Bear Hole, West Springfield

The morning began with an Osprey flyover.  We were just four members to enjoy a quiet walk through one section of the Bear Hole area.  All the usual species were present, though some only heard, and not seen.  We counted nine species of warbler, 3 Parula, 1 BT Green, 2 BT Blue (excellent views of both perched very close to us on a bare branch), 2 Black-and-white, 2 Pine, 3 Ovenbird, 3 Yellow-rumped, 2 Redstart, and 2 Lousiana Waterthrush (also good views).  

There were birds of all sizes, from the little Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers to Redtails and Great Blue Herons.  We even caught looks at Mallards and Wood Ducks, and heard a turkey call in the distance.  There were Tree Swallows and Chimney Swifts, Grackles and Red-wings, Great-crested Flycatchers, an Oriole, and one lone Yellow-throated Vireo singing from across a small pool of water.  We got several species of woodpecker; 4 Downy, 2 Red-bellied, 1 Flicker, 2 Pileated, and ended the walk with 2 Crows flying overhead.

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