Trip Report – First Wednesday – 2/4/15 – Hammonasset State Park, Madison

First Wednesday Walk 2/4/15
Greg Hanisek lead the walk at Hammonasset Beach State Park attended by ten enthusiastic birders.The deep snow cover was a challenge and we had to work hard for the 38 species seen by most of the group. We managed to find 12 waterfowl species on open fresh water and a relatively calm  Long Island Sound.The highlights included nice views of two Fox Sparrows near the nature center and two Bald Eagles,one which flew right over our heads in the campground area of the park.
Thanks to those who attended and to our leader,Greg Hanisek!

Tina Green

Subject: eBird Report – Hammonasset State Park, Madison, CT, Feb 4, 2015

Hammonasset State Park, Madison, CT, New Haven, US-CT
Feb 4, 2015 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments:     overcast; low 30s; heavy snow cover,New Haven Bird Club First Wednesday Walk lead by Greg Hanisek
38 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  300
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)  85
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  2
American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid) (Anas rubripes x platyrhynchos)  1
Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)  3
Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)  2
White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca)  1
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  8
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  2
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)  10
Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)  15
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  3
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)  4
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)  4
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  2
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  2
Dunlin (Calidris alpina)  12
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  60
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  50
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)  5
gull sp. (Larinae sp.)  20
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  8
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)  1
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)  50
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  10
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  6
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)  4
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  10
American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea)  3
Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  12
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  5
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)  3
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  15