A Productive Frozen Boat Launch

Rare eBird lists for Connecticut remain a little shorter than those for Florida in my experience.

The 1st Winter Great Black-backed Gull with adult above (image 1) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

Nonetheless I was intrigued by reports of rare species of goose being reported at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Hartford County Connecticut in mid-winter. A species commonly seen here in New England in the winter months was remarkably seen at Bunche Beach Preserve during December and January in Fort Myers reported as possibly two sub-species of Brant.

The American Crow above (image 2) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

The immature Herring Gull above (image 3) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

The Bald Eagle above (image 4) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

My arrival at the boat launch was around sunrise on a very chilly and windy morning. My target species was Barnacle Goose reported for days earlier than my arrival. The pair of Barnacle Geese apparently making their way around Enfield were hit or miss in the following weeks.

The Ring-billed Gull above (image 5) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

The Common Goldeneye above (image 6) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

The hybrid Greylag x Canada Goose with Canada Goose above (image 7) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

The Connecticut River was partially frozen along its edges which made for an occasional alarm as the ice cracked. I only a few times thought about walking out on it while keeping my senses not to.

The Herring Gull above (image 8) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

The Canada Goose above (image 9) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

The Ring-billed Gull above (image 10) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

A huge number of Canada Goose hid the Barnacle Goose which were remarkably close and unseen from my observation point. With the help of a few expert birders with scopes, a hybrid Graylag x Canada Goose and Pink Footed Goose were eventually photographed as well.

The Ring-billed Gull above (image 11) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

The Mallard above (image 12) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

The Mallard above (image 13) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

It was very rewarding to make the observations. By late morning I was ready to call it a day.

The Barnacle Goose with Canada Goose above (image 14) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.

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The Pink-footed Goose with Canada Goose above (image 15) was photographed at Donald W. Barnes Boat Launch in Enfield, Connecticut in February 2017.