November warblers

Common Yellowthroat, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 9, 2018

Common Yellowthroat, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 5, 2018

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 9, 2018

Palm Warbler 'western', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 9, 2018

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Nov 11, 2018

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 28, 2018

I had a number of lingering warblers for the month with a total of five species including my latest ever dates for Black and White Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler and Palm Warbler.  The other species seen were Common Yellowthroat and Yellow rumped Warbler.  Unfortunately the weather turned snowy and colder than normal starting at the end of the first week of the month with a few mornings setting all time record lows.  Nevertheless I still managed to find a Palm Warbler very late in the month (the 28th), setting my record late date in the county for the species.

Palm Warbler in late November

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 28, 2018

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 28, 2018

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 28, 2018

I had my latest ever record for a Palm Warbler in Hampshire County this morning at Silvio Conte NWR in Hadley after quite a bit of looking.  There was one reported at the refuge yesterday, as well as another report of the same species at Arcadia a few days ago.  I missed it during my initial stop bright and early but found it on a return trip a but later in the morning.  Given the weather we have had the last few weeks with several bouts of snow and record breaking cold it is very surprising to still have this species around.  Hopefully one will linger into December...time will tell.

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.

Five warbler species on November 5th

Common Yellowthroat, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 5, 2018

Common Yellowthroat, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 5, 2018

Common Yellowthroat, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 5, 2018

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Nov 5, 2018

When I headed out this morning the weather was cloudy, cool with a slight breeze with rain threatening...not exactly the conditions I would expect to produce five species of warblers over the course of the morning!  This is the greatest diversity I have had on a day in November in Hampshire County by far and actually beats my previous highest monthly total for warbler species in the county in November....a record I set just last year (more on last year at the following link.)  The biggest surprise was a very late Black and White Warbler at Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River that popped up from a dense tangle as I was trying to get looks at a Fox Sparrow.  I tried to get photos but just ended up with some blurry shots.  This is the latest date I have ever had the species around here by weeks.  Silvio Conte also produced at least two (possibly three) Common Yellowthroats, a yellow Palm Warbler and a few Yellow rumped Warblers.  The fifth species for the morning came during a rainy walk with Wilson in Belchertown where I had a Blackpoll Warbler in a mixed flock.  No luck getting a phone shot through the binoculars but I did try.