Great Weekend On Selden Island

Selden Island, the biggest island in the Connecticut River and the largest island in Connecticut waters, has got to be our most under-used state park and one of our most spectacular. Each year we schedule at least a couple of trips to the island, always accompanied by a botanist, ornithologist, and historian; always well attended, this time by more than 35 people.

The island once was home to a substantial quarry that provided cobble stones to east coast cities; much evidence of the operation still visible. There are some beautiful stone structures from the farm that called the island home. The best part in my mind are the countless nooks-and-crannies, the pockets of habitat rarely visited by birders or botanists. There is a laurel grove where the the shrubs tower to over twelve feet, a place where tall oaks and beeches are surrounded by an open understory of grass and fern, and acres of pristine cattail marsh, echoing the calls of Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, and Marsh Wren. Shaded rock faces and hillsides host Worm-eating Warbler, Veery, Wood Thrush, five vireo species, and countless American Redstarts.

Our experience with the group on Saturday was so inspiring, three of us returned to the island on Sunday to continue our explorations. Lady Slipper, Bird's Foot Violet, many large and flower covered azaleas, and a mystery oak kept us tuned to the plants. A brightly plumaged Bay-breasted Warber and a wonderfully cooperative Orchard Oriole graced us with appearances. What a special place!

If you are interested in our providing a private tour of the island, give me a call and we can arrange for the boat and guides. Don't miss this experience! How about a special birthday surprise for your outdoor enthusiast?

Migration Fix

It's been a nice week of birding with some old faces and some new ones. Great! My annual trip up through the hills of Lyme, Salem, and East Haddam has been great fun with very enthusiastic and patient patrons of Connecticut Audubon. The route yielded many of the expected such as Cerulean Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, and dozens of Worm-eating Warblers, but it just seemed as though the views of those specialties as well as many others were better than usual. On Thursday the group had numerous close encounters with Yellow-throated Vireos and on Friday, our small group watched as a pair of White-eyed Vireos worked along a tangled hedge bordering a field; both days truly special in their own way. I was pleased to see that others were pleased.

On Thursday, my long-time birding buddy Joe Bear came along to help us out. Joe and I were participants on the original CT Audubon Texas scouting trip back in 1993 along with Jay Hand and Frank Mantlik. We still love to talk about that trip and how we hope to share the experience again before too long. Nice to spend some time with Joe. Joe and I will be co-leading the Block Island trip this fall, scheduled for the first weekend in October.

Sam, my son, just turned 10, so there were lots of celebratory activities including lazer tag, cake, pizza, and 15 energetic boys.

Spring Migration - Busy Week

Well, I am finally finding some time to post a few thoughts. It has been a blazingly fast spring migration with a trip to Texas and many more to coordinate; Cape May, Cornwall, and the CT Lakes. The local migration is at its peak, the first Blackpoll Warblers just arriving. Hammonasset Beach State Park has yielded some nice birds including a first for me in Connecticut, a Boat-tailed Grackle. I never bothered to chase boattails in Fairfield county on any of the multiple occations they have shown up. Hearing the familiar sound of coastal Texas in my own backyard was a bit of a strange twist, the electronic kids' game sounds of a displaying male. This week is a busy few days with a group trip to my favorite spring locations and a private tour to find a few area specialties. For personal targets, I have been looking locally for Least Bitterns over the last week or so, never having seen one in Connecticut; many in Texas. Wish me luck!

Texas: Day Ten

Departure day!  Wow!  Can ten days have passed?  The time on High Island, Aransas Bay, and King Ranch do seem a long time ago, but in a strange way still very familiar and recent.  We walk around our lodgings before breakfast and enjoy some fine views of Bewick's Wren, Black-throated Sparrow, and a jillion Clay-colored Sparrows.  We madly pack, load the cars and head for Houston thinking we have hours to spare; not the case.  Our driving skills and ability to interpret maps and GPS guidance systems put us at the airport like we are neatly in charge of all the potential pitfalls surrounding us (the sweat dripping from me - I hope no one notices) and at the gate only 10 or 15 minutes before boarding.  Man, we are good ("lucky")!

Well, I bid you farewell from the trip proper, but hope to continue the blog as I head back to work, the "normal" routine, and the excitement of the spring migration in New England.  The best thing about coming home... my family... and second?  Keeping in touch with the people I have come to know and share this special experience with to Texas' coast, valley, and hills.

I hope you too will be able to visit this unique place for your first time or a repeat adventure. Give me a call.  I would love to tell you more.

Enjoy the anticipation of your next adventure.

