Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)
We had a very welcome late morning visitor at Stratford Point today in the form of this Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) as it searched out tent caterpillars on the bluff. The American Robins and Common Grackles were not as welcoming, thinking this bird was going to go after their nests and little ones. The light was not the best for photography, but it is hard to get better views of a cuckoo than this! Stratford Point keeps bringing in the migrants even as we near the end of May. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreRuby-throated Hummingbird
I photographed this hummingbird feeding on some crabapple flowers on the “best” day of Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration earlier this May. Obviously this is a female/immature type without that ruby throat, but it was a delight to see it fueling up in the midst of a certainly epic journey. This individual likely crossed the entire Gulf of Mexico as most of the species does…I mean, how can you even begin to process that? Unreal. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreCanada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis)
Today was a welcome break for field work on an idyllic May spring day. With sunshine and perfect temperatures plus a light wind it was as wonderful for all of our migrant birds as us. I was watching the radar last night and noted a strong migration occurring with birds leaving and entering the region. I also knew that the weekend was going to end up showery and cloudy, and I decided to swap my Friday and Saturday work plans. This Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) was a very cooperative fella, allowing me to upgrade my photos of the species from earlier this week. I actually did not have...
Read MoreCanada Warbler
It was a strong morning for migration in my neighborhood with oak trees holding Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, and my first of year Blackpoll Warbler among good numbers of the regulars. For the most part birds were high and far in the tops of the trees, but this Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) was a little more cooperative highlight. For a bird I am happy to see one or two of each spring…I will take it! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMagnolia Warbler
This Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) was another bird from the Noble Proctor Memorial BioBlitz Challenge this past Saturday at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Connecticut. Willards Island was still a warbler machine late in the morning and we were cranking out the birds. Some, like this individual, would briefly drift into point blank range…even with an excited, raucous crowd around us. All of the birds were as happy as our birding friends with all sorts of plentiful insects in the air and on the trees at this vital migratory site…and we were recording all of those...
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