December 3, 2014. Northern Shrike. This is the rare passerine, or songbird, that actually preys on rodents and other birds. It and its close relative the Loggerhead Shrike are the only two in North America to do that.
Bird Finder Articles
Predator Songbird – Northern Shrike
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014Pine Siskin: Connecticut Audubon Bird Finder for October 23
Thursday, October 23rd, 2014October 23, 2013 — Pine Siskins have been leaving their summer haunts in the boreal forests and have been passing through Connecticut in large numbers recently. Over the past weekend, Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven recorded more than 3,000 siskins migrating past the hawk watching station.
Western Sandpiper
Tuesday, September 16th, 2014September 16, 2014 – Sandy Point in West Haven has produced a Western Sandpiper this week. Numerous in its range, Western Sandpiper is considered a vagrant in Connecticut, with about half a dozen sightings each year.
Connecticut Audubon Bird Finder for September 10: Baird’s Sandpiper
Wednesday, September 10th, 2014September 10, 2014 – Baird’s Sandpipers breed in alpine tundra and dry coastal areas of the high arctic, and are a long-distance Central Flyway migrant to and from South America that strays east to Connecticut mainly in autumn. During migration, they are generally found on mudflats and grassy estuary, pond, and marsh edges, often in drier areas than those preferred by similar species. Currently, one or two are being seen at the Shell Beach Avenue marshes in Branford, off Route 146, and at the pools off the Moraine Trail at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison.
Marbled Godwit at Milford Point: Connecticut Audubon Bird Finder Extra Edition
Saturday, September 13th, 2014Marbled Godwit
Limosa fedoa
Where to find it: A Marbled Godwit, a relatively rare shorebird for Connecticut, has been feeding at several locations near the mouth of the Housatonic River, including at our Milford Point Coastal Center. A Marbled Godwit had been seen in the same area last weekend as well but then went unreported for several days. Marbled Godwits breed in the center of the continent in the northern prairie wet grasslands and are rare finds in Connecticut.
American Golden-Plovers All Over: Bird Finder for September 4
Thursday, September 4th, 2014September 4, 2014 – American Golden-Plovers get their name from the golden hue of their speckled back feathers. Right now, the birds are molting into their non-breeding (alternate) plumage, so their bold, black throat and belly feathers are interspersed with more brown feathers, making for a more barred appearance.
Rufous Hummingbird
Thursday, August 14th, 2014August 15, 2014. Rufous Hummingbird. Measuring in at 3-3/4 inches, this short winged, compact hummingbird could, depending on the plumage, be passed over as our more common Ruby-throated Hummingbird (photo on left is Rufous; photo in center is Ruby-throated).
Black Skimmer
Thursday, June 19th, 2014June 19, 2014 – Black Skimmer. A large, black and white, tern-like waterbird, the Black Skimmer has a distinctive large red bill. Typically skimmers fly low over the water with the lower mandible cutting the surface hoping to catch small fish. Skimmers are the only birds with the lower mandible longer than the upper. When at rest, they often group together on sand and gravel bars, their black backs and white underparts visible at long distances.
Winter Wren
Thursday, February 27th, 2014February 28, 2014 – Winter Wrens can be found throughout the state at this time of year although they are usually hard to find because of their secretive habits.
Rough-legged Hawk
Thursday, January 16th, 2014January 17, 2014. When this species leaves its tundra breeding grounds it looks for areas with the most abundant food source. In Connecticut this mean marshes and open field areas.