Cheers,

Andy

Andrew Griswold, Director

Connecticut Audubon Society EcoTravel

Great Egret chick

Wilsons Phalaropes

Hiking the trail

Maggie framing the shot

Edward's Plateau

The Bowl on Edward's Plateau

Texas: Day Nine

An early departure will hopefully assure an early arrival up in the hills and bowls of the hill country, but as on many trips we are distracted by the birds and sights en route.  Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Painted Bunting, and Golden-cheeked Warbler call this cool mountain oasis home; clear mountain streams lined with mature cypress and sycamore, hillsides covered with juniper.  This is also the home to much sought-after birds as Zone-tailed Hawk, demanding that you check each and every look-alike Turkey Vulture to find the one that differs slightly; striped tail and feathered head.

The echo of singing Canyon Wrens follows us as we ascend the trail to a secluded bowl carved by thousands of years of running water.  We walk through a tall stand of Big Tooth Maple, one of the few areas where this tree species can be found; the familiar call of the Golden-cheeked Warbler luring us on (it sounds a lot like Black-throated Green Warbler which we see and hear in Connecticut).  Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jays, and Scott's Oriole are just part of the great diversity of life we find at this higher elevation.  Our looming departure is only forgotten by the jovial spirit of our farewell dinner and visit to the local bat cave to see the evening departure of 12 million bats, at close range, sounds and smells never to be forgotten (nor the sight of two raptor species dining on the airborne mammals).  What a scene!

Cheers,

Andy

Prickly Pear Cactus

Altimira Oriole weaving a nest

Pauline and Louisa at Falcon Dam

The mighty Rio Grand as seen from Falcon Dam

Texas: Day Eight

One last morning in the valley allows us to search out a few specialties of the area.  The Rio Grande is flowing high today, the result of the Falcon Dam releasing the most water I have ever seen in 15 years.  A stop along the river produces Muskovi Duck, only countable in the US when found over or close to the river,  Altimira Oriole, our largest and most colorful oriole, and superb long looks at the elusive Curve-billed Thrasher.

The Rio Grande is the border between the US and Mexico in Texas, with few crossings as interesting as the one at Falcon Dam.  If you drive out across the dam, releasing your fears of armed guards (of which we saw none), you get an incredible view and opportunity to see a part of two countries that few visit.  One can stand on the border, jump back and forth from country to country (which I must have done 20 or more times), and take your friends' picture as they stand on the line at a truly impressive monolithic monument to both countries.  We spend a lot of time here, many of us in a spirit of personal meditation.

Our afternoon is spent on the road moving to the north and the Balcones Escarpment otherwise known as the Edwards Plateau, a lovely refuge from the heat of the desert and  clear contrast to the parched landscape of the previous five days.  Our traditional stop at Dairy Queen in Laredo, Texas was not passed-up, nor was the mandatory liter of coffee for the drivers and double-dipped ice cream wonders for the kids, young and old.

Our lodging overlooks one of the most pristine rivers in Texas.  We can hardly wait until tomorrow to explore some more.

Cheers,

Andy

Black-throated Green Warbler

Cave Swallows

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Texas: Day Seven

The Rio Grande Valley has once again lived up to its reputation as a place of great surprises and superbly consistent quality birds. The travelers spent some time this morning with a Gray Hawk on the nest, Clay-colored Robins cruising below, and Northern Beardless Tyrannlet providing the song for the whole scene. 

Life along the Rio Grande is indeed that, Grande, for the birds, a fueling station before the final push to the north. We found the right oasis today where the previous day's winds has brought with it some of North America's warbler gems, including Blue-winged, Worm-eating, Black-throated Green, Golden-winged, and so many more, not to mention the local specialties like Cave Swallow, Olive Sparrow, and Altamira Oriole.

A short afternoon venture north of the river let us see other habitats and collect some great views of Wilson's Phalaropes spinning in unison and migrant Franklin's Gull on their way to inland nesting sights.

If you are on the boarder, the Mexican food cannot be beat; avoid the chains and go for authentic. Ask the locals where the best food is... they will know.

More along the Rio Grand tomorrow morning and then we travel to the Edwards Plateau.

Hasta luego,

Andy

Red-crowned Parrot

Red-crowned Parrot

Birders on the boardwalk

Green Jay

Least Grebe

Texas: Day Six

We slept-in today getting a late start around 7:30am – a well needed extra half-hour – but were soon in the company of about 20 Red-crowned Parrots.  What a sight in the early morning low angle light; fighting, mating, climbing, swooping birds in a frantic pace of living life, making it almost too hard for the tour leader to keep the rest of the day on the same level.  

