At the GLT’s annual Mother’s Day Bird Walks, participants identified —either by sight or sound — nearly 60 species of birds, including a Virginia rail, a pair of scarlet tanagers, and, for the first time ever at Dismal Brook, a loon!
The presence of many of these birds, including the loon, reminds us of the importance of having “waystations” for these birds, where they can rest and refuel along their migratory journey. 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.
Enter the Granby Land Trust’s Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve in North Granby. Thanks to the generosity of longtime GLT Member Jamie Gamble, who donated the 210-acre Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve to the Granby Land Trust for its permanent preservation, we are able to provide tired birds with an excellent rest stop.
The GLT Bird Walks at Dismal Brook have become a Mother’s Day weekend tradition. Led by GLT board member John Weeks and his wife, Christine Chinni, the walks fill up every year, and in recent years, John and Christine have generously offered additional walks to accommodate all who wish to participate. “We are so grateful to John and Christine for leading these walks,” says GLT President Rick Orluk. “John has been running these annual bird walks for the Granby Land Trust since 2005! We so appreciate all the time he and Christine dedicate to the Land Trust, sharing their extensive birding expertise with the rest of us. We cannot thank them enough.”
Photos by Linda Carissimi
On Saturday, the group identified 57 species. “The Virginia rail gave another star turn,” says John, “and we had excellent looks at Baltimore oriole, rose-breasted grosbeak, a pair of scarlet tanagers, black-throated blue warbler, yellow-throated vireo, and a pair of great crested flycatchers. Finally, we heard a loon calling in the south marsh, a first for Dismal Brook!”
The group identified 54 species on the Sunday walk, “including,” says John, “looks at rose-breasted grosbeak, Baltimore oriole, scarlet tanager, yellow-throated vireo, black-throated blue warbler, two male wood ducks, chestnut-sided warbler and an adorable winter wren that piped up just before we got back to the parking lot.”
To date, John and Christine have identified almost 150 bird species at Dismal Brook. To see a list, go to granbylandtrust.org and click on the Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve page. Copies are available in the property’s trailhead kiosk as well. To see photos and videos of some of these amazing birds, follow the Granby Land Trust on Facebook, Instagram or its YouTube page (videos).