bo41-2-web.pdf

The Connecticut River valley is a major migration corridor in Western Massachusetts.In and around the city of Springfield, there are several access points that provide good views and good birding all year long.Each season brings its specialties.Winter is the season for gulls-including Iceland and Glaucous gulls-diving ducks, and geese.Spring brings passerines, including most of the warblers that nest north of the area such as Hooded Warbler.Late summer is the prime time for shorebirds, and autumn is excellent for hawks.What follows is a description of some of the better spots for viewing the river between the Connecticut line and the Chicopee River, starting from the south on the western bank, traveling north, then crossing over to the eastern bank and heading south again.The birds move up and down the river, so if one spot is barren, try another.Regular ducks on the river include Ring-necked Duck, both scaup species, Common Goldeneye, and Common Merganser in winter, and Wood Duck, Mallard, and Hooded Merganser in summer and early fall.Rarities include Barrow's Goldeneye and several goose species.Check large flocks of Canada Geese for the occasional Cackling Goose, Pink-footed Goose, or Greater White-fronted Goose.Snow Geese are possible in late autumn.The wooded areas on the shore have many passerine species.Ospreys, Bald Eagles, and Peregrine Falcons nest along this stretch of the river and often hunt over it.Shorebirds use the sandbars and muddy banks, especially during late-summer migration.Swallows are plentiful during migration, and there are resident populations during the summer.Nighthawks follow the river valley south during migration in September. Riviera ApartmentsBegin at the Riviera Apartments in Agawam.From Main Street, turn onto River Road and take the first right onto Riviera Drive.Follow the street to the parking lot by the river.This point gives a good view of the river.Look for ducks, including Common Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Mallard, and Hooded Merganser; check the flocks of Canada Geese for Pink-footed, Cackling, and Greater White-fronted geese.The shrubbery along the shore is good for warblers during migration.If any of the residents have feeders out, check these carefully. Agawam RiverwalkReturn to River Road and go north for about one mile to the parking area along the right side of the street just north of Michael's Pasta in the Pan and across from Channell Drive.This spot gives good views of Willy's Island and the Longmeadow sandbar.Bald Eagles sometimes nest on the island and you can often observe them

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