Trip Highlights

Seven members gathered at the wetlands for a 2.25-mile walk, identifying a total of 49 species.  See complete list below.

2025 May Count Summary

There were 15 teams and 30 observers out in Hampden County territories for the count held on May 16-17.  The weather was a comfortable 70 degrees on Friday evening with 5 mph breeze from the east.  Saturday early morning gave us temps in the low 60s, reaching 71 degrees for a high, with 5-10 mph east winds.  Clouds persisted throughout the count.  The water level was high in rivers and streams.

Together the teams recorded 137 species, which was the same total as last year and two more than the average counted in the last ten years.  At 8,561 individuals, we were 875 birds below the ten-year average, which is explained by having one less territory covered this year.

A half dozen species had higher counts than their 10-year average.  In parentheses are the totals for 2025, followed by the past 10-year average:  Ruby-throated Hummingbird had an all-time high count (20-14), Eastern Screech Owl (6-2), Eastern Wood-Pewee enjoyed extra high counts for the second year in a row (41-20), Barn Swallow had 10-yr high (109-73), Field Sparrow had its highest count since 1991 (28-13) and Blackpoll Warbler had its highest count since 2004 (34-8).  

We did not add any new species to the May Count this year, but we did have a few species that are not frequently counted.  Black-crowned Night Heron was last counted in 2014.  Olive-sided Flycatcher was counted just 3 other times in the last 10 years.  Golden-crowned Kinglet was only counted one other time in the last 10 years.  Purple Finch was counted last year, but it was only counted two other times since 2000.  Interestingly, Purple Finch was abundant in the 60s and early 70s, with an average count of 42 birds a year between 1965 and 1975.  Since the year 2001, they have only appeared on the count three times: 2010 (1), 2024 (1) and 2025 (2).

There were many species with low counts this year, likely in part to several migrants going through early. Another factor is that one territory was not covered.  In parentheses are the totals for 2025, followed by the 10-year average: Common Merganser (2-11), Black-billed Cuckoo (1-4), Spotted Sandpiper (13-29), Least Sandpiper (6-30), Downy Woodpecker (37-53), Hairy Woodpecker, lowest in 10 years (11-27), Northern Flicker (34-54), Blue-headed Vireo (6-13), Common Raven (2-9), Bank Swallow (22-132), Tree Swallow (102-193), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, lowest count in 30 years (14-37), Swainson’s Thrush (2-19), and White-throated Sparrow (5-40).  Warblers were also counted in low numbers: Black-and-white (27-62), Northern Parula, low for two years in a row (9-59), Blackburnian (3-13), Magnolia (6-19), Black-throated Blue (4-24), and Yellow-rumped (8-59).  This year was the lowest count of Yellow-rumped Warbler in the 63-year count history.

Noticeable misses this year, though never found in abundance, were Marsh Wren - first miss since 2018, Grasshopper Sparrow - only one other miss in the last 10 years, and Nashville Warbler - only one other miss in the last 10 years.

Thanks to all who spent many hours in the field, especially Dave and Kim who birded for 14 hours and racked up a whopping 111 species.  The variety of habitats in certain territories lends itself to finding unusual species and some teams managed to find a species or two or more that no other team identified on the count.  Joseph and Terri picked up Black-billed Cuckoo, Cape May and Bay-breasted Warblers, Kathy and Myles found Golden-crowned Kinglet, April and Bambi got Broad-winged Hawk and Olive-sided Flycatcher, Craig and Harvey picked up Upland Sandpiper, Black-crowned Night Heron, American Kestrel, Savannah Sparrow, and Eastern Meadowlark, Bill and Carol spotted Common Loon, and Dave and Kim added Hooded Merganser, Herring Gull, Winter Wren, Dark-eyed Junco, Blackburnian Warbler, and Black-throated Blue Warbler.  Despite these teams adding hard-to-get species, EVERY team that participates contributes to covering parts of Hampden County and all efforts are sincerely appreciated.

On an overcast day with a threat of rain, 12 hearty birders souls weren't dampened. Upon entering the trail, we were delighted to encounter an Alder Flycatcher sounding off in the marsh. This was a first of the year identification for many. As we traveled along, conditions of the trail were acceptable considering the heavy amount of rain previously received in the area. Due to weather conditions warbler counts were low but this didn't lessen the enjoyment being had. At "Warbler corner" we once again were lucky to hear a Black-billed Cuckoo sounding off in the distance. Working our way towards the stand of pines, we encountered a female Wood duck with eight newborn ducklings. Further down the path, we had the opportunity to view a Barred Owl high up in the trees. Both expected sandpipers (Spotted and Solitary) were also seen. In total 47 different species were accounted for. All in all, it was yet another great morning of birding.

The water in the river was high, making the possibility of spotting any water birds near impossible. From the deck in the park nearby, we spotted a Bald Eagle feeding two eaglets in the nest. Then at the boat launch south of South Hadley center, we got Spotted Sandpiper. There were lots of House Sparrows and European Starlings found in our search for more native birds.

A large group of 15 members gathered for the Mother’s Day Walk at Robinson.  The birds were not cooperative and much of the identification was by ear, but the group managed to get 56 species in total, including 14 warbler species.  Everybody saw the best warbler species of the day, a Wilson’s Warbler.  Then at the river, everyone got the Bald Eagle sitting on a nest at eye level, less than 100 feet away.  It was good to have the company of John Hutchison, the long-time leader of this annual event.