Category: Bird Counts (Page 1 of 2)

Summary of Big January, 2026

From Sarah Faulkner

Our tenth annual Hartford County Big January of Birding challenge was a success once again, but birding this year was particularly difficult due to extremely cold weather, frozen ponds/lakes/streams, and snow! This yearly quest to see the most wild bird species in January in Hartford County brought lots of joy to those who were able to participate. A number of folks wrote to say that they enjoyed searching but just could not make the minimum number for a certificate. A few commented on the challenges of keeping on gloves, suffering the wind, and difficulties walking… yup, a nasty January! It should be noted that finding even 50 species in Hartford County in January is no easy feat, especially this year. Those able to see many species had to work hard for them! But in the end, it’s not the final number that matters, but the fun we had in the hunt.

Our 2025 winners are listed below.  HAS awards certificates in these categories: Youth (ages 4-10): 25 species; Teen (ages 11-17): 35 species; Weekend Warrior Adults (ages 18+ whose day jobs ironically interfere with birding): 50 species, and Adult (ages 18+ who can get outdoors during the week): 60 species. All winners will receive a certificate from HAS at the May Annual Meeting or mailed afterward if you cannot attend to receive it in person. The adult with the most species will be celebrated at the HAS Annual meeting in May, along with the birder who found the most notable bird – our coveted “Golden Grebe” award.  Special congratulations go to Jacob Gransinger, age 16, with an impressive count of 67 in the Teen category, and to Connor Hogan for winning the adult category with 102 species. The Golden Grebe award winner will be kept secret until May!

Adults Categories

Sandra Alyssa

Logan Barnes

Laura and Bob Bengtson

Christine Chinni

Sarah Faulkner

Barry Fasciano

Jeff Fengler

David Funke

Jack Halibozek

Joan Heffernan

Thomas Heffernan

Bruce Ho

Connor Hogan

Dennis Johnston

Jay Kaplan

William Kelly

David Lawton

Lisa Lukawicz

Barry Marsh

Jamie Meyers

Annette Pasek

Maryann Passalacqua

Maggie Peretto

Gillian Smits

Audrey Staropoli

Brian Toal

Sandra Van Vooren

Shori Velles

John Weeks

Alison Wilcox

Chris Wilcox

Blair Wlochowski

Joseph Wojtanowski

Sara Zagorski

Teen Category (ages 11-17)

Jacob Gransinger, age 16, 67 species (wow!)

HARTFORD SUMMER BIRD COUNT SUMMARY – JUNE 7-8, 2025

The Hartford Summer Bird Count (SBC) was held on June 7^th-8^th. This marked the fourteenth consecutive weekend that featured some rain. More importantly for our Count, the month of May 2025 was the third rainiest May since the start of record keeping, and temperatures struggled to reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, the thermometer reached 70 on only four days the entire month. Such cold, wet weather is known to play havoc with the nesting season, and how many waterfowl nests that were washed out by high water levels cannot be determined. It is known that several participants remarked upon a lack of ducklings, although Canada geese goslings seemed to have weathered (sorry about that) the cool, damp conditions.

Saturday began overcast with temperatures in the mid 60s, and by 10 am the predicted rains had arrived, and they continued throughout the day. Sunday also began overcast and cooler, and while there was no measurable precipitation, the skies did not begin to clear until later in the day with the mercury reaching into the mid-70s later in the afternoon.

Although skies were gray, and there are always numerous conflicts to mid-June birding, 61 participants fanned out over our 15 mile diameter circle, only two fewer than the previous year. Of greater interest, 47 parties birded for a cumulative 177.5 hours, 5 more parties and 15 more hours than in 2024. Total species tallied was 109, three fewer than last year, and a reasonable total considering the weather. Eight species seen in 2024 were absent this year. These Gadwall, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Solitary Sandpiper, Great Horned Owl, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, and Black-throated Green Warbler. Several of these are not to be expected on our Hartford Count, while others like the owl were likely victims of inclement weather for night birding. Five species that did not appear last year found their way onto this year’s Count. These included a pair of Green-winged Teal at Station 43, South Windsor, three Herring Gulls making their way down the Connecticut River in Glastonbury, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and a Least Flycatcher, both in Glastonbury, and a surprising total of 9 Brown Thrashers from three areas, including birds with young in Manchester and Bloomfield! Other rarities included a Least Sandpiper in Manchester, and an American Woodcock in Bloomfield.  Several warblers of note included Worm-eating in Bloomfield, Black-and-white in Farmington/Avon and Chestnut-sided in both Farmington/Avon and Manchester.  Manchester also tallied a pair of White-throated Sparrows, a species that apparently no longer nests in Connecticut.

