Chickadee Chatter - Litchfield Hills Audubon Society

Chickadee
Chickadee Chatter • March 2012
Chatter
July/August 2016
Litchfield Hills Audubon Society Newsletter
Volume 61 / Issue 4
ThemissionoftheLitch.ieldHillsAudubonSocietyistoconserveandrestorenaturalecosystems,focusingonbirds,
otherwildlifeandtheirhabitats,forthebene.itofthecommunity,throughconservation,educationandresearch.
President’s Message
By Harry Ainsworth
AroundMemorialDay,wehadan
unknownnumberofbluebirdbabiesin
aboxinthefrontyardthatwewere
carefullywatching;momanddadwerebusykeepingthe
broodfed.Wecouldseethemfromthehousewithour
telescope.Lastyearthebabiesfledgedwhilewerantothe
grocerystore.Ihopedtogettoseethisyear’slittleones
maketheirmaidenflight.Asitturnedout,atleasttwobabies
weretakingturnslookingoutintotheirnewworldandthey
fledged,butImissedthem.
Thehummingbirdsarehereinfullforce,andIlovewatching
them.Muchtomysurprise,werecentlyhadamaleBaltimoreOrioletakingadvantageofthefreeeatsatthehummingbirdfeeder.Whatastunningbird!Hehasbeenaround
offandonfortwoweeks.Ialsojustfoundoutthatbearslike
hummingbirdfood.Ayearlinghasbeenintheyardafew
timesandtriedtoclimbupthesideofthedecktocheck
thingsout.Iwentoutonthedeckandyelledathimandhe
scurriedoffonlytoimmediatelyraidmyneighbor’sgarbage.
Ugh.Yesterdayafternoonmywife,Susanne,lookedoutof
thewindowandnoticedsomelargeears.Ijumpedupand
againranoutonthedeckandfoundhimsittingonthe
railingseeminglyreadytojumpinanattempttogetthe12
peanutpiecesthatweresittinginanotherfeederIhad
affixedtoawindowandcompletelyforgottenabout.He
thoughtbetterofthatmaneuverandranoffthedeckafter
duckingunderabenchIplacedinfrontofthestairs.Score:
bear(s)3,Harry0.Staytuned,folks.
See Calendar, pages 6-8, for our
Upcoming Programs & Field Trips
Meanwhile, Some LHAS News ...
•Atourlastboardmeeting,wehadalivelydiscussionon
waystoreduceourexpenses.Onesuggestionwastoseeifit
waspracticaltoreducethenumberofcopiesofthisnewsletterthatweprinteveryothermonth.Thisisourlargest
singleexpense.Weareworkingonitandhopetohavea
definitiveanswersoon.(Seetheboxbelow.)
•IwanttothankapersonwhohasgivenalottoLHASover
theyearsbutwhoisnowmovingtoMaine.CynthiaPhipps,an
LHASmembersince1993,workedtirelesslywithourJunior
Auduboners,introducingthemtobirdingandthewondersof
nature.Beforethat,shewasourrecordingsecretaryformany
years.Cynthia,wewishyouthebestofeverythinginyour
transitiontoMaine.
•Ialsowanttothankourthreeboardmemberswhoseterms
havejustended:SusanneAinsworth,RayBelding,andDavid
Zomick.LizFrazier-Zygmonthasalsofinishedherstintasour
(continuedonpage2)
‘Go Green” with an E-newsletter!
LHASisexploringtheoptionoflettingmemberschooseto
receiveadigitalversionoftheChickadeeChatternewsletterinsteadofasnail-mailedpapercopy.
Therearemanyreasonstochoosethisenvironmentally
friendlyoption—namely,tosaveLHASmoney,aswellas
toconserveandreducepaperwaste.Asanotherbenefitof
subscribingtothedigitalversion,you’llbeviewingthe
newsletterinvibrantcolor.
IfyouwouldliketoreceiveyourChickadeeChatter
newsletterdigitally,pleasesendane-mailmessageto
[email protected],typein
“GoGreen”andinthetextfieldpleasestatethatyouwish
toreceiveyournewsletterdigitallyinsteadofbymail.
Thankyouforchoosingto“GoGreen”!
Chickadee Chatter
2!
July/August 2016
LHAS Officers
President
HarryAinsworth
860-777-8012
VicePresident
JeanneWoolley
860-485-9585
Treasurer
MarieKennedy
860-567-5487
Rec.Secretary
vacant
Corresp.Secretary PamHicks [email protected]
Board of Directors
TerriBianchi
JayColes
RichMartin
JanetBaker
EdGoodhouse
FranZygmont
AngelaDimmitt
KeithJohnson
NancyNichols
2017
2017
2017
2018
2018
2018
2019
2019
2019
860-489-8821
860-354-3802
860-584-5706
860-567-8427
860-689-6884
860-379-4461
860-355-3429
860-618-5720
860-354-5114
860-567-8427
Director at Large
JohnBaker
Committee Chairpeople
BoydSanctuary
Conservation
Education
Facebook
FieldTrips
Fundraising
Historian
Hospitality
JuniorAudubon
KalmiaSanctuary
Membership
Newsletter
Programs
Publicity
Scholarships
Website
WigwamBrook
Sanctuary
Debbie&RichMartin 860-819-7462
NickiHall
860-397-8917!
DonnaRoseSmith
203-706-0474
LizFrazier-Zygmont 860-379-4461
DavidZomick
860-584-2824
vacant
vacant
CarolPerrault
860-589-8023
DonnaRoseSmith
203-706-0474
Bob&DoreenOrciari 860-485-1347
DoreenOrciari
860-485-1347
DianeEdwards
860-485-9319
AngelaDimmitt
860-355-3429
ShirleyGay
860-482-0819
CarolKearns&
HarrySchuh
860-485-9018
RichMartin
860-584-5706
JohnBaker
860-567-8427
RayBelding
DaveTripp
860-482-4046
860-693-6524
Research
ChristmasCount
SummerCount
TheChickadeeChatterispublishedinJanuary,March,
May,July,September,andNovember.Forthe
September/October2016issue,allarticlesmustbe
receivedbytheeditorbyAugust1.
