Unusually plumaged Blue Winged Warbler plus two new warblers for the county this year

Blue winged Warbler with black forehead, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 6, 2026

Blue winged Warbler with black forehead, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 6, 2026

Blue winged Warbler with black forehead, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 6, 2026

Brewster's Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 6, 2026

Magnolia Warbler hover hunting, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 6, 2026

Wilson's Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 6, 2026

Black and White Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 6, 2026

Prairie Warbler, Covey WMA, Belchertown, MA, May 6, 2026

Chestnut sided Warbler, Covey WMA, Belchertown, MA, May 6, 2026

Blue winged Warbler getting harassed by Ruby throated Hummingbird, Covey WMA, Belchertown, MA, May 6, 2026

After a banner day of birding yesterday that produced both Hooded Warbler and Canada Warbler for me for the year in the US today was slightly less productive but I still managed to find some good stuff including three new species for me in Hampshire County this year with Tennessee Warbler, Wilson's Warbler and Cape May Warbler.  I also relocated the Brewster's Warbler I originally found a couple days ago in Amherst plus Hooded Warbler in Hadley (I was once again unable to catch a glimspe but it did sing a bit)  One of the more interesting birds of the morning was a Blue winged Warbler with a black forehead.  I originally saw the individual a few days ago but thought the dark of the forehead was from being wet.  Better looks today seems to show an individual with black on the forehead and not some wetness on the feathers.  Beyond that plumage oddity the bird looked fine for a normal Blue winged Warbler.  After getting home and taking Wilson for a walk I headed over to Herman Covey WMA to check on some of the managed areas and had great counts of Prairie Warblers and Blue winged Warblers (plus loads of ticks...they are always bad there).  In addition I got to see some interesting behaviors with the warblers including watching a Magnolia Warbler hover hunt and a Blue winged Warbler getting harassed by a Ruby throated Hummingbird.  Today produced my first 20 warbler species day for the spring.

Hooded Warbler and Canada Warbler today add two more species for my US big warbler year

Black throated Blue Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 5, 2026

Black and White Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 5, 2026

American Redstart, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 5, 2026

Chestnut sided Warbler, Mitch's Way, Hadley, MA, May 5, 2026

Blue winged Warbler, Belchertown Land Trust Trail, Belchertown, MA, May 5, 2026

The day held lots of promise with the best night of migration in quite some time with south winds that were fairly strong and covered a large portion of the eastern US.  I was guiding for a visiting birder from India again today and we kept our plans fluid so we could follow up on any rare bird reports that came in during the morning.  I got a little birding in before meeting up for the morning of guiding and I could tell there had indeed been a good influx of species.  Our first stop was along the rail trail in Amherst and the forecasted strong winds were still light and the amount of bird song was high with multiple warblers even from the parking lot.  Not long after starting our walk I got a text letting me know of a Hooded Warbler in Hadley.  I decided to stick with covering the rail trail to see what else we could find before possibly heading south to try for the Hooded Warbler.  As we walked along the rail trail we turned up more and more warblers with a few showing quite well.  The best warbler for me on the walk was a Canada Warbler that sang from a deep tangle and as typical for the species, did not show at all.  Nonetheless it added another species for me for my big warbler year in the US and became species #42.  I will certainly catch up with more as the migration season continues on.  After about an hour and half along the rail trail and 14 species of warblers we headed south to try for the Hooded Warbler at Mitch's Way.  We made it through the traffic fairly easily and arrived just before eight and started walking in to the spot for the warbler.  Along the way we had lots of birds singing and calling including multiple species of warblers.  We made it to the spot and found Joe, Steve and Leslie on site and within a few minutes we heard the Hooded Warbler singing its classic song. Sometimes it sounded close and other times a distance away and it would go quiet for a time and then be heard again.  We tried to get looks at it but it never showed for us.  The Hooded Warbler became warbler species #43 for me in the US this year.  There were lots of other warblers around and the variety of song reminded me again why I love this area in spring (not so much in the colder months!).  We walked a bit further and ran across Ted (the finder of the Hooded Warbler) before returning to the Hooded Warbler spot.  The Hooded Warbler was still present and singing a non classic song and it yet again defied our efforts to get looks at it.  I had to settle on getting a few recordings before we headed out for the morning.  Mitch's Way produced an impressive 19 species of warbler for us and the morning ended with 20 species of warblers overall.  Sadly I didn't get pictures of either new warbler species for the year but I will hopefully get more chances in the near future.

