Trip Highlights

The stones were silent, but the trees and grounds were full of song and flight as nine participants enjoyed wonderful views of Flicker, Hummingbird, Kingbird, Barn Swallow, Mockingbird, Redstart, Baltimore Oriole and more.  We counted a total of 28 species by the time our walk came to an end.

Over 20 birders turned out to walk along the rail trail near Station Road in Amherst.  While scanning, we suddenly heard, then saw the elusive Virginia Rail ten feet in front of us dashing along the muddy shore.  Another prize for the evening was a Woodcock with two young.  Other sightings were a singing Orchard Oriole, Kingbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Yellowthroat, Catbird, and an eye-level look at a Pileated Woodpecker framed against the setting sun.

Twenty-five participants located 38 species of birds on the second Wednesday morning walk at Stebbins.  Gone were the groups of early warblers, replaced by Yellowthroats, Redstarts, Wilson’s, and Yellow Warblers.  Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Orioles were flashing their colors and singing emphatically.  A group of 16 goslings followed a pair of Canada Geese.  The biggest treats of the walk were a pair of Orchard Orioles and a Common Gallinule.

It was our 65th year for a Mother’s Day excursion through Robinson State Park, a walk plagued by showers that eventually cut the trip short.  It was also the earliest possible date and followed up a week of cold, wet weather.  Still, over 20 walkers were not deterred, and we managed to find Blue-headed Vireo and Gnatcatchers, several Ovenbirds, and a loud Louisiana Waterthrush.  Even louder was the Wood Thrush that sang as we entered the park, the first of several.  Catbirds were chortling deep in the bushes and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were singing their sweet melody.  Other warblers in the almost leafless trees were Black-and-white, Redstart, three Black-throated Blue, Yellowrumps and Black-throated Greens.  A good show was put on by some Black-throated Blue Warblers.  A couple of Scarlet Tanagers and Baltimore Orioles crowned our brief venture.  When the rain got heavy, hosts Madeline Novak and Steve Perreault offered delicious goodies and warming coffee in their home beside the park.  The Ruby-throated Hummingbird at the feeder there was an added feast for the eyes.

The birders did not quite number the Great Blue Heron nests (19) at the flooded beaver pond, but they all enjoyed that spectacle as well as the several Great Blues and a few Wood Ducks.  Other birds of the woodland and wetland were three Blue-headed Vireo, many Gnatcatchers, some Ruby-crowned Kinglets, seven Wood Thrushes, Louisiana Waterthrush, and three Yellow-rumped Warblers.  Of the 32 species noted, most unexpected was an Osprey that was hunting low over a second marsh.