THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER A Journal of Connecticut Ornithology

Volume 38 No. 3 July 2018 Pages 69-120 The Connecticut Warbler A Journal of Connecticut Ornithology THE 2017-2018 CONNECTICUT Volume 38, Number 3 July 2018 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

CONTENTS Stephen P. Broker 69 The 2017-2018 Connecticut Christmas Bird Count Stephen P. Broker The 118th edition of the National Audubon Society spon- sored Christmas Bird Count was conducted from Dec 14, 102 2017 Fall Hawk Watch 2017 through Jan 5, 2018. Twenty CBCs were held in Con- Steve Mayo necticut, several of them extending into adjacent New York 109 Connecticut Field Notes and Rhode Island. This year, weekend counts predominated, Greg Hanisek and Frank Mantlik with 12 CBCs held on Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 117 Connecticut Bird Atlas Notes 17, two CBCs on Saturday, Dec. 23, and six CBCs on the Chris Wood and Dave Provencher long weekend of Saturday, Dec. 30 through Monday, Jan. 1. Sixteen of these counts have been conducted for each of 119 Photo Challenge the last 30 years. Napatree (RI/CT/NY) ran its 14th CBC, Greg Hanisek Guilford-Long Island Sound ran its 3rd, and Bristol its 2nd in the modern era. Edwin Way Teale, Trail Wood has held a CBC each year since this count’s inception in 1986, save for the 2004-2005 count year. There has been remarkable consis- tency in the Connecticut CBCs, with many compilers head- ing up the efforts for years, chief among them Ray Belding, Bob Dewire, Roy Harvey, Jay Kaplan, Chris Loscalzo, Steve Mayo, Steve Morytko, and Dave Tripp, Jr., as well as such previous compilers as Buzz Devine, Sibyll Gilbert, Ed Hagen, Jay Hand, Marilynn Higgins, Frank Mantlik, Bob Moeller, Joe Morin, Gary Palmer, Steve Rogers, Wilford Schultz, Dave Ti- ON THE COVER tus, and Chris Wood. Within each count circle, area captains also have led their field observers year after year in the same Marsh Wrens count areas. Birders of a certain age remember when this issue’s two For 30 years, the number of total observers has remained subjects were both marsh wrens – Long-billed (top) and fairly even, as have total party hours and total party miles. Short-billed (bottom). A lot of taxonomic water has flown Statewide results for birds recorded on count days have over our checklists since then. The presence of the rarely ranged from 155 to 177 species, with an average per year of reported Sedge Wrens this summer in Pomfret made 166 species - another mark of consistency in coverage. Run by seasoned, veteran birders all these years, the Connecticut Mark Szantyr’s portrait of this secretive species, paired Christmas Bird Count data collected from the 1987-88 CBC with a Marsh Wren, a perfect subject for the July cover. through this year’s 2017-18 CBC allow for identification of broad, early winter, 30-year population trends in the state

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 69 70 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 71 avifauna. Following a summary of weather conditions for Sunday, Dec. 17 was stacked once again with nine Connecti- the Christmas Bird Counts, I’ll provide an overview of the cut counts. Coastally, Greenwich-Stamford experienced near statewide results for this year’s CBCs with comments on balmy temperatures of 28-32 degrees F., negligible winds, related taxa. Then, I’ll identify some apparent population frozen still and partly open moving waters, cloudy skies, trends evident from a 30-year examination of data. snow depths of 0-2.5 inches, and no precipitation. Westport temperatures ranged from 18 to 37 degrees F., with moderate In general, the weather during the three weekends of counts northwest winds, partly frozen to partly open waters, partly was cooperative, with seasonal temperatures, absence of gale clear morning skies and clouds appearing in the afternoon, force winds, and little or no precipitation on field observers. 1.5-2.5 inches of snow on the ground, and no precipitation Exceptions will be noted for those CBCs that were held to- during the day. Napatree temperatures were from the high ward the end of the count period. Saturday, Dec. 16 brought teens to the low 30s, with northwest winds gusting to 20 mph temperatures of 15-35 degrees Fahrenheit to coastal New (making for a cold coast), frozen to partly frozen waters, clear Haven, northwest winds of 5-15 mph, partly open still water skies, and an absence of rain or snow fall. and partly frozen moving water, partly cloudy morning and partly clear afternoon skies, ground cover of 1-3 inches snow, At Oxford, observers dealt with 10-30 degree F. temperatures, and no precipitation during the day. New Haven compiler moderate northwest winds, clouds throughout the day, and Chris Loscalzo wrote, “As is often the case, weather played no precipitation. Conditions were much the same at Quin- a prominent role in the outcome of the census (as it did last nipiac Valley, although morning skies were clear, and some year when we endured snow and rain). This year, the count areas had as many as 6 inches of snow cover. Salmon River day was mostly sunny and unusually cold, with a moderate mirrored these conditions on either side of the Connecticut northerly wind. In the days leading up to the count, it was River. Among northern counts, Lakeville-Sharon tempera- cold and snowy. This led to the freezing of much of the still tures started as low as 7 degrees F., with similar partly frozen water in the interior portions of the count and the covering waters, snow depths up to 3 inches, and clear morning skies. of the ground and trails throughout the area. So, birds that Litchfield Hills was similar, but with snow depths to 8 inches prefer fresh water were less plentiful and hiking was slower in some areas and heavy morning rains complicating birding. and more deliberate.” Woodbury-Roxbury temperatures In comparison, Hartford had clear skies in the morning and mid-state were a slight bit cooler, with light northwest winds, no precipitation. Jay Kaplan and Steve Davis wrote, “Every frozen still and partly frozen moving waters, mostly cloudy Christmas Count is different. Our findings are influenced skies throughout, and similar snow cover from earlier storm by the weather leading up to the count, not to mention count passages. Compiler Ken Elkins wrote, “The water bodies in day weather itself; food supplies including abundance of the area had just begun to freeze over, so large lakes were not seed and fruit; and the success of the breeding season for a frozen, and moving water was open. This led to more wa- variety of species, both those that breed here in Connecticut terfowl in our count area than most years, including North- and those that migrate from the north to winter in our area. ern Shoveler, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Count Day weather also determines our number of field and Greater Scaup that are rarely found on the count.” In observers. Unlike in 2016, when the day began with ice and the northern tier, temperatures at Storrs ranged from 4 to 34 fog and the afternoon brought rain, this year’s count featured degrees F., variable wind gusts up to 22 mph (that couldn’t dry, although somewhat colder weather with highs never have been pleasant), frozen to partly frozen water bodies, getting out of the low thirties.” and snow depths of 0-4 inches. The ever creatively scheduled Stratford-Milford and

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 72 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 73 snow recorded. The low wind speeds made the day toler- able, if dressed appropriately.” It wasn’t much warmer at New London, with light snowfall in morning and afternoon. Those birders who took the New London to Orient Point, NY ferry in search of pelagic birds were thoroughly bundled up against snow and wind, but the payoff in Razorbills and Black-legged Kittiwakes in Connecticut waters made the ef- fort well worth it. Bristol started the day at 0 degrees F., tem- peratures rising in the afternoon to a high of 22 degrees F., and had to deal with light snow throughout the day. Com- piler Jack Swatt wrote, “The light snow and biting cold didn’t hamper the enthusiasm of the participants of the 28th Bristol CBC, but it did make it harder to find the birds. Our total number of species was 68, four more than last year. With all the iced-in lakes, the only significant waterfowl beside’s the Ross’s Goose were two Wood Ducks and one American Wigeon, all three being new to the Bristol count.” Mark Szantyr photo The Hartford Christmas Bird Count produced one of the season’s top rarities, this On the last day of 2017, Old Lyme-Saybrook avoided precipi- Ross’s Goose that lingered in the vicinity of the Farmington Meadows. tation but spent the day with cold temperatures of 4-16 de- grees Fahrenheit and steady cloud cover. The final two CBCs Barkhamsted CBCs were held on Saturday, Dec. 23. While were on New Year’s Day at Pawling, NY/Hidden Valley, CT Stratford-Milford was near-toasty in the morning (a low of and Edwin Way Teale, Trail Wood. The first day of the new 32 degrees F.), northeast winds carrying heavy to light rains year continued sub-20 degree temperatures, strongly gusting through much of the day crushed spirits and reduced after- winds and 2-6 inches snow cover at Pawling/Hidden Val- noon birding hours. Barkhamsted avoided these conditions ley, which fortunately was free of precipitation. Still, Angela under cloudy skies that were free of rain. Counts resumed Dimmitt, compiler for the Hidden Valley, Connecticut por- on Saturday, Dec. 30 along the coast at Guilford-Long Island tion of the count circle, wrote “It was a miserably cold day, Sound and New London and in the north at Bristol. Here’s and all the ponds were frozen, the only open water being the where conditions became much more challenging for field Housatonic in New Milford, so waterfowl were at an all-time observers. At Guilford and into the adjacent Sound, tem- low. There was considerably more feeder watching than peratures remained below 20 degrees F. throughout the day. usual by the participants . . . but Connecticut tallied 64 spe- Snowfall was light to heavy in the morning and heavy in the cies versus 2017’s 61.” Conditions were fairly similar in the afternoon. Winds were moderate from the north. Co-com- northern count of Trail Wood. piler Tom Kelly stated, “The weather was cold throughout the day. The low recorded temperature was 5 degrees F., and A total of 347,353 individual birds were counted on the 2017- it struggled to get to the mid and high teens. Fortunately, 2018 CTCBC, including 170 species seen on count days and the wind speeds were low. Cloud cover was the norm from 4 species found only during count week (also called count beginning to end. Snow started to fall mid-morning and period), those species seen the three days before or three continued during the course of the day, with 1.02 inches of days following designated count days. The count week birds

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 74 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 75 statewide were Pink-footed Goose at Napatree, King Eider at New London, Sandhill Crane at Litchfield Hills and also at Quinnipiac Valley, and a Selasphorus hummingbird at Wood- bury-Roxbury. Caution was used in identifying the hum- mingbird only to genus, based on a “short visit to an empty hummingbird feeder” but a good description of a hummer with orangish body and pointed tail feathers. CBC partici- pants included 769 field observers and 70 feeder watchers for a combined total of 839 CBC observers. Along the way, 2,023.25 party hours and 8,776.96 total party miles contrib- uted to the CBC effort.

Hartford once again led northern counts with 89 count day species found, followed by Litchfield Hills with 82 species. Hartford also led with 97 total observers. Among mid-state counts, Woodbury-Roxbury had 89 count day species lo- cated by 47 total observers, with Quinnipiac Valley second at 84 count day species and 45 observers. Along the coast, Julian Hough photo Napatree had a dazzling 126 count day species found by 76 Although some predatory birds continue to do well based on CBC results, observers, while Westport had a 30-year high total of 125 American Kestrels remain on the decline. count day species with 68 observers. Total party hours were highest at Hartford, Woodbury-Roxbury, Pawling/Hidden damentally changed its wintering range more than 20 years Valley, Greenwich-Stamford, and New Haven. ago. Such a small number of the remaining likely species not seen during the count period this year indicates how unlikely Twenty-five bird species were unique to a single count, an in- it is to record many more than 170 species on the Connecticut dication of it taking a village to generate the statewide list of statewide count. species. Most notable among these were Pink-footed Goose CW, Pacific Loon, Black-headed Gull, and Hooded Warbler For the 2017-2018 CTCBC, the statewide effort produced high at Napatree, Ross’s Goose at Bristol (extremely well de- numbers of the more common goose species (Canada Goose scribed and documented by the observer), Semipalmated Plo- and Brant) as well as several rare species (Pink-footed Goose, ver at Greenwich-Stamford, King Eider CW and Red-headed Greater White-fronted Goose, Ross’s Goose). Dabbling ducks Woodpecker at New London, Harlequin Duck and European were in average or representative numbers, the exception Goldfinch at Westport, Ruffed Grouse, Short-eared Owl, and being low numbers of American Black Duck. Diving ducks Northern Shrike at Litchfield Hills, a Selasphorus humming- were counted in high or record high numbers, including bird at Woodbury-Roxbury, Clay-colored and Lincoln’s spar- Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck and rows at New Haven, and Dickcissel at Oxford. The biggest Hooded Merganser. Among phasianids, Ring-necked Pheas- misses this year were six species that have been sighted at ant was in short supply, only one Ruffed Grouse was record- least 20 times out of the last thirty: American Bittern, Great ed, and there were no Northern Bobwhites seen or heard for Egret, Northern Goshawk, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow- the 7th consecutive year. Red-throated and Common Loons breasted Chat and Evening Grosbeak. The last of these fun- set new 30-year high counts, and Red-necked Grebe num-

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 76 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 77 nal exceptions were Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Gos- hawk (missed 1st time in 30 years), and American Kestrel.

Most shorebirds were in short supply, including Black-bel- lied Plover, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone and Wilson’s Snipe. In the post-landfill period, the three common gull species are being sighted in significantly re- duced numbers, including Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull. Bonaparte’s Gulls can be added to this list of declining gull numbers, as they once were fairly commonly seen but no longer are. Monk Parakeets were at their second lowest total in three decades. It was a very good count period for owls, with Great Horned Owl showing well, another impressive irruptive year for Snowy Owl especially along the coast, record-setting high numbers of Barred Owls, and very respectable detection of Long-eared Owls.

Among woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpecker maintained elevated numbers this year, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker drilled through the roof, and Pileated Woodpecker also reached new heights. The story is mixed for corvids, with continued lower

Julian Hough photo Some species just stay on an even keel. Brown Thrashers, while never abundant, produce consistent results overall on the state’s CBCs. bers were elevated. Northern Gannet continues to be seen in unprecedented numbers along the Connecticut/Rhode Island coastline since ca. 2010. Diurnal raptors fared very well, with record high totals for Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shoul- Bruce Finnan photo dered Hawk, and Peregrine Falcon and robust numbers for Woodpeckers lead the list of species showing marked increases. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are riding a long-term upward trend. Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, and Merlin. The three diur-

