I ended up with 103 species total for both days
-Tony
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Bird-a-thon Day #2!
Today was Day #2 of the Connecticut's Migration Madness event.
Where Did I Go?
Barn Island Wildlife Management Area (Pawcatuck/Stonington) and Hammonasset Beach State Park (Madison).
Who Did I Bird With?
For the first 2 hours I went birding at Hammo with Eli Holton. After he left I was able to see a few birds with Tina Green's team.
Weather:
Low to upper 60s and low 70s; windy.
Bird Summary:
1. Hammonasset Beach State Park
I decided to go to Hammonasset today! First I started at West Beach with Eli Holton. He told me he saw Brown Thrasher and Willow Flycatcher before I got there.While walking to the beach area we heard a Field Sparrow. Once we arrived at the beach area I scoped out a White-winged Scoter. A couple Double-crested Cormorants flew by, and a Cooper's Hawk flew over. The Mute Swan had its little cygnet at Swan Pond. Then when we went to Boulder Pond we saw a White-rumped Sandpiper, a lifer for Eli! We than went down to the end of Meig's Point . A few Yellow Warblers were calling. We stopped and heard a Clapper Rail (lifer for Eli and me!) When we reached the end of the trail we stopped and looked at the two terns on the rock. The first one was a Least and the second was a Forster's! Lifer for both of us. We arrived at the bird blind,but Eli had to leave. I bumped into Tina Green's team. Nothing unusual spotted at the bird blind. After we left the bird blind 2 White-rumped Sandpipers landed in the puddle at the Meig's Point Nature center parking lot. Than we heard that Dan Rottino had 2 Whimbrel at Willard's Island. So we went there. The Whimbrel were still there, then a large flock of black-bellied plovers, dunlin and ruddy turnstones landed.
2.
Barn Island WMA
Since we were down on the coast, I wanted to check out what they had at Barn Island Wildlife Management Area. This was my first time being here, so I was excited! I stepped out of the car. I than heard a Blue-winged Warbler going "bee-buzz". Once I made it to the beginning of the trail I found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. At the first impoundment, I ran into Dan Rottino, who was looking for the Tricolored Heron also. We did some hiking to the third impoundment. While hiking through the woods we heard: Wilson's Warbler, Veery, and Eastern Towhee. Than once we reached the third impoundment, I had to get going. Once I reached the first impoundment again, Dan called me saying he got the Tricolored Heron in his scope! So there I was walking all the way to the fourth impoundment. But it was worth the walk! Luckily, it was still in his scope. It was such a cool bird! So we walked back to the car.
That was the last spot for the day! I didn't get any photos, since I was too busy bird-watching! But I did end up with 5 new life birds (Whimbrel, Little Blue Heron, Forster's Tern, Clapper Rail, and of course the Tricolored Heron)!
I ended up with 96 species so far! (Though it took me a whole month to find 89!). Although Eli got 100+ species!
Hope you enjoyed this blog post! Comments are welcome!
- Tony
Where Did I Go?
Barn Island Wildlife Management Area (Pawcatuck/Stonington) and Hammonasset Beach State Park (Madison).
Who Did I Bird With?
For the first 2 hours I went birding at Hammo with Eli Holton. After he left I was able to see a few birds with Tina Green's team.
Weather:
Low to upper 60s and low 70s; windy.
Bird Summary:
1. Hammonasset Beach State Park
I decided to go to Hammonasset today! First I started at West Beach with Eli Holton. He told me he saw Brown Thrasher and Willow Flycatcher before I got there.While walking to the beach area we heard a Field Sparrow. Once we arrived at the beach area I scoped out a White-winged Scoter. A couple Double-crested Cormorants flew by, and a Cooper's Hawk flew over. The Mute Swan had its little cygnet at Swan Pond. Then when we went to Boulder Pond we saw a White-rumped Sandpiper, a lifer for Eli! We than went down to the end of Meig's Point . A few Yellow Warblers were calling. We stopped and heard a Clapper Rail (lifer for Eli and me!) When we reached the end of the trail we stopped and looked at the two terns on the rock. The first one was a Least and the second was a Forster's! Lifer for both of us. We arrived at the bird blind,but Eli had to leave. I bumped into Tina Green's team. Nothing unusual spotted at the bird blind. After we left the bird blind 2 White-rumped Sandpipers landed in the puddle at the Meig's Point Nature center parking lot. Than we heard that Dan Rottino had 2 Whimbrel at Willard's Island. So we went there. The Whimbrel were still there, then a large flock of black-bellied plovers, dunlin and ruddy turnstones landed.
2.
