Category: Field Trips (Page 4 of 10)

 On a crisp September morning a half dozen birders congregated at Lewis Farm for a chance to stretch their legs and to see some birds, too.  We headed down the hill, binoculars and cameras in hand drawn in by the ever cheerful call of the carolina wren.  We stopped at the clearing to peruse  the map before moving on towards the Billy Goat Gruff Bridge. After checking out the last of the cardinal flowers peeking out behind the bridge, we scanned the trees for activity.  The discussion circled around to cedar waxwings and several appeared in the tree tops shortly after, as if on cue.  We watched them catch insects midflight and admired their elegance.  Not to be outdone, a solo rose breasted grosbeak was spotted by a “hawk eye” in the group.  We zoomed in on him and admired his seed cracking beak and saw just a hint of telltale color on his breast, far from his red ascot that we know and love so much in the Spring.

We continued on the trail, checking out both a downy and a red bellied woodpecker.  The red bellied spent much of the remainder of the walk calling and making his presence known and we were glad of it.

The group encountered a catbird, a few robins and a house finch by Muddy Brook. We heard geese on the move and chickadees calling from the conifers.  One of the birders mentioned the sight of goldfinch in the low shrubs.   We noticed several blue jays flying from tree to tree and vocalizing.  Then we looked to the heavens and saw more blue jays on the wing perhaps heading south.  This prompted discussion of what makes some of the same species of bird head south and some stay put. I guess the same conversation could be had about people, too.

As we concluded our trip, we hoofed it through a big pine grove and kept our eyes on the treetops as more blue jays were especially animated, and we were wondering if they were harassing a raptor in the grove.  But whatever it may have been it was well shrouded by the pine needles, and we headed home pleased to have seen so much yet still driven by unsolved mysteries in the field.

Written and submitted by Trip Leader: Joan Heffernan

Hilltop Farm is a bustling place these days.  The big white cathedral barn is in its final stages of preparation for its first function as a venue for a wedding.  In addition to the excitement of our grand opening, people have been flocking to visit the Hilltop Farm Creamery which debuted this summer.  So the place is ‘abuzzin with people, bees, butterflies, and of course birds and birders!

The walk was postponed for one day as rain was predicted on the morning of the 7^th. Although the rain didn’t fall, the extra day gave the paths some time to dry out from the wonderful and welcomed rainfall on the 6^th that perked up the premises. I know some people couldn’t come because of the postponement but hopefully they can join us next time.  We set out today on a clear, sunny, day with temperatures in the high sixties as we set off.

A small group of six birders, all HAS members began our walk at the red barn atop the hill.  Just as we began our trek a Red-tailed hawk perched on a fence post as if he were the official greeter.  I grabbed my long camera lens to take a few photos and we watched him fly onto a barn roof for another photo opp and then the group headed southeast down the gravelly road towards the CT River.  We passed the fields where Red-winged blackbirds and Bobolinks nested this summer but none were seen today.  One birder suggested that it would be nice to schedule a bird walk when they are active. We did sight several Northern Flickers, Northern Mockingbirds., Eastern Phoebes and Mourning Doves as we walked down the hill.  We visited the Eagles’ Nest viewing station along the boardwalk and observed the area where native plants, purchased with HAS grant money are now nestled in with the beautiful yellow goldenrod. The smell of freshly hung tobacco in the barn along the path wafted through the air as we walked along the newly harvested fields.  And perched on that barn roof were three Eastern Bluebirds.  Robins , Catbirds  and a Carolina Wren were seen and heard. On the wooded trail we observed a Downy Woodpecker and heard a Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Those who navigated down towards the riverbank, saw an osprey sitting on a tower across the river. We searched for the resident Great Blue Heron in the inland pond but he was absent today.  Warbling Vireos, American Goldfinches, and Eastern Wood-Pewee were heard. Before approaching the Community Garden area, we were delighted to spot a Kestrel perched in a tree.  However he was being harassed by 3 Northern Mockingbirds while he was trying to eat his lunch.  The Community Garden area afforded us the sight of several Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and the call of a Raven.  In the Bird Garden, hummingbirds and butterflies were flying among the native plants, also purchased with HAS grant funds.

Twenty species were sighted today.  This was the first trip to Hilltop Farm for three of the birders and one even went home with fresh tomatoes from my community garden plot!

Written and submitted by Trip Leader: Joan Heffernan

Hilltop Farm is a bustling place these days.  The big white cathedral barn is in its final stages of preparation for its first function as a venue for a wedding.  In addition to the excitement of our grand opening, people have been flocking to visit the Hilltop Farm Creamery which debuted this summer.  So the place is ‘abuzzin with people, bees, butterflies, and of course birds and birders!

The walk was postponed for one day as rain was predicted on the morning of the 7^th. Although the rain didn’t fall, the extra day gave the paths some time to dry out from the wonderful and welcomed rainfall on the 6^th that perked up the premises. I know some people couldn’t come because of the postponement but hopefully they can join us next time.  We set out today on a clear, sunny, day with temperatures in the high sixties as we set off.