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 78 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 79 numbers of American Crow, higher numbers for Fish Crow, single winter finch was reported on the Hartford count.” and very high numbers of Common Raven. Several small cavity nesters did not fare well, with record low numbers Eighteen bird species were counted in 30-year record high of Black-capped Chickadee and many fewer Red-breasted numbers. They are shown here, with the new high total Nuthatches and Brown Creepers. Carolina Wren, however, followed by the previous 30-year high count given in pa- continued its three-year rebound from the harsh winter of rentheses: Greater White-fronted Goose (8/6), Canada 2014-15. Hartford co-compilers Jay Kaplan and Steve Davis Goose (56,819/55,953), Brant (4,201/3,844), Common addressed the issue of low numbers of some of our more Eider (2,613/2,006), Black Scoter (222/197), Bufflehead common birds. “It may require more research to explain the (2,849/2,472), Red-throated Loon (764/511), Common paucity of Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Loon (968/753), Northern Gannet (1,203/250), Bald Eagle American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, (181/180), Cooper’s Hawk (217/181), Red-shouldered Hawk and American Goldfinch. Might food supplies have some (244/210), Peregrine Falcon (39/32), Laughing Gull (35/17), bearing for some of these species?” While chickadee num- Barred Owl (109/70), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (340/265), bers were depressed statewide, part of the answer is that Pileated Woodpecker (193/172), Rusty Blackbird (337/300). Pawling/Hidden Valley and New London CBCs grabbed As noted above, geese, diving ducks, diurnal and noctur- up substantial flocks of Red-wings, and across all the counts nal raptors, and woodpeckers figured prominently in these Downy Woodpeckers, American Robins, Northern Cardinals, current year high counts. Far less optimistically, Rusty and American Goldfinches were not in exceptionally low Blackbird is recognized as experiencing a severe population numbers. decline nationwide in recent years. This year’s record total is an anomaly. The species description for Rusty Blackbird on Eastern Bluebirds were counted in lowest numbers in 8 Birds of North America Online cites Christmas Bird Count data years, while Hermit Thrush was above the average count. that indicate a 5% per year decline in Rusty Blackbirds across The year-to-year pattern for American Robin is high vari- their entire winter range, with negative impacts due to colli- ability, this year’s total being slightly below average. North- sions, degradation of habitat, competition with grackles and ern Mockingbird was reported in 2nd lowest numbers in 30 red-wings, intentional disturbance at roost sites, and chemi- years. Nine Brown Thrashers statewide made for an average cal contamination. showing. This was not a big wood-warbler year, with the sole exception of two Hooded Warblers, new to the all-time Nine species were reported in 30-year record low num- statewide count. Grassland and open field sparrows were bers. They are, with new low total followed by previous poorly represented, including American Tree Sparrow, low: Black-crowned Night-Heron (4/4), Northern Gos- Field Sparrow, and to a lesser extent Savannah Sparrow. hawk (0, missed 1st time in 30 years/1), Black-bellied Plover Flocking birds were in unusually abundant supply, such as (10/10), Greater Yellowlegs (2/1), Wilson’s Snipe (2/2), Red-winged Blackbirds, Rusty Blackbirds (!), and Common Ring-billed Gull (8,623/9,538), Eastern Phoebe (2/2), Black- Grackles, these flocks pulling Brown-headed Cowbirds along capped Chickadee (5,936/6,283), and Purple Finch (28/50). for the ride. Another year passes without a good showing Goshawks have become difficult to locate, but in the years of winter finches. Purple Finch was at record low numbers, from the late 1980s to about 2000 as many as 8, 10, and 14 only one Common Redpoll was reported, and Pine Siskin goshawks were countable each year during the CBC season. was largely absent from the state. Jay Kaplan and Steve The depressed numbers of Black-capped Chickadees call for Davis: “In spite of early reports of winter finches moving closer examination of a possible trend for this species listed southward and what appeared to be a good cone crop, not a as abundant year-round in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 80 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 81 Two Hooded Warblers seen at Napatree add yet another pa- statewide, its numbers fluctuate from year to year, and there rulid winter rarity to a 30-year list that also includes Tennes- are no clear trends of an increasing early winter population. see, Yellow, Cape May, Black-throated Gray, Black-throated Greater White-fronted Goose has been seen throughout the Green, Blackburnian, Yellow-throated, Prairie, Black-and- last three decades, usually just one or two in any given year. white, American Redstart, Ovenbird, MacGillivray’s, North- Large associations of Brant are a decidedly new phenomenon ern Parula, and Wilson’s Warbler. All these species have of the last decade and a half. Pink-footed Goose and Ross’s made very rare occurrences during Connecticut’s CBCs, Goose are exciting recent additions to the all-time CBC list. usually once, twice, or three times at most, yet taken as a Mallards have outnumbered American Black Ducks 3:1 for group they illustrate the role that is played by lingering early the past 30 years. As Black Duck numbers continue to slip, winter or vagrant species in the all-time list of Connecticut the Mallard to Black Duck gap widens. The days of 500- CBC species. Four count day and one count week rarities 1,400 wintering Canvasbacks are long gone. We’ve had nine were found this year: Pink-footed Goose CW (seen twice in straight years of double digit Canvasbacks and this year just 30 years), Ross’s Goose CD (seen three times), the non-native three at New Haven and one count week at Stratford-Mil- Muscovy Duck CD (seen twice), Semipalmated Plover CD ford, a very unwelcome downward trend. Some years ago, (seen 4 times), and European Goldfinch, also not on the offi- Noble Proctor cited this as due to loss of habitat in prairie cial state list, CD (seen twice). Other species worthy of men- pothole country. Common Eider numbers are increasingly tion include Yellow-crowned Night-Heron CD and Sandhill robust due to the contributions of the open waters outside Crane CW (each seen 6 times in 30 years), and the Selasphorus Long Island Sound on the Napatree count, with New Lon- hummingbird, adding to seven separate years of Rufous don’s eastern coastal position adding a few more eiders for Hummingbird sightings. National Audubon records this as good measure. Hooded Merganser is the diving duck species a Rufous/Allen’s hummingbird, but Allen’s has never been with the most dramatic increase in early winter numbers. confirmed as occurring in Connecticut, so let’s not contribute Twenty to thirty years ago, we counted fewer than 1,000 to anyone’s blood pressure rise. The 30-year total for birds hoodies per year. Now, we’re consistently between 2,000 and reported on Connecticut’s combined CBCs is a sizable 261 3,000. count day and 5 count week species, the latter ultra rare early winter birds being Pink-footed Goose, Gyrfalcon, Purple Gal- Phasianids. The Ring-necked Pheasant population is de- linule, Piping Plover, and Western Kingbird. pendent on restocking efforts by hunt clubs. It would be interesting to explore the changing membership sizes in A Run-Through in Approximate Check-List Order. Let’s Connecticut hunt clubs. (A pheasant farm in Moodus, CT review the 2017-2018 statewide results for Connecticut always has a pen filled with birds, none of which seem to Christmas Bird Counts in the context of identifiable 30-year escape when the Moodus group drives by in search of spe- trends. For some of the following species, I compare the cies for the Salmon River CBC.) From ’88 to ’92, a combined total number counted during the five year period 1988-89 total of 574 pheasants were counted on statewide CBCs. The through 1992-93 with the number counted during the most past five years, 140 were counted - a decline of 75%. The na- recent five-year period, 2013-14 through 2017-18 for a quick tive phasianid, Ruffed Grouse, was at a high point in 1988-89 indication of changing early wintering populations. This is with 117 birds reported. This year, one grouse was detected not high level mathematics, but it does suggest that for some at Litchfield Hills following a 20-year downward slide in species, the times they are achanging. numbers. Northern Bobwhite now is listed as not having a sustaining breeding population in Connecticut. This species Waterfowl. While Canada Goose was at a 30-year high total has made the CTCBC list just 3 years out of the last 18, with

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 82 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 83 none counted in the last 7 years. Shorebirds. Black-bellied Plover and Killdeer have been harder to locate in recent CBC years. The same is true for Loons. Wintering Red-throated and Common loons have Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Purple Sandpiper, seen a remarkable increase over the past three decades, from Wilson’s Snipe, and to an extent, American Woodcock. a few dozen in the late 1980s to hundreds in each of the last 15 years, with 99% of each species being seen on Long Island Gulls. Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed Gulls Sound. are found throughout the state, with two-thirds of these CBC- counted gulls thriving along the coast and equal numbers Gannets. Small numbers of Northern Gannets had been found mid-state or on northern counts. Herring Gulls and reported on coastal CBCs more than 30 years ago, but with Great Black-backed Gulls have greater representation along the addition of the Napatree count 14 years ago, they have the coast than they do inland (70-75% being birds seen on the a much larger presence on the statewide list, again due to coast). All three regions of the CT CBC map have seen dra- Napatree’s direct exposure to Atlantic waters. Still, there is matic drops in gull numbers over the past 10-15 years, and no question that gannets make their way into Long Island this usually is attributed to the closing of the state’s landfills. Sound in increasing numbers. Ring-billed Gulls reached a new 30-year low total this year (a New World Vultures, Eagles, Hawks, and Falcons. Both 42% decline from the period 1988-89 through 1992-93 to the Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures have seen dramatic most recent 5 years. During the same time intervals, Herring increases in numbers, Black Vultures being reported on CT Gulls have declined 65% and Great Black-backed Gulls 71% CBCs every year since 1995-96, often in roosts of dozens of by this admittedly imprecise measure. birds. Turkey Vultures have been more variable from year Owls. Try to locate a Barn Owl in the state these days. Great to year. The seventh edition of the AOU Check-List of North Horned Owls are variable from year to year, with the current American Birds lists Black Vulture as resident from New count of 125 individuals being good representation. Irrup- Jersey south and Turkey Vulture as wintering from Maryland tive Snowy Owls showed well this year, mildly reminiscent south, though casually north to southern Canada. Both spe- of the big irruption winter of 2013-14. Barred Owls set an cies clearly now have many individuals that can be consid- all-time record high count of 109 individuals, smashing the ered resident in our state. Bald Eagle is one of the many previous 30-year high of 70 birds. From Ken Elkins: “Barred great success stories of the Endangered Species Act, with a Owls were another high count [at Woodbury-Roxbury]. We record high 181 eagles counted this CBC, nearly four times did not have a larger owling effort than in other years I have as many as in the late 1980s. Red-shouldered Hawk has compiled. I think that the area captains having remained. increased nearly ten-fold to a record high 244 individuals, The same helps us figure out territories to concentrate our with greatest representation on coastal and mid-state counts. owling efforts. Also, we’re a few years past the October While American Kestrels have plummeted more than 80% snow and Tropical Storms Sandy and Irene that left lots of over the past 30 years, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon num- canopy damage in our section of the state. I think that has bers continue to soar. Merlins have outnumbered kestrels created more larger cavities as suitable nesting habitat. I’m for 15 years. Nesting peregrines, which tend to remain on interested to see if other counts in Connecticut had higher their breeding grounds through the year rather than migrate Barred Owl numbers.” They did! south, have expanded in the state from one pair in 1998 to more than 14 pairs in 2018. Many of the peregrines counted Woodpeckers. While Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers and on CBCs are resident birds. Northern Flickers maintained average numbers through-

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 84 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 85 out our region, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and Pileated Woodpeckers reached lofty new heights this year. Both Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have seen an 800% increase in their numbers of the last 5 years as compared with the pe- riod 1988-89 through 1992-93. These are among the most dramatic increases in early winter bird populations of any species in the state. It will be very interesting to see the extent of change in breeding ranges documented during the field component of the new Connecticut Bird Atlas. Pileated Woodpeckers are becoming incrementally more common in the southeastern parts of the state.

Corvids. Blue Jays were counted in above average numbers this year, but American Crows continue their lower totals of recent years, reflecting a 20% decline in the CBC-data early winter populations. West Nile Virus has been attributed in part to the reduced numbers of crows. A large percentage of the crows counted on CBCs is at known roost sites, and these tend to shift within count circles from year to year. Take heart. Jay Kaplan and Steve Davis write, “No Hartford Christmas Count would be complete without mentioning Mark Szantyr photo the crow roost on the Hartford-West Hartford line. The Scrubland birds such as American Tree Sparrow (here) and Field Sparrow have crows are still there! Anyone who wants to see a lot of crows been in decline on Connecticut Christmas Bird Counts. should take a ride over the ShopRite Plaza parking lot just down the road in Hartford. It is a pretty impressive scene at 89 through 1992-93 with 2013-14 through 2017-18, one sees a dusk!” The 263 Common Ravens reported this CBC season 38% decline in chickadee numbers in Connecticut. It’s based represent a second highest 30-year total. Nesting ravens that on a limited set of numbers, but this species is worth watch- have been followed at a New Haven County cliff site for the ing in the future. past 16 years annually fledge 4 to 5 young, just one example of the raven’s ability to repopulate a state in which a century Mockingbirds. The Northern Mockingbird population has ago Sage, Bishop, and Bliss (1913) listed the raven as very been declining for the past 12 or more years, this year reach- rare and as an accidental vagrant. ing the second lowest total in 30 years. This is a 67% decline in numbers. Chickadees. While year to year fluctuations in early winter bird populations are to be expected, many species appear to Starlings. Yes, it’s an introduced species. Yes, starling maintain fairly steady numbers over a 30-year period. For numbers have represented a major percentage of all birds re- most of the last 20 years, Black-capped Chickadees have been ported on Connecticut Christmas Bird Counts for a long time. such a species. We need another few years of data to begin to Yes, we still record nearly 40,000 starlings on our counts. draw inferences, but when comparing the CBC period 1988- But, the European Starling is claiming a smaller and smaller

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 86 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 87 share of total bird biomass in recent years - a 71% decline in Breeding Bird Surveys. This is an understudied species, and numbers from the first five to the last five years of the CT “declines of northern and eastern populations require moni- CBC. toring”.

Sparrows. Although Eastern Towhees were at 3rd lowest Here’s to future years of the Connecticut Christmas Bird totals this year, there is no clear trend evident in Connecticut Count. Over the course of the next three years, our Christ- CBC data. The Scrubland habitat American Tree Sparrow mas Bird Count results will contribute significantly to the and Field Sparrow have not fared well. Tree Sparrows have winter portion of the new Connecticut Bird Atlas, and previ- dropped some 10% over the last decade, while Field Spar- ous years of CBC data will provide important information on rows have been low in numbers for at least 8 years and show the bird species known to occur in the state during the early a decline of more than 80% since the late 1980s. Birds of North winter months. America Online states for American Tree Sparrow: “Wide- spread change in land-use in recent decades (e.g., agricultural Count By Count Summary of Results: intensification and forest maturation) across much of the Northern Christmas Bird Counts (7) wintering range has likely resulted in extensive habitat loss for overwintering birds.” Breeding Bird Survey data indicate Barkhamsted, CT CBC (December 24, 2017) a strong population decline of 53% between 1970 and 2014. Compiler: David Tripp, Jr. (Litchfield Hills Audubon Soci- More research is needed as to causes, one contributing fac- ety) tor possibly being climate change. BNA for Field Sparrow: 12,500 total individuals, 72 count day + 1 count week species “Based on Breeding Bird Survey data, significant declines in (Sharp-shinned Hawk) breeding populations, 3.2% per year (p < 0.00001) between 22 field observers + 5 feeder watchers = 27 total observers 1966 and 2003.” One factor appears to be loss of habitat due 79.50 total party hours, 559.50 total party miles to the regrowth of forested lands since the late 1800s. 30-year high counts (2): Peregrine Falcon (2/1), European Starling (2,927/1,927) Meadowlarks. In the first five years of this 30-year CBC 30-year low counts (1): Black-capped Chickadee (569/654) period, CT CBCs counted 490 Eastern Meadowlarks. For the New species (2): Virginia Rail, American Pipit past 5 years the total has been 103 individuals. That’s a 21% Rarities (3): Peregrine Falcon (2X), Fish Crow (3X), Pine War- decline. It’s another species of grasslands and fields. Birds of bler (4X) North America Online: “Management of the species must be Other noteworthy species (1): Merlin (6X) closely integrated with management of range land, pastures, 30-year total = 126 count day + 1 count week species (Long- and other grassland communities.” tailed Duck) Finches. Purple Finches were among those Massachusetts Bristol, CT (December 30, 2017) species that showed the sharpest declines in numbers during Compiler: Jack Swatt the 2007-2011 Mass Breeding Bird Atlas 2. Their CBC num- 9,948 total individuals, 68 count day + 1 count week species bers for Connecticut are equally downward trending, with (Northern Pintail) a record low 28 individuals seen this year. Totals of 250-300 36 field observers + 5 feeder watchers = 41 total observers Purple Finches were not uncommon 20 or more years ago. 100.25 total party hours, 462.25 total party miles BNA: “Decline of 50% in breeding population in the north- New species (8): Ross’s Goose, Muscovy Duck, Wood Duck, eastern U.S. and southern Canada, 1966–1994”, based on American Wigeon, Merlin, Winter Wren, Gray Catbird,