In terms of numbers, American Robin again led the way with 1143 individuals.  This total, some 250 fewer than in 2024, would likely have been higher if not for the rains of Saturday! Rounding out the top five were European Starling (1065), House Sparrow (834), Red-winged Blackbird (797) and Gray Catbird (460). The catbird beat out Common Grackle (459) by one bird! Although several areas commented on a paucity of ducklings, waterfowl numbers were higher for Canada Goose, Wood Duck and Mallard this year. Other water birds including Double-crested Cormorant and Green Heron also showed increased numbers. All raptors with the exception of Cooper’s Hawk and Bald Eagle showed a decrease, in part, no doubt because overcast, rainy weather is not conducive to soaring. Higher numbers were tallied for all woodpeckers (except Northern Flicker), the three recorded vireo species, all the flycatchers, Blue Jay and Common Raven. Swallows were down in number with the exception of the Purple Martin colony in Glastonbury that showed a small increase from 8 to 10 birds. Cliff Swallow colonies continue at West Hartford Reservoir #6 and at CIGNA in Bloomfield. A steep decline for Bank Swallows could be attributed to fewer sandbanks and sand piles in which this species builds its nests. Chickadees and titmice increased in number, while White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina and Northern (note the new name) House Wren decreased. Orioles, particularly Orchard Oriole, increased over 2024, while Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle both declined. Finally, House Sparrow showed a significant increase of 18%. This was due to one area making a concerted effort to count the house sparrows in their town.

This is the Hartford Summer Bird Count’s 35^th year, and whereas we might not garner the species totals found on those counts that take place along Connecticut’s coast, there are plenty of birds to be found in our part of Connecticut.

The Summer Bird Count is an important survey, providing information on the status of breeding bird populations. Thank you to the area captains and all participants who donated their time to participate in the Count this year. Results of ours and the other seven Connecticut SBCs will be published in an upcoming edition of The Connecticut Warbler, the quarterly journal of the Connecticut Ornithological Association. A full accounting of the species found on the Hartford Count is available by e-mailing me at jaybrd49@aol.com

I hope that many of you will be able to participate in our 2025 Christmas Bird Count, the longest running of all “citizen science” surveys. The Christmas Count will take place on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Save the date!

Jay Kaplan, Compiler

Hartford Summer Bird Count

HARTFORD SUMMER BIRD COUNT SUMMARY –  JUNE 12-13 2021

As we moved through spring, Connecticut began to loosen up its COVID 19 restrictions, and people began to once again travel and attend events in mid-June.  As such, coverage of our area during the Hartford Summer Bird Count was spotty in certain areas.  Although the number of observers at 54, and total party hours at 168 were below the record numbers of last year (65 observers and 198 party hours), they were still well ahead of participatory totals in 2019.  Several long time participants, however, were unavailable this year and their absence surely impacted our results, especially with regard to species totals.

Total species came in at 104, a decrease of seven from 2020.  It was no surprise that last year’s unprecedented Western Meadowlark, accepted by the Avian Records Committee as the first sighting of this species in Hartford County, was not seen this year.  Additional species seen in 2020, but not in 2021, include Black Duck, Broad-winged Hawk, American Kestrel, American Woodcock, both Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Blue-headed Vireo, Worm-eating and Yellow-rumped Warbler.  Other species, not found last year, made an appearance on this year’s list including a Black-crowned Night Heron at Hartford’s sewage lagoon, a Red-headed Woodpecker in Wethersfield/Rocky Hill, and two Northern Parulas in East Hartford.  Other birds of note included a Sharp-shinned Hawk in Glastonbury and Brown Thrashers in Glastonbury and Bloomfield.  Glastonbury’s Purple Martin colony has now increased to 7 birds.  Mute Swan, unreported in 2020, appeared in three areas totaling 15 individual birds.

Other species came very close to being unreported this year.  The marshes of South Glastonbury did not produce Virginia Rails this year, but a single individual, along with a least bittern, was found near Station 43, South Windsor.  Other species producing but a single individual included Eastern Screech Owl in Windsor, and Winter Wren, Black-and-white and Black-throated Green Warbler in West Hartford.

Several species showed little or no change over last year.  Cliff Swallows were reported from the same three towns and totaled 40 birds, the same number reported in 2020.  Eastern Meadowlarks and Bobolinks were still present, but in fewer numbers than seen in the previous year. The four meadowlarks were found only at the former Hartford landfill site.  Last year, there were eight.  The bobolinks were reported in the same four areas, but there were 40 compared to last year’s 46.

