Housatonic River Rd - Pine Grosbeaks
1/31 - After joining the many happy photographers on Shephard Road in Norfolk, where a flock of 25-30 Pine Grosbeaks delighted all in the crabapple trees, I continued on Route 44 and came back south on Housatonic River Road to Falls Village, hoping for Waxwings. Not a one did I find, but saw (and heard) a small, squeaky flock of PINE GROSBEAKS fly cross the road from west to east in the direction of some orchards. Continuing south on 126 I found a huge flock of AMERICAN ROBINS just north of Goshen.
Dana Campbell
Missioner, The Greater Hartford Regional Ministry
mother-dana@juno.com (860) 568-5670
"For God does not look down on anything that is made."
-- Julian of Norwich
Click for information on obtaining a VA loan.
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3m3mWtUIzeF2hRKSWQzG9ODmXAJjn1mK2yMuOt9K4niQDBN9/
At Shippan Point in Stamford this morning, we watched a Great
Black-backed Gull attacking a male Red-breasted Merganser. It was a
little too far to see clearly, but at various times it looked as though
the gull was holding by a wing, a leg, and possibly its neck. The
merganser was struggling, flailing its wings and legs. After about
fifteen minutes, the merganser ceased its struggle as the gull turned
the merganser belly up.
Also, saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Cummings Beach Park in Stamford
this morning.
Joan and Richard Becker
Richard L. Becker
Fairfield County, Connecticut
www.songstar.org rlbecker@songstar.org
Really? I didn't know the Great Black-Backed Gull would prey on ducks. I
just learned something new!
Thanks,
Pam
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard L. Becker" rlbecker@SongStar.org
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 1:51 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted Merganser
Confrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
At Shippan Point in Stamford this morning, we watched a Great
Black-backed Gull attacking a male Red-breasted Merganser. It was a
little too far to see clearly, but at various times it looked as though
the gull was holding by a wing, a leg, and possibly its neck. The
merganser was struggling, flailing its wings and legs. After about
fifteen minutes, the merganser ceased its struggle as the gull turned
the merganser belly up.
Also, saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Cummings Beach Park in Stamford
this morning.
Joan and Richard Becker
Richard L. Becker
Fairfield County, Connecticut
www.songstar.org rlbecker@songstar.org
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
The greater black backs are deadly with the little eider ducklings in Maine.
It's a horrible sight to see the little greenish puffballs plucked out from
under the watchful eyes of the mothers and aunties...
Kathy Van Der Aue, Southport, CT
kvda@optonline.net
----- Original Message -----
From: p.s.holden@comcast.net
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 4:45 PM
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted
MerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Really? I didn't know the Great Black-Backed Gull would prey on ducks. I
just learned something new!
Thanks,
Pam
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard L. Becker" rlbecker@SongStar.org
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 1:51 PM
Subject: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted Merganser
Confrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
At Shippan Point in Stamford this morning, we watched a Great
Black-backed Gull attacking a male Red-breasted Merganser. It was a
little too far to see clearly, but at various times it looked as though
the gull was holding by a wing, a leg, and possibly its neck. The
merganser was struggling, flailing its wings and legs. After about
fifteen minutes, the merganser ceased its struggle as the gull turned
the merganser belly up.
Also, saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Cummings Beach Park in Stamford
this morning.
Joan and Richard Becker
Richard L. Becker
Fairfield County, Connecticut
www.songstar.org rlbecker@songstar.org
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
Kathy,
Those were "little greenish puffballs" are easy for a Greater
Black-backed Gull to swallow. The merganser we saw was a full-grown
adult.
Richard/CT
On Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:42:08 -0500, Kathy Van Der Aue wrote:
:The greater black backs are deadly with the little eider ducklings in
Maine.
:It's a horrible sight to see the little greenish puffballs plucked out
from
:under the watchful eyes of the mothers and aunties...
:
:Kathy Van Der Aue, Southport, CT
:kvda@optonline.net
:----- Original Message -----
:From: p.s.holden@comcast.net
:To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
:Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 4:45 PM
:Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted
:MerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
:
:
:> Really? I didn't know the Great Black-Backed Gull would prey on
ducks. I
:> just learned something new!
