Birding West Campus: August 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

Birding Hurricane Irene?

Beautiful clear blue sky - waiting first for the clouds of Hurricane Irene, then for the southward movement of migrating raptors - coming soon.

I wasn't really thinking of going out birding on Sunday during the hurricane, but the following link to Nick Bonomo's Shorebirder blog gives all the information you could hope for about doing just that.

http://www.shorebirder.com/2011/08/birding-hurricane-irene.html

It's well researched and well written - better read it before Sunday when we're in a state of no electricity here in the state of Connecticut.

Bird list here at West Campus for the week of August 22 - 26, 2011:

Wild Turkey
Canada Goose
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
5. Killdeer
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Rock Pigeon
10. Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
American Crow
15. Blue Jay
European Starling
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
20. Cedar Waxwing
Northern Cardinal
Song Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
25. Common Grackle
House Sparrow

Okay, stay safe in the expected high winds and heavy rains on Sunday - and Monday morning we'll see what birds came in with the storm.

Tamias striatus, Eastern Striped Chipmunk - passed between me and my camera this afternoon.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Dog days of summer

Unusual angle on a dragonfly. (Lynn's photo)

The dog days of summer - but you probably already know...
In Roman times, the hot, languid days of summer were believed to be caused by the dawn rising of the Dog Star, Sirius. An appropriate sacrifice (a brown dog) was made to appease the angry Sirius in attempt to ease the heat wave.
From just a little bit of reading, I've found that we should see Sirius clearly in our winter sky, when it's overhead, and located not far from Orion's belt. I guess in the summer it's up during the day (logical, since it rises with the sun).

Okay, this Dog Days bit was prompted by Lynn's cellphone video of the chirring of a Dog Day Cicada. The cicada itself, she says, is just above the cluster of red leaves!
Link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81bfLTKHB2A

Calvatia cyathiformis - Purple-spored Puffball, growing over near the blackberries. (Lynn's id)

Okay, I'll try to get a bird list squeezed in here, between photos.
Another two-week period, but with fall migration approaching, it may be time to get back to weekly listing and blogging.

Birders for the weeks of August 8-12 and 15-19, 2011:
Lynn, Sue, Tom

Birds for the two-week period:
Wild Turkey
Canada Goose
Killdeer
Herring Gull
5. Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Rock Pigeon
10. Mourning Dove
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
Common Raven
American Robin
15. Northern Mockingbird
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Black-capped Chickadee
20. House Wren
Barn Swallow
Yellow Warbler
American Redstart - possible/likely
Northern Cardinal
25. Song Sparrow
American Goldfinch
House Finch
Common Grackle
House Sparrow

one of our paths is choked with poison ivy!

and our blackberries are ripening in the warmth of August

Monday, August 8, 2011

Another mid-summer bird list.

Common Raven, Corvus corax, on a campus rooftop [photo Lynn Jones]

Contributing birders:
Lynn, Sue, Tom

Bird list for July 25- August 5:

Wild Turkey
Canada Goose - a little flock is back, feeding on campus
Double-crested Cormorant - fly-by
Herring Gull - the only gull around campus now
5. Killdeer
Great Blue Heron - fly-by
Osprey
Turkey Vulture
Rock Pigeon
10. Mourning Dove
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker - not common, but find-able
Eastern Kingbird - first of the summer
Blue Jay
15. American Crow
Common Raven - two, possibly three on the roof of the C-buildings
Cedar Waxwing
European Starling
Barn Swallow
20. Tree Swallow - a good fly-by
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - another fly-by
House Wren
Black-capped Chickadee - not common, but always find-able
American Robin
25. Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow Warbler - still a few around
Common Yellowthroat - a female
Northern Cardinal
30. Rose-breasted Grosbeak - a female
Song Sparrow
American Goldfinch
House Finch
Common Grackle
35. House Sparrow

Thirty five species is very respectable for mid-summer on our little patch of turf (the 135 acres which is West Campus).

Eastern Coyote, Canis latrans. One of this year's pups.
Photo by Brendan in Facilities.

