Trip Highlights

There were 12 people on a mostly cloudy, chilly morning.  The day started off very quiet, with little sign of the migrating warblers that we were all hoping for.  We did see a Black-and-white Warbler, a Redstart and a first fall Prairie Warbler.  Another highlight was a good view of a Broad-winged Hawk circling overhead.  In all we saw 37 species.

Visitors:  Members of the Allen Bird Club and the Hoffmann Bird Club held our joint annual hawkwatch and picnic today.  Also observing with us were visitors from Granby, CT, who attended Seth’s "hawk talk" at the Granby Public Library earlier this week.  Two staff members from Massachusetts Audubon brought some guests as well.  Approximately three dozen persons in all.

Weather:  Mostly sunny; cloud-cover never exceeded 15%. Temp 60s-70s F.  Wind NW~WNW 5-10 mph, becoming W 0-5 mph late.

Raptor Observations:  Largest kettles of Broad-wings: 106, 95, 66, 50 (twice).  Birds were often hard to see, flying high and against blue sky.  Non-migrants: Turkey Vultures, Bald Eagles (3), Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawks (2), Red-tailed Hawk.

Non-raptor Observations:  Rock Pigeons (flock of 50), Chimney Swift, Hummingbirds (4), Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireos (2), Red-eyed Vireos (2), Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Ravens (2), Black-capped Chickadees (3), Tufted Titmice (2), House Wren, Cedar Waxwings (4+), Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart (m), Pine Warbler, Common Yellowthroats (2), Field Sparrow. Monarchs: 18. Viceroy.        

Seven birders were on the walk on this humid September morning.  Activity and songs were few, but we did manage Black-and-white, Redstarts, and a Parula for warblers.  The sandbar was empty except for Ringbill Gulls, but Pondside Rd did not disappoint.  Both Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal were present, along with many mallards and Wood Ducks.  Two Great Egrets were lurking in the grasses, and an osprey and four D-C Cormorants perched in the dead snags.  

The highlight of the morning was when two birders asked if we could ID two strange chicken-like birds.  We were delighted to scope out two immature Common Gallinules feeding in the weeds.  There were 38 species recorded for the morning.

With fingers crossed, we scanned the early evening sky for nighthawks.  Eighteen birders had gathered in the parking area for this annual ritual.  Birding got off to a very slow start.  We watched flocks of blackbirds fly into the reeds and heard a chickadee call.  When we moved on up to Tina Lane and the open area there, the first nighthawks began to pop up over the tree tops.  Not the best count, but we did see 31 nighthawks before it became too dark to count.  

Also getting our attention were the many green herons (9) flying to roost, and the trees at the back of one of the ponds that had attracted 9 Great Egrets and 4 Double-crested Cormorants.   Another highlight was a Peregrine Falcon that perched long enough for everyone to enjoy close views in the scope.  The watch ended as we listened to the call of a nearby screech owl for a total of 27 species.

The weather was cool when six members met up at the Pynchon Point parking lot, but warmed later, providing a beautiful sunny weather field trip. The Point gave us Carolina Wren, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Warbling Vireo, and other usual landbirds, as well as C. Merganser (6), Bald Eagle, DC Cormorant, Spotted Sandpiper, Great Blue Heron. The special species for this spot was A. Kestrel (3).  We made a quick stop at Bondi’s and added Semi-palmated Plover, Least and Semi Sandpipers.

From there we headed to the Eastern States grounds where over 150 Canada Geese were grazing in the fields. It must have been a good day for A. Kestrel, because we found another two here.  Also along the river bank, we picked out two Solitary Sandpipers and a Spotted Sandpiper. Last stop I recorded was on River Rd in Agawam.  Somehow I do not have notes from the Longmeadow portion of the trip. Sorry about that…  Anyway, River Rd gave us Bald Eagle (2), Cooper’s and Red-tailed Hawks, C. Merganser (6), Great Blue Heron, and a few landbirds, including Chimney Swift (4).