In addition to lack of coverage, there are other concerns for the future of the Summer Bird.  Potential loss of habitat due to development, and to the encroachment of invasive plant species in critical habitats remain concerns.

The University of Hartford remains off limits to public visitors, denying access to a productive area along the Park River on the Hartford/West Hartford line.

We have been fortunate in terms of the weather on our Count weekend, but prolonged heat waves and torrential rains are always a concern leading up to Count Week.

This marks the 31^st year for the Hartford SBC, providing information on the status of breeding bird populations in the Hartford area.  In this, the final breeding season of the Connecticut Breeding Bird Atlas project, the Summer Bird Count continued to add valuable data to this worthy effort.  As compiler, I thank the area captains and the 55 participants who donated their time to participate in the Count this year.  Results of ours and the other Connecticut SBCs will be published in an upcoming edition of The Connecticut Warbler, quarterly journal of the Connecticut Ornithological Association.  For more information on the atlasing project, go to www.ctbirdatlas.org  A full accounting of the species found on the Hartford Count is available by e-mailing me at jaybrd49@aol.com

Jay Kaplan, Compiler

Hartford Summer Bird Count

The 2018 Summer Bird Count (SBC) was held June 8^th and 9^th, 2019 and featured delightful weather on both days of the weekend.  Observers totaled 38, two less than the previous year.  Party hours also decreased slightly to 127.5 from last year’s 135, and several key areas were lightly covered during the weekend.   The Summer Bird Count, unlike mid-December’s Christmas Bird Count, competes with graduations, vacations and numerous outdoor activities, thus it is not surprising that it is difficult to generate a larger pool of participants.   Participation, however, is always rewarding and one never knows what surprises await such as the sight of a Virginia Rail cavorting under a sprinkler on a golf course green at Hartford’s Goodwin Park!

Total species at 112, an increase by two over 2018, and included were a couple species new to our Count. A Tri-colored Heron at Station 43 in South Windsor and a pair of Sand hill Cranes in a Glastonbury farm field were great finds. Other birds of note included a Great Egret and some migrant Least Sandpipers in Glastonbury, a pair of Sharp-shinned hawks and a Brown Thrasher in East Hartford, and a Blue-headed Vireo in Bloomfield.   Glastonbury’s marshes also produced Least Bittern and Virginia Rail, while the marshes of Station 43 produced both Virginia Rail and Sora.

In addition to the previously mentioned Sharp-shinned hawks, American Kestrels were found in two areas as were Peregrine Falcons, giving hope that these listed species continue to increase as breeding birds in the Hartford area. The kestrels are utilizing nesting boxes in South Windsor and Glastonbury (thank you Art Gingert and Tom Sayers!). There is no question that both Ospreys and Bald Eagles are doing well with several nests for both species reported along the Connecticut River. Thirteen Ospreys was a record high count, besting last year by one.

Regarding swallows, the small Purple Martin colony in Glastonbury has not grown since it was first discovered in 2015, hanging on with but four birds. Cliff Swallows in Bloomfield and West Hartford, on the other hand, totaled a record 55 birds between these two sites.   Although 112 species may seem like a relatively lofty number, consider that ten species were represented by a single individual. These included Mute Swan, Ring-necked Pheasant (likely a stocked bird from the South Windsor meadows), Great Egret, Tri-colored Heron, Sora , Great Horned and Barred Owl, Blue-headed Vireo, Brown Thrasher, and Chestnut-sided Warbler. Four species found in 2018 do not appear on this year’s Count. These include Common Raven, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Grasshopper Sparrow. The latter, diligently searched for at the Hartford Landfill, could not be found this year. Other grassland birds were present including a healthy 8 Eastern Meadowlarks, one of two locations in which this declining grassland bird was located. Bobolinks were found in five areas this year for a total of 59 bird. Sadly, Rentschler Field, once the premier site for grassland birds, is now apparently being actively managed to prevent birds and birders from using the area. This in spite of the fact that plans for large scale development are now on hold. Truly a shame.

The Hartford SBC, has now completed its twenty-ninth year, providing information on the status of breeding bird populations in the Hartford area. In the second season of a three year state-wide atlas project, the Summer Bird Count will again add valuable data to this worthy effort. As compiler, I thank the area captains and the 38 participants who donated their time to participate in the Count this year. Results of ours and the other Connecticut SBCs will be published in an upcoming edition of The Connecticut Warbler, quarterly journal of the Connecticut Ornithological Association. A full accounting of those species found on the Hartford Count is available by e-mailing me at jaybrd49@aol.com

Jay Kaplan, Compiler, Hartford Summer Bird Count