Northern Parula, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 5, 2026

Northern Parula, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 5, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Home, Belchertown, MA, May 5, 2026

American Redstart, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 5, 2026

Black and White Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 5, 2026

The water feature also produced three warbler species for the day with a capture of a Northern Parula, Black and White Warbler and American Redstart.  A Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle' also showed back up today.  This makes three warbler species so far at the water feature...a bit behind the total of ten warbler I have had in the yard for the year.

Brewster's Warbler back in Amherst for at least the third year

Brewster's Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 3, 2026

Brewster's Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 3, 2026

Brewster's Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 3, 2026

Brewster's Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 3, 2026

Brewster's Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 3, 2026

Brewster's Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 3, 2026

Brewster's Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, May 3, 2026

A Brewster's Warbler (a hybrid between Blue winged Warbler and Golden winged Warbler) showed up in the same spot in Amherst for a third year in a row and possibly a fourth year.  With more north winds overnight I didn't expect to find too much this morning and was pleasantly surprised to see this bird back for another year.  It was cold with temps in the upper 30's and light winds that picked up as the morning wore on.  I started my morning in Hadley before moving to Amherst.  There were certainly some warblers around and it was still fairly easy to see most with the leaves still not out yet on many trees.  Once I got on the rail trail I heard a number of Blue winged Warbler songs and when I made it to the area where a Brewster's Warbler had occurred for the last couple years I made sure to get a good look at it the bird and it was the Brewster's Warbler.  The light was terrible for photos although with a little work was able to get some passable shots.  Now for some history on the the bird.  The individual showed up in 2024 on May 7 and stuck around through at least mid June.  Last year I relocated it on May 2nd in the same spot and it once again stayed around until nearly the end of June.  I could not find any definitive evidence of breeding during any of the years I watched it.  There is even a chance that this is the fourth year for the individual as I had a very similar in appearance bird along the rail trail in mid May of 2023.  That year it only stayed in the area a couple days and then was not reported again.  I figured it moved out of the area completely but in retrospect it probably didn't move far.  It appears this is the first Brewster's Warbler reported in the state this year.

The Brewster's Warbler doesn't add to my overall count of warbler species for my US big warbler year but seeing one (and hopefully other hybrids) certainly adds to the enjoyment of the quest.  No new warbler species for the day although a count of 14 species was not too bad considering the weather conditions.

The next few nights look to feature some good migration conditions with strong southerly winds and some warm temps.  I expect a big influx of warblers during the period before the weather turns less conducive for migration for multiple nights. 

Chestnut sided Warbler for species #41 for the year in the US

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2026

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2026

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2026

Northern Yellow Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2026

Pine Warbler collecting nest material, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2026

Pine Warbler collecting nest material, Quabbin Park, MA, May 2, 2026

Although it was not a nice day as far as the weather was concerned with rain on and off and temps in the 40's and 50's I had to get out and see what I could find as it is early May after all.  I spent the morning around Quabbin Park as I dodged one bout of rain after another.  When the rain let up activity increased with multiple species around.  I had my highest total for the spring so far with 17 species of warblers in the park including my first Chestnut sided Warbler of the year (species #41 for the year in the US) plus my first American Redstart for the county this year.  Although many of the species are just arriving those that have been around for a few weeks are getting down to nesting and I had a Pine Warbler gathering nesting material.  