Pleaseemailitemsforpublicationinthenewsletterto
[email protected]
themtoherat68ShingleMillRoad,Harwinton,CT
06791.
Sendotherbusinesstotheappropriatechairpersonat
LHAS,P.O.Box861,LitchYield,CT06759-0861or
[email protected].
The next LHAS Board Meeting will be on
Tuesday, July 19 at 7:15 PM
in the Litchfield Community Center’s
Education Room.
President’s Message (continuedfrompage1)
recordingsecretary.Thankyou,all!Wewelcomethreenew
Boardmembers:AngelaDimmitt,KeithJohnson,andNancy
Nichols.
•OnJune1,RayBeldingledhislastspringbirdingwalkfor
theyear.Theseadventureswereverywellattendedandwere
highlyrewardingintermsofthenumberofspeciesseenand
heard.Thanks,Ray.Andthankyou,PattyPickard,foronce
againhostingtheend-of-seasonbrunchatyourhome.
•AtourAnnualMeetingonJune6th,weawardedscholarshipstotwoverydeservingstudents.Thisyearthecompetitionwasrigorous,with19applicants.Seethearticleonpage
3forthedetails.
Wanted: Assistant Treasurer ‘Trainee’
LHASislookingforsomeonetohelpusasanassistant
treasurer.Inthispositiononewilllearntheropesand
eventuallybecomethetreasurer.Iwouldliketofind
someonewithcomputeraptitudewholivesintheLitchfieldarea.Ifyouareinterested,contactHarryAinsworth
at860-777-8012.
This newsletter and other LHAS features can be
seen IN LIVING COLOR on the LHAS Web page:
www.lhasct.org.
Scan the QR code at left with your
smartphone to go to www.lhasct.org.
Follow us on Facebook:
facebook.com/LitchfieldHillsAudubonSocietyLhas
Chickadee Chatter was printed by Photo Arts
Printing Company, 44 Putter Lane, Torrington, CT
06790; 860-489-1170; www.photoarts-ct.com.
Special thanks to Janet Baker and Doreen Orciari
for helping to proofread this newsletter!
July/August 2016!
Chickadee! Chatter
MEMBERSHIP
By Doreen Orciari, Membership Chairperson
JudithArmstrong*..............................................................Goshen
BradButler*....................................................................Terryville
Mr.&Mrs.DanCahalane*....................................NewMilford
RobertCahill.................................................................Harwinton
ShirleyCampbell..............................................................Winsted
LauraCardello.................................................................Litchmield
JulieClifford..................................................................Bethlehem
JessicaCurtiss*............................................................Watertown
JeanDale............................................................................Litchmield
PatriciaDenardo...............................................................Oakville
AmyDrzwecki*...........................................................Watertown
RichardDwyer............................................................Watertown
BarbaraEbner..........................................................NewPreston
GeorgeEnglish*...........................................................Torrington
Mr.&Mrs.CraigGoulet...............................................Litchmield
BenGrainger...........................................................NewHartford
DianaGreene...............................................................Watertown
MaryGustafson........................................................NewMilford
MaryHackbarth.............................................................Litchmield
LarryHenrickson,Jr........................................................Winsted
MichaelHopkins.........................................................Torrington
NancyHussey*.............................................WashingtonDepot
MichaelKeilty*.....................................................................Morris
GeraldKissko*.............................................................Torrington
KlemmRealEstate.....................................WashingtonDepot
ArleneKoleszar...........................................................Torrington
MarleneKwat......................................................................Norfolk
GeraldLanglais...........................................................Watertown
JoyceLosito*.................................................................Watertown
ElaineLuckey*..............................................WashingtonDepot
JoanMacSweeney*......................................................Bethlehem
PatrickMcCotter...................................................NewHartford
SallyMilligan.............................................................NewMilford
MaryMoore...................................................................Bethlehem
ReeseMorgan..............................................................Watertown
RonaldMurray............................................................Watertown
KitNielson..................................................................NewMilford
NorthwestCTRealty.......................................................Winsted
AlethaPerez.......................................................................Winsted
AlisonRatliff*...........................................................Gaylordsville
KathleenRiley.............................................................Thomaston
LauraRock*..................................................................Watertown
EricaRyland...............................................................Washington
GailRyznar*............................................................NewHartford
George&TeriSavage.......................................................Goshen
ElaineSchlapak................................................................Riverton
SusanScott...........................................................................Warren
Mr.&Mrs.SeanSossei..........................................NewMilford
MatiaStevenson.........................................................Watertown
EileenStowe*...................................................................Litchmield
3
DeborahSwigart*.....................................................Washington
RobertTucker.................................................................Litchmield
JeffreyWacker.................................................................Litchmield
StephenWilusz...............................................................Litchmield
LHAShas647members.
* Welcome back
Ifyournewsletterisaddressedincorrectlyorifyou
failtoreceiveone,sendapostcardtoLHAS,P.O.Box
861,LitchYield,CT06759-0861orsendanemailto
[email protected].
LHAS Awards Scholarships
Joshua Tellier
Logan Patrick Connor
Twoyoungmeneachwereawardeda$1,000LHASscholarshipatourAnnualMeetingonJune6.TheLitchfieldHills
AudubonSocietyScholarshipwaspresentedtoJoshuaTellier,
whojustgraduatedasvaledictorianofhisclassatTerryville
HighSchool.JoshuawillattendUConninStorrs,wherehewill
majorinenvironmentalscience.ThePaulA.GrosScholarship
waspresentedtoLoganPatrickConnor.Agraduateof
WamogoRegionalHighSchool,hejustcompletedhisfreshmanyearatUnityCollegeinMaine.Loganwillcontinuehis
studiesthere,majoringinwildlifebiology.
