Blog & Trip Reports
Satchuest Point RI trip
Five birders met at Sachuest Point N W R in Rhode Island for my annual trip. We started out along the trail that overlooks the ocean finding a small amount of the usual duck species but the best bird was one or two Northern Gannets. However, once we rounded the curve in the trail things…
Full DetailsHartford County Boat Launch Tour
The highlights of this years boat launch tour included Cackling and Snow Goose at Donald Barnes boat launch in Enfield, Common Raven, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon at King’s Island boat Launch in Enfield, great looks at a Bald Eagle nest at the Dexter Coffin Bridge launch in Windsor Locks, five Bald Eagles at Riverside Park…
Full DetailsCape Ann / Newburyport
Nine HAS members and friends set out in hopes of moderately cold weather and lots of birds. On Saturday morning we explored the upper reaches of Cape Ann. The rewards included fabulous looks at Harlequin Ducks, Thick billed Murre, Barrows Goldeneye, Razorbill, Red throated Loon, Northern Gannet, and the scoter trifecta: Black, White winged, and…
Full DetailsHammonasset Beach State Park
We had 21 birders including: Adrian and Beth Nichols, a member of NH Bird Club and two young women from Glastonbury ( future members). 42 species, especially: surf&white-winged scoters, both loons, Bald eagle, N. Harrier, Coopers, Red tail hawk, purple sandpiper, SNOWY OWL, horned lark, hermit thrush, yellow-rumped warblers (many), swamp sparrow. Before: 4 of…
Full DetailsStellwagen Bank
For the last five years HAS has been collaborating with Krill Carson’s NECWA organization on pelagic trips going out of Plymouth and Gloucester MA for eight hours in and around Stellwagen Bank waters, for a 100-mile round trip offshore. This year we ran it on October 22nd and the weather was beautiful and calm, around…
Full DetailsGlastonbury Meadows
With poor weather forecast for September 30, we moved the walk to the following day. Our expectations for a sunny morning, however, were challenged with a rather foggy start. Barely able to see across the river, the 8-person group made do with the croak of a Great Blue and the distant rattle of a kingfisher…
Full DetailsGulf of Maine
Six birders took the September 29, 2017 ferry at 3pm from Portland ME 212-miles across the GOM (Gulf Of Maine) to Yarmouth NS, stayed in a local hotel that night, and returned the next morning at 8am, with passports in-hand. The large ship (the 300-foot Alakai Cat Ferry) was super stable and nobody got seasick.…
Full DetailsGlastonbury Meadows
Ten birders met on a cool, foggy morning for what everyone hoped would be a great day of birding. After bidding farewell to a noisy construction crew that was preparing to pave part of the parking lot (yes, at 7 a.m. Sunday morning), we first made a quick pass through Glastonburys Riverfront Park. Our most…
Full DetailsGreenstone Hollow Nature Preserve
The day was cloudy and cool. Recent rains created some muddy and water logged spots. The leaves were out, so we practiced birding by ear. Only occasionally did we get to see the birds. Seven of us gathered for the Greenstone trip.The roadside started us off with a variety of birds. A Green Heron flew…
Full DetailsCromwell Meadows WMA, Cromwell
A beautiful day greeted a quiet group of 2 birders. The leaves were all out, so we had to bird by ear for many of the species. We heard several Black-throated Green Warblers singing in the trees. None of them came out to se seen. We did get a quick look at a Rose-breasted Grosbeak.…
Full DetailsBabcock Pond Bird Walk
On a cool, drizzly morning, 9 intrepid (foolish?) birders took a long (4 hour) walk through woods, fields, ponds, and an old dump. Our efforts resulted in finding-or hearing-a total of 54 species, none of which was unusual, but included 5 individual Black-billed Cuckoos, several Ravens, and N. Rough-winged Swallows. And, as we drove off…
Full DetailsMt. Auburn / Plum Island Bird Walk
A hardy group of folks set out on the hottest day of the year to see what birds might also not have the sense to stay out of the sun. Highlights from Mt. Auburn were black- and yellow-billed cuckoos, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Tennessee, Black-throated Green, and Blackpoll Warblers, and a great view of a…
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