Finding a Clapper Rail

Ever go walking along a trail and see something just so amazing you have to stop and appreciate it?  Just the other day, my wife and I were on our way to work and we made a quick detour at a state park that is known for being a great place to hear but also see Clapper Rails.  Rails are awesome and hard to see birds.  They like to hide in tall marsh grass and they walk very slowly and carefully.  They can even walk on matted reeds that can make their way into and around marshes.

But back to our incident.  As we walked back to our car, we passed an open stream in the marsh.  In the open stream we found ourselves a Clapper Rail.  But as you can see from the video, it just wasn't a Clapper Rail...

You ever have an encounter like that?  Post it in the comments below.  Until the next time, get outside and go birding!

Link to Wild Bird Wednesday - Link Here

Clapper Rail at All About Birds - Link Here

Quit Grousing Around

I've written on the Unicorn effect several times in this blog.  But the thrill of the hunt and ecstasy of victory are simply too much to ignore.  For a long time, ground birds presented me with great difficulty.  The problem here in the Northeast is that several populations are declining and some have been expatriated from the region.  For those that remain, several enjoy being secretive and elusive.

Many more people hear Grouses in Connecticut than see them.  They are fans of the second growth forests and for a while that was an uncommon environment in Connecticut.  They are most often heard and not seen.  People can often hear the drumming in the distance.  That's the best way to find them around a forest.  Finding them in Connecticut can be a challenge but a worthwhile one.

As some of you know, I placed them on my list of goal birds for this year.  Hearing them drum and then finding them in the open was a real thrill.  It is often such a thrill to see awesome birds in the wild.  I can't help but be more and more excited for the next adventure!  In meantime, get outside and go birding!

The Grouse crossing the Road

The Grouse kept his eye on me...

And then left giving me some great shots!

Wild Bird Wednesday - Link here

Ruffed Grouse is a 2014 Goal Bird

AllAboutBirds -  Ruffed Grouse

Orchestra Section? This way to the Horns

This weekend at Hammonasset State Park was quite the place to be.  A continuing Snowy Owl was easily seen from the trail but my wife and I were able to see some of the harder to see visitors as well.  We found a a Hermit Thrush while investigating the remains of an owl attack amongst some cedars along with robins thrashing about in the leaf litter and cover.  

There was a fairly huge flock of Horned Larks in an open grass parking lot and usually, one can find Snow Buntings or Lapland Longspurs mixed in there as well.  So in an open grass parking lot, we began the exciting tasking of sorting through dozens and dozens of Horned Larks.  The Snow Buntings were easy to find but the Longspurs took a bit more effort.  This became harder as we noticed that some larks enjoyed taking dirt baths, making them look more sparrow-like.  Eventually, we found a Longspur and a Lapland at that!  We found it by looking for the rufous/red cap that distinguishes it from the Horned Larks but also does not necessarily distinguish it from the ground, but if it wasn't hard, birding wouldn't be half as fun!

The other amazing experience we had at Hammo was with a Horned Grebe that was really fighting the tough waves of against the rocky spit.  Eventually, it couldn't take it anymore and jumped onto the spit.  Right in front of us too!  We got some great shots of the Horned Grebe who was enjoying the opportunity to rest and relax from the stress of the breaking waves.  The Grebe was so tired that it didn't flinch as people walked around it!  Of course, I flinched.  People should be more considerate of our wildlife and environment but that's a whole other post.  In the Meantime, there are many birds who are arriving every day and hopefully we can all get out and enjoy the birds!  Until the next time, get out and go birding!

Can you find the Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and a Lapland Longspur?

(click for bigger image)

Active Waves pushing around a Horned Grebe

Said Horned Grebe taking a break...

2014 Year Birds: 129
CT: 123
Notable Additions:
King Eider
Lapland Longspur

What time is it? Hawk Watch Time!

Hawk watches are a great example of how citizen-scientists can have a positive impact on bird conservation.  The work of Hawk Watches cover the migration of raptors as they return to their winter grounds.  Like many birds, the return trip is different than the trip up and different raptors attempt types of voyages.  Some try to go solo and some try to go in groups.  Hawk Watches have told us several different things and also have alert us to the different plights of raptors around the continent but also a few success stories.  Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles, and Ospreys have made a tremendous recovery given their numbers while Kestrels and other raptors are facing a serious decline.

