Chickadee Chatter 13

President’s Message

By Harry Ainsworth

Spring is here. It’s a gorgeous day in ear-ly April, and the birds are celebrating at our feeders. There are also a few squirrels enjoying the spilled sunflower hearts. I love watching them. We have a few bluebirds checking out our bird houses. We have five of them — one or two dedicated to bluebirds, one to a wren, and two for the tree swallows. I can’t wait for the nest building to start. I find it very interesting that these spe-cies each gravitate to the same house(s) year after year.

This brings to mind that we are about to begin our spring birding field trips. For those of you who know Ray Belding, you will be happy to know that his Wednes-day “Rayday” birding walks will take place between April 26 and May 31. If you have not been on one of Ray’s trips, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You can find his trips listed in the Calendar section of this newsletter, begin-ning on page 6.

I want to thank everyone in-volved with our field trips for the

outstanding job they do. If you have even a small interest in going out and learning more about our local birds, see the list of field trips in the Calendar section. There are a lot of activities planned for us.

As a special event, we are working in conjunction with White Memorial Conservation Center and Flanders Nature Center to have a presentation by William Burt at White Memorial’s Carriage House on May 13 at 7:30 p.m. He is a writer, pho-tographer, and naturalist who will present “Water Babies.” The presentation will be followed by a book signing. Mem-

bers’ cost is $10, non-members’ is $15. This will prove to be an interesting evening. I hope to see you there.

We are hosting our Annual Dinner at the Elks Lodge in Tor-rington on June 5. There is a form in this issue to be used to make your reservation for the event. I encourage you to send in your completed form as soon as possible. At the dinner we will announce some changes to our board of directors, as is our usual practice at this event. And William Burt will give a presentation on marshes and the shy birds that live in them. Stay tuned folks.

Our Annual Appeal has been moving along nicely and there is still time to make a donation. So far, we have received do-nations totaling more than $9,000. Thank you, all!

Just a few thoughts on something that has bothered me a lot. As I walk around the back roads of Litchfield, I am amazed at the amount of litter in the form of newspaper advertis-ing that I see lying in people’s driveways and often in the front yards in my area. It is gross. It annoyed me enough to contact the publisher of the one I received weekly and asked to stop this unwanted advertising from being delivered. It took several calls to get to speak to a person and a few more calls to follow up and ask why they had not done what they agreed to do. Persistence seems to have paid off, and I no longer have these weekly deliveries thrown in my driveway. Admittedly, it is a nit in the overall scheme of things, but, you know what? It has stopped. Think about it.

See Calendar, pages 6-9, for our Upcoming Meetings & Field Trips

Barred OwlPhoto: Harry Ainsworth, taken at Plum Island, Massachusetts

May/June 2017 Volume 62/Issue 3

C h i c k a d e e C h a t t e r

The mission of the Litchfield Hills Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats, for the benefit of the community, through conservation, education, and research.

Litchfield Hills Audubon Society Newsletter

“Marshes: Disappearing Edens” will be the featured presentation at our Annual Meeting and Dinner on Monday, June 5 in Torrington. See the enclosed flyer for more details and the registration form.

Chickadee Chatter2

The Chickadee Chatter is published in January, March, May, July, September, and November. For the July/August 2017 issue, all articles must be received by the editor by June 1. Please email items for publication in the newsletter to Diane Edwards at edwardsd68@charter.net or mail them to her at 68 Shingle Mill Road, Harwinton, CT 06791.

Send other business to the appropriate chairperson at LHAS, P.O. Box 861, Litchfield, CT 06759-0861 or lhasct@me.com.

May/June 2017

LHAS OfficersPresident Harry Ainsworth 860-777-8012Vice President vacantTreasurer Marie Kennedy 860-567-5487Rec. Secretary Janet Baker 860-567-8427Corresp. Secretary Pam Hicks smilesmyles@yahoo.comBoard of DirectorsTerri Bianchi 2017 860-489-8821Jay Coles 2017 860-354-3802Rich Martin 2017 860-584-5706Ray Belding 2018 860-482-4046Ed Goodhouse 2018 860-689-6884Fran Zygmont 2018 860-379-4461Angela Dimmitt 2019 860-355-3429Keith Johnson 2019 860-618-5720Nancy Nichols 2019 860-354-5114Director at LargeJohn Baker 860-567-8427Committee ChairpeopleBoyd Sanctuary Debbie & Rich Martin 860-819-7462Conservation Diane Edwards 860-485-9319Education Donna Rose Smith 203-706-0474Facebook Diane Edwards 860-485-9319Field Trips David Zomick 860-584-2824Fundraising Harry Ainsworth 860-777-8012Historian vacantHospitality Carol Perrault 860-589-8023Junior Audubon Donna Rose Smith 203-706-0474 Kalmia Sanctuary Bob & Doreen Orciari 860-485-1347Membership Doreen Orciari 860-485-1347Newsletter Diane Edwards 860-485-9319Programs Angela Dimmitt 860-355-3429Publicity Shirley Gay 860-482-0819Scholarships Carol Kearns & Harry Schuh 860-485-9018Website Rich Martin 860-584-5706Wigwam Brook Sanctuary John Baker 860-567-8427ResearchChristmas Count Ray Belding 860-482-4046Summer Count Dave Tripp 860-693-6524

