Laughing Falcon
Want to hear a joke to start off your Monday morning work week? Well, I do not have one, but this Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) probably does. Photographed in Costa Rica by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSnowy Owl on Lighthouse
There is a new lighthouse keeper at the Stratford Point light – or at least there was for a little while – as this Snowy Owl sat on duty on the platform. I will trust you to keep it between us when I tell you that, for the most part, the Snowy stayed in the shade and snoozed the day away. There was a little bit of preening and an occasional stretch, but the bird used this great out of the way location as a sleeping spot. It certainly looks valiant and noble perched up there, likely wondering how this wonderful perch was made in such a perfect location along the water with long...
Read MoreSnowy Squinting
Hey, if you were staring into the sun, you would be squinting your eyes, right? It’s no different for a Snowy Owl with those big yellow eyes. No, this bird was not trying to nap, it was just doing what comes naturally. This is the same individual as Monday’s posting and was from the same day, too. This bird has been all over the coast of Stratford and Milford, Connecticut, being very active and enjoying the varied and favorable pockets of habitat. Long Island Sound has a lot of appeal to the species, and I wonder what it is doing at night with all of the ducks we have pouring...
Read MoreMerlin Meal
Here’s a little Throwback Thursday to a very recent day – my Christmas Bird Count! This Merlin (Falco columbarius) was the last new species added to our section of the count circle, and we enjoyed it chasing House Sparrows upon initially sighting it. A Cooper’s Hawk came out of nowhere and scared all of the birds, startling the falcon and causing it to drop its prey. However, a little while later we saw it had successfully captured another House Sparrow, this time without losing the meal. It took the bird to a snag and went on with its early evening dining under cloudy late...
Read MoreSnowy Owl
A Snowy Owl joined us at Stratford Point today after showing up in neighboring Milford, Connecticut yesterday. The species is annual at Stratford Point with the coastal grasslands property, the mouth of the Houstatonic River, the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge and the mile-long Long Beach and Pleasure Beach offering various nearby feeding and resting areas. It is a very attractive section of the Atlantic Coast for Snowys on the move or looking for a place to spend a chunk of their winter. Hoping to keep it around all day (and we were successful!) I kept the picture-taking to a...
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