Trip Highlights

Rain hampered our walk, but a few members stayed on to enjoy the songs of Veery, Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles. Though there were no ducks in sight, we did see muskrats and lovely Painted Trillium to brighten the walk.

Seven members joined the refuge walk this morning and identified a total of 36 species.  See complete list below.

Trip canceled - rain.

Fourteen Club members, led by John Weeks, toured the Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve, crown jewel of the Granby (CT) Land Trust.  The weather could have been better, but the rain held off, and we were able to find 44 species during our visit.  There were few warblers, aside from summer residents, and no rarities were encountered.  We enjoyed excellent views of Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Yellow Warbler and Common Yellowthroat; two Virginia Rails and a Barred Owl pestered by an oriole and a Red-winged Blackbird were special treats.  Spring ephemerals such as marsh marigolds, bluets, white violets, wood anemones and fringed polygalas offered touches of color, and two otters cavorting in the pond were a hit with the group. View complete species list below.

A very small group of members gathered, but a successful day was had on Plum Island.  The weather was fine, reaching mid-80s by afternoon, with partly sunny skies and winds increasing to 15 mph.  We spotted 10 species of ducks, including over 300 Long-tailed Ducks. Shorebirds identified were just six species, but we did find one Piping Plover.  The raptors spotted were Osprey, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, 2 Merlin and a Kestrel.  The biggest reward of our trip was with warblers, 14 species in all, with a dozen found at Hellcat and two more at The Pines.  Highlight warblers were Worm-eating, Cape May and Bay-breasted.  We ended the day with 89 species and big smiles on our faces! Click below to view complete species list.