Indian River Marshes, Clinton, CT And More

A nice pit stop for quick or significantly longer predominantly marsh and shorebird observations can be readily made in and around Indian River Marshes on the north shore of the Long Island Sound in the town of Clinton.

The Northern Harrier above (image 1) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in February 2018.

What you may experience as you might imagine at this venue is greatly going to be influenced by the tidal action. I have found ideally timed observations are close to low tide withn the Indian River marsh.

The Great Black-backed Gull above (image 2) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in February 2018.

The Great Black-backed Gull above (image 3) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in February 2018.

This has been a fun venue to investigate without plans. While merely driving by, be sure to stop in and see what the conditions of the waters are and determine whether more than a few minutes of your time are warranted including time in the adjacent properties while respecting the private ones.

The Hooded Merganser above (image 4) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in February 2018.

The Song Sparrow above (image 5) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in February 2018.

It has been a challenge to endure harsh cold conditions this winter. I mean harsh as the body shivers all over for the mere observation of something that is certainly more tolerable of the frigid conditions on a 24/7 basis than me.

The Mourning Dove above (image 6) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

The Hooded Merganser above (image 7) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

Birds in this post are documented from image #1 through #18 at Indian River Marshes. I consider it unfortunate that much of what I've seen at Indian River Marshes was not photographed due to unplanned stops without the camera with otherwise exciting observations.

The Northern Mockingbird above (image 8) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

The Canada Goose above (image 9) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

Within a mere handful of visits to IRM it has been fortuitous to see more than a third of the species that have been documented at the venue at eBird. This is not meant to be overstated as under a hundred species have been observed by others at this locale that I'm aware of at the time of this writing.

The Red-tailed Hawk above (image 10) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

The Canada Goose above (image 11) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

It's a beautiful place to visit nonetheless and should not be missed if travel opportunities allow. Try for that lower tide again if you are able.

The Common Grackle above (image 12) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

The European Starling above (image 13) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

Included in this post beyond its intended scope is a new yard species seen before mid-March. A pair of apparent breeding Wood Duck were seen in appropriate habitat for their plans with the male cropped from an image captured of the waterfowl.

The scene above (image 14) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

The Canada Goose above (image 15) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

Before the month of March was over there were reports of another excitedly rare Varied Thrush in New England this year at Great Pond State Forest in Simsbury, Connecticut. I failed to see the thrush, but made an enjoyable walk around the pond with the decades old rhododendrons towering over the trail a highlight.

The Mute Swan above (image 16) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

The Mute Swan above (image 17) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

A pair of Brown Creepers, a Golden-crowned Kinglet, and not to mention some interesting birders I spoke with were additional highlights during the chase for the thrush. At least one other birder had commented on seeing the expected variety (Hermit).

The Green-winged Teal above (image 18) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

The scene above (image 19) was photographed at Indian River Marshes in March 2018.

The yard birds continue to provide interest for daily observations foremost with a local stop an additional reward, and that occasional long distance road trip a reminder of the greater enjoyment of being a very diligent birder.

The Wood Duck above (image 20) was photographed at Casa Almeida in March 2018.

The Brown Creeper above (image 21) was photographed at Great Pond State Forest in March 2018.

Please be sure to be reminded about this Wildlife Blog with the email gadget located at the top of the page.

The Canada Goose above (image 22) was photographed at Great Pond State Forest in March 2018.

A Bird Sanctuary In Killingworth, CT Pt. II

The sanctuary for birds over time has continued to evolve and entertain.

The Northern Cardinal with Blue Jay above (image 1) was photographed at Casa Almeida in February 2017.

It was fairly quickly learned that the feeders used to attract wildlife didn't entice just the birds. In mid-winter as the squirrels appeared to become more numerous, they became destructive and a disturbance to the winged creatures.

The Carolina Wren above (image 2) was photographed at Casa Almeida in February 2017.

The Gray Squirrel above (image 3) was photographed at Casa Almeida in February 2017.

The Common Grackle above (image 4) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

Eastern Bluebirds briefly investigated a pair of bird houses that had been hung for them but the squirrels were even more so interested in what was inside. The chewing on the holes of the homes by the squirrels made the boxes of no interest to the birds.

The Song Sparrow above (image 5) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Northern Flicker above (image 6) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Northern Flicker above (image 7) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The squirrels were often observed through a window which on one occasion allowed the photography of a Carolina Wren seen in the Killingworth sanctuary over only a few day's time. A few of the birds appeared angry due to being harassed by the squirrels though it is merely their particular nature. The Brown Creeper was observed only in the Winter.

