Distant Goldeneye From A Scenic Cemetery

I took a ride down to Essex this weekend in hopes of finding Common Goldeneye on the Connecticut River. It was a sunny December morning and I could hear several White-breasted Nuthatches calling to each other from the hardwood trees which border the property. 

The vista alone from  Riverview Cemetery  made the trip worthwhile. Way out in the distance I could see small specks moving around and making ripples on the river.

The thing about diving ducks is that they dive a lot which is fun to watch but frustrating when you're trying to snap a picture from a distance. I finally managed an id shot after uttering a few words to myself that shouldn't be spoken from behind a church. Thanks to the eBird alert feature and the eBird user who reported the goldeneye I was able to find what I was looking for. 

That makes species #167 seen in Middlesex County for the year. This doesn't mean anything but it was fun seeing all those birds along the way. The real joy this morning was sitting on a cemetery bench taking in the view and soaking in the sunshine. 

Seeing Is Believing And Believing Is Seeing

 At the end of January I took a ride down to Long Wharf in New Haven and was able to see Gadwall (above) along with a lots of Scaup. The photo was taken just after sunrise casting an orange glow over the ducks making me wonder if there was such a thing as Cinnamon Gadwall.The color of a bird's plumage can change a lot depending on the lighting which is why color of plumage is not always a reliable way of identifying birds.

I visited Hammonasset the day after it snowed. The road to the park was closed so I ended up walking several miles along the roads and beaches. I doubt these shorebirds enjoy being assaulted by  crashing waves but they manage to get the food they need each time the water recedes. It reminded me that life struggles and turmoil can sometimes lead to opportunity.

As I was walking along the main road on my way out of the park I noticed a distant stretch of cedars. I scanned the tree-line hoping that I might be lucky enough to find something, maybe even an owl. To my surprise, there was Great-Horned Owl sitting right out in the open. I don't know if that was a case of believing is seeing or seeing is believing but I'm always excited when I find an owl. It made the long walk back on a cold winter morning worth while. I noticed the gate was open and cars were passing me just as I was getting back to my car but if I hadn't been walking I never would have seen that owl!

Watching all the Superbowl  coverage (congrats to the Pats!) and shoveling snow have slowed my winter bird-watching activities down a little but I hope to get back out again next weekend.

Redheads And More At Meriden's Hanover Pond

I visited Hanover pond in Meriden for the first time the day after Christmas. Much of Meriden is an urban area but they do have their share of hiking trails, ponds and birding areas. This is a photo of the undeveloped side of the pond.

I've been curious about this particular area and when it was reported that Redheads were seen there I thought I would go look for them. It was the first time I've seen this species of duck. Their heads are round, puffy, and rufous (that word always sounds odd word to me). The black-tipped bluish bill was also noticeable. 

As I was watching the ducks a sharpie was watching my every move from the tree above me.Later in the day I also noticed a Bald Eagle perched in one of the trees. Interestingly, the ducks started swimming toward the other side of the pond when the eagle showed up.

There was also plenty of Common and Hooded Mergansers (above) in the pond.

On the other side of the pond was a parking area near a ball field. I tried to take photos of the birds over there but the goose in charge said no Paparazzi!

I like when swans display their feathers like this. It gives them a more elegant appearance.

 I'm looking forward to a return visit to explore some of the other trails in the same area. This historic red bridge leads to the linear trail which follows alongside the Quinnipiac River. 

It's always nice when you come across a new local spot that is good for birding.The weather was great, there were lots of birds and I seeing the Redheads for the first time was like getting another Christmas present.

Stubborn Red-tail And Tiny Long-tail

I went to make my rounds at Wangunk Meadows on Sunday. I started the morning by taking a couple of photos from my truck window of this Red-tailed Hawk. I watched it as 3 crows came in to take a few dives at it. The crows even flew across the street to round up a few more crows to try to harass the hawk but it seemed immovable. I got out of my truck and walked across the grass to get closer. Still, the hawk didn't flinch. I thought it might be nice to get a picture of it flying off but decided to leave it be since it was so determined to stay on his branch.

I searched for birds in the fields and near overhanging trees and snags. I found the usual variety of sparrows including-White-crowned Sparrow, Belted kingfisher, 4 species of woodpeckers, Brown Creeper and and an Eastern Phoebe.

