Spring's First Push North

For birdwatchers in Connecticut, the most anticipated time of the year is without a doubt spring migration. To some, the onset of warmer temperatures and singing birds are reason enough to dust off the old binoculars and get outside. But you don’t have to wait until the end of April to think about bird migration, it’s already happening, right now in late February.

Connecticut River

                              

     If getting a jump on you’re year list is what you desire, then a visit to the Connecticut River is a must. It is here where you will find, among the ice flows, the season’s first push of migrant waterfowl. Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneyes and Common Mergansers are just some of the beautiful species one can find on the river.   

     During the daily comings and goings of migrant ducks, birders will have the chance to observe a variety of courtship displays and behavior. For instance, Common Mergansers are now forming pair bonds at Charter Oak Landing in Hartford. Males can be seen courting females with neck-stretching and bill pointing displays.  

      One of my favorite courtship behaviors is that of the male Common Goldeneye. Their spectacular "head-throw” display involves a forward head thrust, then a quick movement back toward the rump with bill pointing up. With over one hundred goldeneye overwintering in Enfield, the South River Street Boat Launch affords excellent viewing opportunities.

Ring-necked Ducks

     Ring-necked Ducks and Hooded Mergansers are also conspicuous at this time of the year. Any trace of open water is a magnet for these two smaller species of diving duck. Watch for them feeding along the ice-free margins of the Connecticut River.

     The Connecticut River is one of the most important migratory flyways on the east coast. Like an airport, the rivers daily arrivals and departures of ducks serves as a reminder that spring migration is well underway. 

A Great Horned Owl Nest

     Every so often, something special happens in birding that makes your day. The sight of a soaring Bald Eagle, a beautiful flock of Cedar Waxwings or an interesting observation can instantly change your outlook on life. One of those special moments happened to me the other day at a small park in the north end of Hartford. 

     As I was returning to my car from a short stroll, I could hear angry crow cries coming from the top of some white pine trees. I walked slowly toward the pines to see what all the commotion was about. When I finally caught view of the noisy crows, they were circling and diving as if there was a hawk perched nearby. Close scrutiny of the tree top revealed what looked to be a very large nest structure. I got out my spotting scope and pointed it at the nest. To my surprise, there was a Great Horned Owl sitting in the nest, staring right back at me.

     What is a Great Horned Owl doing sitting on a nest in mid-February? Great Horned Owls actually begin nesting very early, in late January and February.

     An opportunist in every sense of the word, Great Horned Owls can be found nesting in many different habitats, including city parks. Since they do not build their own nests, Great Horned Owls rely on abandoned ones of other bird species, mostly Red-tailed Hawks. The nest site in Hartford was nicely sheltered, tucked in among pine boughs. Despite the seemingly perfect location, Great Horned Owls will choose a wide range of places to nest including tree snags, hollows and rotted-out cavities.

     As an interesting side note, Great Horned Owls are known as poor keepers of the nests they use. Their failure to maintain the nest deteriorates it to almost nothing, allowing only one season of use.  

     If you ever come across an occupied nest, please use caution and common sense. Great Horned Owls have extremely powerful talons and a fierce temper, not a good combination if you are trying for a closer look. Worst of all, you may cause the owls to abandon the nest completely.

     The photo that accompanies this post was taken from a great distance, through my spotting scope. It’s of poor quality, but serves its purpose here.

Winter Foraging Flocks

 

     With over two-feet of snow covering the region, finding an accessible place to watch birds can be nearly impossible. Closed roads and deep snow has narrowed my birding choices to a couple downtown locations. One such place, Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford, is fortunately well maintained in winter for automobile and foot traffic alike.

     On a recent visit to the Cemetery, I had the fortune of finding a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatch high up in a stand of Eastern Hemlock trees. Since it was a little difficult to see the nuthatches, I decided to draw them in closer by mimicking a bird’s alarm call with a technique called pishing. Within seconds, I had Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Downy Woodpeckers, Brown Creepers, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches all around me. Even a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker flew in to investigate the disturbing noise. What a surprise, I just called in an entire winter feeding flock!

     What is a winter feeding flock? More accurately described as a mixed-species foraging flock, it’s a flock of different bird species that join each other and travel together while searching for food. The formation and movements of these birds typically revolve around the whereabouts of either the Black-capped Chickadee or Tufted Titmouse. Bird species that appear loosely associated with the flock are referred to as “attendants”. Attendants may include kinglets, nuthatches and woodpeckers.      

     Several theories have been proposed to explain the benefits of winter flock formations. One of the more logical explanations involves the increase in predator detection, specifically from Sharp-shinned Hawks. The more eyes in a flock, the easier it is to spot bird-hunting hawks. Flocking is also thought to enhance the chances of finding food. A flock of birds are more efficient at locating good feeding areas than a single bird.

     Foraging flocks can also be beneficial to birdwatchers. They not only hold a variety of species, there just may be an uncommon bird within the flock. For example, a few winters ago I discovered four Pine Warblers in a foraging flock at the West Hartford Reservoir!

     The nice thing about winter foraging flocks is that they can be enjoyed in just about any natural setting. Town parks, land trust properties and cemeteries are the perfect places to observe this type of avian behavior. The next time you come across a small group of chickadees, pay close attention to them. There may be more to the flock than meets the eye.

Birding the Hartford Landfill

Drive in to Hartford along Interstate 91 and you will notice one of the cities most famous landmarks. No, I’m not talking about the historic Colt Armory or the State Capitol Building. I’m talking about the 140-foot-high mountain of trash better known as the Hartford Landfill.  

    Ask any Hartford resident about the landfill and they’ll usually have a strong opinion about it. Smelly, repulsive and unsightly is some of the choice words often used to describe it. Ask me and I’d say it’s quite breathtaking, literally!

     Open since 1940, the Hartford Landfill is now closed to accepting garbage and waste. The city still owns the landfill and hopes to develop it into parkland one day. Future uses could include hiking trails, biking and birdwatching.  To learn more about recent landfill proposals, please see here;

http://articles.courant.com/2011-01-23/health/hc-windsor-riverfront-0123-20110123_1_trail-system-east-coast-greenway-multi-use-trail.

     One of my favorite times to go birdwatching at the landfill is right after a significant snowfall. These are the ideal conditions to find large flocks of Snow Buntings and Horned Larks. The landfills snow covered landscape easily reveals the species whereabouts as they feed on exposed weeds. If you’re really fortunate, you might be able to pick out a Lapland Longspur or two.

     While birding at the landfill, be alert for hawks. A small falcon called a Merlin is often spotted chasing the flocks of buntings and larks. When not in pursuit of birds, Merlin’s can sometimes be found resting on telephone poles at the northern end of the dump. Red-tailed Hawks are also found around the landfill; they are most likely to be seen hunting for small mammals.

     To visit the landfill, take I-91 to exit 33, Jennings Road. From the north, at the end of the ramp, turn left onto Jennings Rd, then take a quick left onto Liebert Rd. From the south, at the end of the ramp, turn right onto Jennings Rd, then a quick left onto Liebert Rd. Liebert Rd. ends at the landfill.