Connecticut Bird Chaser #2: May 5, 2024
An occasional newsletter for Migration Magic Birdathon Participants and Donors
Notes today on Birding FOMO, the big week ahead, and Monday’s eBird webinar
A Cape May warbler but not the one from Deer Pond Farm. Photo courtesy of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
May 5, 2024 — I like to scan the checklists to see which birds the Birdathon’s fast-starters are seeing and hearing. But I feel a slight regret. “If only I had been there, at Hammonasset! I would have seen the Common Eiders!” “The number of shorebirds at Milford Point is getting bigger—I need to get out there!”
FOMO. Fear of missing out. The slight anxiety that the birding is better at whichever place you happen not to be.
But you can’t be everywhere. I had a really enjoyable morning of birding at Deer Pond Farm in Sherman yesterday, with a group of 10 including Stefan Martin, who led the walk. As soon as we started, at 9:20, we stopped to listen to a Blue-headed Vireo. Then another bird sang from the treetops. I thought “tanager?” and tapped the Merlin sound ID. Stefan looked quizzical and said, “I’m thinking Summer Tanager,” and explained that if it was here it would be because it overshot its usual range. A woman named Allison said, as if to herself, “Slower and sweeter than a Scarlet Tanager,” and when I looked quizzical (it was a morning for quizzical looks), she said that’s how to think about the difference between the song of the Summer Tanager from the raspier song of the Scarlet.
I had never seen a Summer Tanager. I couldn’t believe my luck.
But it didn’t appear, and it didn’t sing again.
But as we lingered we heard a Cape May Warbler from high in a conifer. It stayed hidden for a long time. Merlin seemed confused: “American Redstart” — “Cape May Warbler” — “Blackburnian Warbler.” Finally it settled on Cape May just as Stefan got his eyes on the bird, deep in a hemlock.
So for the first few days at least, let Hammo have its shorebirds. The group at Deer Pond Farm saw and heard 50 species, 20 of which were new to my Birdathon 2024 list: Bald Eagle, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow and others besides that Cape May Warbler.
And of course today is only May 5. There are 26 more days to the Birdathon, plenty of time for shorebirds and wading birds, and still time for a big wave of migratory songbirds to come through as well.
The numbers
But I’ll keep scanning the lists too. As of this morning, 41 birders have submitted eBird lists with 176 species. (Another 40 birders have signed up for the Birdathon but haven’t linked to the eBird Migration Magic Trip yet.)
One important thing to note regarding Birdathon prizes: Connecticut Audubon staff members are not eligible to win. A dozen of us are participating and 3 of our centers are counting species they find on their sanctuaries, for fun and to help raise funds for conservation. That’s 15 participants who, as you’re sizing up the competition, you don’t need to worry about.
Here’s the Birdathon page, with fundraising totals.
Here’s the eBird Migration Magic Trip page.
Not part of the Migration Magic Birdathon yet? Click here to sign up!
The birders at Deer Pond Farm on Saturday wishes they had seen a Summer Tanager, but a snippet of song that might or might not have been one was all they got. This photo, of a male Summer Tanager, was taken in Branford several years ago by. © Frank Mantlik.
The week ahead
Tonight and tomorrow look like fairly busy bird migration nights, according to the AeroEco Lab website. If you have time before your day starts, it might be worth going outside with your binoculars for a few minutes.
We have a dozen bird walks scheduled between now and next Sunday (i.e., Mother’s Day), plus two or three other programs. They’re in Pomfret, Hampton, Fairfield, and Redding.
And for those who want a fully immersive, mind-expanding experience, there’s the annual Lyme Loop, a 9-hour EcoTravel extravaganza through Lyme and Nehantic State Forest, led by Andy Griswold, with a focus on learning bird songs.
The Lyme Loop costs a bit more: $75 for Connecticut Audubon members; $90 for others. But, as they say, you get what you pay for. Call Andy for details: 860-767-0660.
For other Migration Magic programs, visit our website.
eBird
The Birdathon is only 4 days old. EcoTravel’s Matt Bell has already submitted checklists from Tolland, Pomfret, Madison, New Haven, Milford, Stratford, Fairfield and … I stopped counting, actually.
But he promises to come in from the field at 6:30 p.m., Monday, May 6, for a Zoom presentation:
“How to Use eBird for the Migration Magic Birdathon.”
It’s free. It will be short (20 minutes plus Q&A). If you’re an eBird novice, or if you want to refresh your knowledge, join us.
Register HERE.
Thank you!
To the 82 Birdathoners and the supporters who have made 137 Birdathon donation, a huge, sincere thank you! Connecticut’s birds will benefit from your generosity and your time.
The list of Migration Magic’s equally-generous sponsors is below — scroll to see it.
Happy birding!
Tom Andersen
Communications Director
Migration Magic Sponsors
Mark Naso, CFP ®
203-900-3573 Mark.Naso@wellsfargo.com
Gawel Excavating
