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Birds Seen in Ridgefield Open Spaces in 2020

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Birds Seen in Ridgefield Open Spaces in 2020 Birds of Ridgefield Seen in 2020 in open spaces around town. BELTED KINGFISHER Seen in October 2020 at Mar-Joy Pond. The Belted Kingfisher has a wild rattling call. It may be seen perched on a high branch, or hovering over the water, wings beating rapidly, then plunging headfirst into the water to grab a fish. Photo: Matt Sharp. Seen in November 2020 at Bennets Pond Pond. Photo: Matt Sharp. WOOD DUCK Seen at Mar-Joy Pond in October 2020 The wood duck is found in woodland ponds and river swamps, where they nest in holes in trees or in nest boxes put up around lake margins. In the late 19th century it's numbers were declining. Its recovery to healthy numbers was an early triumph of wildlife management. They are one of the few duck species equipped with strong claws that can grip bark and perch on branches. Photo: Matt Sharp YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER Seen at McKeon farm in November 2020. The yellow rumped warbler is the best known warbler found all over North America. Most warblers migrate to the tropics in fall, but the Yellow-rump remains as far north as New England and Seattle; it is the main winter warbler in North America eating berries. It is the only warbler able to digest the waxes found in bayberries and wax myrtles. As it flies away you catch a glimpse of its trademark yellow rump patch. Photo: Matt Sharp PALM WARBLER Seen at McKeon farm in October 2020. This is a song bird often seen low to the ground feeding on insects and small berries. Easily recognized by its constantly bobbing tail. Warblers migrate south for the winter. Photo: Matt Sharp AMERICAN KESTREL Seen at McKeon Farm in October 2020 It is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. Also called a sparrow hawk, "grasshopper hawk," for one of its favorite prey, and "killy hawk," due to its shrill call. The American kestrel is usually found in close proximity to open fields, either perched on a high branch or telephone wire or hovering in search of prey. Photos: Top: Matt Sharp Bottom: Audubon.org "grasshopper hawk," for one of its favorite prey items, and "killy hawk," due to its shrill call. AMERICAN KESTREL RED BREASTED Seen at McKeon Farm in October NUTHATCH 2020 Seen on the new Goodwill It is the smallest and most common Trail in the fall of 2020. falcon in North America. Also called These are birds of coniferous a sparrow hawk, "grasshopper woods and mountains. In hawk," for one of its favorite prey, northeastern North America and "killy hawk," due to its shrill call. you can find them in forests of oak, hickory, maple and The American kestrel is usually birch. found in close proximity to open fields, either perched on a high branch or telephone wire or Photo: Matt Sharp hovering in search of prey. Photos: Top: Matt Sharp Bottom: Audubon.org EASTERN PHOEBE The Eastern phoebe is a small perching songbird native to North America. It breeds in wooded areas (particularly near water sources) around buildings and bridges where it is easily observed. Like most small flycatchers, they have short, thin bills used for catching insects. Their plumage is dull with no distinctive markings or color. Photo: Matt Sharp CEDAR WAXWING Seen at McKeon Farm in November 2020 The cedar waxwing is a medium-sized, mostly brown, gray, and yellow bird named for its wax-like wing tips. It is a native of North and Central America, breeding in open wooded areas in southern Canada and wintering in the southern half of the United States, Central America, and the far northwest of South America. This is one of the few North American birds that specializes in eating fruit. Often seen perching in flocks on hedges and trees, seeing a single waxwing is rare. Photo: Matt Sharp WHITE THROATED SPARROW Seen at McKeon Farm in November 2020 A common winter songbird of eastern wooded areas; they can be seen on the ground in loose flocks. White throated sparrows are brown above and gray below with a striking black-and-white- striped head, a bright white throat. They breed mostly across Canada, but it is a familiar winter bird across most of eastern and southern North America. Photo: Matt Sharp BROWN CREEPER Seen at Bennets Pond in November 2020 The Brown Creeper looks like a piece of bark crawling in a spiral pattern up trunks of trees, ferreting out insect eggs and other morsels missed by more active birds. It is easily overlooked until its thin, reedy call gives it away. Reaching the top of one tree, it flutters down to the base of another to begin spiraling up again. Photo: Matt Sharp EASTERN BLUE BIRD Seen at McKeon Farm in November 2020 Western Bluebirds are found in open woodland, both coniferous and deciduous. They also live in backyards, and farmland, from sea level far up into the mountains. These birds are highly social, and usually feed in flocks during the non-breeding season. They hunt for terrestrial insects by dropping to the ground from a low perch. Western Bluebirds also frequently feed on berries in trees. Western Bluebirds rely on trees both for nesting cavities and hunting perches, and also perch on fences and utility lines Photo: Matt Sharp .
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