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 88 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 89 Savannah Sparrow Owl, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow- 2-year total = 75 count day + 3 count week species (Great breasted Chat) Black-backed Gull, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow) Litchfield Hills, CT CBC (December 17, 2017) Edwin Way Teale, Trail Wood CBC (December 31, 2017) Compiler: Raymond Belding (Litchfield Hills Audubon Compiler: Susan Harrington (Natchaug Ornithological Society) Society) 17,505 total individuals, 82 count day + 5 count week species 3,374 total individuals, 53 count day + 0 count week species (Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Northern Har- 12 field observers + 0 feeder watchers = 12 total observers rier, Sandhill Crane, Glaucous Gull) 35.75 total party hours, 210.00 total party miles 40 field observers + 8 feeder watchers = 48 total observers 29-year high counts (4): Wild Turkey (128/121), Great Blue 124.25 total party hours, 762.00 total party miles Heron (29/20), Bald Eagle (7/4), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 30-year high counts (5): Snow Goose (4/4), Cooper’s Hawk (11/5) (12/11), Barred Owl (24/130, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 29-year low counts (2): Great Black-backed Gull (1/1), Blue (28/18), American Robin (2,648/2,310) Jay (54/54) 30-year low counts (2): Herring Gull (1/2), American Tree New species (!): Golden Eagle Sparrow (92/104) Rarities (0) New species (1): Short-eared Owl Other noteworthy species (0) Rarities (1): Redhead (4X) 29-year total = 121 count day + 0 count week species Other noteworthy species (0) 30-year total = 142 count day + 3 count week species (Blue- Hartford, CT CBC (December 17, 2017) winged Teal, Glaucous Gull, Peregrine Falcon) Compilers: Jay Kaplan, Stephen Davis (Hartford Audubon Society) Lakeville-Sharon, CT CBC (December 17, 2017) 42,625 total individuals, 89 count day + 1 count week species Compilers: Zachary Adams, Robert Moeller (Audubon (Snowy Owl) Sharon) 91 field observers + 6 feeder watchers = 97 total observers 11,160 total individuals, 80 count day + 0 count week species 200.00 total party hours, 505.50 total party miles 27 field observers + 2 feeder watchers = 29 total observers 30-year high counts (3): Wood Duck (26/20), Hooded Mer- 64.50 total party hours, 421.50 total party miles ganser (108/87), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (29/18) 30-year high counts (7): Bufflehead (12/11), Bald Eagle 30-year low counts (8): Herring Gull (74/95), Great Black- (11/11), Red-shouldered Hawk (2/2), Barred Owl (9/5), Red- backed Gull (22/31), Mourning Dove (647/654), Downy bellied Woodpecker (64/64), Yellow-bellied Woodpecker (137/156), Hairy Woodpecker Sapsucker (11/9), Tufted Titmouse (196/190) (23/29), Black-capped Chickadee (246/320), Northern Cardi- 30-year low counts (1): Horned Lark (0, missed 1st time in 30 nal (228/303), American Goldfinch (318/328) years) New species (0) New species (3): Cackling Goose, Long-eared Owl, American Rarities (2): House Wren (2X), Eastern Meadowlark (5X) Pipit Other noteworthy species (1): Cackling Goose (6X) Rarities (4): Golden Eagle (5X), Red-shouldered Hawk (5X), 30-year total = 147 count day + 7 count week species (Tundra Merlin (4X), Peregrine Falcon (4X) Swan, White-winged Scoter, Osprey, Virginia Rail, Snowy Other noteworthy species (2): Northern Pintail (6X), Ruby-

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 90 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 91 crowned Kinglet (6X) Pawling,NY/Hidden Valley, CT CBC (January 1, 2018) 80 count day species = 30-year high total Compilers: Carena Pooth, Angela Dimmitt (Ralph T. Wa- 30-year total = 129 count day + 0 count week species terman Bird Club) 13,567 total individuals, 73 count day + 5 count week species Storrs, CT CBC (December 16, 2017) (Mute Swan, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Common Loon, Great Compiler: Steve Morytko (Natchaug Ornithological Soci- Black-backed Gull) ety) 39 field observers + 6 feeder watchers = 45 total observers 8,365 total individuals, 77 count day + 1 count week species 101.30 total party hours, 540.35 total party miles (Common Goldeneye) 30-year high counts (5): Red-shouldered Hawk (16/14), Yel- 30 field observers + 2 feeder watchers = 32 total observers low-bellied Sapsucker (37/33), Pileated Woodpecker (38/33), 99.00 total party hours, 520.00 total party miles Blue Jay (530/511), Red-winged Blackbird (5,055/3,145) 30-year high counts (3): Red-shouldered Hawk (25/14), 30-year low counts (4): Canada Goose (66/398), Ring-billed Ring-billed Gull (465/441), Pileated Woodpecker (11/8) Gull (34/73), Herring Gull (5/12) 30-year low counts (0) New species (0) New species (0) Rarities (0) Rarities (3): Iceland Gull (3X), Peregrine Falcon (5X), Yellow- Other noteworthy species (2): Golden Eagle (6X), American rumped Warbler (4X) Pipit (6X) Other noteworthy species (1): White-crowned Sparrow (6X) 30-year total = 133 count day + 3 cont week species (Barrow’s 77 count day species = 30-year high total Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Pine Grosbeak) 30-year total = 131 count day + 1 count week species (Short- eared Owl) Quinnipiac Valley, CT CBC (December 17, 2017) Compilers: Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe, Melissa Baston (Quin- Mid-State Christmas Bird Counts (5): nipiac Valley Audubon Society) Oxford, CT CBC (December 17, 2017) 12,039 total individuals, 84 count day + 4 count week species Compiler: Roy Harvey (Wood Duck, Northern Harrier, Sandhill Crane, Snowy Owl) 9,929 total individuals, 72 count day + 0 count week species 34 field observers + 6 feeder watchers = 40 total observers 23 field observers + 0 feeder watchers = 23 total observers 94.05 total party hours, 415.41 total party miles 70.80 total party hours, 391.10 total party miles 30-year high counts (5): Red-bellied Woodpecker (80/79), 30-year high counts (8): Bufflehead (7/6), Cooper’s Hawk Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (15/14), Peregrine Falcon (2/2), (10/7), Bald Eagle (7/7), Rock Pigeon (472/472), Barred Owl Fish Crow (27/18), Rusty Blackbird (220/79) (7/5), Long-eared Owl (2/2), Common Raven 30-year low counts (2): Ring-billed Gull (237/311), Herring (22/7), Common Grackle (900/789) Gull (2/9) 30-year low counts (2): Herring Gull (18/22), Great Black- New species (1 count day + 2 count week): Long-tailed backed Gull (1/1) Duck, Sandhill Crane CW, Snowy Owl CW New species (1): Dickcissel Rarities (2): Greater Scaup (2X), Vesper Sparrow (4X) Rarities (2): Common Loon (4X), Long-eared Owl (4X) Other noteworthy species (2): Greater White-fronted Goose Other noteworthy species (0) (6X), Chipping Sparrow (6X) 30-year total = 136 count day + 0 count week species 30-year total = 149 count day + 2 count week species (Sand- hill Crane, Snowy Owl)

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 92 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 93

Salmon River, CT CBC (December 17, 2017) Coastal Christmas Bird Counts (8): Compilers: Sharon Dellinger, Doreen Jezek (Mattabeseck Guilford-Long Island Sound, CT CBC (December 30, 2017) Audubon Society) Compilers: Tom Kelly, Lorrie Shaw (Menunkatuck Audu- 6,300 total individuals, 69 count day + 0 count week species bon Society) 41 field observers + 6 feeder watchers = 47 total observers 5,639 total individuals, 63 count day + 0 count week species 78.50 total party hours, 355.00 total party miles 31 field observers + 1 feeder watcher = 32 total observers 30-year high counts (3): Mute Swan (241/159), Cooper’s 13.00 total party hours, 80.00 total party miles Hawk (6/6), Red-shouldered Hawk (24/21) New species (4): Gadwall, White-winged Scoter, Pileated 30-year low counts (4): Great Blue Heron (1/1), Sharp- Woodpecker, Marsh Wren shinned Hawk (1/1), Ring-billed Gull (33/65), Black-capped 3-year total = 98 count day + 1 count week species (Black Chickadee (255/261) Vulture) New species (1): Orange-crowned Warbler Rarities (1): Black Vulture Greenwich-Stamford, CT CBC (December 17, 2017) Other noteworthy species (0) Compilers: Cynthia Ehlinger, Joseph Zeranski (Audubon 30-year total = 138 count day + 2 count week species (Long- Greenwich) tailed Duck, White-winged Crossbill) 30,235 total individuals, 103 count day + 3 count week spe- cies (Greater White-fronted Goose, White-winged Scoter, Woodbury-Roxbury, CT CBC (December 16, 2017) Glaucous Gull) Compiler: Ken Elkins (Western Connecticut Bird Club) 64 field observers + 4 feeder watchers = 68 total observers 19,496 total individuals, 89 count day + 2 count week species 226.70 total party hours, 701.30 total party miles (Common Goldeneye, Rufous Hummingbird) 30-year high counts (5): Northern Shoveler (2/1), Bald Eagle 30 field observers + 4 feeder watchers = 34 total observers (15/7), Cooper’s Hawk (35/25), Red-shouldered Hawk 108.25 total party hours, 594.75 total party miles (17/12), Red-tailed Hawk (126/121) 30-year high counts (10): Cackling Goose (2/2), Greater 30-year low counts (2): Red-breasted Merganser (117/127), Scaup (2/1), Bufflehead (15/5), Hooded Merganser (67/47), Gray Catbird (3/3) Ruddy Duck (43/14), Barred Owl (18/9), Peregrine New species (1 count day + 1 count week): Semipalmated Falcon (4/1), Fish Crow (22/16), Common Raven (23/15), Plover CD, Glaucous Gull CW Common Grackle (2,772/1,855) Rarities (1 count day + 1 count week): Greater White-fronted 30-year low counts (2): Herring Gull (27/35), American Tree Goose CW (4X), Cackling Goose CD, (5X) Sparrow (61/70) Other noteworthy species (1): Northern Shoveler (6X) New species (1): Northern Shoveler, Selasphorus Humming- 30-year total = 190 count day + 7 count week species (Pink- bird CW footed Goose, Greater White- fronted Goose, Ross’s Goose, Rarities (4): Cackling Goose (5X), Greater Scaup (3X), Long- Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Purple Gallinule, tailed Duck (4X), Peregrine Falcon (2X) Sanderling, Lincoln’s Sparrow) Other noteworthy species (0) 30-year total = 145 count day + 4 count week species (Brant, Napatree, RI-CT-NY CBC (December 17, 2017) Selasphorus Hummingbird, Wilson’s Warbler, Western Tana- Compilers: Shai Mitra, Glenn Williams ger) 43,987 total individuals, 126 count day + 2 count week spe-

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 94 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 95 cies (Pink-footed Goose, Snow Goose) Great Black-backed Gull (53/63), American Crow (607/663), 34 field observers + 1 feeder watcher = 35 total observers Eastern Towhee (1/1) 130.15 total party miles, 341.05 total party miles New species (0) 14-year high counts (24): Greater White-fronted Goose (3/1), Rarities (6): Common Eider (3X), Barrow’s Goldeneye (3X), Canada Goose (5,001/4,081), Green-winged Teal (26/11), Red-necked Grebe (5X), Snowy Owl (4X), Clay-colored Spar- Wild Turkey (104/104), Red-throated row (5X), Lincoln’s Sparrow (4X) Loon (503/215), Common Loon (565/564), Northern Gan- Other noteworthy species (0) net (1,197/1,092), Double-crested Cormorant (83/69), Black 26,896 total individuals = 30-year low total Vulture (29/20), Bald Eagle (4/4), Northern Harrier (19/19), 30-year total = 197 count day + 7 count week species (Black- Cooper’s Hawk (18/13), Red-shouldered Hawk (12/9), Red- legged Kittiwake, Boreal Chickadee, Veery, American Red- tailed Hawk (43/27), Merlin (6/6), Peregrine Falcon (5/4), start, Wilson’s Warbler, Seaside Sparrow, Bullock’s Oriole) Ring-billed Gull (913/481), Long-eared Owl (3/3), Belted Kingfisher (16/16), American Crow (292/257), Common New London, CT CBC (December 30, 2017) Raven (7/3), European Starling (11,387/7,868), Common Compiler: Robert Dewire Grackle (6,909/365), Baltimore Oriole (4/1) 36,088 total individuals, 119 count day + 1 count week spe- 14-year low counts (3): Razorbill (1/1), Marsh Wren (0, cies (King Eider) missed 1st time in 14 years/1), Eastern Towhee (6/15) 47 field observers + 4 feeder watchers = 51 total observers New species (1 count day + 1 count week): Pink-footed 115.50 total party hours, 605.00 total party miles Goose CW, Hooded Warbler CD 30-year high counts (7): Bufflehead (780/756), Red-throated Rarities (3): Greater White-fronted Goose (2X), Northern Loon (108/74), Pileated Woodpecker (8/7), Fish Crow Shoveler (2X), Laughing Gull (2X) (89/68), Horned Lark (176/88), Winter Wren (15/15), Brown- Other noteworthy species (2): Ring-necked Pheasant (3X), headed Cowbird (2,467/946) House Wren (3X) 30-year low counts (5): Sharp-shinned Hawk (6/6), Great 43,987 total individuals = 14-year high total Black-backed Gull (70/102), Northern Mockingbird (41/46), 34 total field observers = 14-year high total Cedar Waxwing (14/17), Eastern Towhee (4/4) 35 total observers = 14-year high total New species (1): Greater White-fronted Goose Rarities (2 count day + 1 count week): King Eider CW (2X), New Haven, CT CBC (December 16, 2017) Black-legged Kittiwake CD (5X), Red-headed Woodpecker Compiler: Christopher Loscalzo (New Haven Bird Club) CD (2X) 26,896 total individuals, 121 count day + 3 count week spe- Other noteworthy species (1): Snowy Owl (6X) cies (Barrow’s Goldeneye, Black-bellied Plover, Orange- 30-year total = 188 count day + 3 count week species (Osprey, crowned Warbler) Western Kingbird, Black-and-white Warbler) 7 field observers + 6 feeder watchers = 76 total observers 170.00 total party hours, 612.00 total party miles Old Lyme-Saybrook, CT CBC (December 31, 2017) 30-year high counts (4): Bald Eagle (15/14), Yellow-bellied Compiler: Barbara Hawes (Potapaug Audubon Society) Sapsucker (23/22), Pileated Woodpecker (7/6), White-breast- 10,791 total individuals, 98 count day + 5 count week species, ed Nuthatch (219/198) 1 count week subspecies (Brant, Northern Shoveler, Lesser 30-year low counts (5): American Black Duck (253/316), Scaup, Brown Thrasher, Savannah ‘Ipswich’ Sparrow, East- Double-crested Cormorant (0, missed 1st time in 30 years/2), ern Meadowlark)

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 96 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 97 45 field observers + 1 feeder watcher = 46 total observers necticut Audubon Birdcraft Museum) 68.00 total party hours, 239.00 total party miles 13,609 total individuals, 125 count day + 1 count week spe- 30-year high counts (2): Fish Crow (5/4), Fox Sparrow cies (Greater Yellowlegs) (30/24) 27 field observers + 2 feeder watchers = 29 total observers 30-year low counts (6): Great Blue Heron (4/7), Hairy Wood- 52.00 total party hours, 107.25 total party miles pecker (3/3), Black-capped Chickadee (196/199), Hermit 30-year high counts (6): Lesser Scaup (169/51), Bufflehead Thrush (2/2), Northern Mockingbird (8/9), Field Sparrow (545/410), Common Loon (56/56), Red-shouldered Hawk (1/1) (9/9), Peregrine Falcon (5/4), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker New species (0) (22/18) Rarities (1): Black Vulture (5X) 30-year low counts (0) Other noteworthy species (0) New species (3): Greater White-fronted Goose, Yellow- 30-year total = 192 count day + 4 count week species (Gyrfal- crowned Night-Heron, European Goldfinch con, Sandhill Crane, Piping Plover, Painted Bunting) Rarities (7): Cackling Goose (3X), Harlequin Duck (5X), Bar- row’s Goldeneye (4X), Red-necked Grebe (2X), Pine Warbler Stratford-Milford, CT CBC (December 23, 2017) (2X), Vesper Sparrow (4X), Eastern Meadowlark (5X) Compiler: Steve Mayo Other noteworthy species (3): Redhead (6X), Snowy Owl 13,300 total individuals, 95 count day + 7 count week species (6X), Orange-crowned Warbler (6X) (Wood Duck, Canvasback, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, 125 count day species = 30-year high total Killdeer, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eastern Bluebird) 29 total observers = 30-year low total 26 field observers + 1 feeder watcher = 27 total observers 30-year total = 181 count day + 2 count week species (Sand- 91.75 total party hours, 354.00 total party miles hill Crane, Red Crossbill) 30-year high counts (2): Brant (537/494), Peregrine Falcon (5/5) Acknowledgements. The Connecticut Warbler editor, Greg 30-year low counts (10): Horned Grebe (0, missed 1st time Hanisek, and TCW layout/production coordinator Manny in 30 years/1), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1/1), Ring-billed Gull Merisotis are thanked for their annual contributions to this (998/1,084), Herring Gull (846/1,170), American Crow article and its table of data. The Connecticut Christmas Bird (72/90), Fish Crow (4/6), Black-capped Chickadee (54/81), Count compilers listed above with sponsoring Audubon Northern Mockingbird (20/22), American Tree Sparrow societies and bird clubs are thanked for their tireless efforts in (23/41), Savannah Sparrow (1/1) continuing the grand CBC tradition in our state. Tom Kelly New species (0) summarized the CBC season effectively: “Once again, we Rarities (2): Greater White-fronted Goose (2X), Cackling met our goals [for the Guilford-Long Island Sound CBC]. We Goose (3X) found birds, and we had a good day out! I can’t express too Other noteworthy species (2): Glaucous Gull (6X), Palm much that we have a great group of people involved. Every- Warbler (6X) one is already looking forward to next year.” 30-year total = 183 count day + 1 count week species (Sand- Stephen P. Broker hill Crane) Cheshire, Connecticut Westport, CT CBC (December 17, 2017) Compilers: Mardi Dickinson, Townsend Dickinson (Con-

