The Connecticut Ornithological Association 314 Unquowaroad Non-Profit Org
Winter 1988 Contents Volume VITI Number 1 January 1988 THE 59 Editorial Fred Sibley CONNECTICUT 61 Status and Hybridization of Clapper and King Rails in Connecticut Anthony H. Bledsoe WARBLER 66 Connecticut Field Notes-Summer 1987 A Journal of Connecticut Ornitlwlogy Clay Taylor
71 1984 Shorebinl Survey at the Mouth of the Housatonic River Dennis varz.a
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_ . , , ' ~u:u:ur:u:::~..r - l The Connecticut Ornithological Association 314 UnquowaRoad Non-Profit Org. Fairfield, CT 06430 U.S. Postage PAID II Fairfield, CT Permij No. 275
Volume VIII No.1 January 1988 Pages 59-74 THE CONNECTICUf ORNITHOUGICAL EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION "Save the Roseate Tern!" I c:ry. Others shout, 1be Pressure can be President Roseate Tern is Saved!" Neil W. Currie, Sandy Hook exerted to force The Ra>eate Tern has been placed on the federal endan Vice-President action on behalf gered species list. My friends point out that this gives the Fred Sibley, Guilfmi of the terns. tern added protection, attention, research funds and possi Secretary bly its own recovery team. Of course, they do not mean to Winifred Burltett, Storrs Let's do it! imply that Roseate Terns, under this umbrella of protec Tre011urer tion, will become as abundant as Herring Gulls, yet their Robert Fletcher, Cheshire tone of voice assures one that all is now well with the terns. Assistant Treoaurer One need not fret, the well-<>iled government machinery Carl J. Trichka, Fairfield will soon produce a solution to the Roseate Tern problems; much as it did for the Dusky Seaside Sparrow, California Condor, Black-footed Ferret, Baclunan's Warbler and oth Board of Directors ers. (Term Expires) Obviously I speak partly in jest, as endangered species 1988 1989 programs have scored some amazing successes. Even those Stephen P. Broker, New Haven Robert A. Askins, New London species cited above have not failed because they received Frank Mantlik, South Norwalk George A. Clark, Jr., Storrs endangered status. However, neither the Roleate Tern nor Roland C. Clement, Norwalk Debra M. Miller, Franklin, MA George W. Zepko, Middletown Robert Moeller, Sharon any other species is assured of sunny skies, a full crop and Fred Purnell, Darien ample nesting beaches just because it receives endangered 1990 status. Rather than jubilation, we should show a little Ray Belding, Harwinton shame for allowing this tern to decline to the extent it has. Jill Rankin, Wethersfield Might we also get more involved in its future? Todd Weintz, Stamford The Roseate Tern, unlike the Piping Plover, was well Chris Wood. Woodbury Joe Zeranski, Greenwich enough studied in Connecticut that a number ci manage ment ideas might have been implemented. Each however, required more than a little political maneuvering, consid About our Cover Artist: erable initiative by some individual and a genuine concern for the future cf. Roseate Terns (i.e. work that would do Roland C. Clement, Norwalk nothing for your resume nor engender much appreciation). "Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris)" These management ideas remain viable. As the species is now endangered and since a state non-game program has Roland C. Clement, Connecticut Ornithokgical .Assoc..'s first president been established, pressure can be exerted to force action on and a former vice-president of the National Audubon Society, first took an behalf of the terns. Let's do it! evening oourse in drawing with pencil, pen and brush at a textile design Consider the following: a very promising colony cf. high school in his home town, Fall River, Mass., when he was nineteen. But Roleate Terns on Tuxis Island, off Madison, was elimi this interest was sidetracked during a long career as naturalist and nated by rats. This island supported some 30 pairs ci conservationist. Roseate Terns in 1980 and might have double that number. Upon retirement in 1977, he first tried watercolor sketching with Anyone interested in poisoning rats? Carolyn Beehler of Hamden, then decided to go back to basics and took During the past decade, gulls have moved onto several courses in drawing, watercolor and portraiture at the Silvennine Guild islands with Common Tern colonies and either eliminated Arts Center in New Canaan. But art continued to be a part.tirne activity because he remained involved in Audubon work and cx:mmunity affairs, or seriously reduced tern nesting. Almost any Common was a Mellon Fellow at Yale's School cf. Forestry and Environmental Tern colony is a potential site for Roseate Terns. Each loss Studies in 1983, and has since written a history of the Audubon movement. has thus been an actual or potential loss of nesting Roseate
THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 1 59 THE CONNECTICUf ORNITHOUGICAL EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION "Save the Roseate Tern!" I c:ry. Others shout, 1be Pressure can be President Roseate Tern is Saved!" Neil W. Currie, Sandy Hook exerted to force The Ra>eate Tern has been placed on the federal endan Vice-President action on behalf gered species list. My friends point out that this gives the Fred Sibley, Guilfmi of the terns. tern added protection, attention, research funds and possi Secretary bly its own recovery team. Of course, they do not mean to Winifred Burltett, Storrs Let's do it! imply that Roseate Terns, under this umbrella of protec Tre011urer tion, will become as abundant as Herring Gulls, yet their Robert Fletcher, Cheshire tone of voice assures one that all is now well with the terns. Assistant Treoaurer One need not fret, the well-<>iled government machinery Carl J. Trichka, Fairfield will soon produce a solution to the Roseate Tern problems; much as it did for the Dusky Seaside Sparrow, California Condor, Black-footed Ferret, Baclunan's Warbler and oth Board of Directors ers. (Term Expires) Obviously I speak partly in jest, as endangered species 1988 1989 programs have scored some amazing successes. Even those Stephen P. Broker, New Haven Robert A. Askins, New London species cited above have not failed because they received Frank Mantlik, South Norwalk George A. Clark, Jr., Storrs endangered status. However, neither the Roleate Tern nor Roland C. Clement, Norwalk Debra M. Miller, Franklin, MA George W. Zepko, Middletown Robert Moeller, Sharon any other species is assured of sunny skies, a full crop and Fred Purnell, Darien ample nesting beaches just because it receives endangered 1990 status. Rather than jubilation, we should show a little Ray Belding, Harwinton shame for allowing this tern to decline to the extent it has. Jill Rankin, Wethersfield Might we also get more involved in its future? Todd Weintz, Stamford The Roseate Tern, unlike the Piping Plover, was well Chris Wood. Woodbury Joe Zeranski, Greenwich enough studied in Connecticut that a number ci manage ment ideas might have been implemented. Each however, required more than a little political maneuvering, consid About our Cover Artist: erable initiative by some individual and a genuine concern for the future cf. Roseate Terns (i.e. work that would do Roland C. Clement, Norwalk nothing for your resume nor engender much appreciation). "Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris)" These management ideas remain viable. As the species is now endangered and since a state non-game program has Roland C. Clement, Connecticut Ornithokgical .Assoc..'s first president been established, pressure can be exerted to force action on and a former vice-president of the National Audubon Society, first took an behalf of the terns. Let's do it! evening oourse in drawing with pencil, pen and brush at a textile design Consider the following: a very promising colony cf. high school in his home town, Fall River, Mass., when he was nineteen. But Roleate Terns on Tuxis Island, off Madison, was elimi this interest was sidetracked during a long career as naturalist and nated by rats. This island supported some 30 pairs ci conservationist. Roseate Terns in 1980 and might have double that number. Upon retirement in 1977, he first tried watercolor sketching with Anyone interested in poisoning rats? Carolyn Beehler of Hamden, then decided to go back to basics and took During the past decade, gulls have moved onto several courses in drawing, watercolor and portraiture at the Silvennine Guild islands with Common Tern colonies and either eliminated Arts Center in New Canaan. But art continued to be a part.tirne activity because he remained involved in Audubon work and cx:mmunity affairs, or seriously reduced tern nesting. Almost any Common was a Mellon Fellow at Yale's School cf. Forestry and Environmental Tern colony is a potential site for Roseate Terns. Each loss Studies in 1983, and has since written a history of the Audubon movement. has thus been an actual or potential loss of nesting Roseate
THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 1 59 Terns. Who's going to push for gull control on Rock Night-heron STATUS AND HYBRIDIZATION OF Island, Lyddy Island, White Island and Waterford Is predation has been land? Combined, these once supported 15-20 pairs of CLAPPER AND KING RAILS Roseate Terns. a serious problem Duck Island, off Westbrook, hooted 8 parrs of Com for Least Terns ... IN CONNECTICUT mon Terns in 1983, 20 in 1985 and several hundred in Anthony H. Bledsoe 1987. Roseate Terns also appeared in 1987, perhaps as many as 15 pairs. Duck Island has the potential to be as The Clapper Rail (Rallus ently declining (Tate 1986), an important a nesting site as Tuxis was in 1980. Human longirostris) and the King Rail assessment d the local status of the vandalism and disturbance have been minor factors, but (Rallus e/egans) comprise a pair of King Rail is needed to determine there is potential for such disttni:lance on Duck Island in closely-related species distributed whether the Connecticut popula the future. Night-heron predation has been a serious widely in the New World. Through tions are likewise decreasing. In problem for Least Terns, particularly on nearby out most of their ranges, the species addition, the status and interac Menunketesuck Island, and until this year, resulted in segregate ecologically into salt and tions of Clapper and King rails in the loss of most Omrnon Tern chicks m Duck Island. fresh-water marsh populations. Connecticut, and particularly the Night-heron predation has berome an increasingly seri The Clapper Rail oa:urs in coastal evidence for local hybridization, ous problem, perhaps more of a problem for the larger salt and brackish marshes from are of interest for the study of the terns than we realize. This site should be closely Cape Cod (Hill 1965) to southern systematics of the R. elegans monitored and corrective action taken as needed. How Texas; locally along the Pacific longirostris complex. about some study of night-heron control? Coast from central California south Jeff Spendelow has used tires as nest sites for Rose to Nayarit, Mexico; along both Historical Status ate Terns on Falkner Island, however, the tires must be coosts of South America south to During the late 1800's and early replaced each year and are successful only when placed northern Peru and southern Bmzil; 1900's, the Clapper Rail was appar in areas the terns are already utilizing for nesting. A and in mangroves throughout most ently a mre summer resident in more productive method was used successfully in 1979 of the Carilliean (American Orni Connecticut. Although Linsley and 1980. Jeff placed boards, sheets rL plywood and thologists' Union,[hereafter (1843) stated that the Clapper Rail similar objects along the rim of the island, suffocating AO.U.] 1983). Inland in western bred abundantly at Stratford, Mer the grasg and providing a clear landing area for terns. North America, the Clapper Rail riam (1877) listed the species as Roseate Terns quickly utilized these areas, placing their also breeds in fresh-water as well "not common" and Burr et al. (1908) nests in the dense grass surrounding 3 sides of the as salt and brackish marshes at considered it a rare summer resi board. Without a clear area, the terns cannot land at the Salton Sea and along the lower dent near New Haven. Sage and tops of the cliffs. I understand there is now little, if any, Colorado River Valley (AO.U. Bishop (1913) concurred with this nesting by Roseate Terns on the top of the island. 1983). The King Rail breeds pri assessment, terming the Clapper Unfortunately, the resident (introduced 1977) Euro marily in fresh-water marshes in Rail "a rather mre summer resi pean rabbits also liked the boards, resulting in cmsider eastern Nebraska, southern Michi dent of the salt marshes of the able nest loss. A method worth trying again sans gan, and sruthern Massachusetts western part of the state; occasion rabbits? south to southern Florida and ally wintering." Of the sixteen There are other problems facing the Roseate Tern - southern Texas, on CuOO,and in "recent records" listed by Sage and pcisons in the food chain, mortality on the wintering several states of interior Mexico Bishop (1913), only two (at Guilford grounds - but there are beneficial programs that can be (AO.U. 1983). It occasionally in and Saybrook) came from east of undertaken now; from poisoning mts on Tuxis, to plac habits coastal brackish marshes as East Haven. ing nest platf 60 THE CONNECTICl.IT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 1 61 Terns. Who's going to push for gull control on Rock Night-heron STATUS AND HYBRIDIZATION OF Island, Lyddy Island, White Island and Waterford Is predation has been land? Combined, these once supported 15-20 pairs of CLAPPER AND KING RAILS Roseate Terns. a serious problem Duck Island, off Westbrook, hooted 8 parrs of Com for Least Terns ... IN CONNECTICUT mon Terns in 1983, 20 in 1985 and several hundred in Anthony H. Bledsoe 1987. Roseate Terns also appeared in 1987, perhaps as many as 15 pairs. Duck Island has the potential to be as The Clapper Rail (Rallus ently declining (Tate 1986), an important a nesting site as Tuxis was in 1980. Human longirostris) and the King Rail assessment d the local status of the vandalism and disturbance have been minor factors, but (Rallus e/egans) comprise a pair of King Rail is needed to determine there is potential for such disttni:lance on Duck Island in closely-related species distributed whether the Connecticut popula the future. Night-heron predation has been a serious widely in the New World. Through tions are likewise decreasing. In problem for Least Terns, particularly on nearby out most of their ranges, the species addition, the status and interac Menunketesuck Island, and until this year, resulted in segregate ecologically into salt and tions of Clapper and King rails in the loss of most Omrnon Tern chicks m Duck Island. fresh-water marsh populations. Connecticut, and particularly the Night-heron predation has berome an increasingly seri The Clapper Rail oa:urs in coastal evidence for local hybridization, ous problem, perhaps more of a problem for the larger salt and brackish marshes from are of interest for the study of the terns than we realize. This site should be closely Cape Cod (Hill 1965) to southern systematics of the R. elegans monitored and corrective action taken as needed. How Texas; locally along the Pacific longirostris complex. about some study of night-heron control? Coast from central California south Jeff Spendelow has used tires as nest sites for Rose to Nayarit, Mexico; along both Historical Status ate Terns on Falkner Island, however, the tires must be coosts of South America south to During the late 1800's and early replaced each year and are successful only when placed northern Peru and southern Bmzil; 1900's, the Clapper Rail was appar in areas the terns are already utilizing for nesting. A and in mangroves throughout most ently a mre summer resident in more productive method was used successfully in 1979 of the Carilliean (American Orni Connecticut. Although Linsley and 1980. Jeff placed boards, sheets rL plywood and thologists' Union,[hereafter (1843) stated that the Clapper Rail similar objects along the rim of the island, suffocating AO.U.] 1983). Inland in western bred abundantly at Stratford, Mer the grasg and providing a clear landing area for terns. North America, the Clapper Rail riam (1877) listed the species as Roseate Terns quickly utilized these areas, placing their also breeds in fresh-water as well "not common" and Burr et al. (1908) nests in the dense grass surrounding 3 sides of the as salt and brackish marshes at considered it a rare summer resi board. Without a clear area, the terns cannot land at the Salton Sea and along the lower dent near New Haven. Sage and tops of the cliffs. I understand there is now little, if any, Colorado River Valley (AO.U. Bishop (1913) concurred with this nesting by Roseate Terns on the top of the island. 1983). The King Rail breeds pri assessment, terming the Clapper Unfortunately, the resident (introduced 1977) Euro marily in fresh-water marshes in Rail "a rather mre summer resi pean rabbits also liked the boards, resulting in cmsider eastern Nebraska, southern Michi dent of the salt marshes of the able nest loss. A method worth trying again sans gan, and sruthern Massachusetts western part of the state; occasion rabbits? south to southern Florida and ally wintering." Of the sixteen There are other problems facing the Roseate Tern - southern Texas, on CuOO,and in "recent records" listed by Sage and pcisons in the food chain, mortality on the wintering several states of interior Mexico Bishop (1913), only two (at Guilford grounds - but there are beneficial programs that can be (AO.U. 1983). It occasionally in and Saybrook) came from east of undertaken now; from poisoning mts on Tuxis, to plac habits coastal brackish marshes as East Haven. ing nest platf 60 THE CONNECTICl.IT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 1 61 along the coast (Saunders 1950). It common to fairly common ing; Branford, possible breeding; Milford Point and Old Saybrook. At declined slightly in subsequent years breeder in the coastal salt and and Old Lyme, confirmed breed the latter locality, the species has a (Saunders 1950) but nonetheless brackish marshes of Connecticut. ing). Although King Rails are often 109-year history of winter occur remained a common breeder and Observers for the Connecticut detected only by voice, even observ rence, from 14 January 1876 (speci occasional winterer into the second Breeding Bird Atlas (CBBA) re ers familiar with the calls of the men, Merriam 1877) to 30 Decem half of the twentieth century (Mack corded Clapper Rails in eight King Rail and other marsh species ber 1984 (Amer. Birds 39:146, enzie 1960; N.S. Proctor, pers. coastal blocks from Norwalk to rarely record the King Rail during 1985). comm.). Old Lyme from 1982-1985, with the breeding season in Connecti The King Rail has historically probable or confirmed breeding in cut. The paucity of breeding rec Hybridization between Clapper been much rarer in Connecticut than each block. The CBBA did not ords thus probably reflects its ac and King Rails the Clapper Rail. Linsley (1843) record the species in the Niantic, tual status rather than the diffi Although the Clapper Rail and published the first definitive Con New London, Mystic and Watch culty of detecting it. the King Rail are for the most part necticut record, an egg-bearing fe Hill blocks, where coverage was Recent Connecticut breeding distributed parapatrically (that is, male captured in Stratford. Merriam limited, but Clapper Rails prdla records are primarily from the next to one another without over (1877) considered the King Rail bly breed in the large areas of coastal plain, the Connecticut lap), they occur together locally in a "rather rare" and cited only Linsley's suitable habitat available in River Valley and the northwest narrow zone ci brackish marshes record and additional records from these sectors. hills. However, the wider geo along the coast of eastern North Portland and Saybrook, the latter a In migratioo, from mid-March graphic distribution of historical America, where they may hybrid winter specimen. Averill (1892) to mid-May and from late August records suggests that the species ize. Some authors (e.g., Ripley listed the species as a "rare summer to early November, the number of can breed in suitable habitat al 1977) consider the Clapper and resident" and provided an additional Clapper Rails increases noticea most anywhere in the state. King rails to be conspecific (mem Stratford record. Sage and Bishop bly, presumably as a result ci A decline in numbers of breeding bers of the same species). (1913) termed it rare and gave six northward dispersal from south King Rails cannot be discerned The evidence for hybridizatim localities of occurrence (Glas ern populations and migratim of from the information currently between R. longirostris and R. tonbury, Wethersfield, East Had the few Clapper Rails that breed available, in part because its rarity elRgans consists of obseiVations of dam, Middletown, N 62 THE CONNECTICliT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 1 63 along the coast (Saunders 1950). It common to fairly common ing; Branford, possible breeding; Milford Point and Old Saybrook. At declined slightly in subsequent years breeder in the coastal salt and and Old Lyme, confirmed breed the latter locality, the species has a (Saunders 1950) but nonetheless brackish marshes of Connecticut. ing). Although King Rails are often 109-year history of winter occur remained a common breeder and Observers for the Connecticut detected only by voice, even observ rence, from 14 January 1876 (speci occasional winterer into the second Breeding Bird Atlas (CBBA) re ers familiar with the calls of the men, Merriam 1877) to 30 Decem half of the twentieth century (Mack corded Clapper Rails in eight King Rail and other marsh species ber 1984 (Amer. Birds 39:146, enzie 1960; N.S. Proctor, pers. coastal blocks from Norwalk to rarely record the King Rail during 1985). comm.). Old Lyme from 1982-1985, with the breeding season in Connecti The King Rail has historically probable or confirmed breeding in cut. The paucity of breeding rec Hybridization between Clapper been much rarer in Connecticut than each block. The CBBA did not ords thus probably reflects its ac and King Rails the Clapper Rail. Linsley (1843) record the species in the Niantic, tual status rather than the diffi Although the Clapper Rail and published the first definitive Con New London, Mystic and Watch culty of detecting it. the King Rail are for the most part necticut record, an egg-bearing fe Hill blocks, where coverage was Recent Connecticut breeding distributed parapatrically (that is, male captured in Stratford. Merriam limited, but Clapper Rails prdla records are primarily from the next to one another without over (1877) considered the King Rail bly breed in the large areas of coastal plain, the Connecticut lap), they occur together locally in a "rather rare" and cited only Linsley's suitable habitat available in River Valley and the northwest narrow zone ci brackish marshes record and additional records from these sectors. hills. However, the wider geo along the coast of eastern North Portland and Saybrook, the latter a In migratioo, from mid-March graphic distribution of historical America, where they may hybrid winter specimen. Averill (1892) to mid-May and from late August records suggests that the species ize. Some authors (e.g., Ripley listed the species as a "rare summer to early November, the number of can breed in suitable habitat al 1977) consider the Clapper and resident" and provided an additional Clapper Rails increases noticea most anywhere in the state. King rails to be conspecific (mem Stratford record. Sage and Bishop bly, presumably as a result ci A decline in numbers of breeding bers of the same species). (1913) termed it rare and gave six northward dispersal from south King Rails cannot be discerned The evidence for hybridizatim localities of occurrence (Glas ern populations and migratim of from the information currently between R. longirostris and R. tonbury, Wethersfield, East Had the few Clapper Rails that breed available, in part because its rarity elRgans consists of obseiVations of dam, Middletown, N 62 THE CONNECTICliT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 1 63 was "picked up in a backyard in range but near the lower limit inspect its breeding records of Haven, CT. Peabody M~urn worn rondition" in New Haven in (exposed culmen and tarsus). The Clapper and Mg rails from 1982- of Natural History, Yale October 1951 (no specific date is range of values for crepita~Wover 1985. I am also grateful to K S. University. given) and "died without feeding". laps that of the Yale specimen in Thomson, C. G. Sibley and E. H. Manter, J . 