TRIP REPORTS

Gay City State Park Walk  - May 5, 2013

A dozen birders spent a cool starting but sunny morning in Gay City State Park. It was very bird-quiet. We stared off with several road-hugging CHIPPING SPARROWS , an EASTER PHOEBE nesting in a kiosk, a definitive song of SCARLET TANAGER and glimpses of YELLOW WARBLERS,which later were less quick. Near the beach/pond aLEAST FLYCATCHER and very active male TOWHEES. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS 'buzzed' above us, VEERY'S at our feet, several BLACK&WHIE WARBLERS,OVENBIRDS. a couple male REDSTARTS and the song of a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.
                  

While lunching on the deck at Fiora Rd. two COMMON RAVENS flew over, calling. Some of us then visited the HERITAGE FARM in the center of Bolton where we saw TREE SWALLOWS, two EASTERN MEADOWLARKS and the male of a nesting pair of AMERICAN KESTRELS. Lastly we stopped at the cemetery hoping to see a BOBOLINK but only got several 'cruising' BARN SWALLOWS and a vocal NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD. Species total 46 or 47

Respectfully submitted, Ernie Harris

Station 43 - Beginners Bird Walk IV – May 4, 2013
 
 On a beautiful Saturday morning 21 of us set out to find what avian
 delights Station 43 had to offer. Although waterfowl were in short
 supply we did find seven different types of warbler including
 Redstarts and Black and Whites.  Warbling Vireos were everywhere as
 were Song Sparrows, and we were able to see a Rose-breasted Grosbeak
 and a Baltimore Oriole. One of the highlights of the day was watching
 a Bald Eagle wheeling in the air above a Common Loon on the river. 
 The Loon was kind enough to sing for us, much to everyone’s delight. 
 The other highlight?  Watching the baby Great Horned Owls along Vibert
 Road.  After seeing  54 different species we retired to Duncan Donuts
 to make up lies about all the ones that got away unseen.

 Respectfully submitted,   Gil Kleiner and  Jon Ward
 

Great Pond - Simsbury, CT - April 20, 2013

Twenty-two people participated on a mostly overcast morning but a
little sun appeared before the outing was over.

The mud flats produced many Killdeer, several Common Snipe and a lone
Solitary Sandpiper.
Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, a Brown Creeper and a Ruby-crowned
Kinglet were seen from the dam.
Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers told us that spring was close.
Many ducks had migrated through but Wood Ducks, Blacks, Mallards and
two female Hooded Mergansers, along with a Pied-billed Grebe, kept us
entertained.
The resident Red-tailed Hawk also showed off several times.
At the end of the morning twenty-nine species were counted.
Thanks to all for attending.

Respectfully submitted - Roger Preston, Gil Kleiner, Jon Ward

Respectfully submitted, by Chris and Diane Fisher and Larry Lunden

Donnelly Preserve - April 8, 2013

Six folks met at 7:30AM at the Sullivan Ave parking lot of the Donnelly Preserve
in South Windsor for a morning walk  - finally Spring weather! The HAS
Spring Census started this weekend, so we were able to contribute.
Thanks to everyone's sharp eyes, we got  male Black & White and Black-throated
Green Warblers, neither of which were singing!  Other highlights included
Red-shouldered Hawk that was carrying a snake or a stick(?), and a pair of House Wrens
nesting in an old bluebird box - one perched on top & one poking it's head out the hole, watching us watch them. Total species for Donnelly Preserve was 38. Most folks also saw Wild Turkey at Priest Farm while driving to our meeting point. Four of us went over to Vibert Road afterwards & added Great Horned Owl for a morning total species of 40.
The 38 species at Donnelly were: Canada Goose, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied & Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, Tree & Barn Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Pine Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Chipping & Savannah & Song & Swamp & White-throated Sparrow,  Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch.

 Respectfully submitted, Patrice Favreau
 

Trip Along the Western Connecticut Shore line - April 6, 2013

Eight people arrived at New Haven’s Long Wharf by 8:00 A.M.   While there we had many brant, three gull species and gannets were tallied. 

We drove to Sherwood Island SP where we found old squaw, horned grebes, and more gannets in the sound.  The Mill Pond seen from the entrance road had quite a few ducks including a mallard X black duck hybrid.  It looked mostly like a black duck but with green sheen to the head.   We walked to the spruce grove and had some golden crowned kinglets.  On the way back to the cars a great horned owl flew into a tree giving good looks for the brief time it was there.

From SI we went to nearby Burying Hill Beach and found the lesser black-backed gull that has been there for a while.  It was on the water but then alit on a close piling giving us great looks at its diagnostic yellow legs.

Our next stop was Long Beach in Stratford where we found the strange white gull that had field marks of both glaucous and Iceland gulls.  There were hundreds of gulls loafing along the shore near Cove Place in Stratford, and we were able to pick out two Iceland gulls.

There is a small pond behind an office building on Access Rd where we found a pair of black crowned and a pair of yellow-crowned night herons sitting close together.

We looked for the reported Eurasian widgeon in the cove by Short Beach but, alas, the tide was too low for any ducks.  Bird’s Eye boat launch provided us with a group of coot. 

On a small creek off Elm Street, also in Stratford, we had four greater and one lesser yellow-legs.

Milford Point was at extreme low tide at our arrival and we couldn’t find much there. 

Our next stop was at Oyster River in West Haven where low tide is usually a good thing since many gulls congregate there then.   We weren’t disappointed since there were about 200 Bonaparte’s gulls that began to leave shortly after we arrived.