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 98 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 99 3 3 2 2 1 1 8 8 1 1 1 1 3 3 7 7 8 8 1 9 1 1 9 1 7 8 4 1 7 8 5 4 1 1 2 5 1 9 2 9 1 3 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 6 1 3 1 5 6 3 1 5 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 1 2 1 8 2 3 3 1 1 9 4 1 1 3 1 4 1 2 9 2 4 1 10 10 16 16 65 65 83 36 83 17 36 44 17 44 10 17 26 80 35 10 17 26 80 35 72 72 10 12 10 12 48 48 61 61 77 77 83 83 14 14 88 88 28 70 80 13 31 92 18 39 87 38 33 28 21 12 96 23 19 70 764 764 536 536 968 968 988 988 635 635 730 730 535 535 CW CW 164 266 164 266 885 885 CW CW 139 139 826 580 826 580 223 224 222 223 224 222 188 266 244 217 188 266 244 217 300 300 181 244 181 244 CW CW 812 170 647 305 126 106 404 340 702 613 CW 152 569 495 160 337 193 112 133 769 171 125 263 611 178 109 173 839 2251 2251 1055 1055 3701 1277 3701 1277 1137 1137 7137 7137 8623 8623 2849 1390 2849 1390 4287 4287 1203 1203 4201 4201 3555 2613 3555 2613 1050 1050 6216 6216 3168 3168 9606 9606 3832 1572 1933 3649 4305 3612 2209 7604 3766 1385 3495 5936 1013 8695 9404 5025 56819 11649 56819 11649 12353 10156 22387 14703 39367 27196 STATE STATE TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL STATE 347353 TOTAL 2023.25 8776.96 6 6 1 1 2 2 3 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 2 2 1 2 2 1 4 3 1 4 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 6 6 2 4 9 2 4 9 1 1 7 7 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 4 2 1 7 1 2 3 4 6 3 9 1 5 6 5 2 4 7 4 4 1 5 5 3 1 2 1 1 1 31 31 45 21 45 21 23 23 28 28 56 56 92 83 92 83 30 30 22 33 22 33 48 48 39 39 28 16 13 28 16 13 60 53 69 65 41 82 30 60 52 10 19 30 12 21 17 22 41 37 11 13 85 25 14 27 29 WE WE 130 130 530 530 210 210 213 213 521 521 574 574 153 153 545 197 545 197 CW CW 224 224 401 169 401 169 298 298 162 162 715 715 WE WE 161 112 191 224 357 216 125 146 344 108 462 337 216 108 1654 1654 2330 2330 13609 107.25 12/17/17 12/17/17 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 5 2 5 2 2 6 2 6 1 1 5 5 0 0 1 1 9 9 9 9 5 5 1 1 4 1 2 4 1 2 1 5 1 5 1 1 1 1 8 4 1 4 1 1 6 3 1 1 3 1 7 7 5 1 3 4 2 2 1 21 21 78 31 78 31 26 26 36 36 35 35 31 31 34 34 98 98 78 78 22 22 13 13 11 11 29 29 10 10 66 66 13 13 14 14 20 28 43 21 79 22 12 41 34 35 18 95 46 72 23 26 11 20 87 13 11 54 57 20 26 27 SM SM 222 222 116 116 349 349 998 998 CW CW 151 323 151 323 556 556 537 537 503 CW 503 CW CW CW 879 879 CW CW 265 265 196 196 846 846 CW CW CW CW SM SM CW 167 354 129 556 1082 1082 1692 1692 2168 91.75 13300 12/23/17 12/23/17 2 2 4 4 3 3 2 2 5 5 4 4 2 2 4 5 4 5 1 1 3 3 6 6 4 3 4 4 3 4 5 5 5 1 1 2 7 1 1 1 3 7 3 5 1 4 1 5 3 8 7 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 24 24 39 39 77 12 77 12 64 64 60 60 11 11 25 25 69 69 37 69 37 69 33 33 73 73 15 42 15 42 15 15 23 20 37 23 20 37 36 64 58 52 73 80 97 64 98 33 14 14 68 17 22 43 15 30 45 46 OL OL OL 353 353 643 643 135 135 404 404 CW CW CW CW 257 257 CW CW 964 964 107 107 145 145 608 608 OL 363 138 151 195 140 206 CW CW 239 100 CW 422 404 406 196 191 135 1536 1536 1006 10791 12/31/17 12/31/17 4 4 2 2 1 1 3 2 3 2 8 8 4 1 8 4 1 8 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 3 8 5 1 3 8 5 6 6 2 2 1 2 4 3 8 3 1 2 2 3 1 4 3 3 6 6 3 4 6 3 4 1 62 62 21 21 47 47 39 39 40 40 12 12 78 78 12 47 12 45 47 15 45 15 53 53 55 35 55 35 70 70 22 22 27 27 16 16 37 13 37 13 NL NL 76 14 51 41 89 13 20 12 15 16 15 10 32 76 21 13 44 41 25 21 31 47 51 NL NL 315 315 716 108 716 108 487 487 464 464 203 205 203 205 139 139 808 808 140 140 157 780 157 780 250 250 716 716 CW CW 103 270 107 265 217 218 314 205 176 605 119 417 421 345 639 432 293 1791 1791 2224 2224 3562 3562 5244 2467 1269 8061 115.5 36088 12/30/17 12/30/17 6 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 0 1 0 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 7 7 8 6 8 6 5 2 2 5 2 2 6 6 6 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 7 7 7 7 8 4 9 3 7 1 3 1 6 1 2 1 6 8 6 1 1 1 45 45 68 68 48 48 53 24 53 24 33 15 33 15 96 26 96 26 10 10 81 81 53 53 12 12 41 22 41 22 15 15 29 56 17 15 13 29 56 17 15 13 24 14 18 24 14 18 41 38 14 15 16 16 23 21 34 71 17 23 17 39 19 78 31 70 76 NH NH NH 886 886 125 125 NH 120 120 117 117 121 121 253 253 139 139 CW CW 922 254 922 254 467 467 321 321 CW CW 112 150 186 219 137 440 285 283 413 415 204 654 127 CW 612 121 607 241 170 498 681 216 220 1502 1502 1306 1306 1312 1312 1257 1257 3680 3680 3638 1439 1447 26896 12/16/17 12/16/17 2 2 3 3 5 3 5 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 5 1 1 1 4 2 1 5 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 3 2 2 4 4 1 1 3 3 1 1 0 1 2 2 2 3 2 8 4 3 3 6 9 5 3 3 2 2 5 7 2 6 4 3 1 79 79 15 15 67 67 59 59 32 32 83 43 83 50 22 33 43 14 50 22 33 14 59 59 65 85 65 85 14 14 26 21 26 21 29 57 19 12 29 57 19 12 47 11 18 47 11 18 35 35 30 73 50 18 99 58 12 18 30 10 14 37 59 32 11 16 27 49 30 19 10 34 35 NA NA NA NA 104 104 238 238 913 913 155 155 915 503 915 503 719 719 107 107 CW CW 213 145 213 565 145 565 500 500 CW 625 CW 625 482 203 482 203 351 351 611 104 327 285 120 197 126 292 125 489 342 642 515 341 162 1197 1197 2451 2451 2820 2820 5001 5001 1100 6909 1 1 43987 11387 2 341.05 130.15 12/17/17 12/17/17 2 2 1 4 1 4 3 3 1 2 1 3 7 1 1 2 1 3 7 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 7 7 1 1 7 4 3 1 1 8 2 3 7 1 2 7 3 5 2 6 6 2 4 61 61 60 60 58 58 48 10 44 48 10 44 54 54 48 43 48 43 36 36 39 15 17 39 15 17 58 58 46 35 46 35 21 45 13 11 12 80 16 26 36 53 59 10 99 39 29 16 52 79 64 68 GS GS 995 995 150 150 117 117 546 546 398 398 212 212 CW CW 127 127 247 247 505 505 772 772 126 126 CW CW 937 937 330 330 803 803 GS GS CW CW 195 204 182 119 232 392 374 109 700 271 103 469 162 324 314 656 1839 1839 1412 1412 8030 8030 1318 1704 1031 1288 1162 701.3 226.7 30235 12/17/17 12/17/17 COASTALCOUNTS COASTALCOUNTS COASTAL COUNTS 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 1 6 1 2 2 2 2 1 8 1 8 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 9 1 1 1 2 1 3 0 1 2 5 2 1 1 3 2 1 1 67 67 21 20 21 20 38 38 69 69 28 43 28 43 40 16 17 26 13 34 31 58 17 91 91 92 80 63 72 13 60 13 31 29 62 32 GL GL GL GL 162 162 247 247 117 117 111 111 109 109 772 772 573 109 2323 2323 5639 12/30/17 12/30/17 3 3 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 4 1 4 5 6 5 6 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 3 1 7 1 8 4 2 5 2 6 5 2 8 8 2 2 2 4 4 68 68 59 59 15 15 43 43 23 23 11 11 67 67 34 14 11 34 14 11 27 27 61 78 30 35 56 89 12 11 53 23 29 16 20 18 15 22 24 17 12 30 34 109 109 259 259 545 545 CW CW 357 357 417 417 WR WR 433 433 273 134 121 258 715 142 511 194 236 275 WR WR 646 260 CW 372 329 655 178 4048 4048 2011 1109 1128 2772 19496 594.75 108.25 12/16/17 12/16/17 2 2 1 1 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 6 9 1 1 6 9 1 5 3 1 9 4 1 3 3 2 6 0 8 5 9 7 3 1 3 3 6 72 72 19 19 33 33 50 50 61 61 10 24 10 24 20 20 29 29 59 48 41 14 26 69 23 21 41 10 13 41 47 SR SR SR SR 241 241 147 147 104 104 890 890 261 261 136 103 140 198 130 182 129 179 108 169 133 355 301 255 329 290 544 338 277 78.5 6300 12/17/17 12/17/17 1 5 1 1 5 1 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 5 2 7 7 8 5 2 7 7 2 2 2 2 4 3 1 2 8 5 1 5 6 3 6 4 1 5 1 2 2 7 3 6 1 1 1 66 66 63 63 23 51 23 70 51 70 10 10 10 17 10 17 70 70 80 96 71 61 68 50 11 13 15 14 15 84 10 52 24 20 30 12 28 27 34 40 QV QV QV QV 152 152 237 237 654 654 160 160 CW CW CW CW 107 107 CW CW 387 387 204 149 167 170 416 168 CW 220 417 299 269 401 448 215 421 3206 3206 1980 94.05 12039 415.41 12/17/17 12/17/17 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 1 2 9 1 1 2 9 1 5 5 1 5 1 5 9 1 3 5 5 1 1 7 5 4 2 2 1 7 6 39 39 62 62 77 77 52 52 34 34 16 16 32 32 66 66 61 61 25 15 25 15 58 36 94 61 37 39 24 73 10 29 21 27 43 18 20 31 38 39 45 PA PA PA PA 248 248 CW CW CW CW CW CW CW CW CW 241 CW 241 267 114 111 102 493 268 530 117 259 604 398 353 504 712 467 381 5055 1194 101.3 1/1/18 1/1/18 13567 540.35 1 1 8 8 1 1 7 7 3 5 1 6 7 3 5 1 6 7 1 1 3 3 2 4 5 5 1 3 3 4 7 1 0 7 6 6 0 1 1 2 48 48 45 45 52 52 24 24 15 15 37 37 10 10 10 10 18 18 82 80 77 29 22 15 10 21 20 72 26 22 26 17 23 23 23 OX OX OX OX 360 360 342 342 472 204 472 204 178 272 100 132 187 451 131 233 150 504 287 318 669 704 900 359 70.8 2017-2018 1082 1082 9929 1062 391.1 MIDSTATECOUNTS MIDSTATECOUNTS 12/17/17 12/17/17 MIDSTATECOUNTS 6 6 8 8 6 6 2 2 7 1 7 1 4 7 3 8 4 7 3 8 2 4 6 8 1 6 5 1 3 1 9 5 7 2 1 4 1 1 7 2 6 1 2 1 1 1 1 58 58 45 45 48 48 25 25 38 38 27 10 27 10 27 27 86 40 26 97 95 22 46 77 16 11 12 12 54 19 30 99 32 ST ST ST ST 312 312 CW CW 465 465 199 199 176 176 282 282 107 113 114 156 395 110 197 311 520 386 416 208 447 377 133 946 8365 1564 12/16/17 12/16/17 2 2 1 6 1 6 2 2 6 6 3 1 3 1 1 2 1 5 7 7 2 5 7 7 1 4 1 4 1 4 3 0 3 8 2 3 6 0 3 1 4 7 1 3 1 7 4 4 9 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 62 62 51 51 22 22 75 75 11 11 12 22 12 22 23 23 77 64 60 42 22 65 69 72 11 17 28 80 18 16 42 13 13 27 29 LS LS LS LS 349 349 135 135 192 192 120 120 393 393 310 130 209 153 336 233 196 192 127 507 571 64.5 4620 4620 1352 421.5 11160 12/17/17 12/17/17 2 2 9 9 2 2 6 3 1 6 3 6 1 6 1 1 4 4 1 1 1 1 5 1 5 1 5 4 1 5 1 1 2 1 1 5 2 5 2 1 7 4 6 5 7 8 1 1 45 45 59 59 10 10 10 10 10 14 10 14 12 12 49 49 96 92 90 28 38 36 82 15 13 19 21 78 10 11 16 24 20 33 40 48 LH LH LH LH 145 145 321 321 514 514 108 108 CW CW CW CW CW CW CW CW 344 344 135 135 CW CW 144 144 167 240 139 735 157 101 579 143 368 762 771 337 541 399 1667 1667 2648 1274 2929 1647 17505 124.25 12/17/17 12/17/17 6 3 6 3 1 1 6 1 1 5 1 6 1 5 7 3 7 8 3 5 8 5 5 5 6 6 4 1 3 5 1 1 7 2 4 9 2 1 1 5 2 1 3 3 6 89 89 26 26 10 10 15 15 40 40 53 14 53 14 74 74 19 19 22 22 16 21 29 23 40 67 89 23 13 13 88 10 54 36 59 18 20 16 11 18 13 91 97 HA HA HA HA 179 745 179 745 129 129 106 106 647 647 108 108 408 408 241 144 281 500 CW 137 722 185 404 228 318 103 246 399 482 817 441 200 1258 1258 2174 1106 5267 505.5 10789 10789 42625 13000 12/17/17 12/17/17 3 4 3 4 8 3 1 9 5 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 7 1 7 1 2 2 2 2 3 0 3 0 4 4 1 1 28 28 11 12 22 16 64 48 53 62 54 48 23 43 14 86 26 12 12 11 11 29 29 19 19 29 29 16 16 EW EW EW EW 210 108 152 123 432 511 142 283 153 153 128 128 161 118 161 118 307 307 3374 35.75 12/31/17 12/31/17 CONNECTICUT CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 2 6 5 4 1 9 1 4 7 1 2 1 7 2 3 2 5 3 1 1 5 7 1 8 7 1 8 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 63 10 24 11 20 15 24 21 75 68 11 10 21 36 41 32 32 13 13 29 29 45 15 45 15 10 10 62 12 62 12 BR BR BR BR 191 109 492 624 268 299 114 197 837 312 187 184 202 470 411 411 101 101 146 273 146 273 9948 1082 2835 2835 462.25 100.25 12/30/17 12/30/17 8 2 5 5 5 9 1 6 3 7 1 5 1 2 3 1 4 1 5 2 3 2 1 2 3 1 1 2 6 9 1 1 6 9 1 7 1 7 1 2 2 1 68 13 33 17 36 11 28 56 10 42 50 16 51 94 72 22 27 61 91 84 61 91 84 66 45 66 45 13 36 13 36 BA BA BA BA 106 562 485 569 273 112 133 896 692 151 179 237 733 312 424 424 133 133 CW CW 224 279 347 224 279 347 79.5 2927 1699 559.5 12500 NORTHERNCOUNTS 2017-2018 NORTHERNCOUNTS 2017-2018 NORTHERNCOUNTS CONNECTICUTCHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT CONNECTICUTCHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 12/24/17 12/24/17 hummingbird TOTALS TotalParty Miles Eastern Screech-Owl GreatHorned Owl SnowyOwl BarredOwl Long-eared Owl Short-earedOwl NorthernSaw-whet Owl Selasphorus Belted Kingfisher Red-headed Woodpecker Woodpecker Red-bellied Sapsucker Yellow-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy NorthernFlicker Woodpecker Pileated AmericanKestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon MonkParakeet Eastern Phoebe NorthernShrike Jay Blue AmericanCrow FishCrow crow, sp. CommonRaven HornedLark Black-cappedChickadee TuftedTitmouse Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breastedNuthatch Creeper Brown Wren House WinterWren MarshWren Wren Carolina Golden-crownedKinglet Ruby-crownedKinglet Eastern Bluebird HermitThrush AmericanRobin GrayCatbird Thrasher Brown NorthernMockingbird European Starling AmericanPipit CedarWaxwing Longspur Lapland Bunting Snow Orange-crownedWarbler Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Hooded Yellow-rumpedWarbler AmericanTree Sparrow Sparrow Chipping Clay-coloredSparrow Sparrow Field SparrowFox Dark-eyedJunco White-crownedSparrow White-throatedSparrow VesperSparrow Sparrow Savannah Sparrow 'Ipswich' Savannah Sparrow Song SparrowLincoln's Sparrow Swamp Eastern Towhee NorthernCardinal Dickcissel Blackbird Red-winged Eastern Meadowlark Blackbird Rusty CommonGrackle Brown-headedCowbird blackbird, sp. BaltimoreOriole Finch House Finch Purple CommonRedpoll PineSiskin AmericanGoldfinch European Goldfinch Sparrow House TotalIndividuals TotalCount Species Day TotalWeek Count Species TotalFeeder Watchers TotalField Observers TotalParty Hours TotalObservers Pink-footedGoose GreaterWhite-fronted Goose Goose Snow Goose Ross's Brant Goose Cackling Goose Canada MuteSwan swan, sp. Muscovy Duck WoodDuck Gadwall Eurasian Wigeon AmericanWigeon AmericanDuck Black MallardPink-footedGoose Mallard (Domestic Type) GreaterWhite-fronted Goose Mallard Goose Snow Hybrid NorthernShoveler Goose Ross's NorthernPintail Brant Green-winged(American) Teal Goose Cackling Canvasback Goose Canada Redhead MuteSwan Ring-neckedDuck swan, sp. GreaterScaup Muscovy Duck LesserScaup WoodDuck Greater/Lesser Gadwall Scaup Eider King Eurasian Wigeon CommonEider AmericanWigeon Duck Harlequin AmericanDuck Black SurfScoter Mallard White-wingedScoter Mallard (Domestic Type) ScoterBlack Mallard Hybrid scoter, species NorthernShoveler Long-tailedDuck NorthernPintail Bufflehead Green-winged(American) Teal CommonGoldeneye Canvasback Barrow'sGoldeneye Redhead Merganser Hooded Ring-neckedDuck CommonMerganser GreaterScaup Red-breasted MerganserLesserScaup Duck Ruddy Greater/Lesser Scaup duck, sp. Eider King Ring-neckedPheasant CommonEider RuffedGrouse Duck Harlequin Turkey Wild SurfScoter Red-throatedLoon White-wingedScoter Loon Pacific ScoterBlack CommonLoon scoter, species Grebe Pied-billed Long-tailedDuck HornedGrebe Bufflehead Red-necked Grebe CommonGoldeneye NorthernGannet Barrow'sGoldeneye Double-crestedCormorant Merganser Hooded GreatCormorant CommonMerganser cormorant, Red-breastedsp. Merganser GreatHeron Blue Duck Ruddy Black-crownedNight-Heron duck, sp. Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Ring-neckedPheasant VultureBlack RuffedGrouse TurkeyVulture Turkey Wild Osprey Red-throatedLoon GoldenEagle Loon Pacific NorthernHarrier CommonLoon Sharp-shinnedHawk Grebe Pied-billed Cooper'sHawk HornedGrebe Eagle Bald Red-necked Grebe Red-shoulderedHawk NorthernGannet Red-tailedHawk Double-crestedCormorant Hawk Rough-legged GreatCormorant Buteo, sp. cormorant, sp. Rail Clapper GreatHeron Blue VirginiaRail Black-crownedNight-Heron AmericanCoot Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Crane Sandhill VultureBlack Plover Black-bellied TurkeyVulture SemipalmatedPlover Osprey Killdeer GoldenEagle AmericanOystercatcher NorthernHarrier GreaterYellowlegs Sharp-shinnedHawk Turnstone Ruddy Cooper'sHawk Sanderling Eagle Bald Dunlin Red-shoulderedHawk Sandpiper Purple Red-tailedHawk Snipe Wilson's Hawk Rough-legged AmericanWoodcock Buteo, sp. Kittiwake Black-legged Rail Clapper Bonaparte'sGull VirginiaRail Black-headedGull AmericanCoot Gull Laughing Crane Sandhill Ring-billedPlover Black-bellied Gull HerringGull SemipalmatedPlover IcelandGull Killdeer LesserBlack-backed Gull AmericanOystercatcher Glaucous Gull GreaterYellowlegs GreatBlack-backed Turnstone Gull Ruddy sp. gull, Sanderling RazorbillDunlin (Feral) Pigeon Rock Sandpiper Purple MourningDove Snipe Wilson's AmericanWoodcock Kittiwake Black-legged Bonaparte'sGull Black-headedGull Gull Laughing Ring-billedGull HerringGull IcelandGull LesserBlack-backed Gull Glaucous Gull GreatBlack-backed Gull sp. gull, Razorbill (Feral) Pigeon Rock MourningDove SPECIES SPECIES

