Spring Migration Started (with a bang)!

Because of the movement of birds on Thursday night I decided to head to the nearby Birdcraft Sanctuary to look for new arrivals. I was not disappointed!! 9 species of warblers and many FOYs later!

The Birdcraft is a terrific migrant trap, and in my opinion one of the three best in the state. I was there from 7:50-10:20 ish and saw a great variety of birds. I got a whole mess of migrants including 9 warblers. Last spring this was one of the places I birded the most and plan for things to be no different this year. Usually, my most productive spot is an area I dubbed the “High Trail”. It consists of two sets of wooden steps that climb a small hill which allows you to see into the lower canopy. Another good spot is the pondside vegetation which usually holds waterthrushes, Wilson’s and Canada Warblers. It’s a good place for a Protho of Kentucky Warb to end up in CT with the double punch of habitat and migrant trap, an overshoot has a good chance of getting here (if it doesn’t end up at East Rock!) I’m going to write a post soon all about the Birdcaft the first in my Fairfield series posts I plan to do.

Here’s a list of migrants I saw, along with a few photos:

1 Blue-headed Vireo

4 Yellow-throated Vireo

8 Ruby-crowned Kinglet

5 Hermit Thrush

1 Gray Catbird

2 Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher

1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak

and the warbs……………

3 Northern Parula

1 Blue-winged Warbler

1 Yellow Warbler

1 Blackburnian Warbler

30+Yellow-rumped Warbler

15 Black-throated Green Warbler

2 Palm Warbler

12 Black-and-White Warbler

4 Northern Waterthrush

female Eastern Towhee

I watched this Painted Turtle emerge from the water and climb on the wood to sun himself

male Rose-breasted Grosbeak

I’ll be making regular posts for this location throughout the month.

-Alex