Hilltop Farm – Suffield, CT

Hartford Audubon Bird Walk

9-2-26

8:30 AM – Cloudy 63°

Trip Leaders: Joan & Tom Heffernan

Eight bird enthusiasts gathered at Hilltop to explore the grounds and see how many birds we could find. The mosquitoes outnumbered our group, but a generous application of bug spray proved very effective.

Our walk began at the pollinator/bird garden near the old corn crib, where we spotted Ruby-throated Hummingbirds among the canna lilies. We then managed to avoid the damp grass and headed down the road toward the community garden, where we found a Northern Mockingbird and several Song Sparrows.

We passed a mounted kestrel box on the first barn. It is empty now, but we were pleased to have had a successful nesting this year. Across the field, beyond the community garden, we spotted a kestrel perched stubbornly in a cluster of sumac trees—with his back firmly turned toward us. Later, we saw another kestrel perched in a dead tree.

As we continued down the road, we were accompanied by the familiar call of the ubiquitous Gray Catbird. Beaver Pond was our destination, and a circling Red-tailed Hawk provided the sound effects as we watched an Eastern Phoebe and then a Green Heron fly across the pond and settle into yet another dead tree.

On our way back toward the tobacco field, we heard Mourning Doves and spotted more Song Sparrows in the cornfield. Several birders ventured down to the Connecticut River shore, where they saw Ring-billed Gulls, a Great Egret, and Mallards in flight.

As we headed up the hill, we looked across the fields where, back in May, Bobolinks, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Eastern Meadowlarks all nest. The fields were quiet today, but we were rewarded with the beauty of the blooming goldenrod. The group consensus was clear: I need to lead a spring walk!

Near the end of our walk, Cedar Waxwings were feasting in a mulberry tree, and an Osprey flew overhead—a wonderful finale to our morning of birding.

All but two of the birders were members of the Hartford Audubon Society, but the two non-members eagerly accepted an application form. Perhaps we will have a few new members joining us soon!

19 Species sighted at Hilltop Farm

8          Mallard

14        Mourning Dove

2          Ruby-throated Hummingbird

2          Ring-billed-Gull

1          Green Heron

1          Great Egret

1          Osprey

1          Red-taled Hawk

1          Downy Woodpecker

2          American Kestrel

4          Eastern Phoebe

3          Blue Jay

2          Tree Swallow

7          European Starling

1          Gray Catbird

1          Northern Mockingbird

12        Cedar Waxwing

6          American Goldfinch

2          Song Sparrow