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 100 Broker 2017-18 Christmas Bird Count 101 3 2 1 8 1 1 3 7 8 1 9 1 7 8 4 1 5 1 2 9 1 3 1 1 1 6 3 1 5 2 1 1 1 8 8 1 1 2 1 2 1 8 8 2 3 3 2 3 3 1 1 1 1 9 4 1 1 9 3 4 1 1 1 4 1 3 1 4 1 2 2 9 2 9 2 4 4 1 1 10 16 65 83 36 17 44 10 17 26 80 35 72 10 12 48 61 77 83 14 88 28 28 70 70 80 80 13 13 31 31 92 92 18 39 18 87 39 38 87 38 33 28 33 28 21 21 12 96 23 12 96 23 19 19 70 70 764 536 968 988 635 730 535 CW 164 266 885 CW 139 826 580 223 224 222 188 266 244 217 300 181 244 CW 812 812 170 170 647 647 305 305 126 126 106 106 404 404 340 340 702 613 702 613 CW 152 569 CW 152 569 495 160 495 337 160 337 193 193 112 112 133 133 769 769 171 125 171 125 263 263 611 178 611 178 109 109 173 173 839 839 2251 1055 3701 1277 1137 7137 8623 2849 1390 4287 1203 4201 3555 2613 1050 6216 3168 9606 3832 3832 1572 1933 1572 1933 3649 4305 3649 4305 3612 3612 2209 2209 7604 7604 3766 3766 1385 1385 3495 3495 5936 5936 1013 1013 8695 8695 9404 9404 5025 5025 56819 11649 12353 12353 10156 10156 22387 22387 14703 14703 39367 39367 27196 27196 STATE TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL STATE STATE 347353 347353 TOTAL TOTAL 2023.25 2023.25 8776.96 8776.96 6 1 2 3 1 1 1 2 3 2 2 1 4 3 1 1 3 1 2 1 1 6 2 4 9 1 7 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 4 4 2 2 1 1 7 7 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 6 6 3 9 1 5 3 9 6 5 1 5 2 6 5 4 2 7 4 4 4 7 4 1 4 1 5 5 5 3 5 1 3 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 31 45 21 23 28 56 92 83 30 22 33 48 39 28 16 13 60 53 60 53 69 69 65 65 41 41 82 82 30 30 60 60 52 52 10 19 10 19 30 30 12 12 21 21 17 17 22 22 41 37 41 37 11 13 11 85 13 25 85 14 25 14 27 27 29 29 WE 130 530 210 213 521 574 153 545 197 CW 224 401 169 298 162 715 WE WE WE WE 161 161 112 191 112 191 224 224 357 357 216 216 125 125 146 146 344 344 108 462 108 462 337 337 216 216 108 108 1654 2330 13609 13609 107.25 107.25 12/17/17 1 2 2 1 1 5 2 2 6 1 5 0 1 9 9 5 1 4 1 2 1 5 1 1 8 8 4 4 1 1 4 4 1 1 1 1 6 6 3 3 1 1 1 1 3 3 1 1 7 7 7 7 5 1 5 1 3 4 3 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 21 78 31 26 36 35 31 34 98 78 22 13 11 29 10 66 13 14 20 28 20 28 43 43 21 21 79 22 79 22 12 12 41 41 34 35 34 35 18 18 95 95 46 72 46 72 23 23 26 26 11 11 20 20 87 87 13 11 13 54 57 11 20 54 57 20 26 26 27 27 SM 222 116 349 998 CW 151 323 556 537 503 CW CW 879 CW 265 196 846 CW CW SM SM SM SM CW CW 167 167 354 354 129 129 556 556 1082 1692 2168 2168 91.75 91.75 13300 13300 12/23/17 30-YearLow 2 4 3 2 5 4 2 4 5 1 3 6 4 3 4 5 5 5 1 1 1 1 2 2 7 7 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 7 7 3 3 5 5 1 4 1 1 5 4 3 1 8 5 3 8 7 2 2 2 7 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 24 39 77 12 64 60 11 25 69 37 69 33 73 15 42 15 23 20 37 BOLD 36 64 36 64 58 52 58 52 73 73 80 80 97 97 64 64 98 98 33 33 14 14 14 14 68 68 17 17 22 43 22 43 15 15 30 30 45 45 46 46 OL OL OL 353 643 135 404 CW CW 257 CW 964 107 145 608 OL OL 363 363 138 151 138 151 195 195 140 140 206 206 CW CW CW CW 239 239 100 100 CW CW 422 404 422 404 406 406 196 191 196 191 135 135 1536 Italic 1006 1006 Underlined 10791 10791 12/31/17 4 2 1 3 2 8 4 1 8 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 3 8 5 6 2 1 1 2 2 4 3 4 3 8 8 3 3 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 1 1 4 3 3 4 3 6 6 3 6 6 3 4 3 4 6 6 3 3 4 4 1 1 62 21 47 39 40 12 78 12 47 45 15 53 55 35 70 22 27 16 37 13 NL 76 76 14 14 51 51 41 41 89 89 13 13 20 20 12 12 15 15 16 16 15 10 15 10 32 32 76 21 76 21 13 44 13 44 41 41 25 25 21 31 21 31 47 47 51 51 NL NL NL NL 315 716 108 487 464 203 205 139 808 140 157 780 250 716 CW 103 103 270 270 107 107 265 217 218 265 217 218 314 314 205 205 176 176 605 605 119 119 417 417 421 345 421 345 639 639 432 293 432 293 1791 2224 3562 5244 5244 2467 2467 1269 1269 8061 8061 115.5 115.5 36088 36088 12/30/17 6 1 1 1 2 3 0 1 2 1 1 7 8 6 5 2 2 6 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 7 1 7 1 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 4 9 4 9 3 3 7 1 3 7 1 6 1 3 1 6 1 2 1 2 1 1 6 8 6 8 6 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 45 68 48 53 24 33 15 96 26 10 81 53 12 41 22 15 29 56 17 15 13 24 14 18 41 41 38 38 14 14 15 15 16 16 16 16 23 21 23 21 34 34 71 71 17 17 23 17 39 23 19 17 39 78 19 78 31 31 70 70 76 76 NH NH NH 886 125 NH NH 120 117 121 253 139 CW 922 254 467 321 CW 112 150 112 150 186 186 219 137 219 137 440 285 283 440 285 283 413 413 415 415 204 654 204 654 127 127 CW CW 612 612 121 121 607 607 241 241 170 170 498 681 498 681 216 220 216 220 1502 1306 1312 1257 3680 3638 3638 1439 1439 1447 1447 26896 26896 12/16/17 CountWeek/Count Period New 30-Year Count - New Low for Species CountNew - for RareSpecies Count - FirstTimeNot Seen, Years30 - New 30-YearCount - GradientNew High Fill 2 3 5 3 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 5 1 1 1 2 1 1 3 2 4 1 3 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 8 3 2 4 8 4 3 3 3 3 6 6 9 5 9 5 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 5 7 2 2 5 7 2 6 6 4 4 3 3 1 1 79 15 67 59 32 83 43 50 22 33 14 59 65 85 14 26 21 29 57 19 12 47 11 18 35 30 73 30 73 50 18 50 18 99 99 58 58 12 12 18 18 30 30 10 10 14 14 37 37 59 59 32 32 11 16 27 11 16 27 49 49 30 30 19 10 19 10 34 34 35 35 NA NA NA NA NA 104 238 913 155 915 503 719 107 CW 213 145 565 500 CW 625 482 203 351 611 611 104 104 327 285 327 285 120 120 197 197 126 126 292 292 125 125 489 342 642 489 342 642 515 515 341 162 341 162 1197 2451 2820 5001 1100 1100 6909 6909 0 1 43987 43987 11387 11387 2 2 341.05 341.05 130.15 130.15 XX XX XX XX 12/17/17 CW Legend 2 1 4 3 1 2 1 3 7 1 1 1 3 1 2 3 4 7 1 7 7 4 4 3 3 1 1 1 1 8 2 8 2 3 3 7 1 2 7 7 1 2 7 3 5 2 3 5 2 6 6 6 2 6 2 4 4 61 60 58 48 10 44 54 48 43 36 39 15 17 58 46 35 21 21 45 45 13 13 11 12 80 11 12 80 16 16 26 26 36 53 36 53 59 59 10 99 10 99 39 39 29 16 52 29 16 52 79 79 64 64 68 68 GS 995 150 117 546 398 212 CW 127 247 505 772 126 CW 937 330 803 GS GS GS GS CW 195 195 204 182 204 182 119 119 232 232 392 374 392 374 109 109 700 700 271 271 103 103 469 469 162 162 324 314 324 314 656 656 1839 1412 8030 1318 1318 1704 1031 1288 1704 1031 1288 1162 1162 701.3 701.3 226.7 226.7 30235 30235 12/17/17 COASTALCOUNTS COASTAL COUNTS COASTAL COUNTS 3 1 1 1 6 1 2 2 1 8 1 2 1 2 9 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 3 3 0 0 1 2 5 2 1 1 2 5 2 1 1 3 1 3 2 1 2 1 1 1 67 21 20 38 69 28 43 40 40 16 17 16 17 26 26 13 34 13 34 31 58 31 58 17 17 91 91 91 91 92 92 80 80 63 63 72 13 72 13 60 60 13 13 31 31 29 62 29 62 32 32 GL GL GL GL GL 162 247 117 111 109 772 573 109 573 109 2323 5639 5639 12/30/17 3 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 4 5 6 2 1 2 1 3 1 3 1 1 7 7 1 1 8 8 4 4 2 2 5 2 5 6 2 5 6 5 2 2 8 8 8 2 8 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 68 59 15 43 23 11 67 34 14 11 27 61 61 78 78 30 35 30 35 56 56 89 89 12 11 53 12 23 11 53 29 23 29 16 16 20 18 15 20 18 22 15 24 22 17 12 24 17 12 30 30 34 34 109 259 545 CW 357 417 WR 433 273 273 134 121 134 121 258 715 258 715 142 511 142 511 194 236 194 236 275 275 WR WR WR WR 646 646 260 260 CW CW 372 329 372 329 655 655 178 178 4048 2011 2011 1109 1128 1109 2772 1128 2772 19496 19496 594.75 594.75 108.25 108.25 12/16/17 2 1 3 3 2 1 1 6 9 1 1 5 5 3 3 1 1 9 9 4 1 3 4 1 3 3 3 2 6 2 6 0 0 8 5 8 5 9 7 3 9 7 1 3 1 3 6 6 72 19 33 50 61 10 24 20 29 59 59 48 48 41 41 14 14 26 26 69 69 23 21 23 41 21 41 10 10 13 13 41 41 47 47 SR SR SR SR SR 241 147 104 890 261 136 136 103 103 140 198 140 198 130 182 130 182 129 179 129 179 108 108 169 169 133 133 355 355 301 255 329 301 290 255 329 544 338 290 544 338 277 277 78.5 78.5 6300 6300 12/17/17 1 5 1 3 1 1 1 8 5 2 7 7 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 2 2 8 5 8 5 1 5 1 6 5 3 6 6 3 6 4 4 1 5 1 2 1 5 1 2 2 7 3 2 7 3 6 6 1 1 1 66 63 23 51 70 10 10 17 70 80 96 80 96 71 61 71 61 68 68 50 50 11 11 13 13 15 14 15 14 15 15 84 84 10 52 10 24 20 52 30 12 28 24 20 30 12 28 27 27 34 34 40 40 QV QV QV QV QV 152 237 654 160 CW CW 107 CW 387 204 204 149 149 167 170 167 170 416 416 168 168 CW CW 220 220 417 299 269 417 299 269 401 448 215 401 448 421 215 421 3206 1980 1980 94.05 94.05 12039 12039 415.41 415.41 12/17/17 OLOld = Lyme-Saybrook Stratford-Milford = SM Westport = WE GLGuilford-Long = Island Sound London New = NL GSGreenwich-Stamford = CoastalCounts =NH New Haven NA= Napatree, RI/NY/CT 1 1 1 3 1 2 9 1 5 1 1 5 5 1 1 5 5 9 1 3 9 1 3 5 5 5 1 1 7 5 1 1 7 5 5 4 4 2 2 2 2 1 7 1 7 6 6 39 62 77 52 34 16 32 66 61 25 15 58 58 36 94 36 61 94 61 37 39 37 39 24 24 73 73 10 29 10 21 27 29 43 18 20 21 27 43 18 20 31 31 38 38 39 39 45 45 PA PA PA PA PA 248 CW CW CW CW CW 241 267 267 114 111 114 111 102 493 102 493 268 268 530 117 530 117 259 259 604 398 353 604 504 398 353 712 504 467 712 381 467 381 5055 5055 1194 1194 101.3 101.3 1/1/18 13567 13567 540.35 540.35 1 8 1 7 3 5 1 6 7 1 3 3 3 3 2 4 5 2 4 5 5 1 3 