“Milford Hotspots” Trip Report
On Sat, January 11, I led my annual “Milford Hotspots” trip. With 2” of fresh snowfall, more than the forecasted “dusting”, 16 eager birders gathered at the commuter lot meeting site. There an immature Red-shouldered Hawk was perched in a nearby tree, affording scope views. Our first stop was the CAS Coastal Center at Milford Point. Viewing the flooded salt marsh (very high tide), we saw several duck species, including Gadwall, Bufflehead, and Red-breasted Merganser. Several Swamp and Song Sparrows teed up as they fed on seeds of Marsh Elder. Next we walked out on the main sandbar, where we saw sea ducks such as Long-tailed Ducks and Common Goldeneyes, as well as Common Loon. It was delightful to be out in this coastal beach habitat, coated in fresh snow, and without the biting cold wind of recent days. A flock of Horned Larks were there too, feeding on the tiny seeds of the dune vegetation, and leaving a maze of fresh tracks in the snow. A calling American Pipit flew overhead. But it was further along where we encountered our prime quarry: a beautiful SNOWY OWL standing on a log in the snow-covered dune! We enjoyed great scope views of this heavily barred immature female, a bird that has been in the area for over a month. Tip: to find this owl, just look for the photographers! Next we birded the Coastal Center Sanctuary, netting a Fox Sparrow, 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers, and several more common land birds.
After a restroom stop, we drove to Silver Sands State Park. We walked a big loop, starting at the marsh boardwalk to the beach. We failed to elicit a response call from the wintering Clapper Rails, but a Great Blue Heron flushed. Along the Sound beach, we tallied Brant, a large raft of Greater Scaup, a few Black and Surf Scoters (thanks Gina!), more Long-tailed Ducks (superb views), a Horned Grebe, and a flock of Dunlin. Toward the west end, we found three SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, very rare in CT in winter. While returning through the wood lot and old dump road, we saw Northern Harrier, adult Red-shouldered Hawk, and 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets among some Chickadees and Titmice. A Cooper’s Hawk and some Wild Turkeys rounded out the list.
In all, we tallied an even 50 bird species for the morning. It was great sharing the birds of these hotspots with all on this beautiful winter morning.
Frank Mantlik
