Earlier this week, I wrote about the value to the atlas of searching for house sparrows. The next day I had to drive to Brooklyn, Connecticut, so I took my own advice and looked for blocks with no house sparrow records between my destination and home. Sure enough, there were three, and with only minor detours to drive by farm buildings in each block I was able to find the species in all of them, confirming it in one where I saw a bird with nest material. I also confirmed breeding for house finch in one block, by seeing a female taking nest material into a bush where it was building a nest. Continue reading “In search of pigeons”
Helpful hints for locating great horned owls nesting sites
The final breeding season for the atlas is underway and although there are only a few species breeding already, great horned owls have been on nests for some time. The maps below, however, show that there are many places where the species was found in the 1980s that have no records from the current atlas: Continue reading “Helpful hints for locating great horned owls nesting sites”
Winter is here
On Tuesday, we held our third annual volunteer appreciation event. Unlike previous years, we were unable to gather at Hammonasset and watch harriers hunting over the marsh as we provided updates, and instead met on Zoom. Continue reading “Winter is here”
Confirming waterthrushes
As is often the case, discussion on the CTbirds listserv, starting with a post by Preston Lust, led me to take a look at the preliminary atlas species maps this morning. This time, the subject was waterthrushes.
Confirming hummingbirds
Recently I was asked if we’d written a blog post on hummingbirds and had to answer “no”. Ever since, I’ve been thinking about what there is to say on how to confirm breeding for the state’s smallest nesters, as it can be surprisingly difficult (though not as bad as for the closely-related chimney swift). Continue reading “Confirming hummingbirds”
July is the month
When we started the atlas, we told everyone that our goal was to have 20 hours of breeding season survey effort in each block. That time could all be spent by one person who “adopts” the block, or it could be from a mix of people. And, we asked that the time be spread evenly across the breeding season, including visits to all habitats, and with at least a little time listening for nocturnal species. Continue reading “July is the month”
Where are the woodpeckers?
Yesterday, I wrote about a way that birders can help with a student-led project designed to study the effects of forest fragmentation on woodpeckers and other bark feeding birds. Today, I thought I’d give an update on what the atlas data show us, so far, about the distributions of woodpecker species in the state. Continue reading “Where are the woodpeckers?”
Counting (and confirming) crows
Almost daily, I notice some bird doing something and think “I should write a blog post about that”. And then my life (or my job) gets in the way and I don’t. Luckily, if you just wait long enough (as when atlasing), the solution comes along. Continue reading “Counting (and confirming) crows”
Confirming orioles
The orioles in my yard are not posing as nicely as when they first returned; no longer coming into the feeder oranges now that there’s plenty of natural food for them eat. And, if it weren’t for their chattering calls and periodic songs, it would be much less obvious that they’re still around – just hidden among the leaves. But, they’re here, and now is a good time to confirm breeding. Continue reading “Confirming orioles”
Confirming vireos
Yesterday, Greg Hanisek posted a message on the CTbirds listserve describing his discovery of a warbling vireo nest. His message included the tip that vireos frequently sing while on or near their nest (read the post here). Continue reading “Confirming vireos”