[CT Birds] Union, Conn.; Nov. 21

[Scott Baron]

Hello, birders.

Last birding stop of a 5 day New England birding trip.
 Stopped in the Union, Connecticut area this morning
before heading to my parents' place for Thanksgiving. 
I've wanted to check out Bigelow Hollow State Park and
other nearby parks for years and I'm glad that I
finally made it.

I walked a few trails and checked out parts of two
lakes at Bigelow Hollow State Park and Nipmuck State
Forest in Union.  I really wanted to find winter
finches as well as experience the area's scenic
beauty.

I heard an unfamiliar call from a flyover that I
believe was from a winter finch.

At least 1 COMMON RAVEN was present in the state park.
 It was perched low and was just off the park entrance
road.  It flew off as I watched it.  It was close
enough so that I could clearly see it's "Roman nose." 
Just up the road, a raven passed my car which I
believe was the same bird.  I also heard a raven call
two more times this morning but all birds were in the
same general area.  So I believe only one or two birds
were involved.

1 imm. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT was on Lake Mashapaug.
 The typical woodland birds like CHICKADEES and
TITMICE roamed the woods.

Just inside the state forest boundary flew an OSPREY
carrying a fish.  I could clearly see the fish was
being carried headfirst, which is the norm.  By the
way, I believe this beats my late date for Osprey in
Conn. by a week or two.  I saw an Osprey in the
Ivoryton section of Essex back in 1993.

I next checked out the Yale Forest/Boston Hollow area
of Union and Ashford but it was quiet.
 
What a pretty and still sparsely populated area of the
state that is easily accessible from I-84.  Let's keep
it a secret between us birders.  Shhhh.

Scott Baron
Fairfax, Va.


      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better pen pal. 
Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how.  http://overview.mail.yahoo.com/