Brown Thrasher
This Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) has been avoiding my camera for at least two weeks now. It may have a mate, but I never end up spotting any true signs of probable nesting, and certainly lack any confirmations thus far. Sadly it is a far more notable sighting than it was back in Roger Tory Peterson’s day in the Northeast. The species has dropped dramatically in abundance, and what used to be a common breeding bird for many is now a ghost in behavior and population. I am still always startled by how boldly patterned, uniquely shaped, and even loudly musical they can be, yet often...
Read MoreAmphibian Crossing
This Wednesday or Thursday, depending on your location in the Northeast, should bring temperatures well past 40 or even 50 with rainy conditions. Since it is late March it may be the first night of amphibian migration as these are ideal conditions for frogs, toads and salamanders to emerge from hibernation and start migrating to a nearby wetland at night! Please slow down for salamanders and frogs when you’re driving back roads near wetlands – even when they don’t get crushed by your tires, the slipstream generated underneath a vehicle when you’re moving more than 20-25 MPH will pick these...
Read MoreBoat-tailed Grackle
This Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) was one individual of the flock of the most northern U.S. population in Stratford, Connecticut, as photographed one spring several years ago. Changes to the local environment from Hurricanes Irene and Sandy helped to push them back to the south it seems, but there are still many places you can enjoy these supersized grackles across the U.S. I hope they come back to Roger Tory Peterson’s favorite places one of these years! Watching them during the breeding season is highly entertaining with their loud calls, conspicuous behavior and big nests. Scott...
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 MoreWinter Bird Forecast #6 – Great Backyard Bird Count
The latest Winter Bird Forecast from Audubon Connecticut and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History is up at WXedge.com and focuses on the Great Backyard Bird Count which takes place this Friday, February 13, through Monday, February 16. You can participate wherever you are because the entire Earth is our collective backyard! You should plan to count birds from a given location, or as many places as you can, for at least 15 minutes each of those four days. Enter your sightings into eBird and you will be all set. Our staff will be participating in the count across the Northeast....
Read More
