A flurry of warblers to end April

Magnolia Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 30, 2024

Blue winged Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 30, 2024

Common Yellowthroat, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 30, 2024

Black and White Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 30, 2024

Black throated Blue Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 30, 2024

Prairie Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Apr 30, 2024

Northern Waterthrush, Rail trail, Ware, MA, Apr 28, 2024

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Apr 26, 2024

April has now come to an end and with it comes the beginning of the peak of warbler migration when every day finds new arrivals.  The very end of the month has brought a flurry of species for the last three days with two new species on the 28th (Ovenbird and Northern Parula), four new species yesterday (Common Yellowthroat, Black throated Blue Warbler, Nashville Warbler and Chestnut sided Warbler) and five more new species today including American Redstart, Blue winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Tennessee Warbler and an early Magnolia Warbler (missing a record early date for me by just one day).  The weather the last few weeks has been wetter than usual with average to slightly lower than usual temperatures overall and this has kept the leaves from coming out as early as they have in the last several years. This has made spotting birds a bit easier but this will change rapidly over the next several days.  There was a decent influx of species last night with the most numerous species being Black and White Warblers.  Overall for the month I have had 20 species with the highlight among them being a record early Hooded Warbler that showed up in Hadley on April 23rd.  

Unfortunately I hurt my back at work which has curtailed some of my birding plans going forward through May. The only silver lining is that walking is about the only thing that makes the pain go away for a bit and the doctor has encouraged walking as much as I can tolerate. I will be out as much as I can be but long, steeper hikes will have to wait a bit.

Black and White Warbler, Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 30, 2024

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Home, Belchertown, MA, Apr 23, 2024

Being home has allowed me to add more warbler species at home and I have had a dozen species so far and did capture my second warbler at the water feature with a Yellow rumped Warbler.