1975. Birds of Storrs, The ~en re~mblesa ~ng each dimension, while in elega~W Stickney (Yale Peabody Museum) Connecticut and vicinity, Rail but its le~rwing coverts are the ranges of tail and tarsus values, and K C. Parkes and D. S. Wood second edition. Storrs, CT. dull ~t, its back feathers are but not of wing and culmen lengths, (The Carnegie M~urn of Natural Natchaug Ornithological gray at the edges and gray-brown overlap the Yale specimen's History) for permission to study Society. along the margins of the central lengths. The plumage and men specimens in their care, and to K C. Meanley, B. 1965. King and black sections, its brown cheeks are sural characteristics thus argue Parkes for his rornrnents on this Clapper rails of Broadway tinged with gray, and its upper against the possibility that the manuscript. Marshes. Delaware ConseiVa abdomen, breast and sides of the specimen is a vagrant example of R. tionist (1965):3-7. neck are a pale cinnamon. Pheno L obsoletus. Literature Cited _ _ . 1969. Natural history of typically it is thus intermediate The Yale ~en (YPM 15230) the King Rail. North Arner. between R. e. elegans and R. L crepi is thus most likely a hybrid King X American Ornithologists' Union. Fauna 67. U.S. Dept. Interior tans, the local breeding subspecies. Clapper rail, probably R. e. elega~W 1983. Check-list of North Bur. Sport Fisheries Wildl. However, beca~ nearly all spe X R. L crepitans, althoogh nothing American birds, sixth edition. _____, and DK Wetherbee. cies of rails exhibit some tendency in the specimen's phenotype elimi Lawrence, KS. American 1962. Ecological notes on toward vagrancy, other subspecies nates the southern races R. L way Ornithologists' Union. mixed populations of King and of Clapper and ~ rails must be nei and R. L scotti as possible paren Averill, C. K, Jr. 1892. List of Clapper rails in Delaware Bay coosidered in the diagnoois. tal forms on the longirostris side. birds found in the vicinity of marshes. Auk 79:453457. The Yale specimen most cl~ly The specimen thus adds support Bridgeport, Connecticut. Merriam, CJI. 1877. A review of matches certain specimens (e.g., to the occurrence of interbreeding Bridgeport, cr. Bridgeport the birds of Connecticut, with YPM 8959) of the so-called "olive between these rails, suspected Scientific Society. remarks on their hlilits. Trans. phase" (Ripley 1977) of R. L obsole from previous studies. Reports of BWT, F. F., P. L. Buttrick, A W. Connecticut Aca.d. Arts Sci. tus, a subspecies of the salt ~ Rails mated to Clapper Rails Hooywill, Jr., D. B. PanglxJrn, 4:1-150. marshes of the roast of central at Milford Point, East Haven and A A Saunders and C. H. Ripley, S.D. 1977. Rails of the California In fact, the specimen Old Saybrook (N. S. Proctor, pers. Pangburn. 1908. List of birds world. Boston, MA David R. diagnooes to R. L obsoletus without cornrn.) indicate that local hybridi of the New Haven region. Publ. Godin e. discrepancy based on Ripley's zation is certainly possible and New Haven Bird Club Bull. Sage, JJI. and L.B. Bishop. 1913. (1977) key. However, ~veralchar might oreur more regularly than 1:1-32. The birds of Connecticut. Bull. acteristics of the Yale specimen do the single hybrid (if it was indeed Hill, N.P. 1965. The birds cf Cape Connecticut State Geol. Nat. not match th~ of R. L obsoletus. raised in Connecticut) suggests. Cod, Massachusetts. New Hist. Survey 20:1-370. The supercilium is cream-white, The most promising areas for the York, NY. William MOITOwand Saunders, AA 1950. Changes in unlike that of obsoletus, in which study of hybridization in Cmnecti Co. the status of Connecticut birds. the supercilium is tinged with cut are the marshes along the Howes, P.G. 1928. Notes on the Auk 67:253-255. wann buff, and the gray-brown Connecticut River, where the birds of Stamford, Connecticut Tate, J. Jr. 1986. The blue list color of the cheeks extends more CBBA has confirmed the nesting of and vicinity. Oologist 45:70- for 1986. Arner. Birds 40:227- ventrally than in obsoletus. The both Clapper and ~ rails in the 96. 236. linear dimensions of the specimen Old Lyme block, and along the Linsley, J.H. 1843. A catalogue of (flattened wing = 149.2 rnm, tail = Housatonic River near Milford the birds of Connecticut, 'The Carnegie M~um of Natu 61.9 rnm, expa>ed culmen = 57.3 Point. arranged according to their ral History, 4400 Forbes Ave., rnrn, tarsus = 54.2 mm) either fall natural families. Arner. J. Sci. Pittsburgh, PA 15213; and the below the range of values given by Acknowledgments Arts 44:249-274. Department of Biological Sciences, Ripley (1977) for male obsoletus I thank the Connecticut Breed Mackenzie, L. 1960. The birds of University of Pittsburgh , Pitts (wing and tail) or lie within the ing Bird Atlas for permission to Guilford, Connecticut. New burgh, PA 15260. 64 THE CONNECI'ICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 1 65 was "picked up in a backyard in range but near the lower limit inspect its breeding records of Haven, CT. Peabody M~urn worn rondition" in New Haven in (exposed culmen and tarsus). The Clapper and Mg rails from 1982- of Natural History, Yale October 1951 (no specific date is range of values for crepita~Wover 1985. I am also grateful to K S. University. given) and "died without feeding". laps that of the Yale specimen in Thomson, C. G. Sibley and E. H. Manter, J . 1975. Birds of Storrs, The ~en re~mblesa ~ng each dimension, while in elega~W Stickney (Yale Peabody Museum) Connecticut and vicinity, Rail but its le~rwing coverts are the ranges of tail and tarsus values, and K C. Parkes and D. S. Wood second edition. Storrs, CT. dull ~t, its back feathers are but not of wing and culmen lengths, (The Carnegie M~urn of Natural Natchaug Ornithological gray at the edges and gray-brown overlap the Yale specimen's History) for permission to study Society. along the margins of the central lengths. The plumage and men specimens in their care, and to K C. Meanley, B. 1965. King and black sections, its brown cheeks are sural characteristics thus argue Parkes for his rornrnents on this Clapper rails of Broadway tinged with gray, and its upper against the possibility that the manuscript. Marshes. Delaware ConseiVa abdomen, breast and sides of the specimen is a vagrant example of R. tionist (1965):3-7. neck are a pale cinnamon. Pheno L obsoletus. Literature Cited _ _ . 1969. Natural history of typically it is thus intermediate The Yale ~en (YPM 15230) the King Rail. North Arner. between R. e. elegans and R. L crepi is thus most likely a hybrid King X American Ornithologists' Union. Fauna 67. U.S. Dept. Interior tans, the local breeding subspecies. Clapper rail, probably R. e. elega~W 1983. Check-list of North Bur. Sport Fisheries Wildl. However, beca~ nearly all spe X R. L crepitans, althoogh nothing American birds, sixth edition. _____, and DK Wetherbee. cies of rails exhibit some tendency in the specimen's phenotype elimi Lawrence, KS. American 1962. Ecological notes on toward vagrancy, other subspecies nates the southern races R. L way Ornithologists' Union. mixed populations of King and of Clapper and ~ rails must be nei and R. L scotti as possible paren Averill, C. K, Jr. 1892. List of Clapper rails in Delaware Bay coosidered in the diagnoois. tal forms on the longirostris side. birds found in the vicinity of marshes. Auk 79:453457. The Yale specimen most cl~ly The specimen thus adds support Bridgeport, Connecticut. Merriam, CJI. 1877. A review of matches certain specimens (e.g., to the occurrence of interbreeding Bridgeport, cr. Bridgeport the birds of Connecticut, with YPM 8959) of the so-called "olive between these rails, suspected Scientific Society. remarks on their hlilits. Trans. phase" (Ripley 1977) of R. L obsole from previous studies. Reports of BWT, F. F., P. L. Buttrick, A W. Connecticut Aca.d. Arts Sci. tus, a subspecies of the salt ~ Rails mated to Clapper Rails Hooywill, Jr., D. B. PanglxJrn, 4:1-150. marshes of the roast of central at Milford Point, East Haven and A A Saunders and C. H. Ripley, S.D. 1977. Rails of the California In fact, the specimen Old Saybrook (N. S. Proctor, pers. Pangburn. 1908. List of birds world. Boston, MA David R. diagnooes to R. L obsoletus without cornrn.) indicate that local hybridi of the New Haven region. Publ. Godin e. discrepancy based on Ripley's zation is certainly possible and New Haven Bird Club Bull. Sage, JJI. and L.B. Bishop. 1913. (1977) key. However, ~veralchar might oreur more regularly than 1:1-32. The birds of Connecticut. Bull. acteristics of the Yale specimen do the single hybrid (if it was indeed Hill, N.P. 1965. The birds cf Cape Connecticut State Geol. Nat. not match th~ of R. L obsoletus. raised in Connecticut) suggests. Cod, Massachusetts. New Hist. Survey 20:1-370. The supercilium is cream-white, The most promising areas for the York, NY. William MOITOwand Saunders, AA 1950. Changes in unlike that of obsoletus, in which study of hybridization in Cmnecti Co. the status of Connecticut birds. the supercilium is tinged with cut are the marshes along the Howes, P.G. 1928. Notes on the Auk 67:253-255. wann buff, and the gray-brown Connecticut River, where the birds of Stamford, Connecticut Tate, J. Jr. 1986. The blue list color of the cheeks extends more CBBA has confirmed the nesting of and vicinity. Oologist 45:70- for 1986. Arner. Birds 40:227- ventrally than in obsoletus. The both Clapper and ~ rails in the 96. 236. linear dimensions of the specimen Old Lyme block, and along the Linsley, J.H. 1843. A catalogue of (flattened wing = 149.2 rnm, tail = Housatonic River near Milford the birds of Connecticut, 'The Carnegie M~um of Natu 61.9 rnm, expa>ed culmen = 57.3 Point. arranged according to their ral History, 4400 Forbes Ave., rnrn, tarsus = 54.2 mm) either fall natural families. Arner. J. Sci. Pittsburgh, PA 15213; and the below the range of values given by Acknowledgments Arts 44:249-274. Department of Biological Sciences, Ripley (1977) for male obsoletus I thank the Connecticut Breed Mackenzie, L. 1960. The birds of University of Pittsburgh , Pitts (wing and tail) or lie within the ing Bird Atlas for permission to Guilford, Connecticut. New burgh, PA 15260. 64 THE CONNECI'ICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 1 65 CONNECTICUf FIELD NOTES fallout from an excellent spring kite The gull of the season was an incursion to the East. An immatme immature Common Black-headed Summer: June 1 - July 31, 1987 Bald Eagle was feeding on gulls at Gull at Short Beach, Stratford, Clay Taylor Chimon Island June 2 (MB), while a June 24 (DV). Ring-billed Gulls similar bird (the same one?) was in never left Harnmonasset for the An obvious problem with compil the most part, waterbirds and downtown Bridgeport feeding on breeding grounds and Laughing ing and presenting this report is the shorebirds, with a smattering of fish in late June(.MB). Gulls began to appear at Milford overlap of ornithological events. hawks. Shorebirds remained in good Point June 19. Spring migration oozes into mid variety until mid.June before clear June with the last northward LOONS THROUGH ing the mudflats. The Curlew OOVES THROUGH PAESERINES bound shorebird and fall migration WATERFOWL Sandpiper mentioned in the spring starts only a few weeks later in J report, was actually seen June 7 at Few late migrants or range over early July. June and July are peak Common loons were reported at Bam Islan~,FP).A nwnber a shoots were reported, except for a nesting months for mcst birds in Milford Point June 7(DV) and June Wilson's Phalarope reports were singing Mooming Warbler oo. the Connecticut, but many have been 11(RE). Horned Grebes occasion logged; 1 at Lordship Marsh, Strat Western Conn. Bird Club June on territory or eggs since April and ally summer in Loog Island Sound, ford June ~V),2 at Marshlands Count (hereafter WCBC) June 7. others will fledge young as late as but one in breeding plumage in Conservancy, Greenwich in late Singing Swainson's Thrushes in September. Groton July 11 must have been May-early June(MFN) and 1 at Washington June 7(FMa,CW) and I will handle this year's report in quite a sight(RD). Fishermen at Hammonasset in early Woodbmy June 10(RN) were not a way that I find a little distasteful, Penfield Reef off the Bridgeport June(MJ,EP). A female Red resighted but could be breeders and but it satisfies my urge to separate Fairfield shoreline reported a necked Phalarope was at Sandy the record should draw more atten apples from pears. Late spring White Pelican (FMa) in late June. Point, West Haven June 8(RE). tion. migrants and lingerers will be cov No extra-lirnital herons or ibises White-rumped Sandpipers were June 23 at Stratford saw Lesser ered separately from the breeding were reported and the number of reported in good numbers; 4 at Yellowlegs and mixed seasoo, which will be presented in northern ducks summering on Milford Point, June 7(DV) and shorebir~V),so the first fall its entirety. Next year I would like Long Island Sound was fairly small. Wlgle birds at Milford Pt.(RE) and wanderers had retmned a bit early the Spring and Fall reports to cover Five Greater Scaup were in the Sandy Point(JBa) June 11. Late in 1987. the entire migratioo. without arbi Darien-Stamford area June 14, lin dates for other shorebirds included trary cut-off dates while the sum gering Brant were seen at Milford June 11 at Sandy Point for Least 1J1E BREEDING SEASON mer report would deal exclusively and Sandy P 66 THE CONNECTICur WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 1 67 CONNECTICUf FIELD NOTES fallout from an excellent spring kite The gull of the season was an incursion to the East. An immatme immature Common Black-headed Summer: June 1 - July 31, 1987 Bald Eagle was feeding on gulls at Gull at Short Beach, Stratford, Clay Taylor Chimon Island June 2 (MB), while a June 24 (DV). Ring-billed Gulls similar bird (the same one?) was in never left Harnmonasset for the An obvious problem with compil the most part, waterbirds and downtown Bridgeport feeding on breeding grounds and Laughing ing and presenting this report is the shorebirds, with a smattering of fish in late June(.MB). Gulls began to appear at Milford overlap of ornithological events. hawks. Shorebirds remained in good Point June 19. Spring migration oozes into mid variety until mid.June before clear June with the last northward LOONS THROUGH ing the mudflats. The Curlew OOVES THROUGH PAESERINES bound shorebird and fall migration WATERFOWL Sandpiper mentioned in the spring starts only a few weeks later in J report, was actually seen June 7 at Few late migrants or range over early July. June and July are peak Common loons were reported at Bam Islan~,FP).A nwnber a shoots were reported, except for a nesting months for mcst birds in Milford Point June 7(DV) and June Wilson's Phalarope reports were singing Mooming Warbler oo. the Connecticut, but many have been 11(RE). Horned Grebes occasion logged; 1 at Lordship Marsh, Strat Western Conn. Bird Club June on territory or eggs since April and ally summer in Loog Island Sound, ford June ~V),2 at Marshlands Count (hereafter WCBC) June 7. others will fledge young as late as but one in breeding plumage in Conservancy, Greenwich in late Singing Swainson's Thrushes in September. Groton July 11 must have been May-early June(MFN) and 1 at Washington June 7(FMa,CW) and I will handle this year's report in quite a sight(RD). Fishermen at Hammonasset in early Woodbmy June 10(RN) were not a way that I find a little distasteful, Penfield Reef off the Bridgeport June(MJ,EP). A female Red resighted but could be breeders and but it satisfies my urge to separate Fairfield shoreline reported a necked Phalarope was at Sandy the record should draw more atten apples from pears. Late spring White Pelican (FMa) in late June. Point, West Haven June 8(RE). tion. migrants and lingerers will be cov No extra-lirnital herons or ibises White-rumped Sandpipers were June 23 at Stratford saw Lesser ered separately from the breeding were reported and the number of reported in good numbers; 4 at Yellowlegs and mixed seasoo, which will be presented in northern ducks summering on Milford Point, June 7(DV) and shorebir~V),so the first fall its entirety. Next year I would like Long Island Sound was fairly small. Wlgle birds at Milford Pt.(RE) and wanderers had retmned a bit early the Spring and Fall reports to cover Five Greater Scaup were in the Sandy Point(JBa) June 11. Late in 1987. the entire migratioo. without arbi Darien-Stamford area June 14, lin dates for other shorebirds included trary cut-off dates while the sum gering Brant were seen at Milford June 11 at Sandy Point for Least 1J1E BREEDING SEASON mer report would deal exclusively and Sandy P 66 THE CONNECTICur WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 1 67 able for nesting and brood rearing. Pond,Stratford was suspected of ported at Barn Island large numbers of chicks fledged, One observer commented on the breeding(DV). Herons along the Stonington(LB) and Manresa Is evidently due to the number of "excellent year for early coast seem to be in good shape but, land, Norwalk(RS,FMa). terns reaching a level large enough fledging"(KH) and another men Cattle Egrets were scarce in their Upland Sandpipers were seen in to drive off the night herons. tioned heavy nest predation by usual feeding spotf:(FMa). Great Stratford(DV) and Westport(RW) black snakes, mammals and other Blue Herons are doing well in both in late July but may have been post DOVES 'IHROUGH WRENS birds(JK). Success begets popular northern corners of the state with breeding birds. Bradley Field in ity and the food chain continues over 25 sites ranging in size from 1 Windsor Locks had 12 nesting pairs The I-95 overpass Common Barn onward. to 55 nests and a new colony was but Brainard Airport in Hartford Owls have been reported by Carl Among species seen in below found in Torrington(DR). A Yellow had only a few birds, continuing a Trichka(CW7:4) and no other new average numbers were some war crowned Night Heron was seen at decline. The state may end up with nests were found. The Middletown blers, meadowlmks, swallows and Milford Point June 5(RE) and Yel only me breeding locatim. Ameri birds showed a decrease of numbers swifts, waxwings and cuckOO>- the low-crowned, as well as Black can Oystercatchers nested for the of young fledged(GZ). Saw-whet latter two notorious for their vari crowned Night Herons with young first time at Hammonasset but the Owls nested in Canaan with addi ability. Canrnents on higher than were in Rowayton in July(MF). nest was destroyed(CV). tional territorial males in the normal numbers seen included A male American Wigem at the Piping Plovers suffered a similar northwest corner(AG,MD). Two Orchard Orioles, Fish Crows, East LJrdship Marshes in June(DV) was fate at Hammonasset with 5 out of Whip-poor-wills in ern Phoebes and Eastern Blue interesting, while Gadwall at the 6 attempts failing. Elsewhere in Barkharnsted(SKe) was a pa:rltive birds. Milford Point marshes were proba the state, Piping Plovers nested sign, as the species is spreading bly lreeding(FM). The WCBC June with better success and a record across the state again, with its main lOONS 'IHROUGH count tallied 28 Wood Ducks, their number of nesting pairs were pres food source, the giant saturniid WATERFOWL secmd highest total. Shoreline ent. In Stratford, a request by the moths, becoming more common. Mallards and American Black DEP to the town for removal of nude Arnoogst the bird sighti.ngs was a Common L 68 THE OONNECI'IGliT WARBLER VOLUME VIIT, NUMBER 1 69 able for nesting and brood rearing. Pond,Stratford was suspected of ported at Barn Island large numbers of chicks fledged, One observer commented on the breeding(DV). Herons along the Stonington(LB) and Manresa Is evidently due to the number of "excellent year for early coast seem to be in good shape but, land, Norwalk(RS,FMa). terns reaching a level large enough fledging"(KH) and another men Cattle Egrets were scarce in their Upland Sandpipers were seen in to drive off the night herons. tioned heavy nest predation by usual feeding spotf:(FMa). Great Stratford(DV) and Westport(RW) black snakes, mammals and other Blue Herons are doing well in both in late July but may have been post DOVES 'IHROUGH WRENS birds(JK). Success begets popular northern corners of the state with breeding birds. Bradley Field in ity and the food chain continues over 25 sites ranging in size from 1 Windsor Locks had 12 nesting pairs The I-95 overpass Common Barn onward. to 55 nests and a new colony was but Brainard Airport in Hartford Owls have been reported by Carl Among species seen in below found in Torrington(DR). A Yellow had only a few birds, continuing a Trichka(CW7:4) and no other new average numbers were some war crowned Night Heron was seen at decline. The state may end up with nests were found. The Middletown blers, meadowlmks, swallows and Milford Point June 5(RE) and Yel only me breeding locatim. Ameri birds showed a decrease of numbers swifts, waxwings and cuckOO>- the low-crowned, as well as Black can Oystercatchers nested for the of young fledged(GZ). Saw-whet latter two notorious for their vari crowned Night Herons with young first time at Hammonasset but the Owls nested in Canaan with addi ability. Canrnents on higher than were in Rowayton in July(MF). nest was destroyed(CV). tional territorial males in the normal numbers seen included A male American Wigem at the Piping Plovers suffered a similar northwest corner(AG,MD). Two Orchard Orioles, Fish Crows, East LJrdship Marshes in June(DV) was fate at Hammonasset with 5 out of Whip-poor-wills in ern Phoebes and Eastern Blue interesting, while Gadwall at the 6 attempts failing. Elsewhere in Barkharnsted(SKe) was a pa:rltive