April 20th. Sunny morning but dark clouds ahead. (It didn't rain.)

 

 

 

The Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) have adopted this wood duck house as a gathering point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ah, a female joining all the males.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A short walk east of Cook Hill Road in Lebanon after errands in Willimantic.

 

A male Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) at the farmyard.

 

One of two Brahma Chickens. I think this was the rooster I heard calling as I approached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) flower I've seen open this year.

 

Something had nibbled it.

 

 

 

 

 

Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia). A cool breezy morning so most of the flowers were still closed up.

 

Just this one open. I also saw Spring-beauty (Claytonia virginica) but their flowers too were closed in the morning.

 

Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) were active at the small marsh there too.

 

Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) seed head.

 

April 21st. After over 20 years, it's rare for me to see something new on the trail. But this is my first ever - anywhere - sighting of an American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus).

 

Learn about them (and listen to their unusual call) here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Bittern

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) just west of Route 207.

 

East of Route 207, one of a flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers (Dendroica coronata).

 

The female of the only pair of Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) still at the pond east of Route 207. Roughly 20 remain at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

Here's the male.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Red Trillium (Trillium erectum).