Sabal Palm sanctuary is must stop on any south Texas trip, home of area specialties such as White-tipped Dove, Olive Sparrow, Plain Chachalaca, Green Jay, Least Grebe and so much more.  The habitat is so special as the last significant patch of Sabal Palm in the US.  Unfortunately, it may not be with us much longer if the plan to build the border fence goes through, currently scheduled to be built north of the park, cutting it off from the rest of Texas. Can you believe this oasis is up on the chopping block?  There is a recent New York Times article if you would like more information.

Evening and night birding was optional, some taking advantage of the time to catch up on much needed sleep and rest, others not willing to lose any opportunity to experience more of south Texas, ultimately rewarded with sightings of Franklin's Gull, Ringed Kingfisher, Lesser Nighthawk, Cave Swallow, Paraque, and Elf Owl.  Unfortunately (in the eyes of some participants), we missed any night crawling tarantulas; always fun for me to see "big brave men" running in fear as the macabre critter shows how fast in can move when motivated.

Another full day of adventure in the Rio Grande Valley tomorrow.

Cheers,

Andy

King Ranch road

King Ranch cattle

Crested Caracara  click photo for larger view

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl  click photo for larger view

Audubon's Oriole  click photo for larger view

Texas: Day Five

King Ranch is truly a gem among the birding destinations of North America.  An early morning rendezvous with our private guide, for the day on a ranch which is bigger than Rhode Island, started our visit to the northern Santa Gertrudis division of the ranch.  Masked Duck, one of the rarest ducks in the US was the target here and only outdone for the ladies in the group by the shopping time they had at the visitors' center.  Balancing the shopping with the birding, the photo stops, the lunch breaks, snack runs, and rest room needs was a workout, but we were able to squeeze it all in to a wonderful day that included the four star birds of southern Texas, Ferruginous Pigmy-Owl, Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, Tropical Parula, and Audubon's Oriole.

It wasn't just birds and shopping today!  There were rattlesnakes, armadillos, gators, perfect cool breezes, cattle, bump gates, dusty roads, and so much more.  Many of the travelers celebrated the day with what I was told (I being the designated driver) some of the best margaritas and Mexican food in the Rio Grande Valley.  The food was fantastic but we will have to move on tomorrow to new roads, birds, and adventurous experiences.

Cheers,

Andrew

Reddish Egret

Jim D. from the boat

Tricolored heron

Dorcas, carefully choosing her shots

King Rail © Jay Hand

Texas: Day Four

The fourth day of the Texas Grand Tour started off with what is probably one of the highlights of the entire trip – our visit to the Aransas NWR, primary winter home of one the America's rarest birds, the endangered Whooping Crane. Tommy Moore made us all feel welcome aboard the Skimmer, his 40-foot vessel specially crafted to negotiate the shallow waters of Aransas Bay.  As we proceeded up the intracoastal waterway, we were delighted by sights of Crested Caracara, Whooping Crane, and a multitude of heron species, including the dimorphous Reddish Egret, whose white color form is most commonly found along this coast

After a late check out at the hotel (1pm... can you believe they let us do this??!!), we headed into Rockport to find lunch, and we were greeted by a Magnificent Frigatebird riding the easterly winds directly over the "Golden Arches." Easterly winds howled throughout the day, buffeting our vehicles as we headed south toward the next day's adventures at the King Ranch.  Across coastal prairie, and incredible number of salt pans, miles of drivable beach, and acres of agricultural fields, we pushed on looking for the rare and unusual.  Unfortunately, our fears were confirmed in the significant drop in the number of Red Knot; we found none where they had been reliable years before.  Spirits undaunted, we pressed on and finally were able to find our place of rest and a chance to briefly look through our many great photos of birds, scenery, and numerous new experiences.

Well, there was one experience I would be happy to forget... getting the big van stuck in the sand at Mustang Island, the 15 mile stretch of beach you can drive (just stay in the tracks!). With the help of our very enthusiastic team, we had the van out in about five minutes, which felt like twenty long minutes to me. Off we went with a great spirit of accomplishment and adventure.

Enjoy more tomorrow about the King Ranch, a privately held ranch that is nearly the size of Rhode Island.

Cheers,

Andy

Bolivar Peninsula

Bob and Maggie in the field

Pauline checking out a Black Skimmer

Black Skimmers

Texas: Day Three

I never knew there were so many Subway sandwich shops! Seems like Subway is the healthiest way to eat when you are away from home... especially if you don't pack a lunch or stop at the grocery store. We made an early morning stop at a full service convenience store for snacks water, and other drinks.  Lots of snack food made its way onto the van including the favorite snack of the South... FRITOS!

