[CT Birds] East Haddam notes

[Clay Taylor]

Hi all - 

Gray Catbird
Chipping Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

The Count Period for the delayed Salmon River CBC began today, so I structured some errands to coincide with passing by a few thickets, powerlines, etc., in my count area.    The powerlines at the intersection of Boardman Road and Maple Ave yielded a Gray Catbird that popped up in response to a Screech Owl whistle.  It then proceeded to feed at a Staghorn Sumac clump, posing for a photo.    Continuing down Maple Ave, a batch of birds feeding along the road also featured two Northern flickers, a Yellow-bellied sapsucker, and Downy Woodpecker all within about 10 feet of each other.

I stopped at Machimoodus SP to spread some seed over by the rock circle, and checked the nearby evergreens for owls, but no luck.   MSP was kind of quiet, but at 2pm, that's no shock.

I actually had a few surprises at my feeders today.   The Tree Sparrow in still hanging in, and was joined by a Chipping Sparrow - the first winter Chippie I have had in many years!   If you want to stretch a point, that makes 5 sparrows - Song, White-throat, Tree, Chippie, and House (yeah, I know, it's a Weaver Finch...)     Also unusual for my feeder were 8 Brown-headed Cowbirds - four male-female pairs.     The sapsucker I saw a few days ago was not visible today.

No sign of any winter finches or northern goodies - bummer.

Salmon River Cove is frozen right now, so canoeing is looking doubtful for Sunday, but the weather over the next three days will be the determining factor.   

If anyone wants to join us on Sunday, as of right now I plan on being at the Salmon River State Boat Launch at about 6:30 am for Screech Owl and first-light movement on the river.    Feel free to e-mail me, or call me at  860-873-9078 or my cell at 401-965-9064.

Clay Taylor
Moodus, CT
ctaylor at att.net