Snowy Egret in November
I photographed this Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) earlier this week in Stratford, Connecticut, while it preened around some American Coot, Mallard, American Black Duck and Gadwall. This is not a Thanksgiving bird to expect in New England. I had no idea that Connecticut had relocated to the Gulf Coast! Thank you, climate change. Who needs to travel thousands of miles when you can park yourself in this northern tropical paradise? Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreGreat Egret roost
What is this, November in Florida? Nope, I assure you it is New England. Here we have a distant shot featuring four of six Great Egrets that were present in a roost on a sunny November day in Connecticut. I did not want to disturb or flush them from this quiet, isolated area and stayed far away in cover. Waterbirds like this can tough it out in Connecticut thanks to our changing climate. As you can see quite literally it is not simply an aberrant bird or two. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreBlack-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
Even when the Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) is not quite living up to its name during the non-breeding season it still has a surprisingly appealing look. The plumage may initially seem dull but when it takes flight it flashes some of that namesake color with its black axillars and an always white rump and tail. The species can be found hanging out on the Atlantic Coast in many locations during the late autumn and winter. It is a bird we record nearly year-round for our work in the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds.
Read MoreGreater Yellowlegs and continuing Connecticut surveys
Are you a Connecticut birder? Do you use eBird? Are you passing through Roger Tory Peterson’s former home in the Nutmeg state at some point and planning on enjoying some of the fine coastal waterbirds it features? Please remember to share your eBird checklists with us via the share function at ctwaterbirds@gmail.com and your contribution to the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds will be readily accepted and heartily appreciated! Nesting season may have ended months ago and will not start for several more but we have a great mix of wintering long-legged waders and shorebirds, like...
Read MoreOverwintering Great Egrets
Would you believe that I took this photo of a Great Egret (Ardea alba) in Connecticut only last week? It is exceptionally true and resident birders in New England can attest to the fact that we now have them as an overwintering species! Climate change is starting to allow us to keep more long-legged waders and shorebirds, such as the American Oystercatcher, year-round in parts of Long Island Sound and the New England Atlantic coastline. Why bother leaving when you can make it through the entire season? Migration is the most perilous part of the life of a bird and while a colder than usual or...
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