I wanted to make sure everyone took a few minutes to read this cool post on eBird that their team put up yesterday: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/hybrid_HALHxRLHA
It discusses a possible hybrid Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk x Rough-legged Hawk in Kansas. This in-depth examination is complete with some fantastic photos. If you read to the end you will see examples of other buteo hybrids, with the first being a Red-tailed Hawk x Red-shouldered Hawk that CAS Coastal Center Director Frank Gallo and Lynn Jones found on the Oxford Christmas Bird Count last year that we featured in this blog entry. If you haven't read that awesome account please do. Our thanks to eBird for the mention!
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Snowtober
That was one of the many names of the historic, unprecedented, catastrophic, and utterly ridiculous winter storm event that took place on October 29 and 30 in Connecticut and across the northeastern part of the nation. It was classified as Alfred, though you can put me in the category of people who do not like to name anything besides tropical cyclones. It was also one of the most well-predicted major storms in recent memory, coming two months after the superbly projected Hurricane then Tropical Storm Irene. Together they were two of the most widespread disasters in Connecticut history, toppling trees and power lines across the state, reshaping habitats and taxing birds, many of which were not at all prepared to be covered in snow in late October at this latitude.
On October 27, I was already frantically emailing and calling people about what computer models, particularly the European model, were showing. We would all likely see snowflakes that weekend, but inland areas could have several inches, perhaps more if things went right (or wrong) along with powerful winds well over 30 or 40 MPH. This storm would come towards us south of Long Island and head over the "40/70 benchmark", a centered position at 40 degrees north and 70 degrees west, a classic track for devastating winter nor'easters. Model consensus was soon to follow, and the National Weather Service along with many Connecticut meteorologists were quickly warning the public of the utter devastation that would follow because of the fact leaves were still on the trees. I also wondered how some of the later-moving or simply late birds, from warblers to sparrows to vireos and other stragglers, would do in such a situation.
It turned out to be colder initially as the powerful storm brought in chilly air and was even more intense in some areas, dumping more than a foot of snow in many locations in Connecticut and feet in parts of Massachusetts. For all of the tree damage that occurred in Irene along the coast, even more occurred inland in many areas because of this storm.
The amounts did not matter as much once we went past several inches because so little is necessary to damage or destroy a tree still full of leaves. The Taunton, MA, NWS office has a great storm summary here. Below are the Connecticut totals courtesy of the NWS:
Considering the Hartford area had three snow events previously in October, with only a little over an inch being the record there and in many locations, records were shattered across countless towns and cities in the region. Parts of Connecticut have seen some October snow, yes, but mostly at elevation and never at such a magnitude or widespread manner. There is no comparison to be made with this storm. It was a multi-century event, and I would have to believe it could be upwards of a 300 or 500-year system. These types of storms are severe, notable, and dangerous in January, forget before Halloween.
There were surprisingly few odd bird reports, but I think this is mostly because over half the state was without power, and many were focused on safety rather than seeing a strange feeder species or finding birds taking refuge in warm pockets or near open water. Coastal areas did have a very quick uptick in quantity of birds and overall species counts in the days immediately after as these areas were left with little snow in comparison. As such, the coast was a destination for many birds fleeing the suddenly uninhabitable north. I noticed birds like Savannah Sparrows flying in to Stratford Point on Halloween, a strange sight in itself in the middle of the day. I also had a male and female Eastern Bluebird fly in that day, the first time I have ever seen the species at the site, and the second they have ever been recorded there, clearly birds trying to escape the snow cover to the north. They went right to flycatching after their arrival.
Now we are left to survey damage across the landscape of the state, from yards robbed of important oak trees to sanctuaries with sizable holes in the canopy. One would imagine more damage will be coming from the next big snowstorm or any ice storm that impacts Connecticut this winter as much of the woody vegetation remains weakened and damaged, ready to break or fall with any more punishment. Connecticut Audubon Society's Croft Preserve in Goshen was a location I would have been very concerned about, with hundreds of acres of upland hardwoods, though our Conservation Biologist Twan Leenders reports it has very little if any damage. It seems to be an exception to the rule.
All of what has occurred in 2011 is something to learn from. The weather, and these increasingly frequent severe events, is another constantly changing variable in our management plans across the state. What I am still pondering is whether some birds were also able to accurately predict this astonishing snowfall...more on that soon.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
On October 27, I was already frantically emailing and calling people about what computer models, particularly the European model, were showing. We would all likely see snowflakes that weekend, but inland areas could have several inches, perhaps more if things went right (or wrong) along with powerful winds well over 30 or 40 MPH. This storm would come towards us south of Long Island and head over the "40/70 benchmark", a centered position at 40 degrees north and 70 degrees west, a classic track for devastating winter nor'easters. Model consensus was soon to follow, and the National Weather Service along with many Connecticut meteorologists were quickly warning the public of the utter devastation that would follow because of the fact leaves were still on the trees. I also wondered how some of the later-moving or simply late birds, from warblers to sparrows to vireos and other stragglers, would do in such a situation.