:>
:> Thanks,
:> Pam
:>
:>
:> ----- Original Message -----
:> From: "Richard L. Becker" rlbecker@SongStar.org
:> To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
:> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 1:51 PM
:> Subject: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted Merganser
:> Confrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
:>
:>
:>> At Shippan Point in Stamford this morning, we watched a Great
:>> Black-backed Gull attacking a male Red-breasted Merganser. It was a
:>> little too far to see clearly, but at various times it looked as
though
:>> the gull was holding by a wing, a leg, and possibly its neck. The
:>> merganser was struggling, flailing its wings and legs. After about
:>> fifteen minutes, the merganser ceased its struggle as the gull
turned
:>> the merganser belly up.
:>>
:>> Also, saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Cummings Beach Park in
Stamford
:>> this morning.
:>>
:>> Joan and Richard Becker
:>>
:>> Richard L. Becker
:>> Fairfield County, Connecticut
:>> www.songstar.org rlbecker@songstar.org
:>>
:>>
:>>
:>> _______________________________________________
:>> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association
(COA)
:>> for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
:>> For subscription information visit
:>>
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
:>>
:>
:>
:> _______________________________________________
:> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association
(COA)
:> for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
:> For subscription information visit
:>
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
:
:
:_______________________________________________
:This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association
(COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
:For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
:
These messages about our feathered friends falling victim to birds of prey
(or vise versa after reading Steve's message about the owl) got me to
thinking about when I lived in East Windsor on the Connecticut River (about
4 years ago). I saw Bald Eagles all winter long and very often I'd see them
take a duck. It's quite unnerving to see, but I guess that's the way of the
natural world. There was one time it really hit me hard though. An eagle
had grabbed a merganser and it was still very much alive. While the eagle
flew up river with the merganser in its talons, all I could hear was that
merganser squawking constantly and the sound got softer and softer the
further away it got. That sound haunted me for a very long time.
Sarah's message about the Red-tailed Hawk taking a kestrel reminded me of a
spectacular sight I once had over in Wallingford. At the time I really
didn't know what kind of hawk it was, but it was small (maybe a Sharpie),
and it was trying to take a Starling. The Starling was putting up quite a
fight. After a couple minutes of this battle on the ground (my heart was
beating a mile a minute) a much larger hawk swooped down and went after the
smaller hawk. Another battle engaged, this time with the two hawks, the
starling got away, and after a bit, both hawks left. I sat there, quite
stunned, for quite a long time.
In my backyard now, there is a daily visit from a Sharp-shinned Hawk,
sometimes several times a day. He's an excellent hunter and makes at least
one kill a day. The other day I went out to fill my bird feeders (now I
call them 'traps') and just 10 feet away from me sat that Sharpie, on a
branch that was on the ground, cleaning up after his dinner. He turned,
looked right at me and went back to preening himself, really not caring
that I was there making quite a bit of noise. There have been other times,
where he's zipped by me like some kind of fighter jet pilot and startled me
to death. I'm wondering if they get accustomed to some people, like some of
our backyard birds do.
Why don't I ever have my camera when I need it?
Awesome stuff...
Pam
Colchester CT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard L. Becker" rlbecker@SongStar.org
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 12:12 PM
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull &
Red-breastedMerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Kathy,
Those were "little greenish puffballs" are easy for a Greater
Black-backed Gull to swallow. The merganser we saw was a full-grown
adult.
Richard/CT
On Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:42:08 -0500, Kathy Van Der Aue wrote:
:The greater black backs are deadly with the little eider ducklings in
Maine.
:It's a horrible sight to see the little greenish puffballs plucked out
from
:under the watchful eyes of the mothers and aunties...
:
:Kathy Van Der Aue, Southport, CT
:kvda@optonline.net
:----- Original Message -----
:From: p.s.holden@comcast.net
:To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
:Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 4:45 PM
:Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted
:MerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
:
:
:> Really? I didn't know the Great Black-Backed Gull would prey on
ducks. I
:> just learned something new!