The Scholarship Committee (from left): Janet Baker,
Ray Belding, Co-chairs Carol Kearns and Harry Schuh,
and Nancy Nichols.
4!
Chickadee Chatter
Pleasures and Treasures
By David Zomick, Field Trips Chairperson
Birding a Long-Forbidden Island: Cuba
IhadlongwantedtovisitCuba,theCaribbeanisleofcigars,
mojitos,Hemingway…andtheworld'ssmallestbird!This
exoticandforbiddenisland,offlimitstoAmericancitizensfor
morethan50years,beckoned.Idecidedtotaketheplunge
thiswinter,fullycognizantthatwiththerecentimprovementinCuban-Americanrelations,thecultureandlandscape
oftheislandsoonwouldbechangedforever.Iresolvedthis
pastwinterthatitwastimetogo.Anditwasthewonderful
andgloriousworldofbirdingthatservedasmypassportto
adventure.
IfoundafabulouscontactwiththehelpofWaynePetersen,
directorofMassAudubon’sImportantBirdAreas(IBA)
Programandlong-timeleaderofnaturalhistorytravel
tours.Waynewasoneofmymentorsafewyearsagoat
July/August 2016
“greateyes,”couldpractically
beaguidehimself.Withoutour
asking,Ernestoevenarranged
fortheirlovelydaughter,Mariana,acollegestudentdesiring
toimproveherEnglish,togreet
mywife,Steph,andmeatthe
airportandescortusaround
Havanafortheweekend.
Excellente!Iwasinformedby
Ernesto,however,thatTania
wastobemyguideforthebirdingtrip,becausehewasobligatedtoleadaprivategroupof
eightAmericans…theRockefellers!WhatcouldIsay?How Cuban Trogon
Photo: David Zomick
about,“All’swellthatends
well”!
Fromourapartment’sbalconyinHabanaViejaoverlooking
OldHavana’sHarbor,theEsplanade,andtheSpanishfortressesprotectingtheharbor’sentrance,Icould
spotLaughingandRing-billedGulls,Sandwich
... a little black bird flew overhead and then
Terns,Double-crestedCormorants,andmore.While
Iadmiredtheseavistasafarandtheshinyclassic
perched alongside me, providing my first
convertiblesbelow,alittleblackbirdflewoverhead
endemic: the Cuban Blackbird.
andthenperchedalongsideme,providingmyfirst
endemic:theCubanBlackbird.TheGreater
NationalAudubonSociety’ssummercamponHogIslandin
AntilleanGrackleandCubanCrowsoonfollowed.Aswe
Maine.Hehadbeentheleadexpertonapelagicbirdingtour
threestrolledthroughparksandplazas,pastpalatialresiIattendedawhileback.And,thispastNovember,hewas
dencesadjacenttostreetsofrubbleandruin,museumsand
guestspeakeratHartfordAudubonSociety’sWildlifeSeries,
colonialcourtyards,waterwaysandmarinas,wenotedother
lecturingon“BirdingCuba:ImpressionsfromaForbidden
commonurbanspecies,includingEurasianDove,Brown
Paradise.”Luckyme!Hegavemenamesandemailsthatled
Pelican,andCommonGround-dove.
metomypotofgoldattheendoftherainbow…alovely,
DepartingHavana,wedroveandbirdedourwaythroughthe
congenialcouple,consideredamongthebestbirdersand
provinceofMatanzas,passingPlayaGiron,theinfamoussite
naturephotographersinallofCuba.Theydideverything
oftheBayofPigsinvasion.Enroute,wesawandhearda
possibletoensureweenjoyedeveryaspectofourjourney.
dazzlingvarietyofgorgeous,brilliantbirds:theworld's
Ernestoandhiswife,Tania,arefirst-class,expertbirdguides,
smallestbird,theBeeHummingbird;theunbelievablybeauwithalifelong,
tifulandbejeweledCubanTodyandCubanTrogon;Redcomprehensive,
leggedThrushwithitsboldredlegsandeye-ring;Great
andintimate
LizardCuckoo;CubanGreenWoodpecker;Fernadina’s
knowledgeofthe
Flicker;Cuban(Pink-billed)ParrotandParakeet;Yellowpeopleandplaces
headedWarbler—suchavarietyandsomanyendemics.
andthebirdinghot
Andmydaywasnotyetover!
spotstosearchfor
Wearrivedatour“homebase”forthenextfewdaysinPlaya
endemic,neotropLargoatdusk.Notaminuteafterunloading,Tania,muchto
icalmigrants,and
mysurprise,casuallyannouncedthatweweregoingto
residentspecies.
searchfortheStygianOwl,whichcouldbefoundamongthe
Plus,theirindefrondsofbeach-sidepalms.Thisspecies,whoseveryname
fatigabledriver,
Cuban Pygmy Owl
intriguedme,wasanunexpectedtreat.
who,withhis
Photo: David Zomick
(continuedonpage9)
July/August 2016!
Chickadee! Chatter
In My Garden (and Beyond)
A Journal — May 2016
By Angela Dimmitt
Well,thishasbeenanamazingmonth—neverhadsomany
birdsnestingbeforemyeyes!Firstthebluebirdsfinally
returnedandstartedcheckingthefourboxesacrossthe
gardenbeforesettlingontheonetheyusuallychoosefirst.By
coincidence,afriendwhohasdesignedanewbluebirdbox
askedifhecouldmountitinmygarden.HecameoverApril
16andreplacedonethatwasrotting.Themalebluebird
landedalmostimmediatelyandshowedthefemale,butshe
preferredtheotherandsettledin.Hecontinuedtostand
guardonthishandsomebarn-redbox,butshehadmadeup
hermind.OnMay2therewerefoureggs,whichhatchedon
the20th,slowbecauseofthecoolweather.
