Farmington Bay Water Management area is wetland for migratory birds. 18,000 acres are preserved, although hunting is allowed far from the road. I have only stayed close to the road and the Eccles Wildlife Center. The first time I went was only a month ago at the beginning of December, but I enjoyed it so much I returned a month later. They have nesting sites for various types of birds and then other birds migrate through. Below are the birds I saw this time.

American Kestral

The American Kestral is the smallest falcon in all of North America (8.5-12 inches long. 20-24 inch wingspan) and is one of the most colorful hawks, especially the males, like the one I photographed.

Black-Crowned Night Heron

The Black-Crowned Night Heron is much stockier than most of the other herons. The juveniles have brown feathers and when they grow up they get dark feathers on the tops of their head and on their back. Their wings turn gray and they grow thin white plumes from their head.

Northern Harrier Hawk

The Northern Harrier is a medium-sized raptor with a distinctive white band along the tail. It has an owl-shaped face with a curved beak.

Red Hawk

Red Hawks can have variations so they don’t necessarily all have red tails. This juvenile was very cooperative for me. Red-tailed hawks are much larger (17.5-22 inches long, wingspan 45-52.5 inches)

For more about Farmington Bay and other birds I have photographed there, click here.