Sandy Pt. was loaded with people so we didn’t bother going out too far. 

At New Haven Harbor near Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tales restaurant, many scaup were resting and we found both species among the flocks, along with more gannets, well inside the harbor.

Our total species list was 60, including: 15 species of ducks, 7 of gulls and four species of shore-birds.

Respectfully submitted, Carl Ekroth

Rhode Island Trip - March 30, 2013
Eleven people showed up for the annual Rhode Island trip March 30th. Our meeting place at Point Judith produced only a few birds such as several Common Eiders and Horned Grebes. Nearby Fort Cronin produced perhaps the highlight of the day with a flock of 10 calling Black Scoters seen at close range.
 Next we visited nearby Scarborough Beach State Park where a keen eyed observer spotted a distant Piping Plover. Not much else here which turned out to be the norm for the day with few birds seen at our various stops.
 Trustrom Pond was next where we normally pick up most of the song birds. Here we added Downy Woodpecker, Black Capped Chickadee, 3 Purple Finches and American Goldfinch. Also overhead was a Cooper's Hawk and 2 Fish Crows.
 From hear we ventured down the road to the Kettle Pond Visitor Center where we enjoyed the exhibits and then hiked the trail behind it where birds were scarce but ti make up for that we were serenaded by many wood frogs in a vernal pool. We got to see their heads poking up from the water which was meet.
 Nearby Ninigret refuge was next  which was almost devoid of birds save a goodly number of Buffleheads.
 Our last stop was East Beach where the only new bird for the day was a Red Throated Loon.
  We ended the day with an even 50 species including a Pectoral Sandpiper seen at Trustrom Pond which I forgot to mention earlier. Although we had hoped for more species we still managed to see 2 species never seen before on this trip- Piping Plover and Pectoral Sandpiper.

 Respectfully submitted,  Paul Desjardins, guide

HAS Timber-doodle trip at Donnelly Preserve, South Windsor, CT 3/18/2013

Thirteen hardy birders met at 6:30PM at the West Road parking lot on this cold evening in hopes of hearing & seeing the Timber-doodle (American Woodcock) mating display. After we walked through the woods to the back meadow, several Woodcocks were heard peenting in the wooded areas beginning around sunset. Soon a few birds were seen flying & landing along the edge of the meadow where we had excellent looks a couple times of a male peenting on the ground & taking off for a flight display. It was a cloudy evening, so not easy to follow the flight all the way up & down, but we could hear well the twittering sound of the Woodcock wings on descent. We formed a lovely string of lights (flashlights & headlamps) as we tread our way back in the dark to our cars. All in all, a rewarding trip!

Respectfully submitted, Patrice Favreau, trip leader

Beginners Bird Walk II - March 2. 2013 - Station 43

  Twenty enthusiastic birders were greeted by overcast, cool and damp
weather in the 30's, complete with snow cover and wet walking.

Four Great Blue Herons and several Red-tailed Hawks were seen flying
over the swamp. Some of the open water produced Wood Ducks, Mallards,
Black Ducks, three Pintails, and a pair of Hooded Mergansers. HAS's
platform is popular with everyone and will be even better when all the
ice melts.

The CT River gave us another pair of Hooded Mergansers and six Common
Mergansers. Two immature Bald Eagles were perched and flying across the
  river.

Along Vibert Road everyone was treated to a beautiful male Kestrel
(thanks to Nik Salem). As we watched, he caught a vole (or mouse) and
proceeded to perch and enjoy his meal. Near the treatment plant the
group was able to get good looks at a Merlin (spotted by Ernie Harris).

On Main Street while heading back  to our cars, a Red-tailed Hawk with
scraggy tail feathers was perched atop one of the street lights. He
remained there as everyone walked by, thus giving us the perfect end to
our morning.

Thirty-seven species were tallied up on our lists as we thawed out with
hot drinks at Dunkin' Donuts.

With many thanks for great participation.
Respectfully submitted by Roger Preston and Jon Ward
 

Beginners Bird Walk II - January 12. 2013 - Station 43

Drizzle, overcast skies and snow cover made for a wet and muddy walk
but twenty-seven brave birders ventured out.
 From the new platform, good views of several Red-tailed Hawks and a
lone Belted Kingfisher were seen.
Walking along the pumpkin field we had Song, Tree and White-throated
Sparrows. Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy Woodpeckers and also a Flicker were
in the hedge row.
A few Mallards and Black Ducks also flew over.
Other birds of interest were Mockingbirds, Robins, Ring-billed Gulls
and a Great Black-backed Gull.

In  the CT River were Common Mergansers. A few birders were treated to
a beautiful Golden-crowned Kinglet in the brush close to the boat ramp.
At the ramp a White-breasted Nuthatch and a Brown Creeper completed our
list.

Nine members of the group retired to Dunkin' Donuts to compile our list
of thirty species.

Respectfully submitted, Roger Preston / Jon Ward

Christmas Bird Count Summary – Hartford Audubon –December 15, 2012

 It didn’t feel like a Christmas Bird Count.  Although it wasn’t as warm as some Counts have been, it certainly wasn’t cold.  There was a mild feeling to the air, perhaps due to lack of any wind.  By mid-afternoon, there were small insects on the wing as temperatures climbed into the mid-forties.  The lack of cold weather in the weeks preceding the Count kept most water open, and there had been no substantial periods below freezing that would have eliminated lingering insectivores.  And, with reports of winter finches from around the state, we knew we should have an impressive species total.  The mild weather (and perhaps the elimination of Audubon’s $5.00 fee for observers) provided 133 field observers and an additional 7 feeder watchers, our highest participation rate since 2006.