It turned out to be colder initially as the powerful storm brought in chilly air and was even more intense in some areas, dumping more than a foot of snow in many locations in Connecticut and feet in parts of Massachusetts. For all of the tree damage that occurred in Irene along the coast, even more occurred inland in many areas because of this storm.
Heavy snow in Stratford with nearly every tree still completely full of leaves; mixing and turning to rain for several hours saved the coastline
The amounts did not matter as much once we went past several inches because so little is necessary to damage or destroy a tree still full of leaves. The Taunton, MA, NWS office has a great storm summary here. Below are the Connecticut totals courtesy of the NWS:
...HARTFORD COUNTY... WINDSOR LOCKS 20.3 200 PM 10/30 BRADLEY AIRPORT BRISTOL 17.0 1256 AM 10/30 EAST FARMINGTON HEIG 13.0 138 AM 10/30 BURLINGTON 12.5 806 AM 10/30 FINAL WEST HARTFORD 11.5 742 AM 10/30 GENERAL PUBLIC MANCHESTER 11.0 342 PM 10/30 HAM RADIO ENFIELD 9.0 900 AM 10/30 SOUTH WINDSOR 8.0 730 AM 10/30 SOUTHINGTON 6.0 1205 AM 10/30 HAM RADIO ...TOLLAND COUNTY... COVENTRY 9.8 313 AM 10/30 VERNON 9.0 132 AM 10/30 HAM RADIO STORRS 6.5 918 AM 10/30 ROCKVILLE 4.0 1055 PM 10/29 ...WINDHAM COUNTY... POMFRET 8.0 911 AM 10/30 HAMPTON 6.0 629 AM 10/30 ASHFORD 6.0 1023 AM 10/30 HAM RADIO EAST KILLINGLY 5.8 727 AM 10/30 PUTNAM 3.0 1022 AM 10/30 HAM RADIO DANIELSON 2.5 926 AM 10/30 HAM RADIO ...LITCHFIELD COUNTY... BAKERSVILLE 18.6 830 AM 10/30 CO-OP OBSERVER WINSTED 18.0 800 AM 10/30 1215 FEET ELEVATION LITCHFIELD 16.5 600 AM 10/30 CT DOT NEW MILFORD 14.0 1210 AM 10/30 PUBLIC WINCHESTER CENTER 13.5 600 AM 10/30 CT DOT THOMASTON 13.5 600 AM 10/30 CT COT FALLS VILLAGE 12.8 840 AM 10/30 TRAINED SPOTTER NEW PRESTON 12.8 845 AM 10/30 TRAINED SPOTTER NORTH CANAAN 12.0 600 AM 10/30 CT DOT ...FAIRFIELD COUNTY... DANBURY 17.2 800 AM 10/30 SKYWARN SPOTTER RIDGEFIELD 17.0 630 AM 10/30 PUBLIC SHELTON 12.8 745 AM 10/30 PUBLIC-480FT ELEVATION GREENWICH 12.0 1230 AM 10/30 PUBLIC BETHEL 11.5 830 AM 10/30 SKYWARN SPOTTER 3 SSE BROOKFIELD 11.0 700 AM 10/30 COCORAHS BROOKFIELD 11.0 700 AM 10/30 SKYWARN SPOTTER WILTON 10.8 840 AM 10/30 PUBLIC MONROE 10.5 930 AM 10/30 SKYWARN SPOTTER NEW CANAAN 6.0 400 AM 10/30 CT DOT NORWALK 5.5 600 AM 10/30 PUBLIC NEWTOWN 5.0 323 PM 10/29 SKYWARN SPOTTER BRIDGEPORT 4.0 715 AM 10/30 NWS COOP DARIEN 3.5 559 PM 10/29 SKYWARN SPOTTER STAMFORD 3.5 730 AM 10/30 SKYWARN SPOTTER ...MIDDLESEX COUNTY... EAST HADDAM 8.1 830 AM 10/30 PUBLIC OLD SAYBROOK 2.5 400 AM 10/30 CT DOT HADDAM 2.0 400 AM 10/30 CT DOT ...NEW HAVEN COUNTY... OXFORD 12.3 1230 AM 10/30 SKYWARN SPOTTER SOUTHBURY 10.5 400 AM 10/30 CT DOT WATERBURY 8.8 400 AM 10/30 CT DOT BEACON FALLS 8.8 400 AM 10/30 CT DOT NORTH HAVEN 7.7 705 AM 10/30 SKYWARN SPOTTER SEYMOUR 7.0 457 PM 10/29 PUBLIC HAMDEN 7.0 740 AM 10/30 PUBLIC MERIDEN 7.0 400 AM 10/30 CT DOT WALLINGFORD 6.1 830 AM 10/30 SKYWARN SPOTTER 2 NW NEW HAVEN 2.8 800 AM 10/30 COCORAHS 3 ESE MILFORD 2.6 1010 AM 10/30 COCORAHS
Considering the Hartford area had three snow events previously in October, with only a little over an inch being the record there and in many locations, records were shattered across countless towns and cities in the region. Parts of Connecticut have seen some October snow, yes, but mostly at elevation and never at such a magnitude or widespread manner. There is no comparison to be made with this storm. It was a multi-century event, and I would have to believe it could be upwards of a 300 or 500-year system. These types of storms are severe, notable, and dangerous in January, forget before Halloween.
