Mixed species flocks

Magnolia Warbler, Quabbin Gate 16, August 21, 2010

Yellow rumped Warbler juvenile, Quabbin Gate 16, August 21, 2010

Black and White Warbler, Quabbin Gate 22, August 21, 2010

Black throated Green Warbler, Quabbin Gate 16, August 21,2010

I made a series of stops this morning on the west side of Quabbin starting at daybreak at Gate 22 going to the water and then onto Gate 16 and finally to Gate 5. There were several mixed species flocks encountered today with a total of twelve species of warbler seen. Its always exciting to see what variety of species you can come across in these mixed species flocks. There is always the chance of something unusual. Even without an unusual bird you are kept looking as various birds come in and you try to decipher the various plumage's of the various ages of birds. The Black and White Warblers continue to occasionally call and I had one Black throated Blue Warbler calling a few times. Overall there is no obvious migrants yet as all the species seen do breed in the area. The overall warbler list for the day included Magnolia, Black throated Green, Black throated Blue, Black and White, Blackburnian, Canada, Chestnut sided, Yellow rumped, Pine, American Redstart, Ovenbird and Common Yellowthroat.

Mystery warbler

Among the various warblers today on a trip into central Quabbin I came across this one. It was in a mixed species flock I pished in. I have my thoughts on it but would love to hear other opinions. The yellow band around the mid section was brighter than the photo shows (sorry best photo I could get of it). I have a couple other photos but this is the best of the bunch. Among the other warbler highlights today was a total of 13 species including a late Louisiana Waterthrush, an Overbird that almost flew into me and many juvenile birds among the adults.

Quabbin at dawn

I made a trip up to the north part of Quabbin (Gate 22 area) this morning to visit some areas I knew Chris Ellison use to visit. Chris died suddenly and unexpectedly last week (see my other blog for more info). The trip proved yet again how good a birding spot Quabbin is. I ran across my first mixed species flocks of warblers. Species included Canada, Chestnut sided, Pine, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Common Yellowthroats and American Redstarts

Yellow Warbler family

Yellow Warbler, Covey WMA




A walk this morning at Covey WMA produced a few nice sightings including a family group of Yellow Warblers and a Louisiana Waterthrush singing a partial song over and over. The Yellow Warblers will likely be moving out over the next few weeks as they head south for the winter. They are usually one of the first breeding warblers to make the move. The birds today were quite difficult to get any good pictures of but I managed some marginal ones.

Chestnut sided Warbler fledgling

Chestnut sided Warbler, juvenile, Quabbin

Among the eleven species of warbler I came across today was a recently fledged Chestnut sided Warbler being fed by the adult male. It is always interesting to watch the nearly continuous feeding of the rapidly growing young during this time of year.

the season has gotten quiet

The amount of warbler song has dropped considerably the last week or so. Where I use to hear Ovenbirds and American Redstarts they are no longer singing at all. The birds are obviously still around but have gotten quiet. A few species continue to sing a bit such as Black throated Green and Black throated Blue plus the occasional Magnolia and Yellow. The Common Yellowthroats are still somewhat vocal but even they have trailed off. Soon the end of summer and the beginning of fall will bring the mixed species flocks that are so much fun to work through.

Yellow-rumped Warbler fledglings

Yellow-rumped Warbler fledgling, Quabbin Gate 16, July 12, 2010


On a brief walk down Gate 16 road I came across this family group of recently fledged Yellow-rumped Warblers. The adults were madly feeding the at least five fledglings. The fledglings were quite active as they moved around the pines along the shore looking for food and begging for more attention from the adults. It does appear the adults were quite successful in fledgling a good number of young.

Yellow-rumped Warbler fledgling, Quabbin Gate 16, July 12, 2010