The Granby Land Trust’s (GLT) annual spring migration bird walks at the Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve delivered exciting sightings again this Mother’s Day weekend. Despite the somewhat windy conditions, participants identified 50 bird species on Sunday and 48 species on Monday.
A highlight on both days was the appearance of the Virginia rail, one of which gave observers an excellent view, even stalking back and forth repeatedly so that everyone got good looks at this elusive “marsh chicken.”
A scarlet tanager and a Baltimore oriole flaunted their gorgeous attire for all to see, as did three male wood ducks in the company of a demure, but still lovely, female. Two hooded merganser ducklings paddled out in the middle of the South Marsh, and an adult female hoodie swam in Creamer Pond.
A handsome broad-winged hawk (one of three hawks in the genus Buteo, along with red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks) appeared over Stevenson Field just as the group was walking back to the parking lot on Monday morning. Other vibrant spring migrants including rose-breasted grosbeak, ovenbird, black-and-white warbler, and black-throated blue warbler all made appearances, as well.
The 210-acre Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve, a gift from longtime GLT member Jamie Gamble, offers a rich blend of wetlands, forest and field, and provides food and shelter for both nesting species and migratory birds traveling the Atlantic Flyway (a major bird migration route in North America that follows the Atlantic coast from Greenland to South America and the Caribbean).
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. Migration is a period of great vulnerability for these birds, and finding a suitable habitat along the way is paramount to survival.
The spring migration bird walks, led by John Weeks and Christine Chinni, have become a cherished Mother’s Day weekend tradition. Since 2005, the couple has shared their passion and expertise with the community, identifying nearly 150 species at Dismal Brook.
For the full species list or to explore more about Dismal Brook, visit granbylandtrust.org For bird photos and videos, follow GLT on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.