Our first Red Shouldered Hawks looking for Eagles!

Sure, we saw an eagle but we saw 

love in the air with a pair of 
Red Shouldered Hawks!

The weather was kind to us on the 20th of February, bright sunny skies and temps to the 50s.

Cheryl blocked off some time and we thought we'd head out to Hammonasset State Park and do a little birding. 

So did the rest of Connecticut. The Park has a long beach, plus a walkway people can walk their dogs. Seems for miles. Plus camping (not open) and such. In the off season, there's no charge either.

So we took a spin around the park, and back out. Cheryl wanted to show me an eagles nest that is in Guilford, I'm not supposed to give out exact location.

So we did see the eagle, pretty hard from any vantage point, but could see a bird sitting on eggs.

They usually lay 2 or 3. 

Meanwhile, Cheryl spots something pretty far off in another direction so we set off on foot. Two hawks in a tree! 

For a minute or two.

Then these two hawks put on a show, landing near us flying over and hunting. Another male came and was chased off. I am pretty sure these two were courting.

When we got home we identified them as

Red Shouldered Hawks.

Click here to read about them in all about birds!

Enjoy the photos!

The eagle!

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Stay tuned for the Connecticut River Quest eagle cruise up next!

Birds Rule!

Common merganser, Haddam Connecticut

Wooster Square Cooper's Hawk Winter 2016

Bird Feeders = Cooper's Hawks!

Lot's of Hawks now patrol many urban areas. The comeback of the predator birds, hawks, eagles and ospreys is really quite amazing. In my 35 years here in the Nutmeg State, you can't help but notice the increase. In fact, just this winter Eagles are nesting in the West River area of New Haven, in addition to our many eagles in the preserve on the New Haven Hamden line.

Coming home from the gym on foot, I came across a large bird by the sidewalk near my home. At first I thought it was an ornament on a lawn. Then it took off and flew into a tree across from our Coop. 

I ran in to get my camera, set it up and went back out. To my luck, still sitting in a tree about eye level to me.

I started firing away!

A medium sized hawk that only hunts birds

He wasn't interested much in me.

But did give me a look.

Focused

Then a few days later, Cheryl was going out the door for an appointment and I was in my office. She whispered BART as loud as possible.

I knew exactly what she meant....photo opportunity!

Oh boy, what a show we had!

Warning: The following are photos of a blue jay that ends up let's say, gross. They are not for the feint of heart, nor to be enjoyed with a meal. 

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Balmy Birthday Birding Bonus!

Hammonasset State Park 

Madison Connecticut

Not often is the weather in January the best to go birding along the shoreline in Connecticut. But hey, this is New England, and we happened to like the way el nino has given us a reprieve from the nasty last few winters. 

So we packed up the bird gear and went up to the Park. Hammonasset is nice in that you can drive around all over and get out of your car as needed.

Or get out and walk some trails. Depends on how cold it is!  

Check out the birds from January 28,2016. 

Lot's of Robins, then noticed the 

Cedar Waxwings after editing.

I see you!

Robins winter here

Incredible swarm of Starlings

Female Northern Harrier

Black-capped chicadee

Tufted Titmouse

Purple Finches

Putting on quite a show

Two males

Finch Frenzy!

Great Blue Heron

Tree Sparrow

And this warm weather we have here in 

New Haven makes it easy to run in

and grab the camera if I see something

interesting here in Wooster Square.

I'll say! This Coopers Hawk Rocked!

Dark eyed Junco in snowstorm

Red Tail Hawk High above

Downy Back Woodpecker

More Urban Birding for you!

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