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2 Sep birds and peppers [Chris Elphick ] 2 Sep Re: Storms - food for thought [David F Provencher ] 2 Sep Storm bird timing [David F Provencher ] 2 Sep Storms - food for thought [] 2 Sep Sherwood Island SP BB Sandpiper - NO [Tina and Peter Green ] 2 Sep Re: Earl/Stratford Point ["wingsct AT juno.com" ] 1 Sep CT Cumulative 2010 List, Aug 31 [Frank Mantlik ] 01 Sep Southport Survey #236 [Dennis Varza ] 1 Sep Milford Whimbrel, Black Skimmers, etc. [Frank Mantlik ] 01 Sep Re: Earl/Stratford Point [Mardi Dickinson ] 01 Sep Re: Earl/Stratford Point [] 1 Sep Re: Earl/Stratford Point [Nick Bonomo ] 1 Sep Kite at Stratford Point and departs [] 1 Sep Tropical storm watch/STFD Point gate [Scott Kruitbosch ] 1 Sep Hurricane Earl - keeping track [Parrot ] 1 Sep Windsor [Paul Desjardins ] 1 Sep Re: Blue jay ["Claudia" ] 1 Sep CACC [] 1 Sep NHBC 1st Wed. Walk Report [Tina and Peter Green ] 1 Sep Migration/Bluff outlook this weekend [David F Provencher ] 1 Sep Earl/Stratford Point [Scott Kruitbosch ] 1 Sep Westport Buff-breasted Sandpiper [Tina and Peter Green ] 1 Sep Storm outlook for weekend [David F Provencher ] 1 Sep Riverside Park in Hartford [paul cianfaglione ] 01 Sep Greenwich Audubon - 1 Hooded, 2 Swainsons [] 1 Sep Black Skimmers, Milford Pt ["Zagorski, Sara" ] 01 Sep Fall Hawkwatching Resource [B Inskeep ] 31 Aug Re: Blue jay [Carol Ansel ] 31 Aug Whimbrel, Skimmers, Milford/Stratford [Frank Mantlik ] 31 Aug Re: Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Sherwood Island, Westport [Frank Mantlik ] 31 Aug Re: RI Pelagic Trip spots still available! [Nick Bonomo ] 31 Aug Rocky Hill Meadows ["Zagorski, Sara" ] 31 Aug Bluff Point - Palm Warbler ["John M. Oshlick" ] 31 Aug Bluff Point, Groton [Paul Desjardins ] 31 Aug Osborndale SP [] 31 Aug WT Kite at Stratford Point [] 31 Aug RI Pelagic Trip spots still available! [Mardi Dickinson ] 31 Aug Re: Blue jay ["Tammy Eustis" ] 31 Aug Blue jay [] 31 Aug Quaker Ridge - Olive-sided Flycatcher etc [] 31 Aug Gulls eating flying insects [David F Provencher ] 31 Aug Nighthawks and laughing gulls [DEIRDRE MURTHA ] 31 Aug Re: Bees ect. [Christopher Lovell ] 31 Aug Blue-winged Teal [greg hanisek ] 31 Aug Bees ect. [] 31 Aug Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Sherwood Island, Westport ["Zagorski, Sara" ] 31 Aug Another interesting bird fact [Carrier Graphics ] 30 Aug Blue-winged Teal, Sora, etc. in Litchfield ["Dave Rosgen" ] 31 Aug Bolton Backyard,plus [ernest s harris ] 31 Aug Amazing gull & bug pics/kite tonight [Scott Kruitbosch ] 30 Aug Stratford W-T Kite, Black Skimmers [Frank Mantlik ] 30 Aug More Nighthawks over Stamford [B Inskeep ] 30 Aug Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions ["Sarah Faulkner" ] 30 Aug Whimbrel at Harkness Memorial State Park - 8/29/10 [louise tucker ] 30 Aug Gull hawking insects [Christopher Lovell ] 30 Aug night hawks/bluebirds [Carol Bauby ] 30 Aug Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions [Steve Mayo ] 30 Aug Duckies [Dennis Varza ] 30 Aug Red Knot [] 30 Aug Storms ["Marty Swanhall" ] 30 Aug heron and egret ["Marty Swanhall" ] 30 Aug Sandy Point, West Haven [Paul Desjardins ] 30 Aug Common Nighthawks over Essex ["Jim Denham" ] 30 Aug LHP Dickcissels, Olive-sided [greg hanisek ] 30 Aug Gull.... Question [greg hanisek ] 30 Aug Old Lyme ["Hank Golet" ] 30 Aug Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions [David F Provencher ] 30 Aug Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions [Kathy Van Der Aue ] 30 Aug Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions [Christopher Lovell ] 30 Aug Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions [David F Provencher ] 30 Aug Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions [Scott Kruitbosch ] 30 Aug Gull-Goldfinch Questions [Carrier Graphics ] 30 Aug PHILADELPHIA VIREO [Carrier Graphics ] 30 Aug Re: Fw: Re: quiz - The Answer [David F Provencher ] 30 Aug Philadelphia Vireo plus 350 warblers Bluff Point [David F Provencher ] 30 Aug WT Kite [twan leenders ] Subject: birds and peppers From: Chris Elphick <elphick AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 08:59:48 -0700 (PDT) As Paul noted (a few days ago - I've been gone for the International Ornithological Congress and am just catching up!), birds do not respond to capsaicin (the chemical that makes peppers hot) in the same way as mammals.  In fact, birds are the main disperser of pepper seeds in the wild, and the presence of capsaicin in peppers is thought to have evolved specifically to aid dispersal by preventing (well, discouraging, at least) mammals from eating the fruits.  This is because seeds get destroyed in mammal guts, but not in bird guts, so the plants benefit if eaten by birds, but are harmed when eaten by mammals. There's an interesting research article, from the journal Nature, on the topic here: http://faculty.washington.edu/tewksjj/articles/deterrence_nature_2001.pdf Chris Elphick Storrs, CT elphick AT sbcglobal.net _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Storms - food for thought From: David F Provencher <david.f.provencher AT dom.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 11:44:04 -0400 Jayne, I know few people as true to their own character as you. Just one of the reasons I value your friendship and am glad you live in CT. Many of us are indeed aware of the toll these storms take on the birds, both terrestrial and pelagic. I also think about the toll these storms take on coastal and estuarine habitat. The beaches get rebuilt where it matters to homeowners, but the natural habitat can just get hammered. Thanks for the reminder. Dave -----Original Message----- From: ctbirds-bounces AT lists.ctbirding.org [mailto:ctbirds-bounces AT lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of jayne.amico AT cox.net Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 11:33 AM To: ctbirds AT lists.ctbirding.org Subject: [CT Birds] Storms - food for thought CT Birders - I confess to having a very different outlook on what these storms mean to me... CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message contains information which may be legally confidential and or privileged and does not in any case represent a firm ENERGY COMMODITY bid or offer relating thereto which binds the sender without an additional express written confirmation to that effect. The information is intended solely for the individual or entity named above and access by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please reply immediately to the sender that you have received the message in error, and delete it. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Storm bird timing From: David F Provencher <david.f.provencher AT dom.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 11:37:00 -0400 I have seen too many storms to count that pass us at night and leave us with bad (for CT birding) winds at daybreak. Earl looks likely to be another one of those. Currently, the forecast (built on a passel of "ifs") is for the winds to get strong too late Friday for birding and to be northwest (booo, bad!) at first light Saturday. So Nick's comment about being out at first light on Saturday is spot on. Again, all this is still built on a foundation of sand. Dave Provencher Naturally New England CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message contains information which may be legally confidential and or privileged and does not in any case represent a firm ENERGY COMMODITY bid or offer relating thereto which binds the sender without an additional express written confirmation to that effect. The information is intended solely for the individual or entity named above and access by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please reply immediately to the sender that you have received the message in error, and delete it. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Storms - food for thought From: <jayne.amico AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 11:32:58 -0400 CT Birders - I confess to having a very different outlook on what these storms mean to me. My first and foremost concern is the impact it is going to have on bird populations, especially now during migration. As many of you have come to learn birds can and do get caught up in the winds and are carried along, some until the storm diminishes. These birds are then dumped in an exhausted state, completely depleted and starving and are now out of range. Keep in mind also that some, if not many of these birds, may of just made a long journey south and are now right back where they started from or worse! All of these scenarios can result in heavy mortality. Wilma a hurricane of 2005 dumped hundreds of chimney swifts and other aerial insectivores on the coast of Canada in mid October. By this time these birds should of been well out of the country and were now relocated in a cold climate that will not support their feeding style, and in the case of the chimney swifts the chimneys these birds chose to roost in were now actively being used and also resulted in high mortality. The season of 2006 showed a dramatic decrease in the chimney swift population as a result of the devastation hurricane Wilma had on these birds. While this may be a natural disaster of which we have no control over and has happened many times in the past and will in the future it is IMO nothing to celebrate but for me to worry about. I guess I just wanted to remind everyone that like the snowy owls who arrive in CT starving some winters in search of food, so will the birds blown in by Earl. While you are out there birding looking for rarities keep in mind the poor exhausted condition that any birds blown in by the storm will arrive in. Myself, I am going to do much praying that chimney swifts and all other passerines who are already declining in such alarming rates do not get caught up in Earl. -- Jayne Jayne Amico Southington, CT www.mvssanctuary.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Sherwood Island SP BB Sandpiper - NO From: Tina and Peter Green <petermgreen AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 13:44:02 +0000 9/2/10 - Westport Sherwood Island SP - No sight of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper this morning anywhere in the park but I did have two BOBOLINKS teed up on the phragmites next to the model airplane field along with two RT HUMMERS. Tina Green Westport _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Earl/Stratford Point From: "wingsct AT juno.com" <wingsct@juno.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 11:50:48 GMT And please, make sure your mobile phones are fully charged and turned ON! Good luck, good birding and keep safe out there. Meredith Sampson Old Greenwich ---------- Original Message ---------- From: Nick Bonomo To: Scott Kruitbosch Cc: ctbirds AT lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Earl/Stratford Point Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 19:56:33 -0400 What an impressive storm. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out. As of right now, it seems we're due to get the brunt of this storm sometime during Friday midday through the evening. As the cyclone pulls away Friday night, the winds will shift from an easterly direction (most likely to push birds into Long Island Sound) to a westerly one. It is likely that THE most crucial time to be out birding in CT will be at DAWN on Saturday. Anything blown into the sound, or upriver, will likely be reorienting at first light and riding the west winds back toward the open ocean. Whenever you get out birding (safely), communication with other birders will be key. Getting word out about a storm-blown waif ASAP is the way to go...it might be a brief visit. For birds seen flying along the coastline, if you have a mobile device, try to call someone or post to CTBirds with any details including the direction of flight. With luck, other birders may be able to intercept a fast-moving jaeger, for example. We've done stuff like this with success before (recall the American White Pelicans last fall). It'll take a team effort. We will not be in the "right-front" quadrant that traditionally produces the most seabirds in these tropical systems, but like Scott and Dave and others have said, it's close enough to get the blood pumping. Of course, if you actually want to see seabirds from land, go to Cape Cod :) Nick Bonomo Wallingford, CT On Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 11:45 AM, Scott Kruitbosch wrote: > Apart from bird specifics, Earl seems to be right on track to pass over or > near the infamous benchmark, 40N/70W. Hurricane force winds should be > confined to the Cape, if at all, and tropical storm force winds should only > barely get to extreme eastern CT. I mean *barely*, as this should end up as > nothing more than a strong nor'easter by all appearances, so don't worry. > Right now, from west to east, we in CT stand a 30-50% chance of seeing those > TS winds (average over 39MPH for >1 minute). Here - > http://www.goes.noaa.gov/GSSLOOPS/ecir.html - is a simple flash animation of > the eastern CONUS infrared satellite loop. You can see Earl obviously, and > looking towards the west from Michigan to Tennessee is the trough that is > coming