CT Winter shorebirds and residents

[brewmaster15]

Bird watching and photography in CT in the Winter is at times pretty depressing.. Many of our birds migrate during the winter, those that stay tend to be be drab in color for the winter months (bluejays and cardinals excluded there). The best place to see a good variety of birds here in the winter is the shoreline. Many ducks and shorebirds pass along CTs coastline and spend some time there.

Ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
Dunlin (Calidris alpina) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) Flight by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Living on the Edge by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

"Everything okay buddy?" by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis)
Mirror Mirror by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Splish splash by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Horned lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
A Lovely Couple by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Atlantic Brant ( Branta bernicla hrota)
Taking Some Water Along by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

We also have been seeing an increase in nesting eagles so though not common here... we do have run in with these magestic birds...

_AJS1550_01 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Regal Eagle by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


We also have some herons and Egrets in the winter months
Great blue heron (Ardea herodias)
Poised to Strike by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


You have to work a bit harder here in the cold months that the warm months to find birds, but they are here.You just never really know what you will see in the winter here, just that its still out there...waiting for you.

al

[LizStreithorst]

They're beautiful. I love looking at your Pat's bird pics.

[brewmaster15]

They're beautiful. I love looking at your Pat's bird pics.

Thanks Liz, I know I speak for Pat too here, when I say this but part of the joy in photography for us is sharing what we have seen and hearing the response a photo brings out in someone. We can't see everything out there as individuals but photography shares one view among many people .Glad you enjoy them.

al

[Greg-Florida]

Wow, just beautiful!
And amazing clarity on the photos. Love how you can click the image and zoom in on flicker to see up close. Thanks for sharing.

[brewmaster15]

Thanks Greg! Glad you like them!
Al

[Second Hand Pat]

Super nice Al, I love the rocky shore and water action. Would love to see a side image of the Horned Lark. I have not seen one of those
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Liz, I know I speak for Pat too here, when I say this but part of the joy in photography for us is sharing what we have seen and hearing the response a photo brings out in someone. We can't see everything out there as individuals but photography shares one view among many people .Glad you enjoy them.

al

Totally agree
Pat

[brewmaster15]

A pair of Mallards eating out at their favorite restaurant..

Dinner for Two by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos). I think its a shame that because these are common ducks they are often over looked as photo opportunities.

_AJS7458 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) male by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) Male by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
A flock of these has been on the seashore here for weeks now, but it will soon move on back up north.Its breeds in Arctic and sub Arctic regions.Interesting note, Dunlin males do most of the raising of the young. They are a true joy to watch feeding. I will miss their antics until next winter!

Dunlin (Calidris alpina) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Dunlin (Calidris alpina) flight by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Fish crows are fairly common here year round. We get the American crows more commonly. These two species look very similar, but the Fish Crow is easily distinguished when it calls. It literally sounds like an American Crow that has a fish stuck in its throat.. Hear it once and you will always remember it. Crows are one of those birds that get little respect. They are scavengers, damage crops and prey on on other birds eggs and nest...They are true opportunists and survivors and are extremely intelligent. I think alot of their bad rep is also color related, much like black cats.


Year round resident here.. Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr
Thankfully these do not become drab in the winter like most birds here.


Another Year round resident. the House finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) Males are just starting to color up here for the breeding season/

House finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) Male by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


female House finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)

_AJS7940_01 by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Female House finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


Year round resident
Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura)
Sitting Pretty by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) mating by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Mourning Doves nests are about as simple as it gets.. literally a few sticks laid out


Year round resident, Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). We are blessed with many of these in my area.. so many we call our home "wren hollow" They are cheerful singers and actively forage for bugs.

Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


Year round resident Downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

Downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

[Second Hand Pat]

Great series Al I think you might have had a blast. I see the Mourning Doves are feeling Spring is coming. I love your LBB shots. I am not fast enough to find them and then lock onto them plus they are generally stuck in the middle of a bunch of branches. The blacks on the crow are perfect
Pat

[brewmaster15]

Thanks Pat..The Little birds are challenging. Its alot of watching from a Distance and noting their fly way, then getting close and waiting .. and waiting .. and waiting. I just pull the hoodie over my head and stand still hoping they stop in the open. The only thing that I have my side there is the knowledge that they really are creatures of habit... down to the detail of the particular branches they like to land on.

The Crow was the perfect model and the lighting was just what I needed.,, I am usually not thrilled with my photos of Crows , but this set I really love how it came out.

al

[dagray]

Nicely done Al.

I agree the joy of photography is in the sharing, and when I am doing a portrait shoot seeing the joy on the clients faces when they see the finished product.

[brewmaster15]

Thank you Dave!

al

[brewmaster15]

Some additions to the list here..

American Robins (Turdus migratorius) usually migrate south, but in mild winters they have been known to stick around CT. They are one of more common breeding birds here in the spring, and a sign that spring is here. They are also CT's State Bird.

Harbinger of Spring by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


Another sign that spring is here, we have our Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia). These are year round residents but are known for their wonderful singing.
Sing I say .."Spring Is Here" by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Often confused with Song Sparrows are another resident here... Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)
Masters at blending in to the grasses they call home...

Blending here...nothing to see. by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Though they pop up to sing or call at times. one trait about these birds I find unique for sparrows is they often through the grasses. I don't know it thats a a known fact associated to them, but its what I often see and helps me ID what can be a Blur at times. This is one of those birds that many lump to together as LBJ..Little Brown Job, as ID is really hard when they are on the move.

Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichens) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

[brewmaster15]

This time of year also brings in the "Blackbirds" Red winged Blackbird males start coming back late February here and take up breeding ground , the females follow usually a few weeks latter . Ever hear "birds of a feather flock together"? The blackbird flocks also travel with starling, cowbirds and this gorgeous Bird, Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) . I really hate the name of this bird. It may be common in distribution but with its striking purplish color and yellow eyes, its really a stunning bird. Sadly, its singing and calls do not match its beauty. I really like Grackles , but they can be hard to photo well. With Good light though they are just beautiful.

Heres a series I shot the other day ..


Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

[LizStreithorst]

Just beautiful. All of them, but the grackle most of all. The colors of that bird made me catch my breath.