5
feedingtwofluffy
whitechicks.Joy!
Strangely,thebirds
havebeenalmost
silentthesepasttwo
weeks;beforethe
eggs,theyscreamed
alot.Nomistaking
Red-shoulders!
House Wren
Afewdaysago,a
pairofHouseWrens Photo: Alex Kearney
beganbringinglittle
sticksintothestrawhatonmypatio.Ithoughtitwasthefirst
pairstartingovertillIsawtheeggs,butonlyonemaleis
singingsoIsuspectabitofhanky-panky.Ialsofoundatiny
nestoffinegrasses(probablyChippingSparrows’)onthe
Next,apairofTreeSwallowsappeared,thefirstin
Well, this has been an amazing month — never
20-plusyears,anddelvedintothenewbox.Perfect!
had so many birds nesting before my eyes! ....
Theystartedbilling,cooing,andbuildinganest.No
The garden itself has been equally amazing.
eggsforawhile,andthentherewerethree.Meanwhile,apairofHouseWrenshadbuiltanestinthe
thirdboxinthatrowofthreeabout50feetapart.
groundunderthelarchtree;luckilynoeggs.ThishashapNothinghappenedforthelongesttimetillyesterday,whenI
penedbefore;sad,buttheyrebuild.Sadtooatthemoment,
checked,andthereweresixorseventinyeggs,pinkwith
theRuby-throatedHummingbirdshavedisappeared;not
brownspots.NowI’dbeenworkingintheadjacentflower
seenforfivedaysnow.ThemalearrivedApril27and
bed,andapartfromthemalesingingsomewherenear,Ihad
hoveredwherelastyear’sfeederhung.
noticednoactionwhatsoever,yetsuddenlyallthoseeggs,
Twootherhappenings:ABarredOwlhaswokenmethree
presumablylaidadayapart!Andchickadeeshadmovedinto
timesat4a.m.callingnearthehouse(thecatswakemeat5
myfriend’sexperimentalsmallerboxthedayhemountedit
nowthatit’slightthen—BreakfastTime!).Andoneevening
onapostinthewoodsnearthehouse.Ihavenotcheckedthe
abigbirdwascrashingintheoaksbehindthehouse.Whenit
statusbutdon’thearanychicksyet.
finallysettled,IsawitwasaTurkeyVulture,preening,afirst
Meanwhile,aphoebehadbuiltanestonawindowsillinthe
roostinghere.
barn,thefirsttimeinyears:twoeggsplusonecowbird’segg
Thebearvisitedrecentlyandbroughtdownthebirdfeeders,
onMay2.FoureggshatchedMay24,anotherlongincubaandaskunk(soIsuspect)hasbeenrototillingthebacklawn
tion.SongSparrowsarenestinginanAlbertaSpruce,too
lookingforgrubs.Cheaperthanhiringadethatchinggizmo,
densetoseethenest.
butitleftanawfulmess!
Yetagain,thepairofRed-shoulderedHawks,whichraised
Thegardenitselfhasbeenequallyamazing!Afteraslow
twoyounglastyear,
start,thewarmthbroughteverythingoninarush,many
builtanestalmost
weedsanddebriscoveredbeforeIcouldcleanthemout.
visiblefrommy
Everybodysaystherewasnoforsythiathisyear,butthedoghouse.Ifoundthe
woodswerespectacular—mypinkoneinparticular,which
nestonMay2after
hadbeenspottyforyearsandwasnearlycutdown.Avery
seeingthemale
earlydaylilystartedfloweringMay19with41scapes,deep
carryingabigstick
orangey-yellow,areal“wow!”SomeolddayliliesIfoundin
—thefemalewas
totalshadenearthebridgeandmovedarealsoflowering
hunkereddownin
veryearly,withadelicatescent—whatafind!Hostashave
thenest.Thenon
comeupmorehandsomethanever,andnowtheBearded
May17shewas
Eastern Bluebird
(continuedonpage11)
Photo: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org
standingonthenest
Chickadee Chatter
6!
July/August 2016
Meetings, Bird Walks and Activities
LHAS Calendar — Summer 2016
NOTES:Unlessotherwiseindicated,GeneralMeetingsareheldonthemirstMondayofeachmonthatthe
LitchmieldCommunityCenter,421BantamRoad(Rt.202),Litchmield,CT.WhenthemirstMondayofthe
monthfallsonaholiday,themeetingisheldonthesecondMonday.Refreshmentsareservedat7p.m.
Themeetingstartsat7:30p.m.andtheprogramfollows.TheAprilandOctobermeetingsarePotluckDinnersstartingat6:30
p.m.TheJunemeetingistheAnnualMeetingandDinnerheldatalocalrestaurant;itbeginsat6p.m.OurAugustmeetingis
theannualPicnicatBoydWoodsSanctuary;itbeginsat6p.m.BoardofDirectorsMeetingsareheldthethirdTuesdayof
everyothermonthat7:15p.m.intheEducationRoomattheLitchmieldCommunityCenter.
MEETINGS
July 11....................Songbird Rehabilitation with Jayne Neville............................................Monday, 7 PM
WildliferehabilitatorJayneNevillewillgivealivelypresentationchock-milledwithinformation;photos;avideo
presentationonbirdsinrehab;whattodotopreventbirdsfromcomingintorehab;andhowtoattractbirdstoyour
homeandgarden,focusingonsomefavoriteslikehummingbirds,bluebirds,orioles,andwoodpeckers.
August 1................Picnic at Boyd Woods, Featuring White Memorial’s Animals.............Monday, 6 PM
JoinusatourBoydWoodsAudubonSanctuaryonRoute254inLitchmieldforourannualpicnic.Bringyourownfood,
plates,chairorblanket,etc.Afterweeat,wewillenjoyapresentationfeaturingsomeofWhiteMemorial’slive
animals.CarrieSzwed,WhiteMemorial’sdirectorofeducation,willshowusaspottedsalamander,snakes,turtles,a
BarredOwl,andpossiblyaRed-tailedHawkshe’sbeentrainingasanoutreachbird.AndGerriGriswold,alicensed
wildliferehabilitatorandWhiteMemorial’sdirectorofadministrationanddevelopment,willbringaporcupine!