to save us from anything of real consequence. It will push Earl away > and out to sea. The race is on...but we already know who will win, and it > isn't Earl. > > As others have stated the key is that Earl will be directly south of us for > a bit, albeit moving quickly, throwing birds in towards CT and LIS because > of the cyclonic winds. Think of the eye of the storm being south of us while > east of New Jersey, moving northeast, and winds spinning in a > counter-clockwise fashion. Even though they won't be really getting to us > this as it moves off it will move good birds in. Earl should only be a CAT 2 > by the time it is up here, but its previous strength and increasing speed > will only help our chances of it having carried some rarities with it. > > Stratford Point will not be open probably until later in the evening > tonight, so plan ahead with that. The kite has shown up around 6:30 the last > couple of nights probably because of the heat. We'll see what it does > tonight, but with yet another day of temperatures well into the 90s I would > guess it may do the same. > > -- > Scott Kruitbosch > Stratford, CT > Connecticut Audubon Society > http://ctaudubon.blogspot.com/ > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: CT Cumulative 2010 List, Aug 31 From: Frank Mantlik <mantlik AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 20:45:44 -0700 (PDT) Greetings, Here's the 2010 CT Cumulative Bird List, through August 31. Eight species were added in August - Brown Pelican, White-tailed Kite, Am. Avocet, Hudsonian Godwit, Marbled Godwit, Baird's Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and Black Tern - bringing the total to 299 species. CONNECTICUT CUMULATIVE 2010 BIRD LIST As reported to the CT birding listserve. Rare species in BOLD. Compiled by Frank Mantlik 299 species as of August 31, 2010 (Plus an unconfirmed report of a Little Egret) GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Snow Goose Brant (“BLACK” race also) Canada Goose CACKLING GOOSE Mute Swan TRUMPETER SWAN Wood Duck Gadwall EURASIAN WIGEON American Wigeon American Black Duck Mallard Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail (Mallard X Am. Black Duck) (Mallard X Northern Pintail) Green-winged Teal (EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL) Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup KING EIDER COMMON EIDER HARLEQUIN DUCK Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck Bufflehead Common Goldeneye BARROW’S GOLDENEYE Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Ring-necked Pheasant Ruffed Grouse Wild Turkey Red-throated Loon Common Loon Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe RED-NECKED GREBE EARED GREBE WILSON’S STORM-PETREL Northern Gannet AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN BROWN PELICAN Double-crested Cormorant Great Cormorant American Bittern Least Bittern Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron TRICOLORED HERON CATTLE EGRET Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Glossy Ibis Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey WHITE-TAILED KITE MISSISSIPPI KITE Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Northern Goshawk Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk (and dark western morph) Rough-legged Hawk GOLDEN EAGLE American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Clapper Rail Virginia Rail Sora COMMON MOORHEN American Coot SANDHILL CRANE Black-bellied Plover AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover Killdeer American Oystercatcher AMERICAN AVOCET Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Solitary Sandpiper Willet Spotted Sandpiper Upland Sandpiper Whimbrel HUDSONIAN GODWIT MARBLED GODWIT Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot Sanderling Semipalmated Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper BAIRD’S SANDPIPER Pectoral Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Dunlin STILT SANDPIPER BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER Short-billed Dowitcher Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson’s Snipe American Woodcock JAEGER, species Laughing Gull BLACK-HEADED GULL Bonaparte’s Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull ICELAND GULL LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL GLAUCOUS GULL Great Black-backed Gull BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE CASPIAN TERN ROYAL TERN Roseate Tern Common Tern Forster’s Tern Least Tern Black Tern BLACK SKIMMER DOVEKIE RAZORBILL Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Monk Parakeet Black-billed Cuckoo Yellow-billed Cuckoo BARN OWL Eastern Screech-Owl Great Horned Owl SNOWY OWL Barred Owl Long-eared Owl Short-eared Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl Common Nighthawk Whip-poor-will Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD Belted Kingfisher RED-HEADED WOODPECKER Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Olive-sided Flycatcher Eastern Wood-Pewee Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Acadian Flycatcher Alder Flycatcher Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird NORTHERN SHRIKE White-eyed Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo PHILADELPHIA VIREO Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow Common Raven Horned Lark Purple Martin Tree Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Carolina Wren House Wren Winter Wren Marsh Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Eastern Bluebird Veery Gray-cheeked Thrush BICKNELL’S THRUSH Swainson’s Thrush Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher European Starling American Pipit Cedar Waxwing Blue-winged Warbler GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER BREWSTER’S hybrid LAWRENCE’S hybrid Tennessee Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Cape May Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER Pine Warbler Prairie Warbler Palm Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Cerulean Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Worm-eating Warbler Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush KENTUCKY WARBLER Mourning Warbler Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Canada Warbler YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT SUMMER TANAGER Scarlet Tanager Eastern Towhee American Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow CLAY-COLORED SPARROW Field Sparrow VESPER SPARROW Savannah Sparrow (“Ipswich” race also) Grasshopper Sparrow Nelson’s Sparrow Saltmarsh Sparrow Seaside Sparrow Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak BLUE GROSBEAK Indigo Bunting PAINTED BUNTING DICKCISSEL Bobolink Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD Rusty Blackbird Common Grackle BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE Brown-headed Cowbird Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Purple Finch House Finch COMMON REDPOLL Pine Siskin American Goldfinch EVENING GROSBEAK House Sparrow _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Southport Survey #236 From: Dennis Varza <dennisvz AT optonline.net> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:10:45 -0400 Southport Survey # 236 The tide was rising and the water calm. Sky was clear with little wind. Off shore again nothing nothing was moving. The spot where I start the survey contains some pilings and a patch of beach was interesting. The pilings had most of the terns, and the Ruddy Turnstones, and the beach had the Sanderling. The. golf course was empty and all the gulls were hanging out on the beach. The ducks were at the mouth of Sasco Creek. Overall it was uneventful. Dennis Varza Fairfield DATE 8/11 8/21 8/25 9/1 Tide Low High/R Low H High/R Time 6:25 6:30 6:30 6:50 Canada Goose 74_62_19_0 Mute Swan 7_3_6_0 American Black Duck 1_2_2_2 Mallard 36_10_42_52 Double-crested Cormorant 47_50_33_38 Great Blue Heron 0_4_0_0 Great Egret 19_2_9_9 Snowy Egret 2_2_2_0 Black-crowned Night-Heron 5_2_1_0 Black-bellied Plover 1_0_0_0 Killdeer 0_3_0_0 Semipalmated Plover 0_0_3_5 American Oystercatcher 3_0_0_0 Spotted Sandpiper 0_0_4_0 Ruddy Turnstone 1_0_0_5 Sanderling 0_4_0_28 Semipalmated Sandpiper 1_2_1_0 Least Sandpiper 0_4_0_0 Laughing Gull 17_7_18_3 Laughing Gull Im 4_0_0_1 Bonaparte’s Gull Ad 1_0_0_0 Ring-billed Gull Ad. 94_69_80_75 Ring-billed Gull Im. 3_1_6_2 Herring Gull Ad. 43_37_56_49 Herring Gull Im. 2_5_4_8 Great Black-backed Gull Ad. 7_4_8_4 Great Black-backed Gull Im 1_0_0_0 Common Tern 70_57_30_34 _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Milford Whimbrel, Black Skimmers, etc. From: Frank Mantlik <mantlik AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 17:50:44 -0700 (PDT) 9/1 Milford, Milford Point (CAS Coastal Ctr), 3:30-5:30 pm - good numbers and variety of shorebirds (14 species) on coastal sandbars during high tide, including 1 WHIMBREL, 15 Willet (5 western race), 6 Red Knot, 1 Long-billed Dowitcher (basic adult), as well as 6 juv. BLACK SKIMMERS and 150 Common Terns. Also, I saw the WHITE-TAILED KITE at Stratford Point this morning 9:15. Frank mantlik Stratford _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Earl/Stratford Point From: Mardi Dickinson <mardi1 AT optonline.net> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:27:51 -0400 I will be out and about this week & weekend very early. So it would be great as Nick said, to have good communication by mobil phone, txt, mobil email & twitter. I am game for sure and will be happy to do all the above. Cheers, Mardi On Sep 1, 2010, at 7:56 PM, Nick Bonomo wrote: > What an impressive storm. It will be fascinating to see how this > plays out. > > As of right now, it seems we're due to get the brunt of this storm > sometime during Friday midday through the evening. As the cyclone > pulls away Friday night, the winds will shift from an easterly > direction (most likely to push birds into Long Island Sound) to a > westerly one. It is likely that THE most crucial time to be out > birding in CT will be at DAWN on Saturday. Anything blown into the > sound, or upriver, will likely be reorienting at first light and > riding the west winds back toward the open ocean. > > Whenever you get out birding (safely), communication with other > birders will be key. Getting word out about a storm-blown waif ASAP is > the way to go...it might be a brief visit. For birds seen flying along > the coastline, if you have a mobile device, try to call someone or > post to CTBirds with any details including the direction of flight. > With luck, other birders may be able to intercept a fast-moving > jaeger, for example. We've done stuff like this with success before > (recall the American White Pelicans last fall). It'll take a team > effort. > > We will not be in the "right-front" quadrant that traditionally > produces the most seabirds in these tropical systems, but like Scott > and Dave and others have said, it's close enough to get the blood > pumping. > > Of course, if you actually want to see seabirds from land, go to > Cape Cod :) > > Nick Bonomo > Wallingford, CT > > > > On Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 11:45 AM, Scott Kruitbosch > wrote: >> Apart from bird specifics, Earl seems to be right on track to pass >> over or >> near the infamous benchmark, 40N/70W. Hurricane force winds should be >> confined to the Cape, if at all, and tropical storm force winds >> should only >> barely get to extreme eastern CT. I mean *barely*, as this should >> end up as >> nothing more than a strong nor'easter by all appearances, so don't >> worry. >> Right now, from west to east, we in CT stand a 30-50% chance of >> seeing those >> TS winds (average over 39MPH for >1 minute). Here - >> http://www.goes.noaa.gov/GSSLOOPS/ecir.html - is a simple flash >> animation of >> the eastern CONUS infrared satellite loop. You can see Earl >> obviously, and >> looking towards the west from Michigan to Tennessee is the trough >> that is >> coming to save us from anything of real consequence. It will push >> Earl away >> and out to sea. The race is on...but we already know who will win, >> and it >> isn't Earl. >> >> As others have stated the key is that Earl will be directly south >> of us for >> a bit, albeit moving quickly, throwing birds in towards CT and LIS >> because >> of the cyclonic winds. Think of the eye of the storm being south of >> us while >> east of New Jersey, moving northeast, and winds spinning in a >> counter-clockwise fashion. Even though they won't be really getting >> to us >> this as it moves off it will move good birds in. Earl should only >> be a CAT 2 >> by the time it is up here, but its previous strength and increasing >> speed >> will only help our chances of it having carried some rarities with >> it. >> >> Stratford Point will not be open probably until later in the evening >> tonight, so plan ahead with that. The kite has shown up around 6:30 >> the last >> couple of nights probably because of the heat. We'll see what it does >> tonight, but with yet another day of temperatures well into the 90s >> I would >> guess it may do the same. >> >> -- >> Scott Kruitbosch >> Stratford, CT >> Connecticut Audubon Society >> http://ctaudubon.blogspot.com/ >> _______________________________________________ >> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association >> (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. >> For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org >> > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association > (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Earl/Stratford Point From: jaybrd49 AT aol.com Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:20:43 -0400 Depending upon the track of the storm, inland birders should also check the larger lakes and reservoirs and also the Connecticut River. Past hurrricanes have yielded such oddities as Audubon's Shearwater (Congamond Lake on the Mass line) and storm petrels (no confirmed ID) on Batterson Pond in West Hartford/New Britain and also on the Connecticut River. There have also been odd reports of terns including Sooty Tern on Avon Mountain, although these reports were not confirmed to my knowledge. My all-time favorite was a possible Yellow-nosed Albatross well up the Hudson River in New York State. As Nick said, these birds do not linger inland and depart for the coast as soon as the winds shift or die down. Something for inland birders (who may be concerned about a trip to the coast depending upon weather conditions, etc.) to think about. Of course, no one should be counting their pelagics before the final storm track becomes clear. Hurricanes have a funny habit of changing their minds about where they'd like to go. Jay Kaplan Canton -----Original Message----- From: Nick Bonomo To: Scott Kruitbosch Cc: ctbirds AT lists.ctbirding.org Sent: Wed, Sep 1, 2010 7:56 pm Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Earl/Stratford Point What an impressive storm. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out. As of right now, it seems we're due to get the brunt of this storm ometime during Friday midday through the evening. As the cyclone ulls away Friday night, the winds will shift from an easterly irection (most likely to push birds into Long Island Sound) to a esterly one. It is likely that THE most crucial time to be out irding in CT will be at DAWN on Saturday. Anything blown into the ound, or upriver, will likely be reorienting at first light and iding the west winds back toward the open ocean. Whenever you get out birding (safely), communication with other irders will be key. Getting word out about a storm-blown waif ASAP is he way to go...it might be a brief visit. For birds seen flying along he coastline, if you have a mobile device, try to call someone or ost to CTBirds with any details including the direction of flight. ith luck, other birders may be able to intercept a fast-moving aeger, for example. We've done stuff like this with success before recall the American White Pelicans last fall). It'll take a team ffort. We will not be in the "right-front" quadrant that traditionally roduces the most seabirds in these tropical systems, but like Scott nd Dave and others have said, it's close enough to get the blood umping. Of course, if you actually want to see seabirds from land, go to Cape Cod :) Nick Bonomo allingford, CT On Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 11:45 AM, Scott Kruitbosch wrote: Apart from bird specifics, Earl seems to be right on track to pass over or near the infamous benchmark, 40N/70W. Hurricane force winds should be confined to the Cape, if at all, and tropical storm force winds should only barely get to extreme eastern CT. I mean *barely*, as this should end up as nothing more than a strong nor'easter by all appearances, so don't worry. Right now, from west to east, we in CT stand a 30-50% chance of seeing those TS winds (average over 39MPH for >1 minute). Here - http://www.goes.noaa.gov/GSSLOOPS/ecir.html - is a simple flash animation of the eastern CONUS infrared satellite loop. You can see Earl obviously, and looking towards the west from Michigan to Tennessee is the trough that is coming to save us from anything of real consequence. It will push Earl away and out to sea. The race is on...but we already know who will win, and it isn't Earl. As others have stated the key is that Earl will be directly south of us for a bit, albeit moving quickly, throwing birds in towards CT and LIS because of the cyclonic winds. Think of the eye of the storm being south of us while east of New Jersey, moving northeast, and winds spinning in a counter-clockwise fashion. Even though they won't be really getting to us this as it moves off it will move good birds in. Earl should only be a CAT 2 by the time it is up here, but its previous strength and increasing speed will only help our chances of it having carried some rarities with it. Stratford Point will not be open probably until later in the evening tonight, so plan ahead with that. The kite has shown up around 6:30 the last couple of nights probably because of the heat. We'll see what it does tonight, but with yet another day of temperatures well into the 90s I would guess it may do the same. -- Scott Kruitbosch Stratford, CT Connecticut Audubon Society http://ctaudubon.blogspot.com/ _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for he discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ his list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for he discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. or subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Earl/Stratford Point From: Nick Bonomo <nbonomo AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 19:56:33 -0400 What an impressive storm. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out. As of right now, it seems we're due to get the brunt of this storm sometime during Friday midday through the evening. As the cyclone pulls away Friday night, the winds will shift from an easterly direction (most likely to push birds into Long Island Sound) to a westerly one. It is likely that THE most crucial time to be out birding in CT will be at DAWN on Saturday. Anything blown into the sound, or upriver, will likely be reorienting at first light and riding the west winds back toward the open ocean. Whenever you get out birding (safely), communication with other birders will be key. Getting word out about a storm-blown waif ASAP is the way to go...it might be a brief visit. For birds seen flying along the coastline, if you have a mobile device, try to call someone or post to CTBirds with any details including the direction of flight. With luck, other birders may be able to intercept a fast-moving jaeger, for example. We've done stuff like this with success before (recall the American White Pelicans last fall). It'll take a team effort. We will not be in the "right-front" quadrant that traditionally produces the most seabirds in these tropical systems, but like Scott and Dave and others have said, it's close enough to get the blood pumping. Of course, if you actually want to see seabirds from land, go to Cape Cod :) Nick Bonomo Wallingford, CT On Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 11:45 AM, Scott Kruitbosch wrote: > Apart from bird specifics, Earl seems to be right on track to pass over or > near the infamous benchmark, 40N/70W. Hurricane force winds should be > confined to the Cape, if at all, and tropical storm force winds should only > barely get to extreme eastern CT. I mean *barely*, as this should end up as > nothing more than a strong nor'easter by all appearances, so don't worry. > Right now, from west to east, we in CT stand a 30-50% chance of seeing those > TS winds (average over 39MPH for >1 minute). Here - > http://www.goes.noaa.gov/GSSLOOPS/ecir.html - is a simple flash animation of > the eastern CONUS infrared satellite loop. You can see Earl obviously, and > looking towards the west from Michigan to Tennessee is the trough that is > coming to save us from anything of real consequence. It will push Earl away > and out to sea. The race is on...but we already know who will win, and it > isn't Earl. > > As others have stated the key is that Earl will be directly south of us for > a bit, albeit moving quickly, throwing birds in towards CT and LIS because > of the cyclonic winds. Think of the eye of the storm being south of us while > east of New Jersey, moving northeast, and winds spinning in a > counter-clockwise fashion. Even though they won't be really getting to us > this as it moves off it will move good birds in. Earl should only be a CAT 2 > by the time it is up here, but its previous strength and increasing speed > will only help our chances of it having carried some rarities with it. > > Stratford Point will not be open probably until later in the evening > tonight, so plan ahead with that. The kite has shown up around 6:30 the last > couple of nights probably because of the heat. We'll see what it does > tonight, but with yet another day of temperatures well into the 90s I would > guess it may do the same. > > -- > Scott Kruitbosch > Stratford, CT > Connecticut Audubon Society > http://ctaudubon.blogspot.com/ > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Kite at Stratford Point and departs From: kbosch AT gmail.com Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:47:46 +0000 The White-tailed Kite was here hunting when I arrived and eating by 538. It left about 544 in the normal fly off for the night way. I hear it was a very quick hunt. Scott Kruitbosch Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Tropical storm watch/STFD Point gate From: Scott Kruitbosch <kbosch AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 17:01:34 -0400 I will be opening the Stratford Point gate around 5:30. Until then... A TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER TO SANDY HOOK NEW JERSEY...INCLUDING DELAWARE BAY SOUTH OF SLAUGHTER BEACH AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF NEW POINT COMFORT. A HURRICANE WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FROM WOODS HOLE TO SAGAMORE BEACH MASSACHUSETTS...INCLUDING MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FROM SANDY HOOK NEW JERSEY TO WOODS HOLE MASSACHUSETTS...INCLUDING BLOCK ISLAND AND LONG ISLAND SOUND. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FROM NORTH OF SAGAMORE BEACH TO THE MOUTH OF THE MERRIMACK RIVER MASSACHUSETTS. Yes, Long Island Sound (and thus coastal Connecticut) has a tropical storm watch. Without breaking out models from the GFS to the Euro and all kinds of complex tropical cyclone stuff...a track closer to the coast, while *not probable*, is *more likely* than it was even earlier today. We really need to monitor Earl constantly at this point. While *very unlikely*, a track like Bob or Gloria is more possible now, when it seemed near impossible 24 hours ago. It has trended northwest on the models. While I still doubt landfall will occur anywhere, it will be close, and we *may *experience tropical storm conditions. -- Scott Kruitbosch Stratford, CT Connecticut Audubon Society http://ctaudubon.blogspot.com/ _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Hurricane Earl - keeping track From: Parrot <sisserou AT charter.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 16:39:30 -0400 Greetings, Many ways for folk to track Hurricane Earl and local conditions such as various Integrated Ocean Observing Systems (IOOS). To our south - the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (MACOORA) has a wind forecasting tool available through Rutgers CoolRoom: http://marine.rutgers.edu/cool/weather/WRF/00Z_6km/wind.html Let this model run and you will see the arrival of Earl south of Long Island by Friday. Here is the NERACOOS wave model: http://www.neracoos.org/projects/necofs.html Select Forecast Model - surface waves; Select Date - for today Select Sept 1 (to see a forecast out to Friday) Select Animate - watch the animation Eastern Visible Image Loop: http://www.srh.weather.gov/tropicalwx/satpix/eaus_vis_loop.php National Weather Service products: http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/wfo/sectors/boxMarineDay.php#tabs Note in the upper right are arrows - use these to pan around the region. Note in the table of contents one can change the time of day by 12 hours - just mouse over a parameter/time to change the display view Close to Home: LISICOS buoys provide weather and waves (some of the buoys). http://lisicos.uconn.edu/ Ron, Ashford _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Windsor From: Paul Desjardins <paul.desjardins2 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:21:07 -0400 Paul Desjardins Phone: (860) 623-3696 paul.desjardins2 AT gmail.com This morning along Day Hill Road adult Peregrine Falcon. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Blue jay From: "Claudia" <cllongmore AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 14:56:18 -0400 I have had one also for well over a month . have been trying to get a picture ; caption would read "why blue jays (should) have crests" :-) -----Original Message----- From: ctbirds-bounces AT lists.ctbirding.org [mailto:ctbirds-bounces AT lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Carol Ansel Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 11:05 PM To: Tammy Eustis Cc: CT Birding Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Blue jay Thanks for that link, Tammy - I have one of these guys too - strong contender in my "ugliest bird" contest. As the article said, I could clearly see his ear openings too. Carol Ansel Mystic On Aug 31, 2010, at 3:43 PM, Tammy Eustis wrote: > Hi, Lisa! > The blue jay is most likely in the middle of molting its feathers. > We've had a bald jay and a bald cardinal so far this year. More good > info on this site: http://wildbirdsunlimited.typepad.com/the_zen_birdfeeder/2010/08/bald-birds. html > . > :-) Tammy Eustis, Chester > -----Original Message----- > From: lisagagnon37 AT yahoo.com [mailto:lisagagnon37 AT yahoo.com] > Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 03:11 PM > To: 'CT birds Ct birds' > Subject: [CT Birds] Blue jay > > Lisa east hampton 8/31. Just had a jay come in looked young AT first, > then looked threw window & noticed its head almost looks like a > turkey vultures head. Its not bald but looks strange. What is its > problem? Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > _______________________________________________ This list is > provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the > discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription > information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association > (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: CACC From: Katz1449 AT aol.com Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 14:01:59 EDT 9/1 Milford, Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center 10AM-1PM sunny, 85-90, low tide rising. At 10AM one juvenile Osprey was on the nest with a fish, which it consumed sporadically throughout the morning. The adult female was on the perch. At 11:15AM the female came on the nest and the juvenile mantled its fish and squawked pretty loudly, after which the female flew off. A birder/visitor mentioned he had just seen a Clapper Rail run from one area of marsh grass into another. there were 4 Yellow crowned night herons (3 Juveniles , 1 adult). One of the juveniles was in the marsh waters, hunkered down, its beak under the water nostrils above water, just sitting (presumably to cool off), and proceeded to flap around bathing after that. Later the juvenile Y.C. night heron had spread its wings and we noticed its throat vibrating, as if calling. Other species noted: Black ducks, mallards, D.C. Cormorants, Red winged blackbirds (many beautiful juveniles), Black bellied plovers, snowy egrets, Great egrets, Laughing gulls, herring gulls, 1 Great Black backed gull, semi-palmated sandpipers, semi palmated plovers, least sandpipers, mourning doves, cardinals, mockingbird. Bev Propen, Orange _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: NHBC 1st Wed. Walk Report From: Tina and Peter Green <petermgreen AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 17:36:29 +0000 9/1/10 - West Haven - Sandy Point - Despite the oppressive heat this morning,23 participants joined the very first "1st" Wednesday walk of the season. We squeezed out 39 species in two hours with a receding tide. Our highlights were 1 Whimbrel,1 Green Heron,and 3 Clapper Rails, two which gave us terrific long looks. Tina Green Westport _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Migration/Bluff outlook this weekend From: David F Provencher <david.f.provencher AT dom.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 12:57:28 -0400 Obviously the approaching weather is complicated enough that predicting the next good movement night and good flight at Bluff Point morning in tricky right now. The trough that is moving towards us (and affecting Earl ultimately), has southwest winds on its eastern end. So even though there is colder, denser air behind the trough (good for migration), the northwest winds that make Bluff Point a hot spot may not happen here till Tuesday or Wednesday. How much the trough will affect Earl is dependent on what the compass angle of the eastern winds is when it gets here. Having been through this scenario before, I know things often change significantly at the last moment. When the conditions look good for a big day at Bluff Point's hot corner, I'll post a note. But at the moment the weekend doesn't look good for one. I'd also caution about coastal conditions on Friday. Even if all we see are strong northeast winds (it was a moderate/strong nor'easter that ultimately changed Griswold Point's shape and size forever in the early 1990s) it is very important to remember that strong easterly winds cause higher water levels in Long Island Sound by slowing the outflow of water through the east end. On top of that is the potential for at least a small storm surge, which would combine with the easterly wind effect to cause coastal flooding and erosion. High tides on Friday are around 6:30am and 7pm at Saybrook Point. There is also the potential for a fair number of tree limbs coming down (we haven't had these kind of winds in SE CT in a while) and some power transmission interruptions. Both of which will make driving around the SE coast tougher. Lastly, I expect some coastal access closings on Friday by Law Enforcement and by State/Local Officials. Some coastal State/Town parks and beaches have been closed during previous storms, like Hammonasset. Dave Provencher Naturally New England CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message contains information which may be legally confidential and or privileged and does not in any case represent a firm ENERGY COMMODITY bid or offer relating thereto which binds the sender without an additional express written confirmation to that effect. The information is intended solely for the individual or entity named above and access by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please reply immediately to the sender that you have received the message in error, and delete it. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Earl/Stratford Point From: Scott Kruitbosch <kbosch AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 11:45:05 -0400 Apart from bird specifics, Earl seems to be right on track to pass over or near the infamous benchmark, 40N/70W. Hurricane force winds should be confined to the Cape, if at all, and tropical storm force winds should only barely get to extreme eastern CT. I mean *barely*, as this should end up as nothing more than a strong nor'easter by all appearances, so don't worry. Right now, from west to east, we in CT stand a 30-50% chance of seeing those TS winds (average over 39MPH for >1 minute). Here - http://www.goes.noaa.gov/GSSLOOPS/ecir.html - is a simple flash animation of the eastern CONUS infrared satellite loop. You can see Earl obviously, and looking towards the west from Michigan to Tennessee is the trough that is coming to save us from anything of real consequence. It will push Earl away and out to sea. The race is on...but we already know who will win, and it isn't Earl. As others have stated the key is that Earl will be directly south of us for a bit, albeit moving quickly, throwing birds in towards CT and LIS because of the cyclonic winds. Think of the eye of the storm being south of us while east of New Jersey, moving northeast, and winds spinning in a counter-clockwise fashion. Even though they won't be really getting to us this as it moves off it will move good birds in. Earl should only be a CAT 2 by the time it is up here, but its previous strength and increasing speed will only help our chances of it having carried some rarities with it. Stratford Point will not be open probably until later in the evening tonight, so plan ahead with that. The kite has shown up around 6:30 the last couple of nights probably because of the heat. We'll see what it does tonight, but with yet another day of temperatures well into the 90s I would guess it may do the same. -- Scott Kruitbosch Stratford, CT Connecticut Audubon Society http://ctaudubon.blogspot.com/ _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Westport Buff-breasted Sandpiper From: Tina and Peter Green <petermgreen AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:19:51 +0000 9/1/10 - Westport - Sherwood Island SP (10:49AM)- the BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER continues on the model airplane field in spite of two people standing about 30 feet away from it and flying their airplanes. Also,two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS in the Mill Pond near the entrance. Tina Green Westport _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Storm outlook for weekend From: David F Provencher <david.f.provencher AT dom.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 09:35:43 -0400 Well everyone's watching Earl of course. Hopefully we'll just get brushed by the big winds and not take a solid hit. In terms of storm birds, nearly all tropic storm related birds in CT are found after the storm's passage. There are some very obvious reasons for that of course. Depending on the strength of the winds, storm driven birds could end up in Long Island Sound or in lakes and ponds in CT. The passage timing looks to be Friday here and Saturday could be the day to be out looking. Because the storm is expected to parallel the coast, we have a very good chance of coastal birds being pushed northward as well. Earl is expected to be fast moving, which generally means a slightly reduced affect on pelagic birds. And I can not emphasize this enough, here in CT we usually see few if any storm related birds. So the list below includes possibilities, NOT probabilities by any means! Your birding mileage may vary (and will likely be less than you hoped. Experience speaking here). So possibilities include Royal, Sandwich, Gull-billed Terns, Brown Pelican, and Skimmers (after one storm there were hundreds of Black Skimmers in CT and RI.) At inland waters/locales watch for both pelagic Phalaropes and Hudsonian Godwits could end up anywhere. Pelagic birds to be on the alert for are all three Jaegers (Pomarine the least likely at this point I should think), Sabine's Gulls, Arctic Terns, Brown Booby, (even Masked Booby should be watched for) Wilson's and Leach's Storm-Petrels, Cory's Shearwater, Greater Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, Audubon's Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater. Tropical/warm water possibilities would include Black-capped Petrel, Sooty Tern, Bridled Tern, White-tailed and Red-billed Tropicbirds, Magnificent Frigatebird, among other even more rare possibilities. With all the White-faced Storm-Petrels seen on that pelagic trip, we should consider that possibility as of course. Anything I forgot? If you see even one storm related good bird consider yourself very lucky. I have birded every one of these storms for quite some time now and managed just one really good CT bird, a very long distance scope look at a Sooty Tern flying over Long Island Sound. It (or another, which I consider very unlikely) was found emaciated on the North Shore of Long Island later that day. As always with these storms, safety first, birds second. Dave Provencher Naturally New England CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message contains information which may be legally confidential and or privileged and does not in any case represent a firm ENERGY COMMODITY bid or offer relating thereto which binds the sender without an additional express written confirmation to that effect. The information is intended solely for the individual or entity named above and access by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please reply immediately to the sender that you have received the message in error, and delete it. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Riverside Park in Hartford From: paul cianfaglione <pcianfaglione AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 13:20:41 +0000 9/1 Hartford, Riverside Park Sewage Pond - 1 juv. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, 13 GREAT EGRET, 16 GREAT BLUE HERON, 1 GREEN HERON, 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 7 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 1 SOLITARY SANDPIPER, 4 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, 2 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. 8/31 New Hartford, Nepaug Reservoir - 1 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, 1 RING-NECKED DUCK. Paul Cianfaglione Canton _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Greenwich Audubon - 1 Hooded, 2 Swainsons From: streatham2003 AT aol.com Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:01:14 -0400 Hi All, A 10 minute run around the property here this morning yielded 1 Hooded Warbler and 2 Swainson's Thrushes (not warblers unfortunately). Luke Tiler, Greenwich _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Black Skimmers, Milford Pt From: "Zagorski, Sara" <szagorski AT daypitney.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 06:59:20 -0400 Tina Green called to say that there are 6 juvenile Black Skimmers sitting at the sand bar at Milford Pt this morning. Sara Zagorski Wethersfield This message contains PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION intended solely for the use of the addressee(s) named above. Any disclosure, distribution, copying or use of the information by others is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by immediate reply and delete the original message. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Fall Hawkwatching Resource From: B Inskeep <binskeep AT optonline.net> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:15:11 -0400 Greetings to all, For those of you that don't subscribe to the NYS list, here is a recent (borrowed) post with some helpful resources for hawk migration. Try this link for a printable pdf guide to hawks: http://www.hmana.org/silhouette_guide/HMANA_Hawks_Guide_09.pdf ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 3:43 PM Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fall Hawkwatching Resource A Free Silhouette Guide to Hawks Seen in North America A free silhouette "Guide to Hawks Seen in North America" is now available from the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) at www.hmana.org. The two-page guide helps you compare the shape and key field marks of 21 species of migratory hawks seen throughout most of North America. To keep everything relatively simple and on two pages, only the adults of most species are shown. The guide is a handy field reference for all hawk watchers, and a great start for beginning hawk watchers. This new guide is a significant revision and expansion of the "Guide to Hawks Seen in the North East" introduced in 2008, adding Mississippi Kite, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and adult male Northern Harrier, as well as other new images and additional field marks. The guide is designed and illustrated by Paul Carrier, the artist who conceived and developed the popular, ground-breaking silhouette guide to hawks in the 1970s, as well as the recent "Guide to Hawks Seen in the North East" (also available for free download on the HMANA web site, along with a free PowerPoint presentation on identifying hawks of the northeast ). "A Guide to Hawks Seen in North America" is available in two forms: a.. A downloadable PDF for single-copy printout for personal, non-commercial use. b.. A professionally printed copy on durable card stock laminated for long-term use in the field. Individual laminated copies cost $5.00 each + $1 S/H. Special bulk prices are also available on the web site. Hawk watches, bird clubs, schools, nature shops, or any other organization can raise funds and help educate their constituents about hawk identification by purchasing the guide in bulk quantity at wholesale prices. Proceeds from individual and bulk sales support HMANA's effort to promote research, education, and conservation regarding our birds of prey. For complete information, including bulk pricing, and to order or download the new guide, visit www.hmana.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Blue jay From: Carol Ansel <carolansel AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:04:44 -0400 Thanks for that link, Tammy - I have one of these guys too - strong contender in my "ugliest bird" contest. As the article said, I could clearly see his ear openings too. Carol Ansel Mystic On Aug 31, 2010, at 3:43 PM, Tammy Eustis wrote: > Hi, Lisa! > The blue jay is most likely in the middle of molting its feathers. > We've had a bald jay and a bald cardinal so far this year. More good > info on this site: http://wildbirdsunlimited.typepad.com/the_zen_birdfeeder/2010/08/bald-birds.html > . > :-) Tammy Eustis, Chester > -----Original Message----- > From: lisagagnon37 AT yahoo.com [mailto:lisagagnon37 AT yahoo.com] > Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 03:11 PM > To: 'CT birds Ct birds' > Subject: [CT Birds] Blue jay > > Lisa east hampton 8/31. Just had a jay come in looked young AT first, > then looked threw window & noticed its head almost looks like a > turkey vultures head. Its not bald but looks strange. What is its > problem? Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > _______________________________________________ This list is > provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the > discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription > information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association > (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Whimbrel, Skimmers, Milford/Stratford From: Frank Mantlik <mantlik AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:05:14 -0700 (PDT) From Frank Mantlik 8/31 Milford/Stratford, Housatonic River sandbars off Milford Point and Short Beach - 1 Whimbrel, 2 juv. Black Skimmers. 8/31 Stratford, Long Beach Blvd. - 2 juv. Northern Harriers seen hunting over marsh along the RR Trail. 3 Blue-winged Teal in the Warehouse Pond; probably the same three later seen in the Access Rd. pool. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Sherwood Island, Westport From: Frank Mantlik <mantlik AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:54:28 -0700 (PDT) The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still present at Sherwood Island at same general area at 4:30pm 8/31; I saw it with the help of A.J. and Sue Hand. Frank Mantlik Stratford ________________________________ From: "Zagorski, Sara" To: CT Birds Sent: Tue, August 31, 2010 11:54:09 AM Subject: [CT Birds] Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Sherwood Island, Westport AJ Hand has found a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at Sherwood Island SP in Westport. It is located in the parking area near where the model airplanes fly, which is the area on the far left hand side of the park as you go through the toll booths. Sara Zagorski Wethersfield This message contains PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION intended solely for the use of the addressee(s) named above. Any disclosure, distribution, copying or use of the information by others is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by immediate reply and delete the original message. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: RI Pelagic Trip spots still available! From: Nick Bonomo <nbonomo AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:41:34 -0400 As the bottom of that message notes, last weekend's pelagic out of Cape Cod to the edge of the Continental Shelf was EPIC in terms of ABA rarities. Any trip with a WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL is a huge success, so recording over TWENTY is just amazing (and unprecedented). They also had GREAT SKUA, a possible SOUTH POLAR SKUA (evaded certain identification) and LONG-TAILED JAEGER, plus both pelagic phalaropes and other goodies. This Rhode Island trip will be visiting waters along the shelf edge not very far to the west of last weekend's trip out of Cape Cod, so it's reasonable to think that this trip could be a success as well. Plus, who knows what Hurricane Earl may drag up from the tropics and Gulf Stream. If you want to see a White-faced Storm-Petrel without traveling to New Zealand or Cape Verde, this looks like the year to see one. Nick Bonomo Wallingford, CT On Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 4:58 PM, Mardi Dickinson wrote: > Dear birders et all, > > I just heard that the RI Pelagic trip still has available room. If you are > interested contact Carlos Pedro > asap, Here is the info below. > > Cheers, > Mardi Dickinson > Norwalk, CT > mardi1 AT optonline.net > > I am passing this along from Carlos Pedro > If you are interested in participating please e-mail me at dcpedro AT > cox.net  as soon as possible. > The trip has been re- scheduled to depart on Thursday, September 9th at 9 PM > and return at 9 PM > on September 10th. > > We will depart from the Galilee Dock in Narragansett aboard the 'Lady > Frances'. > This boat is the newest and fastest boat of the Frances Fleet. > There are bunks onboard for 45 passengers but this trip will be limited to > 38.The idea would be to sleep on the way and wake up at dawn on the shelf > edge > 90 miles out , bird until 3 PM and return to port. There is a full Galley > and > food and drink can be bought or you can bring your own. > The cost of the trip if we can get 38 birders will be $135. > > This trip could present a great opportunity to possibly see some of the > rarer > visitors to RI waters such as Audobon's Shearwater, Bridled and Arctic Tern, > South Polar Skua, Jaegers, White-faced and Leech's Storm-petrels and > possibly a > first RI record Band-rumped Storm-petrel. Band-rumps have been regularly > seen > over the past few years on Mass. trips to the canyons south of Nantucket. > The Brookline Bird club trip to the Canyons just east of Block Canyon had > a tremendous trip this past weekend (20+ White-faced Storm-Petrels, Great > Skua, > Band-rumped Storm-Petrel and Long-tailed Jaeger) and we're hoping to get > some > good birds. > > Carlos Pedro > dcpedro AT cox.net > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Rocky Hill Meadows From: "Zagorski, Sara" <szagorski AT daypitney.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:32:21 -0400 8/31 - from 6:55 - 7:45 pm Pectoral Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Common Nighthawk. Many killdeer and 7 Least Sandpipers. No sign of Buff-Breasted. I've gotten several inquiries about where to find the birds. Enter through the ferry parking lot entrance and continue on the road through the woods until you come to a wide open space with fields on both sides of you. Keep on the road, it will make an S turn, and then there will be a field on your left and a dirt field on your right. The road intersects the main road, but on the right is a road with a closed orange gate. Park here. The dirt field is your object. The dirt field has next to it a strip of bare ground with pieces of turf on it, then there is a grassy green turf field. The birds hang out in the median bare strip and sometimes in the turf field. Unfortunately there is a roll of turf at the edge of the turf field, and the birds like to work behind this edge, which makes them out of sight. Also unfortunately there are deep furrows and throughs in the median bare ground, one deep area I have taken to calling the Slough of Despond. You can't see them in it and it is deep and long. The pectoral and baird's were hiding behind the turf edge and then scampered across into the Slough. Gone. It takes a lot of patient scanning to see what is there, a scope is necessary. But sometimes they are on the turf and very visible. Sara Zagorski Wethersfield This message contains PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION intended solely for the use of the addressee(s) named above. Any disclosure, distribution, copying or use of the information by others is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by immediate reply and delete the original message. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Bluff Point - Palm Warbler From: "John M. Oshlick" <joshlic AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:21:17 -0400 (GMT-04:00) Bluff Point this am (with Paul Desjardins) about 200 warblers including 1 early palm warbler, most of the birds were redstarts birds of note 1 Palm Warbler 1 Blackpoll 1 magnolia 1 BT blue 1 BT Green 1 chestnut sided 2 parula 1 canada 2 Phoebe 1 merlin John Oshlick Hamden _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Bluff Point, Groton From: Paul Desjardins <paul.desjardins2 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:11:36 -0400 Paul Desjardins Phone: (860) 623-3696 paul.desjardins2 AT gmail.com This morning with John Ogren 13 warbler species including a Palm Warbler. Not a heavy flight with perhaps 100-200 birds. Also 2 Merlins. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Osborndale SP From: PJDEGENNARO AT aol.com Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:55:44 EDT 8/31 - Osborndale State Park, Derby - MOURNING WARBLER, YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, BROWN THRASHER The Mourning Warbler and Y-b Flycatcher were on the trail west of the two ponds just before the trail enters the woods and nears the stream (or what's left of it). The Brown Thrasher was among the hordes of Catbirds on the kestrel trail. Peter DeGennaro Naugatuck _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: WT Kite at Stratford Point From: kbosch AT gmail.com Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:20:43 +0000 Now at 620. Scott Kruitbosch Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: RI Pelagic Trip spots still available! From: Mardi Dickinson <mardi1 AT optonline.