Trip Highlights

Ten birders participated in a 3 hour walk at Stebbins refuge this morning. The weather was cool and breezy, starting in the 40s and raising to the 50s by the end of the walk with clear skies. The trails we walked were wet in spots, but considerably drier than the previous week.

Bird activity was good resulting in a total bird species count of 55. There were a significant number of warblers species seen with a highlight on the Magnolia, which presented great views in multiple locations. Other birds seen include the Scarlet Tanagers, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird and Solitary Sandpipers. Great joy was experienced by many with a lengthy viewing of a Green Heron located in the marsh at the southeast corner of the refuge.

All in all, it was an enjoyable walk amongst like-minded folks.

Six members gathered to enjoy the birds at a few spots near the dam.  Above the dam, at the Canal Park platform, we spotted 4 Mute Swans, a Wood Duck, and two Bald Eagle babies in the nest.  

Below the dam were 5 Common Mergansers, 5 Bald Eagles flying about, mostly immature but one was an adult, 15 Double-crested Cormorants, a half dozen or so Rough-winged Swallows, two Great Blue Herons, a Mallard and about a dozen Canada Geese.  There were no gulls, but they will come to feed on Shad eggs in the beginning of June.  We also eyed a Spotted Sandpiper on the riverbank.

One member, who has been checking Peregrine Falcon nests, had permission to pass through a private yard, down to an area where we could see under the Muller Bridge.  There, in a metal box sitting atop the bridge abutment, we spotted the Peregrine Falcon sitting on the nest.  Hard to beat that for a trip highlight!

2023 May Count Summary

There were 16 teams and 31 observers out in Hampden County territories for the count held on May 12-13. The weather was pleasantly warm in the 80s on Friday evening with hardly a breeze. Saturday early morning was cool, temps were in the 50s, reaching mid-80s by late day—wind was negligible—a good birding day all the way around.  Together the teams recorded 144 species, which was 9 more than the average counted in the last ten years. At 11,166 individuals, we brought in the highest number of birds since 2011 and 1,700 birds above the ten-year average.

As is typical, most of the common species were near their recent or long-term average, but some were noticeably higher.  In parentheses is the total for 2023 followed by the past 10-year average:  Solitary Sandpiper (28-19), Least Sandpiper (63-28), Northern Waterthrush (22-12), Black & White (92-55), Tennessee (35-10, more than half of the 35 for this year counted in same location), Parula (118-51) and RC Kinglet (9 – only one other seen in last 10 count years and it was in 2020.

Those species having the max count for the last ten count years include, DC Cormorant (70-41), Broad-winged Hawk (7-3), Kingfisher (18-11), Warbling Vireo (163-118), Rough-winged Swallow (105-55), Barn Swallow (108-67), RB Nuthatch (23-1), Scarlet Tanager (91-70), Indigo Bunting (29-18), Grackle (573-430), and Fish Crow (16-6).

There were several species whose numbers were highest ever in our 61-year count history, Canada Goose (547), Bald Eagle (20) and Lesser Yellowlegs (14).

We did not add any new species to the May Count this year, but we did have several species that had not been seen for quite a while. The date following the species is when it was last recorded on the May Count.  Steve S had Philadelphia Vireo (2001) and Michele and Chris M spotted Green-winged Teal (2008) and Wigeon (2002, and only ever seen one other time in 2000).

Low species counts this year were Downy Woodpecker (45-55), Chickadee (105-143) and House Wren (35-59).

We did have some misses this year that would have been nice to include.  We did not get Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and itis the 5^th time we miss it in the past 10 years and no Nighthawks either, 4^th time for this species. Gulls are hit or miss at this time of year in our area, but we did miss on Herring and Great Black-backed Gull.  

Thanks to all who spent many hours in the field, especially Steve S’s team, who put in a tiring 18 hours of effort, and Dave M’s team, who racked up 111 species for the day.  Though these teams stand-out and deserve recognition, every team that participates contributes to covering a piece of the pie and all efforts are sincerely appreciated.  

Click below to view or download complete count results.

2023 May Count Results

Five of us intrepid birders gathered to see what the evening would hold on our 2-mile walk down the Norwottuck Rail Trail and back.  A good amount of interest and conversation was had with finding five species of frogs and counting 4-5 Beavers. The birds were interesting too and we saw Song, White-throated and Swamp Sparrows, Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Canada Geese, a Mallard and two Tree Swallows. The usual suspects were there too, Tree Swallows, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Catbirds and Robins.  Highlight birds include a Turkey found in the large field on the left-hand side about a third of a mile down the trail, two Great Blue Herons, Wood Thrush, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and four warbler species, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, Black-and-white, and Blue-winged Warblers. Though we waited past dark, no Woodcock were heard, but despite that small disappointment, everyone seemed quite happy with the walk!