First Look At A Grasshopper Sparrow In Years!

There's only a few select areas where you regularly see Grasshopper Sparrows in Connecticut. Years ago their was a large area of land in East Hartford where I went to see them but that habitat was ruined due to development. I also had one crummy photo of one from Northwest Park from about 25 years ago so I was glad to get a closeup look and photo at Suffield Wildlife Management Area. 

Fortunately, they managed large field areas in Suffield CT which is also half in Massachusetts which eventually became good habitat for these prized sparrows. I was able to see my first Blue Grosbeak there as well which is considered a rarity. The Grasshopper Sparrow has a buzzy insect-like call and as the name suggests, they like to eat grasshoppers.

I've seen several attempts at trying to manage large open fields to try to attract grassland species of birds but it doesn't always work. Birds like meadowlarks, Bobolinks, and the many other grassland species can be very particular. What looks good to us may not be quite appealing enough to attract the desired species.

I was glad to see their efforts paid off at the Suffield Wildlife Management area!

Watch Those Birds And Watch Your Step!

When I'm out watching birds I try to watch out for other creatures like snakes! I almost stepped on this one which I think is a Northern Water Snake? I looked it up and although not poisonous, they can inflict a painful bite if cornered. Maybe there are some people that don't mind being bitten by snakes but I'm not one of them. I prefer not to be bitten!
 

I don't want to step on butterflies either. I don't think they would bite me but they sure do beautify their landscape. I think this is the eastern Tiger Swallowtail.Getting photos of warblers is no easy feat. Prairie Warblers are one of the easier ones to get. The move around a lot like most warblers do but they tend to stay near eye level a lot as they nest fairly close to ground level. Yellow Warblers are one of the most common warblers. They're easy enough for me to get photos of but most of them come out as bright yellow blobs. At least this one shows the red streaks and bright eye.

We are moving into the summer season so the warbler bonanza will slow down. June will be more of an opportunity to observe fledglings leaving the nest. Trying to find comfortable places to go and having the patience to wait for birds to emerge their fortress of foliage will be the challenge! 

Tommy Turtle Works Security For Young Herons

I decided to brave my way through a tick infested foliage forest to see how the herons were doing. On my way down the main trail I ran into Tom the turtle who snapped at me. he wanted to know where I was going and what was my intent? I told him that I just wanted to snap a couple of photos and that I had no bad intentions. I showed him my camera and he let me pass through.

I saw one Great Blue Heron out on the hunt. Not only was it hunting for its own lunch but perhaps for the family too?

Notice how the young herons prefer to style their hair differently. They have a sort of flat-top mowhawk style. Anyway, all seemed to be going well in the land of the herons! 

Spring Migrants Are Flooding In!

In my last couple of outings new spring migrants have been pouring in! These are just a few that I was able to get photos of with my point and shoot. I'm not that good at getting bird photos so that gives you an idea of how may there must be. Top photo is a Blue-winged Warbler. They have a song that sounds like Bee-buzzz.

This little guy is a Palm Warbler. They are constantly wagging their tails up and down.

This is a White-eyed vireo. They are very vocal with a variety of odd calls.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have a song that is a little bit like an American Robin but they are more melodic and seem to have more notes to their songs.

The action started earlier this year. There's still a lot left to the month of may and there's still a lot that I'm hoping to see this spring! Anything new near your homestead?