September 12 .......“Behold! Boyd Woods!”..............................................................................Monday, 7 PM
DebbieandRichMartinwillgiveanencorepresentationoftheirslideshowentitled“Behold!BoydWoods!Celebrating20YearsofBoydWoods—ItsHistory,Moments,andMemories.”Thisisthesameslideshowtheypresentedlast
NovemberatourBoydWoods20thanniversarycelebration.Thepresentationincludespicturesfromthe1920s,
whentheBoydfamilylivedontheland,uptotheproperty’scurrentuseasanAudubonsanctuary...andeverythingin
between.Theshowtakesyoualongthetrails,stoppingatthepond,theMonarchMeadow,vernalpool,andother
interestingsitesatthe106-acrepreserve,whilepointingouttheplantsandwildlifethatmakeeachlocationspecial.
Havingspent20yearsstudyingtheland,theMartinshaveplentyofinformativeandentertainingstoriestotell,many
ofwhicharealsohumorous.
BIRDING EVENTS AND FIELD TRIPS
July 23....................Evening Paddle Trip on the Bantam River at WMCC..........................Saturday, 7 PM
JoinDianeandPaulEdwardsforacanoe/kayaktripontheBantamRiveratWhiteMemorial.We’llpaddlefromthe
put-injustsouthofthebridgeonWhite’sWoodsRoadtoLittlePondandback.Dependingonthewaterlevel,we
MEETING CHANGES
Bad weather? Our meeting and event cancellations or postponements are broadcast on WFSB TV Channel 3 in Hartford and on
radio station WZBG at 97.3 FM. To get added to our email notification list, send an email to [email protected].
July/August 2016!
Chickadee
! Chatter
7
WANT TO KNOW ABOUT NEWLY SCHEDULED FIELD TRIPS?
PLEASE GIVE US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
If you want to get emailed trip notices, special club announcements, etc., contact David Zomick at 860-584-2824 or
[email protected]. You can also check our website, www.lhasct.org.
mighthavetocarryoverabeaverdamortwo.Bringlifevest,bugspray,andmlashlightorheadlamp.Heavyrainor
thunderstormcancels.PleaseletDianeknowifyou’rejoiningus;[email protected].
July 30....................Summer Shorebirding at Stratford Point..............................................Saturday, 9 AM
PatrickCominswillleadthistripattheLordshipCoastalGrasslandHabitatManagementAreaonStratfordPoint(GPS
Address:1207ProspectDrive,Stratford).Bringlunchand/orsnacks.Heavyrainorthunderstormcancels.Tocarpool,
meetpromptlyat7:30a.m.atthecommuterparkinglotoffRoute8Exit39,acrossfromtheDunkin'Donutsat369E.
MainSt.,Thomaston.Formoreinformation,[email protected].
July 31....................Paddling at Park Pond, Winchester.........................................................Sunday, 10 AM
HenryandHeatherPerraultwillleadaleisurelypaddleonParkPond.Meetattheparkinglotoppositetheboat
launchonBlueStreetat10a.m.BringPFD(personalmlotationdevice),whistleorotheraudibleemergencysignaling
device,water,sunscreen,lunch,andwhateverelseyoudeemessential.Ifyouwanttopaddlemore,WinchesterLake
islessthan2milesaway.DirectionstoParkPond:FromRt.44inthecenterofWinsted,turnontoRt.263(Boyd
Street)attheambulancestation.FollowRt.263signs.TakeasharprighthandturnatWinchesterCentergreen.From
thegazeboonthegreen,continuealongRt.263forabout1.1miletoBlueStreet(thereisnostreetsignbutitisthe
onlyturn).TurnleftonBlueStreetandcontinuetoboatlaunch.FromRt.272,turnontoRt.263andcontinuefor
about1.1mile,thenturnrightonBlueStreetandcontinuetoboatlaunch.Heavyrainorthunderstormcancels.
[email protected]@comcast.net.
August 13 ..............COA Shorebird Workshop at Milford Point..........................................Saturday, 8 AM
WanttoimproveyourshorebirdIDskills?TheConnecticutOrnithologicalAssociationisholdingafreeworkshopat
theAudubonCoastalCenteratMilfordPoint.Itwillincludeoutdoormieldstudyandanindoorpresentation.Bringa
spottingscopeifyouhaveone.Meetinthecoastalcenterparkinglot.Formoreinformation,contactChrisLoscalzo
at203-389-6508orcloscalzo@optonline.net.Fordirectionstothecoastalcenter,visitwww.ctaudubon.org/coastalcenter-at-milford-pointandscrolldowntothebottom.
August 20 ..............Early Evening Nature Walk on WMCC’s Little Pond Trail........Saturday, 5-6:30 PM
Enjoythesightsandsoundsofnaturealongthe“boardwalktrail”aroundLittlePondatWhiteMemorial.Meetatthe
pull-offatthetrailheadonWhite’sWoodsRoad(alittlenorthoftheintersectionwithBissellRoad).Raincancels.For
moreinformation,contacttheleader,AnnOrsillo,[email protected].
