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Calling All Birds! Spring Has Arrived!
2024-03-20 13:42
Today is officially the first day of spring! There are always some Red-winged Blackbirds around during the winter but it's around this time of the year that the males really start to make th… Read More
Breaking The Birding Addiction
2024-03-03 15:04
Life is full off potential addictions. There are obvious ones like food, drugs, and alcohol but when you break one addiction another less obvious one can easily take its place Birding s… Read More
Most Birders Are Kind And Helpful But..
2024-02-19 21:16
Birders learn about birding at their own pace. Some learn quickly and are experts in no time. Others take years to graduate from identifying birds at the feeders to identifying a few warbler… Read More
Brant Were Getting On My Nerves!
2024-02-18 14:52
I took several trips down to the shore in January and not once did I see a Brant. Other people were reporting them and I even went to a location 10 minutes after they were reported there. No… Read More
No Repeat February Breaks The Monotony
2024-02-10 17:50
Last month I was able to spice up January birding by trying to see as many species in my county as possible within the month. This month I decided on a different approach to keep things… Read More
There's Lots Of Birds Even In January!
2024-01-19 14:19
One of the ways I've tried to make the winter pass by more quickly is by keeping track of how many bird species in can find in the month of January. There are more species in Connecticut dur… Read More
The Importance Of Flexibility
2024-01-13 14:51
I would have to admit that being flexible does not come naturally to me. I like to analyze, strategize, and follow a plan. For example, when I'm in the gym I like to do exercises in a partic… Read More
Ponds Minus Ice=Ducks
2023-12-24 14:03
So far, the temperatures have been moderate during the day with temperatures reaching the 40's. I've been taking advantage of this weather to search the local ponds for ducks. This is a secr… Read More
When The Birds Get Quiet And Disappear
2023-12-14 14:08
It's strange how you can go to a place that is loaded with songbirds one morning and then it's completely silent the next day. I looked everywhere, even turning over trees looking for signs… Read More
The Kind Of Snow You Don't Have To Shovel!
2023-12-03 12:14
I was sitting near the dock of the bay after the clouds had already rolled away and to my surprise, some Snow Buntings came my way!I've seen Snow Buntings many times during the winter but us… Read More
Birding Before Apple-Picking At Lyman's
2023-11-14 14:38
Lyman's Orchard is known for their fruit orchards, golf course, restaurant/market, corn maze, and other activities but one of their unadvertised specials is bird-watching. They have a lot of… Read More
Stare-down Between The 2 Noisiest Hawks
2023-11-08 18:52
 Red-shouldered Hawks are the noisiest hawks I have ever heard. Their calls might shatter glass if they were on a loudspeaker! Kee-yer! Kee-yer! Kee-yer! over and over again along… Read More
Farewell To Foliage
2023-11-08 14:42
It wasn't the greatest fall for viewing foliage in Connecticut this year but I stopped my car as I was driving through the hills of Lyman's Orchard to have one last look Read More
Mockingbird, Starling & Merlin App
2023-10-27 15:51
I'm always looking for new places around town to check out. You just never know if a spot is going to be any good for birding unless you try it. There was quite a bit of sparrow habitat in t… Read More
Searching For Foliage, Ducks, And Sparrows
2023-10-20 18:44
I went for a morning walk at Highland Pond in Middletown. The foliage season has been lagging this year, probably due to the excessive amount of rain we've had this season. I was able to enj… Read More
At The Shore And In The Yard
2023-09-23 11:58
There's been a mix of things going on this time of year. I stopped by the shoreline the other day and the weather felt like perfect fall weather. A cool, dry morning in the 60's.I was able t… Read More
The Roseate Spoonbill Was Worth Chasing!
