New Haven Bird Club Walk at West Rock Ridge Park

We'll focus on only two breeding species for this trip to West Rock Ridge State Park: Common Raven and Peregrine Falcon.

Common Raven was first confirmed as a breeding bird at West Rock Ridge in 2002, and the species has nested there every year since then at two different sites.

We'll begin by scoping from the western lowlands below West Rock (on Lunar Drive in Woodbridge) to observe the female incubating a clutch of eggs.

Then we'll drive to the top of the ridge to study the male raven perched, soaring, bringing in food, defending territory, and trading incubation duties with the female.

Later, we turn our attention to the peregrines. We'll view the resident pair as they move toward egg-laying. The behaviors to observe include perching, preening, stooping for prey and feeding on a freshly collected prey item, defending territory, nest preparation, and copulation. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes.

Meet at Lunar Dr., Woodbridge, near the south end of Konold's Pond. Leader-Steve Broker: 203.272.5192 (cell: 203.747.6843), ls.broker@cox.net