NEW MEMBERSBy Doreen Orciari, Membership Chair

Penelope Abbott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WinstedSusan Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New MilfordJay Bailey * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New HartfordCathy Baker* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TorringtonChristina Benson* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LitchfieldRon Blanchard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OakvilleRichard Burdick* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TorringtonKaren Caramelli* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GoshenLester & Muriel Carr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BarkhamstedVicki Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New MilfordNicole Cordani . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NorthfieldChris Craig* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GoshenCarol Ebersol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LitchfieldStarr Evans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Washington DepotElizabeth Falls* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TorringtonCynthia Garrey*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WinstedValerie Graziano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .OakvilleMichael Grouver* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New MilfordMarcie Hadden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New MilfordJames Hart* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BarkhamstedElizabeth Haxo* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WarrenSandra Kleisner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New PrestonLoretta Kretchko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New MilfordDebra Labree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BethlehemJon Lynch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Washington DepotMary Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New MilfordMayia Mireva* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New MilfordMaresia Newcombe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TorringtonJohn O’Brien . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WatertownJennifer Ortiz* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GoshenJulia Oskwarek*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LitchfieldSherri Pedane* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WatertownAlbion Pelkey* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ThomastonJane Pittari* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BethlehemAnne Ranson* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New MilfordDavid Reynolds* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ThomastonPam Rouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NorfolkPamela Scherbner* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TorringtonCharles Stern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Washington DepotElaine Tobiasz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LitchfieldMargaret Vinick*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NorfolkPaola Waite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .GaylordsvilleV. Worrest* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Hartford

LHAS membership is at 575.

* Welcome back

If your newsletter is addressed incorrectly or if you fail to receive one, send a postcard to LHAS, P.O. Box 861, Litchfield, CT 06759-0861 or send an email to Doreen Orciari at doreen.orciari@gmail.com.

Chickadee Chatter 3

although three does were wandering around last week, noshing on my favorite rhododen-drons and azaleas. I never burlapped them in the fall and now am kicking myself of course. Saw a bobcat hunting in the brush by the Sherman road — she (quite a small one) had a relatively long tail which she curled upwards like a little piglet as she watched me slow down to admire her. Such intense eyes!

My own cats are once again asking to go outside, the longer days waking them up around 6:30 again. Star was playing cat and mouse on the bed just before 6:15 this morning — Sun-day, when one wants to sleep in! — jumping and pouncing on imaginary critters ’neath the bedclothes. Hearing the noise, Lucy came in, Star jumped on her, and the growling and hissing finally got me up. Fed and watered, they went back to bed, I made coffee and turned on the news. Nothing but weather. Read yesterday’s paper. Yuk! So here I am, look-ing out at the snow and grey trees, watching ripples on the stream, hoping for Wood Ducks or maybe the mink, which is most easily seen when there is snow. Star is now asleep between this keyboard and the monitor. Well, he was; now he’s up, realizing I’m writing about him. A gentle bite on the hand — next he will sit on the keyboard, then jump down and go in search of more mischief. Just like children; some-times you could whomp ’em, but 99.9% of the time they are just too precious.

March 29 — what a day! The rain has stopped, clouds are gone, and the birds are making whoopy! Three Red-shoul-dered Hawks are wheeling and screaming and flirting overhead. The bluebird, which has been sharing the suet

The next LHAS Board Meeting will be onTuesday, May 16, at 7:15 PM

in the Litchfield Community Center’s Education Room.

May/June 2017

Eastern BluebirdPhoto: Angela Dimmitt

In My Garden (And Beyond)A Journal — March 2017

By Angela Dimmitt

Sometimes bad weather can have wonderful consequenc-es! March 14, the day of Blizzard Eugene, I counted 26 species of birds at my feeders. Two days later that number had grown to 30! At one time there were 40–50 birds on the feeders, on the ground, and in the nearby trees and bushes, including first-of-year Fox and Tree Sparrows, 30 goldfinch-es, and five bluebirds. As the wind and snow swirled, so did the birds. A pair of Wood Ducks were on the stream. The kingfisher arrived, and TVs (Turkey Vultures, in birding lingo), Black Vultures, and a raven flew overhead. Cowbirds arrived as did a flock of a dozen or so Red-winged Blackbirds.

The bluebirds have been eating suet and seed cakes, and also checking out the nesting boxes. They travel around checking out other real estate, and hopefully will return in April to settle here and start nesting. It is weird to hear House Finches singing so sweetly as if they were back in a California desert instead of surrounded by pristine snow! Cardinals and titmice are also singing their spring songs, juncos are trilling, but I am not hearing the White-throated Sparrows calling out Old Sam Peabody yet. The Pileated Woodpeckers are also calling to each other — I’ve seen those huge dramatic birds a couple of times pecking away at dead trees near the house; and of course the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers are also drilling, the Red-bellied

Woodpeck-ers likewise — and their bellies are getting really red now when you can see them on the feeders.