Two new species for the year to start off May with Worm eating Warblers and Cerulean Warblers

Northern Yellow Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 1, 2026

Blue winged Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 1, 2026

Blue winged Warbler, Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 1, 2026

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 1, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 1, 2026

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 1, 2026

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 1, 2026

Cerulean Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 1, 2026

Worm eating Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 1, 2026

Worm eating Warbler, Skinner SP, Hadley, MA, May 1, 2026

I headed out to start May before dawn on yet another chilly spring morning.  Although migration conditions were not great last night I figured some species would still move even with less than perfect conditions.  I decided on birding some areas of Hadley.  I started off at Mitch's Way and made sure to stay on the road as there were turkey hunters in the area.  It was quite slow for warblers initially with the cold temps the likely culprit.  I did get my first Northern Waterthrush for the county for the year plus five other species.  As I was already in the area I decided to hike up to the top of the mountain in Skinner SP in the hopes Cerulean Warbler and/or Worm eating Warblers had arrived.  I almost didn't bother making the hike up as I was not certain with of the species would be present but figured I would try. Once I got up above Taylor's Notch I heard and then saw my first Worm eating Warbler of the year.  This was quickly followed by a Cerulean Warbler.  Happy to see a couple of each species back in the area for another summer.  I checked the two Cerulean Warblers closely for any bands without finding any.  It will be interesting if any of the banded warblers return this year (more on that from a post last year regarding the banding of the species locally) The Worm eating Warbler and Cerulean Warbler became species #39 and #40 for me for the year in the US as the goal to see them all this year comes closer.  After my time I headed up to the rail trail in Amherst and added a number of species for the day with a total of 16 species.  Not a bad way to start out May with lots more good stuff to come.

The end of April warblers

Magnolia Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 26, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 27, 2026

Black and White Warbler, Rail Trail, Amherst, MA, Apr 29, 2026

Wilson relaxing after a walk, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 29, 2026

Blackburnian Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 30, 2026

The end of April continued to feature mainly subpar migration conditions with below average numbers and variety of warblers.  Today was rainy in the morning and never really warmed up.  Nonetheless I was out walking a little in the rain and my reward was one new warbler species for the year with a Blackburnian Warbler at Quabbin Park (warbler species #38 for the year in the US).  The previous few days were at least mainly sunny and pleasant but without good winds to move stuff in the warblers mainly trickled in.  I did manage my first double digit warbler day of the spring here on Tuesday with eleven species including my first Blue winged Warbler of the year plus my first Northern Parula of the year in Hampshire County.  Yesterday featured one new species for me for the year in the county with a Prairie Warbler.  The record early Magnolia Warbler I found on my birthday continued for me for at least another day 

Palm Warblers 'yellow', Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 28, 2026

I also added a second species at the water feature with Palm Warblers on the 28th.

To end out April in the county I found a total of 14 species with two of those (Blue winged Warbler and Blackburnian Warbler) being new for me for my big warbler year in the US moving my total to 38 species so far.  April overall was quite productive for warblers with my trips to Texas, New Mexico and Arizona plus warblers at home bringing me to 27 species seen for the month.  May will rapidly bring in numbers of warblers and I will be out there enjoying them as much as possible.  May migration is truly one of the best reasons to live here.

Record early Magnolia Warbler today plus other new arrivals

Magnolia Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 25, 2026

Magnolia Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 25, 2026

Ovenbird, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 25, 2026

Northern Yellow Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 25, 2026

Despite poor migration conditions that continue to occur (covered in a post yesterday) some birds trickled in overnight with the most unusual being a record early Magnolia Warbler that beat my previous earliest date in Hampshire County by four days, a record that has held for me since 2011.  I spent most of my birding time at Quabbin Park and despite temps not much above freezing to start I had hopes that the early sunshine would concentrate what migrants had arrived in sunny edges and perhaps produce something good.  I had typical numbers of Pine Warblers and Yellow rumped Warblers for the date as well as several Black and White Warblers before I ran across some more variety with a Northern Yellow Warbler and then the Magnolia Warbler.  I was walking and heard the familiar song of the Magnolia Warbler and after a bit of looking got some looks at it.  I wanted to document it as well as possible given it is such an early arrival.  I was really surprised to see it as many other species that should be around in small numbers have yet to arrive.  Usually I expect to get Magnolia Warbler in the area in early May so to get one on my birthday was a special gift for sure.  In fact this looks to be one of the first records for the species anywhere in the northeast this spring.  Just as I was getting ready to leave the park I heard an Ovenbird singing a few times and after a bit of looking got looks at it in a pine grove.  Another early arrival for the day and a nice way to end my morning.  I managed seven species of warblers in the park and then added another when I got home with a Black throated Green Warbler singing...my best warbler count for the spring so far.  More for the day beyond warblers at the following link.