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Historic Status

Blackpoll Warblers have long been a sign that spring migration is nearing its end. Edward Howe Forbush wrote that “when their sibilant insect-like songs come from orchards, shade trees and woodlands on every hand we hear them in sadness, for they signify that the great vernal flight of the beautiful wood sprites will soon pass—” (Forbush 1929). Although there is a historic record claiming that this species once bred in Savoy, for the most part this denizen of boreal forests is associated with only one locale in Massachusetts – Mount Greylock (Petersen & Meservey 2003).

Atlas 1 Distribution

Most Blackpoll Warblers breed well to our north, so the only place they were Confirmed breeding in Atlas 1 was near the summit of Mount Greylock in the Taconics. Because Massachusetts lies at the very southern extreme of the Blackpoll Warbler’s breeding range, it is reasonable to also expect the occasional outlying block in the northernmost parts of the state where Possible nesting might occur, such as the single Vermont Piedmont record. Though common as migrants, Blackpoll Warblers were not known to breed anywhere else in the state at the time of Atlas 1.

Atlas 2 Distribution and Change

Blackpoll Warblers remained extremely local as breeders in Massachusetts during Atlas 2. They were Confirmed still breeding at Mount Greylock, and a Probable record from the Worcester Plateau offered slim hope of another breeding location. A Possible record from Plymouth County was likely nothing more than a late migrant, although it was recorded during Safe Dates.

Atlas 1 Map

Atlas 2 Map

Atlas Change Map