There were surprisingly few odd bird reports, but I think this is mostly because over half the state was without power, and many were focused on safety rather than seeing a strange feeder species or finding birds taking refuge in warm pockets or near open water. Coastal areas did have a very quick uptick in quantity of birds and overall species counts in the days immediately after as these areas were left with little snow in comparison. As such, the coast was a destination for many birds fleeing the suddenly uninhabitable north. I noticed birds like Savannah Sparrows flying in to Stratford Point on Halloween, a strange sight in itself in the middle of the day. I also had a male and female Eastern Bluebird fly in that day, the first time I have ever seen the species at the site, and the second they have ever been recorded there, clearly birds trying to escape the snow cover to the north. They went right to flycatching after their arrival.
Now we are left to survey damage across the landscape of the state, from yards robbed of important oak trees to sanctuaries with sizable holes in the canopy. One would imagine more damage will be coming from the next big snowstorm or any ice storm that impacts Connecticut this winter as much of the woody vegetation remains weakened and damaged, ready to break or fall with any more punishment. Connecticut Audubon Society's Croft Preserve in Goshen was a location I would have been very concerned about, with hundreds of acres of upland hardwoods, though our Conservation Biologist Twan Leenders reports it has very little if any damage. It seems to be an exception to the rule.
All of what has occurred in 2011 is something to learn from. The weather, and these increasingly frequent severe events, is another constantly changing variable in our management plans across the state. What I am still pondering is whether some birds were also able to accurately predict this astonishing snowfall...more on that soon.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Adult Lecture Series at the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point
Join us this fall here at the Coastal Center as conservation and wildlife experts come in to share with you their knowledge on an array of topics. Pre-registration is required for all programs. No fee, but donations are encouraged and appreciated.
Connecticut Amphibians - Wednesday, November 9th, 7:00 PM
Gregory Watkins-Colwell, collections manager of Herpetology and Ichthyology at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, will discuss Connecticut’s diverse frogs, toads, and salamanders, how they can be used to gauge the environmental health of an area, and shed light on the decline of many amphibian species worldwide. This presentation features live animals.
Mountain Lions - Wednesday, November 16th, 7:00 PM
Noted mountain lion authority Bill Betty will present a natural history of the cats, discuss human effects on population, and recent sightings in the Northeast, including here in Milford. We hope you can join us for what is sure to be an interesting evening! Seating is limited. Please call to pre-register.
Shellfishing - Wednesday, November 30th, 7:00 PM
Aquaculture, or the farming of aquatic plants and animals, can reduce human impact on local aquatic ecosystems while providing economic benefits in coastal areas. Join David Carey, Director of the Bureau of Aquaculture in Connecticut, to explore Milford’s recreational shellfish opportunities and the history of Connecticut’s thriving commercial shellfishing industry.
Conserving Our Forest Birds - Wednesday, December 14th, 7:00 PM
Over the past 35 years, Connecticut forest cover has declined more than 13%, the steepest loss of any state in New England. Join us for a presentation by Milan Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation for Connecticut Audubon Society. He will discuss how and why this is happening, its effect on our forest birds, and what is being done to conserve our forests.
Connecticut Amphibians - Wednesday, November 9th, 7:00 PM
Gregory Watkins-Colwell, collections manager of Herpetology and Ichthyology at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, will discuss Connecticut’s diverse frogs, toads, and salamanders, how they can be used to gauge the environmental health of an area, and shed light on the decline of many amphibian species worldwide. This presentation features live animals.
