Double digit count of Palm Warblers this morning

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 7, 2018

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 7, 2018

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 7, 2018

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 7, 2018

Palm Warbler 'western', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 7, 2018

Palm Warbler 'western', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 7, 2018

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 7, 2018

Yet another banner day for warblers at Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River this morning.  Although I didn't have quite the same diversity as I did a couple days ago when I had four species, the numbers of Palm Warblers were incredible for November.  I spent around three hours during which I managed to find two western Palm Warblers and an even dozen yellow Palm Warblers as well as a handful of Yellow rumped Warblers (myrtle subspecies).  Many Novembers produce just a handful (or no) Palm Warblers but this November has been very productive for them, both for me and others.  I certainly have put in a bit more time looking for warblers this year but there are absolutely more warblers around than usual.  Not sure exactly the reasons as of yet as overall it has been cooler than average and fairly wet...perhaps it just has not gotten cold enough yet to send them further south.

October warblers

Black and White Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Oct 3, 2018

Black throated Green Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Oct 3, 2018

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 5, 2018

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 5, 2018

Yellow Warbler, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Oct 6, 2018

Common Yellowthroat, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 14, 2018

Tennessee Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 14, 2018

Black and White Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 19, 2018

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 22, 2018

I had a really good month for warblers with a total of 16 species including several latest ever dates for a number of species (a future post will cover early and late dates for the county in excruciating detail but that will have to wait until later).  The month was cooler than typical, especially the middle and end but the warblers still persisted.  November will feature just a few species but holds the possibility for a rarity to show up.

Black and White Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, Oct 1, 2018

Blackpoll Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, Oct 1, 2018

The camera at the water feature captured a few warblers for the month.

A few late warblers as the weather turns colder

Black and White Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 19, 2018

Black and White Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 19, 2018

Tennessee Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 19, 2018

Tennessee Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 19, 2018

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 19, 2018

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 19, 2018

Palm Warbler 'yellow' and Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 19, 2018

After enjoying warmer than average temperatures for the beginning of the month the pendulum has swung in the other direction and it has been below average for almost a week now with no end in sight for colder than normal temps.  Given the great migration conditions brought on by the northerly winds that have brought in our cold conditions I was surprised to turn up a couple late warblers this morning at Arcadia including a very late Black and White Warbler (beating my previous county late date by a week and a half) and a Tennessee Warbler (just shy of my latest county date ever).  In addition I had above normal count of Palm Warblers for this late in the season plus a single Common Yellowthroat and nearly fifty Yellow rumped Warblers.  Elsewhere for the day I had a Blackpoll Warbler giving me half a dozen species for the day. Full eBird list from Arcadia here.

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

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.

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.

Warblers at the end of October into the beginning of November

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 28, 2017

Yellow rumped Warbler, Aracdia, Northampton, MA, Oct 22, 2017

Now that October has come to an end and November begins the warblers have largely vacated the area to points south.  October featured above normal temperatures through most of the month which resulted in some warblers sticking around longer than usual into the later parts of the month.  Overall for the month I had a total of 17 species of warblers (most in the early part of the month).  By the end of the month I could only turn up three species (Common Yellowthroat, Palm Warbler and Yellow rumped Warbler).  There are still a few warblers lingering around here into November with several Yellow rumped Warblers as well as a yellow Palm Warbler (seen this morning at Arcadia).  There is always the chance of a late rarity showing up but that is far from certain.

A few lingering warblers

Nashville Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Oct 20, 2017

Palm Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Oct 20, 2017

Orange crowned Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 19, 2017

Common Yellowthroat, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Oct 20, 2017

Yellow rumped Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Oct 19, 2017

Our warmer than normal fall conditions have continued into this week with highs getting into the 70's on multiple days.  The warmer weather has certainly enticed a few species of warblers to stick around a bit longer than usual including a Nashville Warbler and multiple Common Yellowthroats and Palm Warblers this morning.  I also got some great looks and photos of an Orange crowned Warbler at Arcadia yesterday.  This species can be very tough to find at times and even tougher to get decent photos of so I was happy with what I was able to get.  Yellow rumped Warblers also continue to show in good numbers.

Full lists from the last couple mornings with additional photos attached below:

Silvio Conte NWR
Arcadia