Record setting September in Hampshire County with 28 species of warblers

Connecticut Warbler, East Meadows, Northampton, MA, Sep 11, 2023

Orange crowned Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 22, 2023

Northern Waterthrush, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Sep 26, 2023

Magnolia Warbler, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Sep 26, 2023

Cape May Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 27, 2023

Palm Warbler 'yellow', Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 27, 2023

Common Yellowthroat, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 27, 2023

Cape May Warbler, Arcadia, Northampton, MA, Sep 28, 2023

Common Yellowthroat, UMASS demonstration forest, Belchertown, MA, Sep 28, 2023

Northern Parula, UMASS demonstration forest, Belchertown, MA, Sep 28, 2023

This September has been a record setter for me with a total of 28 species of warbler in Hampshire County for the month.  Looking at my previous several years I reached a total of 27 species from 2018-2021 and 26 species last year and 2017.  The record is thanks to a few lingering species at the beginning of the month, the arrival of Connecticut Warblers and finding Orange crowned Warbler before the month came to an end.  I had many good days with great diversity but as the month ends the diversity continues to drop off.  Getting to 28 species is a tough proposition for the month here so I was quite happy to beat any of my previous September totals.  I doubt I could beat this total in the future without the appearance of a rarity or two.  Now comes October with some decent diversity early on and then comes the arrival of hordes of Yellow rumped Warblers and the chance of a rarity showing up.  I spent the last few days of the month mainly concentrating on warblers and found a decent amount for sure but no rarities.