Townsend’s Solitaire: A Townsend’s Solitaire is currently being seen in Cos Cob on Valley Wood Road
Townsend’s Solitaire: A Townsend’s Solitaire is currently being seen in Cos Cob on Valley Wood Road
December 2, 2015 – For the past two weeks one has been reliably found at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.
Pink-footed Goose. For the past few days a single individual has been seen mingling with Canada Geese at several locations in Farmington, notably at a pond at Fisher Meadows Park.
From fall till the early spring Sharp-shinned Hawks are often found patrolling bird feeding stations and field edges.
Red-headed Woodpecker: This almost unmistakable bird is more commonly found to our west and south but this year there have been a number of sightings in Connecticut and surrounding states.
Hudsonian Godwits have been visiting Stonington and Stratford this week, on its way from the far north to South America. Look for its long, upturned bill.
This time of year turkeys can often be found in small flocks in forested habitats containing nut trees like oaks, hickories and beeches.
These distinctive sparrows are passing through this month, and were seen as recently as Thursday at Sherwood Island and Harkness state parks.
Blue-headed Vireo
Vireo solitarius
October is the month for migrating Blue-headed Vireos, which can most often be found in mixed flocks of other passerines, including Yellow-rumped Warblers.
October 2, 2015 – Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Time is running out to see this tiny garden gem this year. They return to their wintering grounds, mostly in Central America, around the end of September.
Northern Parula is primarily a migrant in Connecticut. September is one of the best times to find it, most often in mixed flocks of chickadees, vireos and other warblers.
Tree Swallow
At this time of year you can witness one of the world’s most spectacular avian sights on the Connecticut River, as thousands of Tree Swallows converge at sunset to settle in at a giant communal roost.
Caspian Tern
Although uncommon, Caspian Terns may be found in Connecticut from mid-April to early November. Two were seen at the Milford Point Coastal Center on Wednesday, September 9.
Barred Owl: Barred Owls are widely distributed throughout the state wherever large, unfragmented tracts of forested land are present. Barred Owls are only slightly smaller that Connecticut’s largest native owl the Great Horned. Because the Great Horned Owl predates young Barred Owls, the two owls are rarely found near each other.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
While most birders spend their August mornings along the coast searching for shorebirds and terns, those who spend these days in and around the woods might be pleasantly surprised by this early boreal migrant.
Roseate Tern: An endangered species nationwide and in Connecticut, Roseate Terns can now be found with other terns as they begin to stage along our coast through August and September — and then be off, leaving the roosting sandbars suddenly empty.
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
The long-popular reference to a “miniature Mockingbird” holds up pretty well. Shape and tone are reminiscent of the big mimid, although the gnatcatcher lacks the white wing markings. But keep miniature in mind. This is a small, slender bird in the warbler size category.
Downy Woodpecker
Anyone with a bird feeder already knows this diminutive woodpecker. At about six inches in length, this black and white clinging bird has a coast to coast distribution and is the smallest of our woodpecker family. It is here in Connecticut year round and does not migrate.
Wood Thrush
It’s not too late in the season to hear the beautiful, flute-like call of the Wood Thrush throughout – as its name would indicate – the woods of rural Connecticut.
July 9, 2015 – Buff-breasted Sandpiper has occurred annually at Hammonasset Beach State Park and at our Milford Point Coastal Center, where one or two are reported each year.