December 15, 2012 - Day 350

Today was the Woodbury-Roxbury Audubon Christmas Bird Count.  Steven Ferrari and I covered Area 'N' of the count which covers Route 6 to Quassapaug Road and Middle Road turnpike to Route 64.  So the Area covers parts of Woodbury and Middlebury.

We had a full day of birding (10 hours) and here's what we saw:

Canada Goose (295), Mute Swan (2), Mallard (16), Ring-Necked Duck (14), Great Blue Heron (2), Red-Shouldered Hawk (1), Red-Tailed Hawk (1), Herring Gull (1), Mourning Dove (75), Belted Kingfisher (2), Red-Bellied Woodpecker (2), Yellow-Bellied Woodpecker (2), Downy Woodpecker (8), Hairy Woodpecker (2), Blue Jay (1), Crow (124), Black-Capped Chickadee (26), Titmouse (18), White-Breasted Nuthatch (7), Carolina Wren (1), Golden-Crowned Kinglet (1), Bluebird (1), Robin (2), Mockingbird (1), Starling (60), Song Sparrow (5), White-Throated Sparrow (7), Junco (59), Cardinal (7), Red-Winged Blackbird (12), Common Grackle (22), House Finch (5), Goldfinch (5), House Sparrow (14), Bufflehead (4), and Canvasback (1)

DATA:  6:00 am - 4:00 pm; 34F/41F; Clear; Calm

97)  Bufflehead

Novemeber 18, 2012 - Day 322 (PART 1)

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Owl Pellet

Decided to bird Whittemore with the hopes of finding a Red-Breasted Nuthatch and /or Crossbills that I have seen so many reports of.

I decided to start on the WHITE TRAIL clockwise then go to the YELLOW to BLUE to an UNNAMED and finally back onto the WHITE TRAIL.

Pellet Closeup

Second Pellet

It was very quiet at first which was strange to me.  I have been told that the best time to go birding is between 7 and 11 am when the birds are out singing and feeding.  But then I realized that those times are for the warmer summer months when the air heats up quicker due to the sun rising earlier and being higher in the sky.  But being mid-November, it took awhile for the sun to warm things up.  But it did so finally.

Feather

Other Side of Feather

Once the air did warm up, I began to hear birds and was soon looking at a few Red-Breasted Nuthatches!  I accomplished half of my goal for the day!

Chickadee

Red-Breasted Nuthatch (on ground)

Species Seen:  Red-Breasted Nuthatch (4), Downy Woodpecker (male), Common Merganser (2 female, 3 immature), Chickadee (heard 1, saw 2), Crow (heard), Titmouse, and White-Breasted Nuthatch.

DATA:  9:35 am-12:48pm; 34/54F; Clear/Partly Cloudy; Slight Breeze

White-Breasted Nuthatch

96)  Red-Breasted Nuthatch

November 18, 2012 - Day 322 (PART 2)

Bird Nest

Red-Tailed Hawk

After birding Whittemore, I went again to the old Corey's spot determined to get sparrows.  Oh well - win some and lose some.

Species Seen:  Bluebird (male), Junco (2), Red-Tailed Hawk, Hermit Thrush, Blue Jay, Crows (heard), House Finch (6)


DATA:  1:28-2:02 pm; 50F; cloudy

October 22, 2012 - Day 295

Went to one of my favorite places - the pond on Trolley Bed Road, and once again I was not disappointed.  But I know time is running out.

I was still trying to use the information I learned from the COA Sparrow workshop but those little things move so fast that it is hard to keep up with them. 

However, I was able to ID a Fox Sparrow but the other sparrows I saw had to stay unidentified. 

I also saw a yellowish green bird with a white eye ring with black and white on wings which I IDed as a Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher.

DATA:  3:10-3:25pm; 68F; clear; calm

94)  Fox Sparrow
95)  Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

October 21, 2012 - Day 294

After attending the COA Sparrow Workshop, I was hoping to try my luck at the old Corey's/Golf Driving Range.   Although the area has had two structures built on it, it is still mostly disturbed and weedy - good habitat for sparrows with places to hide and seeds!

However, my hopes of finding any new species for my Big Year went unfulfilled.  But I was outside and walking so it was a good day.

Species:  Canada Goose (65 in one fly-over), House Finch, Mockingbird, Song Sparrow, Junco, Hairy Woodpecker, Turkey Vulture, Crow, Blue Jay, and Chickadee.

DATA:  9:45-10:44pm; 49/58F; clear; breezy gusts

October 20, 2012 - Day 293

Went on a COA (Connecticut Ornithological Association) workshop to Allen's Meadow in Wilton, CT.  Even the workshop stressed sparrows, other birds were seen as well.

Since the birds seen today were seen in Wilton, they will not count towards my Big Year.

Species Seen:  Sparrows - Song, Savannah, Vesper, Clay-Colored, Swamp, White- Crowned (juv); Pileated Woodpecker (male & female), Cedar Waxwing (20), Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren (2), Blue Jay, Pine Siskin, Crow, Starling (5), Great Blue Heron, Bluebird (5), Junco, Purple Finch, Meadowlark, Turkey Vulture (5), Broad-Winged Hawk, and Palm Warbler.



