Spring Migrant Wildlife Walk

Intro by Tom

 The Yale West Campus Wildlife Walks are more of an event than just a walk.  On April 25th (Friday) a gathering of 35 excited nature enthusiasts met at the WC Conference Center thanks to the organizers, Yale Peabody Museum and Yale West Campus Administration.  With a quick introduction from Tom Parlapiano (YPM) and lesson on how to use binoculars for the newbies, we set off across campus.  Myself (Lynn), Mark Aronson (YCBA), Jim Sirch (YPM-retired), and Cody Limber (EEB) headed out to find what migrant birds species might be using campus as a refresh stop.  Entering into the nature trails the group quickly thinned out into a long line of folks looking in all directions for any sightings.  

Bird Watchers

Some West Campus residents let us know they were around and are just as important as the migrants, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, Carolina Wren, and American Crow making a showing.  Once we navigated under West Campus Drive along the stream, things began to pick up a little.  A pair of Mallards were in the river, a Song Sparrow sang from a flowering cherry tree, and distant Red-winged Blackbirds called us toward the farm.  

Another birdy stop along the way, Cody gently persuaded a Yellow Warbler out into the open to show the walk participants their namesake colorful feathers.  A Fish Crow called out it's telltale laugh "ha-ha" as it flew overhead checking out the humans below.  Rounding the corner out toward the barn, a pair of Yellow Warblers chased each other about putting on a show.  A cooperative American Robin sat out in an opening in a tree allowing birders a chance to easily perfect their binocular skills.  Brown-headed Cowbirds and Common Grackles, also gave nice views and showed off.

Yellow Warbler -Cody Limber

Although the walk finished at the Farm, spectators continued to enjoy birding, while snacking, with special sparrow visitors (Swamp Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow and Swamp Sparrow).  A Red-shouldered Hawk flew overheard and a distant Warbling Vireo sang to let us know they were back on campus.  An amazing group, who altogether found 35 species on the walk and another 7 while walking back to work.

Field Sparrow -Cody Limber

Shout out to Yale West Campus Administration for sponsoring.  Our bellies appreciate your support.  :-)

Full Bird List from West Campus on 4/25/2025: 

1. 

   Trout Lily

   Savannah Sparrow*
2. Chipping Sparrow
3. Field Sparrow
4. Swamp Sparrow
5. Song Sparrow
6. White-throated Sparrow
7. Eastern Towhee
8. Yellow Warbler
9. Black-throated Green Warbler*
10. Warbling Vireo*
11. Common Grackle
12. Red-winged Blackbird
13. Brown-headed Cowbird
14. Baltimore Oriole
15. Wild Turkey
16. Blue Jay
17. American Robin
18. Gray Catbird
19. Northern Mockingbird
20. Northern Cardinal
21. American Crow
22. Fish Crow
23. Common Raven
24. Mourning Dove
25. Rock Pigeon*
26. House Sparrow
27. European Starling
28. Osprey
29. Turkey Vulture
30. Red-shouldered Hawk
31. American Goldfinch
32. Mallard
33. Carolina Wren
34. Herring Gull
35. Canada Goose
36. Tufted Titmouse
37. Downy Woodpecker
38. Red-bellied Woodpecker
39. Northern Flicker*
40. Double-crested Cormorant
41. Northern Rough-winged Swallow*
42. Barn Swallow*

*species seen after event

Ninth MEGA BOWL of Birding

On a recent Saturday morning a team of 4 Peabody folks headed out for a day of birding to participate in the New Haven Bird Club's Mega Bowl of Birding Connecticut.  This one day friendly competition pits teams against each other to see who can find the most species.  Species are awarded points based on how rare they are and this equates to a donation to a conservation based organization of your choice.  

Lynn, Greg, Jake, and Kristof, 2nd stop!

This is the 2nd year the Peabody team: Mighty Marshers has participated, with our area incorporating a 5-mile radius around Yale's West Campus. We started our day with a quick walk around the West Campus Farm before heading out to cover more territory.  Cool, windy, and gray conditions made for a slow start to the morning with only 9 species tallied for West Campus.  

Sandy Point scoping

The best bird of the day, according to the point system, was American Pipit, two were seen at Long Wharf in New Haven at our most western portion of the count circle.  The birdiest stop of the day was Sandy Point in West Haven where our team had an additional competition going on with another Yale Team.  A total of 22 species were seen (3 more than seen by the other team) and although we didn't get the Barrow's Goldeneye and out of range bird, we did spot many coastal species.  Included among those coastal birds were, Greater Scaup, Brant, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Common Loon, and Horned Grebe.  Horned Lark was also a nice find at Sandy Point, these grassland specialists form wintering flocks where they search barren patches for seeds and other food. 

Hermit crab remains

In all, the Mighty Marshers accumulated 64 species for the day, with a small monetary donation going to a local organization with a history of funding New Haven community garden projects, including a pollinator program. We are looking forward to getting out there again next year!