American Bittern

For me it is also the time of year where I can set out to look for specific species like the Bobolink with its rambling song, or uncommonly seen shorebirds like the American Oystercatcher, or different types of terns like the Artic and Roseate, and elusive birds like the American Bittern and Virginia Rail.

Lastly, on July 12 while exploring the more forested and wet section of Two Lights State Park with my wife and son we spotted what first appeared to be three juvenile night herons, however as we crept closer for better looks it soon became apparent that we were looking at a total of four American Bitterns…

…American Bittern or Virginia Rail Two other notes from the field over the last several weeks include, on June 12 along Crescent Beach State Park, four Black-bellied Plovers and three Least Sandpipers and on June 14 my wife spotted a Brown Thrasher in an old crab apple tree in our backyard.

…or uncommonly seen shorebirds like the American Oystercatcher, or different types of terns like the Artic and Roseate, and elusive birds like the American Bittern, Wilson’s Snipe and Virginia Rail.

While wandering along one of CELT’s fantastic new trails in Robinson woods my thoughts were of the Black and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, American Bitterns, Wilson’s Snipe and Marsh Wrens that eluded me this time around.

At first I thought I had just seen an American Bittern however minutes later I located a male Green Heron, with its red legs and deep iridescent green body skulking along the edge of a small nearby pond.

Early summer is also when I set out to find certain species without which the season would feel incomplete: Bobolinks with their tumbling, metallic songs; uncommon shorebirds like the American Oystercatcher; terns such as Arctic and Roseate; and elusive marsh birds like the American Bittern.