Wednesday 5/13: Estabrook had the usual, FOY Eastern Wood-Pewee the most exciting.
Thursday 5/14: Only had time for a quick res/Hardy loop, which had very little. Did see the Peregrine leaving Weston Station Pond on my way to other stuff later.
Friday 5/15: Went to Mt. Auburn to finally catch up with the Summer Tanager. Got that and a bunch of warblers.
Saturday 5/16: Out to Townsend to work on that list. Started at Elm Circle, which had a couple warblers but was pretty quiet. Went to the West Meadow Road section of Squannacook WMA next, although the phone took me to some other road. Tried walking in from there but there wasn’t much of a path and I was getting coated in ticks. Switched boots and drove to the actual entrance. Few feet down there was a Golden-winged Warbler song, so had to spend a few minutes making sure that was a Blue-winged. Walked further and a Black-billed Cuckoo flew in. Found more ticks, then almost ended up at the other entrance. On the way back had a bunch of Purple Finches and a Uhler’s Sundragon. Got up to eight new birds but decided to move on to Shirley rather than find another spot in Townsend, this area will be good for sparrows and stuff in fall.
Missed a turn but got back on track and eventually ended up at the Pumpkin Brook section of the WMA. Started with a Veery and two Black-and-white Warblers but the trail died out pretty fast. Tried a different one which got towards the open and wetter areas but also was loaded with ticks. Only managed 14 species, but 9 were new for Shirley, so not bad. Also a good number of baskettails.
Sunday 5/17: More town listing. Started at Steele Farm in Boxborough where I had almost 50 species and added about 17 to the list, although a Magnolia was the only thing that probably wasn’t there for the summer. Continued to Long Lake and added nine there including Black-billed Cuckoo. Also had FOY Monarch. Tried the Nashoba Wetlands after that I had noticed after missing the turn but it turned out to be a short trail that didn’t go anywhere, so I ran up to Nashoba Brook and looped Kennedy Pond. Got the four I needed to get Westford to 10 new ones for the year and also had a couple Lancet Clubtails.
Monday 5/18: Gave Prospect Hill another try for Worm-eating and was successful today. Also FOY Swainson’s Thrush and Bay-breasted Warbler plus a Pileated and a few other things. Thought I had a second Worm-eating but pretty sure I just got turned around and was in the same general spot.
Tuesday 5/19: Intended on a birthday walk through the patch but between the heat and staying up to watch basketball, I skipped on that idea and went to Hartwell Tavern. Multiple Tennessees and Blackpolls, a calling cuckoo, three Swainson’s Thrushes, and a Blackburnian among others. Checked my phone just before lunch and there were reports of a Kentucky at BBN (sigh). Ran over and got good views, patch #195 (counting pheasant).