birds. Milford Point marshes were proba the state, Piping Plovers nested sign, as the species is spreading bly lreeding(FM). The WCBC June with better success and a record across the state again, with its main lOONS 'IHROUGH count tallied 28 Wood Ducks, their number of nesting pairs were pres food source, the giant saturniid WATERFOWL secmd highest total. Shoreline ent. In Stratford, a request by the moths, becoming more common. Mallards and American Black DEP to the town for removal of nude Arnoogst the bird sighti.ngs was a Common L 68 THE OONNECI'IGliT WARBLER VOLUME VIIT, NUMBER 1 69 tending to the negative, and Purple the May abundance of Kentucky Schwartz, Anne Syer, Clay Taylor, Martins had a horrible year, losing Warblers held over into June. David Tripp, Chris Vann, Dennis entire colonies in some areas(DH). Hooded Wrublers were commented Varza, R.W., Western Connecticut The only bright spot was a new on as being abundant in the south Bird Club(WCBC), Rob Winkler, colony started at Hammonasset. ern half of the state. Chris Wood, George W. Zepko. Fish Crows were reported in An interesting sparrow note was frequent small flocks in Shelton an amazing 20 singing male Grass 24 Old Leesville Rd, and Ansonia (JBa) as well as in hopper Sparrows at Bradley Field, Moodus, CT 06469 traditional coastal areas(EB&JBr). Windsor Locks. Vesper Sparrow Common Ravens continue their was not mentioned Seaside Spar expansion in the state; the Canaan row was reported from Barn pair(DR) returned, two new nests Island(SKo). A few tide-killed were found in Sharon(DR,et. al.), young Seaside and Sharp-tailed 1984 SHOREBm.D SURVEY AT THE and two nests were reported in Spa.i.rows were seen at Hammonas MOUTH OF THE HOUSATONIC RIVER Boston Hollow, Westfield(LB,RC). set this year(CT). A recocd 12 Or Winter Wren was confirmed as chard Orioles were found on the Dennis Varza nesting in Torrington for the first WCBC count while Eastern Mead time and the WCBC June count owlarks seemed to be scarce. Bobo The shorebird migration in Con species of shorebirds were observed tallied its first Marsh Wren. links did well when they beat the necticut is a coospicuous spring and during the year (Table 1). Results mowing machines(DR). Pine fall phenomenon, eagerly awaited for the five nesting species were THRUSHES THROUGH Siskins were confinned nesting in by the state's birders. Despite this, inconclusive because of difficulty in HOUSE SPARROWS Morris(GL) and nestlings were there is little documentation that separating migrants from nesting banded in the Storrs-Mansfield could be used to detect changes in birds. Fourteen species occurred Eastern Bluel:irds had a good area(LB). A pair of Evening Gros abundance and timing a decade too infrequently to give meaningful year, arriving early and nesting beaks in Sherman(LE&AE) were from now. This survey provides information. The remaining 15 successfully in a number of loca probable but not confirmed nesters. such a reference point for the mouth species are shown in Figure 1. tioos. An early spring cold snap of the Housatonic River as well as The direction and timing of a apparently killed 11 Tree Swallows Contributors: James Bair(JBa), documenting patterns of migra shorebird's migration is a response in a bluebird box near Lake War Lou Bevier, Gene Billings, J. tions not readily apparent in the to the environment that maximizes amaug, New Preston, but the blue Bouton(JBo), Ella and Joseph literature or from casual observa survival and productivity. Arctic birds built a nest and raised young Bradbury(JBr), Milan Bull, George tion. The study site includes all of nesting grounds provide an abun atop the bodies anyway(JK)! Her A Clark, Jr., K Converse, Robert Stratford south of the Connecticut dance of food during a short sum mit Thrushes continue to expand Craig, Thomas Crossman, Robert Turnpike including Milford Point mer season. To take advantage of southward through the state(DR) Dewire, M. Dudek, L. & A East,. and Silver Sands State Park. The this situation, the birds must cover A fledgling Swainson's Thrush was man, Carl Ekroth, Richard English, area was covered once evecy other the long distance to the breeding netted in Willington(GC). Golden Marion Frolich, Arthur Gingmt, G. week in winter and every third day grounds in a short period and thus crowned Kinglet was confinned as Hammerson, Kenneth Hannan, during the migration. Counts were take the most direct route. Species nesting at White Memorial, David Hill, M. Jones, Jeanne planned to cover the best tide and nesting in the western Arctic mi Litchfield(DR). White-€yed V:11"003Kauffman, Seth Kellogg(SKe), habitat for each species. Birds in grate through the Mississippi Val are expanding northward and hit a Steve Kotchko(SKo), James Lafley, the marshes and on the outer sand ley and are rarely seen in spring on record on the WCBC count and are Gordon Loery, Frank bars were counted from shore with the Connecticut coast. Lesser expanding northward One sang Mantlik(FMa), Florence out the aid of a canoe. Observations Golden Plovers (Pluvialis domin throughout the period in McBride(FMc), Jim McNeeley, made by others were added for ica) and Western Sandpipers (Cal uncommon species such as Whim idris mauri) are examples. Along Watertown(RN). Mianus Field Note~MFN),Russ Pine Warblers were reported Naylor, Eleanor Perkins, Fred brei (Numenius phaeopus) or the east coast, the further north one from many locations statewide, and Purnell, Dave Rosgen, Ray Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa mela goes the less likely one will find rwleuca) in November. Thirtyfour western species. An observer in 70 THE CONNECTICur WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 1 71 tending to the negative, and Purple the May abundance of Kentucky Schwartz, Anne Syer, Clay Taylor, Martins had a horrible year, losing Warblers held over into June. David Tripp, Chris Vann, Dennis entire colonies in some areas(DH). Hooded Wrublers were commented Varza, R.W., Western Connecticut The only bright spot was a new on as being abundant in the south Bird Club(WCBC), Rob Winkler, colony started at Hammonasset. ern half of the state. Chris Wood, George W. Zepko. Fish Crows were reported in An interesting sparrow note was frequent small flocks in Shelton an amazing 20 singing male Grass 24 Old Leesville Rd, and Ansonia (JBa) as well as in hopper Sparrows at Bradley Field, Moodus, CT 06469 traditional coastal areas(EB&JBr). Windsor Locks. Vesper Sparrow Common Ravens continue their was not mentioned Seaside Spar expansion in the state; the Canaan row was reported from Barn pair(DR) returned, two new nests Island(SKo). A few tide-killed were found in Sharon(DR,et. al.), young Seaside and Sharp-tailed 1984 SHOREBm.D SURVEY AT THE and two nests were reported in Spa.i.rows were seen at Hammonas MOUTH OF THE HOUSATONIC RIVER Boston Hollow, Westfield(LB,RC). set this year(CT). A recocd 12 Or Winter Wren was confirmed as chard Orioles were found on the Dennis Varza nesting in Torrington for the first WCBC count while Eastern Mead time and the WCBC June count owlarks seemed to be scarce. Bobo The shorebird migration in Con species of shorebirds were observed tallied its first Marsh Wren. links did well when they beat the necticut is a coospicuous spring and during the year (Table 1). Results mowing machines(DR). Pine fall phenomenon, eagerly awaited for the five nesting species were THRUSHES THROUGH Siskins were confinned nesting in by the state's birders. Despite this, inconclusive because of difficulty in HOUSE SPARROWS Morris(GL) and nestlings were there is little documentation that separating migrants from nesting banded in the Storrs-Mansfield could be used to detect changes in birds. Fourteen species occurred Eastern Bluel:irds had a good area(LB). A pair of Evening Gros abundance and timing a decade too infrequently to give meaningful year, arriving early and nesting beaks in Sherman(LE&AE) were from now. This survey provides information. The remaining 15 successfully in a number of loca probable but not confirmed nesters. such a reference point for the mouth species are shown in Figure 1. tioos. An early spring cold snap of the Housatonic River as well as The direction and timing of a apparently killed 11 Tree Swallows Contributors: James Bair(JBa), documenting patterns of migra shorebird's migration is a response in a bluebird box near Lake War Lou Bevier, Gene Billings, J. tions not readily apparent in the to the environment that maximizes amaug, New Preston, but the blue Bouton(JBo), Ella and Joseph literature or from casual observa survival and productivity. Arctic birds built a nest and raised young Bradbury(JBr), Milan Bull, George tion. The study site includes all of nesting grounds provide an abun atop the bodies anyway(JK)! Her A Clark, Jr., K Converse, Robert Stratford south of the Connecticut dance of food during a short sum mit Thrushes continue to expand Craig, Thomas Crossman, Robert Turnpike including Milford Point mer season. To take advantage of southward through the state(DR) Dewire, M. Dudek, L. & A East,. and Silver Sands State Park. The this situation, the birds must cover A fledgling Swainson's Thrush was man, Carl Ekroth, Richard English, area was covered once evecy other the long distance to the breeding netted in Willington(GC). Golden Marion Frolich, Arthur Gingmt, G. week in winter and every third day grounds in a short period and thus crowned Kinglet was confinned as Hammerson, Kenneth Hannan, during the migration. Counts were take the most direct route. Species nesting at White Memorial, David Hill, M. Jones, Jeanne planned to cover the best tide and nesting in the western Arctic mi Litchfield(DR). White-€yed V:11"003Kauffman, Seth Kellogg(SKe), habitat for each species. Birds in grate through the Mississippi Val are expanding northward and hit a Steve Kotchko(SKo), James Lafley, the marshes and on the outer sand ley and are rarely seen in spring on record on the WCBC count and are Gordon Loery, Frank bars were counted from shore with the Connecticut coast. Lesser expanding northward One sang Mantlik(FMa), Florence out the aid of a canoe. Observations Golden Plovers (Pluvialis domin throughout the period in McBride(FMc), Jim McNeeley, made by others were added for ica) and Western Sandpipers (Cal uncommon species such as Whim idris mauri) are examples. Along Watertown(RN). Mianus Field Note~MFN),Russ Pine Warblers were reported Naylor, Eleanor Perkins, Fred brei (Numenius phaeopus) or the east coast, the further north one from many locations statewide, and Purnell, Dave Rosgen, Ray Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa mela goes the less likely one will find rwleuca) in November. Thirtyfour western species. An observer in 70 THE CONNECTICur WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 1 71 Florida will see more western spe duces the most food. For many cies than an observer in Maryland individuals it means travelling J F M A M J J A S 0 N D who, in turn, will see more than an southeast across northern Canada observer in Connecticut. By the into Hudson and James Bays and time the migration reaches Nova from there to the Atlantic Coast Scotia, only the regional nesting between Nova Scotia and Chesap BBPL species are usually seen. eake Bay. Once on the coast, it is LGPL With respect to the timing of the south to South America. This migration, a narrow, well defined northwest to southeast pattern of migration period is produced be large numbers of shorebirds at SEPL cause early migrants may perish in tracts western species into the late spring storms while late mi flocks and accounts for records of GRYE grants will not have enough time to Baird's Sandpipers (Calidris raise young. Species nesting at bairdii), Buff-breasted Sandpipers LEYE more southerly latitudes find their (Tryngites subruficollis) and nest sites available earlier and American Avocets (Recurvirostra therefore, migrate earlier. Greater americana). RUTU Yellowlegs is the southern most The brood period of migration nesting species in Figure 1 and it is observed for a given species is REKN the earliest migrant. Semipal caused by the different migration mated Plovers (Charadrius sem periods of the young and adults, ipalmatus) and Least Sandpipers plus the slower fall movement. In SAND (Calidris minutilla) are also sub general, the adults migrate first Arctic nesters and they migrate and don't molt until they reach earlier than Black-bellied Plovers their wintering grounds, while SESA (Pluvialis squatarola) and Sem young birds stay longer in the north ipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris to molt new feathers before migrat WESA pusilla) respectively. Our locally ing. Careful observation of mi nesting Piping Plover (Charadrius grants in the fall will show the one LESA melodus) arrives before all others. broad pattern is really two overlap Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria in ping peaks: first the adults and WRSA terpres) and Red Knots (Calidris second the young birds. PESA canutus) are the highest ci the high Some general comments on Arctic nesters and the last to mi shorebird migratioo in Connecticut grate. (See Figure 1): Late May is the best DUNL Once breeding is over, the shore time to see shorebirds in the spring. birds must migrate again to follow Late July is the best time for peeps the food supply. The fall migration and a chance for finding stints. SBDO is less hurried as the object is not so September and October are best for much to reach the wintering western vagrants. The "Semipal grounds, as to find food resources mated Sandpiper unless otherwise along the way. Long after snow has identified" rule does not work in Number of Birds Observed come to the Arctic, there are still early May when Least &ndpipers large numbers of feeding areas in dominate, or after September when Figure 1. The seasonal abundance of the shorebirds observed at the Connecticut. The birds, therefore, Western Sandpipers are as likely. mouth of the Housatonic River in 1984. take a migration route that pro- Least Sandpipers are rare after 72 THE CONNECTICUI' WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 1 73 Florida will see more western spe duces the most food. For many cies than an observer in Maryland individuals it means travelling J F M A M J J A S 0 N D who, in turn, will see more than an southeast across northern Canada observer in Connecticut. By the into Hudson and James Bays and time the migration reaches Nova from there to the Atlantic Coast Scotia, only the regional nesting between Nova Scotia and Chesap BBPL species are usually seen. eake Bay. Once on the coast, it is LGPL With respect to the timing of the south to South America. This migration, a narrow, well defined northwest to southeast pattern of migration period is produced be large numbers of shorebirds at SEPL cause early migrants may perish in tracts western species into the late spring storms while late mi flocks and accounts for records of GRYE grants will not have enough time to Baird's Sandpipers (Calidris raise young. Species nesting at bairdii), Buff-breasted Sandpipers LEYE more southerly latitudes find their (Tryngites subruficollis) and nest sites available earlier and American Avocets (Recurvirostra therefore, migrate earlier. Greater americana). RUTU Yellowlegs is the southern most The brood period of migration nesting species in Figure 1 and it is observed for a given species is REKN the earliest migrant. Semipal caused by the different migration mated Plovers (Charadrius sem periods of the young and adults, ipalmatus) and Least Sandpipers plus the slower fall movement. In SAND (Calidris minutilla) are also sub general, the adults migrate first Arctic nesters and they migrate and don't molt until they reach earlier than Black-bellied Plovers their wintering grounds, while SESA (Pluvialis squatarola) and Sem young birds stay longer in the north ipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris to molt new feathers before migrat WESA pusilla) respectively. Our locally ing. Careful observation of mi nesting Piping Plover (Charadrius grants in the fall will show the one LESA melodus) arrives before all others. broad pattern is really two overlap Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria in ping peaks: first the adults and WRSA terpres) and Red Knots (Calidris second the young birds. PESA canutus) are the highest ci the high Some general comments on Arctic nesters and the last to mi shorebird migratioo in Connecticut grate. (See Figure 1): Late May is the best DUNL Once breeding is over, the shore time to see shorebirds in the spring. birds must migrate again to follow Late July is the best time for peeps the food supply. The fall migration and a chance for finding stints. SBDO is less hurried as the object is not so September and October are best for much to reach the wintering western vagrants. The "Semipal grounds, as to find food resources mated Sandpiper unless otherwise along the way. Long after snow has identified" rule does not work in Number of Birds Observed come to the Arctic, there are still early May when Least &ndpipers large numbers of feeding areas in dominate, or after September when Figure 1. The seasonal abundance of the shorebirds observed at the Connecticut. The birds, therefore, Western Sandpipers are as likely. mouth of the Housatonic River in 1984. take a migration route that pro- Least Sandpipers are rare after 72 THE CONNECTICUI' WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 1 73 early June. Lesser Yellowlegs far more common than Sanderling. THE CONNECTICUI' WARBLER (Tringa flavipes) can be as common Black-bellied Plovers, Ruddy Turn as Greater Yellowlegs in August. In stones and Red Knots, oonsidered Editor winter Dunlin (Calidris alpina) are rare but regular winter residents, Betty S. Kleiner, Simsbury are actually late fall migrants. Art Director Patrick J. Lynch, Cheshire Associate Editors Anthony Bledsoe, New Haven Jay Kaplan, Canton George A. Clark, Jr., Storrs Carl J. Trichka, Fairfield BBPL Black-bellied Plover REKN Red Knot Fred C. Sibley, Guilford Clay Taylor, Moodus LGPl Lesser Golden Plover SAND Sanderling Editorial Advisory Board SEPL Semipalmated Plover SESA Semipalmated Sandpiper Michael Harwood, Washington, Chairman Noble Proctor N PIPL Piping Plover WESA Westem Sandpiper JohnTerres N KILL Killdeer LEAS Least Sandpiper The Conna::ticut Warbler , is devoted to the study of birds, and is published quarterly (Janumy, April, July and October) by the Connecticut Ornitho I AMOY American Oystercatcher WRSA White-rumped Sandpiper l R MAGO Marbled Godwit N AMWO American Woodcock Guide for Contributors R HUGO Hudsonian Godwit I COSN Common Snipe Preparation of Manuscripts: The editors welcome submission of articles and notes for the Connecticut I WHIM Whimbrel I WIPH Wilson's Phalarope Warbler. Manuscripts shoold be typed double spaced on one side of the RUTU Ruddy Turnstone A RNPH Red-necked Phalarope sheet only, with ample margins on all sides. Style of the manuscript should follow general usage in recent issues. All manuscripts receive peer review. A - not expected every year; R - one or two birds expected every year; I - Several birds are likely to be seen, but their abundance is irregular due to illustrations: special habitats or they are at the edge of their range; N - nests. The editors welcome submission of line artwork of Connecticut and regional birds. Black and white photographs cf particular interest will also be oonsidered, but tend to print at less than optimum quality. Line art should be submitted as good-quality phoUWaphic prints or in original Table 1 The species of shorebirds oh>erved at the mouth form. All originals and prints will be returned promptly after publication of the Housatonic River in 1984. prints are made. 74 THE CONNECriCUI' WARBLER THE CONNECTICUI' WARBLER early June. Lesser Yellowlegs far more common than Sanderling. THE CONNECTICUI' WARBLER (Tringa flavipes) can be as common Black-bellied Plovers, Ruddy Turn as Greater Yellowlegs in August. In stones and Red Knots, oonsidered Editor winter Dunlin (Calidris alpina) are rare but regular winter residents, Betty S. Kleiner, Simsbury are actually late fall migrants. Art Director Patrick J. Lynch, Cheshire Associate Editors Anthony Bledsoe, New Haven Jay Kaplan, Canton George A. Clark, Jr., Storrs Carl J. Trichka, Fairfield BBPL Black-bellied Plover REKN Red Knot Fred C. Sibley, Guilford Clay Taylor, Moodus LGPl Lesser Golden Plover SAND Sanderling Editorial Advisory Board SEPL Semipalmated Plover SESA Semipalmated Sandpiper Michael Harwood, Washington, Chairman Noble Proctor N PIPL Piping Plover WESA Westem Sandpiper JohnTerres N KILL Killdeer LEAS Least Sandpiper The Conna::ticut Warbler , is devoted to the study of birds, and is published quarterly (Janumy, April, July and October) by the Connecticut Ornitho I AMOY American Oystercatcher WRSA White-rumped Sandpiper l R MAGO Marbled Godwit N AMWO American Woodcock Guide for Contributors R HUGO Hudsonian Godwit I COSN Common Snipe Preparation of Manuscripts: The editors welcome submission of articles and notes for the Connecticut I WHIM Whimbrel I WIPH Wilson's Phalarope Warbler. Manuscripts shoold be typed double spaced on one side of the RUTU Ruddy Turnstone A RNPH Red-necked Phalarope sheet only, with ample margins on all sides. Style of the manuscript should follow general usage in recent issues. All manuscripts receive peer review. A - not expected every year; R - one or two birds expected every year; I - Several birds are likely to be seen, but their abundance is irregular due to illustrations: special habitats or they are at the edge of their range; N - nests. The editors welcome submission of line artwork of Connecticut and regional birds. Black and white photographs cf particular interest will also be oonsidered, but tend to print at less than optimum quality. Line art should be submitted as good-quality phoUWaphic prints or in original Table 1 The species of shorebirds oh>erved at the mouth form. All originals and prints will be returned promptly after publication of the Housatonic River in 1984. prints are made. 74 THE CONNECriCUI' WARBLER THE CONNECTICUI' WARBLER Winter 1988 Contents Volume VITI Number 1 January 1988 THE 59 Editorial Fred Sibley CONNECTICUT 61 Status and Hybridization of Clapper and King Rails in Connecticut Anthony H. Bledsoe WARBLER 66 Connecticut Field Notes-Summer 1987 A Journal of Connecticut Ornitlwlogy Clay Taylor 71 1984 Shorebinl Survey at the Mouth of the Housatonic River Dennis varz.a ------ _ . , , ' ~u:u:ur:u:::~..r - l The Connecticut Ornithological Association 314 UnquowaRoad Non-Profit Org. Fairfield, CT 06430 U.S. Postage PAID II Fairfield, CT Permij No. 275 Volume VIII No.1 January 1988 Pages 59-74 Spring 1988 Contents Volume VIII Number 2 April1988 THE 17 Editorial Betty S. Kleiner CONNECTICUT 18 Check-List of Connecticut Birds - 1.988 George A Clark, Jr. 25 First Documented Rerord of WARBLER Le Q)nte's SpmTow in Q)nnecticut A Journal of Connecticut Ornitlwlogy Jay Kaplan and James Moore 28 The 1987 • 1988 Christmas Count Stephen P. Broker 36 Q)nnecticut Field Notes Fall: August 1 • November 30, 1987 Clay Taylor ~ ~~~.,.,. ~ 14!!11f6~ ~~~~ The Connecticut Ornithological Association 314 UnquowaRoad Non-Profit Org. Fairfield, CT 06430 U.S. Postage PAID Fairfield, CT Permit No. 275 I ,· Volume VIII No. 2 April1988 Pages 17-44 I THE CONNECTicur ORNITHOLOGICAL EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION It is with a deep sense rL pride and acamplishment that This list comprises we publish in this iarue rL The Conna:ricutWarbler the new Presicknt all species that official Connecticut State Checklist « Birds. 