blue Warblers.

California trip warblers

Orange-crowned Warbler, Elkhorn Slough, CA, Sep 21, 2011

Chestnut sided Warbler, Julia Pheiffer Burns SP, CA, Sep 23, 2011

Black-throated Gray Warbler, Drakes Beach, Point Reyes NS, CA, Sep 19, 2011

I have added up my numbers and started going through my photos from my recent California trip (Sept 17-25).  I managed a total of nine species of warbler with the most unusual being an adult Chestnut sided Warbler, which is a rare vagrant in California.  Other species included Orange-crowned, Yellow, Palm, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's), Black-throated Gray, Townsend's and Wilson's Warblers as well as Common Yellowthroat.

California trip

I just returned very late last night from trip out to California spending four days around Point Reyes, a day in Monterey and three days in Big Sur. A fabulous trip with several life birds and lots of photos. A few good warblers around with the most unusual sighting for the area being a Chestnut sided Warbler.  I will download the photos today and perhaps get some up as soon as I can. I still need to total up all my sightings for the trip and that may take awhile. Stay tuned.

Arcadia meadows warblers

Wilson's Warbler, Arcadia, Sept 16, 2011

Northern Waterthrush, Arcadia, Sept 16, 2011

Palm Warbler, Arcadia, Sept 16, 2011

I ran across a few nice warblers down in the meadows of Arcadia.  The recent floods were still in evidence but most areas can be accessed.  The highlights were a Northern Waterthursh, Yellow, Wilson's and Palm Warbler.

Tennessee Warbler

Tennessee Warbler, Quabbin, Sept 10, 2011

Tennessee Warbler, Quabbin, Sept 10, 2011

I came across this very brightly colored individual in central Quabbin on September 10.  It had me guessing initially as it was so brightly colored.  This was the second Tennessee Warbler I have seen in the last week.  The warbler migration is nearing its peak and I have managed to see 17 species so far this month and I'm sure to add several more.  Some of the early migrants have largely left such as Yellow Warblers and Louisiana Waterthrush.  Connecticut Warblers could show up at any time but I have not had any luck so far.

Some warblers on the west side of Quabbin

Ovenbird, Quabbin Gate 16, Aug 30, 2011

American Redstart, Quabbin Gate 11, Aug 30, 2011

I spent a few hours this morning at various gates on the west side of Quabbin.  I started at Gate 16 and then onto Gate 11 and then finally Gate 10.  Many quiet areas but there were a few warblers around with some individual birds as well as some in mixed species flocks.  The numbers and variety were low but some of the views were great.  It should really start to pick up this coming week.

Central Quabbin

I spent a few hours this morning finally getting back out to central Quabbin and was rewarded with several mixed species flocks.  I found a total of 13 species of warblers this morning with the highlights being a male Wilson's, a couple Canada's and a mix of other expected species.  The fall migration is just beginning and the next few weeks should be very interesting to see what is out there.

Some yard warblers



Yellow Warbler

I hope to get more posts on here as the fall season approaches.  I have been busy with the new dog and now recovery from surgery.  Not much to report from here right now beyond the few warbler species that continue to occur at the house.  The Yellow Warblers still occasionally sing and I have a family of Common Yellowthroats that chatter away along the stream.  Soon the Yellow Warblers will head out and the number of migrants around the yard will climb rapidly.

A new member of the family

 His first night at home, July 9, 2011

I have not been out birding too much lately as the heat has been so high and I have been spending time with our new dog, Wilson.  He came to us from down in West Virginia via a rescue group.  He is about 18 weeks now and is rapidly becoming a part of the family.  It has been sixteen months since we lost Kody and I think we have found the right dog to take over where Kody left off.  I certainly hope he becomes as much of a sidekick for me as Kody was.

Northern Parula at Quabbin in July.