Barn Island WMA
Since we were down on the coast, I wanted to check out what they had at Barn Island Wildlife Management Area. This was my first time being here, so I was excited! I stepped out of the car. I than heard a Blue-winged Warbler going "bee-buzz". Once I made it to the beginning of the trail I found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. At the first impoundment, I ran into Dan Rottino, who was looking for the Tricolored Heron also. We did some hiking to the third impoundment. While hiking through the woods we heard: Wilson's Warbler, Veery, and Eastern Towhee. Than once we reached the third impoundment, I had to get going. Once I reached the first impoundment again, Dan called me saying he got the Tricolored Heron in his scope! So there I was walking all the way to the fourth impoundment. But it was worth the walk! Luckily, it was still in his scope. It was such a cool bird! So we walked back to the car.
That was the last spot for the day! I didn't get any photos, since I was too busy bird-watching! But I did end up with 5 new life birds (Whimbrel, Little Blue Heron, Forster's Tern, Clapper Rail, and of course the Tricolored Heron)!
I ended up with 96 species so far! (Though it took me a whole month to find 89!). Although Eli got 100+ species!
Hope you enjoyed this blog post! Comments are welcome!
- Tony
Friday, May 17, 2019
Bird-a-thon Day 1!
Hey ya'll!
This blog post is about my great day of birding!
Weather:
It started out cold, but then half way (at East Rock Park) it got in to the low 70's. It started to rain at Milford Point.
Where did I go?
Sandy Point (West Haven), Stewart B. Mckinney NWR-- Long Beach Blvd (Stratford), Milford Point (Milford), East Rock Park (Eli Whitney Museum; Hamden), and CT Land Trust (across the street from East Rock Park).
Bird Summary:
I went birding with a local young birder Eli Holton, he joined me at East Rock Park, Stewart B. Mckinney NWR,and Milford Point.
East Rock Park was full of American Redstarts and Common Yellowthroats!!! Black-throated Blue Warblers were near the beginning of the trail, other notables included: Blackpoll Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Wood Thrush, Yellow Warbler, and Canada Warbler (a lifer!). After, we crossed the road to the CT LAND TRUST where we got good looks of a Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler,and Orchard Oriole. Not to forget the young male White-tailed Deer that kept following us! I think we paid more attention to the curious deer than the male oriole! Then I went to Sandy Point. Quite quieter than expected, but I did end up with a calling Willet and some Brant. I went (myself) to Stewart B. Mckinney NWR-- Long Beach Blvd. I got 3 Boat-tailed Grackles, a new life bird! Also I found a Black-crowned Night Heron. Then Eli and I met up at Milford Point. The Purple Martins were at the nesting gourds. Before Eli got there I found 2 calling Willets (very noisy and loud!), then I heard another Willet at the sandbars, giving Eli a lifer (congrats!). Least Sandpipers invaded Wheeler Marsh (lifer for me, again!). A beautiful adult Yellow-crowned Night Heron showed well. Then Eli and I went to the sandbars. We had even more Least Sandpipers! A Least Tern was flying overhead, then dove into the water. I spotted a beautiful Black bellied Plover in my scope. 2 American Oystercatchers were also on the sandbars. Semipalmated Sandpipers were in mixed flocks with the Least Sandpipers. Semipalmated Plovers were found in good numbers. Then I asked a Piping Plover Monitor from the DEEP if he saw any PIPLs. He said he saw 6 pairs. So we looked and I found one laying down! After Eli and I went to Stewart B. Mckinney, again. We saw the Boat-tailed Grackles, 2 Black-crowned Night Herons, Swamp Sparrow, American Black Duck, Common Yellowthroat, Cedar Waxwings, and some Ospreys.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56417665
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56417856
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56417432
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56417332
Above are the checklists
I ended up with 72 species for today!
Let's see what tomorrow brings!
- Tony
This blog post is about my great day of birding!
Weather:
It started out cold, but then half way (at East Rock Park) it got in to the low 70's. It started to rain at Milford Point.
Where did I go?
Sandy Point (West Haven), Stewart B. Mckinney NWR-- Long Beach Blvd (Stratford), Milford Point (Milford), East Rock Park (Eli Whitney Museum; Hamden), and CT Land Trust (across the street from East Rock Park).
Bird Summary:
I went birding with a local young birder Eli Holton, he joined me at East Rock Park, Stewart B. Mckinney NWR,and Milford Point.