'Ibis list com Carl J. Trichka, Fairfield have been officially prises all species that have been officially documented Vice-Presicknt d c u m e n t e d within the State rL Connecticut It is the result rL the effort Debra M. Miller, Franklin, MA 0. . rL many people to research and compile an aro:urate, com- Secretary wzthm the State of plete and up to date list. Many hours were spent pruring Winifred Burkett, Storrs Connecticut... About our Cover Artist: Betty Kleiner, Editor 5 Flintlock Ridge, Simsbury, CT 06070 David A Sibley, Guilford "Le Conte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii)" David A Sibley is a well known young ornithologist with extensive knowledge of bird identification and migration. Much of his time is spent leading birding tours to all parts of the continent. His artwork, which graces the front cover of our journal, has appeared in a number of publications including the front cover of the upcom ing issue of Birdwatcher's Digest. He has recently About our Cover Artist: Betty Kleiner, Editor 5 Flintlock Ridge, Simsbury, CT 06070 David A Sibley, Guilford "Le Conte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii)" David A Sibley is a well known young ornithologist with extensive knowledge of bird identification and migration. Much of his time is spent leading birding tours to all parts of the continent. His artwork, which graces the front cover of our journal, has appeared in a number of publications including the front cover of the upcom ing issue of Birdwatcher's Digest. He has recently 20 THE OONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 21 Lesser Yellowlegs Iceland Gull Ruby-throated Hummingbird Wmt.er Wren Spotted Redshank Lesser Black-backed Gull Belted Kingfisher · Sedge Wren Solitary Sandpiper Glaucous Gull Red-headed Woodpecker Marsh Wren Willet Great Black-backed Gull Red-bellied Woodpecker Golden-crowned Kinglet Spotted Sandpiper Black-legged Kittiwake Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Ruby-crowned Kinglet Upland Sandpiper Ross' Gull Downy Woodpecker Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Eskimo Curlew Gull-billed Tern * Hairy Woodpecker N 20 THE OONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 21 Black-throoted Gray Warbler * LuK Sparrow Spec:i£8uruier review. - Reports of South Polar Skua, Heermann's Hennit Warbler * LuK Bunting the following specieS are now under Gull, Thayer's Gull, Ivory Gull, Black-throoted Green Warbler Savannah SJl81TOW review by the CRRC: Arctic (or Bridled Tern, White-winged Tern, Blackburnian Warbler Grasshopper Sparrow Pacific) Loon, Sooty Shearwater, Common Murre, Razorbill, Great Yellow-throated Warbler Hen.slow's Sp81TOW Mew Gull, Burrowing Owl, Gray Auk, Rufous H~ Black Hne Warbler I.e Conte's Sp81TOW Jay, Fieldfare, Mac-Gillivray's Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Prairie Warbler Sharp-tailed SJl81TOW Warbler, Baircfs Sparrow. Carolina Chickadee, Brown Palm Warbler Seaside Sparrow headed Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Bay-breasted Warbler Fox Spanuw Introductions, escapes, releases. Sprague 's Pipit, Bell's Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler Song Sparrow Species that have oocurred due to Townsend's Warbler, Swainson's Cerulean Warbler Lincoln's Sparrow introductions, escapes, or releases Warbler, Golden-crowned Spar row, Western Meru:k>wlm Most Black-and-white Warbler Swamp Sparrow but that have not survived throogh reports not accepted were judged to American Redstart White-throated Sparrow breeding in the wild for ten years are excluded from the list of state be inadequately documented. Only Prothonotary Warbler White-crowned Sparrow birds. Published reports cf occur a few rep 24 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 25 by T. Baptist, W. Burkett, S. Davis, tee. 1987. Second report mthe FIRSr DOCUMENrED RECORD OF J. Kaplan, B. Kleiner, N. Proctor, D. Connecticut Rare Reoords Com Rosgen, and R Schwartz. mittee. Conn. Warbler 7:46-51. LE CONI'E'S SPARROW DeSante, D., and P. Pyle. 1986. IN CONNECTICUf Literature Cited Distributional checklist ri N 24 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 25 (Aster sp.) and a wide variety of car... .and Moore was out of sight. from Long Island, New Y 26 THE OONNECTICUI' WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 27 (Aster sp.) and a wide variety of car... .and Moore was out of sight. from Long Island, New Y 26 THE OONNECTICUI' WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 27 THE 1987 - 1988 CHRIS'IMAS COUNT ing many birders to travel to Can hers have been m the high side fur Stephen P. Broker ton to ef\ioy it. Alao fOund m this each c:l the last 6 years. Canada count were Green-backed Heron Goose numbers were twice as high The 1987-88 Christmas Bird Brant, American W:JgeOn,Lesser and Commm Raven (CP). The as they were 4 years ago and earlier. 28 THE OONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 29 THE 1987 - 1988 CHRIS'IMAS COUNT ing many birders to travel to Can hers have been m the high side fur Stephen P. Broker ton to ef\ioy it. Alao fOund m this each c:l the last 6 years. Canada count were Green-backed Heron Goose numbers were twice as high The 1987-88 Christmas Bird Brant, American W:JgeOn,Lesser and Commm Raven (CP). The as they were 4 years ago and earlier. 28 THE OONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 29 lows in northern and mid-state cies. No significant changes have hand, has had low numbers for 3 ci INDIVIDUAL COUNT regions and near reard lows coos occurred with Tufted Titmouse, the last 5 years and can be viewed SUMMARIES tally. There is mounting oonrern Northern Mockingbird, or North as being on the decline. The nearly about this small falcon. ern Cardinal in recent years, al 600 Eastern Bluebirds rounted in The following paragraphs list though titmire did squeak to a new the state in 87-88, comprise an each cf the 17 State coonts and Wild Turkey. The 401 Wild 10 year high. average total, but the last 7 years provide basic information on the Turkeys counted in Connecticut have seen much better bluebird results of the 1987-88 Christmas this year oomprise a number which Flocking birds. Observant counts over preceding years. Bird Counts. The numbers follow is 5 times higher than last year's Christmas Count birders have Purple Finch was low this year - ing the count name refer to the total count. All but 9 of these birds were commented that fewer individuals very low. Kinglets were abundant, species seen on the rount and the recorded on Northern Counts. The were seen in the air this year. This with Golden-crowned having a big numbers of species seen during State program for reintroducing is rertainly in part owing to reduced year in Connecticut and Ruby rount periods. The number in pa this species seems to be enjoying numbers of European Starling, crowned definitely above average. rentheses is the total of species seen considerable success. The total Red-winged Blackbird, Common Pine Siskins were also very high. during the past 10 years (sinre the lends credenre to the view of one Grackle, and Brown-headed Cow t Explanations for declines in some of 1978-79 count). Exreptions are State obseiVer that "one of these bird. Starlings recorded their low the above-mentioned species may Trail Wood, which held its 2nd years we're going to have a lot of est numbers in two decades. 'This be diverse, but we would do well to rount this year,' and Barkhamsted, turkeys" was the 4th straight drop in Star begin documenting the various which held its 4th count. The ling numbers; they were twice as types ci habitat los8 on a systematic number of individual birds seen on Gulls. Ring-billed Gull num plentiful in 1983-84. Is rejoicing basis in the several years ahead the rount is given, rounded cif to the bers increase about as fast as solid premature? Redwings were also at nearest thousand. Number cf ob waste sites grow. 'Ibis species has a 20 year low, as were grackles, Special thanks are due Fred seiVers participating in the count is doubled in munbers on coonts in although grackles are widely vari Sibley, whose careful and laborious then given, followed by the name of the last 6 years. Herring Gull was able in their numbers from year to tending of State CBC records for the the compiler. Rarities are listed, above average in numbers, while year. Cowbirds were well below post 17 years has made this imper those species which have been ob Great Black-backed Gull counts average on moo cwnts. Crows, fect analysis at least attemptable. served 4 or fewer times in 10 years. were of average size. Nine Iceland also variable in numbers from one His contributions to State ornithol Asterisks denote species unique to Gulls rounted, tie the high total, year to the next, were at average ogy cannot be over- emphasized. that one rount. Other n 30 THE CONNECTICUf WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 2 31 lows in northern and mid-state cies. No significant changes have hand, has had low numbers for 3 ci INDIVIDUAL COUNT regions and near reard lows coos occurred with Tufted Titmouse, the last 5 years and can be viewed SUMMARIES tally. There is mounting oonrern Northern Mockingbird, or North as being on the decline. The nearly about this small falcon. ern Cardinal in recent years, al 600 Eastern Bluebirds rounted in The following paragraphs list though titmire did squeak to a new the state in 87-88, comprise an each cf the 17 State coonts and Wild Turkey. The 401 Wild 10 year high. average total, but the last 7 years provide basic information on the Turkeys counted in Connecticut have seen much better bluebird results of the 1987-88 Christmas this year oomprise a number which Flocking birds. Observant counts over preceding years. Bird Counts. The numbers follow is 5 times higher than last year's Christmas Count birders have Purple Finch was low this year - ing the count name refer to the total count. All but 9 of these birds were commented that fewer individuals very low. Kinglets were abundant, species seen on the rount and the recorded on Northern Counts. The were seen in the air this year. This with Golden-crowned having a big numbers of species seen during State program for reintroducing is rertainly in part owing to reduced year in Connecticut and Ruby rount periods. The number in pa this species seems to be enjoying numbers of European Starling, crowned definitely above average. rentheses is the total of species seen considerable success. The total Red-winged Blackbird, Common Pine Siskins were also very high. during the past 10 years (sinre the lends credenre to the view of one Grackle, and Brown-headed Cow t Explanations for declines in some of 1978-79 count). Exreptions are State obseiVer that "one of these bird. Starlings recorded their low the above-mentioned species may Trail Wood, which held its 2nd years we're going to have a lot of est numbers in two decades. 'This be diverse, but we would do well to rount this year,' and Barkhamsted, turkeys" was the 4th straight drop in Star begin documenting the various which held its 4th count. The ling numbers; they were twice as types ci habitat los8 on a systematic number of individual birds seen on Gulls. Ring-billed Gull num plentiful in 1983-84. Is rejoicing basis in the several years ahead the rount is given, rounded cif to the bers increase about as fast as solid premature? Redwings were also at nearest thousand. Number cf ob waste sites grow. 'Ibis species has a 20 year low, as were grackles, Special thanks are due Fred seiVers participating in the count is doubled in munbers on coonts in although grackles are widely vari Sibley, whose careful and laborious then given, followed by the name of the last 6 years. Herring Gull was able in their numbers from year to tending of State CBC records for the the compiler. Rarities are listed, above average in numbers, while year. Cowbirds were well below post 17 years has made this imper those species which have been ob Great Black-backed Gull counts average on moo cwnts. Crows, fect analysis at least attemptable. served 4 or fewer times in 10 years. were of average size. Nine Iceland also variable in numbers from one His contributions to State ornithol Asterisks denote species unique to Gulls rounted, tie the high total, year to the next, were at average ogy cannot be over- emphasized. that one rount. Other n 30 THE CONNECTICUf WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 2 31 individuals; 314 observers + 51 Crow, Ptu-p1eFmch. eared Owl, Carolina Wren, Golden Chickadee, White-breasted Nut feeder watchers.29 new High HAJmi'ORD: 90 spp + lCP crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned hatch, Purple Finch, House Finch, Com!ts; 4 new lDw Crunta; 3 new (128); 110,000 individuals; 153 00- Kinglet, Fox Sparrow, Hne Siskin. American Gddfinch, House Spar- Counts species; 0 species dropped. 118f"Wl"B + 33 feeder watdlers; C 32 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 33 individuals; 314 observers + 51 Crow, Ptu-p1eFmch. eared Owl, Carolina Wren, Golden Chickadee, White-breasted Nut feeder watchers.29 new High HAJmi'ORD: 90 spp + lCP crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned hatch, Purple Finch, House Finch, Com!ts; 4 new lDw Crunta; 3 new (128); 110,000 individuals; 153 00- Kinglet, Fox Sparrow, Hne Siskin. American Gddfinch, House Spar- Counts species; 0 species dropped. 118f"Wl"B + 33 feeder watdlers; C 32 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 33 wall, American Wig0011, Northern hatch, Carolina Wren, Winter (new), Greater Yellowlegs, North + 3CP (172); 31,000 individuals; 35 Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, ern Saw-whet Owl, Sharp-tailed observers; Compilers: Dennis Iceland Gull, Long-eared Owl, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Sparrow, Seaside Sparrow (new). Varza, Fred Sibley & Mark Eastern Phoebe*(new), Black-and Gray Catbird, Northern Mocking High Counts (24): Red-throated Szantyr. Rarities: Snowy Egret White Warbler*(new), Common bird, Northern Cardinal, White loon, Great Cmnorant, Great Blue (CP), Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Yellowthroat. High Counts (21): throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Heron, Green-winged Teal, Ameri Duck (CP), Bald Eagle, Cooper's Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Junro, Snow Bunting, House Finch, can Black Duck, Gadwall, Coounon Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Hooded Merganser, Cooper's Hne Siskin. Low Camts: none. Merganser, Bald Eagle, Sharp Ruffed Grouse, Laughing Gull*, Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring shinned Hawk, American Coot, Iceland Gull, Lesser Black-backed necked Pheasant, Ring-tilled Gull, COASTAL COUNTS - 6 crunts. Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turn Gull, Commm Barn-Owl*, Yellow Iceland Gull, Great Horned Owl, 149 spp + 4CP (217); 183,000 stme, American W~k, Barred bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Blue Long-eared Owl, Northern Saw individuals; 372 observers (record Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, bird, Yellow..!Jreast.ed Chat, White whet Owl, Yellow-bellied Sap low). 15 new High Counts; 12 new Hairy Woodpecker, Wmter Wren, crowned Sparrow, Evening sucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Low Counts; 2 new species; 1 spe Golden-cro~edKinglet, Water Grosbeak. High Counts (18): Great Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, cies dropped. Pipit, Field Sparrow, Sharp-tailed Cormorant, Gadwall, Ring-necked Carolina Wren, Winter Wren, Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Duck, Bald Eagle, Red-ehouldered Golden-crowned Kinglet, funmon NEW LONDON: 111 spp + OCP Spmrow, Dark-eyed Junco. Low Hawk, American Woodcock, Yellowthroat, Hne Siskin, Ameri (150); 30,000 individuals; 25 ob Counts (4): Pied-billed Grebe, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, can Goldfinch. Low Counts (2): servers; Compiler: Bob Dewire. Horned Lark, American Robin, Iceland Gull, Lesser Black-backed American Kestrel, Eurqlean Star Rarities: Snowy Egret (new), Red-winged Blackbird. Gull, Common Barn-Owl, Snowy ling. Lesser Scaup, Turkey Vulture, NEW HAVEN: 112 + llCP Owl, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, HIDDEN VAlLEY: 71 spp + Merlin, Sora*(new), Spotted (record low) (179); 55,000 individu Golden-crowned Kinglet, Eastern 2CP (record high) (104); 10,000 Sandpiper*(new ), Short-eared als; 78 observers; Compiler: Bluebird, Water Pipit, Yellow individuals; 17 observers; Compil Owl, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, Stephen P. Broker. Rarities: Eura breasted Chat, Dark-eyed Junco. ers: Sibyll Gilbert & Jeanne Water Pipit, Common Yel sian Wigeon*, Turkey Vulture, Low Counts (12): Red-throated Kauffinan. llarities: Wood Duck, lowthroat, Chipping Sparrow, Osprey*, Gyrfalcon* (CP) (new), Loon, Hcrned Grebe, Hooded Mer Wild Turkey (new), Boreal Chicka ganser, American Kestrel, Ameri Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, White-cro~edSparrow. High Cooper's Hawk, Northern Gos Counts (1 7): Mallard, Turkey Vul dee* (CP), Ipswich Spmrow, North can Coot, Dunlin, Rock Dove, Great hawk, Wild Turkey, American ture, Merlin, Ring-necked Pheas ern Oriole. High Counts (18): Horned Owl, Horned I...mX,Euro Canmon loon, Mute Swan, Snow pean Starling, Common Grackle, Woo00ock (new~Bro~~ ant, Northern Bobwhite, Dunlin, (new), Northern Shrike* (new), American Woodcock, Ring-billed Goose, Canada Goo!e, Wood Duck, Bro~-headedCowbird. Snow Bunting, Eastern Meadow Gull, Herring Gull, Long-eared Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Sander WEffiPORT: 103 spp + Monk lark (new), Common Redpoll, Com Owl, Northern Flicker, Carolina ling, Dunlin, Red-bellied Wood Parakeet + 4CP) (167); 21,000 indi mon Snipe, Red-bellied Wood Wren, Winter Wren, Golden pecker, Northern Flicker, Ameri viduals; 52 ob!ervers + 43 feeder can Crow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, watchers; Compiler: Frank pecker, Carolina Wren, Hermit cro~edKinglet, Common Yel American Robin, Chipping Spar Mantlik. Rarities: Double-crested Thrush. High Counts (31): Great lowthroat, White-cro~edSpar Blue Herm, American Black Duck, row, Rusty Blackbird. Low Counts row, Ipswich Sparrow, Northern Cormorant, Black Scd.er, Cooper's Bald Eagle, <::ropers Hawk, North (6): American Kestrel, American Oriole, Pine Siskin. l4v Counts Hawk, Snowy Owl, Seaside Spar ern G 34 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VITI, NUMBER 2 35 wall, American Wig0011, Northern hatch, Carolina Wren, Winter (new), Greater Yellowlegs, North + 3CP (172); 31,000 individuals; 35 Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, ern Saw-whet Owl, Sharp-tailed observers; Compilers: Dennis Iceland Gull, Long-eared Owl, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Sparrow, Seaside Sparrow (new). Varza, Fred Sibley & Mark Eastern Phoebe*(new), Black-and Gray Catbird, Northern Mocking High Counts (24): Red-throated Szantyr. Rarities: Snowy Egret White Warbler*(new), Common bird, Northern Cardinal, White loon, Great Cmnorant, Great Blue (CP), Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Yellowthroat. High Counts (21): throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Heron, Green-winged Teal, Ameri Duck (CP), Bald Eagle, Cooper's Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Junro, Snow Bunting, House Finch, can Black Duck, Gadwall, Coounon Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Hooded Merganser, Cooper's Hne Siskin. Low Camts: none. Merganser, Bald Eagle, Sharp Ruffed Grouse, Laughing Gull*, Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring shinned Hawk, American Coot, Iceland Gull, Lesser Black-backed necked Pheasant, Ring-tilled Gull, COASTAL COUNTS - 6 crunts. Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turn Gull, Commm Barn-Owl*, Yellow Iceland Gull, Great Horned Owl, 149 spp + 4CP (217); 183,000 stme, American W~k, Barred bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Blue Long-eared Owl, Northern Saw individuals; 372 observers (record Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, bird, Yellow..!Jreast.ed Chat, White whet Owl, Yellow-bellied Sap low). 15 new High Counts; 12 new Hairy Woodpecker, Wmter Wren, crowned Sparrow, Evening sucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Low Counts; 2 new species; 1 spe Golden-cro~edKinglet, Water Grosbeak. High Counts (18): Great Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, cies dropped. Pipit, Field Sparrow, Sharp-tailed Cormorant, Gadwall, Ring-necked Carolina Wren, Winter Wren, Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Duck, Bald Eagle, Red-ehouldered Golden-crowned Kinglet, funmon NEW LONDON: 111 spp + OCP Spmrow, Dark-eyed Junco. Low Hawk, American Woodcock, Yellowthroat, Hne Siskin, Ameri (150); 30,000 individuals; 25 ob Counts (4): Pied-billed Grebe, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, can Goldfinch. Low Counts (2): servers; Compiler: Bob Dewire. Horned Lark, American Robin, Iceland Gull, Lesser Black-backed American Kestrel, Eurqlean Star Rarities: Snowy Egret (new), Red-winged Blackbird. Gull, Common Barn-Owl, Snowy ling. Lesser Scaup, Turkey Vulture, NEW HAVEN: 112 + llCP Owl, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, HIDDEN VAlLEY: 71 spp + Merlin, Sora*(new), Spotted (record low) (179); 55,000 individu Golden-crowned Kinglet, Eastern 2CP (record high) (104); 10,000 Sandpiper*(new ), Short-eared als; 78 observers; Compiler: Bluebird, Water Pipit, Yellow individuals; 17 observers; Compil Owl, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, Stephen P. Broker. Rarities: Eura breasted Chat, Dark-eyed Junco. ers: Sibyll Gilbert & Jeanne Water Pipit, Common Yel sian Wigeon*, Turkey Vulture, Low Counts (12): Red-throated Kauffinan. llarities: Wood Duck, lowthroat, Chipping Sparrow, Osprey*, Gyrfalcon* (CP) (new), Loon, Hcrned Grebe, Hooded Mer Wild Turkey (new), Boreal Chicka ganser, American Kestrel, Ameri Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, White-cro~edSparrow. High Cooper's Hawk, Northern Gos Counts (1 7): Mallard, Turkey Vul dee* (CP), Ipswich Spmrow, North can Coot, Dunlin, Rock Dove, Great hawk, Wild Turkey, American ture, Merlin, Ring-necked Pheas ern Oriole. High Counts (18): Horned Owl, Horned I...mX,Euro Canmon loon, Mute Swan, Snow pean Starling, Common Grackle, Woo00ock (new~Bro~~ ant, Northern Bobwhite, Dunlin, (new), Northern Shrike* (new), American Woodcock, Ring-billed Goose, Canada Goo!e, Wood Duck, Bro~-headedCowbird. Snow Bunting, Eastern Meadow Gull, Herring Gull, Long-eared Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Sander WEffiPORT: 103 spp + Monk lark (new), Common Redpoll, Com Owl, Northern Flicker, Carolina ling, Dunlin, Red-bellied Wood Parakeet + 4CP) (167); 21,000 indi mon Snipe, Red-bellied Wood Wren, Winter Wren, Golden pecker, Northern Flicker, Ameri viduals; 52 ob!ervers + 43 feeder can Crow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, watchers; Compiler: Frank pecker, Carolina Wren, Hermit cro~edKinglet, Common Yel American Robin, Chipping Spar Mantlik. Rarities: Double-crested Thrush. High Counts (31): Great lowthroat, White-cro~edSpar Blue Herm, American Black Duck, row, Rusty Blackbird. Low Counts row, Ipswich Sparrow, Northern Cormorant, Black Scd.er, Cooper's Bald Eagle, <::ropers Hawk, North (6): American Kestrel, American Oriole, Pine Siskin. l4v Counts Hawk, Snowy Owl, Seaside Spar ern G 34 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VITI, NUMBER 2 35 Canada Goose, Common Gold Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, pearanc:es. A request for dates fL pour September 13 brought 3+ eneye, Hooded Merganser, Red Black-a'Owned Night-Hercn, Can good movement drew responses inches to Hmtf 36 THE OONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIIT, NUMBER 2 37 Canada Goose, Common Gold Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, pearanc:es. A request for dates fL pour September 13 brought 3+ eneye, Hooded Merganser, Red Black-a'Owned Night-Hercn, Can good movement drew responses inches to Hmtf 36 THE OONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIIT, NUMBER 2 37 6(DT,JZe,TB) was reported to have with 19 counted November 13! "publisher". To ootain a copy, con November 26(GB), Snowy Egret been shot by hunters. A Ruddy Cooper's Hawks were well reported November 14 in Fairfiel VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 39 38 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER 6(DT,JZe,TB) was reported to have with 19 counted November 13! "publisher". To ootain a copy, con November 26(GB), Snowy Egret been shot by hunters. A Ruddy Cooper's Hawks were well reported November 14 in Fairfiel VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 39 38 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER Stations at Hammonasset and Oct.OOer30- November 4(m.ob) and Milford Point(AT). Caspian Terns vember 24(RB). Short-earedOwls Lighthouse Point had good ~ Great Island October 24 to Novem were seen at Milford Pt. August 1-2 were at Milfocd Point September setting station records for Harriers ber 4(TH). A Marbled Godwit was and August ID-22 while one Royal 27(DRo) and LPHW September 19 (HBSP-116), Cooper's (HBSP-9, seen in Norwalk Harbor August Tern was on the 'Thimble Islands and OctOOer15(JG). LP.