Yellow-headed Blackbird
Here is a bird you do not see too often around these parts – the Yellow-headed Blackbird! This immature male, found a few weeks ago by Stefan Martin, should ordinarily not be farther east than Illinois or Wisconsin. However, it took a wrong turn during migration and ended up all the way on the Atlantic Coast with us at Stratford Point, CT. He has been hanging out with Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds while feeding on seed we put out plus whatever insects it can find. The bird has started singing, too, perching on various trees, snags, wires, and shrubs...
Read MoreSay’s Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya)! There is not much more to say about this Say’s other than the fact it was found today by Jeremy Nance with Brenda Inskeep (thank you!) at the Aspetuck Land Trust’s Trout Brook Valley Preserve in Easton/Weston, Connecticut. This is the likely third record for the state, the first being historic and the second being on private and inaccessible property, making this the first bird that birders could “chase” and see for themselves. I am a member of the Aspetuck Land Trust’s Land Management Committee, and this mega rarity comes as...
Read MoreRoss’s Goose
This Ross’s Goose (Chen rossii) was a pleasure to see today at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Connecticut after being discovered by Stefan Martin and Danny Williams. There have only been a handful of records for the species in the state. Don’t worry, it didn’t fly away – it was only stretching those wings! Ross’s Geese winter in the southwestern or far western U.S. and breed in the arctic. Presumably this bird was on the way north before being swept our way on the winds from the latest cold front. They have been seen more frequently, albeit still very rarely, on...
Read MoreLong-billed Starthroat
Here is a great close-up of the Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris) by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser on the last day of hummingbird research on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. More information on some great finds and recaptures will be coming soon. Our thanks to him and his colleagues for their tremendous work and gorgeous photos like this one.
Read MoreWinter Bird Forecast #3 – Heading Our Way?
Snowy Owls, Rough-legged Hawks, the Townsend’s Solitaire and other western vagrants, winter finches and other winter birds featured in the latest Winter Bird Forecast from Audubon Connecticut and RTPI. Check it out here!
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