East Rock Park was full of American Redstarts and Common Yellowthroats!!! Black-throated Blue Warblers were near the beginning of the trail, other notables included: Blackpoll Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Wood Thrush, Yellow Warbler, and Canada Warbler (a lifer!). After, we crossed the road to the CT LAND TRUST where we got good looks of a Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler,and Orchard Oriole. Not to forget the young male White-tailed Deer that kept following us! I think we paid more attention to the curious deer than the male oriole! Then I went to Sandy Point. Quite quieter than expected, but I did end up with a calling Willet and some Brant. I went (myself) to Stewart B. Mckinney NWR-- Long Beach Blvd. I got 3 Boat-tailed Grackles, a new life bird! Also I found a Black-crowned Night Heron. Then Eli and I met up at Milford Point. The Purple Martins were at the nesting gourds. Before Eli got there I found 2 calling Willets (very noisy and loud!), then I heard another Willet at the sandbars, giving Eli a lifer (congrats!). Least Sandpipers invaded Wheeler Marsh (lifer for me, again!). A beautiful adult Yellow-crowned Night Heron showed well. Then Eli and I went to the sandbars. We had even more Least Sandpipers! A Least Tern was flying overhead, then dove into the water. I spotted a beautiful Black bellied Plover in my scope. 2 American Oystercatchers were also on the sandbars. Semipalmated Sandpipers were in mixed flocks with the Least Sandpipers. Semipalmated Plovers were found in good numbers. Then I asked a Piping Plover Monitor from the DEEP if he saw any PIPLs. He said he saw 6 pairs. So we looked and I found one laying down! After Eli and I went to Stewart B. Mckinney, again. We saw the Boat-tailed Grackles, 2 Black-crowned Night Herons, Swamp Sparrow, American Black Duck, Common Yellowthroat, Cedar Waxwings, and some Ospreys.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56417665
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56417856
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56417432
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S56417332
Above are the checklists
 |
| Male Common Yelowthroat |
 |
| Male Magnolia Warbler; East Rock Park |
 |
| Same bird as above |
 |
| Male Wood Duck; East Rock Park |
 |
| Orchard Oriole; CT Land Trust |
 |
| The curious White-tailed Deer; CT Land Trust |
 |
| Female Boat-tailed Grackle; Stewart B. Mckinney NWR |
 |
| Eastern Willet; Milford Point |
 |
| Semipalmated Plover; Milford Point |
 |
| 1 of 2 American Oystercatchers; Milford Point |
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| Nesting Piping Plover; Milford Point |
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| Black-bellied Plover; Milford Point |
Let's see what tomorrow brings!
- Tony
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Connecticut Bird Species Account #1
In the series "Connecticut Bird Species Account" I will give you the status and history of the state's birds, as well as some ID tips.
Black bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autmnalis):
Status: RARE, first state record in 2018. This bird adds to the flurry of Northeast reports (MASSACHUSETTS, QUEBEC CANADA, VERMONT, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK AND ANOTHER ONE IN NY).
ID Tips:
Well, first this is a very distinctive bird, both male and female are identical. Pink bill, black belly distinctive, and brown body.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47844800
The link above will give you an example of a Black-bellied whistling Duck.
Enjoy these species accounts and comments are welcome
- Tony
Black bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autmnalis):
Status: RARE, first state record in 2018. This bird adds to the flurry of Northeast reports (MASSACHUSETTS, QUEBEC CANADA, VERMONT, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK AND ANOTHER ONE IN NY).
ID Tips:
Well, first this is a very distinctive bird, both male and female are identical. Pink bill, black belly distinctive, and brown body.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47844800
The link above will give you an example of a Black-bellied whistling Duck.
Enjoy these species accounts and comments are welcome
- Tony
Monday, May 13, 2019
My favorite places to bird in Connecticut!
In this blog post, I will tell you my favorite places to bird.
1: Hammonasset State Park, Madison. Hammonasset State Park (often called Hammo) has the most species ever recorded in a CT Bird Hot-spot. Hammo is a big place, but often birdy in spring and fall migrations. Meig's Point often attracts Snow Bunting and Lapland Longspurs in winter. Moraine Trail attracts Ruddy Turnstones, Dunlin, Sanderlings, and the occasional Purple Sandpiper. A whopping 313 species have been recorded at Hammo!!!
2: Milford Point, Milford.
Milford Point is one of Connecticut's premier birding hot-spots. The sandbars attract nesting Piping Plovers in summer and many Semipalmated Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers, an occasional Western or White-rumped Sandpiper can be seen in the big flocks of sandpipers. Wheeler Marsh has attracted rare birds like Ruff. And also, all three state records of Red-necked Stint have been found at Milford Point!!