No deer tracks in the snow,

I was here at the computer and looked up to see a strange lump on the bank, like a large rock or tree stump. So I grabbed my

ever-handy bins just as the lump moved its beak ...

Fox SparrowPhoto: Angela Dimmitt (continued on page 4)

Chickadee Chatter4 May/June 2017

This newsletter and other LHAS features can be seen IN LIVING COLOR on the LHAS website: www.lhasct.org.

Scan the QR code at left with your smartphone to go to www.lhasct.org.

Follow us on Facebook:facebook.com/LitchfieldHillsAudubonSocietyLHAS

Chickadee Chatter was printed by Photo Arts Printing Company, 44 Putter Lane, Torrington, CT 06790; 860-489-1170; www.photoarts-ct.com.

Special thanks to Janet Baker and Doreen Orciari for helping to proofread this newsletter!

Journal (continued from page 3)

with his mate, is singing. Just heard the first phoebe of the year, and the first Tree Swallow flew over the garden (I have seen them on the Housatonic River and at Wimisink Marsh). Think I heard a Ruby-crowned Kinglet twittering. A Fox Sparrow is under the feeders, and robins were on the lawn earlier this morning. Wow! This week has also seen Mal-lards, a pair of Wood Ducks, and a first for the garden: a pair of Hooded Mergansers on the stream — it’s all so exciting! Recently a pair of old tom turkeys walked through; I say “old” as their beards were very long. Down on the main road, I’ve seen a flock of 17 — one bearded, the rest his harem. Eat your hearts out, guys!

Snowdrops and crocuses are flowering happily, unscathed now the snow has melted away from them, but the daffs which had emerged before the snow are really frazzled and probably past hope. Lilac buds are plumping, native hon-eysuckle leaves are opening, Viburnum carlesii flower buds are taking shape. Hellebores are flowering, though do not look too happy, and irises and day lilies are poking up (must spray before the deer find them!). “Normally” one would have been gardening by now, at least cleaning up — the lawns are covered with twigs and branches; everywhere is sodden, and Lake Dimmitt is up, the stream is high (but no little fishes yet). Hopefully the recent snowmelt and rain will have helped alleviate the drought and reach the trees’ deepest roots. I’m looking at some glorious gold, emerald, and olive mosses — there is always something good to find. And with April almost here, surely too is spring!

Above: Hooded Mergansers swimming in LitchfieldPhoto: Harry Ainsworth

Below: A Turkey Vulture (far right) and Black Vultures sunning themselves on a rooftop in ChesterPhoto: Diane Friend Edwards

I HEAR THAT MEMBER’S NIGHT IS RETURNING.

YOUR PAINTING IS PEFECT FOR THIS EVENT.

LHAS Member’s NightDecember 4, 2017

Details to follow in upcoming newsletters!

Chickadee Chatter 5May/June 2017

Urge Support for Conservation ProgramsNational Audubon’s website, audubon.org, notes that our country’s conservation programs greatly benefit birds and other wildlife, as well as all of us Americans. But it says the president’s proposed budget “could cripple or end the critical programs that protect habitat for birds and restore treasured ecosystems such as the Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, Colorado River, and the Everglades.” National urges us to ask our members of Congress to uphold and support America’s conservation programs. See contact information below.

Ask Congress to permanently protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Audubon urges us to ask our members of Congress to permanently protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Oil drilling proponents want to install drilling rigs and pipe-lines there, and many in Congress think that’s a good idea. But a bipartisan group of leaders in Congress has intro-duced legislation that would ban drilling in the refuge.

Each spring birds like Tundra Swans, American Golden- Plovers, and Northern Pintails breed and raise their young in the refuge. Every state has wintering or migrating birds that fly to the refuge to nest in this pristine landscape, which also is home to bears, caribou, wolves, and other wildlife. Please contact your Congressional representatives!

New IBA in CT: Great Meadows

An 8-mile stretch of the Connecticut River has been desig-nated as an Important Bird Area, or IBA, by Audubon CT, the state office of National Audubon. This new IBA en-compasses nearly 5,000 acres and includes Rocky Hill and Glastonbury Meadows, Wethersfield Cove, and Crow Point in Wethersfield, as well as Keeney Point in Glastonbury and East Hartford. It provides stopover habitat for several declining grassland bird species, is an important area for waterfowl, and contains two Bald Eagle nests. One-fifth of

the area is floodplain forest, a key type of habitat noted in Connecticut’s Wildlife Action Plan. IBA’s are where Audu-bon focuses its education, outreach, advocacy, and steward-ship efforts. For more information about IBAs, go to http://ct.audubon.org/conservation/important-bird-areas.

What Plants Will Birds in Your Yard Like?

