[CT Birds] Storrs waxwings

[Chris Elphick]

A couple of people have emailed me about directions to the waxwings, so I figured I'd recap on the situation before the weekend rush!  

Bohemians have been seen at two locations on the north side of campus (along North Eagleville Rd).  Originally they were seen near the CLAS building, in fruit trees on the west side of the building.  Most of the fruit is now gone from there, but they were still seen there first thing in the morning yesterday and today.  For the most part though, over the last two days, the bulk of the waxwing flock has been feeding in trees a few minutes walk to the north.  The "new" site, is the alternative site that I mentioned in my original post of 10th Apr, and is where cedars have been hanging out for 2-3 weeks.  The birds have been seen both in a single fruit-laden tree in front of the dorms on the north side of the road (opposite GANT) and in some taller deciduous trees that run alongside the parking garage on the south side of the road.  My impression is that the Bohemians stay in the fruit tree, and I've only seen them (or heard of them) eating berries.  The cedars are feeding on
 buds in other trees as well.  They are very vocal, so you shouldn't have trouble locating them once you're in the right area.

The best place to park is in the North Garage right on North Eagleville Rd.  During the week I would not risk parking anywhere else, as sites are patrolled and tickets given.  North Eagleville Road is also crawling with students whenever classes turn over and can be quite dangerous to pedestrians (this is the road where a student was killed last year), so just park in the garage - it only costs a few bucks.  On the weekend, it is much easier to find somewhere to park and most of the lots will be empty (and free).

Lastly, if you're making the trip, there are other good birds in the area - kestrels, meadowlarks, and savannah sparrows are all back on Horsebarn Hill, along with snipe and various other odds and ends.  The Lot W fields are well worth checking, etc. etc. etc.

For more info on birding in the Storrs area, check the links here:
http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/people/birdlab/public.html

Chris


Chris Elphick
Storrs, CT
elphick at sbcglobal.net