Dedicated Granby Land Trust board member John Weeks and his wife, Christine Chinni, led the GLT’s annual bird walks on the Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve on Mother’s Day Weekend, introducing sold out crowds to the wonders of the spring bird migration on this spectacular property. The groups saw an amazing 63 species of birds on the Saturday walk, and 48 species on the Sunday walk.
Weeks has been running these annual bird walks for the Land Trust since 2005. We so appreciate all the time he and Chinni dedicate to the Land Trust, sharing their extensive birding expertise with the membership.
Every year, migratory birds travel up and down the East Coast—along the so-called Atlantic Flyway—to follow food sources, head to breeding grounds, or travel to overwintering sites. Migration is a period of great vulnerability for these birds, and finding a suitable habitat along the way is paramount to survival. Wetlands, which are the world’s most threatened ecosystem, are ideal stopover sites for migrants, providing appropriate cover in which they can rest and refuel. Thanks to the generosity of longtime GLT member Jamie Gamble, who donated the 210-acre Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve, the Granby Land Trust is able to provide tired birds with an excellent rest stop.
To date, Weeks and Chinni have identified 145 bird species at Dismal Brook. To see a list, visit granbylandtrust.org and go to the Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve page. Copies are available in the property’s trailhead kiosk as well. To see photos of some of these amazing birds, follow the Granby Land Trust on Facebook or Instagram.
