Observations from Shepaug Dam Season

Transcription

1 Sunday, March 1st, 2009 by DW Like so many days this season, today was an unusual day. The morning started off with some snow flurries. We had a little paritial clearing around noon. Then the skies clouded up, again, and we had some more snow. By about noon, the fog and clouds lifted, but the wind picked up. For us parking lot denizens, it was a cold, cold day. The river was open and free of ice from the dam all the way to I-84. As I exited I-84 I was greeted with the sight of a red-tailed hawk and two common mergansers flying down river along river road. As has been the case so many times this year, there were several Canada geese and mute swans on the river from the dam up through the river towards the dam. Arriving at the dam, there were no eagles to be seen, but we did have very early visitors. About 10:00 a.m. a flock of about 4 dozen cedar wax wings flew in 4 groups to a deciduous tree to the left of the bird feeder tree. We had several male cardinals at the feeder, today, several of them uttering their "birdie, birdie, birdie" call. We had black capped chickadees and one white breasted nuthatch around the feeder and in the white pines along the trail to the observation building. About 10:30 one of our guests called our attention to an immature bald eagle flying overhead. The immature flew to the river and landed in a tree on the building side of the river. About 30 minutes later another immature flew in and landed in a tree on the far side of the river. The immatures provided some good viewing until about noon when an adult appeared down river over the tree line. One of the immatures took off after the adult and chased it down river. Now there's a twist on this year's theme! We had a steady stream of guests all day long. We didn't have too many guests, but we did have a steady flow. Dave brought his hawk and owl for programs again today. He kept them in the building for his programs. Week of February 8th, 2009 by LW We had lots of visitors both Saturday and Sunday. The eagles however showed up in the morning before we opened and then left before the visitors came only to show up again late in the day. So those visitors that came later were able to see eagles and those that came early missed seeing any. In between our eagle sightings we had fun looking at many varieties of birds: Wednesday we saw one red-wing black bird has spring arrived? Saturday we had a great blue heron on the island that kept up busy trying to find him. Dave brought his two beautiful birds and everyone enjoyed his program. We had a couple of red-tail hawks sitting up above the dam that were fun trying to locate in the scopes. Most of Saturday we had a gull sitting on one of the telephone posts that was a good exercise in identifying gulls maybe an immature herring gull. We had Bluebirds both Sat and Sun but did not see any Robins on Sunday. Sunday was a very quiet day as far as birds but plenty of kids and visitors. The eagle counts for the week are: Wed 1 immature and 2 adults, Sat 4 immatures and 2 adults, Sun 1 immature and 2 adults. Sunday, February 8th, 2009 by TW --Around 12:30 or so we had a sub-adult that cruised the area for several minutes, eventually landing on the ice just upstream of the island. Lorraine spotted bands on both legs - the usual silver US F&W band and a green Prepared 4/4/2009 Page 1 of 6

2 New Jersey band. It sat on the ice for several minutes, then flew downriver. Sunday, February 8th, 2009 by DW Today featured a little of everything: rain, clouds, wind, sun, ice on much of the river, warm temperatures followed by cooler temperatures, and a few eagles. We had no eagles around the dam until about 11:00 a.m. Then two adults came in and at least 2, perhaps 4, immatures and/or sub-adults arrived. For our guests who arrived later in the morning, they saw eagles. For the early guests, of which we had many, they saw no eagles. Our visitors began arriving right at 9:00 a.m. We had a very full parking lot until about 11:00 a.m. The only birds of prey we had in the area, for much of the morning, were the red-tailed hawk and the great horned owl which Dave brought down from the nature center. We did see red-tailed hawks, over the tree line, and sharp-shinned hawks, near the birdfeeder, at the dam this morning. We also had a turkey vulture and some ravens. There were many mute swans on the river. It was amazing how much of the river was still iced over. I saw no common mergansers today. We did have a couple of male cardinals, juncos and chickadees. We had some northern flickers calling from the trail. We saw no robins, bluebirds, or nuthatches. It was a very strange bird day! Sunday, February 1st, 2009 by DW Today was beautiful, bright, and clear. The weather was amazingly warm for February 1st. The river had many frozen areas clear to the bridge today. There were dozens of blackbacked gulls sitting on the ice in large groups. Best of all we had one bald eagle in the area for almost the entire day. We had dozens of visitors, today, and the parking lot was entirely full for an hour or two. We had a wonderful visit today from a pair of white-winged crossbills. They spent about 30 minutes, or so, in the pine trees along the trail to the observation area. We also had a redtailed hawk perched on a telephone pole for a couple of hours. When we opened, this morning, there were at least 6 great blue herons flying near the gate. One volunteer reported seeing at least a dozen herons. The "resident", dominant bald eagle pair appeared to continue to control the area around the dam. One of the adult eagles perched, most of the day, in the pine tree a couple thousand feet down river and the other perched in and around the fishing tree. One of the adult bald eagles flew low over the river and put a couple of dozen Canada geese into flight. We had about a dozen bluebirds on the bluebird houses along the road up to the observation area. We also had at least a dozen robins around the observation area. Dave, one of our volunteers, brought a rehabbed red-tailed hawk and a great horned owl to the dam for several programs throughout the morning. They were much enjoyed and appreciated by all. January 21st-25th, 2009 by LW Wednesday was a quiet day for both visitors and eagles. For the first time this year we had no immatures in our count. Is this the work of the adult pair that seem to dominate the area? We have seen them chase many birds away. Or is it because the weather is cold and they are traveling further south? Nature is always a wonderful mystery. The adult pair did provide us with entertainment. The dam was Prepared 4/4/2009 Page 2 of 6