Planting the right kinds of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses can attract birds and help sustain them through the seasons. There’s now an easy way for you to find out which bird-friendly plants are recommended for your specific area. Check the Native Plants Database at www.audubon.org/native-plants. When you enter your ZIP code, you will see a list of plants with information about which birds those plants will attract. You can filter the results by type of plant or type of bird. The site also lists local resources for buying native bird-friendly plants.

CT DEEP also has a wonderful new slideshow called “Bring wildlife to your yard with native plants,” which you can view online. Besides giving a list of native plants, the slide-show briefly tells and shows what we mean by native plants and why they’re so essential to our local birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. To view the slideshow, go to www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/outreach/ nativelandscaping.pdf.

Watch the New Osprey Cam!

Audubon CT has a new feature on its website, a solar-pow-ered Osprey cam from a nest in Greenwich. A pair of Osprey seems to have moved in! Watch (and listen to) the goings on at the nest by visiting ct.audubon.org/act-osprey-cam.

Bumble Bee Now Officially Endangered

The Rusty-patched Bumble Bee, whose population has plummeted 87% since the late 1990s, is now protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Conservation News By Diane Edwards, Conservation Chair

ContactsU.S. Sen. Dick Blumenthal: . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hartford: 860-258-6940 . . . . . . . . .www.blumenthal.senate.govU.S. Sen. Chris Murphy: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hartford: 860-549-8463 . . . . . . . . .www.murphy.senate.govU.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Britain: 860-223-8412 . . . . .www.esty.house.govGov. Dannel Malloy: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-406-1527 (toll-free) . . . . . . . . .portal.ct.gov/governorState Senators and Representatives: . . www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp

Chickadee Chatter6

Meetings, Bird Walks and ActivitiesLHAS Calendar — Spring 2017

NOTES: Unless otherwise indicated, General Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at the Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Road (Rt. 202), Litchfield, CT. When the first Monday of the month falls on a holiday, the meeting is held on the second Monday. Refreshments are served at 7 p.m. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. and the program follows. The April and October meetings are Potluck Dinners starting at 6:30 p.m. The June meeting is the Annual Meeting and Dinner held at a local restaurant; it begins at 6 p.m. Our August meeting is the annual Picnic at Boyd Woods Sanctuary; it begins at 6 p.m. Board of Directors Meetings are held the third Tuesday of every other month at 7:15 p.m. in the Education Room at the Litchfield Community Center.

MEETINGSMay 1 . . . . . . . . . A “Big Day” of Birding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monday, 7 PM

LHAS’s Dave Tripp, a team member of the Raven Lunatics, will entertain you with tales about a Big Day (a one-calen-dar-day event). He will explain everything you have to do to accomplish a Big Day: what a Big Day is and how to do a Big Day. He will also share stories about his experiences doing Big Days from New Jersey to Connecticut. He may share some secrets about how the Raven Lunatics (which also includes team member Fran Zygmont) took over the longstanding Connecticut record of 186 species on one Big Day, as well as besting the New England record for the most species recorded in one day.

June 5 . . . . . . . . . Annual Dinner Presentation — “Marshes: The Disappearing Edens” . . .Monday, 6 PMJoin us for our Annual Meeting & Dinner in Torrington. Besides enjoying a yummy buffet dinner, you’ll be entertained and inspired by our presenter, William Burt. He’s a naturalist, writer, and photographer with a passion for wild places and elusive birds, especially marshes and the shy birds that shelter there. Based on his book (Yale University Press, 2007), this presentation explores some of the best-known and least-known North American marshlands, with an eye to their lyric beauty and their lurking birds. For more details and to sign up, see the enclosed flyer.

July 10 . . . . . . . . . “Summer Wildflowers” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monday, 7 PMOur summer wildflowers, most noticeable along roadsides and in meadows, all play a role in their environment. They have interesting relationships with their pollinators and various methods of seed dispersal. Although many people eagerly seek out the first wildflowers of spring, summer flowers are more often taken for granted. Come learn more about the natural history of these colorful members of our flora. Our presenter this evening will be Carol Gracie, a wildflower lecturer, native plant writer, and photographer/illustrator who lives in North Salem, NY.

BIRDING EVENTS AND FIELD TRIPSMay 3 . . . . . . . . . Wednesday Morning Birding with Ray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday, TBA

Join Ray Belding for a morning of birding. For meeting time and location, email Ray at turaco3000@gmail.com and ask him to put you on his email list.

May 6 . . . . . . . . . Wildflower Wanderings at Boyd Woods Sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Saturday, 9 AM Delicate, beautiful wildflowers are plentiful at Boyd Woods during spring. On a similar walk at this time last year, we saw 24 species. We’ll also hear, see, and identify many songbirds, so bring your binoculars. This will be an easy

MEETING CHANGES

Bad weather? Meeting and event cancellations or postponements are broadcast on WFSB TV Channel 3 in Hartford and on radio station WZBG at 97.3 FM. To get added to our email notification list, send an email to berryledges@optonline.net.