 These factors combined to give us a species count of 105, breaking our 2005 record of 102 species. Unusual species abounded, beginning with geese.  A flock of some 800 feeding on the grass of Hartford’s Goodwin Park Golf Course included a White-fronted Goose, a Brant and two Cackling Geese.  Open water produced a wide range of water birds including American Wigeon (last seen in 2009), Ring-necked Duck (last seen in 2007) and a pair of Greater Scaup (last seen in 1998).  Three Pied-billed Grebes were reported in East Hartford and four Double-crested Cormorants were seen along the Connecticut River, both species last seen in 2008.  A Great Cormorant seen in Glastonbury, and an American Coot, last seen in 2007, were also notable.

 The warm temperatures of late fall no doubt played a role in the appearance of an Eastern Phoebe in Hartford, a Marsh Wren in Glastonbury, and a Common Yellowthroat in South Windsor.  Although a yellowthroat was also found on last year’s Count, phoebe was last reported in 2006, and marsh wren in 2004.  Without question, the bird of the Count was a LeConte’s Sparrow seen on the northern edge of our Count circle in the Bloomfield Community Gardens.  The bird marks only the seventh record for this species in the State.  It was well photographed on Count Day, but could not be relocated in the days following the Count.  It might be interesting to note that the first record for this species was also found on a northern Connecticut Christmas Bird Count in 1987 – twenty-five years ago! 

Reports of winter finches in Connecticut were concentrated along the coast in the days leading up to our Count.  However, a Pine Grosbeak was reported in Manchester on Count Day, the first time this species has graced our Hartford Count since 1988.  A ten year high count of 138 Common Redpolls included a flock of 100 feeding on phragmites seeds at the Hartford land fill.

 In addition to the impressive redpoll count, numerous other species reached ten year high counts in 2012.  Some, like Belted Kingfisher, were likely attributable to the open water. Others, such as seven Barred Owls, including some in unusual locations, may have been in response to a scarcity of small rodents making these birds more active and more visible in daylight hours. Ten year highs were also reached for Merlin, Killdeer, and American Pipit.   Other birds of note included two Long-eared and two Saw-whet Owls, a Brown Thrasher in Bloomfield, and a Northern Shrike on Wethersfield’s Main Street, not an expected location for this rarely encountered predatory songbird.  The locations of the winter owls are not provided on purpose so as not to disturb these birds on their winter roosts. 

Where there are highs, there must also be lows.  Although gull numbers held steady, the only unusual gull reported was a single Iceland Gull at the large evening roost located at the north end of West Hartford reservoir #6.  With the closing of the area land fills, it is not likely that we will see the unusual gulls reported in past years. A count of four Sharp-shinned Hawks is of some concern, and it is hoped that this smallest of the accipiters will not go the way of the American Kestrel in years to come.  It should be mentioned that a single kestrel was found atop the Hartford land fill on this year’s Count.  A ten year low for Rock Pigeon may have been the result of less effort in our more urban areas, while a low Blue Jay count may be partially attributable to a poor acorn crop.  In 2009, we tallied over 16,000 Common Grackles.  This year, seven were reported along with but five Brown-headed Cowbirds and “only” 732 Red-winged Blackbirds.  Perhaps a shortage of food plays a role here?   

Christmas Bird Counts provide valuable insights into changes to our avian communities.  For the second year in a row, Rough-winged Swallows were found at East Hartford’s sewage treatment plant.  Is this a short term event, or will this bird, never found on our Count prior to 2011, become an annual lingerer in our area.  This appears to have occurred with Black Vulture, a bird first reported in 2008.  This year, fifteen black vultures marked yet another record high.

 With 105 species, few commonly reported birds were missed this year.  Eastern Towhee and Snow Bunting are seen often, but not every year.  The surprise here was missing Yellow-rumped warbler, a bird that was last missed 40 years ago in 1972!  Three additional species were seen during the Count Period (or Count Week), three days preceding and three days following Count Day. An Osprey reported along the Connecticut River in Wethersfield the day prior to the Count could not be re-located.

More frustrating was the Horned Grebe in the Cedar Hill Cemetery Pond and a Black Scoter in the Connecticut River off Hartford’s Riverside Park the day following the Count. Both areas were well-covered on Count Day!   

As always, the compilers thank all those who participated in this year’s Christmas Bird Count, and without whose hard work the Count would not be a success.   For those interested, a complete ten year record of the Count will be available at Hartford Audubon Society meetings, or by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Stephen Davis, 120 Springwood Lane, Bloomfield, CT 06002.  It was a great Count and the compilers hope that everyone enjoyed participating in the Count.  We look forward to next year!

 Submiitted by Jay Kaplan and Steve Davis

Beginners' Bird Walk I -Station 43 - Saturday, September 15, 2012

Early morning rain must have discouraged a large attendance but as the weather cleared, eight people enjoyed a beautiful morning. The new platform made it easy to see Black and White Warblers, an American Redstart and Common Yellowthroats, as well as a Marsh Wren sounding off.

