Fox Sparrow
Any time we see snowfall from mid-March on, we might notice an increase in the number and species diversity of birds at our backyard feeders. Those who pay close attention might also have the opportunity to view more elusive birds – those that would otherwise just be passing through or returning to the area relatively unnoticed – that are driven out of their preferred habitats by the extreme conditions in search of food. One such bird that can seem to appear out of nowhere is the Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca). These large sparrows really enjoy scratching at the ground with both...
Read MoreMoon Flight
There will be plenty of birds in the air tonight flying south on those north winds. Will this migration bring you your first Fox Sparrow or American Tree Sparrow of the fall tomorrow? Perhaps there will be some Snow Geese flying through the darkness to a field near you. Birds like the American Woodcock are still wrapping up their migration, and some will linger through early snowfalls. There are still dozens of species moving through the night, and good birding to you on a chilly but sunny and sensational weekend.
Read MoreMorning Dark-eyed Junco
Do you have your Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) back in your yard yet? I recently photographed this little returning bird with the early morning eastern sun lighting it up nicely. These variable feeder friends are moving through now after most other avian migration has wrapped up for the year. Soon enough it will be the Fox Sparrows and American Tree Sparrows, even if it does not feel like it with all of this warm weather…get your seed ready now, and keep watching for November rarities at home. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSpring Migration Time!
Spring is finally here and new birds are arriving each day. One species that has already returned from their wintering grounds is the Osprey. They rejoin us each March after a very long journey as their winter quarters can be as far away as southern sections of South America. Audubon volunteers from the Menunkatuck Audubon Society have been hard at work for many years to ensure that their homes are sound and waiting for them when they arrive. The return of the Osprey highlights one of the great conservation success stories of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In the 1940’s there...
Read MoreFox Sparrows Moving
March is the month for the Fox Sparrow as the hefty backyard bird moves north, relying on feeding stations when there is still snow on the ground. The thaw is on, and the more melts, the more we will see scratching at that fresh earth, but the worse the weather is the more likely you will find them in your yard.
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