Bird Walk Trip Report at Hilltop Farm – 9/6/2023
Written and submitted by Trip Leader: Joan Heffernan
Why do people gather at 8:30 AM, on a late, hot summer day with the temperature at 68° and predicted to reach 93° but feel like 99° before the day’s end? Add in the humidity and bothersome mosquitoes to boot, one may wonder! Well, it’s because birding is fun! Enjoying nature, seeing familiar species, perhaps new ones, (and maybe a migrating warbler) defines our purpose. My motivation includes meeting birders and sharing a bit of history about this farm originally owned by George Hendee (Indian Motorcycle fame). Many bird sightings have been documented on this property which is maintained by volunteers. Today we welcomed two birders, members of the Hartford Audubon Society, who were first time visitors to Hilltop Farm and they left with the intention of coming back, preferably in cooler conditions! It was hot this morning!!!
Along with spotting 16 species, (a few LBJs escaped us) we conversed on the trail, talked about favorite birding encounters and saw where wetland plants, purchased with HAS grant money, were planted along the boardwalk to replace invasive species. After a short jaunt into the woods we approached an inland pond where two very cooperative green herons were perched on the opposite side. We walked uphill and passed through the community garden where hummingbirds and swallowtails were seen. It was a rather quiet morning for birds but the blue jays, goldfinches, woodpeckers, catbirds, mockingbirds and carolina wrens made their presence known. I did find myself pointing out “this is where we see Bob-o-Links, this is where we see wood ducks, northern harriers, swamp sparrows… The Bird Garden, host to several native plants granted from HAS, was our last bird viewing point. As we gazed at the giant mulberry tree near the garden, I heard myself saying, when this tree is fruiting, we see cedar waxwings, orioles …
I guess our new visitors will just have to return again in another season!