Many Wood Ducks, Mallards and a Great Blue Heron were in the marsh. Hawks included Sharpie, Harrier, Red-tailed and two adult Bald Eagles. Other birds of interest included Killdeer, Warbling Vireo, Tree Swallow, Gray Catbird, Mockingbird, Swamp Sparrow and many Red-winged Blackbirds.

The tally at Dunkin' Donuts netted 36 species.

 Respectfully submitted, Roger Preston and Jon Ward


Urban Birding – Middletown, Saturday, September 15, 2012

The day began with a drizzle, cloudy skies and 61 degree temperatures. The first stop was a very active area on City property at Reservoir Road and Cedar Lane. A Carolina wren sang while chickadees, titmice, juncos and white-breasted nuthatches dominated the property. A silent Philadelphia vireo popped up just 8 feet from the road and electrified the morning. Further south access to the property was discovered and two brown thrashers and a red-breasted nuthatch were seen. The next stop were power line cuts on Berar Hill Road. A kettle of 24 broad-wing hawks was seen while coopers hawks and a black vulture soared underneath. A pileated woodpecker called in the distance as it does every year. Blue-gray gnatcatchers flew across the road. An agricultural area on Brooks Road yielded another thrasher and a red-tailed hawk with a snake. The trip ended at Guida Farms Conservation Area where a green heron stalked a small pond while being watched by a red-shouldered hawk. Yellow-rumped warblers and redstarts darted around the wood edges and at the distant power line cut two flickers, 15 turkey vultures, a merlin, a hairy woodpecker and a prairie warbler ended the day. No HAS members attended and a total of 37 species were seen.  

Respectfully submitted, Joe Budrow, Leader

 Urban Birding – Meriden, Sunday, September 16, 2012

Partly sunny skies and 63 degree temperatures greeted the day. Meriden was fantastic and the first stop at Hanover Pond started the day off with a bang. The early stars were a pair of northern shovelers and three pied-billed grebes. The grebes have occurred for at least the last three years but I have never seen a third. Two belted kingfishers actively flew the entire pond. A red-tailed hawk surveyed the area over the community flower garden while tow ruby-throated hummingbirds checked out some mums for a potential drink. They moved on. Great blue herons and a great egret probed the shore line while tow yellow legs hung out nearby. Mallard duck were plentiful as were mute swans. No bald eagles here today. A trip to the land fill/ airport area yielded bobolinks and a light-phase red-tailed hawk that continuously hovered and landed on a distant mound. Shockingly, a barred owl hooted just once from somewhere. Mockingbirds flitted around the airport while killdeers flew circularly to the north. A flock of sad-looking turkeys ate on a vacant residential parcel nearby. A trip to Hubbard Park’s West Peak yielded a funny interaction between a turkey vulture and a raven. Upon getting out of the car they were observed slowly soaring to a radio tower where the raven landed first, then the vulture just 4 feet away. The raven kept yelling at it until it until the vulture flew off and soared to the other tower. The raven followed it and landed four feet from it and continued to annoy. A walk to the peak overlooking southern Connecticut yielded yellow-rumps, a peregrine falcon, black vulture and more broad wing hawks. The trip ended at Foster’s Pond in the City’s east side. The pond was alive with wood ducks, American widgeon, a pied-billed grebe and a black-crowned night heron. No HAS members attended and a total of 42 species were seen.

Respectfully submitted, Joe Budrow, Leader
 

Greenstone Hollow Nature Preserve Trip Report -  June 23, 2012

An overcast day greeted us as we started out the walk.  The rain from the previous night made for a few wet trails.  Ten birders met for the walk, including one new junior birder.  Let’s hope he will be an enthusiastic birder in the future.  There is now a group of semi-regulars that show up for most of the walks.  This is one of the best signs I have been that this preserve is becoming a success.

The front part of the preserve was quiet, with only the most common birds present.  We did get the first of several Common Yellowthroats that are nesting on the preserve.

The trails in the shrub swamp were a little damp, but not extremely so.  The new walkways installed by Chris Fisher kept our feet dry.  We found one or two singing Blue-winged Warblers, a bird typical of this habitat.  Most birds are keeping quiet now that nesting season is here.

The cedar woods gave us our first good bird of the day.  We found a pair of juvenile Green Herons hopping on the branches of a cedar tree.  Chris had spotted them earlier, and we wanted to get them.

The marsh had our best bird of the day.  Only giving one call, we identified a Virginia Rail, a new bird for the preserve.  We also heard a Field Sparrow, another new sighting for the preserve.  We now total 98 species seen or heard there.

We had a total of 30 species, with 2 warblers.  Not bad for a quiet nesting season.

Respectfully submitted, Larry Lunden

Station 43 Trip - June 9, 2012

I had been to Station 43 on Friday the 8^th to check things out.  The road in was very overgrown and I hadn’t thought to bring  clippers to cut back some of the briars and branches.  This morning I did bring them and so did two others that were on the trip.  There were five of us and were joined by Rick Macsuga who was doing the summer bird count. 

There were a few birds on the way in including a pair of cedar waxwings at their nest.    There were some yellow warblers and a sparrow or two.  We got to the ponds where there were some wood ducks with ducklings, and the usual suspects.  We couldn’t find any Virginia Rails but did get an orchard oriole, one blue-gray gnatcatcher,(a first for this trip) our first willow flycatcher and then….a least bittern flying over the pond.  It landed in some weeds and we were able to get scopes on it for good looks.  We continued on and scoped a warbling vireo nest in a tree over the platform.

