Before and after Migration....

(male Hooded Warbler)


(male Hooded Warbler)


(male Hooded Warbler)

It is now May 28th, and this year's Spring migration is coming to a close. For me, personally, it was amazing. I began seriously birding in March of '08... which is just in time for migration. However, I was too enthrawled with Juncos and White-throated Sparrows and Brown Creepers to even realize what was beginning to happen around me. (I didn't learn what a FOY was until I had a FOY (first of the year bird))! And what was that, you ask? The mass migration of hundreds of bird species flying thousands of miles to their summer breeding grounds. Colorful warblers fliter and bug catch in habitats they wouldn't breed in. Uncommon ducks begin to be seen in local ponds and bays. And they skies become spotted as large amounts of hawks lazily list north on high altitude thermals.

Don't get me wrong, I saw tons of great migrants that year. Though it was all by luck and accident. This year I had somewhat of a game plan: Stay focused on my yard/woods/powerline cut to get an idea of what moves through, pay attention to reports on the local e-mail listservs, try to get to as many migrant traps as possible, and focus my efforts on learning the seemingly unlimited number of bird songs so I can ID birds quicker, find them faster, and be more certain about the ID.

Here in southwestern coastal Connecticut, certain migrants begin to be seen in mid to late-March. The very first of these bird are Tree Swallows and Eastern Phoebes. The near the end of March, the Ospreys return to their fishing grounds and start refurbishing last years nest. Or if a young'un, they find their own locale to start their own nest. At this time you also begin to notice birds molting into breeding plumage. Common and Red-throated Loons, Long-tailed Ducks, Horned Grebes various gull species begin their annual transformation into, quite often, an entirely different appearance. This process coincides with the departure of our wintering species. Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, Pine Siskins, Common Redpolls, Scoters, sea ducks, Rough-legged hawks, Snowy Owlsm Snow Buntings and Longspurs begin their trek north and are seen less frequently.

By the beginnig of April, random shore birds begin to be seen more often, such as Black-bellied Plovers and Great and Snowy Egrets, followed soon by Night-herons and Yellowlegs. The earliest warblers are Pine and Palm warblers, showing up in mid-April. Some Pines, as well as Yellow-rumped warblers overwinter on the eastern seaboard as far north as Rhode Island. So many of the first and early Pine and Wellow-rumps, even some Palms, are over-wintering birds who don't travel as far as their true migratory relatives.

By the time May rolls in warbler, vireos, tanagers, thrushes, ducks and shorebirds begin to be seen in numbers. Now, many species begin to court and start the process of nesting. Most winter species are gone and on their way to the northermost territories of Canada. The Pine and Palm warblers than were common in April are now becoming more scarce, while the mid-level migration warblers are starting to be seen more often. Black-throated Blue and Green, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Common Yellowthroats, Blue-winged, Black-and-white warbler and American Redstarts can be seen in almost any habitat during their journey to the breeding grounds. Indigo Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and White-crowned Sparrows begin to show up at feeders, only the latter continuing through CT to its northern breeding grounds.

Species that over winter, and those who don't now show their striking breeding plumages. Swamp and Chipping sparrows who wear drab plumage during the winter transform into contrasting little bundles of color. Gulls are transforming into the next level of their plumage/age cycles. For example, a 1st winter Glaucous Gull spent the winter at a local beach in Stratford, Connecticut. During the winter it had it's pearled and somewhat mottled white and light grey plumage going. He is still present, in the same spot (as of 5/27/09) and is now almost entirely in his glowing white plumage.

As May rolls along and June starts to peak around the corner, migration slows and numbers of warblers and other migrants slow. Those who breed here get right into the thick of breeding, if the haven't already. Later migrants like Eastern Wood-Pewee and Mourning warbler are now seen and late stragglers can still be found in several habitats.

So now, sitting here on May 27th, the bulk of the spring migration is over. But for me, that just signals that it is time to learn about the birds who breed near me. One of which was a life bird for me no more than a month ago.

The Hooded Warbler is a new world wood warbler who breeds in mature mixed hardwood forests with a vey thick understory. The male is brigtht yellow, with a striking dark black 'hood' that circles his face.

I had gone to a sanctary about 40 minutes from my house here in CT to see one of these amazing birds. I had never seen or heard one before and I was very excited. Even more so when I actualy found him! I heard him sing a few times, got some photos, then went on my way. At that point I didn't think I would see another one this year... without going back to the sanctuary where they breed.