August 21 ..............Country Roads Walk/Book Barn at Hillsdale, NY............................Sunday, 8:30 AM
TheColumbiaCounty(NY)LandConservancyhasputoutabookletofwalksoncountryroadsthatpassbytheir
conservationeasementlands.The3.7-milecircularwalkwe’lltakebeginsinHillsdale,isfairlyeasy(afewgentle
hills),andismostlyonquietdirtroadsthatpassthroughwoodlands,alongclearstreams,pastfarms,andbyan
interestingoldgraveyard.We’llrelaxandeatlunchbeneathsomeshadytreesbeforedrivingtoaroadsidewetland
thatsupportsaGreatBlueHeronrookery.Fromthere,it’sjustafewmilestoRodgersBookBarn.Thisrustic,usedbookstorehassomeofthebestpriceswe’veseen.There’sagreatselectionofgardeningandbird
(continuedonpage8)
Chickadee Chatter
8!
July/August 2016
Calendar (continuedfrompage7)
books,natureessays,andjustabouteverythingelseyoucanthinkof.You’lllovetheold-fashionedgardensandthe
threeresidentkitties.(Andthere’sarestroom!)Ifyouwouldliketojoinusfordinner,we’llbestoppingatFour
BrothersPizzaRestaurant,alsoinHillsdale.MeettocarpoolattheoldK-MartparkinglotinTorringtonat8:30a.m.
Bringwater,lunch,andsnacks.Wearcomfortablewalkingshoes,andbepreparedforinsects.Formoreinformation
contactDebbieMartin,[email protected].
August 28 ..............Kayak/Canoe the Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh at Milford Point.........Sunday, 9 AM
PaddlethemarshatMilfordPointwithPamelaHicks,DavidZomick,andPaulandDianeEdwards.Steepedinlocal
history,themarshoffersanabundanceofbirdsandotherwildlife,beautifulvistas,andachancetopaddleand
unwind.Windandweathermaycausethewatertriptobecanceled,evenonasunnyday.Ifwaterconditionsarenot
safe,wewillsimpleenjoynature,walk,andpicnic.ToCarpool:Wewillmeetpromptlyat7:30a.m.atthecommuter
parkinglotoffRoute8Exit39inThomaston,acrossfromtheDunkin’Donuts,toensureaput-inat9a.m.Tomeetat
theput-inatCharlesWheelerSaltMarsh:Bethereat8:30a.m.Directionstoput-in:FromRoute1eastboundin
theDevonsectionofMilford,turnrightontoNaugatuckAvenue,thenrightontoMilfordPointRoad.Turnrightonto
CourtStreet.Followuntiltheend.Weexpecttobethereat8:30a.m.Bringyourkayakorcanoe,alifejacket,water,a
snack,bugrepellent,andwearshoesthatcangetwet.Also,ifyouwouldliketobringalunchforapicnicafterthe
paddle,wewillheadtotheAudubonCoastalCenteratMilfordPoint.PleaseletDianeEdwardsknowifyouplanto
attendandwhereyouwillmeetus.Contactheratedwardsd68@charter.netor860-309-5139.
Junior Audubon Update
By Donna Rose Smith, Junior Audubon Chair
WemetatBoydWoodsonApril2ndforourannualvernalpoolprogram.Therainheldoffforus
tosearchforfrogs,salamanders,andtheireggs.Recentunseasonablywarmconditionsmeant
thatmanyofthefrogshadalreadylaideggsinthePlash.Thenumberoffrogsfoundatthebird
pondwaslow.Wedidhaveanexcitingfind—aCanadaGoosenestonarocknearthenorthernendofthebirdpond.
Junior Audubon Calendar — Summer 2016
JuniorAudubonprovidesanopportunityforgrade-schoolchildrentolearnaboutnature,theenvironment,andthe
creaturesthatlivethere.ItissponsoredbytheLitchfieldHillsAudubonSocietyandisFREE.Childrenofallagesandtheir
parentshaveenjoyedJuniorAudubonactivities,butweplaneventsforchildreningrades2through5.Togetonour
emaillistorformoreinformation,[email protected].
Pleaseletusknowyouarejoiningusonanyofthefollowingdates,sowecanbesuretohaveenoughmaterials—BUT
don'tletthatstopyoufromjoiningusatthelastminute!
July 16 (Rain Date: July 23) ..Butterfly and Dragonfly Search ................................Saturday, 1 PM
SunnyskiesandthemeadowsandpondsattheLHASWigwamBrookSanctuaryareidealformindingavarietyof
buttermliesanddragonmlies.Learnaboutthelifecycleofthesebeautifulinsectsandhowyoucanattractthemto
youryard.Bringyournetforthiscatch-and-releaseouting.MeetattheWigwamBrookSanctuaryonRichards
Road,justoffRoute254,inLitchmield.Formoreinformation,callDonnaRoseSmithat203-706-0474.
Meet at the Wigwam Brook Sanctuary on Lipeika Road, just off Route 254.
Chickadee! Chatter
July/August 2016!
Wigwam Brook Sanctuary Update
Looking Ahead ...
SwallowSpectacle:Wanttoseethegreat“murmuration”ofswallowsinSeptember?LetDavidZomickknow
ifyouareinterestedingoingontheRiverQuest“swallow
spectacle”cruiseontheConnecticutRiver.Contacthim
[email protected].
SavethisDate:Sunday,November20,fortheDuck
RambleatWhiteMemorial.Leader:GregHanisek.Look
formoredetailsintheSeptember/Octoberissueof
ChickadeeChatter.
Pleasures & Treasures (continuedfrompage4)
Assoonaswewouldspotitsshadowyform,itwouldsilently
takeflightinresponsetoourlights,glidingawayandalightingonadistantlimb.Wepursuedabetterlook…howthose
bigredeyesglowed!
Overthenextfewdays,webirdedbeautifulbeaches(saw
MagnimicentFrigatebird,ReddishEgret,PipingPlover,and
RedKnot),abandonedfarmsandmields(CubanBullminch,
CubanEmerald),tropicalforests(CubanPewee,Giantand
LoggerheadKingbird,strikingBlue-headedQuail-Dove),
streamsandponds(CubanOriole,Tawny-shouldered
Blackbird).Afteramorningscubadiveatapristine,
rainbow-coloredreef,wewenttoCiénagadeZapata
NationalPark,oneofthetopbirdinglocales,hometo18
ofCuba’s22endemics.LagunadelasSalinas,atthepark’s
southernend,issimilarintopographytotheFlorida
Everglades,withmangroves,swamps,andmarshes.Its
swamplandhasthousandsofmlamingoswadinginits
shallowwatersaswellasmultitudesofotherwaders,
shorebirds,andpasserines.