We stopped at the platform and realized a lot of trimming needed to be done to make it useful.  One can only see infront and not up to the north.  Going through the field near the platform was a group of 5 wild turkeys,also a first for this trip.

Continuing on, we had an American Redstart in the wooded section.  The large corn field was next and as we walked around the edge there were at least 4 willow flycatchers and more yellow warblers.  There were no Virginia rails responding at the north end of the pond so, on towards the river we went.  There were two killdeer in the field.  Walking along the river, a blue-headed vireo was seen as well as a redstart.  A light rain started so it was decided that discretion should be used and we headed back to Main St. to drive to Vibert road.  While at the ponds there was an orchard oriole tee’d up in a tree.  A second least bittern flew from the large pond to the small one.  Here we got a Virginia Rail to respond, although it wouldn’t show itself.  A marsh wren was also heard here.  In the past, this trip used to have good numbers of marsh wrens but not any more.

Raptors were noted by their absence.

At Vibert Road we parked by Newbury Brook and walked the dirt road north.  We finally had some raptors, three red-tails.   Swamp sparrows, yellow warblers and willow flycatchers made their presence known.   The roadpassed the planted corn area was overgrown with tall grass.  It doesn’t appear to be used now.  At the pumpkin field we headed west towards the river and the dirt road back to Vibert.  An immature bald eagle crossing the river up stream was nice.  At the river, bank swallows were skimming along the surface.  Cat birds serenaded us as we walked.  Once at Vibert Road things quieted down until we got near Newbury brook when a spotted sandpiper flew into the newly plowed field and two more catbirds were the final birds of the trip. 

We totaled 50 species.  Since it was bird count day we tried our best to get an accurate count and tallied the following: 9 willow flycatchers, 10 warbling vireos, 16 catbirds, 10 cedar waxwings and 33 yellow warblers.

Respectfuly submitted, Carl Ekroth, leader

Spice Bush Swamp & Westmoor Park Trip Report -  June 9, 2012

A cool and cloudy day greeted us as we started out the walk.  Five of us gathered for the bird walk and summer bird count.  Due to the rain last week, the walk was postponed to today.  The 33 acre park was acquired by the Town of West Hartford in 1962.  The park has a variety of habitats including swamp, woods, a pond, and a small field.  The town cleaned up the trails, which had been severely blocked by the October 2011 snow storm.

The leaves were completely out, exercising our powers of birding by ear.  A light drizzle came down on us later in the day, but was not discouraging.

The pond held families out for a swim.  The pair of Canada Geese had 4 goslings in tow.  A pair of Mallards had 7 ducklings swimming and foraging in the weeds.  The back of the pond had our first warbler, a Black-and-white Warbler who could only be heard.  Also a Baltimore Oriole was heard singing in the trees.

We heard, and then saw, the first of numerous Gray Catbirds.  In the woods we heard an American Redstart, which was a life bird for some of us.

Back at the pond we saw a few swallows darting around.  It took us a while to decide they were Northern Rough-winged Swallows.  We also heard a Yellow Warbler calling.

Still looking for more birding sites, and to continue the summer count, we went to Westmoor Park to try our luck there.

The field by the barn had lots of Barn Swallows.  This is a reliable species here.  We also had a flock of 30 European Starlings.  More fledgling activity was noted as a young House Sparrow was begging for food from its father, who was trying to get away from it.  I guess they have to eat also.

In the woods we heard a Wood Thrush calling in the distance, but no other notable species.  A drizzle was keeping all the other birds in bed, including the water fowl.

We had a total of 30 species, with 3 warblers.

Respectfully submitted, Larry Lunden

30 Species:

Canada Goose, Mallard, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Warbling Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow. 

Urban Birding III – New Haven Trip -

 Trip leader Joseph Budrow was joined by Sheila Huddleston and Steve Frazzinifrom West Hartford. Westarted the day in North Haven behind a plaza on Universal Drive where they spent an hour looking out over the Quinnipiac River and some tidal marshes. We were welcomed by a belted kingfisher looking triumphant on a dead tree limb.  Incoming waves of birds kept us actively searching for yellow warblers, yellowthroats, song sparrows and red winged blackbirds. A tortured raven was hounded out above the marsh by blackbirds and a pair of osprey were rearing a youngun’ on a nearby platform. A total of eight osprey were seen here. The next stop was Peter’s Rock Park off Route 17 in North Haven. This is an amazing habitat of woodlands, ravines and rock outcrops. The woods were symphonic with the sounds of wood thrushes, robins, warblers, vireos, orioles, redstarts and blue jays. And while a great-crested flycatcher “weeped” somewhere else an ovenbird yelled out for a “teacher”. Deeper in the park a worm-eating warbler was calling emphatically. After getting temporarily lost we found our cars and headed to New Haven’s Quinnipiac Meadows where we were greeted by the rubber band sound of a willow flycatcher. Sheila spotted a black vulture high in the sky…a most impressive specimen. We opted to stay out of a grassed path that led to the marsh as it looked like a tick-infested area. We followed a utility road to an area that yielded cowbirds, a mockingbird, another willow flycatcher, and a warbling vireo. With 11:30 approaching it was off to East Shore Park where the highlights included an elusive 1^st-year Baltimore oriole, a great egret and a small flock of brant. As we walked back to our cars we were passed by a parade of of cedar waxwings.The weather was spectacular and the birding was more so. A total of 48 species were seen and/or heard.

