Terrible year for Connecticut Warblers here

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Belchertown, MA, Oct 15, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Belchertown, MA, Oct 15, 2026

Cape May Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Oct 14, 2026

Blackpoll Warbler, Belchertown, MA, Oct 14, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Belchertown, MA, Oct 14, 2026

Yellow rumped Warbler 'myrtle', Belchertown, MA, Oct 14, 2026

Black throated Green Warbler, Amherst, MA, Oct 14, 2026

Now that mid October has arrived the chances of finding any more Connecticut Warblers is extremely low (my latest date ever for the species is October 15th back in 2021, which is also the late date overall for the area...most have moved through by the very beginning of October).  This year is probably one of the worst years I have ever had for the species in western Massachusetts and there are probably a few reasons for the dismal showing of the species this year.  First of all during the typical peak of migration for the species through the area (mid September onward through the third week of the month) we had a sustained period of strong northeast winds that lasted over a week with rain on multiple days at the end of the period.  The winds certainly pushed the warblers through and trying to find any of these skulking birds when the wind is strong is tough to say the least.  I also did not have the drive to be out as much as usually with the loss of my best buddy Wilson right before the typical arrival of Connecticut Warblers into the area.  I managed to have a fleeting glimpse of just one individual on the 21st and didn't find another one.  There were very few reports from others in western Massachusetts so I think overall it was just a bad year for finding them in the area.  Fall migration continues to wind down and warbler diversity continues to drop.  At least we have had some fairly comfortable weather lately with the high yesterday making it into the mid 70's...very nice for the middle of October!  Today was a bit cooler and much breezier so not as much luck with warblers today.  This coming weekend looks to bring a big cool down with a few frosty mornings.   I also presented my latest program with the Hampshire Bird Club on Tuesday evening with the topic being "Warblers of Mexico"...eventually I will put up a link to a recording of the program.