-48), Sharp-shinned (LP.-248), 15(JB) and soother at Bam Island, September 15(NP). Black Skim The only significant Nighthawk Red-shouldered (LP.-2) and Brood Stonington September 16(RD). mers were sighted at Milford Point flight was over 1,000 passing winged Hawks (LP.-5). Of the 3 Whimbrel were widespread, rut did August 20(KM) and September through East Lyme September 1. Peregrines caught at Hammooas not stay well into Cktober as in 2 40 THE CONNECTICUI' WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 41 Stations at Hammonasset and Oct.OOer30- November 4(m.ob) and Milford Point(AT). Caspian Terns vember 24(RB). Short-earedOwls Lighthouse Point had good ~ Great Island October 24 to Novem were seen at Milford Pt. August 1-2 were at Milfocd Point September setting station records for Harriers ber 4(TH). A Marbled Godwit was and August ID-22 while one Royal 27(DRo) and LPHW September 19 (HBSP-116), Cooper's (HBSP-9, seen in Norwalk Harbor August Tern was on the 'Thimble Islands and OctOOer15(JG). LP.-48), Sharp-shinned (LP.-248), 15(JB) and soother at Bam Island, September 15(NP). Black Skim The only significant Nighthawk Red-shouldered (LP.-2) and Brood Stonington September 16(RD). mers were sighted at Milford Point flight was over 1,000 passing winged Hawks (LP.-5). Of the 3 Whimbrel were widespread, rut did August 20(KM) and September through East Lyme September 1. Peregrines caught at Hammooas not stay well into Cktober as in 2 40 THE CONNECTICUI' WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 41 31(RD), while Orange-crowned August(RC) and 1 in Branfcrd Sep 2(FG). Olive-sided Flycatchers can Rd:ins, the high pcmtin a very Warblers were seen September 16 tember ~. while an Ipswich were nwnerous, in Bethany August good mimid and thrush migration - at Sachem's Head in GuilforclNP) Sparrow was on Griswold Pant 28(MS), September 2 in all species were in good numbers. and at Sherwood Island St. Pa:rlt November 4('1H). The first Fax: Cheshire(TP,DRs) 2 at Flanders Kinglets were abundant every OctOOerll(RSo). Banders caught Sparrow report was in Old Lyme Nature Center August a VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 43 42 THE CONNECI'ICUT WARBLER 31(RD), while Orange-crowned August(RC) and 1 in Branfcrd Sep 2(FG). Olive-sided Flycatchers can Rd:ins, the high pcmtin a very Warblers were seen September 16 tember ~. while an Ipswich were nwnerous, in Bethany August good mimid and thrush migration - at Sachem's Head in GuilforclNP) Sparrow was on Griswold Pant 28(MS), September 2 in all species were in good numbers. and at Sherwood Island St. Pa:rlt November 4('1H). The first Fax: Cheshire(TP,DRs) 2 at Flanders Kinglets were abundant every OctOOerll(RSo). Banders caught Sparrow report was in Old Lyme Nature Center August a VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 2 43 42 THE CONNECI'ICUT WARBLER Observers; Contributas (boldface): McBride(FMc), Kevin McGrath Margaret Ardwin, Ralph (KMc), Vmce McGrath(VMc), Joe 'lHE CONNECTICUT WARBLER Amodei, James Bair, Tom Baptist, McGuinness (JMc), Rob & AI· Editor Leon Barkman, Quool Bedworth, beria Mirer(R&AM), Jim Moen, Betty S. Kleiner, Simsbury Kathy Murphy, (m.ob) many Richard Bernard, Louis Bevier, 5 Flintlock Ridge, Simsbury 06070 Grace Bissell, Ella Bradbury, observers, RU88 Naylor, Lauren Winnie Burkett, Geo.. Clark, Pannalee, C. Perkins, Ted Pierce, Art Director Roland Clement, Neil Currie, Noble Proctor, Don .Ragozzine Patrick J. Lynch, Cheshire Wendall Covalt, Bruce Dasinger (DRa), Larry Reiter, Dan Associate Editors Rodgen(I)Ro), Dave Roegen (DRs), (BDa), Buzz Devine(BDe), Paul Anthony H. Bledsoe, New Haven Jay B. Kaplan, Canton Desjardins(PDj), Mrs. Phillip Ray Schwartz (RSc), Richard George A. Clark, Jr., Storrs Carl J. Trichka, Fairfield Dewire(PDe), Robert Dewire, Soft'm Guide for Contributers Preparation of Manuscripts: 'lbe editors weloome submission of articles and notes for the Coi'UU3Cticut Warbler. Manuscripts should be typed double spaced on one side of the sheet only, with ample margins on all sides. Style of the manuscript should follow general usage in recent issues. All manuscripts receive peer review. illustrations: 'lbe editors weloome submission of line artwork of Connecticut and regional birds. Black and white photographs cf particular interest will also be considered, but tend to print at less than q>timum quality. Line art should be submitted as good-quality pho~phicprints or in original form. All Guide for Contributers Preparation of Manuscripts: 'lbe editors weloome submission of articles and notes for the Coi'UU3Cticut Warbler. Manuscripts should be typed double spaced on one side of the sheet only, with ample margins on all sides. Style of the manuscript should follow general usage in recent issues. All manuscripts receive peer review. illustrations: 'lbe editors weloome submission of line artwork of Connecticut and regional birds. Black and white photographs cf particular interest will also be considered, but tend to print at less than q>timum quality. Line art should be submitted as good-quality pho~phicprints or in original form. All 25 First Documented Rerord of WARBLER Le Q)nte's SpmTow in Q)nnecticut A Journal of Connecticut Ornitlwlogy Jay Kaplan and James Moore 28 The 1987 • 1988 Christmas Count Stephen P. Broker 36 Q)nnecticut Field Notes Fall: August 1 • November 30, 1987 Clay Taylor ~ ~~~.,.,. ~ 14!!11f6~ ~~~~ The Connecticut Ornithological Association 314 UnquowaRoad Non-Profit Org. Fairfield, CT 06430 U.S. Postage PAID Fairfield, CT Permit No. 275 I ,· Volume VIII No. 2 April1988 Pages 17-44 I Summer 1988 Contents Volume VITI Number 3 July 1988 THE 45 PRESIDENI'S MESSAGE Carl J. Trichka CONNECTICUT 46 CONNEC'IlCUf PIPING PLOVERS • 1987 Fred C. Sibley and Dennis Varza WARBLER 52 ARETAS A. SAUNDERS o.B84-1970) Roland C. Clement A Jou777nl of Connecticut Omitlwlogy 55 CONNECTICl.IT BLUEBIRDS Fred Comstock 57 HOW TO DOCUMENT UNUSUAL BlliD SIGHTINGS Ed Hagen 60 DIET OF 1HE COMMON BARN-OWL IN MIDDLEFIELD, CONNECTICUf Geoffrey A Hammerson 61 CONNEC11CUf FIElD NO'IES Winter: Derember 1, 1987 • February 29, 1988 Clay Taylor The Connecticut Ornithological Association 314 UnquowaRoad Non-Profit Org. Fairfield, CT 06430 U.S. Postage PAID Fairfield, CT Permit No. 275 -t_,d<.ttJoo,._ Volume VIII No. 3 July 1988 Pages 45-68 THE CONNECTICur ORNITHOLOGICAL PREsiDENT'S MESSAGE ASSOCIATION This organiza As your newly elected President, I would like to thank the President tion is becom outgoing officers arxl boord members b a job wen ~ arxl Carl J. Trichka, Fairfield welcome in the new slate. Foc a volunteer ocganization, a stagger Vice-President ing a force in ing nwn~ of hours ere THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 3 45 THE CONNECTICur ORNITHOLOGICAL PREsiDENT'S MESSAGE ASSOCIATION This organiza As your newly elected President, I would like to thank the President tion is becom outgoing officers arxl boord members b a job wen ~ arxl Carl J. Trichka, Fairfield welcome in the new slate. Foc a volunteer ocganization, a stagger Vice-President ing a force in ing nwn~ of hours ere THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 3 45 pairs netted in late March, approxi pair) since late first nestings would CONNECTICUT PIPING PLOVERS- 1987 mately a month before egg laying, have been labeled as renestings. Fred C. Sibley 1 and Dennis Varza 2 established their nests within 100 Since many Connecticut nests are feet of the capture site. pla:ed in dense stands of bea:h grass This is a report on the wodc done in the ~. another at Sandy with Piping Plovers during 1987. The Point early in the seasonplus single they are ve:Iydifficult to find and are Nesting Success mis. 48 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIIT, NUMBER 3 49 The Loog :Beochnest D: AOOnOOnedby di.sturtmce. one remaining Although everyone was aware of the lern of how to protect chicks once - deathof adult Eggs takenby preda egg was eventually abmdooed and nests and their protective fencing, they leave the fenced areas is still the renested. u loog afteJ' noonaJ. iocubatioo pe pair ~y few were aware that once the chicks unresolved. Hammooasset nest 1: Alm riod. One of the adults died during hatch, they room the whole bea:h and There are additonal problems, the iocubarion poiod and the nest dooed - cause unknown. This nest hide in the beach drift. We believe heavily debated in previous years, was aOOndooed!lXXl aftawards. was" abandoned after the chicks the town beach sweeper, in the proc that are not major causesof nest 1~. Short :Beochnest 3: Abandoned should have hatched and OOmks 48 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIIT, NUMBER 3 49 Recruitment into the Population pair or do resident pairs move to Time of Nesting Piping Plovers in Connecticut The Without banding and recapture other sites? Many sites in Connecti We estimatedthe first egg date following evidence supports the it is impossible to know what oort of cut are too small for more than a for all clutches using either date of hypothesis proposed. At Long recruitment one is getting. Our data single pair and if, as seems likely, re first egg or 30 days prior to hatching Bea:h there were four pairs present are so limited as to be almost mean colonization is a problem, it should and found that 10 nests were started in early May. Three of the plirs ingless. Four of six previously be addressed in management pra; in late April, five in the first five days nested and the fourth remained but banded adults returned, two of 51 tices. of May, one in the secondfive, one in did not initially establish a nesting previously banded young returned We have terminated our study the third five and nine in the last half territory. About the time the initial and there was one banded bird that but would encourage the State or of May. Only three nests were started three pairs hatched their young, this was not trapped and identified. other organizations to undertake a in June, all renests. Nest starts after fourth pair, plus three other pairs, Unfortunately the banding of young banding program to answer the im June 1 are evidently exceptional. established territories and laid eggs. in the past and certainly this year has portant management questions rela Although all pairs losing early All four late-nesting pairs were pres been very incomplete, oo many of the tive to recruitment, recolonization, clutches renested, none of the late ent in the area for a while prior to the unhanded adults trapped this year mortality rates, and limited nesting nesters tried to renest We propose hatching of the first clutches and could have been hatched in Con sites. that late April to early May is the established territories and started necticut A fiv~yearbanding pro nonnal nesting period and that any laying eggs almost immediately gram would certainly answer the LITERA1URE CITED later nesting is nesting modified by upon the opening up of the nesting questions of recruitment into the Anon., 1986. From the Shore. Con one or more additional factors. In area. In one case the clutch of the late Jq>lulation, intra-state movement of necticut DEP Wildlife Bureau 1987 there were 17 nests prior to May nester was started before the eggs of the pqJUlation and turnover of the Nongame Series No. ES-3, August 10, seven late nestings after May 10 the early nesters had hatched al nesting population. 1986. and five renesting. Of the seven late though the clutch was not completed The Connecticut population of Varza, D. and R. Schwaitz, 1987. nestings, the pair at Pleasure Beach until after young had left the area. Piping Plovers provides a unique Unusual Piping Plover nesting. may well have been birds nesting for We do not know if territorial defense oppcxtunity for management studies Conn. Warbler 7:18. the first time on an area of beach not is relaxed just prior to hatching thus becauseof its small size and the Zickefoose, J. 1986. Connecticut used previously. This scenario opening the area for the late nesters, limited amount of habitat Adult Birds: The Piping Plover. Conn. matches that of a pair of known first but this would seem to be a possibil birds seem to return to the same sites Warbler 6: 29-32. year birds that nested in late May ity. Certainly one pair was present year after year. Despite the presence 1986 at Fenwick Point (Vana and for a month without nesting and then of unused former nest sites, nesting 1. 19 Cedar Grove Rd, Guilford, Cf Schwartz 1987). The instance of late suddenly started, coincident with the pairs seem to be standing in line at 06437 nesting at Hammonasset represented abandorunent of the area by the early more popular sites. Who colonizes 2. 318 Jennifer - Jean Dr., Baton a pair present since early May that nesters. Nests of the late birds were new sites? Are old sites abandoned Rouge, l.A 70008 may have tried unsuccessfully to nest placed almost equidistant between only with the death of the resident earlier. The other five late nestings the nest sites of the early nesters. may have been due to a lack of nest A pair at Sandy Point also sites early in the season. We specu moved in late and established a terri Correction late that the earlier nesters at Long tory between two former nest sites. In the article by G. A. Oruk, Jr., "Checklist of Connecticut Bea:h and Sandy Point used up all Again, the timing is such that the first Birds-1988", The Connecticut Warbler, Vol 8, No. 2 (1988) the available sites and the late eggs were being laid before the first on page 19, the sixth species counting from the bottom of the nestings were by pairs re 52 THE CONNECTicur WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 3 53 ARETAS A. SAUNDERS wrote of having to make camp in a member as devoted to birds. He did (1884-1970) blizzard, when the rolled up tents not say why he quit the Rrest Serv were frozen stiff. He ended his sezv- ice, but ooe can guessthat the life of Roland C. Oement ice at the Lewis mxl Claic Nariooal a R>rea Assistant had paled. In Human histay is that recooi of grnduate, had COOle from NewpOO., Rxest wOO;e healqtaters was in annouocing that he was now t.eoching the past we are willing to re.call and Rl., from a long line of English colo prairie rather than Montana's mathematics and general science at a pass onto future generations. There nists. Although Aretas received a wooded moontains. We& Haven, Cf. high school, he is therefore, a recwrent, generntiooal BA degree, he did not grnduate with Sauncbs was faithful in supply- pointed out that he had not really resJXXlSibilityto attempt histay, lest his class because, having transfared ing Yale's alumni office with mef abandoned the JXOfession because it be lost to oblivion. The past is to the Rxestry School, he had to do reports of his whereabouts and general science was brood enough to gone, so in the processof recalling it extra field work to satisfy tequire doings and in 1913 he wrote a long allow the insertioo of !mle forest we always restate it anew, making it ments. He said he really startedin the letter which he evidently expectedto principles. accool with our enlarging aware- wocld with the class of 1~. A be printed f 52 THE CONNECTicur WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 3 53 retired. For a while he lived in East tions. He received an American near Benson Rood, where he birded library, Bob said, "You know, I was Norwalk and commuted to Bridge Philorophical Society grant in 1950, for an hour or more. After breakfast, never in his house." port by train, but later he bought a to extend his studies of song by trav he would walk the five miles to house at 361 Crestwood Rood, Fair elling in the south and middle west. CentralHigh School (now City Hall) 71 Weed Avenue, Norwalk, Cf field and lived there lUltil his retire However, the advent of the parabolic in downtown Bridgeport, then walk 06850 ment reflector for sound recording, home again that afternoon. When I A long succession of pupils re sonograms and playbock equiiJllell1 asked whether Saundershad a big called Mr. Saunders as one of their after World War 11 soon outmoded most inspiring teachers. In his quiet, his apJXOOChto recording bird !mg. roft-voiced, reserved way he intro For most of us interested in the duced them to the world of nature and status of breeding birds, Saunders' CONNECTICUT BLUEBIRDS helped them appreciate its impor classic w 54 THE OONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 3 55 retired. For a while he lived in East tions. He received an American near Benson Rood, where he birded library, Bob said, "You know, I was Norwalk and commuted to Bridge Philorophical Society grant in 1950, for an hour or more. After breakfast, never in his house." port by train, but later he bought a to extend his studies of song by trav he would walk the five miles to house at 361 Crestwood Rood, Fair elling in the south and middle west. CentralHigh School (now City Hall) 71 Weed Avenue, Norwalk, Cf field and lived there lUltil his retire However, the advent of the parabolic in downtown Bridgeport, then walk 06850 ment reflector for sound recording, home again that afternoon. When I A long succession of pupils re sonograms and playbock equiiJllell1 asked whether Saundershad a big called Mr. Saunders as one of their after World War 11 soon outmoded most inspiring teachers. In his quiet, his apJXOOChto recording bird !mg. roft-voiced, reserved way he intro For most of us interested in the duced them to the world of nature and status of breeding birds, Saunders' CONNECTICUT BLUEBIRDS helped them appreciate its impor classic w 54 THE OONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 3 55 HOW TO DOCUMENT UNUSUAL TABLEl Nwnber of Juveniles~Nest BIRD SIGHTINGS No . Yowng 1986 Nests No. Birds % 1987 Ncns No. Birds % Ed Hagen 0 0 0 Sooneroc later, you are an ac good. ·~ if it birdec, find 2 4 8 5 6 12 7 tive you will a rare bird To start, it is a good IJI'OCticeto ooe that is out of place oc out of take field notes whenevex you are in 42 26 13 39 22 ·,I 3 14 . ~ You know you saw it and the field This prnctice not only 4 15 60 38 18 72 41 you could let it go at that Howevex, sharpens your powexs of observation 5 10 50 31 10 50 29 such sightings may be &:ientifically but puvides a lasting recool of what irnpci1antand should thus be part of you saw and when. Sevexal articles 43 160 48 174 Totals the official recocds for the State. have been written on taking field In 1985 the Connecticut Orni notes. The fact is that most of us do thological Asoociation established a not do it Connocticut Rare Recocds Conunit- When you see something three year study. A juvenile male, his article "A Preliminary Connecti unusual, observe ru; much ru; you banded in August, 1986 at a golf cut Blue List", (Vol. ll:3), Sibley When you see possibly can during the period of listed the bluebird ru; rare along the course in Southbwy, was found deal observation. Notice field marks, in August, 1987 about one mile something unusual, coast and recommendeda manage behavioc, song and flight pattern, ru; noctheru;t of its original banding site. ment pugram foc this species. observe as much as available. Then make your own I wish to thank the prqx-rty I would enjoy hearing from our written notes ru; soon as possible, readersabout restoration attempts in owners who contacted me with re you possibly can before consulting field guides. Even gard to setting up nesting boxes and other areasof the State. Are nesting during the period of crude and elementary sketches can boxes successful, and what is the allowed me to monitor and OOndthe be helpful. Once you have gone to cmrent status of the bluebird in your juveniles. observation. Notice the guides, you may be subcon area? field marks, behav sciously confused between what you There has been only ooe recov 168 N. Main St, Bethlehem.Cf ior, saw on the bird and what you saw in ery of a bluebird bandeddtning our 06751 song and flight the guide. Remember that the field pattern, as available. guides will rarely depict the bird exactly ru; you seeit in nature. Show tee (rn.RC) to evaluate repcxts of ing only selectedpostures and plum Table 2 Sex Ratios rare birds. This group has to decide ages, they may miss important char Sex 1985 % 1986 % 1987 % whetheror not to accept a record. acteristics oc even be inaccurate. based on what is written on paper, Record what you see in the field. Male 37 51 53 34 82 47 since good photographs are seldom If the species you saw is distinc Female 33 45 54 33 59 34 available and specimens only acci tive (Fork-tailed Aycatchex, Bur Unknown 3 4 53 33 33 19 dentally so. This article is designed rowing Owl, White Ibis), your job is eru;y. Howevex,if othexbirds closely TafALS 73 160 174 to encourage you to submit your rare record(s) by spelling out the proto resemble it (Ash-throated Fly col. What you write may be the only catcher, Henslow's Sparrow, infonnation the CRRC will have. Franklin's Gull) the job is more diffi Your repcxt must stand