Sunday, April 29, 2018

April warblers

Black and White Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 27, 2018
 Pine Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 27, 2018
Palm Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 21, 2018
 Louisiana Waterthrush, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 20, 2018
Yellow rumped Warbler, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 19, 2018
Black throated Green Warbler, Covey WMA, Belchertown, MA, Apr 27, 2018
As April comes to an end I will take a look at the warblers that have shown up so far.  The month was overall cooler and wetter (and snowier) than normal which slowed down migration quite a bit.  The cool weather did result in some impressive numbers of Palm Warblers as they stopped on their journey north for an extended period.  Without decent weather for today into tomorrow and other commitments I will likely not add any warblers to my total for the month beyond the eight species I have seen so far.  I expect a large influx starting on Tuesday as the warm weather really kicks in and May begins.  Below are the previous ten years worth of data regarding warblers for the month of April.  As you can see the totals are off the last couple years but not as bad as 2014 and 2015.

2018         8
2017         17
2016         14
2015         5
2014         5
2013         16
2012          9
2011         15
2010         6
2009         15
2008         6

Thursday, April 19, 2018

More snow and cold and large numbers of Palm Warblers plus the first Louisiana Waterthrush of the season


Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 19, 2018
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 19, 2018
Palm Warbler 'yellow', Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 19, 2018
Palm Warblers 'yellow', Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 19, 2018
Pine Warbler, Lake Wallace, Belchertown, MA, Apr 19, 2018
Palm Warbler 'yellow', Covey WMA, Belchertown, MA, Apr 18, 2018
April continues to be much cooler than normal with multiple bouts of wintry precipitation in the last several days including a few inches of sleet one day and another dusting of snow today.  The weather has certainly been tough on those early migrants that have arrived with groups of warblers concentrated in areas where insects can be found (such as marshes and ponds).  The numbers of Palm Warblers has been quite impressive the last few days (the list from Lake Wallace today illustrating the point).  The numbers of Yellow rumped Warblers has also increased the last couple days with double digit counts at a number of locations.  Pine Warblers continue to move in with more and more singing on territory every day.  I also finally heard my first Louisiana Waterthrush yesterday morning at Quabbin Park and saw my first at Covey WMA today.  In addition to the above mentioned four species of warbler there was a report from Mike L. that he had an unusual Palm Warbler at Covey WMA yesterday that was either an aberrant individual or possibly a hybrid with a Yellow rumped Warbler.  I went looking for it on multiple occasions the last couple days but came up empty.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

A few warblers during a very cool April so far

Pine Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 11, 2018
Pine Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 11, 2018
Pine Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 11, 2018
Palm Warbler 'yellow', Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 11, 2018
Palm Warbler 'yellow', Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 11, 2018
Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Rail trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 11, 2018
April has so far been much cooler than normal with snow on multiple days and conditions just not conducive for a big influx of early migrants.  Pine and Palm Warblers continue to trickle in as well as a few Yellow rumped Warblers but no species have arrived in decent numbers yet.  Today was the first day I had all three species on the same day and the first time I have had Palm Warblers singing (the handful of Pine Warblers that are back have already been singing).  The next few days should feature some warmer temperatures and southerly winds so I expect many more of the above three species to arrive as well as Louisiana Waterthrush and perhaps something unusual.  Unfortunately I'm fighting another cold so I won't be able to get out as much as I would otherwise but I will try to get out a little.