Fall breaks and back to birding

New England and its varying types of habitats offer unique and expansive refuge for many species of seasonal travelers. Birds especially, pass through on their journey southward and impress birders with their diversity and numbers.

Hannah Coon, a conservation intern at the Sharon Audubon Center, explained that Connecticut is part of the Atlantic Flyway, a bird migration route which spans from Eastern Canada to Florida. “Each fall, this pathway becomes a superhighway for millions of birds traveling to overwinter in the southern U.S., Central America and South America,” Coon said.

The Sharon Audubon Center, as part of the National Audubon Society, aims to protect birds and their habitats through educating and inspiring communities to “appreciate, understand and protect the natural world.” With expansive hiking trails, pollinator gardens, and more than 1,100 acres of forest, meadows, and wetlands, the Sharon Audubon Center is a great spot for birders who seek to identify a wide variety of species.

In the upcoming peak of migration season, Coon explained that the mix of nearby habitats serve as important places of rest and rejuvenation for many different bird species. “This means visitors can witness an impressive diversity of species in a short time this fall, from warblers and thrushes, to raptors and waterfowl, and perhaps even the occasional shorebird.”

In June, the Sharon Audubon Center’s Conservation Intern Denali Krampe recorded 72 bird species at the Center, and 82 species at the Miles Wildlife Sanctuary. “Among the most exciting species seen this summer are the Common Nighthawk, American Bittern, Indigo Bunting, Spotted Sandpipers, Canada Warbler, Winter Wren, American Woodcocks and, of course, the resident Purple Martins at the colonies located at Miles Wildlife Sanctuary.”

“But don’t overlook the common species; paying attention to the behaviors and whereabouts of birds we see every day might prove more rewarding than you’d expect,” Coon implored. The Center is also home to many local birds such as the Wood Duck, Red-shouldered Hawk, Chimney Swift, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Wood Thrush, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Great Blue Heron, Common Raven, Brown Creeper and the Barred Owl.

Birding is all about knowing what to keep an eye out for, Coon explained. She also noted that bird migration happens in waves and in time with weather patterns. Cold fronts and north winds push more birds southbound, and nights with favorable winds may also bring a new group of birds, making for a great morning of birding.

The best and most diverse results will be found by traveling through several different types of habitats, especially during the early morning, Coon suggested.

The Sharon Audubon Center is not the only place to see diverse birds in flight. “Everywhere is a place to bird, if you know how to look,” said Coon, adding that a colleague advocates for parking lots as some of the best birding locations.

For other locations, Coon notes that “popular birding spots around the area include stretches of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail over the border in New York. Additionally, in Litchfield, there is Macedonia Forest and the White Memorial Conservation Area.” Bartholomew’s Cobble in nearby Massachusetts has also reported 226 species in a single year.

“Because migrants are often feeding and resting, patience pays off more so than in summer. Pause often, scan slowly, and listen for unfamiliar call notes,” Coon advised.

New birders should not be discouraged by limited vision due to the dense foliage of summer. Coon noted other subtle signs to look out for, such as the sounds of fluttering leaves or birdsong, sudden movement, or flashes of color. Autumn, according to Coon, differs from the summer in a few ways. “Fall birding has its own rhythm. The leaves are starting to thin, making it easier to spot birds visually, but many migrants are quieter than they were in the spring,” she said. During this time, birders should also look out for shorter calls, rather than the distinctive full songs.

There are many tools to aid curious birders as they set out this migration season. “Binoculars are essential for making out details from far away, such as beak shape, plumage color, and behaviors that can help identify a species,” Coon suggested. An app by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, called Merlin, is also a helpful tool to identify birds by their calls and other identifying features. The Audubon also has their own free Bird Guide App.

So, when setting out on birding expeditions this migration season, keep an eye out for optimal weather conditions and patterns, slow down, and look up. “If you don’t know where to go, start in your backyard or nearest green space. Birds will be there and everywhere,” Coon said.