 Respectfully submitted, Joe Budrow

THE HARTFORD AUDUBON SOCIETY - LETHAL TOUR REPORT - MAY 19, 2012 

The Hartford Audubon Society’s Lethal Tour had a long and storied history long before I joined the organization in the early 1970s.  At one time, HAS members scoured the entire state of Connecticut looking for as many species as could be found within a 24 hour period.  An HAS team even held, albeit briefly, the state record for most birds seen within a twenty-four hour period as the Lethal Tour morphed into what is now called “Big Day.”  Eventually, The Big Day became the domain of the state’s top birders.  HAS participation on Big Days gradually waned and ceased altogether in the mid 90s, perhaps succumbing to the high price of gasoline, ever increasing traffic, and no doubt the advancing age of many of the participants.

  In 2009, and in conjunction with the HAS 100^th Anniversary, this trip leader was of the opinion that a slightly less rigorous schedule might breathe new life into what had always been an entertaining if somewhat draining day in the field.  Rather than begin at midnight, we would start at a more reasonable 4 AM. Rather than bird throughout Connecticut, we would limit our travel to within Hartford County limits.  Perhaps I was mistaken because on this sparkling Saturday, perhaps the best weather day of the spring migration period to date, only two participants arose well before dawn to meet at Station 43 for our 4 AM start time. 

 Station 43 was eerily quiet.  There was a single marsh wren, a few swamp sparrows and other sporadic songbirds, but where were the bitterns, rails or owls that can make this one of the most exciting early morning birding hot spots in Connecticut?  .  Perhaps it was just too nice a night?  Without any weather systems to slow migration or drop birds into Connecticut as had occurred on weekends earlier in the month, it was quickly apparent that recent migrants had passed us by and we would have to be content with those species that were already on their breeding territories.  Alas, we would set no records on this date.  The two birders, already suffering from minor maladies, made a pact. They would bird until they exceeded 100 species and call it a day by 5 PM.

 Faring no better on Strong or Vibert Roads, other than a singing Orchard Oriole, off they went to Hartford’s Cedar Hill Cemetery.  If there were migrant warblers to be found, they would be there in the early morning.  A Magnolia and a Blackpoll Warbler, one of the later migrants, were the only migrants found.  The only colorful species to be found were breeding birds including Great-crested Flycatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Scarlet Tanager.  The Peregrine Falcon nest above Balf Quarry did hold a fat gray chick and Common Ravens were heard beyond the cliff, but there was little else to hold us and we soon departed for Rentschler Field.

  Unfortunately, the previously reported Tricolored Heron had left the pond behind Cabelas, nor was there a shorebird to be found at the pond.  The grasslands did provide Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark, but no Upland Sandpiper, a coveted species on the Tour.  North we went through Hartford and on to Windsor’s Northwest Park, where Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Towhee and Field Sparrow were quickly added.  The nearby Bloomfield-Windsor Landfill does not receive garbage on Saturday and a giant wood chipper made access to the dump somewhat problematic. We were happy to find three departing Greater Black-backed Gulls and a juvenile Bald Eagle, who were as disappointed as we were with the weekend menu.  

 Now it was time to head back to our home base in the Farmington Valley, where we were confident we could continue to add species at each location we visited.  Penwood State Park provided Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo and an unexpected Louisiana Waterthrush hopping on the road. Nod Brook Wildlife Management Area gave us Greater Yellowlegs and Black-and-white Warbler. Ethel Walker Woods offered Brown Creeper and Pine, Blackburnian and Black-throated Green Warblers.  Great Pond in Simsbury provided Broad-winged Hawk and Spotted Sandpiper.  We were now in the low nineties and on pace with our 2011 total.  A quick stop to change shoes netted our first Ruby-throated Hummingbird at a feeder and now it was on to the wilds of Canton’s Ratlum Mountain to finish our Tour.

 After ticking off Yellow-rumped Warbler and Hermit Thrush, we netted our hundredth bird, Black-throated Blue Warbler, at exactly 2:50 PM.  Moments later, we added Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Red-shouldered Hawk.   At that point, we were done although we did take the “long” way home through Collinsville adding Common Merganser as the 103^rd and final bird of the day.  Same total as last year and after over 100 driving miles and walking a few more on foot, we were ready to take a break.  After all, tomorrow is the final day of the Spring Census, and we’ll have to be up early!

Respectfully submitted, Jay Kaplan and Jamie Meyers

East Rock Park Trip Report - Saturday  - May 12, 2012

Sixteen people showed up for the East Rock Park trip in Hamden/New Haven May 12th. The weather was nice for a change after all the rain but the birds were hard to come by as we had to work hard to find them. As we started out on the lower level someone spotted a Spotted Sandpiper along the river and we began to see or hear the numerous Warbling Vireos as well as a few warblers such as the usual Yellows  and a nice Northern Waterthrush. To make up for the scarce warblers we did have a nice White Crowned Sparrow right on the path. Upon back tracking we did hear a Hooded Warbler which somehow evaded us.
  We then drove up to the upper level in hopes of improving our score. A Wild Turkey gobbled and we did add a few more warblers like Black Throated Green, Black Throated Blue and best of all a Tennessee. Further along we had a good view of a Swainson"s Thrush and a pair of young Common Ravens who provided us with excellent looks along the road as they waited for their parents to return. We continued a ways further down and spotted what was one of the most washed out Scarlet Tanagers I have ever seen! Obviously a bird born last year. We soon turned around as things were really quiet. We ended up with 57 species with 15 of them warblers.

