Trip Highlights

Nine members gathered at Pynchon Point in Agawam to explore the trails, scan the river and shoreline, search the sandbar in Longmeadow, and bird from the viewing platform at Pondside.

At Pynchon Point, one early-arriving member caught sight of a Great Egret and others heard Ravens. Together we identified Carolina Wren, Baltimore Oriole, Chimney Swift, Great Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Merganser, Spotted Sandpiper, and more.

From there, we headed to the Bondi’s Island boat ramp, hoping to find the Red-necked Phalarope reported there the previous day. We had no luck with the phalarope, but we did find two Semipalmated Sandpipers and four Least Sandpipers.

Our next stop was the Longmeadow Sandbar, which is often especially productive near the end of summer, when low water levels expose the sandbar. It provides an important resting and refueling stop for shorebirds continuing their migration along the Connecticut River. We enjoyed nice views of Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers, Killdeer, and a distant Greater Yellowlegs.

The highlight was a huge flock of Bank Swallows, which took turns dancing low over the sandbar and resting in large groups on the exposed beach. We also identified a Red-shouldered Hawk by ear—or perhaps it was a Blue Jay offering a remarkably convincing imitation—as well as Great Blue Heron, American Black Duck, Hairy, Downy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and several other species.

Although the official trip ended at the sandbar, some members continued to Pondside, where they added numerous Wood Ducks, a Mute Swan, a flyover Green Heron, and an Eastern Kingbird to the list. Another member extended the outing by exploring the refuge trails and found Cedar Waxwing, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Common Yellowthroat, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Northern Flicker.

In all, we counted 51 species and enjoyed the cooler morning air, one another’s company, and the opportunity to play at being expert birders. Click below to view complete species list.

The weather followed the forecast, with sunshine and temperatures in the mid-70s—ideal birding conditions. We gathered at the commuter lot in Ludlow, carpooled to Joppa Flats, met up with additional members, and then headed directly to Sandy Point, where several more joined us. In all, 15 members traveled in six vehicles.

We saw thousands of Tree Swallows swarming the skies on our ride through the refuge, but we arrived at the end of the road to find the lots were already full. While the drivers waited in line for a spot, the passengers got out and began birding at Emerson Rocks. We spotted a Black Guillemot on the ocean and four Piping Plovers near the water’s edge. Scanning a group of terns on the beach, we were unable to find the reported Roseate or Forster’s Terns, but we did see Common Terns—both adults and juveniles—as well as a Least Tern.

The walk down Sandy Point provided additional views of terns and gulls. The group of three who had arrived earlier found Laughing and Bonaparte’s Gulls, but the rest of us came up empty on those species—although we did find Laughing Gull later in the day. While scanning the shorebirds spread out along the upper beach, we spotted a Ruddy Turnstone and a few Least Sandpipers among the many Semipalmated Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers. An Osprey also gave us a flyby.

After birding Sandy Point, we returned to Emerson Rocks to look for a Caspian Tern that three members had spotted while the rest of us were at the point. Unfortunately, most of us missed it; we heard that it had flown off just minutes before we arrived.

Stage Island Trail was next. There, we added Short-billed Dowitcher, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Gadwall, and Black-crowned Night-Heron to our list. We initially misidentified the night-heron as a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. From the platform deck, we spotted a slightly larger, whiter shorebird feeding frantically back and forth just beyond a group of Semipalmated Sandpipers on the far side of the pool. We were puzzled by this bird’s identification, but found out later that it was a Wilson’s Phalarope.

The birds were distant and the light was poor during our visit to Bill Forward Pool, but the North Pool Overlook did not disappoint. Luck was on our side when a King Rail appeared behind the tall grasses and came into the open several times, giving us a show-stopping performance. We also saw a Northern Waterthrush scurrying along the water’s edge beside the tall grasses.

Our next stop was the Salt Pannes, where numerous shorebirds made birding both enjoyable and challenging as we searched for rarities. We found several White-rumped Sandpipers, a small flock of Black-bellied Plovers, and a Spotted Sandpiper to add to our shorebird count.

A lone Purple Martin perched atop a martin house at Lot 1. Across the street, we added Marsh Wren, Barn Swallow, and Killdeer to our growing list. Our final birding stop was outside the refuge at the seawall. With the tide in, our visit there was brief.

We ended the day a bit tired but smiling as we tallied 69 species on our adventure to the coast. Click below to view complete species list.

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The weather was warm and humid for our midsummer morning walk through the refuge. One sharp-eyed member spotted both male and female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks amid the tree foliage. A Great Blue Heron stood at the edge of a pond while Wood Ducks swam lazily across the water.

We enjoyed wonderful views of American Kestrels hunting, carrying prey, and perching atop a nest box in the field. As we approached the large open fields, we heard Bobolinks singing and then spotted them perched on shrubs along the far side.

The six participants recorded a total of 42 species. Click below to view complete trip list.

The weather was just about as close to perfect as a June morning can be, with abundant sunshine and a welcome cooling breeze, when ten Allen Bird Club members visited the Southwick Wildlife Management Area.  The site is renowned for hosting many grassland species, and it did not disappoint on this occasion.  We tallied 34 species and had excellent views of many of them, including Willow Flycatcher, Brown Thrasher, Grasshopper Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Orchard Oriole, Blue-winged Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Prairie Warbler and Indigo Bunting.  A Chestnut-sided Warbler teased us, singing repeatedly from cover, but declining to come out in the open.  The catch of the day was unquestionably the Blue-wing, and not just because the species has been unusually scarce in our area this season:  for one member of our party, this confiding Blue-winged Warbler was her 200th life bird in the lower 48 states. We all congratulate her on reaching this milestone, and wish her luck as she aims for 300!

Click below to view total species list.

Five members leisurely wended our way from south to north in the lovely Tyringham Val-ley, enjoying not only the birds but also scenic vistas.  At this time of year birding is al-most all by ear, but we had looks at some species as well.  Thrushes were around, and we heard several Veery and some Wood Thrush in addition to seeing Bluebirds and Robins.  Warbler species included Black-and-white, Common Yellowthroat, Redstart, Parula, Yellow, Pine, BT Green, and Ovenbird.  We had a nice look at a Kestrel at the Cobble; the only other raptors were two Red-tailed Hawks.  We were glad to see that Cliff Swallows had returned to a nesting site on Breakneck Road where they had been absent for several years.  In the end, we added some Rough-winged Swallows on Meadow Street, in a location where earlier in spring there were Bank Swallows.  Tyring-ham didn’t give up anything too notable this trip, but it is always a delightful place for a morning of birding.  

Click below to view complete list of 56 species.