Greenwich Point

Brandt

Marianne, Emily and I had a fun visit with Sarah and her boyfriend Carlos this weekend, who traveled down from Cornell for an overnight stay. On Saturday afternoon, we decided to get out and enjoy the balmy weather (as it got close to 60 degrees out) - with a trip to Greenwich Point Park, known locally as Tod's Point. 

After moving out of Manhattan early in our marriage, we first lived in Old Greenwich back in the late '80s and early '90s - and regularly visited Tod's Point, which was only a mile or so from our house. Marianne and I have very fond memories of "strollering" our eldest daughters there when they were infants, so we knew right where to go for our favorite walk . . . 

While there wasn't a lot of bird life visible yesterday, we did see a huge flock of Brandt geese patrolling the waters off the point - probably 200-300 (or more). 

American Goldfinch

Carolina Wren

Northern Flicker

Back at the house, we had a lot of activity around the bird feeder - including a very elegant American Goldfinch. He has become a regular visitor starting a few days earlier, along with a Carolina Wren, and our ongoing friend the Northern Flicker (once I filled up the bird feeder again, and just prior to the snow storm late last week that gave us 8" of fresh powder).

While not an uncommon species, I had only added the American Goldfinch to the Life List two weeks prior, when I was in the Seattle, Washington area on a business trip (Willows Lodge, Woodinville, WA). I can't wait for their breeding season to begin when their plumage turns a bright yellow!

House Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Earlier today, we had a delightful Song Sparrow visit us, along with a House Sparrow. I must say, having the Sibley Field Guide to Birds is proving indispensable, especially with the Sparrows - as one really needs to dig deep to differentiate based on their markings. 

Killdeer

I update this post late on Sunday - as we had a fun drive by Sherwood Island State Park this afternoon, and sighted a Killdeer, a common Plover. Notice the double breast-band that is distinctive of this bird. Seeing the Killdeer today is a sign of the changing of the seasons, as this is pretty far north for this species at this time of year . . .