3: Sherwood Island State Park,Westport. Sherwood Island is probably my favorite birding spot in all of Connecticut! Sherwood Island has a variety of habitats; from marshes, to rocky beaches and even a pine grove. And also Mill Pond attracts a variety of waterfowl. Connecticut's latest record of SABINE'S GULL was found here in September of 2017
4: Stratford Point, Stratford. Stratford Point, although relatively small, is a great place to find a meadowlark or maybe an Ipswich Sparrow in winter. Common Eiders have been recorded in winter and Connecticut's first record of White-tailed Kite was found here.
Comments are welcome!
- Tony
3: Sherwood Island State Park,Westport. Sherwood Island is probably my favorite birding spot in all of Connecticut! Sherwood Island has a variety of habitats; from marshes, to rocky beaches and even a pine grove. And also Mill Pond attracts a variety of waterfowl. Connecticut's latest record of SABINE'S GULL was found here in September of 2017
4: Stratford Point, Stratford. Stratford Point, although relatively small, is a great place to find a meadowlark or maybe an Ipswich Sparrow in winter. Common Eiders have been recorded in winter and Connecticut's first record of White-tailed Kite was found here.
 |
| Sherwood Island Lesser-black backed Gull |
 |
| Stratford Point Ipswich (Savannah) Sparrow |
 |
| Hammo Barn Swallow |
 |
| Milford Point Tree Swallow |
- Tony
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
*SPECIAL EDITION BLOG POST* My best bird photos!
As the title says this blog post features my best bird photos. Each photo will have location and date.
|
| Hammonasset State Park; Barn Swallow; 5/6/19 |
 |
| Silver Sands State Park; Barred Owl;1/29/19 |
 |
| Black-headed Gull; Greenwich Point Park; 1/9/19 |
 |
| Yellow-crowned Night Heron; Birdseye Boat Ramp; 5/17/18 |
 |
| Red-breasted Merganser; Ocean Beach Park; 1/7/19 |
 |
| Ring Billed Gull; Seaside Park; 2/23/19 |
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| Atlantic Brant; Seaside Park; 2/23/19 |
 |
| Snowy Egret; Hammonasset SP; 5/6/19 |
 |
| Lesser black-backed Gull; Sherwood Island SP; 1/2/19 |
 |
| White-breasted Nuthatch; Wallingford; 11/7/18 |
 |
| Greater white-fronted Goose; Lyman Orchards Duck Pond |
 |
| Northern saw-whet Owl; Sherwood Island SP; 1/2/19 |
 |
| Canada Goose; North Farms Reservoir. Enjoy! Tony |
Monday, May 6, 2019
Hammonasset SP 5/6/19
Hey Y'all!
Today, while I was down in Mystic I ran to Hammonasset State Park in Madison. Since today was sunny and hot I knew that there would be some good bird activity. I went to West Beach first. At West Beach I tallied 6 Ospreys all in flight; then some Tree and Barn Swallows; and 2 Killdeer were calling. Then 10 GLOSSY IBISES flew over West Beach. I went to the campgrounds to look for the continuing BLUE GROSBEAK, but I was in a rush so I couldn't go far. Then I went to the Meig's Point Nature Center area and Boulder Pond. Boulder Pond had its annual TRICOLORED X LITTLE BLUE HERON hybrid. I also heard a Spring Peeper at Boulder Pond. While leaving a saw 2 Willets and a Fish Crow. At the Hammo exit I grabbed a photo of an adult Snowy Egret
Today, while I was down in Mystic I ran to Hammonasset State Park in Madison. Since today was sunny and hot I knew that there would be some good bird activity. I went to West Beach first. At West Beach I tallied 6 Ospreys all in flight; then some Tree and Barn Swallows; and 2 Killdeer were calling. Then 10 GLOSSY IBISES flew over West Beach. I went to the campgrounds to look for the continuing BLUE GROSBEAK, but I was in a rush so I couldn't go far. Then I went to the Meig's Point Nature Center area and Boulder Pond. Boulder Pond had its annual TRICOLORED X LITTLE BLUE HERON hybrid. I also heard a Spring Peeper at Boulder Pond. While leaving a saw 2 Willets and a Fish Crow. At the Hammo exit I grabbed a photo of an adult Snowy Egret
 |
| West Beach Barn Swallow |
 |
Snowy Egret |
 |
| Although not shown in this photo, a key way to identifying this hybrid is to look at the front of the bird. Does it have white on the front of the neck? This is the Tricolored X Little Blue Heron hybrid. |
 |
| Eastern Willets |
 |
| Local Chipping Sparrows |
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| Another photo of the hybrid heron -Tony |
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