5 3 1 3 4 7 1 3 4 7 1 0 0 7 6 7 6 6 6 0 0 1 2 2 48 45 52 24 15 37 10 10 18 82 82 80 77 29 80 77 29 22 22 15 15 10 21 10 21 20 20 72 72 26 22 26 26 17 22 26 17 23 23 23 23 23 23 OX OX OX OX OX 360 342 472 204 178 178 272 272 100 100 132 132 187 187 451 131 451 131 233 233 150 150 504 287 318 504 287 318 669 704 900 669 704 359 900 359 70.8 70.8 1082 9929 9929 1062 1062 391.1 391.1 MIDSTATECOUNTS 12/17/17 MIDSTATECOUNTS MIDSTATECOUNTS 6 8 6 2 7 1 4 7 3 8 2 2 4 4 6 6 8 8 1 1 6 5 1 3 6 5 1 1 9 3 5 1 7 9 5 7 2 1 4 1 2 1 1 4 1 1 7 2 7 2 6 1 6 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 58 45 48 25 38 27 10 27 86 86 40 40 26 26 97 95 97 95 22 22 46 46 77 77 16 11 16 11 12 12 12 12 54 54 19 19 30 30 99 99 32 32 ST ST ST ST ST 312 CW 465 199 176 282 107 107 113 113 114 114 156 156 395 110 395 110 197 197 311 311 520 520 386 416 386 416 208 208 447 447 377 133 377 133 946 946 8365 8365 1564 1564 12/16/17 2 1 6 2 6 3 1 1 2 5 7 7 1 4 1 1 4 3 4 3 0 0 3 8 2 3 6 3 8 2 3 0 6 3 1 4 7 0 1 3 1 4 3 7 1 1 7 3 4 4 1 7 4 4 9 1 9 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 62 51 22 75 11 12 22 23 77 77 64 64 60 42 60 22 42 22 65 65 69 69 72 72 11 17 11 17 28 28 80 80 18 18 16 16 42 42 13 13 13 13 27 27 29 29 LS LS LS LS LS 349 135 192 120 393 310 130 310 209 130 209 153 153 336 336 233 196 233 196 192 192 127 127 507 507 571 571 64.5 64.5 4620 1352 1352 421.5 421.5 11160 11160 12/17/17 2 9 2 6 3 1 6 1 4 1 1 5 1 5 5 4 4 1 1 5 5 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 5 2 1 5 5 2 1 2 5 2 7 1 4 6 5 7 4 6 5 7 7 8 8 1 45 59 10 10 10 14 12 49 96 96 92 90 92 90 28 38 28 38 36 36 82 82 15 13 19 15 13 21 78 10 19 11 16 21 78 10 11 16 24 20 24 20 33 33 40 40 48 48 LH LH LH LH LH 145 321 514 108 CW CW CW CW 344 135 CW 144 167 167 240 240 139 735 139 157 101 735 579 157 101 579 143 368 143 368 762 762 771 337 771 337 541 541 399 399 1667 2648 2648 1274 1274 2929 1647 2929 1647 17505 17505 124.25 124.25 OX = Oxford = OX Woodbury-Roxbury = WR PA= Pawling, NY/Hidden Valley, CT Mid-State Counts Mid-State SR= Salmon River QV = Quinnipiac Valley QVQuinnipiac = 12/17/17 6 3 1 1 6 1 5 7 3 8 5 5 6 4 4 1 1 3 3 5 1 1 7 5 1 1 2 7 4 9 2 2 4 9 2 1 1 1 5 2 1 1 5 2 3 1 3 3 3 6 6 89 26 10 15 40 53 14 74 19 22 16 21 16 21 29 23 29 23 40 40 67 89 67 89 23 13 13 23 13 13 88 10 54 36 59 88 18 20 10 16 54 36 59 18 20 11 16 18 11 18 13 13 91 91 97 97 HA HA HA HA HA 179 745 129 106 647 108 408 241 241 144 144 281 500 281 500 CW 137 CW 722 137 185 722 404 185 404 228 318 228 318 103 246 399 103 246 399 482 482 817 817 441 441 200 200 1258 2174 1106 2174 5267 1106 5267 505.5 505.5 10789 42625 42625 13000 13000 12/17/17 3 3 4 3 4 8 4 3 3 4 1 8 9 5 3 3 1 9 5 1 3 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 7 1 2 2 3 0 4 1 28 28 28 11 12 28 11 12 22 16 22 64 16 48 64 53 48 53 62 54 62 48 23 54 43 14 48 23 43 14 86 26 86 26 12 12 12 12 11 29 19 29 16 EW EW EW EW EW 210 210 108 152 123 108 432 152 123 511 142 432 511 142 283 283 153 128 161 118 307 3374 3374 35.75 35.75 12/31/17 2 6 5 4 1 2 6 5 9 4 1 4 7 1 1 2 1 7 9 1 4 7 1 2 2 1 7 3 2 5 3 2 1 3 2 5 1 3 1 1 5 5 7 1 8 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 63 10 24 11 20 63 10 24 11 15 24 20 15 21 24 75 21 75 68 68 11 10 11 21 10 21 36 36 41 41 32 13 29 45 15 10 62 12 BR BR BR BR BR 191 191 109 492 624 268 299 109 114 492 197 624 837 268 312 299 114 197 187 837 312 184 187 202 470 184 202 470 411 101 146 273 9948 9948 1082 1082 2835 462.25 462.25 100.25 100.25 12/30/17 8 2 5 5 5 9 1 8 2 5 5 5 6 9 3 1 7 1 5 6 3 1 2 7 1 5 3 1 1 2 4 3 1 1 4 1 5 5 2 3 1 2 1 6 9 1 7 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 68 13 33 17 36 68 13 11 33 17 28 56 10 36 11 28 42 56 10 50 16 42 51 94 50 16 72 51 94 72 22 22 27 27 61 91 84 66 45 13 36 BA BA BA BA BA 106 562 485 569 273 106 112 133 562 896 485 569 692 273 112 133 896 151 692 179 237 151 733 312 179 237 733 312 424 133 CW 224 279 347 79.5 79.5 2927 1699 2927 1699 559.5 559.5 12500 12500 NORTHERNCOUNTS NORTHERNCOUNTS 2017-2018 NORTHERNCOUNTS CONNECTICUTCHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 12/24/17 BR= Bristol NorthernCounts Barkhamsted = BA HA= Hartford LH= Litchfield Hills Lakeville-Sharon = LS ST= Storrs EW = Edwin Way Wood Teale, Trail Edwin = EW hummingbird hummingbird TOTALS TOTALS TotalParty Miles TotalParty Miles Eastern Screech-Owl GreatHorned Owl SnowyOwl BarredOwl Long-eared Owl Short-earedOwl NorthernSaw-whet Owl Selasphorus Belted Kingfisher Red-headed Woodpecker Woodpecker Red-bellied Sapsucker Yellow-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy NorthernFlicker Woodpecker Pileated AmericanKestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Eastern Screech-Owl MonkParakeet GreatHorned Owl Eastern Phoebe SnowyOwl NorthernShrike BarredOwl Jay Blue Long-eared Owl AmericanCrow Short-earedOwl FishCrow NorthernSaw-whet Owl crow, sp. Selasphorus CommonRaven Belted Kingfisher HornedLark Red-headed Woodpecker Black-cappedChickadee Woodpecker Red-bellied TuftedTitmouse Sapsucker Yellow-bellied Red-breasted Nuthatch Woodpecker Downy White-breastedNuthatch Woodpecker Hairy Creeper Brown NorthernFlicker Wren House Woodpecker Pileated WinterWren AmericanKestrel MarshWren Merlin Wren Carolina Peregrine Falcon Golden-crownedKinglet MonkParakeet Ruby-crownedKinglet Eastern Phoebe Eastern Bluebird NorthernShrike HermitThrush Jay Blue AmericanRobin AmericanCrow GrayCatbird FishCrow Thrasher Brown crow, sp. NorthernMockingbird CommonRaven European Starling HornedLark AmericanPipit Black-cappedChickadee CedarWaxwing TuftedTitmouse Longspur Lapland Red-breasted Nuthatch Bunting Snow White-breastedNuthatch Orange-crownedWarbler Creeper Brown Warbler Palm Wren House Warbler Pine WinterWren Warbler Hooded MarshWren Yellow-rumpedWarbler Wren Carolina AmericanTree Sparrow Golden-crownedKinglet Sparrow Chipping Ruby-crownedKinglet Clay-coloredSparrow Eastern Bluebird Sparrow Field HermitThrush SparrowFox AmericanRobin Dark-eyedJunco GrayCatbird White-crownedSparrow Thrasher Brown White-throatedSparrow NorthernMockingbird VesperSparrow European Starling Sparrow Savannah AmericanPipit Sparrow 'Ipswich' Savannah CedarWaxwing Sparrow Song Longspur Lapland SparrowLincoln's Bunting Snow Sparrow Swamp Orange-crownedWarbler Eastern Towhee Warbler Palm NorthernCardinal Warbler Pine Dickcissel Warbler Hooded Blackbird Red-winged Yellow-rumpedWarbler Eastern Meadowlark AmericanTree Sparrow Blackbird Rusty Sparrow Chipping CommonGrackle Clay-coloredSparrow Brown-headedCowbird Sparrow Field blackbird, sp. SparrowFox BaltimoreOriole Dark-eyedJunco Finch House White-crownedSparrow Finch Purple White-throatedSparrow CommonRedpoll VesperSparrow PineSiskin Sparrow Savannah AmericanGoldfinch Sparrow 'Ipswich' Savannah European Goldfinch Sparrow Song Sparrow House SparrowLincoln's Sparrow Swamp Eastern Towhee NorthernCardinal Dickcissel Blackbird Red-winged TotalIndividuals Eastern Meadowlark TotalCount Species Day Blackbird Rusty TotalWeek Count Species CommonGrackle Brown-headedCowbird blackbird, sp. BaltimoreOriole Finch House Finch Purple CommonRedpoll PineSiskin AmericanGoldfinch European Goldfinch Sparrow House TotalIndividuals TotalCount Species Day TotalWeek Count Species TotalFeeder Watchers TotalFeeder Watchers TotalField Observers TotalField Observers TotalParty Hours TotalParty Hours TotalObservers TotalObservers Pink-footedGoose GreaterWhite-fronted Goose Goose Snow Goose Ross's Brant Goose Cackling Goose Canada MuteSwan swan, sp. Muscovy Duck WoodDuck Gadwall Eurasian Wigeon AmericanWigeon AmericanDuck Black Mallard Mallard (Domestic Type) Mallard Hybrid NorthernShoveler NorthernPintail Green-winged(American) Teal Canvasback Redhead Ring-neckedDuck GreaterScaup LesserScaup Greater/Lesser Scaup Eider King CommonEider Duck Harlequin SurfScoter White-wingedScoter ScoterBlack scoter, species Long-tailedDuck Bufflehead CommonGoldeneye Barrow'sGoldeneye Merganser Hooded CommonMerganser Red-breasted Merganser Duck Ruddy duck, sp. Ring-neckedPheasant RuffedGrouse Turkey Wild Red-throatedLoon Loon Pacific CommonLoon Grebe Pied-billed HornedGrebe Red-necked Grebe NorthernGannet Double-crestedCormorant GreatCormorant cormorant, sp. GreatHeron Blue Black-crownedNight-Heron Night-Heron Yellow-crowned VultureBlack TurkeyVulture Osprey GoldenEagle NorthernHarrier Sharp-shinnedHawk Cooper'sHawk Eagle Bald Red-shoulderedHawk Red-tailedHawk Hawk Rough-legged Buteo, sp. Rail Clapper VirginiaRail AmericanCoot Crane Sandhill Plover Black-bellied SemipalmatedPlover Killdeer AmericanOystercatcher GreaterYellowlegs Turnstone Ruddy Sanderling Dunlin Sandpiper Purple Snipe Wilson's AmericanWoodcock Kittiwake Black-legged Bonaparte'sGull Black-headedGull Gull Laughing Ring-billedGull HerringGull IcelandGull LesserBlack-backed Gull Glaucous Gull GreatBlack-backed Gull sp. gull, Razorbill (Feral) Pigeon Rock MourningDove SPECIES