The keys to a successful Hawk Watch are easy.  Sorta.  First you study forms, you read books like Crossley's Raptor Guide (C) and Hawks in Flight (C).  Then I think the best thing to do is to bird and watch in the presence of people who know what they are doing.  The Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) ran a great workshop and I am looking forward to more time doing a hawk watch.  Once you are out there, you hit the real challenges.  Raptors like to soar and glide around.  The keys to identifying these raptors become Behavior, Color, Tail, and Technique.  How can you tell the difference between a Red-Tailed and a Red-Shouldered Hawk when they are a mile high?  Well, Wings, behavior and timing become the keys.  Experience can teach you a lot about this.  Although,we will all still be tripped up by the Male Cooper's Hawk and the Female Sharp-Shinned Hawks.

In the mean time, I suggest getting out and finding a Hawk Watch

A Raptor Far Off

Getting a Great Lesson from the Connecticut Ornithological Association

A Bald Eagle looking like a Chocolate Sprinkle

An Osprey and a Bald Eagle fighting it out

Links
Hawk Migration Association
Hawk Watch International
Hawk Count

Wren on Alert

I found a Carolina Wren.  Wrens are among my favorite birds and this one was particularly active. Turns out he was defending his nest.  But his behavior was interesting to watch and observe.  Before I tell you why he was on alert, let me wax poetic on bird behavior.  I am constantly amazed by bird behavior.  This little bird, smaller than an robin, was causing a real cacophony of noise to alert and distract others.  Other birds flew in as well.  Willow Flycatchers, Grackles, Cardinals, and other wrens came to check out the noise.  This would have made it more difficult for a predator in the area to go unnoticed.  As you may have guessed, I was not the predator, but there was danger.

People were being loud, throwing garbage and rocks about the site.  They were the danger.  Of course people have caused any number of problems for birds, global warming, habitat loss, and other things.  But these people were down right stupid.  Harassing animals shows a real disrespect for the rest of the natural world.  I am still pondering how can people, anyone, treat others in that way?  I have no good answer.  I take a little solace in that when I showed up, the said people left immediately.  When we do something simple as care for the world around us, we make a little better.  Then we can work on the next steps...

Finally a Wood Duck!

I took a walk around my local birding haunt.  Having a regular birding haunt helps you to appreciate the change in seasons and the importance of habitat for birds.  There's a nice loop of fresh water lakes, brush, woods, and trails near my house.  I finally got a Wood Duck.  The Wood Duck is one of my all time favorite birds.  As I began to learn about birds, the Wood Duck seemed to be this mysterious icon of birds.  A local gem that would only reveal itself when one trekked long journeys and scaled great trails.  I saw these wood ducks by the side of a busy well traveled road.

This brings me to my next point.  As birders, sometimes we find ourselves as having insight into a world that is unknown to others.  We travel in odd packs and see things that are truly amazing.  Some see a dump, we see a learning ground and a habitat.  Some people just see a road, we see the brush habitat and edge habitat.  Birds are adaptable and everywhere, at least for now.  There are of course many dangers to birds and their amazing migrations.  Something to think about as the beautiful habitats that help our feathered friends.

 A Male and Female Wood Duck 

 A Flying Common Merganser

A Hidden Brown Creeper

2013 Year List: 89
Only Addition:
Wood Duck

Visiting the Junkyard

I accomplished a birding first this past weekend.  I went and visited a landfill to see some gulls.  While I had heard of a couple rare gulls at the landfill, I was really going to learn more about gulls as a whole.  In the end, I was confronted with a lot of smells and similarity.  I can't tell you that I was hit with a moment of transient and profound wisdom.  But I did gain a better appreciation of gulls.  I know how that I am getting ready to look at more gulls and really embrace that challenge.

I've never asked for comments but I'd like 2 things if you read this.  #1 what's the best book on gulls out there and #2 what are good sites to get close to some gulls?

Thanks and hope to hear from you all soon!

