[CT Birds] Recent sightings...

[Brian Webster]

Over the past week or so the sings of Spring have become more prevalent.  Although this morning sure didn't feel like the first full day!

 

 

There were 60+ Robins in the ball fields across from my house the last couple mornings (3/19 and 20).  While leaving, I saw a Killdeer fly into the field and stir up the Robins.  I remember the Killdeer being in that area for years.... I didn't know what it was back then, but it's call always stuck with me.  I think they may nest on the school's roof.

 

 

Also, I was able to obtain great seats to the Woodcock show a couple times.  The most I could figure was 6.  Do numbers higher than 2-3 mean one or more females are present?  There was one that flew away with no peenting or twittering.  While walking back in the dark, I heard a ton of Spring Peepers, a few Wood Frogs, and for only the 2nd time ever, I actually saw a Tree Frog instead of just hearing it.  One of my walks into the woods an hour or so before sunset produced a singing Eastern Towhee (3/16).

 

 

 

Quick questiong for you butterfly lovers....  what species, besides a Mourning Cloak would be active right now?  I was trying to see some details of one fluttering around the edge of the woods/powerline cut but it was tough to see.  It looked an awful lot like an Eastern Comma...which I have seen back there plenty...  but I can't find anything that says they would be active as early as say, the Mourning Cloak.  (Which were flying around the River Road in Kent last Sunday, by the way.)

 

 

In addition, my tulips are close to pushing up buds, my hyacinths are blooming, there were turtles at Roosevelt Forest's pond, one of the Field Sparrows is singing, a single Brown Creeper is now often a pair... I'd never heard a Creeper sing until then... and there was a Gray Catbird around a few days ago (3/18).  The first Ruby-throats have made it into Virginia, close to Maryland... they'll be here soon!

 

 

Siskin numbers have dropped dramatically.  The average throughout the day seems to be about 4, with maybe 5-6 Goldfinches.  Yesterday a passing group must have stopped by because there were 14 Siskins and 20 or so Goldfinches.  House Finches have become more frequent.  They only stopped by the feeders (that I saw) twice since they stopped being regulars last October.  Now, the male's song is a usual morning treat.

 

 

Stratford yard/area:

 

3/19 and 20- (60+) American Robins

3/18- Gray Catbird

3/16- male Eastern Towhee

 

Also, (1-2) Brown Creepers at suet almost about daily.

 

 

-Brian Webster-

Stratford, CT

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