The marsh area seen in this photo borders Pecausett Pond , a tidal cove which is connected to the Connecticut River by way of a small stream. The cove is popular among fishermen, especially for ice fishing during the winter months. I accessed the area from Grove Street in Portland. There was no established trail so I had to fight my way through prickers and flooded woodlands to reach the marsh. I saw a few interesting birds. There was a Sharp-shinned Hawk picking at some food source on the ground , 2 sub-adult Bald Eagles perched in trees at the edge of the pond, Turkey Vultures circling overhead, and a few Eastern Bluebirds moving about in the area. I walked slowly across the marsh towards the edge of the pond hoping I could get close enough to take some pictures of some of the birds I mentioned. The dead vegetation may look dry but about half way across I sunk down into the mud up to my knees. After that, all I was worried about was getting back to my truck safely. It took some time but I eventually found my way back out. I noticed that the Middlesex Land Trust bought some of the surrounding land. This would make a nice place make an early morning visit if a boardwalk could be built for improved access to the area. I've been using Google Earth trying to find new areas to explore along the Connecticut River. It's given me some ideas for places to explore but sometimes they're not what I expected when I get there. 
This male Northern Flicker has been showing up at our suet feeder throughout the winter. My wife is always happy when it shows up for a visit. I thought that I would post his picture before Spring officially arrives (click on the photo for greater detail).
Here is a video of a Hairy Woodpecker that I encountered while walking along a trail in Meshomasic State Forest. Hairy Woodpeckers are larger than downies but their size seems to vary among individuals. In field guides the Hairy Woodpecker's bill length is described as being almost the same length as their head but the bill length seems to vary too. When you see a hairy side by side with a downy the difference in size and bill length really stands out. The female in this video was repeatedly making her loud peek! call while excavating a hole in a tree. It's usually this call that helps me locate Hairy Woodpeckers. I also saw 3 Brown Creepers and my first Chipping Sparrow of the year in the same stretch of woods.
One of the drawbacks of devoting much of the weekend to birding is that you tend to fall behind on certain yardwork. There are a couple of chores in particular that I find especially disagreeable. The first is cleaning my gutters. They get filled up with those little twirly-bird maple seeds that, when saturated in stagnant rain water, makes a particularly nasty organic soup. Another is removing the strangling weeds that wrap their evil vines around the hedges. No matter how cautious I am in approaching this task, I always end up getting a a Poison Ivy rash. It's probably just me. I'm sure for some people this type of yardwork would be their idea of a good time.
Afterwards, I sat in the shade to watch the birds, butterflies and insects that visited the gardens. 
I'm always hearing people talk about honeybees and how important they are. What about bumblebees?
I spent this weekend exploring the area of Middletown, which lies east of Route 9, also known as Maromas. It represents almost 38% of the city's land area but only 5% of its population. There is plenty of great habitat for birds and other wildlife here, including flood plain, streams, riparian corridors (including Hubbard Brook), reservoirs and wetlands. There is another notable feature of the landscape in Maromas; rocky hillsides. Worm-eating Warblers prefer this type of habitat and I found many of them while hiking through these woods. The bird in the top photo came out to let me know I was getting too close to its nest, so I moved along quickly.
I spent most of Saturday morning following the railroad tracks along the Connecticut River. I came across this Green Heron as I passed by a swamp filled with noisy frogs. Do you think the heron knows the frogs are there? 
I counted 7 deer during my hike. This one stared at me for several minutes as I walked toward it. I wonder if it thought I was a train? My favorite deer sighting was when one leaped out of the wooded hillside and landed on the other side of the tracks. I didn't see the take-off or landing so all I saw was a deer floating silently through the air. It probably only took a second but it seemed to be suspended in time. Definitely a moment to remember.
Another surprise was finding this miniature cemetery. It was in the middle of the woods, set high on a hill overlooking the river. Most of the headstones were broken and the remainder of the graves were marked by rocks. What was a cemetery doing out in the middle of nowhere? I think one of the graves had a date from the 1700's but it was too worn to tell for sure. I felt like I was given a secret glimpse into the past. 
On Sunday, I walked following the Mattabesset Trail to a blue and yellow trail that loops around some reservoirs. The trails can be tricky here, so I was reluctant to go too far. This is a photo of Reservoir #2 off of Brooks Road. 
I came across a couple of bonus birds as I was heading down Aircraft Road back towards Route 9. First, I saw a Common Raven foraging on the ground along side the road. I also made a brief stop at the Cockaponsett Forest parking lot, which is on the same road, and saw a pair of Eastern Kingbirds (above) perching on posts near the field. It was a nice way to end my birding for the weekend.
