Lawrence's Warbler and two juveniles seen during the past couple days

 

Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 23, 2022

Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 23, 2022

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 23, 2022

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 22, 2022

After last seeing the Lawrence's Warbler on July 4th carrying food to a suspected nest site (along with a female hybrid Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler also carrying food) I failed to find it again after that date and I suspected the young had fledged and all the birds had dispersed.  I checked the area several times over the next few weeks with no sign of the birds.  That changed yesterday (July 22nd) when I was walked Wilson and found the Lawrence's Warbler once again plus a fledgling that it was feeding.  I didn't have the good camera with me and attempts to get photos through the iPhone with binoculars failed completely.  I finished the walk with Wilson and then returned to the spot and got a quick look and some photos of the juvenile but no luck with the Lawrence's Warbler.  I decided to give it another try today and after a bit of looking had the Lawrence's Warbler plus two fledglings in close proximity and managed some horrible photos in bad light but it was nice to see them still around.  I waited another hour in the hopes of getting better photos but never had another opportunity.  The birds must be moving through inaccessible areas most of the time and it is a matter of luck of being in the right spot at the right time to see them.

Warblers during the last couple weeks

 

Yellow Warbler, Henhawk Trail, Williamsburg, MA, Jul 7, 2022

Common Yellowthroat, Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Jul 12, 2022

Ovenbird, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 22, 2022

Black and White Warbler, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 22, 2022

The last couple weeks have been a bit slow for warblers as many species have greatly curtailed their singing or have stopped singing altogether.  There are certainly still lots of warblers around but you have to try a lot harder to find them as they continue to feed fledglings and are not as obvious as earlier in the year.  I managed to get a few photos of the few that showed a bit.    

Lawrence's Warbler breeding and other warblers to begin July

Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 1, 2022

Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 1, 2022

Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 4, 2022

A quick update on the Lawrence's Warbler that has been around since early May.  I was able to see it carrying food to a suspected nest on multiple occasions over the last week.  I last saw it on the 4th and I suspect the young have now fledged as a few recent stops have failed to produce the bird.  I was really hoping to get a look at some of the young but no luck so far.  The Lawrence's Warbler was paired with a another hybrid with this one looking like a typical Blue winged Warbler but with yellow wing bars.  Hopefully I will eventually get a look at the young this year and if not perhaps they will return to the general area next year.  It is the third year in a row a Lawrence's Warbler has been present in the same location.  It appears this is the only Lawrence's Warbler confirmed as breeding in the state this year.

American Redstart, Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Jul 1, 2022

Common Yellowthroat, Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Jul 2, 2022

Common Yellowthroat, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 5, 2022

American Redstart, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jul 5, 2022

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, Jul 5, 2022

Ovenbird, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, Jul 6, 2022

American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 6, 2022

American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, Jul 6, 2022

There are lots of other breeding warblers around in Hampshire County during the first several days of July and I have caught up with all the expected species (totaling 19 species).  Fledglings are around and lots of birds are looking a little ragged as the breeding season moves on.  There are still birds just starting to nest as they start with a second brood.  I made multiple stops to get all the expected species in the county including a trip to the summit of Skinner SP for Cerulean Warbler and Worm eating Warbler and spots in Quabbin (and nearby areas) to get Magnolia Warbler, Yellow rumped Warbler and Canada Warbler.  I'll continue tracking down warblers for the rest of the month and hope that perhaps I will still find a Hooded Warbler at some point and/or perhaps an unusual species showing up after post breeding dispersal.