Injured Rusty Blackbird
I am a huge fan of the Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), something you may have learned by reading my posts over the last few years here at RTPI. Beyond fandom I am also a member of the International Rusty Blackbird Working Group and help to coordinate spring migration blitzes to record the species with birders and the public to learn more about vital aspects of their biology in an attempt to save one of the fastest declining birds on the continent. October is a great time to spot them heading south for the winter in wooded wetlands, marshes, ponds and agricultural areas. They may be...
Read MoreGolden-crowned Kinglet
A cold front passed through the Northeast late Friday, as was evident to everyone who lives there, with temperatures dropping quite a bit thanks to the first blast of truly autumn air. This morning I got out early to complete some surveys at Stratford Point knowing the previous night’s migration was terrific on the continuing chilly north winds. It was the first day of “fall” birds as well with the species distribution shifting to the October autumn classics. My highlights included a Lincoln’s Sparrow, a rare for the site Ovenbird, and a quick look at what was likely...
Read MoreSay’s Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya)! There is not much more to say about this Say’s other than the fact it was found today by Jeremy Nance with Brenda Inskeep (thank you!) at the Aspetuck Land Trust’s Trout Brook Valley Preserve in Easton/Weston, Connecticut. This is the likely third record for the state, the first being historic and the second being on private and inaccessible property, making this the first bird that birders could “chase” and see for themselves. I am a member of the Aspetuck Land Trust’s Land Management Committee, and this mega rarity comes as...
Read MoreLighthouse Lightning
We really are saying goodbye to the summertime now and hello again to some more dry conditions (unfortunately) in the Northeast. Stratford Point had a good run of thunderstorms for a week or so in mid-August, but even these photos show a storm that is over Long Island Sound and ended up providing a very light shower for literally a minute or two. Nevertheless, the pink explosions against the blue clouds all lit by the setting sun provided a pretty scene. I was also able to capture one of the few cloud to ground lightning strikes on the Sound to the east of the Stratford Point Light. Parts of...
Read MoreButterfly Walk
Butterfly Walk at Stratford Point Saturday, September 10 at 10AM Stratford, Connecticut Leaders: Patrick Comins, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Connecticut Scott Kruitbosch, Conservation & Outreach Coordinator, Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History Connecticut Butterfly Association Vice President Explore Stratford Point’s 28 upland acres filled with grasslands, pollinator meadows, feed plots, and a variety of shrubs and trees for common to rare species at this beautiful coastal site. This is one of the best places to find Monarchs in abundance in all of...
Read More