I think most people spend a great deal of time thinking about ways to organize or improve things throughout the course of a day. What I like about about hiking is that I can just observe and appreciate nature without feeling the need to change it. Imagine if people could make adjustments to their natural surroundings using a remote control. I'll bet there would be some people straightening branches, changing the paths of streams and lining up trees in neat rows. This is one of the reasons I don't always keep a complete species list on every outing. I want to experience nature not organize it. I just take notes according to what interests me at the time and keep a complete species list when I feel like it. 
What kind of bush plant do these pink flowers belong too?
Last Tuesday I went camping for a night at Devil's Hopyard. The only warbler that came close enough to me for a photo was this male American Redstart. You can see the little bristles on the side of its bill. I suppose I should buy one of those birdjams so I can call warblers in for better photos but it's a little late now since I wouldn't use it during nesting season anyway. I read a sign in Vermont that seemed to say that using such devices was banned there. I'll have to look into that law a little closer. 
I really like Gray Catbirds. Not so much when I'm birding because there are too many of them but catbirds seem to be friendly around humans. I had fun watching a pair of catbirds that were nesting near my campsite. A few pieces of dried fruit mix that I had fell out of my bag. One of the catbirds shot over to grab them the minute they hit the ground.
Chipping Sparrows don't seem to have much fear of people this time of year either. This one looks like it got a hold of some fishing line.
This Saturday, I met up with a friend from the Hartford Audubon to show him a few of my favorite local birding spots. Our first stop was at the Portland Fairgrounds where we found a flock of Wilson's Snipe sitting silently in the wet grass along side the skating pond. Some of the other species we found here included a Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Belted kingfisher, Red-winged Blackbirds, Rough-winged Swallows and Tree Swallows . 
Louisiana Waterthrush -This was the birding highlight of my weekend. I hear the waterthrush singing before I even parked my truck. We we able to locate the area from which the bird was singing then managed to call it out with an Ipod. It landed on a branch just ten feet from us and put on a great singing display. It gave us wonderful views although the lighting was not favorable for taking pictures or video. If you click on the April 2008 post titled Camping And Birding In Kent Connecticut, you will find two videos that feature the Louisiana Waterthrush singing.
I visited this heronry (undisclosed location) and tried counting the nests. I gave up after tallying 100 nests when I realized that many of them weren't within my view. I decided to start using the word heronry as opposed to heron Rookery after reading this post from the Body Soul and Spirit blog. 
I came across a small flock of Cedar Waxwings in Wangunk Meadows.It seems they were lining up on a branch to have their picture taken. They didn't seem to be very camera shy. Are they proud of the way they look or maybe just a little drunk on berries?
It has been a typical cold and snowy January here in Connecticut. Focusing my efforts on adding species to my list has definitely made the month more enjoyable but I'm looking forward to the conclusion of Big January. I found that my patience was growing thin as I struggled to add a measly six new species to my list this weekend. I've been cursing at species that don't have the courtesy to show up when I'm looking for them. I've also been calling other drivers "Buffleheads" when they get on my tail because I'm driving too slow while searching for birds. I suppose that's not really an insult, it just sounds like one. Most of my success this weekend came in Old Saybrook. I was able to get my first really good look at Long-tailed Ducks (old Squaw) through my scope. The lighting allowed me to get a really detailed view of the markings and shape of these striking birds. I saw four of them all together including two males.
I moved on to a place around the corner from Saybrook Point that I've always referred to as the causeway. A portion of the water always seems to remain open there in the winter. It is difficult to get a good view of the birds here because you can't stop on the causeway. I thought I caught a glimpse of what might have been Bufflehead on my way over-(the duck not a driver) but I couldn't be sure. I parked my car on the end and walked all the way over to the other side. As you can hear from the video it was quite windy as it has been much of the month. I spotted about seven of them in the distance as I have before in this same location for the past three years. That's one thing good about doing Big Januaries each year. You start to remember locations that certain species always seem to be. It was on my way back that I my real surprise came...
I was pleased to find a Ruddy Duck swimming directly below the bridge and that was my 90th species of the month! A certain tune came to mind that Kermit The Frog used to sing, although my words are a little different for the occasion: -Ruddy Ducky-you're the one. Number 90 is so much fun!
That same day, I also visited Hammonasset again. I figure keep on checking there until the well runs dry. The well finally ran dry for me at Hammo but I did manage to add a single species that has been eluding me all winter. I saw 6 White-winged Crossbills in the ornamental pines in West Beach Parking lot. They flew in, landed on some cones, and flew away after staying for all of 10 seconds. They were easy enough to identify though. I found some Dunlin (above photo) that were feeding along the shoreline edge near Meig's point. Nice to watch even though they were already on my list.