:>
:> Thanks,
:> Pam
:>
:>
:> ----- Original Message -----
:> From: "Richard L. Becker" rlbecker@SongStar.org
:> To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
:> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 1:51 PM
:> Subject: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted Merganser
:> Confrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
:>
:>
:>> At Shippan Point in Stamford this morning, we watched a Great
:>> Black-backed Gull attacking a male Red-breasted Merganser. It was a
:>> little too far to see clearly, but at various times it looked as
though
:>> the gull was holding by a wing, a leg, and possibly its neck. The
:>> merganser was struggling, flailing its wings and legs. After about
:>> fifteen minutes, the merganser ceased its struggle as the gull
turned
:>> the merganser belly up.
Any chance the merganser in question was not fully healthy? It would be reasonable to expect that the bird was wounded and lost by a hunter. This would make the merganser more attractive as a target for the Gull. Just a thought as to why a Gull, even a Greater Black-backed, might attack an adult merganser.
Brian Hiller
Windham, CT> From: rlbecker@SongStar.org> To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 12:12:51 -0500> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted MerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker> > Kathy,> > Those were "little greenish puffballs" are easy for a Greater> Black-backed Gull to swallow. The merganser we saw was a full-grown> adult.> > Richard/CT> > On Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:42:08 -0500, Kathy Van Der Aue wrote:> > :The greater black backs are deadly with the little eider ducklings in> Maine. > :It's a horrible sight to see the little greenish puffballs plucked out> from > :under the watchful eyes of the mothers and aunties...> :> :Kathy Van Der Aue, Southport, CT> :kvda@optonline.net> :----- Original Message ----- > :From: p.s.holden@comcast.net> :To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> :Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 4:45 PM> :Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted > :MerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker> :> :> :> Really? I didn't know the Great Black-Backed Gull would prey on> ducks. I> :> just learned something new!> :>> :> Thanks,> :> Pam> :>> :>> :> ----- Original Message ----- > :> From: "Richard L. Becker" rlbecker@SongStar.org> :> To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> :> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 1:51 PM> :> Subject: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted Merganser> :> Confrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker> :>> :>> :>> At Shippan Point in Stamford this morning, we watched a Great> :>> Black-backed Gull attacking a male Red-breasted Merganser. It was a> :>> little too far to see clearly, but at various times it looked as> though> :>> the gull was holding by a wing, a leg, and possibly its neck. The> :>> merganser was struggling, flailing its wings and legs. After about> :>> fifteen minutes, the merganser ceased its struggle as the gull> turned> :>> the merganser belly up.> :>>> :>> Also, saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Cummings Beach Park in> Stamford> :>> this morning.> :>>> :>> Joan and Richard Becker> :>>> :>> Richard L. Becker> :>> Fairfield County, Connecticut> :>> www.songstar.org rlbecker@songstar.org> :>>> :>>> :>>> :>> _______________________________________________> :>> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association> (COA)> :>> for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.> :>> For subscription information visit> :>>> http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org> :>>> :>> :>> :> > :> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association> (COA) > :> for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.> :> For subscription information visit > :>> http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org> > :> :> :> :This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association> (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > :For subscription information visit> http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org> :> > > > _______________________________________________> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
i’m is proud to present Cause Effect, a series about real people making a difference.
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It is amazing but I guess the gull was hungry and the duck vulnerable for
some reason. Not pretty...
Kathy Van Der Aue, Southport, CT
kvda@optonline.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard L. Becker" rlbecker@SongStar.org
To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 12:12 PM
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull &
Red-breastedMerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Kathy,
Those were "little greenish puffballs" are easy for a Greater
Black-backed Gull to swallow. The merganser we saw was a full-grown
adult.
Richard/CT
On Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:42:08 -0500, Kathy Van Der Aue wrote:
:The greater black backs are deadly with the little eider ducklings in
Maine.
:It's a horrible sight to see the little greenish puffballs plucked out
from
:under the watchful eyes of the mothers and aunties...
:
:Kathy Van Der Aue, Southport, CT
:kvda@optonline.net
:----- Original Message -----
:From: p.s.holden@comcast.net
:To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
:Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 4:45 PM
:Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted
:MerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
:
:
:> Really? I didn't know the Great Black-Backed Gull would prey on
ducks. I
:> just learned something new!
