Drake Mallard
Sometimes you have to stop and appreciate the “classics” – or more specifically, a bird like the very common Mallard duck. The drake has a stunning appearance, with its gorgeous plumage often being overlooked because people (like me) see so very many of them. Here’s to them! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreExpect the Unexpected
Winter Birding Forecast #2 is brought to you by Audubon Connecticut in partnership with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. The relatively mild December is making for great birding opportunities as we close out 2014. So called “half-hardy” birds such as Gray Catbird, Pine Warbler and Common Yellowthroat are putting in appearances on Christmas Bird Count (CBC) checklists and birds like Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren and Eastern Bluebird are being found in good numbers as are Yellow-rumped Warblers at some coastal locations. One of the biggest surprises of the week was the...
Read MoreAmerican Coot (Fulica americana) in the rain
This American Coot (Fulica americana) was photographed earlier this week, not trying to dodge any of the drops while displaying its waterproof winter coat. We have had to wear our waterproof jackets frequently lately as much of the Northeast has been targeted with a lot more rain than snow. We currently have a couple of unseasonably warm and sunny days on tap which at least provide a great excuse to get outdoors to enjoy the winter wonders of nature with family and friends. By this time next week the temperature will have dropped and we may be thinking about snow to start off 2015. We all...
Read MoreWinter Bird Forecasts with Audubon Connecticut
Please be sure to visit this link on the Audubon Connecticut website to learn more about the Winter Bird Forecast that we at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History are creating with our friends and partners at Audubon Connecticut. These weekly updates will keep you apprised of what avian wonders have been seen recently and what we expect to find in the upcoming period, from Snowy Owls to rare or important waterfowl, gulls, shorebirds, landbirds, waterbirds and other raptors. Birding over the holiday season can be a terrific way to get outdoors and spend time with family and...
Read MoreCloudy with a Chance of Snowys
This is the first of a series of Winter Birds Forecasts focused on Connecticut and the surrounding region brought to you by Audubon Connecticut and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History and written by Patrick Comins, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Connecticut with Scott Kruitbosch, Conservation & Outreach Coordinator, Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. Photos by Patrick Comins. A spate of early sightings of Snowy Owls in the Northeast has the birding community excited for a possible repeat of last year’s mega irruption that saw dozens of sightings of...
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