2013 Year List: 80 (120 to Go!)
Common Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Long Tailed Duck

In the Red... Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Being buried in work and also extremely cold weather meant that I got to spend more time with my feeder.  I've been having a couple of Red-breasted Nuthatches come by and it is a delight to see.  I've been enjoying my peanut feeder for all the birds it brings in.  I can easily spot Juncos, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers and both White-Breasted and Red-Breasted Nuthatches.  I am excited for what my feeder will bring when the migration season begins.  I've already seen an rise in sparrows and even hawks near my feeder.

This Red-Breasted Nuthatch has been visiting my feeder for 3 months now!

(C) Me

2013 List

63 (House Finch)

Christmas Life Bird

So, I decided to take a break from owling (for now) and went looking for some shore birds.  I visited some local ponds after X-mas breakfast.  I was looking for a local Wilson's Snipe that had been reported.  I never had much luck with birds like Snipes and Woodcocks.  I got my first Woodcock earlier in the fall and I was excited that the prospect of another worth ducking out of some holiday activities to see the Snipe.  (video below)  I took my dad out with me and he's a beginning birder.  So we talked a bit as we searched and scanned the grasses along the pond.  We found nothing at first, but decided to walk around the park to see what we could find.  Of course at that moment the Snipe flys off!  He's was right below us the whole time.  Fortunately, I was able to re-locate him and take the video below.  The wind was cold that day, but it was worth it to get this bird.

I ended 2012 with a good year in birding.  My life list topped out at 254 and I am looking forward to improving my skills and getting to enjoy more of nature.  I'll have another post on about my 2013 goals.  So for the moment, enjoy scenes from the life of a Wilson's Snipe!

Fall Migration!

A visit to Hammonasset was supposed to yield rare and random seabirds.  No seabirds minus the Double Crested Cormorants that are prepping for their migration.  While the seabirds were disappointing, the rest of the day was incredible.  Birds were literally dripping from the sky... or bouncing around on the ground.  The Life Birds I got were: Orange-Crowned Warbler, Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Blue-Headed Vireo, Black-Throated Blue Warbler and the Elusive Marsh Wren!  It was a great to be outside and birding!

On another note, it had been a while since I had such a good time meeting and encountering other birders.  Not that other birders are rude, most follow the rules of etiquette and some will just ignore you.  But everyone I encountered was great, friendly and helpful.  It reminded me why I love to bird.  The nature is fantastic but I always enjoy seeing people appreciating it as well.  Next week, I am taking a class on Winter Sparrows and many more exciting Birding events are coming up!

Get Outside!


The Blue-Headed Vireo (c) Cornell Lab of Ornithology

2012 Life List Total:
223 Birds

A Day at the Beach

So full disclosure, today's post has no new birds to talk about.  But I just wanted to post and talk about how ready I am for migration season to begin.  My last visit to the Point let me see a lot of old early migrants.  Teals, Gadwalls, Wigeons and Brants were all around.  A few RB Mergs were also around.  I did see a Northern Harrier fight some serious winds along side some Ring-Billed Gulls.  While I did not get any new birds, I did enjoy being outside and seeing some serious birds in their environments.  An Osprey was nest building, or trying to anyway, since there were a few people around trying to fix an Osprey Cam.  When the link is up and running I will attach!  One thing I did enjoy was seeing how birds organize themselves.  As I posted before, Alvaro Jaramillo had posted that bids often organize themselves by size, a real pecking order!  I saw this for myself as I scanned and examined a sandbar.  At one end, Great Blacked Gulls dominated the bar, then Ring-Billed mixed with Brants and then at the end, tiny little Dunlins were fighting for space at the end of the bar.  Beyond listing and building one's list, it is important to start seeing what the birds are doing around you.  I will definitely be looking out for the birds and their habits.  And I've attached some fun Observations below.  If you have something interesting, please comment below:

WB Nuthatch going up a tree like a Brown Creeper
BH Nuthatch going at a tree like a Woodpecker
RB Gull chasing some tree swallows with a similar flight pattern
RT Hawk buzzing a flock of Mallards for fun
RS Hawk chasing a murder of crows instead of the other way around
Greater Yellowlegs running around a mudflat in circles


Any good ones?