:>
:> Thanks,
:> Pam
:>
:>
:> ----- Original Message -----
:> From: "Richard L. Becker" rlbecker@SongStar.org
:> To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
:> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 1:51 PM
:> Subject: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull & Red-breasted Merganser
:> Confrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
:>
:>
:>> At Shippan Point in Stamford this morning, we watched a Great
:>> Black-backed Gull attacking a male Red-breasted Merganser. It was a
:>> little too far to see clearly, but at various times it looked as
though
:>> the gull was holding by a wing, a leg, and possibly its neck. The
:>> merganser was struggling, flailing its wings and legs. After about
:>> fifteen minutes, the merganser ceased its struggle as the gull
turned
:>> the merganser belly up.
:>>
:>> Also, saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Cummings Beach Park in
Stamford
:>> this morning.
:>>
:>> Joan and Richard Becker
:>>
:>> Richard L. Becker
:>> Fairfield County, Connecticut
:>> www.songstar.org rlbecker@songstar.org
:>>
:>>
:>>
:>> _______________________________________________
:>> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association
(COA)
:>> for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
:>> For subscription information visit
:>>
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
:>>
:>
:>
:> _______________________________________________
:> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association
(COA)
:> for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
:> For subscription information visit
:>
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
:
:
:_______________________________________________
:This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association
(COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
:For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
:
This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org
Richard,
On two occasions in past winters in CT, I have
witnessed a GBBG attack, pound, kill, and eat a
perfectly healthy black duck. Both times its like
they just went on a rage, and beat up on an
unsuspecting nearby individual. Both times it was a
cold, icy winter, and along the shore.
Frank Mantlik
Stratford
--- "Richard L. Becker" rlbecker@SongStar.org wrote:
Kathy,
Those were "little greenish puffballs" are easy for
a Greater
Black-backed Gull to swallow. The merganser we saw
was a full-grown
adult.
Richard/CT
On Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:42:08 -0500, Kathy Van Der
Aue wrote:
:The greater black backs are deadly with the little
eider ducklings in
Maine.
:It's a horrible sight to see the little greenish
puffballs plucked out
from
:under the watchful eyes of the mothers and
aunties...
:
:Kathy Van Der Aue, Southport, CT
:kvda@optonline.net
:----- Original Message -----
:From: p.s.holden@comcast.net
:To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
:Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 4:45 PM
:Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull &
Red-breasted
:MerganserConfrontation - also Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker
:
:
:> Really? I didn't know the Great Black-Backed
Gull would prey on
ducks. I
:> just learned something new!
:>
:> Thanks,
:> Pam
:>
:>
:> ----- Original Message -----
:> From: "Richard L. Becker" rlbecker@SongStar.org
:> To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
:> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 1:51 PM
:> Subject: [CT Birds] Great Black-backed Gull &
Red-breasted Merganser
:> Confrontation - also Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
:>
:>
:>> At Shippan Point in Stamford this morning, we
watched a Great
:>> Black-backed Gull attacking a male Red-breasted
Merganser. It was a
:>> little too far to see clearly, but at various
times it looked as
though
:>> the gull was holding by a wing, a leg, and
possibly its neck. The
:>> merganser was struggling, flailing its wings and
legs. After about
:>> fifteen minutes, the merganser ceased its
struggle as the gull
turned
:>> the merganser belly up.
:>>
:>> Also, saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Cummings
Beach Park in
Stamford
:>> this morning.
:>>
:>> Joan and Richard Becker
:>>
:>> Richard L. Becker
:>> Fairfield County,
Connecticut
:>> www.songstar.org
rlbecker@songstar.org
:>>
:>>
:>>
:>> _______________________________________________
:>> This list is provided by the Connecticut
Ornithological Association
(COA)
:>> for the discussion of birds and birding in
Connecticut.
:>> For subscription information visit
:>>
:>>
:>
:>
:> _______________________________________________
:> This list is provided by the Connecticut
Ornithological Association
(COA)
:> for the discussion of birds and birding in
Connecticut.
:> For subscription information visit
:>
:
:
:_______________________________________________
:This list is provided by the Connecticut
Ornithological Association
(COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in
Connecticut.
:For subscription information visit
:
This list is provided by the Connecticut
Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion
of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit