Exactly one week ago today our shuttle bus of 14 eager birders headed out into the field to explore the birds of Connecticut. Well… at least the birds of Connecticut that were willing to come out and play. Weather definitely could have been worse with only a soggy last stop and we even got to eat lunch outside.
We started the day at the Mohawk State Forest, Black Spruce Bog in Cornwall, CT. Dividing in half, one group headed immediately into the bog while the other went into nearby habitat to track down the singing Chestnut-sided Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, and Broadwinged Hawk (not that they really ‘sing’). After flipping spots, playing some tapes, making a pish or two, it was time to head down to our next stop with just over 35 species under our belt.
After making a quick stop for Bobolink, we arrived at White Memorial Foundation in Litchfield, CT. Birds were flying everywhere as the group tried to grab a bite in between lifting up our binoculars. A quick walk around the pond for Yellow Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Blue Jay before heading to the boardwalk. The boardwalk turned up many great species and even better, some nice unobstructed views of another 30 plus species.
Our final destination was Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center at Milford Point in Milford, CT. This marsh and beach habitat is partially protected by the Connecticut Audubon Society and in part by the U.S. Federal Wildlife Service. Before we even got off the bus the Purple Martins were swirling around the parking lot, adding another species. The marsh platform accounted for sightings of four heron species and two ducks. Heading to the beach we added the federally listed endangered species Piping Plover (Atlantic Coast population).
As phenomenal as the birds were (see the full list below), the day was made even better by having such a wonderful group of enthusiastic bird watchers. Thanks to everyone who was able to participate and to my co-leaders for making the day so successful.
- Brant
- Canada Goose
- Mute Swan
- Wood Duck
- Mallard
- American Black Duck
- Wild Turkey
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Snowy Egret
- Black-crowned Night Heron
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron
- Turkey Vulture
- Black Vulture
- Osprey
- Broad-winged Hawk
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Virginia Rail
- Piping Plover
- American Oystercatcher
- Semipalmated Sandpiper
- Laughing Gull
- Ring-billed Gull
- Herring Gull
- Greater Black-backed Gull
- Common Tern
- Black Skimmer
- Rock Pigeon
- Mourning Dove
- Chimney Swift
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Northern Flicker
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Eastern Wood-Pewee
- Willow Flycatcher
- Least Flycatcher
- Eastern Phoebe
- Great Crested Flycatcher
- Eastern Kingbird
- Blue-headed Vireo
- Red-eyed Vireo
- Blue Jay
- American Crow
- Common Raven
- Purple Martin
- Tree Swallow
- Barn Swallow
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Tufted Titmouse
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Winter Wren
- Marsh Wren
- Eastern Bluebird
- Veery
- Wood Thrush
- American Robin
- Gray Catbird
- Northern Mockingbird
- European Starling
- Cedar Waxwing
- Yellow Warbler
- Chestnut-sided Warbler
- Magnolia Warbler
- Black-throated Blue Warbler
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Black-throated Green Warbler
- Black-and-White Warbler
- American Redstart
- Ovenbird
- Northern Waterthrush
- Common Yellowthroat
- Canada Warbler
- Scarlet Tanager
- Eastern Towhee
- Chipping Sparrow
- Song Sparrow
- Swamp Sparrow
- Northern Cardinal
- Indigo Bunting
- Bobolink
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Common Grackle
- Brown-headed Cowbird
- Baltimore Oriole
- Purple Finch?
- American Goldfinch
- House Sparrow
Other Stuff:
- Eastern Chipmunk
- American Red Squirrel
- Gray Squirrel
- Gray Fox
- Red Eft/ Red-spotted Newt
- Green Frog
- Bullfrog
- Eastern Painted Turtle
- Snapping Turtle