The House Finch above (image 8) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Downy Woodpecker above (image 9) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Eastern Bluebird above (image 10) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

In addition to the squirrels destroying all the plastic feeders despite my best effort to keep the feeders available using parts from one and another with duct tape, they were eating the buds of the rhododendrons thought to be ravaged only by White-tailed deer. The Chipmunks appear attracted to digging in disturbed ground while doing even more damage to the plants and other vegetation.

The Chipmunk above (image 11) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Turkey Vulture above (image 12) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Red-shouldered Hawk with prey above (image 13) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The extremely effective design and effectiveness of traps made for the capturing and relocation of small mammals by the Havahart company cannot be understated. Numbers mentioned in this blog might not be believed.

The copulating Red-bellied Woodpecker above (image 14) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The American Robin above (image 15) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Northern Cardinal above (image 16) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

It has been extraordinary to capture a pair of Chipmunks in the same Havahart trap on two different occasions. Photos will be available to view in the last of this series of blog articles with emphasis on backyard birding.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above (image 17) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The European Starling above (image 18) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Wild Turkey above (image 19) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

Travel was made to the Jersey Shore in April offering an encounter with the White-throated Sparrow which was a life bird for me. All of the other bird species seen in Jersey have been at the feeders in Killingworth. A Red-shouldered Hawk nest had been re-constructed in the 2017 season with a fledgling off the nest a mere two days ago from this publication making emphasis of success with prey obviously found just a little bit further away.

The Pine Warbler above (image 20) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above (image 21) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Brown-headed Cowbird above (image 22) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

A Gypsy moth outbreak in Connecticut in the 2017 Spring season might be considered a plague after a couple of years of drier conditions favorable for the decades long invasion. The National Audubon Society has taken the ridiculous position of advocating for the extremely destructive pest which will be mentioned again in the last post of this series.

The Turkey Vulture above (image 23) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Chipping Sparrow above (image 24) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The White-throated Sparrow above (image 25) was photographed at Casa Kuzminski in April 2017.

Please be sure to be reminded about this Wildlife Blog with the email gadget located at the top of the page.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above (image 26) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

The Pileated Woodpecker above (image 27) was photographed at Casa Almeida in April 2017.

Please also see A Bird Sanctuary In Killingworth, CT Pt. I
Please also see A Bird Sanctuary In Killingworth, CT Pt. III
Please also see A Bird Sanctuary In Killingworth, CT Pt. IV

Little Estero Lagoon Spring Nesting: Part I

An early May visit to Little Estero Lagoon south of Fort Myers Beach was very rewarding with a walk of the beach beginning at the Wyndham Garden Hotel.

The Black Skimmer above (image 1) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The north lagoon was active with wading birds like I had never seen before at this location. There was a feeding frenzy underway the likes of which I have only seen at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The low light from the barely risen sun and shadow from the adjacent highrise building made photography prohibitive.

The Brown Pelican above (image 2) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Great Blue Heron above (image 3) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Black Skimmer above (image 4) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Black Skimmer above (image 5) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Common Grackle above (image 6) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Peregrine Falcon above (image 7) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Reddish Egret with nesting material above (image 8) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Wilson's Plover above (image 9) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Mottled Duck above (image 10) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Sanderling with prey above (image 11) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Sanderling with prey above (image 12) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Sanderling with prey above (image 13) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Ruddy Turnstone above (image 14) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Sanderling above (image 15) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Sanderling above (image 16) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Ruddy Turnstone with prey above (image 17) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Ruddy Turnstone with prey above (image 18) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Black-bellied Plover with prey above (image 19) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Black-bellied Plover above (image 19) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Wilson's Plover above (image 20) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Sanderling above (image 21) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Least Tern above (image 22) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Black Scoter above (image 23) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Snowy Plover above (image 24) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Snowy Plover above (image 25) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Osprey above (image 26) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

The Wilson's Plover above (image 27) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

By the time I made my way a short distance south, the light had improved. There was evidence of courtship and nesting behavior which stretched nearly the entire way to Carlos Point.

The Black Scoter above (image 28) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.

Please be sure to be reminded about this weekly Southwest Florida Wildlife Blog with the email gadget located at the top of the page.

The Black Scoter above (image 29) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2016.


Please also see Little Estero Lagoon Spring Nesting: Part II