August comes to an end

Wilson's Warbler, Rail Trail, Ware, MA, Aug 31, 2026

Wilson's Warbler, Rail Trail, Ware, MA, Aug 31, 2026

Magnolia Warbler, Rail Trail, Ware, MA, Aug 31, 2026

Prairie Warbler, Ware, MA, Aug 31, 2026

Magnolia Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Aug 30, 2026

Canada Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Aug 30, 2026

Black throated Blue Warbler, Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA, Aug 30, 2026

Common Yellowthroat, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 29, 2026

Blackburnian Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Aug 29, 2026

Black throated Green Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Aug 29, 2026

Tennessee Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Aug 29, 2026

August featured a few early arrivals but overall the migration had been fairly slow for the month with the exception of the last few mornings when I finally had some decent mixed flocks with a number of obvious migrants.  One reason for the lack of catching up with as much earlier in the month was likely due to a bumper crop of mosquitoes lately that has curtailed some birding for me as stopping at any point results in multiple bites (even with loads of DEET on).  Hopeful the next month will bring lots of warblers and fewer mosquitoes...time will tell. 

Third week of August comes to an end

Chestnut sided Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Aug 21, 2026

Ovenbird, Belchertown, MA, Aug 21, 2026

Prairie Warbler, Ware, MA, Aug 20, 2026

Chestnut sided Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 18, 2026

Ovenbird, Belchertown, MA, Aug 16, 2026

Common Yellowthroat, Belchertown, MA, Aug 16, 2026

Black throated Green Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Aug 14, 2026

Northern Yellow Warbler, Silvio Conte NWR-Fort River, Hadley, MA, Aug 12, 2026

Common Yellowthroat, Wentworth Farm Conservation Area, Amherst, MA, Aug 12, 2026

Warbler migration continues to slowly increase as more and more species join mixed species flocks and grow increasingly quiet with very little warbler song occurring as the third week of August comes to a close.  Some species have already largely vacated the area including Louisiana Waterthrushes and those at the northern limit of their breeding ranges.  I have been out as much as I can be but the mosquito population has exploded here and even with heavy amounts of bug spray it has been tough to bird.  I have had 21 warbler species so far for the month and hope to add a few more as migrants continue to trickle in from the north. 

A few early arrivals and late species for the first third of August

Louisiana Waterthrush, Mount Holyoke Range SP, Granby, MA, Aug 10, 2026

Louisiana Waterthrush, Mount Holyoke Range SP, Granby, MA, Aug 10, 2026

Louisiana Waterthrush, Mount Holyoke Range SP, Granby, MA, Aug 10, 2026

Ovenbird, Belchertown, MA, Aug 9, 2026

Northern Waterthrush, Belchertown, MA, Aug 7, 2026

Summer continues to rapidly march on and we have now made it to to the first third of August.  I have been out most everyday and have had a few early arrivals including a Bay breasted Warbler on the 6th, a Tennessee Warbler yesterday and at least two Louisiana Waterthrushes today.  I now have had a total of 20 species for the month in Hampshire County and will certainly be looking to add to that total as August continues on.

Warblers to start off August

Common Yellowthroat, UMASS, Amherst, MA, Aug 5, 2026

Common Yellowthroat, Rail Trail,  Amherst, MA, Aug 4, 2026

Black and White Warbler, Pelham, MA, Aug 4, 2026

Black throated Green Warbler, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 2, 2026

American Redstart, Quabbin Park, MA, Aug 2, 2026

Worm eating Warbler, Skinner SP, South Hadley, MA, Aug 1, 2026

I have been out the last few mornings to start adding warblers to my August list.  On the first I had some good stuff including a slightly late Cerulean Warbler plus a Worm eating Warbler in the same mixed flock as well as others netting me a lucky 13 species to start off the month.  The second got me three more species as I covered a variety of habitats.  Monday was basically a rain out with little chance to get outside.  The last couple mornings have been much nicer with coolish mornings and sun throughout the morning with no new species added so a total of 16 species of warblers so far for the month.