3 not generating but the wind kept most of the river ice free. However there was some ice floating in chucks on the water, one adult swooped over the ice a few times and then managed to catch a duck. Yes a duck! The duck was too big to fly to a tree with it but it managed to fly to the island and consume it there. The other adult come in for servings but it had to wait. It did snick in and grabbed a chuck then quickly flew to a branch to eat. A great blue heron also was thinking about it and slowing began walking towards the adult on the island, but it thought better of it and flew off. So the count for Wednesday was 0- immatures and 2-adults. Saturday I was driving to the dam and saw two adults fly over my car headed down river. I wondered if that was the pair, concerned that we had a number of visitors schedule to come. I arrived at the dam to no birds anywhere. The dam was not generating but the wind was keeping the river ice free. We did not have to wait long, a sub-adult showed and landed in the fishing tree. We all looked at each other and wondered how long that sub-adult was going to last. It was not even two minutes and out of nowhere an adult showed up from high in the sky and dived down with legs and talons out. The sub-adult took off never to be seen again. Up until almost 11 the two adults were seen out front or in the big pine tree. From 11 on we had no eagles in view, so the scopes were turned to the beautiful mergansers. The count for Saturday was 1/immature(sub-adult) 2/adults. Sunday was cold and still the dam was not generating, so that meant ice on the river except for a small opening that was filled with mergansers. No sign of any immatures. The two adults did hang out for the morning and all the visitors did get to see an eagle. Thinking we might not have a view of eagles all day, volunteer Dave P. brought two birds from the Bristol Nature Center, a red-tail and a Great Horn Owl. That was a treat for all. The count for Sunday was 0-immatures and 2- adults. Sunday, January 18th, 2009 by DW The river was frozen in most places down to the metal bridge this morning. The ice was largely gone by day's end. We arrived with snow falling and probably 3 inches accumumlated before it was over. The visibility approved with the end of the snow storm. The weather was very cold but the wind was calm. We had two adults all morning (likely a mated pair). They were keeping the other immature eagles away. We did see 3 immature eagles. The pair left the water's edge and flew down river after an immature. The pair spent about an hour and a half in the large white pine just down from the front gate. We setup a scope so the visitors could see the pair in the white pine. Lorraine reported seeing a bobcat right off I- 84. One of our visitors reported seeing the bobcat, too. We didn't have many visitors. I'm guessing about 60 or so. I'm sure we had many visitors re-schedule. We have had better weather days! When I was leaving the dam area I saw two immatures perched in the same tree about a half mile above the metal bridge. They'd probably been the immatures we'd seen upriver that had been chased off by the adult pair. Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 by LW Well today was the coldest day so far of the season with the sun providing a little warmth. We arrived to see one adult in the "hidden pocket" of the fishing tree. The second adult showed up and the day began. For most of the day these two adults flew in and out of our Prepared 4/4/2009 Page 3 of 6