Bird List

135. Worm-eating Warbler, Helmitheros vermivorum, May 5, 2015
134. Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis, Feb 2015
133. Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus, Nov 25, 2014
132. Veery, Catharus fuscescens, Sept 30, 2014
131. American Pipit, Anthus rubescens, March 18, 2013
130. American Woodcock, Scolopax minor, March 15, 2013
129. Common Redpoll, Acanthis flammea, Jan 5, 2013
128. Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis, Oct 17, 2012
127. Winter Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes, Oct 15, 2012
126. Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus, Sept 26, 2012
125. Nashville Warbler, Leiothlypis ruficapilla, May 2, 2012
124. Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularius, Sept 26, 2011
123. Pine Warbler, Setophaga pinus, Sept 21, 2011
122. Wilson's Warbler, Cardellina pusilla, Sept 22, 2011
121. Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor, Sept 9, 2011
120. Black-crowned Night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, June 15, 2011
119. Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon, June 7, 2011
118. Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea, June 1, 2011
117. Eastern Wood-Pewee, Contopus virens, May 27, 2011
116. Canada Warbler, Cardellina canadensis, May 24, 2011
115. Yellow-throated Vireo, Vireo flavifrons, May 20, 2011
114. Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus, May 10, 2011
113. Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina, May 9, 2011
112. Tennessee Warbler, Oreothlypis peregrina, May 6, 2011
111. Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius, May 6, 2011
110. Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera, Apr 27, 2011
109. Black-throated Green Warbler, Setophaga virens, heard on Apr 26, 2011, seen May 3rd
108. Rusty Blackbird, Euphagus carolinus, Apr 20, 2011
107. Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus, Feb 21, 2011
106. American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arborea, Jan 13, 2011
105. Mute Swan, Cygnus olor, Dec 29, 2010
104. Great Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus, Nov 17, 2010
103. Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus, Nov 12, 2010
102. Purple Finch, Haemorhous purpureus, Nov 11, 2010
101. Pine Siskin, Spinus pinus, Nov 5, 2010
100. Northern Raven, Corvus corax, Oct 8, 2010
99. Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis, Sept 21, 2010
98. Broad-winged Hawk, Buteo platypterus, Sept 17, 2010
97. Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Sept 15, 2010
96. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea, Sept 13, 2010
95. Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia, Sept 10, 2010
94. Northern Parula, Setophaga americana, Sept 10, 2010
93. Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus, July 16, 2010
92. Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus, June 8, 2010
91. Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii, June 9, 2010
90. Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus, June 9, 2010
89. Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor, June 2, 2010
88. Great-crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus, May 28, 2010
87. Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus, May 7, (seen 24th) 2010
86. Magnolia Warbler, Setophaga magnolia, May 17, 2010
85. Black-throated Blue Warbler, Setophaga caerulescens, May 17, 2010
84. Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula, May 3, (seen 12th) 2010
83. Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator, Apr 27, 2010
82. Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo, Apr 27, 2010
81. Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla, May 7, 2010
80. Common Loon, Gavia immer, May 7, 2010
79. Chimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica, May 3, 2010
78. Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, May 7, 2010
77. Yellow Warbler, Setophaga petechia, May 3, 2010
76. Blackpoll Warbler, Setophaga striata, May 3, 2010 (Tom), Sep 26, 2011 (Lynn)
75. Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus, May 3, 2010
74. Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, May 3, 2010
73. Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis, Apr 20, 2010
72. Great Egret, Ardea alba, Apr 20, 2010
71. American Kestrel, Falco sparverius, Apr 12, 2010
70. Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos, Apr 6, 2010
69. Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus, Dec 2009
68. Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum, Dec 30, 2009
67. Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus, Dec 30, 2009
66. Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, Dec 30, 2009
65. Fish Crow, Corvus ossifragus, Dec 30, 2009
64. Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca, Dec 14, 2009
63. Common Merganser, Mergus merganser, Dec 9, 2009
62. Barred Owl, Strix varia, Dec 2, 2009
61. Red-bellied Woodpecker, Melanerpes carolinus, Oct 21, 2009
60. House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, 28 Sept 2009
59. American Goldfinch, Spinus tristis, Oct 21, 2009
58. House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus, Oct 21, 2009
57. Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater, Oct 9, 2009
56. Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, Oct 20, 2009
55. Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna, Oct 14, 2009
54. Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus, Oct 21, 2009
53. Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, Oct 9, 2009
52. Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis, Oct 6, 2009
51. White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys, 7 Oct 2009
50. White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis, 28 Sept 2009
49. Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana, 23 Oct 2009
48. Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii, 16 Oct 2009
47. Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia, 28 Sept 2009
46. Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis, 14 Oct 2009
45. Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla, 15 Oct 2009
44. Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina, 2 Oct 2009
43. Eastern Towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus, 12 Oct 2009
42. Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea, 28 Sept 2009
41. Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas, 9 Oct 2009
40. Northern Waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis, 19 Oct 2009
39. American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla, 23 Sep 2009
38. Palm Warbler, Setophaga palmarum, 2 Oct 2009
37. Yellow-rumped Warbler, Setophaga coronata, 16 Oct 2009
36. Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum, 5 Oct 2009
35. European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, 28 Sept 2009
34. Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, 30 Oct 2009
33. Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, 5 Oct 2009
32. American Robin, Turdus migratorius, 28 Sept 2009
31. Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus, 14 Oct 2009
30. Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus, 2 Oct 2009
29. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula, 12 Oct 2009
28. Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapa, 9 Oct 2009
27. House Wren, Troglodytes aedon, 2 Oct 2009
26. Brown Creeper, Certhia americana, 14 Oct 2009
25. White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis, 2 Nov 2009
24. Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor, 23 Oct 2009
23. Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapillus, 30 Sept 2009
22. American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos, 9 Oct 2009
21. Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata, 7 Oct 2009
20. Blue-headed Vireo, Vireo solitarius, 12 Oct 2009
19. Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe, 28 Sept 2009
18. Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus, 9 Oct 2009
17. Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens, 2 Oct 2009
16. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius, 21 Oct 2009
15. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
14. Monk Parakeet, Myopsitta monachus, 27 Oct 2009
13. Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura, 28 Sept 2009
12. Rock Pigeon, Columba livia, 7 Oct 2009
11. Herring Gull, Larus argentatus, 30 Sept 2009
10. Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis, 20 Oct 2009
9. Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, 20 Oct 2009
8. Merlin, Falco columbarius, 21 Oct 2009
7. Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, 12 Oct 2009
6. Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperi, 13 Oct 2009
5. Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus, 13 Oct 2009
4. Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, 14 Oct 2009
3. Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, 13 Oct 2009
2. Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, Sept 30, 2009
1. Canada Goose, Branta canadensis, Sept 30, 2009