May/June 2017

Chickadee Chatter 7

Wednesday Morning Birding with Ray

Ray Belding will lead his popular Wednesday morning bird walks April 26 through May 31. For information on locations and meeting times, email Ray at turaco3000@gmail.com.

Clipart from Clipartheaven.com

PLEASE GIVE US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS ... ... if you want to get trip notices, special club announcements, etc. Contact David Zomick at 860-584-2824 or

dzsurtudo@gmail.com. You can also check our website, www.lhasct.org.

May/June 2017

walk that allows time for picture-taking. Meet at the Boyd Woods parking area on Route 254 in Litchfield. No dogs allowed! Rain date: May 13. For more information contact Debbie Martin, barnowl524@hotmail.com or 860-819-7462.

May 10 . . . . . . . . Wednesday Morning Birding with Ray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday, TBA Join Ray Belding for a morning of birding. For meeting time and location, email Ray at turaco3000@gmail.com and ask him to put you on his email list.

May 13 . . . . . . . . Spring Migrants Bird Walk at White Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Saturday, 9 AM Join Audubon CT and Litchfield Hills Audubon Society Director Marie Kennedy along with Uber Birder Ray Belding for an International Migratory Bird Day walk. There will be a guided 1-mile walk in search of warblers and other birds making their way through our area in their beautiful spring plumage. We’ll make a lap around the main area outside the museum, then head around Ongley Pond and into the woods, eventually making it out to the Bantam Lake overlook. All ages and experience levels welcome. Bring binoculars if you have them; otherwise, they will be provided. 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at the museum parking lot. FREE, however donations can be made, which will be split between White Memorial Conservation Center and Litchfield Hills Audubon. Questions? Call Marie at 860-567-5487 or mariekennedy226@gmail.com, or Ray at turaco3000@gmail.com or 860-482-4046.

May 13 . . . . . . . . “Water Babies: The Hidden Lives of Baby Wetland Birds” . . . . . . Saturday, 7:30 PM Naturalist, photographer, and writer William Burt will give this slide presentation in White Memorial’s Carriage House, followed by a book signing reception in White Memorial’s museum at 9 p.m. LHAS is co-sponsoring this event with White Memorial Conservation Center and Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust. The “babies” are the downy young of ducks, grebes, gallinules and shorebirds, herons, and the other birds of wetlands. From the comic-monster herons to the fuzzy ducklings and stick-legged sandpipers, these tots have personality and spunk. You’ll see the parent birds in this presentation, too. Each downy chick is juxtaposed with the adult it will become. There is a fee for this event: $10 for members of LHAS, WMCC, or Flanders; $15 for non-members. You must preregister by calling 860-567-0857 or you can register online at www.whitememorialcc.org.

May 17 . . . . . . . . Wednesday Morning Birding with Ray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday, TBA Join Ray Belding for a morning of birding. For meeting time and location, email Ray at turaco3000@gmail.com and ask him to put you on his email list.

May 20 . . . . . . . . Spring Bird Walk at Boyd Woods Sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Saturday, 8 AM The woods, fields, ponds, and streams welcome a wide variety of spring birds to the 106-acre Boyd Woods Audu-bon Sanctuary. On a similar walk at this time last year, we saw or heard 52 species, including Magnolia and Canada Warblers, Barred Owl, Bob-o-link, and Alder Flycatchers. We will also see and identify wildflowers. Easy walking along the trails provides many opportunities for nature photography, so be sure to bring your camera. Participants eager for more birding will be invited to walk (this is optional) to nearby Wigwam Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, where an interesting power line/beaver pond habitat attracts additional bird species. Wear sturdy (continued on page 8)

Chickadee Chatter8 May/June 2017

walking shoes, bring binoculars, insect repellent, snacks, and water. Meet at the Boyd Woods parking area on Route 254 in Litchfield. No dogs allowed. Rain cancels this walk. For more information, contact Debbie Martin, barnowl524@hotmail.com or 860-819-7462.

May 21 . . . . . . . . Bird Walk at White Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sunday, 7:30 AM Angela Dimmitt will lead this walk. Meet in White Memorial’s main parking lot (by the museum). For more informa-tion, contact Angela at 860-355-3429 or angeladimmitt@aol.com.

May 21 . . . . . . . . Afternoon Paddling Trip on the Bantam River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday, 1:30 PM Bring your canoe or kayak for a leisurely paddling excursion on the outflow section of the Bantam River through White Memorial’s property. Meet at the put-in by the bridge on North Shore Road in Bantam. Bring a PFD (a.k.a. life vest), sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, water shoes, water, and a snack. Please let Diane Edwards know if you plan to attend: 860-309-5139 or edwardsd68@charter.net.

May 24 . . . . . . . . Wednesday Morning Birding with Ray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday, TBA Join Ray Belding for a morning of birding. For meeting time and location, email Ray at turaco3000@gmail.com and ask him to put you on his email list.

