Bent-of-the-River: Southbury, CT (7/1)

On Saturday I got up early to visit Bent-of-the-River, a National Audubon Society property in Southbury, CT. I had never been there before but I had heard great things about the property from the Connecticut Butterfly Association so I decided to give it a try.

I got there pretty early, around 7:15. The parking lot is surrounded by a large field but I decided to bypass it knowing that I could return later when it was warmer. I did find one butterfly clinging to a leaf. I couldn't decide what it was. I thought that it might be a species I had never seen before. I took some pictures and then left it. It was only later when I saw dozens of his kin that I realized that it was just a Common Wood Nymph.

I hiked the trail along the river for a short distance before getting to the barn. The structure houses the visitor's center, offices, restrooms, and also has a balcony for birdwatching. I climbed to the top of the stairs and spooked a Ruby-throated Hummingbird that had been sipping sugar water from one of the feeders. The feeders below me were also bustling with activity. I spotted American Goldfinches, Black-capped Chickadees, and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (male and female) eating their fill. In the distance I could hear a Black-billed Cukoo.

After a few minutes enjoying the view, I headed back down and started to explore around the barn. In the woodpile beside the building I found three Garter Snakes sunning themselves. Two of them melded back into the pile when I approached but the last stayed stone still (he was still there when I returned later in the day).

I decided to start my hike in the meadow which bordered the river. The field was just starting to wake up and some of the butterflies were flittering about. In the grasses I found a rather large Nursery Web Spider crawling over its web. After taking some photos, I continued down the trail and as I rounded the corner I spooked a raptor which had been sitting on the ground. It quickly flew into the trees near the river. I didn't get a good look at the bird except to see that it was rather large and had a striped tail. I think that it was probably an immature Red-tailed Hawk. Anyhow, I thought that he had been on a fresh kill, but I couldn't find anything when I searched the site. A few seconds later I heard a big crash that sounded like a tree limb breaking. Could it have been the raptor falling from its new perch? I never found it again to solve the mystery.

After all that excitement, I continued with my hike. The property has several trails and I picked a new direction at each intersection. I had missed the trail maps at the information kyosk so I was limited on how much I could explore. But I did manage to find my way to the Overlook Trail which provided a nice view of the valley. At the overlook, I decided to explore the rock outcrop hoping to find a Hognose Snake (which are said to be residents of the property). Instead I found another Garter Snake. This one wasn't ask calm as his brothers back at the wood pile. When he saw me, he shot off the rocks and launched himself off the ledge. Luckily he landed softly in the leaf litter.

After enjoying the view, I decided to head back. I made it back to the main road and planned to follow it back to the barn. A few yards down the road I heard a bird calling from the trees to my right. It only took me a few minutes to find it since it called incessently. To my surprise, I identified it as a Worm Eating Warbler. This was a life-bird for me but apparently they are nesting species at the Bent. This individual was particularly cooperative. It stayed on the same perch for several minutes. I even thought that I might be able to get a picture but it flew when I got too close.

Energized by my find, I continued my trip. After a while I passed through the wooded area and into more fields. I was astonished to find that they were filled with Indigo Buntings. I saw several birds, both male and female, as I walked. This was a real treat since this is a bird that I typically only see one or two of. But they were everywhere at the Bent.

As it got closer to mid day, the temperature rose and the butterflies started to come out. As I walked though the meadows I spotted several dozen large Frittilaries, most likely all Great Spangled. On my way to the barn I also spotted a Spicebush Swallowtail, a pair of American Coppers, an Eastern Comma, and a Compton's Tortoiseshell. The Compton's seemed to taunt me by landing at my feet for only 10 seconds or so before taking off again. It flew into the meadow never to be seen again.

It was getting late and, even though I didn't want to, I had to leave. But before leaving, I had to explore the meadow that I had skipped in the morning. I'm glad that I did. There weren't too many butterflies but I did find some great birds. A pair of Orchard Orioles scolded me from a tree and an Eastern Bluebird perched on the sanctuary sign. It was a nice end to a great day.

I had a fantastic time at Bent-of-the-River and look forward to going back there soon.

Birds - Barn Swallow, American Crow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Mockingbird, American Goldfinch, Chipping Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Blue Jay, Black-billed Cuckoo, Red Wing Blackbird, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Tufted Titmouse, Downy Woodpecker, Indigo Bunting, Ovenbird, Black-throated Green Warbler, Wood Thrush, Prairie Warbler, Winter Wren, Red-tailed Hawk (imm)?, White-breasted Nuthatch, Wood Peewee, American Robin, Brown-headed Cowbird, Worm-eating Warbler, Tree Swallow, Turkey Vulture, Eastern Phoebe, Common Yellowthroat, Orchard Oriole, Eastern Bluebird

Herps - Garter Snake, Bullfrog

Butterflies - European Skipper, Cabbage White, Compton's Tortoiseshell, Spicebush Swallowtail, Eastern Comma, Tiger Swallowtail, Wood Nymph, Great Spangled Frittilary, Estern Tailed-blue, Silver Spotted Skipper, Clouded Sulphur, American Copper