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:58:18 -0400 Dear birders et all, I just heard that the RI Pelagic trip still has available room. If you are interested contact Carlos Pedro asap, Here is the info below. Cheers, Mardi Dickinson Norwalk, CT mardi1 AT optonline.net I am passing this along from Carlos Pedro If you are interested in participating please e-mail me at dcpedro AT cox.net as soon as possible. The trip has been re- scheduled to depart on Thursday, September 9th at 9 PM and return at 9 PM on September 10th. We will depart from the Galilee Dock in Narragansett aboard the 'Lady Frances'. This boat is the newest and fastest boat of the Frances Fleet. There are bunks onboard for 45 passengers but this trip will be limited to 38.The idea would be to sleep on the way and wake up at dawn on the shelf edge 90 miles out , bird until 3 PM and return to port. There is a full Galley and food and drink can be bought or you can bring your own. The cost of the trip if we can get 38 birders will be $135. This trip could present a great opportunity to possibly see some of the rarer visitors to RI waters such as Audobon's Shearwater, Bridled and Arctic Tern, South Polar Skua, Jaegers, White-faced and Leech's Storm-petrels and possibly a first RI record Band-rumped Storm-petrel. Band-rumps have been regularly seen over the past few years on Mass. trips to the canyons south of Nantucket. The Brookline Bird club trip to the Canyons just east of Block Canyon had a tremendous trip this past weekend (20+ White-faced Storm-Petrels, Great Skua, Band-rumped Storm-Petrel and Long-tailed Jaeger) and we're hoping to get some good birds. Carlos Pedro dcpedro AT cox.net _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Blue jay From: "Tammy Eustis" <teustis AT killingworthlibrary.org> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:43:11 +0000 Hi, Lisa! The blue jay is most likely in the middle of molting its feathers. We've had a bald jay and a bald cardinal so far this year. More good info on this site: http://wildbirdsunlimited.typepad.com/the_zen_birdfeeder/2010/08/bald-birds.html. :-) Tammy Eustis, Chester -----Original Message----- From: lisagagnon37 AT yahoo.com [mailto:lisagagnon37 AT yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 03:11 PM To: 'CT birds Ct birds' Subject: [CT Birds] Blue jay Lisa east hampton 8/31. Just had a jay come in looked young AT first, then looked threw window & noticed its head almost looks like a turkey vultures head. Its not bald but looks strange. What is its problem? Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Blue jay From: lisagagnon37 AT yahoo.com Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:11:12 +0000 Lisa east hampton 8/31. Just had a jay come in looked young AT first, then looked threw window & noticed its head almost looks like a turkey vultures head. Its not bald but looks strange. What is its problem? Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Quaker Ridge - Olive-sided Flycatcher etc From: streatham2003 AT aol.com Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:48:47 -0400 Hi All, Had what must be our second Olive-sided for the year at Quaker Ridge today (no sighting yesterday). I got a couple of distant shots one on the blog: http://wp.me/pmIJ4-ue Quaker seems to be as a reliable spot as I know for them in Fairfield County along with Saugatuck Falls in Redding. Also a couple of flyby Solitary Sandpipers and Bobolinks at the watch. Luke Tiller, Greenwich _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Gulls eating flying insects From: David F Provencher <david.f.provencher AT dom.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:29:35 -0400 Large Gulls are superb opportunists and the species that breed inland are particularly adept at hawking flying insects. Relevant species in the northeast include Ring-billed Gull, vagrant California Gull, and vagrant Franklin's Gull. Of course as others have noted, Laughing Gull is very adept at this as well. And true to being opportunists, the insect species taken cover a wide spectrum. Flies, beetles, dragonflies, moths, butterflies, cicadas, midges, etc., are taken. As Frank Mantlik pointed out in an earlier post, flying ant swarms are frequently targeted by Ring-billed Gulls and Laughing Gulls, as well as passerines such as Cedar Waxwings and Starlings. Vagrant Franklin's Gulls in the northeast have been observed hawking insects in the parking lots of malls or eateries. In fact I believe one vagrant was discovered while doing this at a McDonalds. That raises another point, if you see a lone Laughing Gull hawking insects at an inland location, take a close look and make sure it is indeed a Laughing Gull! Dave Dave Provencher Naturally New England CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message contains information which may be legally confidential and or privileged and does not in any case represent a firm ENERGY COMMODITY bid or offer relating thereto which binds the sender without an additional express written confirmation to that effect. The information is intended solely for the individual or entity named above and access by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please reply immediately to the sender that you have received the message in error, and delete it. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Nighthawks and laughing gulls From: DEIRDRE MURTHA <sdmurtha AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:28:17 -0700 (PDT) We had a good flight of C. Nighthawks over our house in Norwalk last night.  I wasn't able to observe the entire time but the first started coming over at about 6 pm and the last shortly after 7, and there was always at least one in sight anytime I looked.  All were trending towards the southwest.  Lots of dragonflies too, some so big and chunky that I thought they were hummingbirds. I earlier counted 43 juvenile Laughing Gulls on a small floating dock in Greenwich harbor.  They were coexisting nicely with a few Ring-billed Gulls, but one Herring Gull kept turning up and aggressively herding the LG's around like sheep. On the topic of Gulls hawking insects, I'd like to share a neat observation we recently made on the causeway to Antelope Island in the Great Salt lake, Utah.  The brine flies were so thick just over the water that a flock of Franklin's Gulls were simply standing on the shoreline and picking them out of the air.  It took a minute to realize why this entire flock was constantly bobbing heads and snapping bills, though otherwise still. -Sean Murtha _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Bees ect. From: Christopher Lovell <ctlovell AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:24:09 -0400 It could be that there was some robbing going on. Bees from a foreign hive were trying to steal the sugar water from your hive. Sent from my iPhone On Aug 31, 2010, at 12:02, lisagagnon37 AT yahoo.com wrote: > Lisa east hampton. 8/31. Ok I know we have been discussing a lot of stuff about bugs ect. I have been feeding the bees & this am, while setting them up I saw 2 that appeared 2 be wrestling. They were rolling around on bench like a wrestling match. Hmm. That was very interesting. I think there getting drunk on the sugar water. > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Blue-winged Teal From: greg hanisek <ctgregh AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:17:08 -0700 (PDT) >From Greg Hanisek   Aug. 31 Watertown, Artillery Road - female type BLUE-WINGED TEAL in Logue Farm pond _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Bees ect. From: lisagagnon37 AT yahoo.com Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:02:38 +0000 Lisa east hampton. 8/31. Ok I know we have been discussing a lot of stuff about bugs ect. I have been feeding the bees & this am, while setting them up I saw 2 that appeared 2 be wrestling. They were rolling around on bench like a wrestling match. Hmm. That was very interesting. I think there getting drunk on the sugar water. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Sherwood Island, Westport From: "Zagorski, Sara" <szagorski AT daypitney.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:54:09 -0400 AJ Hand has found a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at Sherwood Island SP in Westport. It is located in the parking area near where the model airplanes fly, which is the area on the far left hand side of the park as you go through the toll booths. Sara Zagorski Wethersfield This message contains PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION intended solely for the use of the addressee(s) named above. Any disclosure, distribution, copying or use of the information by others is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by immediate reply and delete the original message. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Another interesting bird fact From: Carrier Graphics <carriergraphics AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:48:45 -0700 (PDT) My friend Wayne has seen Chipping Sparrows in his garden eating HOT PEPPERS! see below Wayne states: The only peppers that were eaten by the Chipping Sparrows were the hot bright orange ripe peppers and none of the green! Also the habaneros are thin skinned and easy to get into. Wayne Meagher It seems they are opening the hot peppers up and eating the seeds inside. I assume by birds having no saliva or taste buds in their mouth, the hot capicen to them has no taste or burn effect. BUT - their stomach has saliva and soft tissue, so are they enjoying the burn of these hot peper seeds in their stomach?Interesting......... Just a tid-bit of research information,from gardening blog. "Birds fly into the gardens to look for insects, finding the habaneropepers by being brightly colored and nice and sweet they have a field day with them. After they have found them, the birds are tough to get rid of. " Paul Carrier _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Blue-winged Teal, Sora, etc. in Litchfield From: "Dave Rosgen" <dave AT whitememorialcc.org> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:16:12 -0400 From Dave Rosgen: 8/30/10 - Litchfield, N. Shore Rd. (White Memorial's Pt. Folly) - 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, 6 Warbling Vireos, 1 Eastern Bluebird (Bantam R. Oxbows) - 1 Red-shouldered Hawk (Bantam Lake) - 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 4 Double-crested Cormorants 8/30/10 - Litchfield, White Hall Rd. (White Memorial's Museum Area & Activity Field) - 2 Common Nighthawks, 5 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 2 Purple Finches; Also, 1 Killdeer, 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds 8/30/10 - Litchfield, White's Woods Rd. (White Memorial's Cemetery Pond) - 4 BLUE-WINGED TEAL; Also, 4 Green-winged Teal, 10 Wood Ducks, 2 American Black Ducks, 10 Eastern Bluebirds From Dave Rosgen, w/ Ann Orsillo, Suzy & Harry Ainsworth, et. al.: 8/30/10 - Litchfield, S. Lake St. (White Memorial's Little Pond Boardwalk) - 1 SORA, 6 Common Nighthawks, 3 Marsh Wrens; Also, 33 Wood Ducks, 2 Great Blue Herons, 3 Green Herons, 1 Carolina Wren, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher David Rosgen Director of Research White Memorial Conservation Center P.O. Box 368 Litchfield, CT 06759 860-567-0857 dave AT whitememorialcc.org www.whitememorialcc.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Bolton Backyard,plus From: ernest s harris <pdlqlt AT mac.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:43:28 -0400 8/31- Bolton Backyard 6:30-7:30AM-AM. REDSTART, BLACKBURNIAN,PRAIRIE , BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS; BALTIMORE ORIOLE(male); SCARLET TANAGER(female);RED-EYED VIREO and for the 5th day-RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Also, at 6:30PM 8/29-NIGHTHAWK (5-over Bolton Lakes). And yesterday c. noon a FOA(autumn) -JUNCO. Ernie ernest s harris pdlqlt AT mac.com _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Amazing gull & bug pics/kite tonight From: Scott Kruitbosch <kbosch AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:13:13 -0400 As promised, fantastic photos of gulls catching bugs! http://ctaudubon.blogspot.com/ Frank mentioned the White-tailed Kite was on the tall thin cedar at Milford Point. This was the first time it has done that...to my knowledge...in at least a week. It had spent more time at Stratford Point and Short Beach, but now seems to be trending back to the old routine. I picked it up flying over as it came to see us not long after. It hunted and took probably 10-12 minutes before making a kill. I did not track the exact time. It took several nice passes directly in front of everyone. Since this still confuses visitors on occasion, if you stop by we stay in front of the main building (closest to the water) in the evening. You do not have to walk around looking for it - just come right there and wait with us, you'll be on it as fast as possible. This is the best area for viewing, photography, and not disturbing the kite. I don't know how we got so lucky but we did. It is perfect and tonight went nearly perfectly. When it captured a vole it took a slow pass right in front of us all before eating it on the beach and departing. I have a feeling I will be able to post some stunning photos from that tomorrow. The gate may or may not be open in the day, but it will be in the evening again. -- Scott Kruitbosch Stratford, CT Connecticut Audubon Society http://ctaudubon.blogspot.com/ _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Stratford W-T Kite, Black Skimmers From: Frank Mantlik <mantlik AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:20:56 -0700 (PDT) From Frank Mantlik 9/30 Stratford, Short Beach, 6 - 6:30pm - WHITE-TAILED KITE perched atop cedar tree across river at Milford Point (as crowd waited for it at Stratford Point), 4 juvenile BLACK SKIMMERS on sandbar then flying around river, 1 Willet (western race). Having lived along the CT coast most of my life, it is a fairly common sight (annual) this time of year (August/September) to see gulls hawking insects in flight. Species that commonly do it are Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls. Several times over the years I have tried to use the binoculars to identify the insects in flight. The times I have been able to do so, they have been swarms of winged ants. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: More Nighthawks over Stamford From: B Inskeep <binskeep AT optonline.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:21:52 -0400 8/30/10, 7:30 pm, Stamford, Shippan - while unloading groceries from the car, there were Common Nighthawks streaming by overhead. I watched for about 10 minutes and counted at least 30, one after the other, until deciding the ice cream couldn't wait for the freezer any longer. I was able to see them off in the distance over the tree-line towards Dyke Park while driving home; after dark I went to that location and was able to see 3 flying back and forth, feeding above the field lights. My guess is there were more higher up and out of view in the darkness and, on this night, I was able to hear them vocalize, too. What I also noticed were, again, lots of flying insects and dragonflies in numbers that seemed to be reduced to absent in areas where I looked for nighthawks over the past couple of days (and came up empty handed). While residing out west, we had both Lesser and Common Nighthawks. It was always difficult for me to distinguish between the two based on location of the white wing patches as shown in Sibley's. But an easy way to differentiate, and what I learned from the experts, is that Lesser tend to fly lower and Common, higher. Lesser were pretty much always observed (by me) flying and circling low, for instance, foraging below or at the level of lights on a lamppost or skimming along the surface of a body of water unlike what I've observed with Commons that remain much higher. Needless to say, migration of Common Nighthawks has been just one of the many spectacular birding events that occur here in the northeast that has brought tremendous enjoyment. Pretty neat birds! Brenda Inskeep Stamford _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions From: "Sarah Faulkner" <sffaulkner AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:20:19 -0400 My pair of goldfinch who were with me all summer, seemed to delight in eating the petals of some of the flowers in my garden (helianthus, coneflowers, and bee balm). I got some nice photos of them perched on the stems, petals sticking out of their beaks. Little devils! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carrier Graphics" To: Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 11:49 AM Subject: [CT Birds] Gull-Goldfinch Questions > Have two questions to ask.......... > > # 1 - Recently, I saw 3 Ring-billed Gulls fly by near a Mall in > Torrington. > All 3 were in direct flight, but they were occasionally cutting about as > they > flew > as if catching insects from the air as swallows often do. > I have never seen Gulls do this before. > Has anyone ever seen this behavior in gulls before? > > #2 - this morning, I again saw 7 Goldfinch on the side of the road > picking and eating the big leaves of Coltsfoot. I saw them doing this > 2 days before in same spot. Last year, they ate my Swiss-chard > in the same manner, perching on the leaf then eating > only the areas between the veins. A bit unusual to see a passerine bird > species > eating leaves. > Has anyone ever seen this behavior in Goldfinch before? > > Paul Carrier - Harwinton > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Whimbrel at Harkness Memorial State Park - 8/29/10 From: louise tucker <louise40pt AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:13:07 -0700 (PDT) Late afternoon Sunday, Aug. 29, at Harkness Memorial State Park, a Whimbrel flew to the edge of the marsh in the inlet that is to the west of the lawn. It rested near a gull group, preening itself for quite a while. In the inlet also was a flock of approximately 30 Double-crested Cormorants, 2 Great Egrets, 4 Snowy Egrets, a Least Tern and a Common Tern. Later, a flock of approximately 200 Laughing Gulls roamed the front lawn hunting insects in the grass.  I don't remember seeing any gulls hawking insects in the air.   Louise P. Tucker, Enfield, CT _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Gull hawking insects From: Christopher Lovell <ctlovell AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:58:08 -0400 I have often seen Ring-billed and Herring Gulls hawking insects in lights over parking lots and billboards at all hours of the night and through the wee hours of the morning. It's very obvious that they are consuming the insects attracted by the lights and aren't just flying through the light. Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: night hawks/bluebirds From: Carol Bauby <gypsy.carol AT charter.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:43:30 -0400 We live in Harwinton, not far from the Naugatuck River valley. Saw a few single night hawks tonight heading for the river valley. What a beautiful looking bird when gliding. We are happy to report that we had 3 broods of blue birds in our nesting boxes at different times. Last ones hatched last week. This is the latest we've had babies. American gold finches everywhere - can we take them as dependents on our tax return? I think they had a very successful breeding season. ~Carol in Harwinton _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions From: Steve Mayo <rsdmayo AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:01:30 -0700 (PDT) I too have frequently seen hundreds of gulls flycatching at Milford Point, Lighthouse Point and other coastal spots.   Last Sunday, Bill Banks and I watched about 175 resident Lighthouse Starlings doing this.  They actively performed aerial flycatching in the WSW section of the Park, for at least an hour.   Steve Mayo Bethany --- On Mon, 8/30/10, Carrier Graphics wrote: From: Carrier Graphics Subject: [CT Birds] Gull-Goldfinch Questions To: ctbirds AT lists.ctbirding.org Date: Monday, August 30, 2010, 11:49 AM Have two questions to ask.......... # 1 - Recently, I saw 3 Ring-billed Gulls fly by near a Mall in Torrington. All 3 were in direct flight, but they were occasionally cutting about as they flew as if catching insects from the air as swallows often do.   I have never seen Gulls do this before. Has anyone ever seen this behavior in gulls before? #2 - this morning, I again saw 7 Goldfinch on the side of the road picking and eating the big leaves of Coltsfoot. I saw them doing this 2 days before in same spot. Last year, they ate my Swiss-chard in the same manner, perching on the leaf then eating only the areas between the veins. A bit unusual to see a passerine bird species eating leaves. Has anyone ever seen this behavior in Goldfinch before? Paul Carrier - Harwinton _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Duckies From: Dennis Varza <dennisvz AT optonline.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:29:43 -0400 Hi Folks I did a run at the reservoirs in my area. The only bird of note was a Ring-necked Duck at Aspetuck Reservoir in Easton. Down in Stratford, an immature Northern Pintail has been hanging out in Selby's Pond. (Shakespeare Theater Pond) Last Fall I had Ring-billed Gulls eating Crab Apples, whole, at Cove Island Park in Stamford. Dennis Varza Fairfield _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Red Knot From: eyeflight16 AT optonline.net Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:09:25 +0000 (GMT) 8/30 Penfield Reef, Faifield A juvenile Red Knot seen now on the jetty next to the reef with Sanderlings, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, and Ruddy Turnstones. James Randall Fairfield _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Storms From: "Marty Swanhall" <mswanhall AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:43:57 -0400 Check out http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ to find more about Earl (now a cat 4 hurricane) and Fiona (a tropical storm) - East coast can be in for some windy times soon. Marty from Woodbury _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: heron and egret From: "Marty Swanhall" <mswanhall AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:27:10 -0400 On way home today, saw a GREAT BLUE HERON and an AMERICAN (GREAT) EGRET in wetlands on South Pomperaug Rd here in Woodbury. Marty Swanhall from Woodbury _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Sandy Point, West Haven From: Paul Desjardins <paul.desjardins2 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:08:35 -0400 Paul Desjardins Phone: (860) 623-3696 paul.desjardins2 AT gmail.com This morning 2 juvenile Red Knots. Let's hope many more were raised to help bolster the population! Also, concerning gulls flycatching several times i have seen hundreds of Laughing Gulls flycatching over the southern portion of the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Common Nighthawks over Essex From: "Jim Denham" <jgdenham AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:57:03 -0400 Last night at 6:45 pm, a group of 20+ Common Nighthawks flew over my house in Essex, heading southwest. Jim Denham email: jgdenham AT aol.com cell#: 860-876-0306 _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: LHP Dickcissels, Olive-sided From: greg hanisek <ctgregh AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:53:05 -0700 (PDT) From Greg Hanisek   Aug. 30 New Haven, Lighthouse Point hawk watch - 27 diurnal raptors but plenty of other interesting stuff as usual. Highlights were an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER teed up for 1/2 hour in "the dead tree"; 3 flyover DICKCISSELS.     Also noted: 9 Eastern Kingbirds; 1 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH; 160 Cedar Waxwings; 235 BOBOLINKS; 4 PURPLE FINCHES.    Thanks to Bill Banks, Ed Hagen and Paul Desjardins for extra eyes on blue skies _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Gull.... Question From: greg hanisek <ctgregh AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:14:40 -0700 (PDT) We regularly see gulls insect-catching at Lighthouse Point during the hawk watch. It usually occurs later in the afternoon on a warm day early in the fall season. The species primaily involved, as noted by Scott from Stratford Point, are Ring-billed Gulls and Laughing Gulls. And the Mormons didn't build a statute of the California Gull because it forages around dumpsters :)   Greg Hanisek Waterbury _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Old Lyme From: "Hank Golet" <htg1523 AT att.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:17:47 -0400 From Hank Golet 8/30,Old Lyme, Great Island, WHIMBREL, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions From: David F Provencher <david.f.provencher AT dom.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:57:38 -0400 A very plausible possibility. I learned another interesting American Goldfinch fact from the BNA account. Since Goldfinches are late nesters (there are still young being fed now) and they are so granivorous (their diet is mostly seeds), that even though Brown-headed Cowbirds successfully parasitize their nests, nearly all the hatched Cowbirds in Goldfinch nests die before leaving the nest. The Cowbird chick's dietary needs can not be adequately met by the host's foraging. So we can say the bird in Greg's photo quiz was almost certainly not raised by a Goldfinch! -----Original Message----- From: Christopher Lovell [mailto:ctlovell AT gmail.com] Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 12:54 PM To: David F Provencher (Generation - 4) Cc: Carrier Graphics; ctbirds AT lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Gull-Goldfinch Questions Interestingly, both Swiss chard and Coltsfoot are both high in sodium. A possible explanation? CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message contains information which may be legally confidential and or privileged and does not in any case represent a firm ENERGY COMMODITY bid or offer relating thereto which binds the sender without an additional express written confirmation to that effect. The information is intended solely for the individual or entity named above and access by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please reply immediately to the sender that you have received the message in error, and delete it. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions From: Kathy Van Der Aue <kvda AT optonline.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:52:48 -0400 I have had birds eat the leaf miners out of my Swiss chard and beets. This year I have had very few miners but I've noticed it in the past. I don't know if coltsfoot gets leaf miners. Kathy Van Der Aue, Southport, CT kvda AT optonline.