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.

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

Nineteen species on Hampshire Bird Club trip to Quabbin

A great day at Quabbin with the Hampshire Bird Club as I led a great group to Gate 22and then down the Prescott Peninsula. Here is the list of warblers for the day. Lots of good stuff.


Blue-winged Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat

A seventeen warbler day in April!

Pine Warbler, Quabbin, April 30, 2011
Yellow Warbler, Quabbin, April 30, 2011


A very nice selection of warblers for late April were found today in the central area of Quabbin as the month comes to an end. An amazing total of eighteen species for the month as several species have arrived a bit early this season. A few new species today included Chestnut sided, Blackburnian and Ovenbird.

Mixed species flocks

Magnolia Warbler, Quabbin Gate 16, August 21, 2010

Yellow rumped Warbler juvenile, Quabbin Gate 16, August 21, 2010

Black and White Warbler, Quabbin Gate 22, August 21, 2010

Black throated Green Warbler, Quabbin Gate 16, August 21,2010

I made a series of stops this morning on the west side of Quabbin starting at daybreak at Gate 22 going to the water and then onto Gate 16 and finally to Gate 5. There were several mixed species flocks encountered today with a total of twelve species of warbler seen. Its always exciting to see what variety of species you can come across in these mixed species flocks. There is always the chance of something unusual. Even without an unusual bird you are kept looking as various birds come in and you try to decipher the various plumage's of the various ages of birds. The Black and White Warblers continue to occasionally call and I had one Black throated Blue Warbler calling a few times. Overall there is no obvious migrants yet as all the species seen do breed in the area. The overall warbler list for the day included Magnolia, Black throated Green, Black throated Blue, Black and White, Blackburnian, Canada, Chestnut sided, Yellow rumped, Pine, American Redstart, Ovenbird and Common Yellowthroat.

Lots of breeding activity

American Redstart feeding young, Central Quabbin, June 14, 2010

Blackburian Warbler, female, collecting nest material, Central Quabbin, June 14, 2010

Made a trip into central Quabbin and had lots of breeding activity with the various species of warblers there. I returned to the nest of American Redstarts and the three young in the nest looked about ready to fledge. Both parents made nearly continuous trips to the nest feeding the young. As some warblers have already fledged young some continue to build nests including a redstart and a Pine Warbler, which must be on a second brood now. Several other species were seen carrying food to hidden nests or fledglings. Another interesting sight was the above photographed Blackburnian Warbler that was collecting webs for a nest. She was covered with spider webs! A total of fifteen species of warblers were seen or heard on central Quabbin this morning.

Migration continues to pick up

I spent the day conducting work on the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas. The number and variety of warblers continues to increase by the day. As a sample here is the variety I had in Central Quabbin this morning.

Blue-winged Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 3
Northern Parula 4
Yellow Warbler 23 carrying nest material
Chestnut-sided Warbler 44
Magnolia Warbler 8
Black-throated Blue Warbler 24
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8
Black-throated Green Warbler 35
Blackburnian Warbler 9
Pine Warbler 17 making nest
Prairie Warbler 1
Cerulean Warbler 1 in same area they have bred for last few years
Black-and-white Warbler 18
American Redstart 43
Ovenbird 97
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 89