The Winter That Did Not Want To End

Boy, oh boy - it has been a long winter! We had another snow storm last night that delivered 3" of fresh snow and a glaze of ice, after the storm turned to rain . . . But the weather has not impacted the force of nature, as the annual Spring migration north has clearly begun. 

Common Loon

Yesterday, after dropping Emily off for one of her dance classes, Marianne and I headed over to Norwalk Harbor, where we spotted several Common Loons, a Red-throated Loon and a Greater Scaup.

Bonaparte Gulls

We knew to go over there as I recently signed up for the Connecticut Ornithological Association's listserv (http://www.ctbirding.org/), which is very active. Earlier in the day, Chris Bosak, a reporter for the Norwalk Hour, alerted members of the listserv that the Loons were there. Chris publishes a fun featured article in the Hour each week ("For the Birds" - here is a link to his website: http://www.birdsofnewengland.com/). As a funny coincidence, our daughter Kate was an intern at The Hour 2 years ago this Spring, as she was finishing up her senior year at Staples HS, and I believe worked with Chris. 

Wilson's Snipe

Late last week and through the weekend, we were alerted by the listserv to several other good sightings in the area, including a Northern Gannet and a flock of Bonaparte Gulls at Southport Beach, a Wilson's Snipe at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, and a Northern Shoveler and a Ring-necked Duck at Buckley's Pond on the Westport/Fairfield border. 

American Black Duck

But there have been many other sightings as well over the past week, including a Red-winged Blackbird at Sherwood Island SP,  and an American Black Duck over at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk.  

American Tree Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

On Saturday, Marianne, Emily, Kate and I ventured up to one of the Ct Audubon Society sites - The Coastal Center at Milford Point. And what a treat it was. While it was lightly snowing and bitterly cold when we arrived, I could tell it will be a regular spot for us to visit when the weather improves, as it sits right in the estuary of the Housatonic River where it meets the Long Island Sound.  While there, we saw an absolutely gorgeous Northern Cardinal (male), and a family of American Tree Sparrow.

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Our home bird feeder has been especially busy, with a large flock of European Starlings (probably over 100) descending on the trees framing our backyard over the period of several days. Mixed in with them have been a couple of dozen Common Grackle's and a half dozen Brown-headed Cowbirds.  The Grackle's in particular are real pigs - as they have been eating us out of house and home. I filled the bird feeder, and it was emptied 2 days later.

Northern Flicker

American Goldfinch

In addition, our regular visitors have continued to seek food from the feeder, including a large population of Dark-eyed Junco’s, Black-capped Chickadees, Titmouse, House and Song Sparrows, White-breasted Nuthatch, and our trio of Woodpeckers (Downy, Red-bellied and Northern Flicker). On Saturday, we also had 2 Carolina Wren’s, and a beautiful pair of American Goldfinch.

That is about it for now. I can't wait for Spring to come! Now on to Mexico City with Sarah for a short adventure. Hopefully I can find some fun birds while I am there for the weekend.