A small group of six birders, all HAS members began our walk at the red barn atop the hill.  Just as we began our trek a Red-tailed hawk perched on a fence post as if he were the official greeter.  I grabbed my long camera lens to take a few photos and we watched him fly onto a barn roof for another photo opp and then the group headed southeast down the gravelly road towards the CT River.  We passed the fields where Red-winged blackbirds and Bobolinks nested this summer but none were seen today.  One birder suggested that it would be nice to schedule a bird walk when they are active. We did sight several Northern Flickers, Northern Mockingbirds., Eastern Phoebes and Mourning Doves as we walked down the hill.  We visited the Eagles’ Nest viewing station along the boardwalk and observed the area where native plants, purchased with HAS grant money are now nestled in with the beautiful yellow goldenrod. The smell of freshly hung tobacco in the barn along the path wafted through the air as we walked along the newly harvested fields.  And perched on that barn roof were three Eastern Bluebirds.  Robins , Catbirds  and a Carolina Wren were seen and heard. On the wooded trail we observed a Downy Woodpecker and heard a Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Those who navigated down towards the riverbank, saw an osprey sitting on a tower across the river. We searched for the resident Great Blue Heron in the inland pond but he was absent today.  Warbling Vireos, American Goldfinches, and Eastern Wood-Pewee were heard. Before approaching the Community Garden area, we were delighted to spot a Kestrel perched in a tree.  However he was being harassed by 3 Northern Mockingbirds while he was trying to eat his lunch.  The Community Garden area afforded us the sight of several Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and the call of a Raven.  In the Bird Garden, hummingbirds and butterflies were flying among the native plants, also purchased with HAS grant funds.

Twenty species were sighted today.  This was the first trip to Hilltop Farm for three of the birders and one even went home with fresh tomatoes from my community garden plot!

Machimoodus State Park Trip Report – May 14, 2022

Written by Rob Mirer – Trip Leader

On a lovely mid-spring day (May 14), 5 Hartford Audubon members met at Machimoodus State Park in East Haddam. A total of 41 species was seen. Among the notables, there were several singing Prairie Warblers, Indigo Buntings, and Orchard Orioles, a Pileated Woodpecker, and a Worm-eating Wabler that was seen singing from well up in a tree. One member had a close-up look at a male Blackburnian Warbler. 4 Red-shouldered Hawks circled overhead together with occasional calls. Machimoodus SP contains several different habitats that attracts a wide variety of species.

Join us next year (2023) at this delightful birding spot.

Rob Mirer

Twelve birders gathered at Station 43 in South Windsor on Sunday 5/29/22 in search of nesting wetland birds. We tallied 50 species with highlights being scope looks at a LEAST BITTERN, VIRGINIA RAIL, a SORA crossing the road, PILEATED WOODPECKER, ALDER FLYCATCHER, MARSH WREN, SWAMP SPARROW, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and a decent number of ORCHARD ORIOLE. There was also a probable CANADA WARBLER who sang twice from a thicket off trail. In all, a wonderful morning of birds and the company of others!

Twelve birders gathered at Station 43 in South Windsor this morning in search of nesting wetland birds. We tallied 50 species with highlights being scope looks at a LEAST BITTERN, VIRGINIA RAIL, a SORA crossing the road, PILEATED WOODPECKER, ALDER FLYCATCHER, MARSH WREN, SWAMP SPARROW, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and a decent number of ORCHARD ORIOLE. There was also a probable CANADA WARBLER who sang twice from a thicket off trail. In all, a wonderful morning of birds and the company of others!

Greenstone Hollow Nature Preserve

Trip Report, May 14, 2022

The day was cloudy but dry.  Four of us gathered for the Greenstone trip, including two new people to the preserve.  Despite being in migration season, very few of the birds were singing.  We had to ferret out looks to find most species.

We had a House Wren at the street even before taking to the trails.  We also had a Yellow Warbler and Wood Thrush there.

Continuing on we had both Black and White Warbler and Common Yellowthroat singing in the shrub swamp.  Then we scared an American Robin from its nest, next to the trail.

In the cedar woods we heard Ring Necked Pheasant a couple of times. Although introduced by the neighboring game club, they are rarely detected.  Then we got a photo of a Black Billed Cuckoo in a tree.

Back by the marsh we had a Blue Winged Warbler calling and got good looks at a pair of Rose Breasted Grosbeaks and a Baltimore Oriole.

We had a total of 28 species, including 4 warblers.

