Hollow Rd, Hampden

Six participants met at Laughing Brook Audubon Sanctuary in Hampden at 7 am.  The weather, in the high 50’s to start, soon rose to the low 70’s under partly cloudy skies.  We birded until about 12:15 pm, getting a total of 52 species.  

After a brief look around the parking lot, small pond, and bridge area at Laughing Brook, we proceeded to North Road just to check for the bobolinks, then on to Hollow Road, Hampden which continues with the same name into Wilbraham.  We spent most of our birding time on this road.  

Highlights included good long looks at an Olive-sided Flycatcher, a good look at a Black-billed Cuckoo, two Bobolinks, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and warblers, Canada, Blackpoll, Chestnut-sided, and Prairie.  Male and female Scarlet Tanagers paraded and an Alder Flycatcher was heard by most, but not seen.  We also had a good looks at a Wood Thrush at eye level.  Several Veerys were heard, as well as Pewee and Carolina Wren.  Five Cedar Waxwings were both heard and seen.   It was a wonderful morning for birding!