Respectfully submitted, Paul Desjardins

Station 43 Trip Report - Saturday, May 5, 2012

Three green herons flying overhead started the May 5^th Station 43 walk off on a high note. Early into the walk we were treated to the sight of a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak gathering nesting material, and Yellow Warblers everywhere. We heard a Black-throated Green Warbler, some had a semi-obscured view of a Magnolia Warbler, and we all got very good looks at Baltimore Orioles.  The pond was very low and pretty empty, with only a few Mallards and Wood Ducks.  Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were soon seen as were several more varieties of Warblers.  A Black-billed cuckoo was heard along Vibert Road marking the end of a successful day.  We retired to Dunkin’ Donuts to tally our results:  57 different species.

Respectfully submitted, Roger Preston / Gil Kleiner / Jon Ward

Quarry Park and Connecticut River Floodplain Trip Repor - April 28, 2012

A cool and breezy day greeted us as we started out the walk.  Two of us gathered for the annual Quarry Park walk.  It was not an ideal day for birding.  An early warm spell brought out most of the leaves, and a cold snap kept the birds further south.  Occasional breezes swayed the trees, but the sun poked out to warm us up.The ridge trail had many of the usual suspects.  We had a Great Blue Heron or two fly over us.  And Red-winged Black Birds were well represented in the small quarry pond.Coming down to the upper level trail was more rewarding.  We heard a White-breasted Nuthatch in the trees, but could not see it.  Then we heard a squeaky sound that was a Black-and-white Warbler, our first warbler of the day.  It hid behind the bushes and would not come out for a look.  The best bird of the day was a Brown Thrasher that sang and hopped about in a bare tree.  We got a good look at this cooperative bird.On the lower level, we could see across the railroad tracks into some good habitat.  Unfortunately we didn’t see any birds there.On our way back up the levels to the ridge trail we had a Yellow-rumped Warbler ahead of us.  In the forest we had our only Black-capped Chickadee of the day, and a small flock of American Goldfinch.Due to the slow birding, I skipped the caravan through the meadows.Our total species of 23, with 2 warblers, was the lowest I have had for this trip, and there were no new species added to the cumulative list.

Respectfully submitted, Larry Lunden

Western CT Shoreline Trip - April 7, 2012

 This was the smallest group ever on this trip, just 7 people.  It was a gorgeous, sunny day with periods of fairly strong wind.
 

As per usual we drove to Sherwood Island State Park to start the trip.  Here we had many horned grebes, some in breeding plumage, gannets, old squaw ducks also in breeding plumage, both loons, white-winged scoter and 2 Bonaparte’s gulls.  From here we tried for the previously seen lesser black-backed gull at Burying Hill Beach.  No luck.  Then it was on to Southport Beach.  The hope for today was large flocks of gulls that had been in the area lately.  Southport beach had none.
 

On to Stratford.  Long Beach Blvd being the first stop.  At the small pond at the end there were a pair of boat-tailed grackles, one each great and snowy egrets.  The rail trail produced two hermit thrush, palm warbler and ruby-crowned kinglet.

Long beach did not have much of anything, no shorebirds that we could see or any gulls of note.
 

We went over to the seawall in Stratford, just around the corner from Long Beach, to hopefully find lots of gulls.  Here it was much the same not too many.  There were, however, some Bonaparte’s gulls.  A few flew close to us as we ate lunch and some landed on the water.  Many had full black heads which was nice.  Again there were gannets cruising off shore.
 

A new stop for this trip was a small pond behind an office building on Access Road near Frash Pond.  Here were at least seven black-crowned night herons, another ruby crowned kinglet, northern rough-winged swallow and palm warbler.

We then drove to the Birdseye boat ramp where we added American coot.
 

Milford Point marsh had a very high, full moon tide which pushed any ducksto  where they were visible.  Within many green-winged teal we found American wigeon and one pair of blue-winged teal.  As we were heading for the beach side, two common ravens landed in a tree near the parking lot.  This is only the second time raven have been reported here.  On the sound, were more gannets.
 

Oyster river on the Milford/West Haven line can sometimes have loads of Bonaparte’s gulls and sometimes something really good like black-headed or little gulls.  Well nothing like that today.  Just the regular herring and ring-billed gulls.

Sandy point, our last stop of the trip held many brant but little else.
 

The trip total was 57 species, with the bird of the day: boat-tailed grackle.
 

Respectfully submitted, Carl Ekroth, trip leader

Field Trip for Hartford and Mattabeseck Audubon -  March 18, 2012
 
Top Spots Along The Connecticut River in Portland
 
22 birders met at the Brownstone intermediate School parking lot in Portland. It was a cloudy day with temperatures in the 60's.
Our stops included the northern and eastern portions of Wangunk Meadows, Petzold's Boatyard, and a viewing area near the Arrigoni Bridge.
 
Highlights of the trip featured views of: Pileated Woodpeckers, Wilson's Snipe, Killdeer, Wood Ducks, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, Osprey, Bald Eagle on the nest, Horned owl on the nest, Peregrine Falcon, Belted kingfisher, Eastern Bluebirds, Osprey, Tree Swallows, and approximately 85 Great Blue Herons seen in the nests.
 
Other species included: Turkey Vulture, Canada Goose, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch,  American Black Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Red-tailed hawk, Ring-billed gull, Red-belllied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, American Crow, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-winged Blackbird,  House Finch and American Goldfinch.
 