May 27 . . . . . . . . Evening Walk at Wigwam Brook Wildlife Sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . Saturday, 6:30 PM As singing birds settle in for the night, we’ll stroll along the loop trail that surrounds the American Chestnut grove and the old Christmas tree plantation. Will we hear the strange “peeent” of a resident woodcock, the hoot of an owl, the slap of a beaver tail as we pass the lodge, or the soothing calls of frogs and insects? To add to the enjoyment of this relaxing walk, a sweet treat will be served along the way. It gets cool when the sun goes down, so dress warmly. Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring binoculars and insect repellent. Meet at the Wigwam Brook Wildlife Sanctuary parking area just off Route 254 on Lipeika Road in Litchfield. No dogs allowed. Rain will cancel this walk. For more information contact Terri Bianci at joeb48@optonline.net or 860-489-8821, or Debbie Martin at barnowl524@hotmail.com or 860-819-7462.

May 31 . . . . . . . . Wednesday Morning Birding with Ray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday, TBA Join Ray Belding for a morning of birding. For meeting time and location, email Ray at turaco3000@gmail.com and ask him to put you on his email list.

June 3 . . . . . . . . . Hike Over the North and South Summits of Prospect Mountain . . . .Saturday, 9 AM It’s National Trails Day! Join Marie Kennedy, Dean Birdsall, the Litchfield Land Trust, and LHAS for a hike over Pros-pect Mountain. Starting on the eastern side of the mountain, we’ll hike to the north and south summits to admire the views. We’ll watch and listen for breeding birds and learn a bit of history as we traverse this wonderful moun-tain owned by the Litchfield Land Trust. It’s a moderate-to-difficult hike of about 2 hours, suitable for families with children 5 years and up. Meet at the kiosk on Cathole Road in Litchfield. Heavy rain cancels. For more information, contact Marie at 860-567-5487 or mariekennedy226@gmail.com.

June 4 . . . . . . . . . Walk at Goshen Land Trust’s Newest Preserve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sunday, 7:30 AM The new 127-acre Mountain View Preserve, located 4 miles north of the Goshen rotary on the east side of Route 63, has views of the Berkshires and diverse flora and fauna. Join Ann Orsillo for a three-hour (or so) walk here. Meet at the United Church of Christ parking lot by the rotary. Parking at the preserve is limited, so carpooling is a must. For more information, contact Ann at spoonbill@optonline.net or 910-880-1518.

June 10-11 . . . . . Summer Bird Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saturday-Sunday, TBA Captains are lined up and need your help. Birders of any level of expertise can participate. If you want to help, con-tact Dave Tripp at dtrippjr@comcast.net or 860-693-6524.

Calendar (continued from page 7)

Chickadee Chatter 9

Junior Audubon

Junior Audubon provides an opportunity for grade-school children to learn about nature, the environment, and the creatures that live there. It’s sponsored by the Litchfield Hills Audubon Society and is FREE. Children of all ages and their parents have enjoyed JA activities, but we plan events for children in grades 2 through 5. To get on our email list or for more information, contact Donna Rose Smith at 203-706-0474 or lhasjunior@gmail.com.

Check lhasct.org for upcoming JA activities.

May/June 2017

June 23 . . . . . . . . Hike at Guilder Pond, South Egremont, MA (Rain Date — June 30) . . . . Friday, 9 AM Note that this is a Friday hike. Meet Debbie Martin and Pamela Hicks at 9 a.m. at the new Ocean State Job Lot in Torrington (the former Kmart). From there we can carpool to Guilder Pond, where we will circle the pond and enjoy a fabulous display of Mountain Laurel. Bring a lunch and we can picnic in the pines after the hike. After lunch, there will be an optional hike to the top of Mt. Everett. The entire easy hike is a little over 4 miles. Please let us know if you will attend. Contact Debbie at barnowl54@hotmail.com or Pam at 203-922-2684.

June 24 . . . . . . . . Hike at Tunxis Wildlife Management Area, West Hartland . . . . . . .Saturday, 10 AM This hike at Tunxis WMA begins on Wilderness Road in West Hartland, CT, and will take several hours. We will start at 10 a.m. and finish at approximately 4 p.m. (this is a hike, not a walk). After a pleasant walk of several hundred yards, the trail forks: to the left it leads to the northeast side of the Colebrook River Lake and is steep. The right-hand fork is a gradual rise, rocky in several places, and leads to Route 57 in Massachusetts. Meet in Riverton, CT, across from the post office. Bring water, lunch, snacks, and be sure to wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. For more informa-tion, contact Gus Molitano at CDB1865@snet.net.

PLEASE HOLD STILL.I NEED THIS PICTURE FOR

MEMBER’S NIGHT.

Nominating Committee Now At Work

By Janet Baker, Chair In accordance with the LHAS Bylaws, the Nominating Committee has been formed as follows:

Janet Baker: 860-567-8427 or berryledges@optonline.netHarry Ainsworth: 860-777-8012 or HLA1@me.comRay Belding: 860-482-4046 or hoatzin1@optonline.com

All the five officers and the three new directors (replacing those whose terms expire in 2017) will be elected at the June Annual Meeting. The slate will be announced at the May General Meeting.