Blue-headed Quail-dove
Photo: David Zomick
9
Ernestohadone
dayofffrom
guidingwhenhis
groupdecidedto
visitcolonialand
historicsites.
Luckily,hecameto
visitTaniaand
tookusallforan
afternoonof
birdinginthe
Zapatawetlands
By John Baker,Wigwam Brook Chairman
TheWigwamBrookSanctuaryhasawakenedafterits
briefslumber;thebirdsaresinging,thebeaversarebusy,
andthechestnutsareleafingout.
FifteennativeshrubsfromtheNorthwestConservation
District'sEarthDayplantsalehavebeenplanted.Itlooks
nice.Takeawalkaround.Bluebirds,TreeSwallows,and
HouseWrens,usingthebirdhouses,willgreetyou,as
willtheMallardsonthepond.
andphotographing
allthebirdshe
couldfind.Hiswork
thatdaynabbed
himtheoverall
grandprizeinthe
Cubannational
naturephotography
contest!
Thatnightwefailed Red-legged Thrush
Photo: David Zomick
tofindtheCuban
nightjarbutdidfind
anotherendemic,theCubanScreech-owl.Butoneofthebest
momentsofthenightwaswhenhundredsofbatssuddenly
eruptedenmasse,fleeingtheirroostintonight’sdarkness.I
wasstunned,thenthrilledbythesensationofthebats
zoomingat,over,andallaroundme.
Ourfinaldaysoftraveltookusnorththroughthecolorful
andhistorictownofTrinidadandtotheawe-inspiring,
mountainousregionofVinales,anotherprimebirdingsite.
Sightingsincludedmanyoftheaforementionedspecieswith
theadditionofCubanGnatcatcher,severalduckandwaterfowlspecies,Smooth-billedAni,LaSagra’sFycatcher,
Olive-cappedandYellow-headedWarbler,andmore.
Onourverylastmorning,Taniawaskindenoughtogetup
extraearlysoIcouldhaveafinalchancetoseeandhearthe
CubanSolitaire,alsoknownastheCubanNightingale.The
redrisingdawnglowednotonlyonthesurroundingmountainsbutonmetooaswesawseveralsolitaires,singingand
“thrushing”aboutonthemontaneforest’sundergrowth.
SeeingthemagnificenceandradiantcolorsoftheCuban
TrogonandTodytotallytoppedoffthemorn!
Cuba...doit!
10!
Chickadee Chatter
Boyd Woods and Beyond
BIRDS! BLOOMS! BEAVERS! BEARS!
July/August 2016
JoeBianchiandCarolPerrault
forrepresentingLHASatthis
event.
By Debbie Martin, Boyd Woods Sanctuary Co-chair
May4:NestingBarredOwls
discoveredatBoydWoods!
April30:Adozenpeople
attendedtheWildflower
WanderingswalkatBoyd
Woods.Theweatherwas
beautiful,andthepesky
gnatshadnotyetarrived,
soitwaspleasantjustto
strollalong.Northern
WhiteandCommonBlue
Violetswereeverywhere.
TheshowybloomsofRed
TrilliumandMarshMarigoldswereeasytospot,but
thetiny,delicateflowersof
Miterwortandtheminute
GoldenSaxifrage,floatingin
Fabienne Audette and Alex
astream,weremoreofa
Kearney check a field guide
challenge.Aswenearedthe for a wildflower ID.
endofourthree-hour
Photo: Rich Martin
saunter,onetiny,roundleavedYellowVioletwas
discoveredandadmiredbyall.Birdsongsaccompaniedus
throughoutthemorning,andwestoppedrepeatedlyalong
thetrailstoaimourbinocularsupintothetrees.First-of-theyearsightingsincludedanOvenbird,Blue-wingedWarbler,
andaveryentertainingAmericanRedstart.I’mthankfulto
PamHicks,whoarrivedbeforethewalktodeadheadand
cleanupdebrisfromthekioskgarden.
May10,5a.m.AttheBoyd
Woodsparkingarea,Iheard
thepeentingandchirpingofat
leastfourwoodcockperformingtheircourtshipflights
nearby.Why,Iwondered,had
theynotperformedlikethis
forthe20peoplewhoattended
ourAnnualWoodcockWalkon Barred Owl.
Photo: Debbie Martin
April16?Despiteperfect
weatherthatevening,onlyone
woodcockutteredalittle“peentpeent”...andthatwasit.
May1:Onthiscool,drizzlySunday,at8a.m.,RichandDebbieMartinledagroupof17peopleonabirdwalkthrough
the“rabbitat”attheGreatMountainForestinCanaan.The
walkwas
followedbythe
Martins’slide
show,“Implementingthe
NewEngland
Cottontail
Initiativeat
BoydWoods
Sanctuary.”
Debbie’spaper
collageartwork
A beaver at Wigwam Brook Sanctuary wasalsoon
attends to the family lodge.
display.We
Photo: Debbie Martin
thankTerriand
May11:MarieKennedyandherteam—JayColes,Ed
Goodhouse,andRobertNessler—putupfourbluebirdnest
boxesinthe2014clear-cut.TheseboxesweremadebySue
andDaveHarfordanddonatedtoLHASinmemoryofRobyn
Dinda.Thankstoallforprovidingthesesturdy,attractive
homesforourbluebirds(andothers).AHouseWrenhad
movedintooneofthemjusthoursafteritwaserected!
