Migrant warblers start moving through

Common Yellowthroat, Orchard Hill, Amherst, MA, Aug 29, 2012

Common Yellowthroat, Orchard Hill, Amherst, MA, Aug 29, 2012

Yesterday I took a trip over to Orchard Hill at UMASS to see what the night of migration brought in.  Some warblers were around and I found a total of ten warbler species with the highlights being Wilson’s, Tennessee, Yellow, Nashville Warblers and at least five Northern Parula’s.  Other species seen included Black and White, Magnolia and Chestnut sided Warblers, American Redstarts and Common Yellowthroats.  The Louisiana Waterthrush that had been lingering around the house was not seen or heard yesterday or today so it may have finally started its migration south.

Louisiana Waterthrush continues at home

This morning I heard a lingering Louisiana Waterthrush here at home.  It sang just once but chipped constantly right around 5:45am.  I was able to get some audio of the chipping.

Yellow-breasted Chat in Plymouth



Yellow-breasted Chat, Manomet bird banding station, Aug 23, 2012

I took a trip down to Plymouth on Thursday to meet up with Ian Davies. We spent a few hours in the morning at Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences observing the bird banding occuring there. One of the birds caught that day was a Yellow breasted Chat. This was by far the best look from so close I have ever gotten of this species. This species is caught several times a year at this location but is quite rare inland in Massachusetts.

Louisiana Waterthrush singing again

After an absence of several weeks of no singing a Louisiana Waterthrush was singing loudly this morning here at home.  I had seen a few of them over the last few weeks and had them chipping at me but this is the first singing for quite some time.  Reminds me of spring all over again!

Hooded Warbler back

Hooded Warbler, Quabbin, July 1, 2012

Hooded Warbler, Quabbin, July 1, 2012

On Sunday I decided to try again for the Hooded Warbler on the west side of Quabbin. After an absense of a few weeks the male was back singing in the same spot he had been in all spring this year as well as last year. Although difficult to get a good view of I did manage a few marginal photos. There was still no sign of sucessful nesting but I certainly hope he was successful this year.  Lots of other warblers this morning too.

Nest building

American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Gate 12, June 16,2012

A few photos from this weekend of birding.  Most (if not all) warblers around now are breeders and are various stages of raising the next generation.  Some are on nests, others are bringing food to the nest while others are still building nests.  I tried unsuccessfully to refind the Hooded Warbler that has been present at Quabbin for several weeks.  This is the first time I missed finding the bird.  Hopefully it has found a mate and settled in.  Overall I managed to find a total of 16 species of warbler without too much effort.

American Redstart building nest, Quabbin Gate 12, June 16, 2012

Odd sounding Common Yellowthroat

During a breeding bird survey route I completed today I came across this odd sounding Common Yellowthroat at Conant Brook Reservoir in Monson, MA.  There were a fair number of warblers along the route today with the most numerous being Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart and Ovenbird.  Other warblers included Blue-winged, Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided, Prairie, Yellow, Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers and Louisiana Waterthrush.