On Saturday, June 1st thirteen bird watchers gathered at Station 43 in South Windsor for a three-hour walk featuring wetland bird species. The weather turned out to be picture-perfect with clear skies, sun and very light winds. The mosquitos along Newberry Road were also sympathetic to the cause allowing most people a pain-free visit.
After a brief greeting and introduction, the group headed off slowly down Newberry Road, birding and botanizing along the way. Slow, and very quiet would be the best way to describe how this bird walk began. But the activity soon picked up with the sights and sounds of multiple Yellow Warblers. Joining the Yellows was a vocal tree-top Magnolia Warbler as well as an American Redstart. Seven Cedar Waxwings perched high in a dead tree garnered birder’s attention as did the activity of nesting Gray Catbirds.
The search for wetland bird species began with our arrival to the Station 43 Sanctuary itself. Here we spotted Green Herons, Swamp Sparrows, a pair of Belted Kingfishers and a number of Wood Duck. Marsh Wrens were heard singing in the distant reeds. The ubiquitous Red-winged Blackbird was seen throughout, with a striking all-black body and orange-red and yellow shoulder patch.
The most surprising sighting of the day was that of a fly-over Great Egret!
Our search for the elusive Least Bittern took a surprisingly long time, but patience and perseverance finally had its reward with sightings of two birds chasing each other over the marsh. Kudos to the group for keeping a positive attitude during the bittern vigil!
After the exciting Least Bittern sighting, birdwatchers collectively decided to head over to nearby Vibert Road for some additional birding. Here we added Orchard Oriole, Wild Turkey and Killdeer. A brief walk into the woodlands along the Connecticut River produced Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos, Wood Thrush and Hairy Woodpecker. Heard calling across the river were Great Crested Flycatcher and Pileated Woodpecker.
We ended our trip at the Vibert Road boat launch. From the river bank, birders enjoyed close up comparisons of both Bank and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. A pair of Common Merganser startled us as they floundered away from the shore, and then floated gently downriver. The late addition of Bald Eagle and Osprey was the finishing touch to a glorious day of birding.
Our trip tallied a total of 61 bird species.
Respectively submitted,
Paul Cianfaglione, trip leader
