Razorbills invade Long Island Sound in Connecticut
Razorbills and Atlantic puffins on their nesting grounds on an island off the coast of Maine. Razorbills are showing up on Long Island Sound this winter. Photo by Chris Bosak, all rights reserved.
In the summer of 2010 I was lucky enough to make a trip to Machias Seal Island, a small rocky island off the coast of Maine. The island is a breeding ground for Atlantic puffins, razorbills and terns.
It’s funny, the razorbills were kind of a bonus bird as everyone on the trip was there to see the puffins. I, course, found all the birds equally thrilling.
Now, in the winter of 2011/2012, razorbills are showing up on Long Island Sound up and down the Connecticut coast. They were a welcome addition to the coastal Christmas Bird Counts in Connecticut. I was lucky enough to see two of them yesterday off the coast of Stamford.
Why are they here this winter? Good question. Birdwatchers far smarter than I am are formulating theories. One theory, according to a blog posting on the Connecticut Audubon Society website, is an increase in fish species upon which the large, black-and-white birds prey.
At any rate, it’s very cool that they are here. Above and below are some photos from the trip I took in the summer of 2010. (These are not “live” winter of 2011 photos).
A razorbill on its nesting grounds on an island off the coast of Maine. Razorbills are showing up on Long Island Sound this winter. Photo by Chris Bosak, all rights reserved.
A razorbill on its nesting grounds on an island off the coast of Maine. Razorbills are showing up on Long Island Sound this winter. Photo by Chris Bosak, all rights reserved.
Razorbills and Atlantic puffins on their nesting grounds on an island off the coast of Maine. Razorbills are showing up on Long Island Sound this winter. Photo by Chris Bosak, all rights reserved.