I planned to put in over in Bridgeport and visit a marsh in Stratford that has been going through some restoration. Unfortunately, the launch site that I have used in the past is now behind a set of no trespassing signs. I divert my attention to the familiar Wheeler Marsh, setting out from under the highway as I often do.
There is a stiff wind coming from the southwest - a direction that is up the river mostly. It is cloudy, about 65F with the tide almost high. I question starting out due to the wind, but once I am in the canoe I find that it is not bad at all.
I spot my first Yellow Crowned Night Heron of the spring. It is perched on a rock at the water's edge just upriver of the drawbridge. It seems quite unconcerned about me as if it is tired from a long flight. It will probably set up residence on the nearby Charles Island.
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| A tired Yellow Crowned Night Heron |
Nearing the marsh, I spot a Red Throated Loon in mid-channel of the river. With the wind chop on the surface of the water, I was lucky to see it. It is migrating to the north although it might hang around for a couple weeks before continuing. I see them often during migration in the bottom of the rivers near the sound. Red Throated's are a bit smaller than Common Loons.
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| Red Throated Loon |
I spot some Yellow-Legs as I head over to Nell's Island. They often winter over, but this year with the big freeze, they must have moved farther south for awhile.
The maze of Nell's Island is not at all a maze. I collect a lost oyster basket that I can fill with plastic garbage as I proceed. With the spartina down, this is a good time to see that the so called island is not really any different than the rest of the marsh, and in fact, it seems to only be called an island because there are navigable channels on either side of it. I flush an almost mature Bald Eagle. It has some white feathers on the head and tail, but still has a season to go.
I cross over to the Central Phragmites Patch, again without having to follow any channels due to the tide level. There is a large flock of Green Winged Teal on the east side of the marsh. I keep my distance and let them rest and feed. The wind is dying down to something not worth griping about.
I pass behind Cat Island, the water deep enough to make the narrow channel. It just takes some weed mat pushing to get through.
There are ten Great Egrets in sight at the upriver end of Cat Island.
The Yellow Crowned Night Heron is in the exact same spot when I get back to the draw bridge - definitely tired after a long flight.
