A Connecticut Big Seven
There are seven different species of Woodpeckers native to Connecticut. If you see them all in one day, it's been called a "Big Seven". Today, Jo and I were able to do that.
We started the day at Allen's Meadows in Wilton. Right out of the car, we saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in a tree near the parking lot. Nice surprise. And Number 1. As we made our way around the gardens, we found a Downy Woodpecker, No 2 and a Red-bellied Woodpecker, No 3. Then, a Red-bellied Woodpecker flew over us and landed in a tree up on the ridge. Big surprise! Number 4. And also the lynchpin to a Big Seven. Before we left the property, we heard and saw Northern Flickers. No 5. But we still weren't thinking about seven.
In the afternoon, we went to the Quaker Ridge Hawkwatch at the Greenwich Audubon. Shortly after we arrived we heard the distinctive call of a Pileated Woodpecker. Others at the watch also saw it. Number 6. At that point, we told some others at the watch we'd had 6 woodpeckers today. Within a few minutes, a Hairy Woodpecker was in the trees behind us.
It takes a lot of luck and also some persistence. But hopefully others of you will experience a similar day.
Adam & Jo Fasciolo
Norwalk
Minor (or major) revision.
Number 4 was a Red-headed Woodpecker.
My typo
Our lists are posted on eBird.
Adam Fasciolo
Norwalk
From: Adam Fasciolo via CTBirds ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2023 8:24 PM
To: Douglas Beach via CTBirds ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Subject: [CT Birds] A Connecticut Big Seven
There are seven different species of Woodpeckers native to Connecticut. If you see them all in one day, it's been called a "Big Seven". Today, Jo and I were able to do that.
We started the day at Allen's Meadows in Wilton. Right out of the car, we saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in a tree near the parking lot. Nice surprise. And Number 1. As we made our way around the gardens, we found a Downy Woodpecker, No 2 and a Red-bellied Woodpecker, No 3. Then, a Red-bellied Woodpecker flew over us and landed in a tree up on the ridge. Big surprise! Number 4. And also the lynchpin to a Big Seven. Before we left the property, we heard and saw Northern Flickers. No 5. But we still weren't thinking about seven.
In the afternoon, we went to the Quaker Ridge Hawkwatch at the Greenwich Audubon. Shortly after we arrived we heard the distinctive call of a Pileated Woodpecker. Others at the watch also saw it. Number 6. At that point, we told some others at the watch we'd had 6 woodpeckers today. Within a few minutes, a Hairy Woodpecker was in the trees behind us.
It takes a lot of luck and also some persistence. But hopefully others of you will experience a similar day.
Adam & Jo Fasciolo
Norwalk
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