alone. Make cult In any case, provide all the 56 THE CONNECTIGur WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 3 57 HOW TO DOCUMENT UNUSUAL TABLEl Nwnber of Juveniles~Nest BIRD SIGHTINGS No . Yowng 1986 Nests No. Birds % 1987 Ncns No. Birds % Ed Hagen 0 0 0 Sooneroc later, you are an ac good. ·~ if it birdec, find 2 4 8 5 6 12 7 tive you will a rare bird To start, it is a good IJI'OCticeto ooe that is out of place oc out of take field notes whenevex you are in 42 26 13 39 22 ·,I 3 14 . ~ You know you saw it and the field This prnctice not only 4 15 60 38 18 72 41 you could let it go at that Howevex, sharpens your powexs of observation 5 10 50 31 10 50 29 such sightings may be &:ientifically but puvides a lasting recool of what irnpci1antand should thus be part of you saw and when. Sevexal articles 43 160 48 174 Totals the official recocds for the State. have been written on taking field In 1985 the Connecticut Orni notes. The fact is that most of us do thological Asoociation established a not do it Connocticut Rare Recocds Conunit- When you see something three year study. A juvenile male, his article "A Preliminary Connecti unusual, observe ru; much ru; you banded in August, 1986 at a golf cut Blue List", (Vol. ll:3), Sibley When you see possibly can during the period of listed the bluebird ru; rare along the course in Southbwy, was found deal observation. Notice field marks, in August, 1987 about one mile something unusual, coast and recommendeda manage behavioc, song and flight pattern, ru; noctheru;t of its original banding site. ment pugram foc this species. observe as much as available. Then make your own I wish to thank the prqx-rty I would enjoy hearing from our written notes ru; soon as possible, readersabout restoration attempts in owners who contacted me with re you possibly can before consulting field guides. Even gard to setting up nesting boxes and other areasof the State. Are nesting during the period of crude and elementary sketches can boxes successful, and what is the allowed me to monitor and OOndthe be helpful. Once you have gone to cmrent status of the bluebird in your juveniles. observation. Notice the guides, you may be subcon area? field marks, behav sciously confused between what you There has been only ooe recov 168 N. Main St, Bethlehem.Cf ior, saw on the bird and what you saw in ery of a bluebird bandeddtning our 06751 song and flight the guide. Remember that the field pattern, as available. guides will rarely depict the bird exactly ru; you seeit in nature. Show tee (rn.RC) to evaluate repcxts of ing only selectedpostures and plum Table 2 Sex Ratios rare birds. This group has to decide ages, they may miss important char Sex 1985 % 1986 % 1987 % whetheror not to accept a record. acteristics oc even be inaccurate. based on what is written on paper, Record what you see in the field. Male 37 51 53 34 82 47 since good photographs are seldom If the species you saw is distinc Female 33 45 54 33 59 34 available and specimens only acci tive (Fork-tailed Aycatchex, Bur Unknown 3 4 53 33 33 19 dentally so. This article is designed rowing Owl, White Ibis), your job is eru;y. Howevex,if othexbirds closely TafALS 73 160 174 to encourage you to submit your rare record(s) by spelling out the proto resemble it (Ash-throated Fly col. What you write may be the only catcher, Henslow's Sparrow, infonnation the CRRC will have. Franklin's Gull) the job is more diffi Your repcxt must stand alone. Make cult In any case, provide all the 56 THE CONNECTIGur WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 3 57 detail you can. Scanty infonnation, You do not have to indicate three tails you provided were not adequate and recording skills. Questions or even on easily identified birds, sug minutes at 30 feet to be believed to cocnpletely rule out all confusing further assistance may be obtained gests a superficial look. A flycatcher What power optics (binoculars, possibilities. This often happens from the Connecticut Ornithological simply de.coibed as having a long ~)was used? when the observations are incom Association - CRR.C., at 314 Un forked tail could have been either a Also make a note of habitat and plete, largely becauseof opportunity quowa Rd, Fairfield, Cf 06430. Scissor-tailed oc Fork-tailed behavioc. Was the bird moving from and experieoce. Skilled observers My thanksto Neil Currie, Frank Write up all the field marlcs that one habitat to another? Did it perch, reemoce in a shoctperiod of time, but Mantlik and Chris Wood foc helpful you saw, starting with the most skulk, run, fly straight, etc.? If it repocts are acceptedor rejected on comments in preparing this article. prominent (overaiVgenernlsize and wagged its tail, was it first up or the basis of details provided, not on shape). What did it resemble? What down? Was it in the cocnpany of the experience of the observer. 47 Sycamore Ave. colocs did you ree? Where? Don't other birds? If it sang oc called, This article is intended to assist Woodbwy, cr 58 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 3 59 detail you can. Scanty infonnation, You do not have to indicate three tails you provided were not adequate and recording skills. Questions or even on easily identified birds, sug minutes at 30 feet to be believed to cocnpletely rule out all confusing further assistance may be obtained gests a superficial look. A flycatcher What power optics (binoculars, possibilities. This often happens from the Connecticut Ornithological simply de.coibed as having a long ~)was used? when the observations are incom Association - CRR.C., at 314 Un forked tail could have been either a Also make a note of habitat and plete, largely becauseof opportunity quowa Rd, Fairfield, Cf 06430. Scissor-tailed oc Fork-tailed behavioc. Was the bird moving from and experieoce. Skilled observers My thanksto Neil Currie, Frank Write up all the field marlcs that one habitat to another? Did it perch, reemoce in a shoctperiod of time, but Mantlik and Chris Wood foc helpful you saw, starting with the most skulk, run, fly straight, etc.? If it repocts are acceptedor rejected on comments in preparing this article. prominent (overaiVgenernlsize and wagged its tail, was it first up or the basis of details provided, not on shape). What did it resemble? What down? Was it in the cocnpany of the experience of the observer. 47 Sycamore Ave. colocs did you ree? Where? Don't other birds? If it sang oc called, This article is intended to assist Woodbwy, cr 58 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 3 59 DIET OF THE COMMON BARN-OWL IN CONNECTICUT FIELD NOTES MIDDLEFIELD, CONNECTICUT Wmter: December 1, 1987- February 29, 1988 Clay Taylor Geoffrey A. Hammerson In the mid-1980s, Common food item represented by either an Overview many winter finches and sparrow Bam-Owls (Tyto alba) nested in a intoct skull oc by a skull remnant with GARBAGE BIRDING! No, it's species. Abundant were both wooden box in a bam in Middlefield, both maxillae present Results are not doing a Christmas Count in kinglets and late-season Pine Connecticut Owing the nesting listed in Table 1. downtown New Haven. Rather it's Siskins. what period a substantial amotmt of deOOs In addition to the above, the everyone did this winter in occumulated in the box and consisted debris included the foot of an tmiden We& Haven, East Haven, Sheltoo Weather almost entirely of disarticulated tified bird. I thank George Zepko foc and other spots around the state - visit December was mild with the garbage landfills f 60 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 3 61 DIET OF THE COMMON BARN-OWL IN CONNECTICUT FIELD NOTES MIDDLEFIELD, CONNECTICUT Wmter: December 1, 1987- February 29, 1988 Clay Taylor Geoffrey A. Hammerson In the mid-1980s, Common food item represented by either an Overview many winter finches and sparrow Bam-Owls (Tyto alba) nested in a intoct skull oc by a skull remnant with GARBAGE BIRDING! No, it's species. Abundant were both wooden box in a bam in Middlefield, both maxillae present Results are not doing a Christmas Count in kinglets and late-season Pine Connecticut Owing the nesting listed in Table 1. downtown New Haven. Rather it's Siskins. what period a substantial amotmt of deOOs In addition to the above, the everyone did this winter in occumulated in the box and consisted debris included the foot of an tmiden We& Haven, East Haven, Sheltoo Weather almost entirely of disarticulated tified bird. I thank George Zepko foc and other spots around the state - visit December was mild with the garbage landfills f 60 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 3 61 featured birds either of infrequent or 28(FM,FP) and last reported March regional occurrence; Red-bellied 2(NC,CI). A number of birders Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, were able to see this individual. American Tree Sparrow, Red Herms and egrets remained in winged Blackbird, Common the state well into winter, with 2 Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Snowy Egrets feiX>l1edon Christmas Pwple Finch and Evening Grosbeak. Bird Counts (hereafter CBC's) and ,,. The grosbeaks were primarily from numerous Great Blue Herons early in the the seasonor in small throughout the state. Both Bla:k numbers at other times. I hope that crowned and Yellow-crowned Night the 17 rqxxts of Pmple Finch were Herons were at Holly Pond, all bona fide and not confused with Stamford IXcember 18(RHe), and a House Fnteh, because field reports Yellow-crowned remained at least ploced the Ptnple Ftnch low in num until December 25 at Oneida Marsh, peratures remained in the 40s until The most frequent bird visitm ber. Scarce at feeders were some Greenwich(LBr). February 20 when &JUthwestwinds came as no smprise, but I was in species that can have inuptive yem:s; Unusual geese were ocarce this and 50 degree temperatures were the trigued to see that all tied with 34 Common Redpoll, Red-breasted winter. Notewocthy was an inland proOOblecause for some interesting listings ea:h; Mourning Dove, Blue Nuthatch, Fox Sparrow and Rufous Brant seen at Southbury Training sightings that day (Broad-winged Jay, Bla:k-capped Chick:OOee,D.uic sided Towhee. Not reported by the School until freezeup forced it onto Hawk and Phoebe). By month's end eyed Junco and House Finch. The 37 replies were Swamp SllUIDw, the Housatonic River January precipitation was 20% over noonal comments on House Ftnches; all White-crowned Sparrow wei Brown 3(RN). The high count reported foc and temperatures were average - a remarlced on their high numbers - ~ Thrasher, although the latter 2 were the coast was 110 at Westport Janu good start for the incoming migra moch for the population "p~" seen at other feeders (see the field ary 21(FM). Two Wood Ducks in tion. speculation generated the previous report). Sharp-shinned Hawks at land at Stanley Park, New Britain winter. Birds feiX>l1ed30 to 33 times feeders were spotty and only 1 December 26(MC) were nice, while WIN1ER BIRD FEEDER were alro familiar: Downy Wood Cooper's Hawk was mentioned A the coast carried the usual scattering SURVEY 1987-1988 pecker, Tufted Titmouse, White Ruffed Grouse(F&JB) and a Ring of Woodies. The Green-winged Teal Our questionnaire brought re lxeasted Nuthatch, Northern Cardi necked Pheasant were write-iffi. flock at Gulf Pond, Milford, once sponses from 37 peq>le about their nal and White-throated Sparrow. again hosted a male Eurasian winter feeding station(s). About The sparrows, noted ac; scarce in the LOONS 1HROUGH form(m.ob), while dabbling duck 00% (22 total) were located in ~ f~eldand in low numbers at feeders, WATERFOWL numbers were good along the coost. dential ~. while 24% (9) were in evidently were widespread, never Loons were present but not plen Eurasian Wigeons repocted at Lake rural woodlands, 2 in rural farmlands theless. tiful throughout the winter. Five Saltonstall disappeared at the same and 1 in an mban setting. The re The only speciesreported 25-29 Red-throated Loons at Sherwood time a bird was found at Oyster maining 3 did not check on habitat. times was American Goldfmch, Island State Park (hereafter SISP) River(RS). Other sightings included Sunflower seedwac> the most pqxJ1ar while Hairy Woodpecker, Americal February 26 were the high day Sandy Point, West Haven(DR), food (31 of 37), while suet (26), Crow, Starling, Song Sparrow, Pine COliDt(FM). Pied-billed and Hooted January 17, 1 at Oyster River to end mixed seed(24) and thistle (20) were Siskin and House S.:mow aweared Grebes reemed low (see Christmas of period. 1 in Westport on January alro pq>ular. Water was offered at 7 20-24 times. The Pine Siskin rqxxts Count article CW 8:2), but a late 20 and January 23(FM), as well as 1 feeding stations, while 11 offered came from early and late in the sea February buildup at SISP tqJped at in Southport February other foods, usually crocked COOl oc son, with large flocks in the latter 120 Horned Grebes February 28(FM,FP,FZ). Diving docks were peanut hearts. weeks. The 10-19 repcxt categcxy 29(FM). Joining this flotilla was an well rep 62 THE CONNOCI'ICUT WARBLER VOLUME VITI, NUMBER 3 63 featured birds either of infrequent or 28(FM,FP) and last reported March regional occurrence; Red-bellied 2(NC,CI). A number of birders Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, were able to see this individual. American Tree Sparrow, Red Herms and egrets remained in winged Blackbird, Common the state well into winter, with 2 Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Snowy Egrets feiX>l1edon Christmas Pwple Finch and Evening Grosbeak. Bird Counts (hereafter CBC's) and ,,. The grosbeaks were primarily from numerous Great Blue Herons early in the the seasonor in small throughout the state. Both Bla:k numbers at other times. I hope that crowned and Yellow-crowned Night the 17 rqxxts of Pmple Finch were Herons were at Holly Pond, all bona fide and not confused with Stamford IXcember 18(RHe), and a House Fnteh, because field reports Yellow-crowned remained at least ploced the Ptnple Ftnch low in num until December 25 at Oneida Marsh, peratures remained in the 40s until The most frequent bird visitm ber. Scarce at feeders were some Greenwich(LBr). February 20 when &JUthwestwinds came as no smprise, but I was in species that can have inuptive yem:s; Unusual geese were ocarce this and 50 degree temperatures were the trigued to see that all tied with 34 Common Redpoll, Red-breasted winter. Notewocthy was an inland proOOblecause for some interesting listings ea:h; Mourning Dove, Blue Nuthatch, Fox Sparrow and Rufous Brant seen at Southbury Training sightings that day (Broad-winged Jay, Bla:k-capped Chick:OOee,D.uic sided Towhee. Not reported by the School until freezeup forced it onto Hawk and Phoebe). By month's end eyed Junco and House Finch. The 37 replies were Swamp SllUIDw, the Housatonic River January precipitation was 20% over noonal comments on House Ftnches; all White-crowned Sparrow wei Brown 3(RN). The high count reported foc and temperatures were average - a remarlced on their high numbers - ~ Thrasher, although the latter 2 were the coast was 110 at Westport Janu good start for the incoming migra moch for the population "p~" seen at other feeders (see the field ary 21(FM). Two Wood Ducks in tion. speculation generated the previous report). Sharp-shinned Hawks at land at Stanley Park, New Britain winter. Birds feiX>l1ed30 to 33 times feeders were spotty and only 1 December 26(MC) were nice, while WIN1ER BIRD FEEDER were alro familiar: Downy Wood Cooper's Hawk was mentioned A the coast carried the usual scattering SURVEY 1987-1988 pecker, Tufted Titmouse, White Ruffed Grouse(F&JB) and a Ring of Woodies. The Green-winged Teal Our questionnaire brought re lxeasted Nuthatch, Northern Cardi necked Pheasant were write-iffi. flock at Gulf Pond, Milford, once sponses from 37 peq>le about their nal and White-throated Sparrow. again hosted a male Eurasian winter feeding station(s). About The sparrows, noted ac; scarce in the LOONS 1HROUGH form(m.ob), while dabbling duck 00% (22 total) were located in ~ f~eldand in low numbers at feeders, WATERFOWL numbers were good along the coost. dential ~. while 24% (9) were in evidently were widespread, never Loons were present but not plen Eurasian Wigeons repocted at Lake rural woodlands, 2 in rural farmlands theless. tiful throughout the winter. Five Saltonstall disappeared at the same and 1 in an mban setting. The re The only speciesreported 25-29 Red-throated Loons at Sherwood time a bird was found at Oyster maining 3 did not check on habitat. times was American Goldfmch, Island State Park (hereafter SISP) River(RS). Other sightings included Sunflower seedwac> the most pqxJ1ar while Hairy Woodpecker, Americal February 26 were the high day Sandy Point, West Haven(DR), food (31 of 37), while suet (26), Crow, Starling, Song Sparrow, Pine COliDt(FM). Pied-billed and Hooted January 17, 1 at Oyster River to end mixed seed(24) and thistle (20) were Siskin and House S.:mow aweared Grebes reemed low (see Christmas of period. 1 in Westport on January alro pq>ular. Water was offered at 7 20-24 times. The Pine Siskin rqxxts Count article CW 8:2), but a late 20 and January 23(FM), as well as 1 feeding stations, while 11 offered came from early and late in the sea February buildup at SISP tqJped at in Southport February other foods, usually crocked COOl oc son, with large flocks in the latter 120 Horned Grebes February 28(FM,FP,FZ). Diving docks were peanut hearts. weeks. The 10-19 repcxt categcxy 29(FM). Joining this flotilla was an well rep 62 THE CONNOCI'ICUT WARBLER VOLUME VITI, NUMBER 3 63 The gulls put on a real show at DOVES TIIROUGH VIREOS ruy 1-9(RS,DS). Redheads again with a number of early sightings of the dumps, principally the West The usual fall owl migration was wcre ~y to fmd in the Thames other species on or about that dale Haven and Shelton focilities. Birdexs exceptionally late this year, as No River, New London. An adult male (see Phoebe). Northern Harriers krlcing f 68 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER ~billswere seen by many observ Mantlik, John Maynard, Emily 1HE CONNECTICUf WARBLER ers at Barkhamsted Reservoir, but McKay, Hugh McGuinne&c;,Jan & virtually nowhere else. Pine Gros Stuart Mitcheli(J&SM), Alberta & Editor beak didn't exist this year (well, it Rob Mirer(A&RM), Jim Mcxxe, Betty S. Kleiner, Simsbury 5 Flintlock Ridge, Simsbury 06070 seemedthat way). Kathy Mtnphy, Dave Norris, Elaine Nye, AJicion Oliveri, Fred Purnell, Art Director Observers; Cootributors (boldfa:e) Julie Rankin, Dave Rosgen, Ray Patrick J. Lynch, Cheshire Debbie Ames, James Schwartz, David Sibley, Alice & Associate Editors Bair(JBa), Dorothy Bam- Bruce Smith(A&BS), Mark Szan... Anthony H. Bledsoe, New Haven Jay B. Kaplan, Canton bach(DBm), Fran & John tyr, Clayton Taylor, David Titus, George A. Clark, Jr., Storrs Carl J. Trichka, Fairfield Barclay(F&JB), A.Barker, Dan Chris Varm, Connie Wood, Todd Fred C. Sibley, Guilford Clay Taylor, Moodus Barvir (DBa), Louis Bevier(LBe), Weintz, Joe Zeranski. Fredrick Purnell Jr., Darien EDa Bradbury, Robert & Nancy Editoriol Advisory Board Braun(R&NB), Lysle Brinker 240 Old Leedsville Rd Michael Harwood, Washington, Chair man (LBr), Winnie Burkett, Dexter Moodus, Ct 68 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER Summer 1988 Contents Volume VITI Number 3 July 1988 THE 45 PRESIDENI'S MESSAGE Carl J. Trichka CONNECTICUT 46 CONNEC'IlCUf PIPING PLOVERS • 1987 Fred C. Sibley and Dennis Varza WARBLER 52 ARETAS A. SAUNDERS o.B84-1970) Roland C. Clement A Jou777nl of Connecticut Omitlwlogy 55 CONNECTICl.IT BLUEBIRDS Fred Comstock 57 HOW TO DOCUMENT UNUSUAL BlliD SIGHTINGS Ed Hagen 60 DIET OF 1HE COMMON BARN-OWL IN MIDDLEFIELD, CONNECTICUf Geoffrey A Hammerson 61 CONNEC11CUf FIElD NO'IES Winter: Derember 1, 1987 • February 29, 1988 Clay Taylor The Connecticut Ornithological Association 314 UnquowaRoad Non-Profit Org. Fairfield, CT 06430 U.S. Postage PAID Fairfield, CT Permit No. 275 -t_,d<.ttJoo,._ Volume VIII No. 3 July 1988 Pages 45-68 Fall 1988 Contents Volume VITI Number4 October 1988 THE 88 New Connecticut Bilr Day Recol'd Frank Mantlik CONNECTICUT '19 Connecticut Field Nota SpriDa: March 1 - May 31, 1888 Clay ~lor WARBLER4 / f11 Occurence ~ the Chou8h in Connecticut A Journal of Arnold Devine and Dwight G. Smith -,_.. -, ·, 88 On the Occurence of a Pair ~ Red-Bellied . '""" .. ~.-· Woodpeckers in Northwestern Connecticut j S. Dillon Ripley _( ' ,.. r ·,_. 57 Photneraphic Documentation for r ' Connecticut Birds ~~~~,.....' ' George A Clark, Jr. The Connecticut Ornithological Association 314 UnquowaRoad Non-Profit Org. Fairfield, CT 06430 U.S. Postage PAID Fairfield, CT Permit No. 275 Volume VIll No. 4 October 1988 Pages 69-92 THE CONNECTICUf ORNITHOLOGICAL NEW CONNECTICliT BIG DAY RECORD ASSOCIATION Frank Mantlik Pre.itknt It was 10 PM, and hardly the speciesmust have been identified Carl J. Trichka, Fairfield time most sane people would by camteam mmbcr. These are Vice-PreBident think about going birding. Yet pretty strict guidelines and teams Debra M. Miller, Franklin, MA there we were · Tom Baptist, Fred are on the roror system for ad Secretary Purnell, Louis Bevier and I · as rering to them. Winifred Burkett, Storrs sembled in the Pumells' living Big Days have been con TreOBurer room to plan out a final strategy ducted in all fifty states, most Gmy Palmer, CaJ COO for an assault on the Connecticut Canadian provil"lCESand several Board of Directors ore-day birding record. We were foreign countries. The North planning to begin at midnight on Airerican Big Day Record rests at 1986-1989 1987-1990 this Sunday, May 22, 1988. 244 species, set in Texas in May Robert A. Askins, New London Raymond E. Belding, Harwinton 1hcre comes a time in an avid 1985 by a team which included FrankW.Mantlik, Westport Julia Arab Rankin, Wethersfield birder's career when he becomes Roger Tory Peterson (and util Robert Moeller, Sharon Dwight S. Smith, New Haven complacent, and thus, welcomes ized an airplane!). In the rorth FrederickPumellJr., Darien Todd W eintz, Stamford Fred C. Sibley, Guilford ChristopherS. Wood, Woodbury a challenge to his identification east US., New Jersey's record Julie Zickefoose, Hadlyme Joseph Zeranski, Greenwich skills. It is such times that he may stands at 201 species, set in May 198S-1991 take part in a so-called "Big Day". 