2023-09-07 18:03
I avoid chasing rare birds unless they show up near where I live. I even shut off the rare birds alert outside of my county so I wouldn't be tempted to drive all over the state burning gas… Read More
4 Bird Sightings To Close Out August
2023-08-30 14:39
I didn't do a whole of of birding in August. I read so much about killer worms, mosquitoes, ticks and amoebas that I was torn between just staying home or giving up reading. I decided on one… Read More
Tree Egrets And Sandpiper At Fairgrounds
2023-08-13 13:30
By August I am a little burned out on birding and just looking forward to fall weather. I struggle to come up with places I would like to check out factoring in heat, bugs, and an overabunda… Read More
Quick Shore Trip During Heatwave
2023-08-02 14:30
We had quite a heatwave going towards the end of July. temperatures in the 90's and oppressive humidity for many days on end. I know some parts of the country were in excess of 100… Read More
The Ghost Of Pumpkinzini
2023-07-23 14:09
When I was planting my garden this spring I had an extra zucchini plant that there wasn't enough room. I decided to just stick it in my mulch/dirt pile to see what would happen. The pla… Read More
Young Bluebird Near The Falls
2023-06-16 16:04
I like to visit spots like these falls at Wadsworth park in the summer. Not because it's the best birding place but because the mist in the air on a muggy, Canadian, smoke-filled summer… Read More
3 Reasons I Like Prairie Warblers
2023-06-16 16:03
Power lines are places I go to often to look for birds. In the summer there are a couple of species that I often see.One is the Indigo bunting which I have a hard time getting pictures of fo… Read More
What Might You Find In The Cedar Grove?
2023-06-16 15:28
I went to a little preserve with lots of cedars and I was lucky enough to run into the bird I was hoping to see there, the Cedar Waxwing. This is one of my favorite birds to come across beca… Read More
What Is This Little Building On A Stream?
2023-05-31 14:58
Sometimes when I'm out birding I don't get any bird photos at all but there is always something to look at anyway. I saw this tiny building along the stream and wondered what it was? A pump… Read More
Pea Soup Pond
2023-05-31 14:57
One of our local parks that has become popular with birders in recent years is a place that used to be a golf course called Pistol Creek Park. There have been a number of interesting bird si… Read More
3 Random Birds I Came Across
2023-05-31 14:57
I saw may birds over the last couple of months during this migration period. Many are brilliantly colored warblers but others are not exactly eye catching. This is a Rough-winged Swallow. Th… Read More
Bike Path Birds That Won't Be Ignored!
2023-04-23 16:43
 Riding a bike can be a nice way to change up your birding pace. You can cover a lot of ground quickly and as soon as you see bird activity you can just stop and get off the bike for a… Read More
Warblers Trickling In
2023-04-19 13:20
I've been spending most of my birding time around local rivers, streams, and ponds like this one. It seems that Canada Geese like to nest on top of beaver huts. Seeing just one family of Can… Read More
Many Birds Love Flooded Fields
2023-04-04 13:24
Every March when all the ice has melted the Portland Fairgrounds attracts a nice variety of birds.There are many different types of ducks but the Northern Shoveler with its long shovel-like… Read More
Remains Of The Abandoned Stone House
2023-03-30 13:19
Every now and then I go for a hike at Spiderweed Preserve. It is a quiet and isolated location in Middletown Connecticut. There are a few evergreens near the beginning of the trail, a couple… Read More
Common Merganser Farewell Tour
2023-02-24 16:10
It's been one of the mildest winters I can remember so far. One of the benefits (or disappointments for some) of this has been that the lakes and ponds have remained ice free. This is a… Read More
A Fascination With Maps And Streams
2023-02-15 20:28
Ever since I was a kid I've had a sense of curiosity. I'd explore the woods for hidden trout streams, search the night sky with a telescope, look for hidden creatures in pond water using a m… Read More
February Is A Time To Chill, Literally!
2023-02-03 15:47
With January behind us it is time to change strategy. I am not likely to add many new bird species to my year list in February so I will take a more laid back approach until we reach the hea… Read More
Searching High And Low To Finish January
2023-02-03 15:44
I finished the month of January searching high up in the Connecticut River valley for river ducks and birds of prey.The Chester area of the Connecticut River was one of my stops along the wa… Read More
Pileated Woodpeckers In My Backyard!
2023-01-12 16:14
I live in a suburban neighborhood but I do have a nice patch of trees in the backyard. We've had a few nice surprise birds like bluebirds, owls, and now Pileated Woodpeckers. It would be nic… Read More
Ring-necks And Otter At Preserve
2023-01-12 16:02
Middlesex Land Trust has preserved about 50 different pieces of land in my area. One of them is the Highland Pond preserve in Middletown which has turned out to be a nice little honeyho… Read More
Basic Winter Woodland Birding
2022-12-23 14:49
Some of my favorite local birding spots are located along the Connecticut River. This particular trail I took is located in an area call  Maromas which has the most natural habitat in t… Read More
No Agenda Birding Then Along Comes An Owl
2022-12-15 18:32
It's almost the end of the year and I've run out of any birding-related goals. I've got a Christmas bird count coming up this weekend and it was pretty chilly this morning. I decided to take… Read More
It's Dinner Time For The Merlin
2022-11-25 16:23
I went for a walk down a country road over the weekend without much expectation of what birds I might see. I figured that I would see mostly sparrows this time of the year.What I did not exp… Read More
Never A Dull Duck On A Dinky Pond
2022-10-29 11:58
This is a small pond with a trail that runs around it call Highland pond preserve. It is not very big or a pond that you would want to swim in but fortunately, it was protected from developm… Read More
The In-Town Birding Trifecta Factor
2022-10-24 14:57
Birders(including me)sometimes fall into the trap of only visiting hotspots that have a large area with a variety of habitat because it provides the most potential for seeing a larger variet… Read More
Always Looking For New Places
2022-10-24 13:56
Whenever I am driving I keep my eyes open for nature areas that I haven't visited before. During peak migrations I am hesitant to try these types of places because migrating birds come… Read More
As Leaves Turn Color Birds Are Everywhere!
2022-10-13 19:07
Fall might be my favorite season with the clean fresh air, smell of burning wood, and of course the brilliant colored leaves! It is also a great time of the year to be out birding. This… Read More
From Atop Of The Old Dump
2022-09-26 22:55
I remember as a kid going to the old Middletown Dump. It wasn't called a transfer station, a landfill, or a recycling center then. It was just a plain old smelly dump. I do remember seeing a… Read More
Migration Time For Hawks
2022-09-26 22:38
The old saying is "Red in the morning, sailors take warning" We did end up having some storms later in the day so maybe there is some truth to the old saying.I have been getting out birding… Read More
Near The End Of The Connecticut River
2022-08-22 23:44
I took a ride down to Deep River and Essex. These are two towns that have excellent viewing areas of the Connecticut River. This was the site where 28 American ships were destroyed by Britis… Read More
On My Way To The Hardware Store...
2022-08-06 23:40
I was on my way to the hardware store to pick up some supplies. I pulled into the parking lot and as I looked across the way I saw what looked to be 3 Killdeer having a group discussion. Kil… Read More
Kicking Back Watching One Bird At A Time
2022-08-02 23:52
I've continued to treat summer as a time to take a break from active birding. Instead, I have taken to passive birding in summer months. That means short trips or in this case, a spontaneous… Read More
Heron Caught Something With Legs
2022-07-28 20:00
I'm used to seeing herons catch things in the water like frogs or fish but this one looks like a land dweller. Just a reminder that as beautiful as nature is, it's also brutal Read More
2 Different Heron Species Out In The Open
2022-07-19 23:35
Yellow-crowned Night herons used to be a species that I was trying hard to find for the first time. Once I found my first one, it seems that I see them fairly often down at the shore. This i… Read More
Birds At The Shoreline In The Summertime
2022-07-03 23:53
I have less of an appetite for birding in the summer but there is still lots to see, especially along the shoreline. It's always nice to see the young Osprey on the nest with their pare… Read More
A Peak At A Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
2022-07-03 23:28
This is not the picture I would hope for but is my only in-focus picture of a Rose-breasted grosbeak this year. It is sightings like these that keep me going in the summer Read More
Summer Break
2022-06-23 22:38
There comes a time in June when the migrant action slows down. it becomes more difficult to see birds through the expanding foliage and bugs start to stalk you. When I find myself running fr… Read More
Tree Fungus And Faux Flycatcher
2022-05-31 23:18
I snuck out to a small nature preserve early one rainy morning .I wondered what are these orange things in the cedar trees?A closer inspection showed me that his must be some sort of orange… Read More
A Warbler That Refuses To Be Ignored
2022-05-15 15:42
The Yellow Warbler is one of the most commonly seen warblers in Connecticut this time of year. The males are bright yellow with black beady eyes, and red streaking on the breast. They move a… Read More
If Elves Exist They Might Live Here
2022-05-15 15:24
I visit the Sexton Hill Preserve several times a year. It's not because it's big or has the most birds. I like it here because it has just the right combination of forest, falls, moss… Read More
Veery Cooperative Butterfly
2022-05-11 00:03
This turned out to be the week when I couldn't avoid seeing first of the year species if I wanted to, and why would I want to? My list jumped from 100 species seen in my county for the year… Read More
Searching Everywhere For New Arrivals
2022-05-01 23:59
It seems to me that the big spring migration wave has been more like a trickle so far. I got my share of exercise searching through Guida's Nature preserve this morning. It's a nice mix of o… Read More
Nice Appetizers Before The Warbler Parade
2022-03-29 13:06
A month from now there will be warblers all over the place which is great but I kind of like the early spring period leading up to that. Now is the time when you get to see a new arriva… Read More
Do Hermit Thrushes  Migrate?
2022-03-29 12:47
I was walking along the trolley-line path from the trolley that never was. Back in the early 1900s there was a plan to have a trolley run from Middlefield to Durham but the company doing the… Read More
I've Been In A Fog
2022-03-21 18:42
The temperatures have remained moderate but the river valley has been foggy in the early mornings. Believe it or not there are snipe hiding somewhere in that field!As I walked in my high boo… Read More
Seeing The Waxwings Through The Cedars
2022-02-13 14:37
Saturday was a 50 degree soul-warming day of sunshine. I checked the local Harris preserve to see what was around. I would have enjoyed seeing any birds on such a nice day but as I peered in… Read More
Winter Ducks Down By The Shoreline
2022-01-23 14:31
There are plenty of birds to see in the winter, especially down at the shoreline.I like to see some of the winter diving ducks. It was nice to see this male and female Bufflehead paired up.A… Read More
Is Seeing Robins A Sign Of Spring?
2022-01-16 17:03
I see American Robins all winter so I would not say seeing one is a sign of spring. I see them eating things like crabapples an berries during the winter. When the ground warms up … Read More
January Bird Search Is Like A Word Search
2022-01-03 15:23
It was nothing but grey, drizzly weather this weekend. Generally I prefer a little sunshine for better viewing and photo conditions but this weekend was different because it was the start of… Read More
Bringing Attention To Nature Preserves
2021-12-28 22:38
There are many land trust organizations in Connecticut and throughout the United States. They buy up pieces of property that they feel has habitat with some importance. Some of these propert… Read More
Just A Little Sun To Take The Chill Off
2021-11-16 00:37
I do like early morning birding in November. Many of the leaves have fallen from the tree and the frost has tamed the wildweeds. Some of the birds have headed south for warmer climates but m… Read More
2021-11-08 01:28
I can't believe that I've only been 10 minutes away from this pond and haven't bothered going there since I was a kid. The water was crystal clear, the trees reflecting off the water looked… Read More
2021-10-25 00:47
It's been some time since I've managed to get out birding before sunrise. I heard a little activity when I fist a arrived at fields but it was difficult to get a good look at what I was hear… Read More
2021-10-19 22:34
I visited a very peaceful Highland Pond Preserve this morning. I am thankful for the little places around Connecticut that are set aside for preservation that provide a respite from today's… Read More
2021-10-19 22:30
Rather than focusing on one particular birding spot, I've just been wandering from place to place enjoying the start of fall foliage. I'm not concerned about what birds I see or where I find… Read More
2021-10-03 16:27
I can sense the changes coming. The fields are just starting to get a tinge of color change.I've always felt that this time of year has a mystical feel to it.I always see these spider webs b… Read More
2021-09-19 23:51
There's a two week period every September when hawk migration is at it's peak. I could do things the right way and go to an established hawk watch site an hour away but I hold out hope that… Read More
2021-09-10 17:18
Fall migration has begun in the northern hemisphere and the weather is becoming more pleasant. The next thing to decide is where do I look for birds. I guess the answer would be anywhere and… Read More
2021-08-29 23:24
(Prairie Warbler)It's hard for me to believe that summer is almost over. I won't miss it much. I prefer the cool spring weather when the leaves are few and the migrants are many. Spring… Read More
Box Of Chocolates Birding
2021-08-22 12:48
July and August has been a partial break from birding for me. I've approached birding this time in the same way some people approach a box of mixed chocolates (not me). I check out… Read More
2021-08-02 18:55
As the month of July came to an end I had the urge to get back out in the woods to experience the wonders of nature again. So I followed the tracks out into the wildest section of the c… Read More
2021-07-13 11:28
So far in July it has been mostly 95 degree days and torrential rainstorms. That's not my cup of tea.I managed to get out to a local park and caught a Belted kingfisher in between raind… Read More
2021-06-28 01:18
I've been taking a summer break from birding so I can attend to other things but they're hard to ignore!I pulled in for just a little peek while down at the shoreline.Wouldn't you know a Wil… Read More
2021-06-13 23:51
I was looking for birds, not snapping turtles but this one blocked my path. I've heard a couple of stories about snapping turtles, both from my father. He told me as a kid he found… Read More

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