Chickadee Chatter - Litchfield Hills Audubon Society
Transcription
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 Like Us On Facebook! Printed on Recycled Paper 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
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