1984 during Cape May Bird Milan G. Bull, Fairfield Simply put, this activity involves Observatory's annual "World George A. Clark, Jr., Storrs Roland C. Clement, Norwalk a group of two to four avid (and Series of Birding." Jay B. Kaplan, Canton usually 'crazy?') birders · who As far as Connecticut goes, JohnP. McDonald, Storrs are, hopefully, good friends · Big Days have been conducted George W. Zepko, Middletown getting together to circumnavi abnost annually for many years. gate an area (usually a state, or a The current record, which we Ex Officio Neil W. Currie, Sandy Hook portion thereoO with the single would be attempting to better, goal of locating and identifying stood at 162 species, set on May as many bird species as tOCjrcan 18, 1~ by Mark Szantyr, Arrold About our Cover Artist: in ore ca1E:."frl1rday. ''Buzz" ~ and this author; Paul Carrier, Harwinton Numerous "rules'' exist for and concurrently by another "Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)" ronducting a Big Day, as set forth group including Seth Kellogg by the American Birding AS&> and Colleen and Jay Withgott. Paul Carrier is a profe$ional artist and graphic desigrer for Color & ciation, which annually pub A Big Day can be ronducted Design, Newington. He has done illustrations in most medias but lishes results in their journal, at any time of year, but in Con prefers ink marker and !Oatch method. As an illustrator he has ''BIRDING". Among these are: necticut, mid-May is usually illustrated several books and many rornrneroal pro~ He has 1) team rrembers must remain crosenas this is the time of peak always been interested in nature, especially birds and snakes. Paul within conversational speaking spring migration by the largest attended the University of Hartford and the Paier Scrool of Art. Many distance, 2) the team may rot variety of species in southern yearsago, re put togetter a new Hawk Watch Guide to ldp beginning solicit information from other New England. It should be roted hawk watchers. He does a cover illustration each year for the New birders wh 70 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 71 tions, and the May woods are alive nate that each of us had titre fine 'whip' imitation once or ran back to the car, elated. That with song. It's like a Ouistmas during the previous week to twice and a bird immediately was a lucky stop, and off we Bird Count in spring... what could scout out some of the areas. called back from the darkness in drove toward our next location - be more delightful? With each of us a veteran Big response. Continuing its repeti the freshwater marshes of 'Sta In reality, conducting such a Day-er, we knew that with a tious call until midnight, we had tion 43' in South Windsor, to try marathon always proves to be an roncerted effort, good weather, our first bird of the day! We next for rails. exciting, if not exhausting and, at and good luck, we might ap tried our Barred Owl tape, but Eocountering a highway de times, frustrating day. Nonstop, proach the current record of 162 promptly scrapped it for our tour on 1-91, we ended up in intensive birding and driving for species. But could we do it? own, superior vocal imitations. Cromwell. I suggested that as up to 24 hours clearly takes its toll That was enough planning, Suddenly we were all surprised long as we were here, we should on the body. Surviving on roffee, enough talking... zero-hour by a loud, unfamiliar shriek of a try Dead Man's Swamp instead. cola, beer and pretzels was rapidly approaching. At call. Looking quizzically at each As we walked out into this beau (well ...maybe a sandwich), partici 11:15 PM we piled gear into my other in the amber glow of the tiful, wet, sedge-cattail marsh, we pants have little time or opportu Isuzu Trooper, the license plate parking lights, "Bam Owl?'' we realized that this Connecticut nity to eat, and do so on the run. of which is "AVOCET' - a spe thought The habitat certainly River backwater was alive with So, there we sat in Fred's living cies that would be a real bonus didn't seem right. After several the songs of numerous Soras, room, beverages in hand, fine-tun to find today. Binoculars, four minutes of patient, heart-pound Virginia Rails and Marsh Wrens. ing our proposed itinerary as pre scopes, field guides ... check! ing listening, we moved on, never The heavy mist added to the pared by Tom. To our knowledge, Cooler with provisions, water, to know. Our rontinued search mystical experience, but no King it was a route never before at beer ... check! Extra clothing, along Valley Road for the nor Rail, no moorhen, no bitterns, no tempted. Most Connecticut Big raingear, boots ... check! Full mally-reliable Barred Owls went Wood Duck. Even so, it was Days begin in the rool northwest tank of gas, spare tire, clean unrewarded. With our rooting, worth getting our feet and legs hills for northern-nesting species, windows ...check! Flashlights, however, we did manage to scare wet It was now 3 AM and with 11 later hitting the coast at day's end. tape recorders, thermoses of up a calling Solitary Sandpiper, species under our belts, it was This titre we would try 'owling' coffee... check! as well as an Ovenbird, which titre for the grueling drive to the our way to the cool northeast hills, The weather forecast gave a garbled "teacher-teacher" northeast hills. We shared gulps head south, via Hartford, to the seemed in our favor: morning song in its sleep. Disappointrrent of warm coffee and sorre muf roast by 1 PM, leaving plenty of fog, burning off by noon, sea struck. Owling for an hour on a fins. Driving east was hazardous, titre to bird its productive beaches sonably warm, with southerly nice night, with rone on our list to through the now-thick fog, along and marshes, and finishing in in win:is. At this point in titre the show for it. However, with the unfamiliar and winding Rt 66. land Greenwich at day's end. We weather didn't matter. We dock ticking, we couldn't afford On top of that, my companions all agreed on the soundness of the were going ahead with this no any more time here. were all asleep; when you've plan. matter what Mother Nature Our next stop was Middle been awake for 21 hours, even Tom had also rompiled a thor threw at us. Off we sped, high town, to make a brief but unlikely caffeine is useless. wrenwe fi ough 'target list' of possible spe with anticipation. try for the nesting Bam Owls on nally made it to Willimantic, I had cies, with each species roded by his Our first stop was Valley the Wesleyan University cam to wake Louis for directions. estimate of probability in finding Road in Easton-Redding to try pus. Within five minutes of park Arriving at Mansfield Hol that species on that route at that for nocturnal birds, in particu ing the car, we were looking at a low, just minutes before twilight, titre of year. The list rontained 209 lar Whip-poor-will and Barred beautiful, adult Bam Owl, we heard the aerial courtship species, with codes ranging from 1 Owl. Arriving at 11:50, we perched c1assically in the nest twitterings of two Woodcocks. ("guaranteed") to 2 ("should parked under a pitch-black window of the church steeple. Next, along a side road off Rt 89 find") to 3 ("difficut to find") to 4 stand of hemlocks, and listened. What a great sight at two in the in Ashford, we listerm to an in ("very unklikely"). We felt fortu- Nothing. So Fred whistled his morning! Through wet grass, we credible dawn chorus of song- 70 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 71 birds - Wood Thrushes, Veeries, Blackbumian and Wonn-eting Bluebird, Cerulean Warbler and check of the Connectirut River Robins, Catbirds, Yellowthroats, Warblers, both Waterthrushes, others fell to our trusty binocu was also disappointing with few Yellow Warblers, Cardinals, Juncos, Purple Finches, Pine lars. Impressive was the sight of birds and nothing new. Al Song Sparrows ard others. This Siskin, and a nest of Conuron a rolling hillside mroow, filled trough we managed to find a reaffinned my belief that early Ravens. Indeed, this magical, with a dozen territorial male Willow flycatcher as we were morning is, without question, tre lush preserve provided us with Bobolinks in full, bubbly ~ng. leaving, this disappointing stop best time of day. Thereis a certain some fire birding. At 9 AM, 61 Three more staked out locations taught us a lesson for rext time. peacefulness, when animals are species were firmly inscribed in produced Bank Swallows, We were frustrated, tired, active and people aren't, and the our notebook. Whi~ Vireo, a pair of Black hot ard hungry. IRserving a vegetation glows with tre first Farther along, the road billed Cuckoos, and at Mansfield break, we ducked into rays of sunlight. This day, we leaves the ravine and winds Hollow Reservoir, anotle- pair MacU>nald's for some epicurean may enpy this special time only through various habitats and of Comrron Ravens ard an urex sustenance. Wolfing down our for a few ll'\Oirellts; there is work eventually into Yale Forest in the pected, lingering Common Loon. feast, we raced bad< onto 1-91ard to be done. Upon leaving, we town of Union. We carefully Where were the "easy" Pine headed for Bradley lnt'l. Airport. almost ran over a female Ruffed birded along, adding many other Warblers? At 1 PM on a Sunday afternoon, Grouse standing in tre middle of species, including Ruby-throated Tune was getting along. It the air, auto and human traffic the road. Hummingbird, Spotted Sandpi- was noon ard the sun's effect was presented quite a chaotic, noisy Our list stood at 29 species by per, Winter Wren, Brown rapidly making the day hot and location in which to bini, but we tre time we arrived, just after Thrasher, White-throated Spar steamy. Fred queried, "do you were about to hit the jlckpot. dawn, at Boston Hollow. This row, ard 6 more warbler species, guys realize that we've been We parked in a lot at the dark,. cool, moist ravine of tower including Black-throated Blue, birding for 12 hours?'' ''Yeah. just southeast corner ard raced across ing hemlocks is remi.nisrent of Bay Breasted, Blackpoll ard Yel think,. only 12 more to go!" It had the busy highway with our the west coast's redwood forest, low-romped. been an intense and gratifying scopes, to the fenced edge of the which is perllaps why Louis, a We had been lucky with the morning of birding in these runway. "Uplaro SandpiJX!f!", displaced Californian, birds this weatrer. The reavy ground fog nortreast hills. And so, with 1~ someone immediately yelled. area so frequently. The rest of us proved to be a blessing. Al species on our list ard a distinct Sure enough, way out on the had never before really explored trough tre earlier driving had sense of accomplishment, we grassy runway, trere stood a dis this area. We were here now to been difficult, the lingering mist headed toward Hartford. tinctively-shaped 'Uppie'. seek the northern-nesting spe now shaded out tre hot sun until Gobbling more munchies, Thank goodness we all had cies, as well as migrant passer late morning, allowing tre birds we cruised west on 1-84,with the scopes. A jet took off and flushed ires. We slowly worl 72 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 73 birds - Wood Thrushes, Veeries, Blackbumian and Wonn-eting Bluebird, Cerulean Warbler and check of the Connectirut River Robins, Catbirds, Yellowthroats, Warblers, both Waterthrushes, others fell to our trusty binocu was also disappointing with few Yellow Warblers, Cardinals, Juncos, Purple Finches, Pine lars. Impressive was the sight of birds and nothing new. Al Song Sparrows ard others. This Siskin, and a nest of Conuron a rolling hillside mroow, filled trough we managed to find a reaffinned my belief that early Ravens. Indeed, this magical, with a dozen territorial male Willow flycatcher as we were morning is, without question, tre lush preserve provided us with Bobolinks in full, bubbly ~ng. leaving, this disappointing stop best time of day. Thereis a certain some fire birding. At 9 AM, 61 Three more staked out locations taught us a lesson for rext time. peacefulness, when animals are species were firmly inscribed in produced Bank Swallows, We were frustrated, tired, active and people aren't, and the our notebook. Whi~ Vireo, a pair of Black hot ard hungry. IRserving a vegetation glows with tre first Farther along, the road billed Cuckoos, and at Mansfield break, we ducked into rays of sunlight. This day, we leaves the ravine and winds Hollow Reservoir, anotle- pair MacU>nald's for some epicurean may enpy this special time only through various habitats and of Comrron Ravens ard an urex sustenance. Wolfing down our for a few ll'\Oirellts; there is work eventually into Yale Forest in the pected, lingering Common Loon. feast, we raced bad< onto 1-91ard to be done. Upon leaving, we town of Union. We carefully Where were the "easy" Pine headed for Bradley lnt'l. Airport. almost ran over a female Ruffed birded along, adding many other Warblers? At 1 PM on a Sunday afternoon, Grouse standing in tre middle of species, including Ruby-throated Tune was getting along. It the air, auto and human traffic the road. Hummingbird, Spotted Sandpi- was noon ard the sun's effect was presented quite a chaotic, noisy Our list stood at 29 species by per, Winter Wren, Brown rapidly making the day hot and location in which to bini, but we tre time we arrived, just after Thrasher, White-throated Spar steamy. Fred queried, "do you were about to hit the jlckpot. dawn, at Boston Hollow. This row, ard 6 more warbler species, guys realize that we've been We parked in a lot at the dark,. cool, moist ravine of tower including Black-throated Blue, birding for 12 hours?'' ''Yeah. just southeast corner ard raced across ing hemlocks is remi.nisrent of Bay Breasted, Blackpoll ard Yel think,. only 12 more to go!" It had the busy highway with our the west coast's redwood forest, low-romped. been an intense and gratifying scopes, to the fenced edge of the which is perllaps why Louis, a We had been lucky with the morning of birding in these runway. "Uplaro SandpiJX!f!", displaced Californian, birds this weatrer. The reavy ground fog nortreast hills. And so, with 1~ someone immediately yelled. area so frequently. The rest of us proved to be a blessing. Al species on our list ard a distinct Sure enough, way out on the had never before really explored trough tre earlier driving had sense of accomplishment, we grassy runway, trere stood a dis this area. We were here now to been difficult, the lingering mist headed toward Hartford. tinctively-shaped 'Uppie'. seek the northern-nesting spe now shaded out tre hot sun until Gobbling more munchies, Thank goodness we all had cies, as well as migrant passer late morning, allowing tre birds we cruised west on 1-84,with the scopes. A jet took off and flushed ires. We slowly worl 72 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 73 tive tinkling song of a Horned Glossy Ibis. Amazingly, we missed seeing it, as they had just Willets, Green-backed Heron lark. Upon looking up, we saw couldn't spot a single Turkey begun walking east down the and (luckily) a flock of 17 Brant, the sky-larking courtship flight of Vulture! beach. I caught up to them, just as but where were the Pied-billed a Horned l.ark ovemmd, after The clock read 2:40 as we we all realized it was too quiet to Grebes, the Least Bittern, the Tri which the bird plummeted like a pulled up to tre seawall at Old spend more time here. A check of colored Heron and the Blue rock.landing near us on the other Saybrook, a tad behind schedule. the salt marsh during our drive winged Teal that I'd scouted out side of the fence. TICK! The salt air, coupled with our out yielded Snowy Egret, Greater only two days ago? "Just for the Quickly back to the car, we anticipation of birding new habi Yellowlegs, Black-bellied Plover, heck of it, let's check a little rain made a hasty check of the north tats, stimulated in us another Laughing Gull and both Sharp pool up ahead', I suggested. We east side of the airport, where we flood of adrenalin. The tourists tailed and Seaside Spanows - the eased up within view of the pool added 2 Savannah Sparrows and and Sunday strollers gawked at latter two in tre same field of and what we were about to see a Pheasant We were high as us as we piled out of the Trooper, view and in great light ''BINGO! was shear heaven. "A God kites, having cleaned up on the as if we were some terrorist Those 'skulkers' rould easily be wit!!!," Fred exclaimed. Sure grassland speciespronto. Upon group. In fact we were. ''Birding missed". enough, there standing in what leaving the airport grounds, we commandos on an important Aware of the aging day and amounted to a large puddle, was reminded ourselves that we mission'', I thought Scanning with 138 species totalled, we a large shorebird with rich, rusty hadn't had any hawks today. from the seawall netted us raced on toward Milford Point, a undersides and a long bill. With all eyes glued to the win Double-crested Cormorants, noted hotspot with proven po "Hudsonian!" Not an Avocet, dows - even the driver's! - we Ospreys, Mute Swans and the tential for rare birds. A Great but in spring, just as rare. In fact, cruised down the boulevard. usual gulls and terns. Egret and, surprisingly, 2 Y el to our knowledge, this was only Success continued, as we While driving slowly across l ow-crowned Night-Herons the third spring record for this promptly spotted a soaring Red tre Rt. 154 causeway, Fred spot were in the marsh. We trotted to speciesin Connecticut. Realizing tail and a hovering Kestrel. ted something that merited a the beach, as my watch read 5:15. the Big Day clock was still ticking, Elated, with 116 species under repeat look. Unfortunately, it We'd tim.rl it just right; the after we studied this beautiful srore our belts, we sailed toward the proved to be just a piece of man noon light was good, it was high bird for several minutes more, coast. made debris. But in the processof tide, and the shorebirds were just to make certain it wasn't the At no point during the day's taking a second look, we spotted rovering tre sandbars before us. rarer Black-tailed, but no, it had birding, had anyone Ir6ltioned a Gadwall and a male Sroveler Sropes samred and we quickly dalk wing linings. our team's chances of reaching an excellent find! Farther along, tallied 11 more speciesof plovers 1ren Louis said, "Look at the the State record. Now at 2 PM, we added fledgling Great and sandpipers, but nothing bird just to the right It's a Ruff!" Tom, after ~ing our taiget Horned Owl (that Louis had dis unusual... not yet. We couldn't believe it; there list, made the bold statem:nt that covered roosting in a roadside Next stop was the pools and stood a female Ruff (Reeve). Two 'With 46 additional speciesat the pire a few days earlier), a calling rnars1-e; behind the warehouses great birds! A quick scan of the coast, we rould tie the rerord, and Bobwhite and a pair of lingering at Lordship. This area, fonrerly remaining 20 or so shorebirds maybe even have a shot at break Greater Scaup. "Nice work. Next prime for shorebirds, is unfortu added no new species. ''Hot ing it!" From past experience, we stop: Hamrnonasset!" nately, under ronstant develop Stuff!" could be heard as we agreed that 40 speciesat the roast It seemed relatively quiet as ment pressure. In fact, after darced back to the car. Upon should be "no sweat". Continu we pulled into this popular state squeezing through a chain-link passing through the steelyard, ing our drive down Rt 9 and fol park, famous among birders. We fence, birders now have to walk we enoountered anotrer group of lowing another bout of unwel headed for Meigs Point to scan through a steelyard to get to the Big Day birders who were partici comed sleepiness, we managed the Sound. Here I spotted a Red remaining habitat Nevertheless, pating in the annual Great Gull to add Broad-winged Hawk, throated Loon, in flight close to it's still productive and is always Island Project Birdathon. With Purple Martins, and 3 soaring shore. Unfortunately, the others worth a dled<. Here we added little time for socializing, we ex:- 74 THE CONNECTICUI' WARBLER VOUJME VIII, NUMBER 4 75 tive tinkling song of a Horned Glossy Ibis. Amazingly, we missed seeing it, as they had just Willets, Green-backed Heron lark. Upon looking up, we saw couldn't spot a single Turkey begun walking east down the and (luckily) a flock of 17 Brant, the sky-larking courtship flight of Vulture! beach. I caught up to them, just as but where were the Pied-billed a Horned l.ark ovemmd, after The clock read 2:40 as we we all realized it was too quiet to Grebes, the Least Bittern, the Tri which the bird plummeted like a pulled up to tre seawall at Old spend more time here. A check of colored Heron and the Blue rock.landing near us on the other Saybrook, a tad behind schedule. the salt marsh during our drive winged Teal that I'd scouted out side of the fence. TICK! The salt air, coupled with our out yielded Snowy Egret, Greater only two days ago? "Just for the Quickly back to the car, we anticipation of birding new habi Yellowlegs, Black-bellied Plover, heck of it, let's check a little rain made a hasty check of the north tats, stimulated in us another Laughing Gull and both Sharp pool up ahead', I suggested. We east side of the airport, where we flood of adrenalin. The tourists tailed and Seaside Spanows - the eased up within view of the pool added 2 Savannah Sparrows and and Sunday strollers gawked at latter two in tre same field of and what we were about to see a Pheasant We were high as us as we piled out of the Trooper, view and in great light ''BINGO! was shear heaven. "A God kites, having cleaned up on the as if we were some terrorist Those 'skulkers' rould easily be wit!!!," Fred exclaimed. Sure grassland speciespronto. Upon group. In fact we were. ''Birding missed". enough, there standing in what leaving the airport grounds, we commandos on an important Aware of the aging day and amounted to a large puddle, was reminded ourselves that we mission'', I thought Scanning with 138 species totalled, we a large shorebird with rich, rusty hadn't had any hawks today. from the seawall netted us raced on toward Milford Point, a undersides and a long bill. With all eyes glued to the win Double-crested Cormorants, noted hotspot with proven po "Hudsonian!" Not an Avocet, dows - even the driver's! - we Ospreys, Mute Swans and the tential for rare birds. A Great but in spring, just as rare. In fact, cruised down the boulevard. usual gulls and terns. Egret and, surprisingly, 2 Y el to our knowledge, this was only Success continued, as we While driving slowly across l ow-crowned Night-Herons the third spring record for this promptly spotted a soaring Red tre Rt. 154 causeway, Fred spot were in the marsh. We trotted to speciesin Connecticut. Realizing tail and a hovering Kestrel. ted something that merited a the beach, as my watch read 5:15. the Big Day clock was still ticking, Elated, with 116 species under repeat look. Unfortunately, it We'd tim.rl it just right; the after we studied this beautiful srore our belts, we sailed toward the proved to be just a piece of man noon light was good, it was high bird for several minutes more, coast. made debris. But in the processof tide, and the shorebirds were just to make certain it wasn't the At no point during the day's taking a second look, we spotted rovering tre sandbars before us. rarer Black-tailed, but no, it had birding, had anyone Ir6ltioned a Gadwall and a male Sroveler Sropes samred and we quickly dalk wing linings. our team's chances of reaching an excellent find! Farther along, tallied 11 more speciesof plovers 1ren Louis said, "Look at the the State record. Now at 2 PM, we added fledgling Great and sandpipers, but nothing bird just to the right It's a Ruff!" Tom, after ~ing our taiget Horned Owl (that Louis had dis unusual... not yet. We couldn't believe it; there list, made the bold statem:nt that covered roosting in a roadside Next stop was the pools and stood a female Ruff (Reeve). Two 'With 46 additional speciesat the pire a few days earlier), a calling rnars1-e; behind the warehouses great birds! A quick scan of the coast, we rould tie the rerord, and Bobwhite and a pair of lingering at Lordship. This area, fonrerly remaining 20 or so shorebirds maybe even