I was disappointed with my results on Saturday, especially considering the amount of effort I put in. I started out over at a place called Station 43 in South Windsor. I walked along a mushy, snow-covered trail until reaching an area where you have to cross a small stream. It was there that I saw my one and only new species at this location-2 Swamp Sparrows. After getting a nice look at the sparrows, I tried to calculate my best course to get across the tiny stream. I calculated wrong, as my foot went through some ice and into the water. I didn't last long out in the fields before I decided it best to warm my feet up in the truck. The only thing I saw of interest at the Newberry Road area besides the sparrows was a Belted Kingfisher. It put on quite a show of shake, rattle, and roll.
I was contemplating calling it quits for the day even though it was only about 10:30 am. My feet were freezing and it just didn't feel like my lucky day. Then a light bulb went off in my head-I've got dry socks in my back seat and maybe-just maybe an extra pair of boots kicking around in the back of my truck. I pulled my truck into a parking lot, opened my tailgate, and there they were- Winter boots! Like Popeye after eating a can of spinach, I was rearing to go again. Since there is no hunting on Sundays, I decided to visit Glastonbury Meadows which is similar to station 43 in some ways.
During my camping trip two weeks ago, I saw hundreds of Pine Siskins fly past a place called Blueberry Hill in West Granville, Massachusetts. I wondered at the time if some of them might end up in Connecticut. I don't have to wonder any more because I came across them in Glastonbury, Colchester, and most recently along the abandoned railroad line right here in Portland. There were about 30 of them in a tree along with a few goldfinches. All of them were eating what looks like miniature pine cones in a deciduous tree. Are those what people call catkins? If you've never seen them before, it would be easy to overlook them. They sort of look like female House Finches to me but with darker streaking and pointier bills. I was looking to catch a little of the yellow that they have in their flight feathers but didn't notice any. Even though they aren't particularly colorful or flashy, it's nice to have them visit Connecticut.....be on the lookout at your birdfeeders! 10/13/08 Wangunk Meadows-I took a quick walk through the meadows today. My favorite sighting was of two adult Bald Eagles that were perched on Gildersleeve Island in the Connecticut River. They took flight and headed further south along the river. There was so many sparrows today that you would have thought that the state came in and stocked them by the truckfull. There were large numbers of Swamp, White-throated, Savannah, and, of course, droves of Song Sparrows. I also saw 2 juvenile White-crowned Sparrows, 3 Field Sparrows, and 2 Chipping Sparrows. It was fun watching so many sparrows hop up on small branches and then immediately take cover after taking a peek around. Imagine if people did that-hide in bushes and pop up for a second as you passed by before taking cover again.
10/15/08-I left the house at about 7:30 am today. It was foggy and about 50 degrees. I originally intended to visit Wangunk Meadows again but it was the first day of duck hunting season so I decided to stay away. Instead, I briefly checked the pond at Great Meadows Preserve off of Route 17 in South Glastonbury. I noticed that there were a few Wood Ducks mixed in with the Green-winged Teal and Mallards. The wooded portion of the trail was very quiet so I decided to move on. I later climbed to the top of Great Hill in Portland. By the time I reached the top, it must have been about 65 degrees. I enjoyed watching a few raptors glide around including 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 8 Turkey Vultures,1 Red-shouldered Hawk , and 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks which seemed to be headed west.
Sunday, October 19th-Glastonbury Meadows-I ran into Andrew D. this morning at the meadows. He is a Glastonbury resident who visits here often. Andrew has been birding since he was about eight years old, so identifying most birds is a cinch for him. We walked the fields for about 4 hours. Birding this spot requires a lot of walking but it is a very productive spot. I always visit here on Sundays to avoid hunters, especially during Pheasant hunting season. Some of the highlights today included: 20+ White-crowned Sparrows, 1 male American Kestrel, 2 Osprey, which were slowly making their way along the river, dozens of American Pipits, Eastern Bluebirds, 1 Blackpoll Warbler, and 6 Pine Siskins. I saw one bird of which I was uncertain of its identity. It appeared to be a sparrow but I could only see the back of it. I told Andrew that I thought it might be a Lincoln's Sparrow but it wouldn't show itself again. On the way back, we spotted the bird in the same location and it did turn out to be a Lincoln's Sparrow.
10/20/08 Babcock Pond Wildlife Management area-This is an area of land that is set aside for hunting. It is accessed by taking a dirt road called Miles Standish Road directly off of Route 16 in Colchester. The above photo was a little orchard that was set in a wooded area. I was intrigued by the combination of Pine Trees, fruit trees, and shrubby field area. Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, 8 Pine Siskins, Hairy Woodpeckers, and two Pileated Woodpeckers were the birds that I found most interesting here. I also enjoyed watching dozens of American Robins eating the fruit. They were making so much noise that I wondered if they were getting intoxicated from the berries.