I was on my way out and noticed a small duck on the opposite side of the river that made me curious because it was in the middle of the channel by itself and was holding its position against the current. I tried to search my mind for a list of possibilities but I really wasn't sure (didn't have my field guide with me either). Long-tailed Duck was one possibility I considered but thought that they're only found near the shore. The only time I've seen them is in January at Old Saybrook. I took some photos and mega-cropped them when I came home. Sure enough, it is a female Long-tailed Duck. I checked with the duxperts to confirm the id. It is unusual to see them this far inland so it was an interesting find for me.

Birding Connecticut's Quiet Corner Part 2

During my visit to the Quiet Corner I stayed at Chickadee Cottage B&B in Pomfret, CT . The innkeepers are Bob and Katie Haney. Katie was a gracious host and prepared a terrific breakfast which included an omelet with a variety of cheeses, homemade bagels, and a freshly prepared papaya/guava juice blend. The cottage had everything I needed including a stove, refrigerator, and private bathroom. Staying at the cottage allowed me to explore the Quiet Corner at a leisurely pace.

One of the most convenient features of Chickadee Cottage is that the famous Airline Rail Trail is right in the back yard. All you have to do is follow a short path through the pine trees and you're there! I followed the trail to Bafflin Sanctuary. Some of the birds I encountered along the way included a Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebirds and noisy flock of American Goldfinches that were making a squeaky call that sounds like eeeeat!

During my travels, I noticed a sign for place called Cat Hollow Park. I thought it was sort of funny that I had to drive down Dog Hill Road to get there. I wondered if there was a story behind it. Is this where the cats went to hide from the dogs? I took a short stroll through the park which was formerly had several mill along the banks of Whetstone Brook. The brook still has a nice mill pond and scenic waterfalls. The variety of species in the woods during March in Connecticut is a bit limited until Spring Migration gets into full swing. I enjoyed watching a Tufted Titmouse which was fluttering its wings while perched on a branch like a juvenile bird does when begging for food. I imagine this is part of the courtship process that occurs during this time of the year.

After a long day of hiking and birding I stopped at the The Courthouse Bar & grille for a bite to eat. I like the atmosphere here which was friendly and laid back. The had a pretty extensive menu but I decided to keep it simple. The angus burger, cole slaw, and fries I ate were very good. The interior design of the place was interesting too. It actually was a courthouse during the early 1900's.

After a restful night's sleep, I took a ride out towards Killingly. When I'm in an area that has a lot of undeveloped land, I love checking out nature preserves, and bodies of water that I find on maps. I feel like I'm on a treasure hunt. There were several ponds and reservoirs listed on the map in Killingly. One particular pond that I located , Bog Meadow Reservoir, which was loaded with ducks.

This is a photo of two male Buffleheads (left) and 1 female (right). I'm not sure about the one taking off. Go ahead and guess if you want to.

When I first started birding, I got confused between male Buffleheads and male Hooded Mergansers when I was viewing them from at a distance. The male Buffleheads have white that extends all the way to the back of their head. The male Hooded Mergansers have heads that show white completely surrounded by black .

This is an adult male breeding Ring-necked Duck. If you look closely you can see the dark, purplish ring at the base of its neck. This is one of the less reliable fieldmarks for this species because the ring isn't usually visible. Not the peaked head, dark back, white spur on the side that extends into the black, and the white bands that cross the base and front of the bill. He's a handsome duck isn't he? There were about 80 of them on the pond, both male and female. Other ducks seen at this reservoir included Wood Ducks, Mallards, and Hooded Mergansers.

My journey ended at Trailwood Preserve, the former homestead of Pulitzer Prize winning author Edwin Way Teale. He gave each trail on the preserve a specific name -( Veery Lane, Beaver Pond trail etc.) - so that he and his wife could have a point of reference if something notable happened during one of their walks. It's not hard to see how Edwin Teale could find inspiration for his work while living at such a special place. I've never read any of his books but just checked out one of his last works, A Walk Through The Year, from my local Library. His writing cabin, seen in the above photo, overlooks a small pond. It wasn't open at the time of my visit but I hope to have a look inside when I return later in the Spring.