Northern Parula, Magee Marsh, OH, May 2010

I ran across a Northern Parula at Quabbin Park this morning. The bird sang twice and then remained quiet. I believe this may be my first July record of this species in western Massachusetts. Although common in migration it does not breed anywhere nearby so it was a most unusual bird to find. Perhaps a late lingering bird or an early migrant...who knows? This was a nice consolation bird given that the Hooded Warbler that had been present in another area of Quabbin appears to have moved on. Overall the warbler diversity is still good with quite a bit of song but the songs seems to trail off early. At home a Louisiana Waterthrush continues to work the brook and give fleeting views.

Hooded Warbler continues at Quabbin

The Hooded Warbler at Quabbin continues to be present and singing as of yesterday at its usual location. This bird has been around for weeks and shows no sign of moving on. Still no sign of a mate but you never know.

More Ohio warblers

Blackpoll Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, May 2011
American Redstart, Magee Marsh, OH, May 2011

Ovenbird, Magee Marsh, OH, May 2011
Prothonotary Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, May 2011

A few more pictures from my May trip to Ohio. Enjoy.

Hooded Warbler

Hooded Warbler, Quabbin, June 4, 2011
Hooded Warbler, Quabbin, June 4, 2011

I was told of a Hooded Warbler male that is located at Quabbin that has been there for several days if not weeks . I was told this info only on the agreement that I not disclose the location as the finder of the bird was very concerned that undue pressure would be put on the bird. I will honor this request but wanted to share photos of this unusual bird. Here are a few record shots of the bird.

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin, MA May 29, 2011

Mourning Warbler, Quabbin,MA, May 29, 2011

Another productive day yesterday as I spent the entire morning and part of the afternoon exploring the central area of Quabbin for the breeding bird atlas. Many areas have finally dried out enough to explore so I was able to make it to areas that I had not yet visited this season. The warbler highlight of the day was a Mourning Warbler that popped out into view and stayed in view for an extended time period. Some of the best views I have ever had of a Mourning Warbler. Many other warbler around in good numbers. I have attached a list for the day below.

Blue-winged Warbler 4 bird with golden winged like song still present in same area
Yellow Warbler 32 carrying nest material
Chestnut-sided Warbler 51 carrying nest material
Magnolia Warbler 13
Black-throated Blue Warbler 23
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 12
Black-throated Green Warbler 10
Blackburnian Warbler 20
Pine Warbler 26
Prairie Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 10
American Redstart 68
Ovenbird 78
Northern Waterthrush 1
Mourning Warbler 1 seen, heard and photographed
Common Yellowthroat 92
Canada Warbler 1

Ohio warblers and totals so far this year

Connecticut Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, May 13, 2011
Mourning Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, May 13, 2011

Yellow-breasted Chat, Sportman's Migratory Bird Center, OH, May 12, 2011

Canada Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH, May 11, 2011

As we come to the four week of May the vast majority of warblers have made their appearance. My recent trip to Ohio added eleven new warbler species to the year list and one to my life list. As of today I have seen 44 species of wood warblers for the year and managed photos of most of them. Here are some from my trip to Ohio.

Ohio warblers

Bay breasted Warbler, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, OH, May 11, 2011

Prothonotary Warbler, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, OH, May 11, 2011

I just returned from a week long trip to Ohio. Another great trip despite some tough weather at the end. The temperatures dropped to the 50's with wind, low clouds and drizzle. The birds had a tough time during this weather but they seemed to survive in the shelter of the woods along the lake shore and gave arm length looks of themselves. I spent most of my time in northwest Ohio with a day trip up to Michigan to find the Kirtland's Warbler. The trip yielded a total of 32 warbler species with one a life bird...the Kirtland's Warbler. I will be posting photos from the trip over the next few weeks as I find spare time.

May in Massachusetts

Yellow Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 9, 2011
Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, MA, May 8,2011

Worm eating Warbler, Skinner SP, MA, May 8, 2011

Nashville Warbler, Orchard Hill, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 8, 2011

Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 9, 2011

Black and White Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 9, 2011

Blue winged Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 9, 2011

Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 9, 2011

Some recent images from my travels around the local area. Enjoy.