This week we’re introducing the second new contributor to our weekly Connecticut Audubon Society Bird Finder, Nick Bonomo. As Nick likes to say, he “has been birding Connecticut since his early teens and has not stopped since.” He leads tours for our EcoTravel program and has been a regular part of the top-notch birding team […]
Posts Tagged ‘Bird Finder’
Nick Bonomo Joins Our ‘Bird Finder’ Team
Tuesday, January 27th, 2015Sandhill Crane: Bird Finder for January 21
Wednesday, January 21st, 2015Sandhill Crane
Grus canadensis
Several times a year, Sandhill Cranes are observed in Connecticut, often while they are flying past. This week one has been feeding in a cornfield in Stonington.
Pine 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.
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.
Rusty Blackbird
Thursday, November 21st, 2013November 22, 2013 – Rusty Blackbirds are now seeking out their wintering range. They are not common but you can find them in Connecticut, mixed in as individuals in flocks of other blackbirds species, or as small flocks of up to 30-plus individuals.
Black Scoter
Friday, November 15th, 2013November 15, 2013 – Black Scoters seem to be more prevalent this year than in recent years. They are rarely seen in fresh water but this week you can look for these unusual scoters inland, in areas such as the Connecticut River off Vibert Road in South Windsor and Bantam Lake in Litchfield along North Shore Road. You can also look for them on the coast, off Penfield Reef in Fairfield, off Reef Road, where there is public access (go at low tide). Black Scoters are uncommon but regular migrants. They breed in subarctic regions and winter in coastal areas along both coasts. Diving ducks (rather than dabblers like Mallards), they dive to find crustaceans and mollusks to eat. Click the link below to read the entire post.
Bird Finder Thumbnails
Sunday, September 29th, 2013Ross’s Goose, in East Windsor.