If you would like to volunteer for one of these positions, or you would like to suggest someone for one or more of them, please contact one of the Nominating Committee members. Thank you for your help, and please don’t be shy!

Training for Student Environmental Leaders

Know a student who will enter any high school grade in fall 2017? You can nominate him or her to attend the Green Schools Alliance’s 2017 Student Conservation Corps & Congress. This weeklong program, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia, imparts environmental leadership skills, providing students with the knowledge and tools necessary to address conservation challenges. The application deadline is May 15. Training takes place June 25–July 1, 2017. Financial aid to defray the cost is available, depending on need. Visit www.green-schoolsalliance.org/sc3 to learn more.

Chickadee Chatter10 May/June 2017

‘Frostbiter’ Trip Report: February 24-26

Tripp’s Tropical Treat — The Freeze that Wasn’t

By Russ Naylor

Oh, ye who deny a warming climate: read this and melt! Ten LHAS Auduboners followed intrepid director Dave Tripp into the far reaches of northeastern Massachusetts — Gloucester, Plum Island, and other birdy bivouacs — to tally at least 75 species of birds, plus a few mammals, in a late-winter heat and migratory wave heralding spring. Tem-peratures on Friday and Saturday (February 24 and 25) rose to nearly 70° F before Sunday’s blustery March-like winds. Various geese, ducks, kettles of Turkey Vultures, the season’s first Killdeer, a wave of woodcocks, and scattered bands of robins and blackbirds were on the wing northward as the last snow and ice melted away before our eyes.

The Tripp trip started out from our rendezvous point at the Bird Watcher’s Supply and Gift in Newburyport. The marshes of Plum Island produced spring-paired pintails, Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles, a Peregrine Falcon on patrol, roving ravens, early Killdeer, and a Northern Shrike on the hunt for

the season’s first paper-wasp queens emerging from winter dormancy. A side trip to Appleton Farms turned up roaming robins, bluebirds tuning up their spring repertoires, and an accommodating young Red-headed Woodpecker in nearly full adult plumage. A switch over to the fields of Ipswich revealed bands of blackbirds, Horned Larks, and Canada Geese, plus a Pink-footed Goose on visit from Arctic shores. Our day was

done after a visit to a marshy site hosting a mad spring fling by at least a dozen titillated “timberdoodles" — woodcocks

aflame with spring fever.

The next morning we listened through the fog of Gloucester Harbor for eiders, Brant, Razorbills, a Thick-billed Murre, an Iceland Gull, and even a Gray Seal dining on fresh fish. Other coastal birds we encountered between

Gloucester and Rockport included Horned and Red-necked Grebes. Standouts of that day were the dozens of Harlequin Ducks courting and cavorting in the surf off rocky shores — a delight to the eye! Back at Plum Island at dusk, a silhouetted Northern Shrike and a photogenic Barred Owl posed for the cameras’ lenses — “Whooo you lookin’ at, me?”

In between sessions of birding, our crew wined and dined to our hearts’ con-tent. Our discus-sions wandered widely — from chapter business to the sublime, and at times, to the sublimely “consternacious.” In what other group might you go from the in-tricate mysteries of woodcocking

Left to right: Marie Kennedy, Ed Goodhouse, Carol Per-rault, John Baker, Donna Rose Smith, Janet Baker, Dave Tripp, Jay Coles, Russ Naylor, and Fran Zygmont.

A side trip to Appleton Farms turned up roaming robins, blue-birds tuning up their spring repertoires, and an accommodating young Red-headed Woodpecker in nearly full adult plumage.

Peering through the fogPhoto: Marie Kennedy

Common EiderPhoto: Marie Kennedy

Chickadee Chatter 11May/June 2017

to comparing various ren-ditions of Loudon Wain-wright III’s famous ditty about a “dead skunk in the middle of the road,” or the perplexing mystery of the missing doggy deposit pur-loined by a pair of shoes (for an explanation of that one, just ask our Tripp leader or his zany Zyg-mont sidekick!). Perhaps we should have called in Inspector Sherlock Bones to sniff out the riddle! It seems that long hours in the sun and a touch of spring fever can bring out the waggery in anyone.

Sunday’s sortie took us along the lower reaches of the Merrimack River. On the way out, we saw that morning’s “road pizza” special topping: a fresh serving of flattened fisher that would bring peace of mind to many a porcupine! The river itself served up Common Mergansers, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks, several Harbor Seals (all on fish patrol), plus a Peregrine taking in the warmth of the morning sun. At Salisbury Beach, we were greeted by a hospitality committee of Red-breasted Nuthatches. A visit to the well-run nature center at Joppa Flats brought us Tree Sparrows up close, Mute Swans afar, and ample opportunity to stock up on the latest bird guides, t-shirts, and avian memorabilia. Our visit to Newburyport’s Cushing Park for a famed Screech Owl found nobody home — this owl was off shopping in Salis-bury for a special on House Mice, then off to the chapel to pray for Church Mice. But a hot tip from a local birder led us to Plum Island for sublime views of a fat and happy Snowy Owl — a cool way to finish off a warm and wonderful trip.

