The first week of May brings a slightly slow start to warbler migration

Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown, MA, May 5, 2020

Lawrence's Warbler, Belchertown, MA, May 7, 2020

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 5, 2020

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, rail trail, Amherst, MA, May 5, 2020

Blue winged x Golden winged Warbler hybrid, Piper Farm Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, May 5, 2020

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, May 5, 2020

Nashville Warbler, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 6, 2020

Black throated Blue Warbler, UMASS, Amherst, MA, May 6, 2020

Pine Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 5, 2020

Cape May Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 4, 2020

Northern Parula, Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, May 5, 2020

The first week of May produced quite a few warblers but not as many as typical by this time of the year mainly due to poor migration conditions overall with cool temperatures and unfavorable winds for much of the week.  Nonetheless it is May so the birds have started to push in.  Overall for the week I found a total of 21 species of warbler as well as a variety of hybrids including a Lawrence's Warbler.  Another unusual hybrid was a very unique individual I first found last year along the rail trail in Amherst that showed up again this year.  The forecast remains cooler than normal through the early part of next week with record setting cold and the chance for snow overnight Friday into Saturday...very unusual for May.  I suspect the big push of migrants will occur toward the middle to end of next week.  Expected species still to see include Tennessee Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Bay breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Canada Warbler, Wilson's Warbler and Mourning Warbler.  The chance is always there for a rarity and I will be out looking.

Black and White Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, May 4, 2020

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Home, Belchertown, MA, May 5, 2020

The house has produced eleven warbler species for May so far with my first Cape May of the season.  The camera at the water feature has also captured a few warblers.