DATA:  8:00-11:00am; 68F; foggy/sunny; calm

October 16, 2012 - Day 289

Went to Nonnewaug High School today to see what might be there and to see how the area changes over the seasons (thinking of doing a year of birding at Nonnewaug next year - it's close by and has a lot to offer in terms of habitats for birds.)

Species Seen:  Cedar Waxwings (3), Crows (7), Cardinal (male), Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Downy Woodpecker, Pine Warbler (2/female).

DATA:  3:00-5:00pm; 58F; clear; breezy

93)  Pine Warbler

October 8, 2012 - Day 281

Decided to check out the Hollow after school.  I knew not many warblers will be around now since their migration had begun but I figured to give it a try anyways.

Besides the 'regs', I did see a Black and White Warbler as well as a Brown Creeper which I noticed climbing up a tree while looking at another bird!  I also saw a yellowish bird, with black strips on its side, a white belly, and an eye ring which I need to look up in my books.

Species seen:  Golfinch, Chickadee (2), Mournign Dove, Great Blue Heron, Titmosue, hairy Woodpecker (male), Crow, Blue Jay, Phoebe, House Wren, Catbird, White-Throated Sparrows (6), Cardinal, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Black and White Warbler, and Brown Creeper.

DATA:  3:42-4:35pm; 58F; cloudy; calm

91)  Black & White Warbler
92)  Brown Creeper

October 6, 2012 - Day 279

Had a Pine Siskin at the hopper feeder in the yard today.

DATA:  11:05 am; 68F; mostly cloudy; calm

90)  Pine Siskin

September 23, 2012 - Day 266

Today I went to the Migration Festival at Light House Point State Park in New Haven.  Just like Central Park, none of the birds I saw today will count towards my Big Year.  But the more times I get to see birds, the better I will become in identifying them more in the future.

There was also a Raptor Demonstration as well as Monarch Butterfly Banding.

Birds seen:  Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Cooper Hawk, and Peregrine Falcon

DATA:  10:00 - 11:00 am; 72F; clear/mostly clear; slight

September 17, 2012 - Day 260

After going to Central Park to bird, I decided to check at Nonnewaug High School after school to see if there were any birds passing through on their migration.

So I walked along the river near the lower field and over to the garden area across the foot bridge.

I did not see anything new EXCEPT for a female Blackburnian Warbler - bird #89 for my Big Year!


Other birds I saw were:  Blue jay, Phoebe, Crow, Catbird. Chickadee (2), Goldfinch, Titmouse (2), White-Breasted Nuthatch, Turkey Vulture (5), and the Blackburnian.

DATA:  3:00 - 4:45 pm; 70F; sunny/mostly clear; calm/slight


89)  Blackburnian Warbler

September 15, 2012 - Day 258

Starr and I (Thanks Belinda for pic)

Manhattan skyline

After watching the PBS show on the "Central Park Effect" which also talked about birder Starr Saphir, it was only natural to go on one of Starr's outing in Central Park.  Since what I saw that day was not in Woodbury, I know these birds will not count towards my Big Year, but what an experience it was.

butterfly

Mockingbird

The day started when Starr arrived as did other people who also saw the show.  There were people from various parts of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania - all waiting to learn more about birding from Starr.  It wasn't long before we started to see birds.

turtle

I never expected to see such a wide variety of birds in Central Park.  When I think New York City, I think house sparrows and pigeons - boy, was I wrong!  So here goes the list of what I saw.  Note:  others in the group say a few birds I could/did not see, so I am not going to list nor count them towards my life list.

Black and White Warbler

turtles

female Mallard

Black and White Warbler

Species seen/heard:  House Sparrow, Starling, Mourning Dove, Northern Cardinal, Crow, Flicker, Carolina Wren, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Chestnut-Sided Warbler, Red-Eyed Vireo, Robin, Blue Jay, Catbird, Mallard, Least Flycatcher, Common Grackle, Cedar Waxwing, Herring Gull, Northern Parula, male Redstart, Osprey, Brown Thrasher, Northern Pewee, Black-Headed Green Warbler, female Scarlet Tanager, Red-Tailed Hawk, Black and White Warbler, Mockingbird, Magnolia Warbler, American Goldfinch, White-Breasted Nuthatch, female Downy Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Gadwall ducks (2 females, 1 male), and Canada Geese.

Some of the birds I saw will be added to my life list as well as my yearly list - I know, I have too many lists!

House Sparrow

Pigeon

DATA:  7:30 - 11:00 am; 65F-72F; Clear; Calm to Slight Breeze

September 8 - Day 251

Decided to see what was in the wetland area on Trolley Bed Road.  Last year  I saw a green heron there but so far not this year and fall was approaching.  And then again, I have learned to know anything can happen.  So off I went.