Overall, it was a great morning to view ducks, raptors on the nest and a whole lotta herons!  -total species seen 40
 
Respectfully submitted, Larry Nichols

 Cape Ann Trip - January 14-15, 2012

 Saturday started out with a bright sun and southerly winds which were cold.  We were joined by the group affectionately known as the “Felton Sisters” consisting of Annie, Janet, Marjorie and Margaret.  There were eight other HAS members on the trip making it easy to get around using two cars.

 Our first stop was at Folly Cove.  Here our first birds was a flock of robins.  The cove itself didn’t have as many birds as in the past but did have 15-18 harlequin ducks, all three scoters and a fly by long tailed duck. 

 From here we went a short way back route 127 to Halibut Point.  It seemed strange to walk all the way out to the point with out any snow or ice, even the quarry was not frozen.  Once at the point proper we were buffeted by the strong winds (what else is new?) and started scanning the ocean.  There were sea ducks and some distant razorbills.  A large flock of shorebirds landed on the rocks along the waters edge.  Mostly sanderling but we were able to pick out one purple sandpiper and a few dunlin.  There weren’t many gulls and no white-winged gulls. 

Next was Andrew’s Point where there was much less wind.  It was nice not to have any ice to contend with.  There were some fairly close razorbills and red-necked grebes.  The usual harlequin ducks were there and a double-crested cormorant was found.  Unusual there at this time of year.  A thick-billed murre was found along with more scoters.  A good sized flock of purple sandpipers flew in but landed below the rocks so we could not study them.

 The “Felton sisters” told us of a location just south of Rockport ,that had harbored a yellow breasted chat.   They led us there and we walked a ways along a path through a tangle of briars but could not coax out the chat.

 We bypassed the Emerson Inn and met at the Jodrey Fish Pier.  The usual large flocks of gulls were all sitting on distant roof tops making it difficult to pick out anything good.  There was, however, one Iceland gull sitting in the harbor on the west side of the pier.  Another birder came to tell us of a close thick-billed murre on the east side of the pier.  When we got there the murre was “attacked” by a razor bill that came up from under the murre and landed on it.  The razorbill then disappeared and resurfaced a long distance away.  Another murre was found farther in the harbor.

 There had been a townsends warbler, a western species, visiting a private home in Ipswich.  The owner is a birder and very hospitable to anyone who wanted a look.  We drove there and in a few minutes the warbler showed up and gave us wonderful looks.  It is feeding on meal worms and appears quite healthy.  We spent 30 minutes or so before returning to Gloucester.

 Eastern Point was our next to last stop and here we found three black guillemots out beyond the light house and a small flock of gadwall in the small cove by the parking lot.

 There had been an adult king eider off the Elks on Atlantic road but it was not to be found this day. We did find about 18 red-necked grebes.

Sunday morning started off sunny and frigid, temp around 7 or 8 degrees and windy.  There was much   “sea smoke “ on the ocean.

 We drove drive up to Plum Island, spotting a flock of turkeys along the way.  Lot 1 was our first stop where we hooked up with the Feltons, here we found more razorbills, scoters, loons and a few harlequins.  The Feltons had arrived before us and found snow buntings and horned larks at Hellcat.  We all went there and again found these two species out on the dike.  A couple asked us if we had seen the snowy owl, we had not and told them so.  Paul Walter overheard another couple telling the first couple, “go to lot 5, walk out to the beach and look left”.  Correctly thinking the directions were to a snow owl we followed them and did find the snowy.  It was a distance away but it was a snowy.

  Emerson rocks was our last stop on the island and it wasn’t too birdy but we did find a greater scaup, an unusual specie for this trip.  There was a large flock of mostly dunlin with a few sanderling thrown in along the beach. On the way out Paul Wolter spotted a raptor and it turned out to be rough-legged hawk, a species we have missed for the past couple of years. 

Cashman Park in Newburyport was our lunch spot along the Merrimac River where there were many ring-billed gulls and a few common goldeneye.   

After lunch we went to Salisbury Beach on the other side of the river.  We drove around the campground and found nothing, ending up at the jetty at the mouth of the river.  There was so much turbulence we couldn’t make out anything and with the temperature dropping and the wind not, we called it a trip.

 Our trip total was 64 species.  The usual leaders called in sick (again) and asked me to lead the trip.  It was easy with the small group we had, and fun.

Respectfully submitted, Carl Ekroth

Beginner's Bird Walk - Station 43 II - 9:00 A.M. - January 14, 2012

There was no ice on the marsh but still plenty of water to navigate
before getting to HAS's new platform. A lone Muted Swan and hundreds of
Canada Geese greeted the group. Also, many Blue Jays, Mourning Doves
and Rock Doves were present.

Moving along  the hedge row to the CT River we had Song, Tree and
White-throated Sparrows. A Downy, Red-bellied and Hairy Woodpecker were
seen.  The CT River gave us 4 - 5 Common Mergansers and one Ring-billed
Gull.

Along Vibert Road several Red-tailed Hawks and an immature Bald Eagle
made a brief appearance. One Wood Duck, Blacks and Mallards rounded out
the morning's
count, making a total of thirty species.

Eighteen people enjoyed a cold crisp day with no snow to hamper our
progress. Warming up with coffee at Dunkin' Donuts was enjoyed at the
end of a successful morning.

Respectfully submitted, Roger Preston / Jon Ward / Gil Kleiner