Trip Highlights

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.

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.