When I got there, I quickly saw the 'resident' great blue heron and then started to look around the edges for anything else that might be hunting in the pond.  After looking for a few minutes, I finally saw a Green Heron walking near the edge before it flew off to a more secluded spot in the pond.

So besides the two herons I saw:  30+ starlings, male and female ruby-throated hummingbirds, 6 goldfinches, 3 blue jays, 3 crows, 3 mallards, male red-winged blackbird, a flicker, a female downy woodpecker, and a turkey vulture.

DATA:  3:30-3:55 pm; 79F; overcast with some sun; breezy

Later on that day while at home working on school work, I looked out the window at the feeder and saw a Purple Finch eating at the feeder.

DATA: 5:48pm;  75F; clear; slight wind

87)  Green Heron
88)  Purple Finch

September 2, 2012 - Day 245

Great Blue Heron

Phoebe

Went to 3 Rivers Park that day to see what might be there since I had not been there in a while.  I did noticed that this year there were no corn stalks like there were last year about this time when I went there.

I did not see anything new to add to my Big Year but did see the following:

crow (2), cardinal (heard), titmouse, mallards (2 f), mourning dove, Canada goose (7), goldfinch (3), chickadee (2), kingfisher (heard), great blue heron, song sparrow, catbird (4), phoebe, house wren.

DATA:  9:55-11:40 am; 72F; cloudy/mostly cloudy; slight/breezy

butterfly

I then walked across the street to the field and saw bluejay (2), mourning dove, and catbird (2)

DATA:  11:45-11:54 am


Then I decided to see what was at  the old trolley trail behind what used to be the golf driving range and Corey's. 

Broad-winged Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk

I heard a chickadee and goldfinch and saw a titmouse, 3 catbirds, and 3 cardinals (m, f, and 1 immature) and also saw a Broad-winged Hawk - a bird for my Big Year!

DATA:  12:04-12:50pm; 78F; mostly cloudy; calm

86)  Broad-winged Hawk

August 21 to August 27 - Day 233 to Day 239

Common Mergs and Great Egret

Can't believe that I have not posted anythgin since the last week in August - but then again, school started at the end of that week for me.

So for the week I went over to Nonnewaug High School at different times and walked my usual route along the river.  Since I did not see any new birds during this time I won't go into my usual detailed description of time and weather conditions.

A hard to see Cedar Waxwing

What I did see though was:  American goldfinch (m/f), catbird, common mergansers (10), great egret, eastern kingbird, song sparrow, phoebe, belted kingfisher, crow, cardinal, great blue heron, redstart (m/f), turkey vulture, chipping sparrow, hummingbird (f), titmouse, chestnut-sided warbler (f), chickadee, red-tailed hawk, mockingbird, bluejay, mallard (f), bluebird (4), red-bellied woodpecker, and cedar waxwings (4).

Day 232 - August 20, 2012

To paraphrase Forrest Gump, "Birding is like a box of chocolate - you never know what ya going to see".  And so it has been with me and Nonnewaug High School.  I have been going down there almost every day since I saw that Chat - weather permitting - at different times. 

Having not seen the chat and to list each day individually would be a bit 'over kill'.  So I will list what I have seen and then mention what I saw today!

So from August 3rd to August 17th, I saw the following species:

Robin, Goldfinch (m/f), Phoebe, Crow, Catbird, Kingbird (3), Song Sparrow, Kingfisher, House Wren, Yellow Warbler (m/f), Chickadee, Veery (heard), possible White-Throated Sparrow, Canada Goose, Cowbird (f), Turkey Vulture, Titmouse, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Red-Tailed Hawk, Blue Jay, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (f) and cardinal (m).

So today, I just figured I would see the normal species like I had in the last 2 weeks or so.  But I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a Great Egret following the river from the track area heading towards Middle Road Turnpike where it landed a bank of the river.

So I continued to walk along the river area towards the track.  A maintenace man was still mowing areas of the lower field so I wasn't sure if he scared anythign away.  But I was surprised again to see that he had mowed from the track over the wooden bridge then left towards the field and along the river in the field!  This made it easier for me to see what might be around since during those 14 days, I had to walk in tall grass - good thing I had bug spray on those days!  But because I did not put any spray on today, I was not planning to go any further than the track field.  So glad he mowed!  I did see some birds but they weere in the trees being blocked by leaves that I could not tell what they were.  So I decided to head back towards the track and then retrace my walk along the rive back towards the soccer field.

And there I saw it - going from the track fence to the ground back to the fence to the ground then to a bush - an Empidonax Flycatcher!  But which one?! Since it was not calling and their coloration is very similar to one another at this time of year, I will just put it down as an Empidonax sp. until I can get a good picture of it and some help IDing the bird.

Besides the Great Egret and 'Empi', I alo saw:  Catbird (5), Kingfisher, Goldfinch (4), Crow (2), Common Mergansers (9) and Hummingbird.

DATA:  2:25 - 4:38pm; 75F; partly cloudy (cumulus clouds); calm

84)  Great Egret
85)  Empidonax Flycatcher