Red-bellied Woodpecker
Over the course of Roger Tory Peterson’s lifetime the Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) pushed its typical range much further north, moving into his homes in Jamestown, New York and Old Lyme, Connecticut. This was likely due to a combination of climate change, agricultural areas and grasslands being allowed to mature into woodlands, and humans spreading into suburbs creating additional favorable habitat and feeding birds year-round in their yards. The species can now commonly be found in both of Roger’s favorite locations. This bird is a male, showing his red forehead...
Read MoreRuby-crowned Kinglet
This friendly little Ruby-crowned Kinglet finally let me see why they are so named after I spent so much of the fall seeing “incorrectly” labeled birds. Thanks, man! You can usually see the crown exposed when a bird is agitated or singing, dealing with a potentially dangerous situation or engaged in courtship or territoriality. In this case I was simply lucky to be in a good position with an extra-tame individual. These autumn gems are still passing through as we enter the final week of October. Enjoy some birding before we get to trick-or-treating. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation...
Read MoreVesper Sparrow
It took a while, but I finally got my fall Vesper Sparrows! My friend and sensational birder and naturalist Frank Mantlik found these two beauties in the Stratford community gardens among many other Song, Savannah, Swamp and White-throated Sparrows. They later cooperated, ever so briefly, for a couple photos. These big sparrows look so wonderful with those huge eye rings, and one was really showing off those white feathers… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreRuby-crowned Kinglet
It is the peak time to see the Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) migrating through the Northeast, frantically flitting about the lower levels of trees and shrublands, eagerly calling out and sometimes singing a bit here in the autumn. Even when you cannot capture that brilliant crown they are still such a pretty little bird. They are also rather tame and friendly, and our lucky friends in the southern half of the United States and Central America get to enjoy them all winter. See how many you can spot today on what should be another sensational day for migrant songbirds and...
Read MoreFun with Confusing Fall Warblers
As fall bird migrations are now in full swing, I thought it would be fun to see how well you know your confusing fall warblers. We have this little beauty below that can be a little challenging to properly identify. Taking a closer look at the white marking on the wing, the cream-colored stripe above the eye, and the white lower eyelid, what do you think it might be? I’ll give you a hint, while in breeding plumage the males have a lovely slatey blue body and very distinct black face, throat and flanks. They inhabit forest interiors while in their summer breeding grounds and munch on...
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