Trying To Find Birds In Forests Filled With Trees

According to Wikepedia there are over 30 state forests in Connecticut. I'm intrigued by what species of birds might exists within these state forests. A forest is defined as a dense growth of trees, plants, and underbrush covering a large area. It's not easy to see birds in a dense growth of trees. I played the waiting game with this Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. I heard it making it's squeaky noises for quite a while before it finally came near the edge of the state forest road where I could see it.

I found these Rough-winged Swallows nesting in a drain pipe in a reservoir near a state forest. There were no trees obstructing my view here.

Many forests have bodies of water such as lakes or reservoirs within their boundaries. I spotted this Osprey flying over the Portland Reservoir.

 It's sometimes easier to find birds near streams especially on a hot summer day. I found a lot of Louisianna Waterthrushes near streams this Spring. 

I appreciate birds like this Palm Warbler. If they're around they're usually not hard to find, not even in a forest.

When I'm in a forest, I spend most of my time on the main roads. You can cover more ground that way and it give you a better viewing area. Birding by horse and buggy might not be a bad way to go.

There are often power lines running though or near state forests. Those are great places to find Prairie Warblers and Blue-winged Warblers like this one.

. The trees in this particular section of Cockaponset Forest were tall and and not as dense as other areas in the forest. I believe some selective cutting must have been done here. It also had some smaller shrubs and vegetation. It turned out to be a productive spot where I found nesting Hooded Warblers , Chestnut-sided Warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Black & White Warbler, and Pileated Woodpecker.

  There are a ton of birds in some of these forests because I can hear them but it's a lot more fun when you can actually see them. Searching  areas near water, forest roads and areas where trees have been selectively cut seems to be the key. I'm guessing its going to take a few years before I've visited all 32 of the state's forests.

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 Eastern Towhee performing the drink-your-tea song.