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carrier Graphics" To: Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 11:49 AM Subject: [CT Birds] Gull-Goldfinch Questions > Have two questions to ask.......... > > # 1 - Recently, I saw 3 Ring-billed Gulls fly by near a Mall in > Torrington. > All 3 were in direct flight, but they were occasionally cutting about as > they > flew > as if catching insects from the air as swallows often do. > I have never seen Gulls do this before. > Has anyone ever seen this behavior in gulls before? > > #2 - this morning, I again saw 7 Goldfinch on the side of the road > picking and eating the big leaves of Coltsfoot. I saw them doing this > 2 days before in same spot. Last year, they ate my Swiss-chard > in the same manner, perching on the leaf then eating > only the areas between the veins. A bit unusual to see a passerine bird > species > eating leaves. > Has anyone ever seen this behavior in Goldfinch before? > > Paul Carrier - Harwinton > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions From: Christopher Lovell <ctlovell AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:53:54 -0400 Interestingly, both Swiss chard and Coltsfoot are both high in sodium. A possible explanation? Sent from my iPhone On Aug 30, 2010, at 12:29, David F Provencher wrote: > Paul, > > I have heard anecdotally that American Goldfinches (and Lesser for that matter) have been observed eating the leaves of several plants, tearing bits out between the leaf's veins. Presumably there is some specific nutrient that this may provide? I can't imagine it's insect gleaning, there really should be no leaf shredding for that. Our three Goldfinches in the US are very heavily granivorous, as you know, but I thought I'd check the Birds of North America account. Here is a snippet: > > "Known to consume other items as varied as green algae (Spirogyra porticalis; Dorsey 1963, Kilham 1980) and maple sap" > > Very interesting observation Paul. > > Dave > > -----Original Message----- > From: ctbirds-bounces AT lists.ctbirding.org [mailto:ctbirds-bounces AT lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Carrier Graphics > Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 11:49 AM > To: ctbirds AT lists.ctbirding.org > Subject: [CT Birds] Gull-Goldfinch Questions > > Have two questions to ask.......... > > # 1 - Recently, I saw 3 Ring-billed Gulls fly by near a Mall in Torrington. > All 3 were in direct flight, but they were occasionally cutting about as they > flew > as if catching insects from the air as swallows often do. > I have never seen Gulls do this before. > Has anyone ever seen this behavior in gulls before? > > #2 - this morning, I again saw 7 Goldfinch on the side of the road > picking and eating the big leaves of Coltsfoot. I saw them doing this > 2 days before in same spot. Last year, they ate my Swiss-chard > in the same manner, perching on the leaf then eating > only the areas between the veins. A bit unusual to see a passerine bird species > eating leaves. > Has anyone ever seen this behavior in Goldfinch before? > > Paul Carrier - Harwinton > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message contains > information which may be legally confidential and or privileged and > does not in any case represent a firm ENERGY COMMODITY bid or offer > relating thereto which binds the sender without an additional > express written confirmation to that effect. The information is > intended solely for the individual or entity named above and access > by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended > recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the > contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful. If > you have received this electronic transmission in error, please > reply immediately to the sender that you have received the message > in error, and delete it. Thank you. > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions From: David F Provencher <david.f.provencher AT dom.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:29:25 -0400 Paul, I have heard anecdotally that American Goldfinches (and Lesser for that matter) have been observed eating the leaves of several plants, tearing bits out between the leaf's veins. Presumably there is some specific nutrient that this may provide? I can't imagine it's insect gleaning, there really should be no leaf shredding for that. Our three Goldfinches in the US are very heavily granivorous, as you know, but I thought I'd check the Birds of North America account. Here is a snippet: "Known to consume other items as varied as green algae (Spirogyra porticalis; Dorsey 1963, Kilham 1980) and maple sap" Very interesting observation Paul. Dave -----Original Message----- From: ctbirds-bounces AT lists.ctbirding.org [mailto:ctbirds-bounces AT lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Carrier Graphics Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 11:49 AM To: ctbirds AT lists.ctbirding.org Subject: [CT Birds] Gull-Goldfinch Questions Have two questions to ask.......... # 1 - Recently, I saw 3 Ring-billed Gulls fly by near a Mall in Torrington. All 3 were in direct flight, but they were occasionally cutting about as they flew as if catching insects from the air as swallows often do. I have never seen Gulls do this before. Has anyone ever seen this behavior in gulls before? #2 - this morning, I again saw 7 Goldfinch on the side of the road picking and eating the big leaves of Coltsfoot. I saw them doing this 2 days before in same spot. Last year, they ate my Swiss-chard in the same manner, perching on the leaf then eating only the areas between the veins. A bit unusual to see a passerine bird species eating leaves. Has anyone ever seen this behavior in Goldfinch before? Paul Carrier - Harwinton _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message contains information which may be legally confidential and or privileged and does not in any case represent a firm ENERGY COMMODITY bid or offer relating thereto which binds the sender without an additional express written confirmation to that effect. The information is intended solely for the individual or entity named above and access by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please reply immediately to the sender that you have received the message in error, and delete it. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Gull-Goldfinch Questions From: Scott Kruitbosch <kbosch AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:55:20 -0400 As for #1, we, the collective group at Stratford Point last night, observed hundreds if not thousands of Ring-billed, Herring, and Laughing Gulls catching insects in the air last night over Stratford Point and Short Beach. If people are that interested perhaps some of our photographers from last night would send me shots to put up in the CAS blog. I know Scott Vincent got amazing photos with insects just in front of gulls, and even a shot with a Ring-billed that has an insect in its bill. This went on for over an hour and was the only real entertainment while we waited for the kite that didn't return again. I have seen this phenomenon regularly at Stratford Point in the past. Watch for it in other locations as it definitely seems to be the right time. It's a very strange sight. The White-tailed Kite was last seen heading to Short Beach around 10. The gate should be open nearly the entire day and evening. Scott On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 11:49 AM, Carrier Graphics < carriergraphics AT sbcglobal.net> wrote: > Have two questions to ask.......... > > # 1 - Recently, I saw 3 Ring-billed Gulls fly by near a Mall in Torrington. > All 3 were in direct flight, but they were occasionally cutting about as > they > flew > as if catching insects from the air as swallows often do. > I have never seen Gulls do this before. > Has anyone ever seen this behavior in gulls before? > > #2 - this morning, I again saw 7 Goldfinch on the side of the road > picking and eating the big leaves of Coltsfoot. I saw them doing this > 2 days before in same spot. Last year, they ate my Swiss-chard > in the same manner, perching on the leaf then eating > only the areas between the veins. A bit unusual to see a passerine bird > species > eating leaves. > Has anyone ever seen this behavior in Goldfinch before? > > Paul Carrier - Harwinton > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > -- Scott Kruitbosch Stratford, CT Connecticut Audubon Society http://ctaudubon.blogspot.com/ _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Gull-Goldfinch Questions From: Carrier Graphics <carriergraphics AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:49:20 -0700 (PDT) Have two questions to ask.......... # 1 - Recently, I saw 3 Ring-billed Gulls fly by near a Mall in Torrington. All 3 were in direct flight, but they were occasionally cutting about as they flew as if catching insects from the air as swallows often do. I have never seen Gulls do this before. Has anyone ever seen this behavior in gulls before? #2 - this morning, I again saw 7 Goldfinch on the side of the road picking and eating the big leaves of Coltsfoot. I saw them doing this 2 days before in same spot. Last year, they ate my Swiss-chard in the same manner, perching on the leaf then eating only the areas between the veins. A bit unusual to see a passerine bird species eating leaves. Has anyone ever seen this behavior in Goldfinch before? Paul Carrier - Harwinton _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: PHILADELPHIA VIREO From: Carrier Graphics <carriergraphics AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:33:10 -0700 (PDT) This morning, went to Bakersville swamp and saw - 1 PHILADELPHIA VIREO Many red-Eyed Vireo 4 Warbling Vireo 6 specie Warbler lots of Song and Swamp Sparrow and other common stuff. Paul Carrier Seen At Colebrook reservoir Sunday - 30 Semipalmated Sandpiper 1 Greater yellowleg 2 Spotted sandpiper lots of killdeer Wayne Magher _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: Fw: Re: quiz - The Answer From: David F Provencher <david.f.provencher AT dom.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:46:37 -0400 I am wary of identifications from photographs. The potential for photos to be misleading can be considerable. In the first photo, there is no reference to size and the birds position distorts its proportions. So when I saw it, I started by looking at each visible feature to build a whole. First impressions can be very misleading. Sometimes it's better to look at a picture, get a first impression, then work hard to prove your impression wrong. If you can't prove it wrong, then maybe your first impression was right! Actually Greg's blog link comment of "maybe not a fair one" made me first think before looking at the pic along the lines of an aviary bird, and I was wondering if I was going to have to pull out some southeast Asia references! Dave CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message contains information which may be legally confidential and or privileged and does not in any case represent a firm ENERGY COMMODITY bid or offer relating thereto which binds the sender without an additional express written confirmation to that effect. The information is intended solely for the individual or entity named above and access by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please reply immediately to the sender that you have received the message in error, and delete it. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Philadelphia Vireo plus 350 warblers Bluff Point From: David F Provencher <david.f.provencher AT dom.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:27:27 -0400 A rather frustrating morning with birds going over too high. The winds were stronger than predicted. John Oshlick and I had the following Notables; Black-billed Cuckoo (1) Chimney Swift (7) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3) Eastern Wood-Pewee (3) "Traill's" Flycatcher (2) Eastern Kingbird (4) White-eyed Vireo (2) Philadelphia Vireo (1) Red-eyed Vireo (3) Red-breasted Nuthatch (15) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2) Catharus species (2) Brown Thrasher (2) Northern Parula (2) Yellow Warbler (1) Black-throated Blue Warbler (10) Black-throated Green Warbler (5) Prairie Warbler (1) Blackpoll Warbler (15) Black-and-white Warbler (3) American Redstart (50) Ovenbird (2 doing morning flight as the exception proving the rule!) Oporonis species (1 very frustrating look in flight, didn't even mention this one to John. It has been a while since I've seen one sitting at Bluff) Common Yellowthroat (3) Unidentified approx (250) Scarlet Tanager (4) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6) Bobolink (20) House Finch (16, appear to be moving this year?) Dave Provencher Naturally New England CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message contains information which may be legally confidential and or privileged and does not in any case represent a firm ENERGY COMMODITY bid or offer relating thereto which binds the sender without an additional express written confirmation to that effect. The information is intended solely for the individual or entity named above and access by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please reply immediately to the sender that you have received the message in error, and delete it. Thank you. _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org Subject: WT Kite From: twan leenders <tleenders AT ctaudubon.org> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:03:53 -0400 WT Kite perched in its "regular" breakfast spot at 8:30. The gate to Stratford Point is open for the day. ======= Twan Leenders Conservation Biologist Connecticut Audubon Society 2325 Burr Street Fairfield, CT 06824 Tel. (203) 259 6305 ext. 114 Email: tleenders AT ctaudubon.org _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org