White-throated Sparrow
I recently caught this White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) in the middle of a meal… …which it seemed to try to hide from me until gulping it down. Their whites and yellows are much bolder right now than those that winter with us as they conclude their spring migration. In some cases you may have White-throated Sparrows year-round with some birds that overwinter at your house and head far north into Canada for the breeding season while other individuals move in to our area from even further south and nest relatively close to us in New York, Pennsylvania, and...
Read MoreYellow-rumped Warbler
Here are a couple more stunning Yellow-rumped Warbler photos while they are looking so fantastic in their spring shades – and right before all the leaves pop out. They’ll be heading out soon as a greater diversity of warblers arrive in our backyards. I did see one unique Yellow-rumped Warbler yesterday that I will feature in an upcoming post… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreAmerican Redstart
This is as good of a photo that I could get this morning of the adult male American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) seen below, and clearly I need to do better! The conditions were brutal with continued rain and some fog moving in on a very dark day, making the bird stand out even more against the drab surroundings. It was foraging and catching quite a bit while showing those bright wings and that flashy tail to help scare up insects. The weather has been uncooperative for birds as the first few days of the May migratory flight has been difficult with variable winds and precipitation making...
Read MoreRusty Blackbird Blitz 2016 Update
Thank you to everyone who has submitted Rusty Blackbird sightings to eBird this spring! Although today marks the close of the target Blitz dates in Connecticut, the Blitz isn’t over! In 2015, Rusty migration was later than usual through many states, and birders were reporting Rusty Blackbirds in some southern states in early April, and in northern states through early May. Even outside of our official Blitz window for Connecticut, we still need all of your Rusty Blackbird observations to help understand Rusty Blackbird migratory timing and habitat use. The international Blitz runs through...
Read MoreGray Catbird
This was – finally! – my first of year Gray Catbird last week, and it took a lot of work to even get these photos of this shy bird. While Gray Catbirds are often a bit secretive, less so than their relative the Brown Thrasher, I can usually get them to pop up for a moment or chat with me more than this bird wanted to. I really had to lighten these photos of it in the shadows. It did not mind going right over my head, peering down at me while giving that cautious eye. However, many more of the species will be pouring through the Northeast for the next few weeks. We will all have...
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