Trip Highlights

Eleven early birders gathered at the edge of the soccer fields of Wilbraham Middle School where an Eastern Towhee teased us, uttering only part of his song but we heard and saw several farther on.  Red-winged Blackbirds had little competition for attention as we made our way around the swamp into the field.  Then, at the far edge, a Brown Thrasher, dressed in his long-tailed rusty attire, allowed a good look before scurrying into the edge.

Hushed, we tiptoed down to the water and caught a few had brief glimpses of the bird who sang the song of the Northern Waterthrush.   Keen eyes spied a Bluebird posing on a telephone pole.  Hermit Thrushes were seen as we entered the woods and inched along the path where a Yellow-throated Vireo sang and flitted, an Ovenbird called, and a Great Crested Flycatcher seemed to enjoy our attention.   An Eastern Kingbird, Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers and Field Sparrows were seen along with year-round residents.  Two hawks with long tails flew overhead.  It was a perfect day to enjoy being together while birding.

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Bright sunshine warmed 22 birders as we gathered to start the first of the series of Wednesday morning walks.  Before even leaving the parking area, the first of the new arrivals was heard and later seen - Warbling Vireo.  Along Bark Haul we listened to scolding Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and began to see the first of many Yellow-rumps.  Everyone got to see Ruby-crowned Kinglets flutter about in the grapevines.  We stopped for a quick "fix" of Red-headed Woodpeckers and then continued on the Natti Trail for Blue-headed Vireos, Eastern Towhees, Hermit Thrushes, a Black-and-white Warbler, a pair of Ravens and the flash of a Great Horned Owl.  It seemed as though every thicket held a singing Yellow Warbler.  Just before emerging onto Tina Lane, we stopped to admire a flock of Cedar Waxwings that perched before us at eye level - always so elegant.  Before crossing the railroad tracks, we stopped for Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers and then looked up to see an Osprey fly overhead carrying a fish in his talons.  Flying in the opposite direction was an immature Bald Eagle.  Pondside Road yielded a newly arrived Eastern Kingbird as well as a small group of Chimney Swifts that circling above our heads.  The walk totaled 50 species and the opportunity to connect with many fellow birders.

With two birders coming later, the roster held 17 for the cold, breezy walk into Ashley.  Brown Creepers and Pine Warblers greeted us with their delicate notes, and then showed off for us quite close.  A Wood Duck was in the gate cove, and three more landed on the far side of the main pond.  A Ring-necked Duck pair lurked at the edge of the south pool.  Overhead an Osprey appeared and put on a show, followed by a Broad-winged Hawk that slowly circled up to migrate farther north.  Migrant landbirds were gathered in the trees at the west end of the pond.  First there were two Gnatcatchers, then some Yellow-rumped Warblers followed by a Black-and-white. Then a Northern Waterthrush surprised us singing in the swamp next to the tracks.  We crossed the tracks and headed down the dirt road, hearing a Louisiana Waterthrush a few minutes later.  A Hermit Thrush was in the road here and earlier before arriving at the main pond.

The morning walk at Longmeadow Flats was attended by nine birders who saw 31 species.  We began the walk under overcast skies and the light was not great for birding.  It cleared up within an hour and we started seeing a good number of “first of the year” birds.  There were two Yellow Warblers, a Gnatcatcher, at least seven Palm Warblers, and two Towhees, the last at close range.  We found two Red-headed Woodpeckers in the usual area, one of which was persistently checking out a nest hole.  The Tree swallows put on an aerial show for us and a Rough-winged Swallow joined in as well.  We counted seven Great Blue Herons, four of them hanging around together near the woodpeckers.  The most common bird was the Yellow-rumped Warbler - at least a dozen.  It was a nice beginning to the spring migration.

Only six came to the scrumptious breakfast at Sylvester’s, and the first birding idea was to check out the Wilson’s Snipe behind one of the malls in Hadley.  We parked and walked along a wet gully until the birds jumped and flew farther along one at a time, with five seen.  Also there was a Killdeer.  A run through the Honeypot on the way to Rte. 91 north got us only a singing Brown Thrasher.  We met up with two more people at Riverview Road, where the sun off the water at Barton Cove was blinding.  We still managed to note three Double-crested Cormorants and a few Mute Swans.  A small group of Tree and Rough-winged Swallows circled low over our heads.  From Barton Cove we spotted a pair of Ring-necked Ducks, more swans, and better looks at the eagle on its nest.  We drove to the Rod and Gun Club to find more swans and some circling Turkey Vultures.  The airport had two Kestrels, a Bluebird, and 2 singing Field Sparrows.  On the Power Canal there was only a female Bufflehead diving constantly, and in the trees overhead a singing Pine Warbler.