4 viewing area. An immature was spotted on the river by volunteers driving in. About midmorning, Terry was at the gate and called us to report 3 immatures flying up river to watch for them. Meanwhile we saw one of the adults take off and fly down river. Terry reported back seeing the adult chasing the immatures down river. So the tale continues, seems like this adult pair likes to have the dam to themselves. The count for the day was 2 adults and 3 immatures. CT Audubon came with 3 birds, Great Horn Owl, Kestrel, and a Red-Tail Hawk. It was good to see the birds again. Now for the exciting part... I was the last to leave. As I drove down river and past the farm house on my right I saw two hawks circle right in front of my car. I stopped the car and one landed in the field to the left of me. It was a Harrier Hawk and it had something in its talons. I froze, and did not want to move. Then the other hawk swooped down and made the Harrier take off again. The Harrier came right at my car swung around and landed back in the field but now even closer to me. The Harrier was flying so low that I could have hit it if I was moving. The other hawk was a redtail and I lost where he went. I really did not want to move and scare off the Harrier so I sat frozen in the car and watch this beautiful bird eat, he was able to hold on to the mouse or bird whatever it was. He then flew off into trees. Saturday/Sunday, January 10th/11th, 2009 by TW Another good weekend of eagle viewing. 3 adults, 5 immatures on Saturday. We have a very dominate adult female (half of what appears to be a pair) that simply does not want other eagles in the area. Several times she left her perch (usually the "fishing tree") to chase other eagles away. One of the pair has a silver US Fish & Wildlife band on the right leg. We have been unable to get a good look at the left leg to see what color band it may have. The band color indicates the state in which it was hatched. We also had a sharp-shinned hawk and a harrier. The sharpie flew thru the tweeties at the bird feeder. On several days a lone coot has been seen by the farm house. Several black ducks were next to the island. Sunday was debated as to whether to open or not but we decided that it appeared the storm had passed. I'm really glad we did. It was a great day! 3 adult eagles and 4 immatures kept us entertained thruout the day. At least one of the eagles was observed feeding on a duck. The harrier again flew by. The coot was not seen but there were 4 or 5 ring-necked ducks by the farmhouse. We had two highlights on this day. A coyote ran across the ice on the lake and there was a really cool, 10 to 15 minute aerial dogfight involving a pair of ravens vs. a pair of red-tailed hawks. Sunday, January 4th, 2009 by DW Today was beautiful, bright and clear. When the wind wasn't blowing, which it frequently was, it wasn't even very cold. Portions of the river were covered with ice and Lake Lillinonah was ice covered. There were several common mergansers and Canadian geese on the river, today, all along River Road. The dam wasn't generating power so there were few gulls. We had a flock of about 2 dozen robins in the trees by the parking lot. They were also eating the juniper berries. There were dark eyed juncos, chickadees, titmouses, and a red bellied woodpecker at the feeder today. We had about 4 bluebirds perched on the overhead wires above the road leading to the dam. A sharpshinned hawk was patroling the feeder which was keeping all the feeder birds alert. We had Prepared 4/4/2009 Page 4 of 6

5 at least two red-tailed hawks in the air at various times throughout the day. We had eagles all throughout the day. There was a juvenile flying over the river below the front gate when we opened. We had adults perched in the fishing tree most of the day. An adult female kept chasing the other eagles away. One eagle pair flew together over the ridge for some time late in the morning. A juvenile flew north over the dam and up the lake. I believe today's count was 6 immatures and 3 adults. Our guest count was good, too. We had guests early and they kept coming right up to closing time. One couple traveled down from Vermont because they'd heard of our eagles. Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 by LW Happy 2009 everyone! Yes we were open yesterday, so thank you to all the volunteers that came. We arrived as the snow began to fall lightly and counted 20 eagles! 10 adults and 10 immature. By 11 the snow started to accumulate and there were times we could not see the trees. However we did have 25 visitors come, most came early before the snow decreased visibility but all were able to see an eagle. Saturday/Sunday, December 28th/29th, 2008 by LW What a wonderful opening weekend!! I arrived at about 8:10 on Sat and began to scan the trees. I was amazed to see 5 eagles in the first tree then another five in the second. Soon we were spotting immatures among the adults. The river was high so the dam was generating and a flood gate was open. We had a steady stream of visitors throughout the day. Unfortunately the fog did roll in about noon and visibility was poor. The count for the day was 10 adults and 8 immatures. I was expecting poor visibility on Sunday as well, but as I arrived at the river there was not much fog. A quiet day as far as visitors but a good day for seeing eagles. We had a count of 6 adults and 6 immatures. Sunday, December 28th, 2008 by DW Today started out very foggy, especially down by the entrance gate. An adult greeted us at the main gate right at 9:00 this morning. Several guests reported seeing adults and immatures along River Road all morning long. The count for eagles was six at the time of opening. We had eagles in flight all morning long until about 12:30 when the last adult flew away. We had at least 3 immatures and one adult fly over the parking lot. The fog lifted throughout the day and every guest was able to view one or more eagles during the day. We had a fairly light day for guests with only about 75 visitors. We had two red tailed hawks hunting over the woods on the gate side of the parking lot. There were several flocks of mergansers which flew overhead, and, of course, many gulls. Otherwise, there were few other birds at the dam. The eagle count for the day was 6 immatures and 6 adults. The day was very warm, overcast, but dry. Monday, December 22nd, 2008 by LW Steve and I were up at the dam today getting ready for Saturday. We saw at least 7 eagles possible 8. I arrived at 10:30 and the dam was generating (the river was very high) there were two adults and one immature perched across the river. They pretty much stayed put as we worked putting the displays up. Just as Prepared 4/4/2009 Page 5 of 6

6 we were finishing up and getting ready to leave we noticed a number of eagles in the air. It was hard getting a good count with only Steve and I trying to follow all the activity. So I would say 4 adults and 3 immatures with a possible sub-adult. A good start to the season!! Looking forward to Saturday and catching up with all of you. Observations from Shepaug Dam Saturday, December 6th, 2008 by LW We did see an adult and 1 immature. The adult was in the big pine when we arrived and the immature was seen flying but then perched out front in the "fishing tree". There might have been two immatures...but I can only really be certain of one. There might have been two adults as well because one was seen flying over the parking lot, but not certain if it was the adult in the pine. When we left an adult was in the pine and the immature were still perched out front. Prepared 4/4/2009 Page 6 of 6