Larry Lunden

Species:

Mallard  1,  Ring-necked Pheasant  1,  Mourning Dove  4,  Black-billed Cuckoo  1,  Red-bellied Woodpecker  4,  Downy Woodpecker  2,  Eastern Phoebe  3,  Blue Jay  3,  Black-capped Chickadee  4,  Tufted Titmouse  2,  Tree Swallow  1,  House Wren  1,  Carolina Wren  2,  Gray Catbird  1,  Wood Thrush  1,  American Robin  3,  House Sparrow  1,  American Goldfinch  5,  Song Sparrow  1,  Baltimore Oriole  1,  Red-winged Blackbird  11,  Brown-headed Cowbird  2,  Blue-winged Warbler  2,  Black-and-white Warbler  3,  Common Yellowthroat  1,  Yellow Warbler  3,  Northern Cardinal  5,  Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2

The day’s chill was brief though the dim lighting lasted but the first hour of our three-hour walk. The Mother’s Day walk at Keney Park, the jewel of Hartford began at 8:30. We had 26 attendees ranging from beginning birders to a few intermediates. Coverage of 3+ miles, with lots to explore of the 693-acre park. We had 60 species though likely more. One unidentified warbler, parulidae specie may have been a rarity, calling churee, yellow bellied and green back, seen by few, face seen by none.

Highlights were American Kestrel, 12 warbler species, including both waterthrushes, vireos and flycatchers and even one sole hummingbird spotted by the youngest member of the group, an elementary aged girl. A surprise Savannah sparrow allowed many closeup views as it was alit on a nearby treelike shrub, though twas not as great a surprise as the Mama bear and her two cubs in a wooded trail area.

Quarry Park and Connecticut River Floodplain – Trip Report, Apr 30, 2022

Submitted by Larry Lunden

A sunny but windy day greeted us as we started out the walk.  Two of us turned out to see what was in the park.  Three if you also count Merlin.

The upper level of the quarry had the usual birds. We saw a white spot in a tree on the crest of the hill.  Looking closer it was a hawk, and flying we saw the tail of a Sharp Shinned Hawk.   Some White-throated Sparrows were still around.  On the lower level one House Wren was singing, but did not come out in view.  Merlin added a Blue Headed Vireo and a Rose Breasted Grosbeak but we did not see them.  Overhead we saw a Great Blue Heron.  No warblers were found.

We followed the quarry with a trip through the meadows.  In a large puddle in a field we saw a group of 14 small birds feeding in the mud.  We puzzled over them with no luck.  Merlin directed us to American Pipit, which we could confirm by sight.  In another puddle we found three Least Sandpipers, giving us two special birds of the day.  To top it off we saw an American Kestrel sitting on its nesting box, and then it flew off.

Overall we had 32 species, but no warblers.

Larry Lunden

Species at Quarry Park:

Mourning Dove  7,  Great Blue Heron  1,  Sharp-shinned Hawk  1,  Red-bellied Woodpecker  7,  Downy Woodpecker  3,  Eastern Phoebe  3,  Blue-headed Vireo  1,  Blue Jay  8,  American Crow  1,  Black-capped Chickadee  2,  Tufted Titmouse  3,  House Wren  1,  European Starling  1,  American Robin  17,  House Sparrow  1,  Chipping Sparrow  1,  White-throated Sparrow  4,  Red-winged Blackbird  6,  Brown-headed Cowbird  2,  Northern Cardinal  9,  Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1

Species in Rocky Hill Meadows

Mallard  11,  Mourning Dove  1,  Killdeer  5,  Least Sandpiper  3,  Great Blue Heron  2,  Turkey Vulture  2,  Red-bellied Woodpecker  5,  American Kestrel  1,  Blue Jay  1,  American Crow  1,  Tree Swallow  8,  Barn Swallow  1,  European Starling  5,  American Robin  4,  American Pipit  14,  American Goldfinch  9,  Savannah Sparrow  1,  Song Sparrow  5,  Red-winged Blackbird  4,  Northern Cardinal  3

Trip Guide – Christopher Fisher

Greenstone Hollow Trip Report for walk on 4/16/22 – 8am.

Weather – Sunny, Temperature 55ºF – 59ºF

Attendees:

Chris Fisher, Diane Fisher, Matthew Poltorak, Sue Gagliardi, Edee Vassar, Davis Smith, Laura Ray, Peter Bulkley, Abby Wolcott, Joan Craig, Niki Bonnett, Carol Michaels, Beverly Greenspan, Doug Murray, Karen Walsh, Larry Lunden

Description – We walked 1.7 miles covering most of the trails in the refuge.  Below is a picture of the track of the paths we covered.

Birds Seen (reported to e-bird) – 36 species

Canada Goose  5
Mallard  5
American Black Duck  2
Ring-necked Pheasant  1
Mourning Dove  8
Great Blue Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Blue Jay  3
American Crow  5
Common Raven  1
Black-capped Chickadee  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
Tree Swallow  7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Carolina Wren  3
European Starling  1
Eastern Bluebird  1
American Robin  8
House Sparrow  6
House Finch  1
American Goldfinch  2
Chipping Sparrow  3
White-throated Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  4
Eastern Towhee  1
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Brown-headed Cowbird  4
Common Grackle  3
Palm Warbler  2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Northern Cardinal  8

Additional Notes:

•  The Bluebird was carrying nesting material indicating possible nesting activity
• We identified a flowering Spice Bush.
• We identified a Callery Pear Tree also known as a Bradford Pear which was growing along the trail.