Hats off to Dave and company for a great time. We hear rumors he is plotting an April adventure to South Florida — stay tuned, folks!

Wintry Walk at Sessions Woods

Despite a single-digit wind chill, six of us (including the photographer, Gus Molitano) showed up for a brisk walk at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington on Saturday, March 4.

Where to Find Our Complete XMAS Bird Census Results

An article in the March/April issue of Chickadee Chatter gave the highlights of our 2016 Christmas Bird Census results. If you would like to see the complete results, here’s what to do:

• Go to www.audubon.org/conservation/science/ christmas-bird-count.

• Scroll down and click on CBC results. • Hover your mouse over the Current Year heading (near

the top) and click on Results by Count. • On the resulting page, select U.S. and CT from the Coun-

try and State drop-down menus.• A list of all CT counts will come up. Click on Litchfield

Hills and presto, all of our statistics will appear.

FYI: The Summer Bird Count is June 10 and 11. If you would like to participate, contact Dave Tripp at dtrippjr@comcast.net or 860-693-6524.

Top: Red-headed Wood-pecker

Above: Fran Zygmont seek-ing a Snowy Owl

Photos: Marie Kennedy

Chickadee Chatter12

CONSERVATION

RESEARCH

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Torrington, CT 06790

Litchfield Hills Audubon Society, Inc.P.O. Box 861Litchfield, CT 06759-0861

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Singin’ in the Rain

By Russ Naylor

A team of LHAS and Western CT Bird Club members experienced a bout of March Migration Madness. The spring-hungry team went forth on March 27 into mist and rain to tally 62 species, to the tune of singing robins, sparrows, blackbirds, and cardinals, to the beat of various woodpeckers on percussion. We sam-pled local Important Bird Areas and other known hotspots to take the pulse of current migration.

Everywhere we went, flocks of robins, sparrows, and blackbirds were on the move, singing as they foraged, while decent flights of geese and ducks forged inland. Hesseky Meadow Pond and environs turned up a rainbow of Wood Ducks, Ring-necked Ducks, American Wigeon, and others, while newly arrived Great Blue Herons strutted and preened and spring-cleaned their nest sites.

The sparrows at the Southbury Training School Farm added streaks of color to a drab day — Song, Swamp, American

Tree, and White-crowned Sparrows in mixed flocks. Lake Zoar turned up a steady flow of migrating Common Mer-gansers, five pairs of Gadwall in full spring regalia, a few bouncing Buffleheads, a raven checking out nest sites, and a hen kestrel a-hunting her lunch (House Sparrow “special”). Bald Eagles did not show, but we were consoled by a drake Red-breasted Merganser in formal nuptial colors — a sar-torially splendid suitor for some lucky lady love! (Jolly good job finding that gem, Angela!)

Next, Bent of the River Audubon Center turned up a few nice treats — Purple Finch, Gold-en-crowned Kinglet, and the first Field Sparrow

of the season — all to the tune of background choristers in concert all around: juncos, goldfinches, and a veritable glee club of Fox Sparrows in full voice.

We wrapped up our vernal venture with flocks of north-bound Turkey Vultures socked in by rain and escorted by an honor guard of local Black Vultures — soberly clad sojourn-ers on a somber day.

Let’s hope for sunnier times to come as we witness spring stealing in on silent little cat feet!

Bald Eagles did not show, but we were consoled by a drake Red-breasted Merganser in full formal nuptial colors — a

sartortially splendid suitor for some lucky lady love!

Litchfield Hills Audubon Society’s

62nd Annual Meeting & DinnerMonday, June 5, 2017

At the Torrington Elks Lodge #37270 Litchfield Street, Torrington, CT

(For directions, visit www.torringtonelks.com.)

6 p.m. Social • 6:30 Buffet Dinner • 7:15 Annual Meeting • 7:45 Program

PROGRAM“Marshes: The Disappearing Edens”

Presenter: William Burt

William Burt is a naturalist, writer, and photographer with a passion for wild places and elusive birds — especially marshes and the shy birds within. Based on his book (Yale University Press, 2007), this presen-tation explores some of the best and least known North American marshlands, with an eye to their lyric beauty and their lurking birds. Mr. Burt’s feature stories have appeared in Smithsonian, Audubon, Na-tional Wildlife, and other magazines, and he has authored three other books. His photos have been exhibited at museums across the U.S. and Canada. He lives in Old Lyme, Connecticut.

Make your reservations now! The deadline is May 31.

Please clip the form below and mail it with your check to LHAS – AGM, P.O. Box 861, Litchfield, CT 06759-0861.

LHAS June 5, 2017, Annual Meeting & Dinner Registration

Total Number of Reservations ___ @ $25 per person = Total enclosed: $________

Your name: ______________________________ Phone Number: _________________________

Address: ________________________________ Email Address: ________________________

For name tags, please list each attendee’s name:

ChicChat-May/June2017AnnualMeetingFlyer2017