One day of birding in 1972

I would like to share with you a list of birds that was compiled by 2 Connecticut birders back in 1972. It was not so much the number of species that was shocking but the actual number of individual birds for each species. I have been to the areas listed here. It is nowhere near the shoreline. They are still considered to be good birding areas but we will never see numbers like this again.-Note that this was described as just a typical day.-

I obtained this information from CT. Birds Digest which is a new feature provided by the COA that allows birders to have open discussions about birds in Connecticut.


A day of birding on May 18, 1972 - Paul Carrier / Winston Williams -from
8:30 to 3:00 PM.
At: West Hartford reservoirs, incl res #6, and Dearcliff Rd., Farmington.
(only warblers and other neo-tropical bird migrants shown):-

Myrtle Warbler(65+) Redstart(41+) BT Blue(35) Parula(20) BT Green(75+!)
Blue-wing(22)
Blackburnian(12) Blackpoll(2) Yellowthroat(10) Magnolia(13) Canada(3)
Bay-breasted(12) Louisiana W
Thrush(12) B&White(33) Yellow Warb(16) Ovenbird(28) Prairie(8)
Nashville(12) Chestnut-sided(38)
Golden-wing(2) Cape May(3) Blue-H Vireo(16) Towhee(22) Swainson's
Thrush(15) Veery(22) Wood
thrush(34) B Oriole(32) Least Flycatcher(10) Indigo Bunting(17) S
Tanager(31) Red-Eye Vireo(65+)
Ruby Hummer(6) Yellow-T Vireo(15) Yellow-b-Cuckoo(3) Black-B-Cuckoo(5)
Warbling-Vireo(16)

Daily note: Day-overcast, cool, mid 50s, Birds were alternately singing
and quiet, In the case of
warblers, they were found at times in large waves traveling together of
many different species,
many not being counted. (Ed) - This was a typical day for mid May "Back
then".