On Sunday, June 1st, five bird watchers gathered at Station 43 in South Windsor for a three-hour walk featuring wetland bird species. The temperatures were unusually cool for this time of year (48 degrees), which certainly helped hold off the onslaught of mosquitos that were predicted to show up after two days of prior rain.
We began our trip near the parking area where a Red-tailed Hawk was discovered sitting in a well exposed nest. Above us, were the sights and sounds of over twenty Cedar Waxwing actively consuming the nectar from flowers on an old Tulip Tree.
After a brief greeting and introduction, the group headed off slowly down Newberry Road, birding and botanizing along the way. The loud vocalizations of Carolina Wrens, Common Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers drowned out most of the surrounding birdsong, but we did luck out by hearing not one, but two Least Flycatchers along the trail. While observing the flycatchers, our attention was diverted to a Red-bellied Woodpecker, who was delivering a bill-full of insects to a nest hole!
The search for wetland bird species began with our arrival to the Station 43 Sanctuary itself. Here we spotted a few Wood Duck and a fly over Great Blue Heron. Marsh Wrens and Swamp Sparrows were heard singing in the distant reeds. Also heard were the distinctive calls of both Willow and Alder Flycatchers. The ubiquitous Red-winged Blackbird was seen throughout, with a striking all-black body and orange-red and yellow shoulder patch.
In the past, our search for the elusive Least Bittern could sometimes take a bit of patience and perseverance. But today our group was fortunate enough to quickly locate a bittern in flight, traveling from one side of the marsh to the other. It flew a second time a few moments later to the delight of all!
With our target bird secured, birdwatchers collectively decided to head over to nearby Vibert Road for some additional birding. Here we discovered that some of the farmland had recently flooded, which led to the appearance of a few late migrant shorebird species. We tallied five Greater and one Lesser Yellowlegs, as well as eight Semipalmated Sandpiper voraciously feeding on invertebrates as they refueled for their journey north. The standing water also produced a bumper crop of mosquitos, which also attracted numerous hungry Bank Swallows and Chimney Swifts.
Our trip tallied a total of 47 bird species.
Respectfully submitted, Paul Cianfaglione, trip leader
