Hollow Rd – South Rd, Wilbraham

Eight observers started out on a warm, summer-like day.  It started hazy, but soon cleared at Laughing Brook, where the hoped-for Louisiana or Northern Waterthrush was neither seen nor heard.  Some did see a Hummingbird and all saw two Bluebirds and heard a Black-billed Cuckoo as well as a Wood Pewee and a Black-throated Green Warbler.  We drove to North Road, stopping at the crest to hear and see five Bobolinks, two Barn Swallows, and a Meadowlark in a farmer’s field.  At Hollow Road we heard Towhee, Tanager, and a Great Crested Flycatcher and most of us got good looks at a Rose-breasted Grosbeak.  At the end of South Road we got good looks at a female Redstart at its nest.  We also saw two Chestnut-sided Warblers and heard a Blue-winged Warbler.  Our species count was 43.