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 2017 Fall Hawk Watch 103 2017 FALL HAWK WATCH and coverage. An afternoon flight on September 21 brought the daily American Kestrel total to 85. The season total of By Steve Mayo 418 approached the ten-year average. A season count of 321 Osprey and 1,532 Sharp-shinned Hawks were both low- The lack of moderate northerly winds in the fall of 2017 was a est since 2003. Only 86 Northern Harriers were tallied, the repeat of the previous season. Six northwestern Connecticut lowest total since 1992. Big October and November flights sites (Booth Hill, Botsford Hill, Chestnut Hill, Johnnycake pushed Turkey Vulture numbers to a site all-time season Mountain, Middle School, White Memorial) provided cover- record of 1,743. The Red-shoulder flight was a repeat of the age in September. Two watches (Quaker Ridge, Lighthouse phenomenal 2014 late season. Most (763) of the season total Park) were open for business from August to December. 1,006 were seen on November 4, 7 and 8. Quaker Ridge was Two 2016 sites (Suffield WMA, Boothe Memorial Park, Strat- the only site to report Golden Eagles. Eight of these western ford) went unreported in 2017. raptors were counted in November.

THE BROAD-WINGED HAWK FLIGHT Lighthouse also hosts a wide variety of diurnal migrants, and was also plagued by the lack of northerly winds. Of note Connecticut’s Broad-winged Hawks had a solid early Sep- were three Short-eared Owls, all on November 4. American tember start, but then the flight stalled. Light winds were Kestrels rebounded from the 2016 and 2015 seasons. Post predominately from the north from September 9-13. Septem- Hurricane Jose winds brought 356 on September 22, which ber 9 highlights were 179 (Botsford Hill, Bridgewater) and helped raise the season count to 1,070. Northern Harrier 597 (Quaker Ridge, Greenwich). On September 10 Broad- totals (277) were below the 10-year running average (336). winged Hawk totals included 462 at Johnnycake, Burlington Most 2017 totals for other species were on the low end of and 732 at Quaker Ridge. On the 11th, Botsford Hill had ten-year seasonal averages. Only 2,136 sharp-shined Hawks another 495, Chestnut Hill, Litchfield had 601, Johnnycake were counted for the entire season, setting another record tallied 505 and Quaker Ridge had 639. September 12 num- low since full-season coverage began in 1980. Seasonal bers included 339 at Middle School, Torrington, 395 at Bots- totals recorded in the early 1980s to early 1990s frequently ford Hill, and 264 at Chestnut Hill. On September 13, Booth exceeded 9,000 or 10,000 of these small woodland accipiters. Hill and Middle School had 202 and 203 respectively. There Forest habitat destruction, reduction in prey, acid precipita- was little movement after this. Post Hurricane Jose winds tion and migratory short-stopping may be implicated in the on September 21 resulted in a push at Botsford Hill (151) and decline of this species. But reductions at Lighthouse appear Chestnut Hill (223). Quaker Ridge counted 344 Broadwings to be related to the lack of strong cold fronts. These were the following day. Connecticut season totals were essential- historically, regular occurrences in Connecticut. In October ly similar to those of the previous year. Quaker Ridge had 2017, there was a single day with 3 hours of northwest winds 3,008 Broad-winged Hawks which was the second lowest exceeding velocities of 10-20 km/hour. total in over 30 years of full-season coverage. Their season included a Broad-winged hawk spotted on the remarkable Additional data including daily, monthly and seasonal sum- date of December 1. mary reports, may be obtained from the Hawk Migration of North America website, hawkcount.org. Summaries for Con- QUAKER RIDGE and LIGHTHOUSE PARK necticut and the rest of New England, can also be obtained Quaker Ridge continues to lead the state in hawk numbers from The Northeast Hawkwatch, http://www.battaly.com/ nehw/.

102 The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 104 Mayo 2017 Fall Hawk Watch 105 WATCHERS

Matt Alexander, Clementino Amodio, Mark Aronson, Jim Asmuth, Blake Auchincloss, David Baade, Renee Baade, 4217 98 890 1144 1631 74 380 David Babington, Bill Banks, Dan Barvir, Steve Beal, Ray- BW mond Belding, John Berman, Tedy Berman, Gail Benson, 17 12 2 3 Jay Boll, Nick Bonomo, Polly Brody, Steve Broker, Christina RS Buccieri, Tom Burke, Mark Burton, Dana Campbell, Paul Carrier, Charlotte Catalono, Jim Cortina, Kathy Davies, Rita 0 NG Dempsey, Ayreslea Denny, Paul Desjardins, Luke Doug- AK-American Kestrel ML-Merlin PG-Peregrine Falcon uR- Unidentified Raptor las, Amy Dworetzky, Cynthia Ehlinger, Chris Finlay, James 21 6 6 5 4 Fischer, Bobbie Fisher, Anne Fiske, David Fiske, Frank Gallo, CH Jay Gartner, Ted Gilman, Nancy Glynn, Tina Green, Carole 116 1 5 13 27 10 60 Griffiths, Carol Goertz, Frank Guida, Lynn Willow Gulli, Ed SS Haesche, Greg Hanisek, Carol Hannan, Dennis Hannan, John 11 1 1 3 1 3 2 Hannan, Carol Harrington, Richard Harrington, Roy Harvey, NH Julian Hough, Brenda Inskeep, Lynn James, Keith Johnson, Jonathan Kane, Eric Kaufman, Anne Kehmna, Marie Kenne- 60 7 15 17 9 12 dy, Sulmaan Khan, Greg Kosakow, Steve Kovari, Deb Krall, BE

Silva Laan, Bob Lamotte, Merriam Levin, Ryan MacLean, Jim BW-Broad-winged Hawk RT-Red-tailed Hawk RL-Rough-legged Hawk GE-Golden Eagle 68 1 6 27 10 5 19 MacLean, Andrew Magee, Matt Male, Frank Mantlik, Jerry OS Marcellino, Mike Marsano, Jeff Martin, Shaun Martin, Stefan 19 2 5 12 Martin, Steve Mayo, Robin McAllister, Kevin McGrath, Ken TV Merrifield, Chris Mignone, Ken Mirman, Alan Mizrahi, Fran- 19 6 13 ces Moore, Judy Moore, Don Morgan, Tom Murray, Frank BV Nejame, Gina Nichol, Peter Nixon, Mike OBrien, Emma Olsen, John Oshlick, Gary Palmer, David Peake-Jones, Ron 223 14 52 30 74 44 9 Hours Connecticut - All Lookouts Fall 2017 Pelletier, Janet Petricone, Patti Picard, Matt Popp, Tim Reed, Anne Ribolow, Phil Ribolow, Paul Roberts, Johnny Rodri- guez, Jack Rothman, David Salmon, Taylor Sanders, Ronnie Santo, Sol Satin, Scott Slora, Will Schenk, Dori Sosensky, SS-Sharp-shinned Hawk CH-Cooper's Hawk NG-Northern Goshawk RS-Red-shouldered Hawk Litchfield Torrington Burlington Litchfield Bridgewater West Hartland Steve Spector, Howie Sternberg, Kelsey Sudol, Bill Tischler, Town Carol Titus, Bill Tonner, Tony Tortora, Andy Towle, Bill Wal- lace, Mike Warner, Chris Weintraub, Al Welby, Jack Wells, Steve Wolter, Richard Yaus, Sara Zagorski, Joe Zeranski INLAND TOTAL White Memorial MiddleSchool Johnnycake Mt. Chestnut Hill Botsford Hill Booth Hill Lookout BV-Black Vulture TV-Turkey Vulture OS-Osprey BE-Bald Eagle NH-Northern Harrier

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 106 Mayo 2017 Fall Hawk Watch 107 3007 8855 441 98 890 1144 1631 1264 380 Total 5847 442 1393 1704 1240 932 136 TOTAL 1 Nov 24 7 3 5 9 uR AK-American Kestrel ML-Merlin PG-Peregrine Falcon uR- Unidentified Raptor 45 85 Oct 0 PG 76 98 1 13 25-30 9 6 1 2 ML 393 65 41 6 56 97 22-24 61 16 15 14 9 6 1 AK 85 20 1 4 223 151 21 0 GE 33 9 2 18-20 BW-Broad-winged Hawk RT-Red-tailed Hawk RL-Rough-legged Hawk GE-Golden Eagle 0 RL 289 18 13 60 68 55 67 15-17 1 4 3 12 4 RT 71 19 542 93 379 429 202 12-14 44 74 30 52 14 223 9 Hours 639 16 21 155 505 601 495 11 Connecticut - All Lookouts Fall 2017 732 58 118 462 221 25 10 Broad-winged Hawk Flight - Connecticut Fall 2017 SS-Sharp-shinned Hawk CH-Cooper's Hawk NG-Northern Goshawk RS-Red-shouldered Hawk Bridgewater Litchfield Burlington Torrington Litchfield W. Hartland Town 622 71 5 16 83 178 Sept thru 9 21 1 15 Aug Botsford Hill Chestnut Hill Johnnycake Mt. MiddleSchool White Memorial INLAND TOTAL Booth Hill Lookout BV-Black Vulture TV-Turkey Vulture OS-Osprey BE-Bald Eagle NH-Northern Harrier Total Quaker Ridge "COASTAL" GROUP Lighthouse Point White Memorial Middle School Johnnycake Mt. Chestnut Hill Botsford Hill INLAND GROUP Booth Hill Lookout

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 108 Mayo CONNECTICUT FIELD NOTES Total 88 4720 1781 2517 85 9191 Total 12 4650 2000 1423 35 8120 uR 21 27 27 75 Dec. 1, 2017 through Feb. 28, 2018 uR 153 140 86 1 PG 7 12 2 21 By Greg Hanisek and Frank Mantlik PG 52 39 33 124 ML 1 58 24 10 93 A Pink-footed Goose turned various dates in December ML 1 177 75 24 up Dec. 21 along the Pawca- and January in North Ston- AK 4 339 72 3 418 tuck R. in North Stonington ington (MAr et al.). Flocks of AK 917 149 4 1070 GE 8 8 (BG, DPe et al.) and re- 70 and 100 Snow Geese were GE 0 mained through at least Jan. over downtown Torrington RL 0 3. Greater White-fronted in the dark on Dec. 11 (DT). RL 2 2 RT 6 32 261 5 304 Geese were reported from The flight continued in rain at least 12 locations, with and fog the next day with 220 RT 26 54 158 5 243 multiples that included three on Bantam L. in Litchfield BW 21 2940 45 1 1 3008 BW 1 355 85

441 each on Jan. 27 at Union (MD) and 300 in the evening Pond in Manchester (BA, JM) at Twin Lakes in Salisbury RS 1 54 922 29 1006 RS 8 15 273 2 298 and on Jan. 21 in Griswold (BR). There was no let up on NG 1 0 1 2 (NB, ABl) and up to two on Dec. 13 with 910 over Sharon NG 1 1 2 CH 1 62 179 135 1 378 CH 445 454 179 2 SS 4 920 405 202 1 1532 SS 1 1383 454 293 5 2136 NH 2 54 18 12 86 NH 2 133 56 72 263 Quaker Ridge, Greenwich - Fall 2017 BE 16 76 52 25 3 172 BE 1 84 57 39 181 Lighthouse Point, New Haven - Fall 2017 OS 38 231 52 321 OS 6 890 179 9 1084 TV 5 797 896 45 1743 TV 25 238 244 20 527 BV 12 12 24 BV 2 2 8 12 Hours 79 234 205 188 13 719 Hours 13 211 202 160 3 588

Chris Wood photo This Barnacle Goose and Cackling Goose were almost joined at the hip as they moved around the Fairfield area in January. August August September September October October November November December December Total Total

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 109 110 Hanisek and Mantlik Connecticut Field Notes 111 Audubon (ZA), 100 at 9 p.m. Lake Feb. 26 (MD), with one at times abundant in eastern day at Sherwood I. State Park over Milford (SH), and 50 at at Seaside Park in Bridgeport Long Island Sound and King in Westport (TG), on Dec. 17 night over Westport (LM). At the same day (NB, JTe); and remains rare but regular. off East Haven (GN), on Dec. the other end of the season, 12 flew by Shippan Point, This was a good winter for 24 at Mumford Cove in Gro- a flock of 17 was at Seaside Stamford, on Feb. 27 (PDu). King Eider, starting with ton (DPe), on Jan. 13 at Bluff Park in Bridgeport on Feb. 23 an immature male found at Point in Groton (DRo) and on (FM). A Barnacle Goose was A good winter count of 25 Ocean Beach in New London Jan. 17 a male and a female present Dec. 6-10 at Fisher Wood Ducks was noted Dec. on Jan. 7 (DPe). A female was were at Sherwood I. (TG). Meadow in Avon (PM, VM et 24 at Goodwin Park in Hart- in Stonington on Jan. 9 (RS), al.), and one was seen almost ford (JHr). In an unusually and the species appeared at A morning flight at Shippan daily in Fairfield and nearby sparse winter for Eurasian Hammonasset Beach State Point, Stamford, on Dec. 6 Westport Jan. 3-18 (JTe et al.). Wigeon, the only report Park in Madison (hereafter produced 432 Red-throated One, and in a few cases two, was of one in the Greenwich HBSP )on Jan. 28 when three Loons and 61 Northern Gan- Cackling Geese were report- harbor area in January (AC). females turned up (MAr). An nets (PDu). The next morn- ed from about 15 locations A high count of 29 Northern immature male was there the ing brought 122 Red-throated throughout the season. Pintails was at Station 43 next day (DMc). An adult Loons, 34 Northern Gannets in South Windsor on Feb. male Harlequin Duck was and seven Razorbills (PDu). Here is the Ross’s Goose 26 (PDe). Small numbers of off Westport Dec. 17 (LF). Inland Red-necked Grebes rundown: an adult in North Redheads scattered along the Another male began a long were at Barkhamsted Reser- Stonington and Ledyard Dec. coast were topped by up to stay Jan. 30 near the Oyster voir on Dec. 2 (DRs) and on 27-30 (PW et al.); a juvenile four throughout the period R. mouth in West Haven (LB Lake Saltonstall in Branford Dec. 30-Jan. 3 in Farmington at Grass Island in Greenwich et al.), staying into March, on Dec. 6 (GN). An Eared (DMo, MAn et al.); an adult (CE, m.ob.). Inland one was and the season’s third was at Grebe in Stonington harbor and a juvenile Jan. 10-Feb. 17 at the Donald W. Barnes Boat Sunken I., Fairfield on Feb. offered excellent viewing at Lake Zoar in Southbury Launch on the Connecticut 10 (AK). Two Long-tailed opportunities Feb. 4 through (RN et al.); an adult Jan. 14- R. in Enfield Jan. 2-13 (JW, Ducks were a good find Dec. the end of the period (DW 29 in Stratford, Milford and PDe, et al.). A female Tufted 16 on Lake Quassapaug in et al.). An American White Fairfield (AD, FM et al.); an Duck found Jan. 1 in Bridge- Middlebury (BDe), as was Pelican was a flyby on the adult Feb. 2-3 in Suffield and port remained through at a total of three on the Con- Thames River in New Lon- Enfield, with presumably the least Feb. 18 (JN, m.ob.). This necticut River in Wallingford don on Dec. 20 (RK). After same bird in Storrs Feb. 12-22 is the second year in a row and Middletown on Dec. 17 a widespread presence of (DH, AP); and one on Feb. that presumably the same (fide MB). The long-staying, Great Egrets in December, 21 at Bantam L. in Litchfield individual wintered in the multi-year adult male Bar- one lingered to Jan. 2 in Nor- (BDe). The big goose flight Captain’s Cove area. row’s Goldeneye arrived walk harbor (LF). The next over Sharon on Dec. 13 was Dec. 13 at Tuxis I., Madison report was of an early arrival accompanied by 12 Tundra Twenty years ago King Feb. 10 at West River in West Eiders were rare but the (HS). It remained through Swans (ZA). At the other period’s end and beyond. In Haven (SU, KZ). end of the season, 21 flew more regular of the two eider species. Today Common a good season for the species, An outstanding roost of over Westport on Feb, 24 others were found the next (PL); 10 passed over Bantam Eider has become regular to 116 Black Vultures was in

