Birding Hammonassett and around

Around nine this morning, with bikes, helmets, birding and photography gear, we headed south to the coast for a day of birding. Hammonasset Beach State Park was our destination - where Sebastian, Max and I divided our time between biking, birding and beach-walking, and Jorge concentrated on photographing birds.


Mute Swans, Cygnus olor, at Rocky Neck State Park, photo by Sebastian.

When a noisy group from a Springfield Mass birding club came on the scene at Meigs Point, we headed in the opposite direction, enjoying some quiet at the west end of the park.


Van-load of bikes and gear at Four-mile River, Old Lyme.

Leaving Hammonasset with a tally of 32 birds, we tried to find Hatchett Point in Old Lyme, where a Glossy Ibis had been reported recently. Unfortunately we were unable to find a place to park and found no coast access for non-residents. We gave up and continued east, discovering a public boat-launch area on Four-mile River.


Marsh grasses, Spartina patens, at Four-mile River, Old Lyme.

The tide was dropping, leaving hardly any water behind, hence few birds. So now with 36 species, we opted for a quick tour through Rocky Neck State Park - added two new birds and continued east, into Niantic.


Beautiful clouds, sky and budding trees, Rocky Neck State Park.

After picking up some hot pizza (by now it's 4pm) we found ourselves in front of Niantic's famous Book Barn! Forget the birds - here's a huge used book shop. There's a main house with three levels of books, all connected by little doorways and stairways, then there are six or eight out-buildings and sheds with more books.


Max perusing the section on Ancient Egypt and Classical Greece at the Book Barn in Niantic.

We all agreed that we could spend an entire day here, browsing the books, playing with the cats, playing chess, wandering and exploring. Our haul amounted to four books on birds and birding, three Redwall books (Brian Jacques) and a book on Greek and Roman history.


Jorge and Sebastian discuss a game-winning strategy at the Book Barn, Niantic.

Another fun outing, with a little something for everyone.

Today's birders: Max, Sebastian, Jorge and Sue
Today's birds:

1. Double-crested Cormorant - Hammonasset State Park
2. Mute Swan - Hammonasset and Rocky Neck State Park
3. Canada Goose
4. Mallard - Hammonasset
5. Black Duck - Hammonasset, Black Hall River in Old Lyme and Rocky Neck
6. Green-winged Teal - Black Hall River
7. Ring-necked Duck - Norwich, on the drive home
8. Greater Scaup - Hammonasset
9. Surf Scoter - Hammonasset
10. Red-breasted Merganser - Hammo and Black Hall River
11. Great Egret - Hammo and Black Hall River
12. Ring-billed Gull
13. Herring Gull - coast
14. Great Black-backed Gull - coast
15. Killdeer - Hammo
16. Black-bellied Plover - Meig's Point at Hammonasset
17. Dunlin - Meig's Point at Hammonasset
18. Sanderling - Meig's Point at Hammonasset
19. Woodcock - in Mansfield at dusk, on the way home
20. Turkey Vulture
21. Red-tailed Hawk
22. Osprey - Rocky Neck State Park
23. Mourning Dove
24. Rock Pigeon
25. Downy Woodpecker - at home in Willington, morning
26. Red-bellied Woodpecker - Rocky Neck
27. American Crow
28. Blue Jay
29. Tree Swallow - Hammonasset
30. American Robin
31. European Starling
32. Carolina Wren - Niantic
33. Black-capped Chickadee
34. Tufted Titmouse - Old Lyme
35. House Finch
36. Song Sparrow
37. White-throated Sparrow
38. Northern Cardinal
39. Brown-headed Cowbird
40. Common Grackle
41. Red-winged Blackbird
42. House Sparrow

So, the winner for today's species estimate?? You know, we always do this...
Maxed guessed 33
Sue guessed 37
Sebastian guessed 41
Jorge guessed 45

And the winner is... Sebastian.