Trip Highlights

For a bird trip in early May, the nine attendees had weather more appropriate for mid-April.  The sky was overcast during the entire trip with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the low-50s with a constant, fairly brisk, wind coming off the reservoir.  Despite these conditions, the walk along the paved path at Ludlow Reservoir is always an adventure.  As soon as we had open views of the water hundreds of swallows of various types came into view.  They were mostly Tree Swallows but there were also a good number of Barn Swallows.  In addition, some of the group saw at least two Rough-winged Swallows and one Bank Swallow.  The Phoebe was in its usual spot building a nest, flying in and out from underneath the fishing pier.  We did miss the Yellow-throated Vireo, which has been in the same place for the past few years.  In fact, we missed many birds we usually see on this trip, the most notable being the Baltimore Oriole.  Normally we see and hear them throughout the walk.  This year, however, we did not see any.  Very disappointing!  

The trip was supposed to have ended by 10:30 but by that time we were just getting started.  We had only traveled a little more than a half mile to just past the fishing pier.  We kept on going.  The birding was slow but we did have good looks at most of the birds we did see.  I wanted to go to a location further ahead with good views of the water since we were now walking through an area where trees blocked our view of the reservoir.  At that point about half the group turned back due to other commitments.  When we arrived at the water, we had an interesting treat awaiting us.  The swallows (remember them), mostly tree swallows, hundreds of them, were flying very low to the water and in and around the remaining group who were congregated along the water, almost as if we were pylons for a rather interesting swallow flight competition.  By that time it was close to 11:00 and we turned back to return to the cars.  

We did see other interesting birds on the way back.  We all had good looks, some through the scope, of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.  Before we arrived at the parking lot, we had another treat.  There were three Bald Eagles interacting among themselves.  Flying high then diving at each other.  They were quite close so everyone could enjoy the show.  In total we saw four eagles.  We finally made it back to the parking lot just before noon.  In total we had eight warblers (Ovenbird, Black-and-white, Common Yellowthroat, Redstart (more scope views), Parula, Pine Warbler (heard only), Yellowrump, and Palm) and a total count of 39 bird species.  We were all a little chilled but everyone considered it another successful Allen Bird Club outing.

Twelve birders met at the corner of Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow at 7:30 a.m. In the next three hours, they tallied 52 species of birds, including three vireos (Warbling, Red-eyed, and Blue-headed), six warblers (Yellow, Yellow-rump, Blue-wing, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, and Palm Warbler), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Green Herons and Great-blue Herons, and a Kingfisher. Two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were found and Wood Thrushes were singing. The male Red-headed Woodpecker was seen in his usual spot. Flycatchers were returning and the group saw four Eastern Kingbirds and six Eastern Phoebes. Interesting sightings of common birds included a second year Red-tailed Hawk sitting on a stub while being mobbed by a Blue Jay and Red-winged Blackbirds; a White-breasted Nuthatch nest with both adults bringing food on Bark Haul at the north west corner of the pond; and, 15 goslings with 11 adult Canada Geese at Tina Lane. The temperature was between 48 and 51 degrees F, and it was overcast with light rain at the end.

On a cool cloudy day that threatened rain that never came, seven members were up for a walk at this new site.  The bird numbers seemed to be down a little due to the weather but we managed a few nice birds.  The first of note were some Field Sparrows that cued up and sang singing for us.  While we watched them, the male Orchard Oriole showed up and stayed at the top of a small tree long enough for everyone to get a good look at him.  This was followed pretty soon by Brown Thrashers who were very vocal on this cloudy day.  We found four of them as we made our way around the old track.  As we approached the track we heard Blue-winged Warblers singing.  It took us a little while to actually spot them, but our patience was rewarded with good looks.  These were the only warblers we came across this day, though Fort River is usually a good place to find warblers in spring.  We ended the day with a bluebird cued up on a post, making a total of 29 species for the day.  I added a group of Turkeys as I was leaving, as well as an Eastern Meadowlark sitting in a tree nearby.

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.