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May 2016 started cold, stalling migration. The first wave of migrants across the state occurred on May 8, coinciding with warming temperatures. Other significant movements occurred on May 21 and at the end of the month. Most of May and June were dry; Boston received 2.83 inches and 1.33 inches of rain, respectively.
Unusual waterfowl reports included a Lesser Scaup, which was present through the end of June at the Quabbin Reservoir. The King Eider that was present most of the winter in Gloucester was still in the area as late as June 26. A high count of 473 Glossy Ibises was tallied in early May in Rowley, and a White-faced Ibis roamed around Essex County throughout the period. Ashley Falls hosted 43 Black Vultures, which are becoming common in Berkshire County. A Mississippi Kite, unusual inland, was photographed at a farm in Williamstown. As many as four Clapper Rails were present throughout the period in Fairhaven, and two King Rails were noted from early May into June at the Burrage Wildlife Management Area, Hanson. Sandhill Cranes, present in Worthington since 2013, were finally confirmed breeding on May 28 when they were photographed with young.
Western Massachusetts birders enjoyed some shorebird specialties during the period. Noteworthy was an American Avocet photographed in Sheffield, only the third report in Berkshire County. A Ruff at Silver Lake, Pittsfield, was only the second report from the county. Top honors for shorebird sightings, however, went to the Black-necked Stilt that spent a week at the Bell’s Neck Conservation Area, Harwich.
Race Point, Provincetown, continued to be one of the best locations to enjoy gull and tern sightings. Single Franklin’s Gulls were reported on June 12 and on June 23—the latter with photographic evidence. As many as four Little Gulls and up to 42 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen during the period. A Gull-billed Tern and a Royal Tern were reported on June 12. Peter Flood discovered a breeding-plumaged White-winged Tern on May 8, just the state’s second record—the first sighting was from North Scituate on May 27, 1954. Unfortunately, the bird was present for only one day.
A Barn Owl was found roosting in trees at Belle Isle Marsh, East Boston, on May 3, just the fifth mainland record in the last ten years. A pair of Long-eared Owls, rare breeders in the state, successfully fledged two young on Nantucket.
A Fork-tailed Flycatcher was photographed at Bear Creek Wildlife Refuge, Saugus, on June 7. It was the first Essex County sighting of this species since a report from Plum Island on August 8, 1998. A Golden-crowned Sparrow, just the sixth state record, was discovered at a feeder in Hingham. The homeowner welcomed birders and, based on a sign-up sheet, documented more than 100 visiting birders during its six-day stay.
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