American Oystercatchers Relaxing
American Oystercatchers have been pairing off across Connecticut, and a few sites and birds have been reported as copulating. However, like the Piping Plover, we still have no confirmed nests likely because of the continuing cold conditions at times. With the warm-up of the last few days and late April coming there will be eggs soon. Until then these birds were relaxing on the beach out of the wind and tucking in their bills for a midday nap.
Read MoreAir Pollution in New York and Connecticut
Here’s the view from Stratford Point in Stratford, Connecticut on a recent March morning. There was no wind to speak of, even here on the coast, or throughout the Long Island Sound region. This lack of mixing in the surface air and atmosphere meant that haze and abundant air pollution was remaining directly over land and readily apparent. It did not take long for a sea breeze to develop as the day warmed followed by a light regional southerly flow, cleansing what was sitting on top of us. Nevertheless, it is stark reminder of what we are putting into the air we breathe while...
Read MoreRing-necked Duck Hiding
If you take a look at the center of this image you will find a drake with a black back and darker gray wings than those surrounding it. This is a Ring-necked Duck taking a snooze with Greater Scaup. Even sleeping ducks like these offer a lot of examination possibilities and some unexpected identifications. You could always find a few feathers out of place on one of their heads and come up with a Tufted Duck as well!
Read MoreSnowy Owls Still Here
There are still Snowy Owls here with us, and there will be more to keep an eye out for as others are on the move back to the north. This bird was apparently spending some time on the shore after reading up – that sign discusses shellfishing, and it decided instead to do some duck hunting while wearing the perfect sort of winter camouflage. It is out of season…but this is one hunter I will not report. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreRecord Shattering Cold & Historic Snow
To be entirely honest I meant to write this blog entry a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I have been busy during that time with meetings, gearing up for spring and summer projects, surveying, and much more. Nevertheless, I could not get myself too excited to write about the unbelievably and astonishingly historic cold we have had this winter, especially in February, or the feet of snow dumped on the region, rewriting more records for some locations. After feeling the first signs of spring in the past week I feel renewed, ready for the thaw and once again energized about our weather and climate....
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