I had a wonderful time during my short stay in the Quiet Corner. I saw a nice variety of birds but I'm looking forward to seeing a whole lot more when I return with my wife in May. There should be plenty of warblers to see here during spring migration. The last bird I encountered before my departure was a White-breasted Nuthatch. Goodbye my feathered friend. Hope to see you again in May!

Also see: Birding Connecticut's Quiet Corner Part 1

Happy Easter! Ducks At Dawn

It was still dark when I woke up this morning. My wife, Joan, asked me "Where are you getting ready to go before 6am on Easter morning?" Maybe she didn't know exactly where I was going but she knew exactly what I was up to. (As always, all photos can be clicked on to enlarge)

I mentioned in a previous post that I wanted to see a wider variety of ducks in the month of March than I've seen in previous years. There are two reasons I've been lagging in this area. One is that I didn't have a satisfactory tripod for my scope. I took care of that problem in February when I purchased a tripod at The Eagle Festival. The other reason is that I'm a little bit stubborn when it comes popular places. I like to explore lesser known birding areas but I've come to realize that I'm only cutting myself by employing this strategy. Station 43 in South Windsor is one of the best known birding spots in Connecticut. It has a little marsh/pond that is loaded with waterfowl in the month of March. I knew that I would have an excellent chance of seeing something good if I got there at the crack of dawn.

I started my walk down Newberry Road (walk-in only). The sun was just starting to make its appearance but the wind made for very chilly conditions. The place was full of birds singing, blackbirds squawking, doves cooing, woodpeckers drumming, and geese honking. It sounded like an auditorium that was filled with noisy birds. Along the way I saw a number of species but the most notable for me was a Fox Sparrow. I tried to enter the pond area slowly but many of the waterfowl which had been near the shore flew off. As I entered the area where the marsh came into view, I immediately became aware of 3 ducks which looked unfamiliar to me. Before attempting any photos, I looked at them very carefully, making note of all the notable field marks. I was pretty sure that they were Northern Shovelers, but since it was my first time seeing them, I wanted to be extra sure.
Here is a photo of them before they took flight. The Northern Shovelers were not the only ducks in the pond. It was also loaded with Ring-necked Ducks, Canada Geese, Black Ducks,Wood Ducks,Green-winged Teal, and who knows what else. I didn't bring my scope because I planned on doing a lot of walking through the fields, but I never made it that far. The water was too high to cross without getting my hiking boots soaked.

On the other side of the pond was another surprise - 4 Blue-winged Teal ! These were the first of the year but the I've only seen them once before.

I also wanted to check out The Major Michael Donnelly Land Preserve. I found out about this place from two fellow birders that I had met during Big January. As I was heading toward the land preserve (traveling about 50mph), I passed by a small flock of birds gathered in a low bush that caught my attention. Something seemed odd about them. I decided to turn my truck around and head back to have a look. And they say people with cell phones are dangerous on the road - it's a good thing they don't know about birders! That little flock turned out to be Cedar Waxwings. I was able to take a decent photo by using my truck as a blind.

By this time I was definitely ready for some breakfast, but South Windsor seems to be sorely lacking in the breakfast diner category. Then, as I spotted this over sized rabbit, I remembered it was Easter. He was waving people into Dunkin Donuts. I guess that would have to do for today. This is a photo of him celebrating my life bird by doing a "Saturday Night Fever" impression! Here is a photo of the entrance to the Donnelly Preserve. Major Michael Donnelly is a Gulf War veteran who contracted ALS. He has been in his own private battle to prove that there is a direct connection between participation in the Gulf War and contraction of ALS. His efforts have helped the families of other veterans affected by the disease. You can read more about his efforts here .

The birding was a bit slow here today but I suspect it would be a nice place to visit in the Spring. The total area covers about 115 acres. The habitat consists of a small pond, marshy areas, low-shrubs, woodland, open fields, and it has a small stream running through it as well. The entire area was well laid out for easy access. There are trails, boardwalks, platforms, and several bird blinds. During my short visit I saw 4 Red-tailed Hawks, a Great Blue Heron and my first tail-wagging Eastern Phoebe of the year. The only downside was that there were an awful lot of people walking dogs here which makes it difficult for birding.

On my way back home I pulled into The Portland fairgrounds for a quick look around. At the end of the skating pond were 19 Wilson's Snipe. There may have been more but snipe are sneaky. They were sitting pretty in a muddy area covered with tall grass.

