Trip Highlights

Rainy weather canceled the walk up Mt. Holyoke though the leader and one intrepid birder showed up hoping to get glimpses of the Worm-eating and Cerulean Warblers.

Click below to view or download complete count results.

2017 May Count Results

Only a couple of members took advantage of a walk through Hillcrest Cemetery, finding a total of 22 species.   The usual neighborhood birds were spotted, as well as a Yellow-rumped Warber and Yellow-throated Vireo, Chimney Swifts, and a Red-tailed Hawk.   The highlight of the walk was the return of the Barn Swallows.

A good crowd of birders (~15) gathered at the Station Road entrance to the Norwottuck Rail Trail in Amherst to enjoy the birds of evening.   They were rewarded with a Black-billed Cuckoo, a Virginia Rail seen well walking back and forth in the marsh in an exposed area, Bobolinks out in the field, a Grackle sitting on her nest very close to the path, two Woodcock, two Swamp Sparrows, two Orchard Orioles, any many other birds to delight.

Thirteen participants were on our 2nd Wednesday walk at Stebbins Refuge.   We tallied 35 species, including 7 warbler species.  The dominant warbler was the Yellow.   Good looks at 3 Solitary Sandpipers, a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and a Great Crested Flycatcher were the highlights.   Part of the group endeavored to find an elusive singing bird and stayed later.   It was a learning curve to get a handle on the singing birds after a winter off.