Mountain Lions - Wednesday, November 16th, 7:00 PM
Noted mountain lion authority Bill Betty will present a natural history of the cats, discuss human effects on population, and recent sightings in the Northeast, including here in Milford. We hope you can join us for what is sure to be an interesting evening! Seating is limited. Please call to pre-register.
Shellfishing - Wednesday, November 30th, 7:00 PM
Aquaculture, or the farming of aquatic plants and animals, can reduce human impact on local aquatic ecosystems while providing economic benefits in coastal areas. Join David Carey, Director of the Bureau of Aquaculture in Connecticut, to explore Milford’s recreational shellfish opportunities and the history of Connecticut’s thriving commercial shellfishing industry.
Conserving Our Forest Birds - Wednesday, December 14th, 7:00 PM
Over the past 35 years, Connecticut forest cover has declined more than 13%, the steepest loss of any state in New England. Join us for a presentation by Milan Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation for Connecticut Audubon Society. He will discuss how and why this is happening, its effect on our forest birds, and what is being done to conserve our forests.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Name this migrant answer
Were you able to determine what this bird is? If not, here it is on the same branch a few seconds later, head turned - do you have it now?
If not, this should help you out.
That is a Palm Warbler, and a drab one at that. The bird was feeding along the edge of the grasslands at Stratford Point all by itself. You typically see Palm Warblers pumping their tails which gives them away even from afar. In my opinion, seeing some birds with conspicuous behaviors frozen in time in a photograph can sometimes make them more difficult to identify as it can confuse your mind (or mine at least!). Fall warblers are always tough, too.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
If not, this should help you out.
That is a Palm Warbler, and a drab one at that. The bird was feeding along the edge of the grasslands at Stratford Point all by itself. You typically see Palm Warblers pumping their tails which gives them away even from afar. In my opinion, seeing some birds with conspicuous behaviors frozen in time in a photograph can sometimes make them more difficult to identify as it can confuse your mind (or mine at least!). Fall warblers are always tough, too.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Birds of October in photos
Here are some of the birds I photographed while out and about this October. They were at Connecticut Audubon Society properties, sites that we manage, or areas that we are actively surveying for other entities.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
Eastern Phoebe, so many everywhere
Savannah Sparrows are abundant at Stratford Point in October, with dozens each day
White-crowned Sparrows are much less so; this individual was on the Sikorsky walkway in Stratford
A Merlin on the ground mid-hunt rather than flying by a hawk watch
One of Milford Point's staggering total of Yellow-rumped Warblers
Atlantic Brant, some of nearly 4,000 I watched go by Stratford Point in only a few hours one day
This late Semipalmated Plover got out just in time before the snowy nor'easter
Can you count all of those Tree Swallows? Many more were present at Stratford Point
This female Eastern Bluebird flew into Stratford Point with a male on Halloween, a very rare sight there - fleeing snow cover to the north?
A bad year for Eastern Meadowlarks in Connecticut but 2-3 have been present some days at Stratford Point
Finally, this Vesper Sparrow at Stratford Point, who refuses to allow me a good photo
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Bird walk postponed
The Stratford Point public bird walk scheduled for tomorrow, November 3rd from 9-11AM, is postponed until one week from that date, November 10, same time and meeting place. Let us hope by then that all of Connecticut is back to normal after last weekend's catastrophic storm.
There have been many great bird sightings at Stratford Point as we transition from fall migrants to winter waterfowl. The fall and, amazingly, the summer seasons are still hanging on as just today we had one very late Royal Tern and at least nine Forster's Terns. A Vesper Sparrow is still here headlining the songbirds on their way south, while 17 Snow Buntings came in today as a taste of the songbirds that will winter here with us.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
There have been many great bird sightings at Stratford Point as we transition from fall migrants to winter waterfowl. The fall and, amazingly, the summer seasons are still hanging on as just today we had one very late Royal Tern and at least nine Forster's Terns. A Vesper Sparrow is still here headlining the songbirds on their way south, while 17 Snow Buntings came in today as a taste of the songbirds that will winter here with us.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Name this migrant
Instead of that migrant, name this migrant bird! Last time I gave you a photo that made the bird appear as it would in the field without a big zoom lens or binoculars. This time I'll give you a great look at the bird, seen in October in Connecticut...
...but the side may not be the one you're used to looking at. So what do you think? I'll post the answer, and the other half of the bird, in a few days.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
...but the side may not be the one you're used to looking at. So what do you think? I'll post the answer, and the other half of the bird, in a few days.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation Technician
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