10/20/08-Burnham Brook Preserve -East Haddam- I visited the Burnham Brook Preserve for the first time today. It was a cool morning but it was sunny and there was virtually no wind. The preserve was a pleasant place to take a walk on such a pretty Fall day. Shortly after passing the entrance, I passed by a private field where I saw at least a dozen Eastern Bluebirds flying between the nest boxes and the edge of the woods. Bluebirds seem to enjoy hanging around nest boxes even when they're not really using them. The wooded trail was very well marked with blue dots and arrows. The majority of the woods seemed to be made up of mostly deciduous trees but there were areas of Cedar and Mountain Laurel as well. I passed by old stone walls and a small stream (Burnham Brook) during my walk. One thing I like about the area is that the trees are not that dense so it makes it easier to get a nice view of your surroundings; making it easier to spot birds. The website advertised that there have been 180 species of birds at this preserve. I've learned from past experience not to pay much attention to those statistics. The 180 species were probably seen over a period of many years. I didn't see many species on this day. There was a nice population of woodpeckers there including: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Downy, and Pileated Woodpeckers. I saw the Pileated Woodpeckers at an interesting angle as they flew across my path at a height of about two feet off the ground. A Golden-crowned Kinglet gave me a nice view as it hovered in a tree above me and showed off its crown. I'm planning to make a trip back here next May.
This poem was on a plaque that was attached to a giant rock. I've never seen the poem before but kind of liked it.
I saw so many of these White-throated Sparrows during the last week that I had to take at least one photo.
Some of the birders around Connecticut were hoping that the remnants of this weekend' tropical storm might bring some new birds in. I checked The Rocky Hill Meadows after a night of some moderate wind and rain. The most interesting sightings for me were three American Golden-plovers. None of them came particularly close to me so I couldn't get much of a photo. 
I've had enough of trying to fight the summer. Instead of fighting it, I'll just move at the speed that the summer dictates.
After watching the butterfly for a while, a dragonfly landed on my antenna. I'm probably less interested in dragonflies than I am in butterflies. After all I'm looking for birds-right? The thing is, with the current heat and humidity , I was not about to go bushwhacking through the woods. At the same time I was listening to callers arguing about the Red Sox and Yankees on the radio, two dragonflies were fighting to gain position on top of my truck antenna. I'm not sure what species these dragonflies are. I think the top and bottom photo might be the same species even though they look very different because of the variation in lighting.
This one almost looks like it has a smile on its face is it happy because its summer or because it won the battle for control of the antenna? 
I never did get very close to the birds this weekend. 
I never seem to be able to get close-up photos of Belted Kingfishers. I'm thinking that this is a male because it doesn't show the rusty orange color on the breast that the female has. Most of the time it's the males that end up with the flashy colors so Belted Kingfishers are different in that way.
I also made a visit to The Rocky Hill Meadows which is a series of farm fields along the Connecticut River. Unfortunately for me, the roads were flooded out from all the rain we had . For the next couple of months, the meadows are a great place to observe migrating shorebirds. I took a short walk along a nearby trail there and was scolded by a House Wren. It didn't take much convincing for me to turn around and head back to my truck.
On the way back, I came across a nice patch of black raspberries. Shortly after I took this photo, the raspberries mysteriously disappeared. 
I continued my strategy of birding along the shoreline until the level of humidity decreases. I concentrated my efforts on the Old Lyme area on Saturday. There are numerous Osprey nesting platforms in Old Lyme. In fact, I think there are more Osprey platforms than there are Dunkin Donuts in that town. This photo was taken at the Four Mile River Boat Launch. Notice that the Osprey on the left has white scaling on its feathers indicating that it is a juvenile. The one on the right is an adult bird. 
I'm sure that most of you have seen Common Loons before. I saw this one at the Great Island Boat Launch also in Old Lyme. From what I understand, there are a few non-breeding Common Loons which show up around the Connecticut shoreline during the summer. The fact that this one is in breeding plumage makes my sighting a little more unusual.
I skipped birding altogether on Sunday so that brings me to Monday (today). I took a ride down to West Haven to visit a place called Sandy Point. This has got to be one of the best places in Connecticut if you are just starting to learn shorebirds. I like it here because you don't have to walk very far to see lots of birds. It is a good place to get really close-up views of a wide variety of shorebirds. I encountered a Marsh Wren on the way in. The marsh to my right was loaded with Short-billed Dowitchers-(from what I understand, you are more likely to see the short-billed variety versus long-billed during most of July and August). I also saw my first Clapper Rail in this area. In all honesty, another birder pointed it out to me or I might have missed it. 
The juvenile American Oystercatcher like this one has a bill that is a little less flamboyant but it is still an easy bird to identify.