But sure enough, about a week ago I heard a very loud, and very confident song coming from the dark thickness of the woods behing my house. I had only heard the Hooded sing once earlier in the month, and I didn't know what was singing from my woods. It remined me of a Hooded, but I wasn't sure. I sent out an e-mail to the CTBirds listserv for assistance. I said that I thought it was a Hooded warbler, but the song was somewhat shorter. Most people suggested a Magnolia warbler. So I listened to some sound files for both Magnolia and Hooded, and Hooded fit well. The song of the Magnolia warbler is somewhat similar (personally, I don't think it really is), but it is quieter, longer and slower. The song of the Hooded warbler is very pronounced, loud, and conifident.

So after people telling me it could be something else, I had to find out for sure. Three days after first hearing the bird, I heard him sing again. So I went out into the woods, found the thickest area and what seemed to be exactly the Hooded's breeding habitat requirements, found a rock and sat and waited. He was singing all over the place, but I couldn't locate him. This went on for about 2 hours before I decided to call it quits. On the way out I didn't take the trail, instead I moved through the thickness where the bird had been singing for 3 days. At this point, it wasn't singing, but I had high hopes.

As I approached a very wet area (several spots of wetlands back there and a few streams) I saw a quick flash of yellow jump into a low bush. Common Yellowthroats are everywhere in my woods and powerline cut, so that is what I thought it was at first. A few seconds later it flew out in front of my face and landed on a low branch no more than 10' in front of me. It was a male Hooded warbler!!! Vindication! I was right! Man I can't explain how good of a feeling that is. For one, the excitement of finding an awesome bird is running strong. Then add to that the excitement of seeing a bird for only the 2nd time ever. Add on the fact that it was in my woods, and that I correclty identified it by song. Now throw in a little bit of people not believing you, and you got a great feeling.

The Hooded warbler's breeding range extends from the Florida panhandle, west to just past the Texas/Louisiana border, north to the southern Missouri border, then east to the Atlantic shore. The range spreads north along the eastern shore the south-central Connecticut and southern Rhode Island. It's range goes much further north in the east and on the coast that it does in the mid-west. There are random pockets of populations in Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, half of Ohio and Missouri... while the range covers most of West Virginia, Viginia and Pennsylvania. My woods are just about at the northernmost part of their breeding grounds.

The Hooded warbler's habitat requirements vary from thier wintering grounds, breeding grounds, and habitats frequented while in migration. In migration they are usually found in dense, low thickets and the thick understory of mature woodlands. The breeding habitat requirements are similar... they breed in both up and bottomland woods, with the most important ingredient being well-developed scrubby thickets/undergrowth beneath extensive, mature, shaded woods. This habitat description could have been describing my woods.

I have yet to see and sure-fire signs of breeding, but I have high hopes. For one, this male is just about at the northermost tip of his breeding range.... although there are certainly perfect breeding habitats for the Hooded north of my location, according to breeding range maps he doesn't have much more breeding grounds to his north. Second, there were 2 males yesterday, and I heard 3-4 when they stopped singing and started making their single, short note metallic 'chip' call. Third, and most important is the habitat.... all descriptions I've read of the Hooded warblers breeding habitat describe the habitat he is in now to a T. So hopefully he will stay to leave his mark on the world, and hopefully bring more back next year!

The spring migration of birds is an amaing thing. There are several aspects and periods throughout. IN addition to the possibility of seeing a great quantity of species, it is the best time of year to hone up on ones birding skills (spotting, IDing, songs) and to learn more about birds in general.

(photos shown are of a male Hooded warbler seen in the woods behind my house in Stratford, Connecticut)

VT Camping Trip

Being a huge fan of nature and camping and the outdoors in general, I was elated to finally get out on a camping trip this season.



One of my favorite places to camp, bird, hike, swim.... everything.... is Silver Lake Campground inside the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. The closest town is Goshen, and the closest town with anything in it is Forest Dale, Vermont.

I've come to enjoy learning how the migration process spreads up the coast and northward bound into Canada. As the spring migrations slowed here in Connecticut, it was still booming in north-central Vermont.

Last year, granted while still rather green, I managed 61 species of birds on my Sat-Mon camping trip to Silver Lake. The obvious highlight of the trip was when my buddy and I were very lazily floating around the lake on our tubes and a majestic adult Bald Eagle soared over head. I had thought I missed him on this trip, until I noticed him and two Turkey Vultures hitting up the thermals created by the mountains and lake.