Yesterday, I made a quick stop at Hammonasset. I saw my first two Osprey of the year on the way in. They were busy checking out one of the platforms which is set up in one of the marsh areas. I also had a nice view of these two Canvasback (above photo). This is the best look I've ever had of these ducks. They were having a grand old time dunking and diving. Other notable sightings included Bufflehead and Northern Harrier.

On my way back, I also saw a Rusty Blackbird - (Where's my oil can when I need it?)-and three Wilson's Snipe at White's Farm in Durham. I spent at least an hour trying to get a decent photo or video. I even set my camera up on a tripod trying to get better results. The birds knew I was up to something. They always do.


So that about sums up my birding adventures for this weekend- (60 species total). I will leave you with this video of Blue-winged Teal that I saw at Station 43 today. It's not great quality, but along with the wind, you can hear plenty of birds in the background. Also, look for the Canada Geese which fly by in the video.

Happy Easter To ALL!!!

Green-winged Teal At Portland Fairgrounds

I stopped by Auer Farm in Bloomfield Tuesday afternoon after work. This was a perfect place to unwind and take a walk after work. As I looked at the top of a hill near the apple orchard, I was rewarded with a beautiful view of 8 White-tailed Deer. I zoomed in on 3 of them as they grazed on the all-natural organic grass. Sunday 3/9/08; Searching For New Ducks: In the month of March, waterfowl start to gather together at certain locations before heading to their breeding grounds. From what I read on the COA website, this is called "staging". I decided to search some local ponds hoping to see what turned up. I checked a little pond off of Route 68 in Durham, hoping to spot a couple of Northern Pintail, which had been seen there recently. This is the same pond where I saw my first Ruddy Duck. No luck with the pintail here, but if you look closely at the above photo, you may get a glimpse of the "elusive" Canada Goose.

After checking these ponds, I stopped at White Farm Conservation area which is adjacent to The Durham Fairgrounds off of Route 17. The first thing I noticed was that these fields were flooded and had a healthy population of Killdeer. When I used a spotting scope to search the back end of the area I saw a few Green-winged Teal. They soon flew off further into what I believe is a portion of the Durham Meadows Wildlife Management area. It surprises me how small these ducks look when they're flying. They are so tiny compared to Mallards.

My main focus, for at least the start of this month, is to check ponds, rivers, marshes, and flooded fields that are fairly close to home. I had a little bit of luck at the beginning of March when I saw a flock of Ring-necked Ducks in Portland. I was close enough to get photos but the I couldn't seem to see its eyes well in any of the photos. Maybe I should go back and read Part I -(How to be a quite good bird photographer)- and Part II -(How to avoid being arrested for Bad Bird Photography)- from the bird photography series at Belltower Birding.

I also checked Dooley's Pond in Middletown from the boat launch area. Do you see the Fork-tailed Diving Duck? It's so rare, that it's never been seen by humans. Keep looking toward the left side of the pond. It's going to surface any minute now. As you can probably see-the pond is birdless- at least on this end. I always wonder why certain ponds seem to attract interesting waterfowl while others do not. I know that it has to do with water depth, size of the lake/pond, food sources and location of the ponds. What are some of the other factors? Certain ponds show up on rare bird reports all the time. What makes those ponds so attractive to particular species?

My last visit was at Wangunk Meadows in Portland. Once again, it looks like someone went four-wheeling and ended up trashing their vehicle. Something about this picture struck me funny though. Do you see that little yellow container on the ground next to the vehicle?

What were they thinking? A little elbow grease and some Clorox Wipes will fix the problem?

There were more Green-winged Teal at the fairgrounds, but they were out of camera distance. This is the only photo of Green-winged Teal that I have. It was taken a couple of years ago at the same location. They may not be uncommon but I don't often get a chance to see them. I think they're a pretty sharp looking bird. I'll be looking forward to seeing Wilson's Snipe, which have showed up in big numbers at the fairgrounds in the month of March for the last couple of years. My search for is coming along a little bit slowly but I look forward to checking more local ponds and marshes this weekend. I'd like to see some Blue-winged Teal or Northern Pintail this month. Oh, by the way-did I tell you that I hate the whole daylight savings thing? I say just set the clocks ahead and leave them that way forever.