Our Catskill trip began near Oneonta at the Portlandville boat launch on the Susquehanna River on NY route 28. The water was high, covering the usual mudflats, but 2 Mallard Ducks and a single Solitary Sandpiper were still hanging out. The adjoining swamp had Baltimore Oriole, Northern Cardinal, warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Red-bellied…

Saturday May 13 5 birders assembled at East Rock Park New Haven/Hamden for my annual trip there. Viewing conditions were horrible with heavy cloud cover but at least it was dry and not windy. We started off at the lower level where we spotted 3 Great Egrets, a very late (probably sick) sleeping drake Common…

Fifty-three species of birds, a howling pack of coyotes, and one garter snake met at the Simsbury Land Trust’s Tanager Hill and nearby Goodrich Road properties to observe eighteen birders from HAS. Despite the cool, early morning temperatures, a spectacular male Scarlet Tanager serenaded us from high in a tree, just yards from the parking…

Twenty-seven people enjoyed a long, hot and muggy morning at Station 43. Boots were still needed at the swamp area. Highlights of birds seen were: Wood Ducks, Common Mergs (on the river), Mallards, Great Blue Heron, Wild Turkey. Also – D.C. Cormorants and Common Loon (on the river), Red-tailed Hawk, Palm Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted…

A group of twenty-seven people arrived at 8:00 a.m. It was a very cool morning that warmed up as time went on. Many of the ducks had moved on but Wood Ducks remained, as well as Blacks, Mallards and one pair of Green-winged Teal. The Killdeer are staying – also many Tree Swallows and Belted…

Saturday March 25 enticed only five birders to show up for the annual Rhode Island trip. We birded all day under overcast skys but at least the rain held off. We started off at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge where we saw the usual assortment of ducks including Harlequins, Common Eiders, several White Winged Scoters…

On a very warm morning with temperatures in the sixties, thirty-one birders enjoyed a snow-less walk. A large group from the Manchester Garden Club attended. The swamp produced Wood Ducks, Mallards, Green-winged Teal and Ring-necked Ducks. Many Red-winged Blackbirds were back. Belted Kingfishers were heard and seen. A flying and perched Cooper’s Hawk showed off…

Twelve birders gathered at the Donald Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield for the first of seven visits to local boat launches along the Connecticut River. Tolerable temperatures, light winds and clear skies made for a near perfect day of birding. Our first task of the morning was sorting through the two-thousand or so Canada Geese…