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 112 Hanisek and Mantlik Connecticut Field Notes 113 on Dec. 14 (SC). It was last It remained through Feb. reported on Jan. 1 (CE). A 16, offering many birders a Lesser Yellowlegs was late rare opportunity to see one Dec. 10 at Barn I. in Stoning- from land in Connecticut. A ton (BDw). American Wood- Black-legged Kittiwake was cocks were displaying Feb. seen from the New London- 20-21, both inland and along Orient, N.Y., ferry on Dec. 30 the coast, with the arrival of (FM, JOs et al.). Another, or 70 F temperatures on the for- the same, Kittiwake was seen mer date (GN, JTe et al.). The from the Waterford shore now-regular winter presence that same morning (TA). A of Razorbills in Long Island Black-headed Gull was a Sound was illustrated by one-day visitor to the Birds- eight on Jan. 12 along a ferry eye boat ramp in Stratford on crossing from New London Jan. 1 (JN). Another that has Tommy Self photo (PR). One of the season’s been a regular in the Stoning- These Sandhill Cranes made a brief showing in Mystic on Jan. 11, 2018. best – and most cooperative ton area for several winters birds – was a Thick-billed was found Jan. 24 and seen Canaan on Dec. 20 (JDr); in Warren (RP), a flyover Murre found Feb. 4 in Ston- through the season (BDw). 59 were in New Milford Dec.12 in Wallingford (fide ington harbor (AV, m.ob.). The high count of Iceland on Dec 24 (JDu). An imma- MB); and two on Jan. 11 in ture Golden Eagle was seen Mystic (GW). Winter reports sporadically Dec. 31 – Feb. 2 of Clapper Rails included in Plainfield (RD et al.). The two on Dec. 23 at Silver only other report was from Sands State Park in Milford Hadlyme on Feb. 3 (DRa). A (SB, MB); up to two Jan. 28- late Broad-winged Hawk, an 31 at Indian River Cemetery adult, offered good views to in Clinton (SB, TG) and one an experienced observer Dec. at Great Island in Old Lyme 1 at Quaker Ridge in Green- on Feb. 28 (JSh). Of particular wich (RM). Rough-legged instance was one videotaped Hawks were widely report- being caught and eaten by ed, both inland and along the a Snowy Owl on the frozen coast, beginning in mid- Great Meadows salt marsh, December. All reports were Stratford, on Jan. 11 (fide of single birds except for two SMr). on Jan. 6 at Milford Point A Semipalmated Plover Maggie Peretto photo (CL, MV). Sandhill Cranes This flock of Black Vultures found in Manchester on the Hartford Christmas Bird included four on Dec.16 lingered again at Greenwich Count take on an almost Shakespearean sense of foreboding. Point starting with a report

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 114 Hanisek and Mantlik Connecticut Field Notes 115 along the Hockanum River HBSP was the highlight of Linear Trail in East Hartford a five-warbler day that also on Jan. 31 (JTr). Nine reports included the more expected of Eastern Phoebes included Orange-crowned, Pine, Palm the latest at Bent of the River and Yellow-rumped (JOs). Sanctuary in Southbury on An Orange-crowned was Jan. 20 (KE). The only North- also at Haddam Meadows ern Shrike report came from State Park in Haddam that Goshen on Dec. 17 (NH, day (EP). SSl). Egg-laying by Northern Ravens was noted Feb. 26 at A Grasshopper Sparrow, rare West Rock Ridge State Park in winter, was found Jan. 1 at in New Haven (SB). The Stratford Point and remained only inland reports of Marsh through at least Jan. 11 (PF Wrens were one on Dec. 17 et al.). Chipping Sparrow is at Glastonbury Meadows no longer a winter rarity, but Bruce Finnan photo (BA) and up to two at Laurel five on Jan. 24 in Griswold Photographers couldn't get enough of this winter's Snowy Owls, such as this one was a remarkable number at Long Beach in Stratford on Dec. 4, 2017. Marsh in Manchester Jan. 23- 26 (AP). (RD). A Clay-colored Spar- Gulls was four on Jan. 18 at Islands (LF); Sandy Point row Dec. 3-16 in Woodbridge HBSP (KM). Glaucous Gulls in West Haven (CL, MV); A late flurry of warblers was the only one reported were reported from about Waterford (DL); Old Lyme included a Black-and-white (CL et al.). The season’s two 10 locations, including one (AV); Brazos Road in East Warbler Dec. 1 at Union Dickcissels were in Shelton inland on Dec. 14 at Lake Haven (CH); and Stoning- Pond in Manchester (DF); on Dec. 17 (KE et al.), and at Waramaug in New Preston ton Point/Barn Island (PR, a Yellow Warbler Dec. 7 at a feeder in Darien Dec. 28 (GH). m.ob). Inland birds appeared HBSP (JHu); a Northern Pa- through Jan. 4 (JL et al.) in Windsor Dec. 11 (BKu); in rula Dec. 10 at HBSP (MG); a An unusual winter flock of It was a good season for Hartford on Dec. 15-16 (TB Northern Waterthrush in Li- seven Eastern Meadowlarks Snowy Owls with the major- et al.); in Wallingford Dec. tchfield (DMa) and a Prairie landed in a field at the Audu- ity of reports from the Strat- 16 (MM); and at Thomaston Warbler at Griswold Point, bon Center in Pomfret on ford-Milford area, including Dam on Feb 13 (BDe). Old Lyme (JHa), both on up to three at various times Dec. 11. Especially notewor- Dec. 3 (JV). Other multiple at Long Beach, Stratford (FM, A Selasphorus hummingbird thy with 6 inches of snow on bird reports were of three at m.ob.). The next most obser- visited a feeder Dec. 15 in the ground were two Hood- Saltwater Farm Vineyard in vations were from HBSP (CL, Southbury (fide KE). Con- ed Warblers attracted to a Stonington (PR et al.) and MV et al.), and an array of trary to recent trends, Red- heat vent at a house in Ston- two at the Hartford landfill other coastal sites included headed Woodpeckers were ington Dec. 10-18, with one (DMo), all on Dec. 17. The Lighthouse Point (GM) and scarce. One was at Peace lingering to Dec. 27 (J&SP season’s three Yellow-head- Long Wharf (AL et al.), both Nature Sanctuary in Mystic fide GW). A Black-and- ed Blackbirds were found in New Haven; the Norwalk on Dec. 30 (JR), and one was white Warbler on Dec. 17 at Dec. 2 in Colchester (DC); in

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 116 Hanisek and Mantlik Preston on Dec. 30- Jan. 14 Desjardins (PDe), Jacob Drucker CONNECTICUT BIRD ATLAS NOTES (DPr); and at Vibert Road, (JDr), James Dugan (JDu), Patrick Dugan (PDu), Cynthia Ehlinger, South Windsor, on Jan. 28 Ken Elkins, Sarah Faulkner, Larry (JK, SF). The reliable Rusty Flynn, David Funke, Paul Fusco, Amassed mergansers on the Pomperaug Blackbird flock at a Hamden Frank Gallo, Karen Gallo, Barbara feeder numbered 25 on Jan. Gearhart, Miles Goldenberg, Tina 20 (JZ). The high count of Green, Jack Halibozek (JHa), Nicki Hall, Greg Hanisek, Stacy Hanks, Boat-tailed Grackles was 35 Julie Hart (JHr), Dorrie Holmes, going to a roost in Stratford Julian Hough (JHo), Chris Howe, on Jan. 14 (FG). The eight Jeff Hullstrung (JHu), Jay Kaplan, reports of Baltimore Orioles Robert Kelsey, Aidan Kiley, Brian Kleinman (BKl), Brian Kulvete were all in December with (BKu), Dave Lawton (DLa), James the exception of one at a Leone, David Leiper (DLe), Alex Waterford feeder on Jan. 2 Lin-Moore, Chris Loscalzo, Preston (JSi). All were singles except Lust, Ryan MacLean, Frank Mant- for two at a Niantic feeder lik, Paul Margiott, Vicky Margiott, Deb Martin (DMa), Stefan Martin on Dec. 16 (KG). In a season (SMr), Gail Martino, Steve Mayo lacking in winter finches, (SMa), Don McGregor (DMc), Leslie Pine Siskins managed to Meredith, Jamie Meyers, Darlene muster scattered reports of Moore (DMo), Marty Moore, Keith Mueller, Brendan Murtha, Jeremy just one to four throughout Nance, Russ Naylor, Gina Nichol, Chris Wood photo/text the season. John Ogren (JOg), John Oshlick This gang of 29 Common Merganser ducklings with, apparently, one adult female (JOs), Annette Pasek, Elaine Payne, on the Pomperaug River below my house in mid-June. The average total count on Exotics – A Eurasian Gold- Dylan Pedro (DPe), Bob Pelkey, the Woodbury/Roxbury June Count over the last 25 years is 39; in 2017 the total finch was at Nyala Farm in Ron Pelletier, John Periera, Sandy was 87 (highest ever). Brood amalgamation (or "crèche formation") is common in Westport on Dec. 17 (JTe, Periera, Dave Provencher (DPr), this species. Typical egg clutch is 9-12, but I’ve only seen broods of 5 and 6 this year, so this amalgamation probably represents 4 - 6 broods. Atlassing provides PL). David Rauch (DRa), Brendan Reilly, James Restivo, Dave Rosgen (DRs), the incentives to watch closely even in your back yard; despite the brazenness of Dan Rottino (DRo), Phil Rusch, this gang, and despite daily checks, I only saw it one other time as they roamed Observers: Zachary Adams, Mark their territory up and down the Pomperaug River and eventually split up. Aronson (MAr), Michael Aron- Tommy Self (TSe), James Sherwonit (JSh), Jeff Simms (JSi), Sam Slater son (MAn), Bill Asteriades, Tom Atlasing As Blood Sport Auer, Michael Aurelia (MAu), (SSl), Russ Smiley, Steve Spector (SSp), Howie Sternberg, Jory Teltser Melissa Baston, Tom Baptist, Bill Rose Hill Wildlife Management Area falls into one of my Batsford, Larry Bausher, Doug (JTe), Tim Thompson, Dave Tripp, Beach, Allison Black (ABl), Nick Jonathan Trouern-Trend (JTr), blocks and also straddles the Preston/Ledyard border. One Bonomo, Andy Brand (ABr), Severin Uebbing, Marianne Vahey, section of the WMA has been cut over while leaving the exist- Steve Broker, Alex Burdo (ABu), Anthony Vicciarelli, Jamie Viditch, ing cedars intact. As vegetation is growing back in, Prairie Doug Warner, Mike Warner, John Sarah Carline, Dan Cimbaro, Chris Warblers have taken advantage of the habitat for nesting. Chinni, Annette Cunniffe, Vanessa Weeks, Glenn Williams, Paul David, Buzz Devine (BDe), Bob Wolter, Sara Zagorski, Jim Zipp, This is the only area that I know of in this atlas block that Dewire (BDw), Angela Dimmitt, Kristof Zyskowski has Prairie Warblers on territory. I was pushing my way Robert Dixon, Mike Doyle, Paul through the vegetation to try to get nesting confirmation and

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 117 118 Wood and Provencher PHOTO CHALLENGE it seemed I was finding every thorn that existed in there. My pants and shirt ended up torn and I availed myself of my By Greg Hanisek entire vocabulary of colorful language as my skin was shred- ded by the thick tangles of thorn clad greenery. Confirming Prairie Warbler nesting was truly going to be a bloody propo- sition!

I finally found a good observation spot and was licking my wounds when I suddenly heard a distinctive call. I recog- nized it immediately as a Yellow-breasted Chat. Quite soon I was watching the Chat doing its display flight and song over and over again. My cuts and scratches forgotten, I just stood there and enjoyed a show rarely seen in Connecticut. Over the coming days I would return several more times to this spot (and donate quite a bit more blood) to see if the Chat would find a mate. Unfortunately it didn’t, but I was com- pensated by finding a Lawrence’s Warbler in the same area as well. That particular section of the WMA has extracted a fair bit of pain from me, but it remains one of my favorite new lo- cal spots. And of course, I was able to confirm Prairie Warbler nesting as well as on my last visit I witnessed juvenile war- blers being fed by adults! Dave Provencher If this bird would just lift up its head and fly, identification Atlas Notes will be a regular feature during the Connecticut Bird would be a lot more straightforward. But that’s part of the Atlas. Submissions are welcomed. challenge and the fun of birding. The birds don’t always cooperate. This is an especially diabolical photo. I know this because I once used it as a blog quiz. The answers not only encompassed a range of incorrect species. They were spread over a range of bird families! When dealing with any kind of unknown situation, it always pays to deconstruct things. The clues usually lie in the constituent parts. In this case one feature immediately offers some clarity by eliminating a huge range of possibilities. Look at those dinky little legs. Not many birds have legs that short. And as a result this bird must rely heavily on flight. The most flight-reliant of birds include swifts near the top of the list. Since this Chal- lenge centers on local birds, only the Chimney Swift would

The Connecticut Warbler, Vol. 38 No 3, July 2018 119 120 Hanisek THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER be a possibility, but this bird’s light underparts rule that out. Editor How about swallows? They fit, and only one species pres- Greg Hanisek - 175 Circuit Ave., Waterbury, CT 06708 ents this combination of brown above and white below with (203) 754-4401 email: [email protected] a suffusion of buff on the breast – Northern Rough-winged Departments Editorial Advisory Board Feature Articles Site Guides Swallow. This one was captured in a very atypical posture by Louis Bevier Robert A. Askins Arnold Devine William Davis Mark Szantyr. George A. Clark, Jr. Dwight Smith John Kricher Field Notes Photo Challenge Wayne Petersen Greg Hanisek Julian Hough Frank Mantlik Layout/Production Bird Counts Manny Merisotis Steve Broker Steve Mayo Joseph Zeranski

The Connecticut Warbler (ISSN 1077-0283) is devoted to the study of birds and their conservation in Connecticut and is published quarterly (January, April, July, and October) by the Connecticut Ornithological Association. Send manuscripts to the Editor. Please type double spaced with ample margins, on one side of a sheet. Submit a copy on a computer disk, if possible. Style should follow usage in recent issues. All manuscripts receive peer review. Illustrations and photographs are needed and welcome. Line art of Con- necticut and regional birds should be submitted as good quality prints or in original form. All submitted materials will be returned. We can use good quality photographs of birds unaccompanied by an article but with caption including species, date, locality, and other pertinent information. CONNECTICUT ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION President: Steve Broker, 50 Hidden Place, Cheshire, CT 06410 Vice-President: Chris Loscalzo, 67 Wepawaug Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525 Secretary: Denise Jernigan, 618 Hopewell Road, Glastonbury, CT 06073 Treasurer: Paul Wolter, 8 Sybil Creek Place, Branford, CT 06405 Assistant Treasurer: Jason Rieger, 2 Pauline Court,Wallingford,CT 06492 Chairman Rare Records: Jay Kaplan, 71 Gracey Road, Canton, CT 06019 Board of Directors (terms ending) 2019 2020 2021 Photo Challenge No. 102 Sharon Dellinger Andrew Dasinger Milan Bull Angela Dimmitt Frank Gallo Peter DeGennaro Tina Green Chris Howe David Provencher Scott Kruitbosch Craig Repasz Terry Shaw Gina Nichol Tom Robben Douglas Warner Maureen Wolter Kathy Van Der Aue Chris S. Wood

Membership, including subscription to The Connecticut Warbler and COA Bul- letin, is based on a calendar­ year and is renewable in January: Student, $15.00; Individual, $25.00; Family, $35.00; Contributing, $50.00; Donor, $75.00, Benefac- tor, $100. Life is $1000.00, payable in three annual installments. Send member- ship application, dues, change of address, and checks payable to: Connecticut Ornithological Association, 314 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT 06430. Connecticut Ornithological Association 314 Unquowa Road Printed at Yale University Fairfield, CT 06824 Non-Profit Org. www.ctbirding.org U.S. Postage – Address Service Requested – PAID New Haven CT Volume 38, No 3, 2018 Permit No. 526

The 2017-2018 Connecticut Christmas Bird Count Stephen P. Broker...... 69 2017 Fall Hawk Watch Steve Mayo ...... 102 Connecticut Field Notes Greg Hanisek and Frank Mantlik ...... 109 Connecticut Bird Atlas Notes Chris Wood and Dave Provencher...... 117

Photo Challenge Greg Hanisek ...... 119