Silver Lake sits between two low rolling mountains (Chandler Ridge to the west) in a very pristine, and primitive habitat. According to legends, there are Native American artifacts sprinkled all over the area. My friend, and summer host Lenny, informed me of a hidden cave said to be filled with arrowheads, spear tips and other native tools. On the far south end of the lake there are two sunken canoes that were made by carving out the bulk of a tree.

Just thinking about the ingenuity and dexterity of Native Americans (or any native people for that matter) makes me think how lazy we humans really are. Imagine cutting down a tree with a trunk big enough to fit 2-3 adults.... without any power tools, or even steel hand tools. Now imagine burning out the inside, then chipping and chiseling away the charred insides to make a canoe. Even further, now imagine shoving off in that canoe with a spear to catch fish. No $300 dollar open-face crank reels or graphite shafts. No spinner baits or bobbers. No knives, metal hooks.... just you, nature, and what you can create with you natural surroundings. It truly makes me want to live that life. Obviously it is more than do-able.



Silver Lake is part of the Green Mountain National Forest, and is protected by several miles of wooded padding. Once one drives through the town of Forest Dale and reaches the first forest road in Goshen (FR-32), it is apparent you are in the mix of a beautiful place. The trees begin to hug the corners as the road hugs a parallel river. There are homes scattered every couple miles or so, and once you get to FR-27, you are in the wilderness. It is about a 2.2 mile drive on a dirt road to reach Silver Lake road. Then, it is another 1-2 mile drive on a dirt road to the parking lot. Home free?? Not even close. From the parking lot, one has to chose a 0.6m windy, rocky trail to reach the campsites.... or take the 1.2m hilly dirt road to the campsites. Either way... there is no driving in and everything that goes in, must come out. No running water, shelter, garbage cans.... just you and the wilderness (and anything you can muscle in!!).



This year I arrived on Friday afternoon and stayed until noon on Monday, instead of arriving on Saturday afternoon. This allowed for more birding time, and as a direct result, more species seen. My species tally for the weekend (entering VT on I-91, throughout the trip, and back to the VT/MA border) made it to a surprising 86. (see list below).

Other wildlife seen were Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies, Red Efts (juv. Eastern Newts), Red-backed Salamanders, Garter snakes, voles, and several signs of very recent moose activity. Purple and Painted Trillium, violet/yellow/white colored Violets, Canada Mayflower, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and Pink Ladies Slipper were among the blooming wildflowers.


I did a lot of fishing (nothing crazy...just classic worm and bobber from the shore) and a lot of fishing meant a lot of fish. In the beginning of the season, Silver Lake is stocked with Brook and Rainbow Trout (neither a native species of VT). Species of fish caught were Black Crappie, Dace (new for me... never caught, seen, or even heard of), Bluegill, Brook Trout and Yellow Perch. By far the most abundant (and tasty!!!) were the Brook Trout.... we stopped counting when we went over 30 individual Brook Trout. The next most common catch was then Crappie.

One of the most memorable moments of this trip was when my camping partner and I decided to make the .6m hike out the lot and drive to get some coffee. While driving out on Silver Lake Rd. (FR-27), a stunning Barred Owl (photo above) flew low across the road and landed near-by in a tree. I have heard and seen Barred Owls before, but never in such good light or with such a trusting subject. These owls can be heard all over Silver Lake.

Another highlight of the weekend was hearing the classic ghostly wail of a breeding Common Loon. I had yet to hear one as they breed at more northern climes and one has to get the timing right to hear them in migration here in CT. His breeding plumage was striking and his large size put the Common Mergansers, also a pretty waterfowl, in their place.

Silver Lake campground is not at all for the inexperienced. First off, everything you bring has to be carried/hauled in (I can't begin to explain how helpful hand-trucks are). Further, there are zero amenities on-site. The only thing of convenience is an outhouse that has an actual toilet over the hole.... it's still an outhouse, but it has a lid! But nonetheless.... if you can handle it, it is well worth the work. It is a quiet, very clean, gorgeous campground set in an amazing area. And the town of Woodstock and the VT Country Store are very nice stops along the way.








