I Spy With My Little Eye
As warmer temperatures are finally arriving in Western New York, wetlands like the beautiful one pictured here are rapidly thawing out. These wetlands scattered throughout the area become an attractive place for many breeding bird species to belt out their songs and flit about, attempting to attract a mate. In this particular photograph there are two bird species common to wetland habitats, can you find them? Elyse Henshaw Conservation Technician
Read MoreRed Fox Family
Today I saw some of the first young of the spring season in the form of at least three Red Fox pups/cubs/kits. There are likely a few more of them that stayed in their den, but on a cold and cloudy day with quiet surroundings part of the family ventured out to get a little air. Mom stayed in the grass near them, watching and listening. She looks relaxed in these photos because I was shooting from afar through a window. They are, in a word, adorable. They are also extremely tiny compared to her already small stature. These are very young pups! Despite the fact they are mammalian predators mom...
Read MoreBrant (Branta bernicla)
It has been a slow season for the Brant (Branta bernicla) of Long Island Sound. From prolonged observations in Stratford, Connecticut I have seen low numbers of the species throughout the winter, if I have seen them at all. However, despite the ongoing well below-average temperatures and repeated days of more snow, the counts are increasing as northbound migration has started now that the calendar has turned to March. This photo of a spring Brant is one of thousands that will push through the area in mere weeks when we finally break the polar stranglehold on the region. Scott Kruitbosch...
Read MoreExpect the Unexpected
Winter Birding Forecast #2 is brought to you by Audubon Connecticut in partnership with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. The relatively mild December is making for great birding opportunities as we close out 2014. So called “half-hardy” birds such as Gray Catbird, Pine Warbler and Common Yellowthroat are putting in appearances on Christmas Bird Count (CBC) checklists and birds like Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren and Eastern Bluebird are being found in good numbers as are Yellow-rumped Warblers at some coastal locations. One of the biggest surprises of the week was the...
Read MoreCloudy with a Chance of Snowys
This is the first of a series of Winter Birds Forecasts focused on Connecticut and the surrounding region brought to you by Audubon Connecticut and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History and written by Patrick Comins, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Connecticut with Scott Kruitbosch, Conservation & Outreach Coordinator, Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. Photos by Patrick Comins. A spate of early sightings of Snowy Owls in the Northeast has the birding community excited for a possible repeat of last year’s mega irruption that saw dozens of sightings of...
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