May21,8a.m.EightpeopleattendedtheAnnualBoyd
WoodsSpringBirdWalkonthislovelyday.Toaddmore
varietythisyear,Iledourbirdersthroughsomedifferent
habitats,whichincludedthepowerlinesandbeaverpondat
WigwamBrookSanctuary.Visitingthesewet/earlysuccessionalareas,weaddedseveralinterestingspeciestoourlist:
AlderFlycatcher,Yellow-billedCuckoo,WoodDuck,Eastern
Kingbird,andYellowWarbler.Headingbackthroughthe
woods,weheardournestingBarredOwlhooting.ThehighlightofthedaycameaswestoodbyMargery’sBirdPond.A
waveofmigrantswasmovingthrough,andwewereexcited
toseethe
beautifulMagnoliaandCanadaWarblers
andapetite
Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher.At
theMonarch
Meadow,Anna
Buczniewicz
discovereda
flowernot
previously
A doe didn’t seem to mind having a
seenatthe
Red-winged Blackbird atop her head!
sanctuary—
Photo: Debbie Martin
July/August 2016!
Chickadee! Chatter
11
One-floweredCancer-root,aparasiticplantsimilartoIndian
Pipes.By12:30,afewinourgroupremained,lingeringby
thefeeders,amusedbytheanticsofacharmingchipmunk.A
wearywalkerapproached,outofbreathandstumblingfrom
thewoodland—DavidZomick!He’dleftusanhourearlier,
sayingheneededtogettothebakerybeforeitclosed,but
he’dgottenlostalongthetrails.(AndIthoughtTerriBianchi
wastheONLYonewhogotlostatBoydWoods!)David
missedthebakery,buthegotaHermitThrushforourlist:
birdNo.52!Aphenomenalmorningofbirdingatour
amazingsanctuaries!
May26:IarrivedattheWigwamBrookWildlifeSanctuary
beaverpondjustbeforesunrise,anddespitethedimlight,I
couldseethattwobeaverswerequitebusy.Thebiggerone
repeatedlywentunderwaterpullingupsomekindofroots
(cattails?),whichitwaseating.Theotheronewasbringing
upmud,roots,andsticksfromthepondbottomandpackingthemontothedam.Finallytheytookabreaktomunchon
someapplesI’dtossedforthem.Iwassoabsorbed,watching
thebeavers,thatIwassurprisedwhenIfinallylookedupto
seeadeerwatchingme.Itstoodontheoppositeshore,about
50feetaway,and...therewasaRed-wingedBlackbird
standingonitshead!Whatasight!Thebirdwaspicking
insectsoffthedeer,andbythattimeIwaswishingIhadmy
ownpersonalbirdtodevourthebitinginsectsthatwere
drivingmebuggy!Aftertheirsnack,thetwobeaverswent
backtostrengtheningthedamandplacingbranchesonthe
lodge.Oneoftheyearlingsalsoarrived,andIknewitwas
“Splash”becausehejustswimsaround,smackinghistailon
thewatertimeaftertime.Apparently,hisjobistotryand
In My Garden (continuedfrompage5)
andJapaneseIrisesareout.Realgeraniums,columbines,
Dame’sRocket,RaggedRobin,Baptisia,Amsonia—Ipicked
themostgorgeousbouquetofpurpleandpinkflowersplus
whitedaisies.Rhododendronsopenedacoupledaysago;also
“Exbury”AzaleasandtheDipeltabush;thegloriouslyvulgar
pink“ordinary”azaleasarefullyoutbutsparse.Theyare
40-plus-yearsold,hugeandcoveredwithgraylichen,sothe
pinklooksrathernice.
Star,akatheLittleMonster,isveryunhappy—hewantsto
getoutsidesobadly.Hesitsandeitherhowlsquietly(fora
Siamese)ormewspiteously,butIdarenotlethim.Hemight
goafterbirds,hemightwander,andIpromisedtheSanctuary(theshelterwhereIgothim);butacoyotewasherethe
othermorningandthat’salltoobigarisk.Ithinkheisnow
tryingtomakenicewithLucy,butshe’shavingnoneofit,
Marie Kennedy, Robert Nessler (center), and Ed
Goodhouse put up four new bluebird nest boxes at
Boyd Woods. Jay Coles also helped out.
Photo: Debbie Martin
scaremeaway.WhenIleftthepondat6:45,thebeavers
werestillactive.Throughoutmyvisit,manysoundswere
comingfrominsidethelodge:whimpering,mewing,wood
beingmovedaround.IwonderifMomhasgivenbirthtothe
newkitsyet.Can’twaittoseethem.
May28:Weknewitwasgoingtohappenoneofthesedays:
Abearhasdiscoveredanddestroyedthebirdfeeders.We’ll
putsomemoreupnextwinterwhen(if)thebearshibernate.
usingthemostvulgarlanguagetotellthepoorboyoff.He’s
nowhugeand1yearoldinJune,almostthesamedayasmy
birthday(oneIshallchooseto
ignore).
AsIwrite,aVeeryissinging
nearby,thatethereal,haunting
downwardspiral;alsoaRosebreastedGrosbeak,onandon,a
wonderful,sweet,richwarble.
ARed-belliedWoodpeckeris
drrrrrup-ing,andaLouisiana
Waterthrushiscallingfrom
downbythestream.Thesunis
breakingthroughtheclouds.
All’srightwithmylittleworld!
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Photo: Diane Friend Edwards
Litchfield Hills Audubon Society, Inc.
PO Box 861, Litchfield, CT 06759-0861
Address Service Requested
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 30
Torrington, CT 06790
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DATED MATERIAL — PLEASE DO NOT DELAY
Paddling at Wood Creek Pond
Nine LHAS members enjoyed a morning paddle
around Wood Creek Pond in Norfolk, followed
by an afternoon navigating the waters of
Winchester Lake.
From left: Val Morck, Henry Perrault, Heather Perrault, Art Potwin
Photo: Diane Friend Edwards