BIRDS:

Location: Silver Lake, spots in Forest Dale
Total Species: 86
Dates: 5/15-18/2009


1- Common Loon
2- Great Blue Heron
3- Canada Goose
4- Wood Duck
5- Mallard
6- Common Merganser
7- Turkey Vulture
8-Cooper's Hawk
9- Broad-winged Hawk
10- Red-tailed Hawk
11- Bald Eagle
12- Osprey
13- American Kestrels
14- Wild Turkeys
15- Solitary Sandpiper
16- Ring-billed Gull
17- Mourning Dove
18- Barred Owl
19- Chimney Swift
20- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
21- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
22- Downy Woodpecker
23- Hairy Woodpecker
24- Northern Flicker
25- Pileated Woodpecker
26- Least Flycathcer
27- Eastern Phoebe
28- Great Crested Flycatcher
29- Eastern Kingbird
30- Red-eyed Vireo
31- Warbling Vireo
32- Yellow-throated Vireo
33- Blue-headed Vireo
34- Blue Jay
35- Common Raven
36- American Crow
37- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
38- Bank Swallow
39- Tree Swallow
40- Barn Swallow
41- Tufted Titmouse
42- Black-capped Chickadee
43- Red-breasted Nuthatch
44- White-breasted Nuthatch
45- Brown Creeper
46- Winter Wren
47- American Robin
48- Wood Thrush
49- Veery
50- Swainson's Thrush
51- Hermit Thrush
52- Gray Catbird
53- European Starlings
54- Northern Parula
55- Yellow Warbler
56- Chestnut-sided Warbler
57- Magnolia Warbler
58- Black-throated Blue Warbler
59- Blackburnian Warbler
60- Yellow-rumped Warbler
61- Black-throated Green Warbler
62- Pine Warbler
63- Blackpoll Warbler
64- Black-and-white Warbler
65- American Redstart
66- Ovenbird
67- Northern Waterthrush
68- Common Yellowthroat
69- Canada Warbler
70- Scarlet Tanager
71- Rose-breasted Grosbeak
72- Indigo Bunting
73- Chipping Sparrow
74- Savannah Sparrow
75- White-throated Sparrow
76- Song Sparrow
77- Lincoln's Sparrow
78- Dark-eyed Junco
79- Red-winged Blackbird
80- Rusty Blackbird
81- Common Grackle
82- Baltimore Oriole
83- Purple Finch
84- House Finch
85- Pine Siskin
86- American Goldfinch

Time to slide down to freedom!

This time of year is when those puffy, wafer-like blobs on your bushes begin to spew tiny little insects. These amazing insects are extremely beneficial to ones garden. Who are these insects you ask?? Of course I am talking about the elusive, and deadly, Praying Mantis.

Here in Connecticut, we only have one species of mantis, Mantis religiosa, or the European Manits. The European mantis is not native to Connecticut. Its original habitat is in Northern Africa, Southern Europe, and some parts of Asia. There are roughly 2,000 different species of mantis in the world, ranging from a tiny 2/5" to a massive 6+"! Our mantids only grow to around 2-3".

The female mantis will lay her eggs in a frothy foam called and ootheca. The ootheca hardens, trapping each egg in a foam bubble to keep safe until the next spring. Females lay these oothecas in fall, before they die from the impending frosts, and they hatch the next spring. A single ootheca can hold anywhere from 30 to 300 larvae.

When the time comes, each individual larvae slides down from the ootheca on a miniscule stand of silk to its new life eating the aphids that mutate the new growth on my Rose of Sharon! The photos above show a baby mantis on May 23th of 2008. The photo on the left gives one an idea of the size... it is sitting on the end of a cone flower leaf. This particular little guy was no bigger than my pinkie fingernail.

Interesting Combos

I've only enjoyed two migrations in my short time birding, but I've been lucky enough to come across some very interesting combinations of migrants that one wouldn't expect to see everyday.

On May 2nd of this year I was suprised, and delighted to see two male Indigo Buntings foraging under my feeders next to 3 or 4 White-crowned Sparrows and a few White-throats. Indigo Buntings are breeders here in CT, but White-crowns breed far to the north in Canada.

To me, one reason to love the bird migrations (especially Spring when they are in their breeding best) is the chance to see species intermingling with others species that breed in entirely different habitats and parts of the country. I like to compare it to a music festival.... everyone comes from all over for one, beneficial reason. Hippies have the music and peace, and birds have uncrowded breeding grounds and fresh crops of food.