Feature: Stratford Point, Connecticut

While the Stratford Point Light remains the property of the United States Coast Guard, and has very limited access save a day or two during the year, the green space to its immediate north is maintained by Audubon Connecticut.

The Common Loon above (image 1) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

This land offers a stunning coastal grassland area near the mouth of the Housatonic River which has of this writing 282 species of bird observed according to eBird data. It was my hope to visit Stratford Point and observe the LeConte's and Clay-colored Sparrows seen a day earlier at the venue.

The Herring Gull above (image 2) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Mallard above (image 3) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Brant above (image 4) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Brant above (image 5) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Song Sparrow above (image 6) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

It was unfortunate to miss such rare species even with the added eyes of many experienced birders, but I was able to nonetheless add Red-throated Loon, Field Sparrow, and Brant as life bird species observed.

The Savannah Sparrow above (image 7) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Song Sparrow above (image 8) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 9) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The House Sparrow above (image 10) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The House Sparrow above (image 11) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Vesper Sparrow above (image 12) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

Stratford Point is unquestionably a wildlife venue that would not disappoint a visitor at any time of year. It was with good fortune that I was also able to see abundant butterfly activity. The unsuccessful attempt by a Merlin to capture a migrating Monarch Butterfly will not easily be forgotten.

The Field Sparrow above (image 13) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Merlin above (image 14) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Merlin above (image 15) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Common Yellowthroat above (image 16) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The White-tailed Deer above (image 17) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The House Sparrow above (image 18) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

There was the neat coincidence to meet up with a fellow birding enthusiast named Paul whom I had met at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch earlier in the year. Another birder told me of the nearby Mondo Ponds which I investigated enjoyably before making the trek back along the highway.

The Monarch Butterfly above (image 19) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The American Crow above (image 20) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Orange Sulpher Butterfly above (image 21) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Great Black-backed Gull above (image 22) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Great Black-backed Gull above (image 23) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Ring-billed Gull above (image 24) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

Stratford Point is unquestionably a must visit venue when in the area. Have all of your accoutrements with you including bins, scope and camera if available. A scope would have been especially helpful to me if I had it to assist in identifying a large flock of gulls.

The Red-throated Loon above (image 25) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Field Sparrow above (image 26) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Painted Lady Butterfly above (image 27) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Song Sparrow above (image 28) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

The Milkweed bug nymphs above (image 29) were photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

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

The Common Buckeye Butterfly above (image 30) was photographed at Stratford Point in October 2017.

December Florida Panhandle Birding: Part I

It had been 21 months before a return trip to the Florida Panhandle for wildlife observation with bud Tom Obrock in early December 2014.

The juvenile Red-tailed Hawk above (image 1) was photographed near Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

This latest journey allowed a bit more time to investigate the area. We left Fort Myers in time to arrive at our first destination to find that Florida Caverns State Park was in the Central Time Zone and was not to open for another hour.

The Vesper Sparrow above (image 2) was photographed near Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

The Savannah Sparrow above (image 3) was photographed near Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

Tom advised that we travel to look for Horned Lark observed in the area which we unfortunately missed. There were fortunately abundant sparrows and other species that captivated our attention. As always, I invite correction of any misidentified species.

The Savannah Sparrow above (image 4) was photographed near Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler above (image 5) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

When we returned to our initial destination, it was fun to get familiar with the surroundings. It was impressive to see the "high water" marker of 1975 that showed the Chipola River about 15 feet above the river's elevation at the time of our visit.

The Winter Wren above (image 6) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

The Winter Wren above (image 7) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

On the south side of Fish Hatchery Road, Tom chose the west side of the river while I investigated the east. After what seemed a half hour I was certain that I was on the wrong side of the Chipola River.

The Hermit Thrush above (image 8) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

The Hermit Thrush above (image 9) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

Catching up with Tom on the west side, he was excited to point out observation of a target species. The Winter Wren seen was a lifer for us both. At this same spot, we observed other activity that included two more lifers for me which were Golden-crowned Kinglet and Hermit Thrush.

The Golden-crowned Kinglet above (image 10) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

The Golden-crowned Kinglet above (image 11) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

The light was challenging for photography at this location. Nonetheless an ideal spot to patiently wait for species moving through. I caught a glimpse of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, but it will remain uncounted on my list as I did not photograph it.

The Downy Woodpecker above (image 12) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

The Eastern Bluebird above (image 13) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

Tom and I made our way to the Blue Hole Spring at Florida Caverns State Park. It was a treat to photograph the birds that were very numerous and active here. I failed to see Tom's Pine Siskins and Chipping Sparrow at this gorgeous spot.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler above (image 14) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

The Cedar Waxwing above (image 15) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

Onward to Torreya State Park where we would stay and camp in relative luxury. It turned out to be a very long day but was very rewarding.

The Eastern Bluebird above (image 16) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler above (image 17) was photographed at Florida Caverns State Park in December 2014.

Please also see December Florida Panhandle Birding: Part II
Please also see December Florida Panhandle Birding: Part III

Florida Birding In Heavy Fog

At no time in my travels have I met someone that has proclaimed to find it desirable to take photographs in foggy conditions.

The Eastern Phoebe above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

With wildlife at fairly close range, the mist can offer a favorable mood. On the morning of 28 January 2014 I made a return trip to Church Road to see the familiar and otherwise.

The Killdeer above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Killdeer above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Common Ground Dove above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

It was with great fortune that master birder Vince McGrath mutually made a visit to Church Road this day, and put me on to birds that I would have otherwise missed.

The Common Ground Dove above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Common Ground Dove above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Eastern Phoebe above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

Scissor-tailed Flycatchers made their appearance early while favoring the wires. These birds disappeared for only a short while.

The Eastern Phoebe above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Eastern Phoebe above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

Other species observed this day are presented in this article. Vince's keen observation skills offered Northern Towhee which he noted was a southern bird with its yellow eyes.

The Northern Rough-winged Swallow above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Lark Sparrow above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Vesper Sparrow above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

Additionally, a sparrow was pointed out by Vince noting the bird's strong white eye ring. With Vince in tune with the calls of the birds, a female Painted Bunting made an appearance.

The Vesper Sparrow above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The highlight of the morning was without doubt a pair of Lark Sparrow. Vince noted that he observes this species about once to twice a year, with the LASP a lifer for me.

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

The Eastern Towhee above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

Before the morning was over I would meet some wonderful people including Tim Willis who gave me and Vince a tour of his orange grove. Vince also introduced me to Lois and Leon White in Alva.

The Eastern Towhee above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

While I greatly miss beach observations, a return trip to Church Road and Alva will be sooner than later.

The Painted Bunting above was photographed along Church Road in January 2014.

On 13 February 2014, a low pressure system was off the coast of New Jersey with 49 of the 50 United States of America having snow on their ground, save Florida. I took breaks from image processing to ponder that the wicked winds would keep wildlife out of sight this day. However, Vince would report that a Dicksiccel remained at his feeders (for a ninth day). Vince also hosted the very rare Luzuli Bunting in 2012, as did the White's in 2008.