Ashley Ponds, Holyoke

It was a perfect warm morning with light winds from the south that had brought many migrants to the valley and a good group out to find them.  An arriving Green Heron and two lingering Green-winged Teal were the first welcome sights.  Great Blue Herons, Wood Ducks, and Spotted Sandpiper followed.  The skies gave us three Broad-winged Hawks and we found all of the five regular woodpecker species.  Flycatchers featured 4 Great Cresteds and two Kingbirds.  In the woods were the usual Brown Creeper and a Hermit Thrush.  Ten species of warbler went on the list, best being three Northern Parula.  An Orchard Oriole made up for missing Baltimore Oriole.  A species count of 53 was both pleasing and impressive.