Dreaming of Spring Warblers on the NRVT
- Norwalk River Valley Trail
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
By Charlie Taney, Former Board Director, Friends of the Norwalk River Valley Trail
I love the beauty and rhythm of all four seasons in Connecticut, but I must admit February can be a downer. Enough Winter already! An antidote for the Winter Blues is dreaming about the waves of gorgeous warblers that migrate through our region every Spring.
Yes, to fight the Winter Blues, I’m dreaming of Spring warblers.
The Spring warbler migration peaks in early to mid-May. They’re making their way from their wintering grounds in Central and South America to their breeding grounds, mainly in the forests of Canada. Songbirds migrate mainly at night, with hundreds of thousands passing high overhead, unbeknownst to us. It’s thought that they migrate at night to reduce their vulnerability to predators. During the day, migrating songbirds land for rest and food before finishing the journey to their nesting grounds. And, along with the warblers, you may see vireos, orioles, thrushes, and other songbird species.
Going south to north, here’s a guide to some of the best spots along the NRVT to spot migrating songbirds this Spring. (maps are available here)
Norwalk: New Canaan Avenue to Broad Street. Parking on Riverside Avenue near Casatelli Tile.
After parking in the lot on Riverside Avenue, walk north on Riverside Avenue to New Canaan Avenue. Cross New Canaan Avenue and take a right towards the power sub-station. In about a hundred yards, on your left, you’ll find the NRVT headed north along the Norwalk River. This section runs along the Norwalk River about a mile to Broad Street. In addition to songbirds, keep an eye out for birds attracted to the River, such as Ospreys, Kingfishers, and various ducks and geese.
Wilton: Chipmunk Lane. Parking on Chipmunk Lane
This roughly one-mile section of the NRVT is a bit off by itself, someday to be connected to the larger portions of the NRVT. As such, it’s a bit less traveled, which makes it more attractive to migrating birds. You can go either north or south from the parking lot. I’d recommend starting north, though the section to the south should also be productive.
Wilton: Wolfpit Road. Parking at the Commuter Lot at Wolfpit Road and Rt. 7
The NRVT section just south of the Commuter Parking Lot by Wolfpit Road can be a good spot. This section runs about a quarter mile to the quarry pond. The area just across the bridge, which is still brushy and close to the river, is best.
Wilton: Sharp Hill Road. Parking at Sharp Hill Road
This is the area around the Sharp Hill Road Parking Lot, as it has the kind of habitat that warblers like. The woodland habitat further from the parking areas is also good habitat, but a bit better for thrushes, towhees, and woodpeckers. After checking the area around the parking lot, you can head into the woodland on the NRVT either north or south. It runs about a mile in either direction.
There are potentially dozens of songbird species you may see along the NRVT during the May migration. Here’s a list of the songbird species I’ve most commonly seen at this time of year in these locations.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a Scarlet Tanager (one of my faves, look in the treetops), Kinglets, Phoebes, and several kinds of Swallows. There will be Woodpeckers, and maybe the biggest one, the Pileated. It’s the size of a crow, with a red crest like Woody Woopecker.
What to bring: binoculars, a bird guide, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and water.
And please, when finished, check yourself, and/or have a friend give you a once-over, for ticks. You may well find a few have hitched a ride. Just pluck them off and flick them away.
Final tips: You don’t have to go out at the crack of dawn, but earlier in the day is better. The birds get pretty quiet and less active in the middle of the day. Rainy weather usually dampens the birding, so aim for some good weather.
And may your Warbler Dreams Come True!
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