Terrapin Station

S wanted to see some Willets in the East River, but with a late start, the return would be against the current and predicted wind, and we would probably have to wade the Gravel Flats.  And that sounded like a lot for her first trip in five months.  

We put in on the Menunketusuck. It is a perfect river for a 2 hour trip and aside fro the usual birds seen in the salt marshes, there is always a good chance of seeing Little Blue Herons and Glossy Ibises. But, we start by seeing a pair of fox at the first bend. They were walking the river bank and took cover in some shrubs as we approached.  

In no time, we spot start spotting Yellow Legs - both Lesser and Greater.  They are scattered throughout the marsh and it will be a rare moment when we cannot look around and see one.  

The tiny Terrapin

We head back into the west arm because on my last trip there was a flock of Ibises in there.  We see two Glossy Ibises, but only from a distance as they fly in and land.  The tide is too low for us to see across the surface of the marsh, so there may be more out there.  What there is, on the river banks, is a lot of terrapins. This is brackish water and terrapins are the only turtle species found in the salt marshes of Connecticut.  We did, however, pass a pair of Willets.  This time of year, the first of the Willets are coming in from the south.  As we head out, we find a tiny little terrapin on the bank.  I thought it might be dead, and it wasn't overly joyed when I touched it the tip of my paddle.  

The slightly upturned bill identifies this as a Greater Yellow Legs

We dropped down to the railroad bridge.  A pair of Osprey circled high overhead for awhile as we headed back.  Then we went halfway up the east arm.  Added a couple Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets.

With that, we head out.