Our first stop was at a great lookout over the inner waters of Bolivar Peninsula, a barrier sand dune just north of Galveston Island.  Thousand of Terns including the Black and Sandwich Terns that gave many in the group a life look and great photo opportunities. Black Skimmer, Reddish Egret, Marbled Godwit, and many more graced the five spotting scopes and four long lenses our group made good use of. We were in the company of other bird tours including an all British group. Lots of notes about where to find certain bird species were passed between tour leaders. We had a great plover day despite missing Killdeer, ironically.  Our plover list included Piping, Snowy, Semipalmated, American Golden, Black-bellied, and Wilson's; nearly the "Slam" but missed the most common!

After a stop at a grocery store – the group was desperate for some fruit and fresh produce... after eating so many snacks – we made our way to the protected waters of north of Galveston Island to find the two pacific loons, among the 15 or so Common Loons, that were reported from other birders. We had a great time discussing the finer points of identification and how not to mix-up the two.

So, south we traveled in the late afternoon, arriving not too late near Aransas, and now prepare for our rendezvous with the Whooping Crane tomorrow; let's hope.  It's been real windy so we might not want to take the boat for fear it might turn into the "Vomit Express."  Tune in tomorrow to find out how many of us were chumming for fish!

Cheers,  Andy

Least Bittern

Birding team checking out the shorebirds

Great Egret ballet

High Island Boardwalk

Roseatte Spoonbill

Texas: Day Two

Our first full day included Kentucky Warbler, Fulvous Whistling Duck, a superb Least Bittern display, and a Scarlet and Summer Tanagers galore! Oh... and I had to wrangle a Cotton Mouth off the road; all in the day of a good tour leader.

The group has melded nicely, made up of ages from young to senior. All are very kind, interesting and very interested people. It makes it so much easier for the leaders.

The Least Bittern hung on some marsh grasses about 50 ft. from us for about 5 minutes; photos coming as soon as my sleeping photographers can help me load them up.

Saw lots of gators, about 40 or more. Passed a steer on the road.  Got to watch out for those in Texas.  Heading South tomorrow.

Cheers

Common Alloy-bellied Gas Sucker

Texas bottom lands

Heading out on the boardwalks

Great-tailed Grackle

Texas Arrival

We had our first bird sighting.  The Common Alloy-bellied Gas Sucker! I can't believe we made it to Houston without a glitch. No delays; like the whole FAA thing never happened.  I guess the bird Gods were on our side.

Everyone is in good spirits, looking forward to lots of birds tomorrow. We stopped on the way to Winnie at a roadside Heron and Egret nest site full of Anhinga, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Black-bellied Whistling-duck, Great-tailed Grackle, and a few alligator to boot.  The group went to Winnie's best known restaurant, Al T's, for a truly Southern Cajun experience. The weather looks great and time will tell if the conditions all line up for a good "fall-out" at High Island.

Cheers

Freezer to Furnace

As I was standing on the side of a Little League field today, watching my 9 year old son play shortstop – the very cool and raw winds of New England still blowing – when I realized that in less than 24 hours I would be standing in 75+ degree weather looking at Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, and perhaps even a Swainson's Warbler or two... what a contrast! I just wish my family was coming along too. Instead, I have my Audubon family of 10 intrepid adventurers, many who will soon have 100 or more new life birds under their belts on our 10 day trip to the Texas coast, valley, and hills.

I have been packing, unpacking, and repacking all day! This is the first time I will ever travel with a laptop in tow and it has pushed my collection of electronic equipment over the top.  Camera, spotting scope, two pairs of binoculars (the spare for anyone in the group if needed), many books, clothes, rain gear, GPS, iPod, tripod, and maybe some other "pod" I'm forgetting. My World traveling Grandfather once told me the key to a successful trip was "Bring half as much luggage and twice as much money." He really was a wise man!

I leave the house at 3:30am to pick up one of the travelers and head for the airport.  6 am departures are not my favorite but, they really keep you from wasting the day. We are truly lucky to have dodged the delays that American Airlines had suffered in light of their FAA inspections, resulting in 2000+ canceled flights over the last four or five days.

Wish us luck! Lots of birds ahead!

Cheers!

An old dog learns a new trick!

Welcome to what will be a running commentary about birds, travel and what is happening at my job of being Director of EcoTravel for CT Audubon.

My first blog! I guess you really can teach an old dog some new tricks! The tools of my trade are binoculars and spotting scope and a good sense of direction but, I never thought I'd be making a blog about my day to day birding... how times have changed!

Tune in and get the latest info from the road and field as I follow birds from season to season. I have been the Director of EcoTravel for Connecticut Audubon Society for 12 years and have had the opportunity to travel the globe with many interesting people in search of great birds, unique habitats, and outstanding scenery.  I love showing birds to and sharing special experiences with appreciative travelers and adventurers. I hope someday you too will join me... until then, enjoy my blog!