‘Defective’ robins, a hungry owl, and prolific wrens

Written by Jack Sanders
Friday, 04 June 2010 09:50

Wendy Quaranta’s photo of a leucistic robin offers an opportunity to bring up again this odd “defect” in animal coloration.

Leucistic creatures lack all kinds of pigment in part or all of the surface of their bodies which, in birds, is reflected in the feathers.  That’s different from albino creatures, which lack only one pigment — melanin — but it’s missing not only in their skin, feathers and — in mammals — hair, but also in their eyes. Thus, an albino has pinkish eyes, and a leucistic bird or mammal does not.

For some reason, the American Robin seems to be among the most often seen species exhibiting leucism. That may be simply because robins are so common.

Killer leaves behind damning evidence

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 27 May 2010 14:29

The picture that accompanies today’s column ranks among the most unusual ever contributed by a reader.  It appears to be damning evidence of an avian “murder.”

The crazed, backyard homebuilder: There’s a plan

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 20 May 2010 04:00

While it would seem a waste of time and energy to build two, three or four nests when only one is needed, various birds build several nests, and for different reasons. However, one species that can be prolific at nest building can also be a threat to more sensitive species.

Some birds use nests as part of the mating ritual. Each spring when it establishes its territory, the male House Wren builds several incomplete nest structures, made of twigs. These may be in cavities or sheltered places. Bluebird boxes are a favorite location.

The swans came a-knocking at the door

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 13 May 2010 13:43

Swans remain a topic of interest among readers.

Jackie Sullivan, who lives on a lake in the Milbrook section of Greenwich, reports “there has been a couple of mute swans for 19 years. The first week I moved into this house, I was working at my desk with bills when I hear this knocking noise.

“I went down to my basement, which is finished with glass doors going out to the garden. Here were two huge swans knocking on the door. In fact the male swan put his bill over the doorknob and was trying to open the door.

Eine kleine nachtmusik, and eagles being eyed

Written by Jack Sanders
Friday, 07 May 2010 14:46

With warmer weather arriving, bedroom windows have been opened to the fresh night air — and, it turns out, some “nachtmusik.”

The other morning — 2:28 a.m. to be exact — there was a cardinal singing, albeit briefly, outside our window.

Was it talking in its sleep? Misled by the full moon on a clear night? Or just nuts?

Daphne, the mysterious goose of Lake Kitchawan

Written by Jack Sanders
Friday, 30 April 2010 13:29

A mystery has been solved.

Last December and again this spring, we had received reports of a Greater White-fronted Goose that was hanging around two Mute Swans on Lake Kitchawan on the Lewisboro-Pound Ridge border. This is a rare species for this area and, in turns out, was not what was seen, says Emily Erickson.

Eagles, redheads, hummers, and the great February count

Written by Jack Sanders
Saturday, 24 April 2010 14:36

Eagle’s nest

Chris Burke and Gerry Gibney join readers reporting a Bald Eagle pair has been building a nest in an evergreen tree on the Titicus Reservoir in nearby North Salem, N.Y. Eagles often spend the winter around reservoirs in Westchester, but usually head north in spring. The fact that a pair is nesting here is a good sign.

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection reports the nesting population in the state has increased gradually. In 2007, 15 pairs made nesting attempts in six of the state’s eight counties. More than 100 eagles winter in Connecticut.

DEP says the recovery of Connecticut’s eagle population has been slow compared to other regions in the nation. Therefore, the Bald Eagle remains a Connecticut endangered species.

Mute Swans: Beautiful natives or troublesome exotics?

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 15 April 2010 10:59

Anne Singer lives near Fox Hill Lake in Ridgefield.  “Every spring since I moved here 10 years ago except one, a pair of Mute Swans has nested on the series of ponds in the nature conservancy next to my house,” Anne wrote recently.  “One year, only one swan showed up.  It seemed lonely, but in September, after several attempts, it finally paired up with one of the half-grown cygnets from the family on Fox Hill Lake.

A surprising — and deadly — battle in the yard

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 08 April 2010 11:01

“This afternoon I saw an amazing thing in the yard,” writes Mar Walker of Danbury. “I guess I never thought about it really or I wouldn’t have been so surprised and horrified about it.

Seasonal surprises are arriving in the back yard

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 01 April 2010 12:56

On Saturday, when the temperature hit 20 degrees at 6 a.m., our small yard was a hotbed of avian activity.

Maybe it was the cold, but more likely it was just the arrival of early waves of birds from the South seeking spring nesting grounds.

We had perhaps two-dozen species at one time or another, including Eastern Bluebirds at the feeder (which includes hulled sunflower seeds that they like). But our most exciting sighting was everyday fare for many people.