have a shot at break Greater Scaup. "Nice work. Next prime for shorebirds, is unfortu added no new species. ''Hot ing it!" From past experience, we stop: Hamrnonasset!" nately, under ronstant develop Stuff!" could be heard as we agreed that 40 speciesat the roast It seemed relatively quiet as ment pressure. In fact, after darced back to the car. Upon should be "no sweat". Continu we pulled into this popular state squeezing through a chain-link passing through the steelyard, ing our drive down Rt 9 and fol park, famous among birders. We fence, birders now have to walk we enoountered anotrer group of lowing another bout of unwel headed for Meigs Point to scan through a steelyard to get to the Big Day birders who were partici comed sleepiness, we managed the Sound. Here I spotted a Red remaining habitat Nevertheless, pating in the annual Great Gull to add Broad-winged Hawk, throated Loon, in flight close to it's still productive and is always Island Project Birdathon. With Purple Martins, and 3 soaring shore. Unfortunately, the others worth a dled<. Here we added little time for socializing, we ex:- 74 THE CONNECTICUI' WARBLER VOUJME VIII, NUMBER 4 75 changed best wishes and sallied We lucked out ..ro guard! Driv a flash, we were off to nearby could still get Wood Duck after forth. ing right in, we set up scopes. Conyer's Farm, where Tom used dark, we thought, and there had Well, as if we needed yet Check off Little Blue Heron, his 'boom box' and tape to a good been a family at the Audubon another pit of adrenalin, we were Clapper Rail and King Rail, the advantage in prompting a male Center lake. Parl 76 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 77 changed best wishes and sallied We lucked out ..ro guard! Driv a flash, we were off to nearby could still get Wood Duck after forth. ing right in, we set up scopes. Conyer's Farm, where Tom used dark, we thought, and there had Well, as if we needed yet Check off Little Blue Heron, his 'boom box' and tape to a good been a family at the Audubon another pit of adrenalin, we were Clapper Rail and King Rail, the advantage in prompting a male Center lake. Parl 76 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 77 pace of the day, hungry and rule. We had driven 400 miles by CONNECTICUf FIELD NOTES grubby. Our minds were over car (all in Connecticut!); 7 on foot. Spring: March 1 - May 31, 1988 flowing and overstresla:i, but we We had tallied 100% of our Code had tallied 167 species - 5 more 1 species, 87% of Code 2, 59% of Clay Taylor than the old record. "It's only Code 3 and an amazing 48% of Each year warming tempera pretty muCh aa::ording to plan 9:30;' I quipped, "we still have 2- Code 4. We had fonnd 10 species tures and melting snow bring out with blackbirds and robins 1/2 hours in which we can bird". of herons, 4 species of rails, 8 spring plumages, courtship song streaming by and ducks of all True, we could continue a crazed, species of raptors, 20 species of and the rush rorthward to the kinds heading toward their fa flashlight-and-tape-recorder shorebirds, 23 species of warblers nesting gronnds. At this time, vorite prairie or tundra. Poor search in an effort to fill a few and 10 species of sparrows... rot unused binocu1arsare dusted off migrating rorditions in late April gaps in our list. to mention a fine list of rarities. and field guides are relocated and early May kept many hawks It wasn't meant to be. The Still, there were some iocred .. from nnder the coffee table, as the and passerines bottled up to our day's rigors were rapidly catch ible misses. Most glaring were birding world awaits the war south and west. High pressure ing up with our bodies. This, Wood Duck, Turkey Vulture, Pil blers of May. At least that's the along the southern Atlantic coast roupled with the realization that eated Woodpecker and Pine way it ~ to be. A greater pushed some passerines north we'd have to go to work in the Warbler. However, knowing number of birders are consis April 6th as well as the 14th and morning, resulted in the unani that 170 species is attainable tently out in the field in spring 18th. A low pressuresystem then mous decision to call it a day. (with a healthy share of good than at any other tirre of the year took over and either inclement Back at the Pumell house, we luck), we'll be back again next and the records submitted show weather or north winds pre sorted out gear, had a quick toast, year. Once in the blood, Big I>ay it. My thanks to everyone who vailed through the erd of the shook hands and parted. fever is incurable! sent in volurres of sightings and month. A stationary low off the In summary, 162 of the 167 dates to rre. The whole package coast prohibited fight until May 4 species were identified by each of 39-A Woodside Ave. Westport, is a clutter of infonnation in my and rontinued to keep significant us, well within the ABA's 95% CT (Xj88() head right now, but I can relate to bird activity down until the 9th. why everyone has the urge to May 10 saw rain, with clearing on record the co~ and goings of the 11th. May 12 saw a big high every duck, robin, hawk and, pressuresystem with southwest ultimately, warbler . IT'S wi:rds from the Gulf Coast to SPRING! rorthem New England - tirre to The spring migration is one fly! The next 4 days were ideal of the most unpredictable of sea and the birds kept pushing - ro sons. Fall migrants are in no systems to gronnd fran in Con great hurry; - trey are literally necticut. Unsettled weather on pushedsouth by the approaching the 19th stopped tre flow and winter. Spring birds however, forced birds down. leading to have a bioiogical urge to rest and good ''Big I>ay'' counts May 20 this urgency can cause fran to ani 22. The remainder of the bypass us entirely for greener month saw average conditions pastures to the rorth. and a wrap-up of bird si.ghtings. Such was probably the case A nurrber of groups partici in 1988. Early spring migration pated in ''Big "I>ay'' counts, but (March and early April) went the only totals I rereived were 78 THE CONNECI'ICUT WARBLER VOUJME Vlll, NUMBER 4 79 pace of the day, hungry and rule. We had driven 400 miles by CONNECTICUf FIELD NOTES grubby. Our minds were over car (all in Connecticut!); 7 on foot. Spring: March 1 - May 31, 1988 flowing and overstresla:i, but we We had tallied 100% of our Code had tallied 167 species - 5 more 1 species, 87% of Code 2, 59% of Clay Taylor than the old record. "It's only Code 3 and an amazing 48% of Each year warming tempera pretty muCh aa::ording to plan 9:30;' I quipped, "we still have 2- Code 4. We had fonnd 10 species tures and melting snow bring out with blackbirds and robins 1/2 hours in which we can bird". of herons, 4 species of rails, 8 spring plumages, courtship song streaming by and ducks of all True, we could continue a crazed, species of raptors, 20 species of and the rush rorthward to the kinds heading toward their fa flashlight-and-tape-recorder shorebirds, 23 species of warblers nesting gronnds. At this time, vorite prairie or tundra. Poor search in an effort to fill a few and 10 species of sparrows... rot unused binocu1arsare dusted off migrating rorditions in late April gaps in our list. to mention a fine list of rarities. and field guides are relocated and early May kept many hawks It wasn't meant to be. The Still, there were some iocred .. from nnder the coffee table, as the and passerines bottled up to our day's rigors were rapidly catch ible misses. Most glaring were birding world awaits the war south and west. High pressure ing up with our bodies. This, Wood Duck, Turkey Vulture, Pil blers of May. At least that's the along the southern Atlantic coast roupled with the realization that eated Woodpecker and Pine way it ~ to be. A greater pushed some passerines north we'd have to go to work in the Warbler. However, knowing number of birders are consis April 6th as well as the 14th and morning, resulted in the unani that 170 species is attainable tently out in the field in spring 18th. A low pressuresystem then mous decision to call it a day. (with a healthy share of good than at any other tirre of the year took over and either inclement Back at the Pumell house, we luck), we'll be back again next and the records submitted show weather or north winds pre sorted out gear, had a quick toast, year. Once in the blood, Big I>ay it. My thanks to everyone who vailed through the erd of the shook hands and parted. fever is incurable! sent in volurres of sightings and month. A stationary low off the In summary, 162 of the 167 dates to rre. The whole package coast prohibited fight until May 4 species were identified by each of 39-A Woodside Ave. Westport, is a clutter of infonnation in my and rontinued to keep significant us, well within the ABA's 95% CT (Xj88() head right now, but I can relate to bird activity down until the 9th. why everyone has the urge to May 10 saw rain, with clearing on record the co~ and goings of the 11th. May 12 saw a big high every duck, robin, hawk and, pressuresystem with southwest ultimately, warbler . IT'S wi:rds from the Gulf Coast to SPRING! rorthem New England - tirre to The spring migration is one fly! The next 4 days were ideal of the most unpredictable of sea and the birds kept pushing - ro sons. Fall migrants are in no systems to gronnd fran in Con great hurry; - trey are literally necticut. Unsettled weather on pushedsouth by the approaching the 19th stopped tre flow and winter. Spring birds however, forced birds down. leading to have a bioiogical urge to rest and good ''Big I>ay'' counts May 20 this urgency can cause fran to ani 22. The remainder of the bypass us entirely for greener month saw average conditions pastures to the rorth. and a wrap-up of bird si.ghtings. Such was probably the case A nurrber of groups partici in 1988. Early spring migration pated in ''Big "I>ay'' counts, but (March and early April) went the only totals I rereived were 78 THE CONNECI'ICUT WARBLER VOUJME Vlll, NUMBER 4 79 from George Oark (79 species on tion? Saybrook(DTi,MHa,et al). ln males and 1 female)(LG,Ufr); a foot in Storrs) and a new State There is concern for Ameri flight it showed clasic ibis ~ Shoveler was also seen May 22 in rerord of 167 species set by Frank can Bittern as a breeding bird and shape, but had ro black in the Old Saybrook(FM), a very late Mantlik, Louis Bevier, Fred within the State. Mid-May rec flight featrers. Could it have date (keep an eye out for breeding Purnell and Tom Baptist. Con ords from Comwall(DTr,LG) been an albino Qossy Ibis or at Great Island); 50+ Ring-necked gratulations! See article about and 2 at White Merrorial Founda sorre abenant White Ibis? Unfor Ducks at Southbury Training this new record elsewhere in this tion (hereafter WMF), tunately, it was rot found again. School(RN) and 83 in South issue. Utchfield(LG) give rope for the A Greater White-fronted Windsor(SI species. '~le-ewere also nwrer Goose on Mirror Lake, at the Buffleread at Milford Point May LCXX'-JS1HROUGH ous ooastal reports of Alrerican University of Connecticut in 15(Ufr,LG,FZ). The only real WATERFOWL Bittern. A Least Bittern was seen Storrs was identified as definitely rarities were Eurasian Wigeons Red-throated and Common well at Lordship ~' Strat rot belonging to the Greenland March 27 at South Cove, Old Loon flights were fairly unre ford, while arother was recorded race(WE,LB,et al). The goose Saybrook(FM) and at Milford markable this spring, however, in Woodbwy May 20(FM et al.). story of the season occurred Point May 8(0Tr,LG,RE) -a late the grebes had a good season, Tricolored Herons were re March 24 in Fairfield, as 17 dead date, and an immature male King beginning with an early Pied ported in many coastal locations Srow Geese fell out ci the sky Eider at SJSP April10(RS). billed Grebe in the Naugatuck in April and May, fueling speru during a violent thunder stonn. River, Woodl:my, March 10(RN), lation of possible breeding on They lodged in trees, etc., but the HAWKS 1HROUGH TERNS the first of many statewide re Olimon lsland(MB). An inland few examined, appeared to be in Die-hard Conrecticut hawk ports. ln early March trere were record at Southbury Training good condition(MB). Could they watchers did not have much to 100- 200 Homed Grebes at Sher School(RN) April 24 was un have been hit by lightning cross cheer about this spring. The wood Island State Park (hereafter usual. The first Green-backed ing from cloud to cloud? Very weather during peak accipter SlSP) with a peak of 200+ April Heron report was May S(IG). interesting. Ore immature Srow aild Broad-wing migration, mid 1(FM,FP). The late record was a Black-crowned Night Herons Goose was sighted May 15 in to late April, saw poor winds and breeding-plumage bird at were reported as doing ex Utchfield(RN,et al) and 1300 poorer flights. A mack Vulture Milford Point May 28(m.ob), tremely well at Chimon Brant were counted at Greenwich was reported in Greenwich along while a late inland rerord was on lsland(MB) and througrout the Point May 26(JZ). the Merritt Parkway March Bantam Lake April 24(LG). state (to the chagrin of tern ban The rather orderly March 23(RW) and early Turkey Vulture Single Red-necked Grebes were ders in a few kx:ations), while weather rroved most waterfowl sightings March 6(CE) and also seen at SlSP, 1 March 24(FM) Yellow-crowned Night Herons through in good numbers. A 12(RN) were obviously m>ving and 2 Apri16(RS) as was an Eared appeared April 12 in Eurasian Common Teal was north, perhaps from in-state win Grebe which attracted many Stratford(DTr,LG) and April 13 spotted in a flock of approxi tering grounds. The raptor of the birders in late Februaiy. in Fairfield(DR). mately 200 Green-winged Teal at seaoon was a Swallow-tailed Kite Seventy-plus Great Cormo Glossy Ibis showed up in the Milford Point(MB,RRo) and one seen in Clinton May 24(FS), right rants along the coast March first two weeks of April with 5 at wonders whether this was the in line with nwrerous reports 8(FM) diminished to a single WMF April12(LG) a good inland srure individual found annually from New Jerseyand New York adult remaining at Milford Point number. Eight ibis feeding in a at nearby Gulf Pond. Other duck of this species and Mississippi May 8(DTr), while Double wet field in Old Lytre(BC) May sightings were 35 Pintails in Kites. It was not re-sighted. crested Cormorant flocks flying 10 were not unusual in the Con South Windsor March 19(SKe); Ospreys were very numer north in mid-April drew necticut River Valley, but were and a number of SOOveler reports ous along the sroreline by late rotice(CG). With the burgeoning still unexpected. Totally unex - 4 at Milford Point March Maicll, with a very early inland Great Lakes breeding popula pected was a reported all-white 29(MB), 2 April 3(SKo), 2 April report March 5 in East tion, might there be a connec- ibis May 22 at North Cove, Old 9(JB) and 4 again April 1(}.12 (3 Hartford(J&MLy). More than 11 80 THE CONNECTicur WARBLER VOUJME VIII, NUMBER 4 81 from George Oark (79 species on tion? Saybrook(DTi,MHa,et al). ln males and 1 female)(LG,Ufr); a foot in Storrs) and a new State There is concern for Ameri flight it showed clasic ibis ~ Shoveler was also seen May 22 in rerord of 167 species set by Frank can Bittern as a breeding bird and shape, but had ro black in the Old Saybrook(FM), a very late Mantlik, Louis Bevier, Fred within the State. Mid-May rec flight featrers. Could it have date (keep an eye out for breeding Purnell and Tom Baptist. Con ords from Comwall(DTr,LG) been an albino Qossy Ibis or at Great Island); 50+ Ring-necked gratulations! See article about and 2 at White Merrorial Founda sorre abenant White Ibis? Unfor Ducks at Southbury Training this new record elsewhere in this tion (hereafter WMF), tunately, it was rot found again. School(RN) and 83 in South issue. Utchfield(LG) give rope for the A Greater White-fronted Windsor(SI species. '~le-ewere also nwrer Goose on Mirror Lake, at the Buffleread at Milford Point May LCXX'-JS1HROUGH ous ooastal reports of Alrerican University of Connecticut in 15(Ufr,LG,FZ). The only real WATERFOWL Bittern. A Least Bittern was seen Storrs was identified as definitely rarities were Eurasian Wigeons Red-throated and Common well at Lordship ~' Strat rot belonging to the Greenland March 27 at South Cove, Old Loon flights were fairly unre ford, while arother was recorded race(WE,LB,et al). The goose Saybrook(FM) and at Milford markable this spring, however, in Woodbwy May 20(FM et al.). story of the season occurred Point May 8(0Tr,LG,RE) -a late the grebes had a good season, Tricolored Herons were re March 24 in Fairfield, as 17 dead date, and an immature male King beginning with an early Pied ported in many coastal locations Srow Geese fell out ci the sky Eider at SJSP April10(RS). billed Grebe in the Naugatuck in April and May, fueling speru during a violent thunder stonn. River, Woodl:my, March 10(RN), lation of possible breeding on They lodged in trees, etc., but the HAWKS 1HROUGH TERNS the first of many statewide re Olimon lsland(MB). An inland few examined, appeared to be in Die-hard Conrecticut hawk ports. ln early March trere were record at Southbury Training good condition(MB). Could they watchers did not have much to 100- 200 Homed Grebes at Sher School(RN) April 24 was un have been hit by lightning cross cheer about this spring. The wood Island State Park (hereafter usual. The first Green-backed ing from cloud to cloud? Very weather during peak accipter SlSP) with a peak of 200+ April Heron report was May S(IG). interesting. Ore immature Srow aild Broad-wing migration, mid 1(FM,FP). The late record was a Black-crowned Night Herons Goose was sighted May 15 in to late April, saw poor winds and breeding-plumage bird at were reported as doing ex Utchfield(RN,et al) and 1300 poorer flights. A mack Vulture Milford Point May 28(m.ob), tremely well at Chimon Brant were counted at Greenwich was reported in Greenwich along while a late inland rerord was on lsland(MB) and througrout the Point May 26(JZ). the Merritt Parkway March Bantam Lake April 24(LG). state (to the chagrin of tern ban The rather orderly March 23(RW) and early Turkey Vulture Single Red-necked Grebes were ders in a few kx:ations), while weather rroved most waterfowl sightings March 6(CE) and also seen at SlSP, 1 March 24(FM) Yellow-crowned Night Herons through in good numbers. A 12(RN) were obviously m>ving and 2 Apri16(RS) as was an Eared appeared April 12 in Eurasian Common Teal was north, perhaps from in-state win Grebe which attracted many Stratford(DTr,LG) and April 13 spotted in a flock of approxi tering grounds. The raptor of the birders in late Februaiy. in Fairfield(DR). mately 200 Green-winged Teal at seaoon was a Swallow-tailed Kite Seventy-plus Great Cormo Glossy Ibis showed up in the Milford Point(MB,RRo) and one seen in Clinton May 24(FS), right rants along the coast March first two weeks of April with 5 at wonders whether this was the in line with nwrerous reports 8(FM) diminished to a single WMF April12(LG) a good inland srure individual found annually from New Jerseyand New York adult remaining at Milford Point number. Eight ibis feeding in a at nearby Gulf Pond. Other duck of this species and Mississippi May 8(DTr), while Double wet field in Old Lytre(BC) May sightings were 35 Pintails in Kites. It was not re-sighted. crested Cormorant flocks flying 10 were not unusual in the Con South Windsor March 19(SKe); Ospreys were very numer north in mid-April drew necticut River Valley, but were and a number of SOOveler reports ous along the sroreline by late rotice(CG). With the burgeoning still unexpected. Totally unex - 4 at Milford Point March Maicll, with a very early inland Great Lakes breeding popula pected was a reported all-white 29(MB), 2 April 3(SKo), 2 April report March 5 in East tion, might there be a connec- ibis May 22 at North Cove, Old 9(JB) and 4 again April 1(}.12 (3 Hartford(J&MLy). More than 11 80 THE CONNECTicur WARBLER VOUJME VIII, NUMBER 4 81 were seen at Griswold Point, Old ported at WMF May Reeve) was unusual, but the criti twos. Lyme, March 27(FM) and a pair 12(NC,HC,JKi). An American cally studioo Godwit was one of Common Bam Owls again nested at Harnmonasset Beach Coot was reported in Suffield but a handful of spring records. nested on an I-95 bridge in State Park (hereafter HBSP) for Man:h 19(SI 82 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOUJME Vlll, NUMBER 4 83 were seen at Griswold Point, Old ported at WMF May Reeve) was unusual, but the criti twos. Lyme, March 27(FM) and a pair 12(NC,HC,JKi). An American cally studioo Godwit was one of Common Bam Owls again nested at Harnmonasset Beach Coot was reported in Suffield but a handful of spring records. nested on an I-95 bridge in State Park (hereafter HBSP) for Man:h 19(SI 82 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOUJME Vlll, NUMBER 4 83 16(RA) and a flock of 2(XXH.Tree (d) wonderful to behold wren Hooded Warbler April 29 in East Ashford(WE) and in Kent May Swallows pushed through Bark ever found. Rock Park(RE). 13(LG) and 15(RN) were good hamsted April 19(SI 84 THE CONNECTICUf WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 85 16(RA) and a flock of 2(XXH.Tree (d) wonderful to behold wren Hooded Warbler April 29 in East Ashford(WE) and in Kent May Swallows pushed through Bark ever found. Rock Park(RE). 13(LG) and 15(RN) were good hamsted April 19(SI 84 THE CONNECTICUf WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 85 Olipping Sparrows showed up for an abundance of Red OCCURRENCE OF THE CHOUGH around April 5-10(mob). Grass Crossbills throughout the state. IN CONNECTICUf hopper Sparrows were singing at 1 2 Bradley Field, Windsor Locks, Observers; Contributors(boldface): Arnold Devine and Dwight G. Smith May 12(DTr,FZ) while Fox Spar Ralph Amodei, Grit On November 23-24, 1987, proached, and was not again rows were in Storrs March Ardwin, James Bair, Charles between 1200-1220 hours a observed. 15(GC) and an impressive 25 Barnard, Jr., Ray Belding, Louis Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhoco Subsequent sightings of this were at West Rock March 21(IG). Bevier, Steve Broker, Milan Bull, rax) was observed along Philo species, presumably the same lincoln's Sparrows hit SISP May Ellen Oark, George Clarl<, Jr., Curtis Road in Newtown, Con individual, were made February 12 and 14(RSo) and Miles Saoctu Barbara Corey, Harold CraOOall, necticut by Arnold Devine. Four 15, 1988 at exit 10, I-84, Newtown, ary, Sharon May 13(NC,HC,]Ki). T. I. Crossman, Neil Cunie, Maty photographs were taken on N~ by Mark Szantyr, aro on Apri13, Swamp Sparrow was in Wood Czlapinski, Paul Desjardins, vember 24. Sky conditions on 1988 on tre lawn at the Southbury bury April 9(RN) - a migrant or Buzz Devine, Angela Dimmitt, both days were sunny to partly Training School, Southbury, CT, winter resident? Carl Ekroth, Walter Ellison, Rich cloudy with air temperatures by JohnGallo. Sam Lapland Longspurs (6) at ard English, Fried, Merion between 40-53 degrees F. The origin of this Chough is Lordship March 3 86 THE CONNECI'ICUT WARBLER VOWME Vlll, NUMBER 4 fr7 Olipping Sparrows showed up for an abundance of Red OCCURRENCE OF THE CHOUGH around April 5-10(mob). Grass Crossbills throughout the state. IN CONNECTICUf hopper Sparrows were singing at 1 2 Bradley Field, Windsor Locks, Observers; Contributors(boldface): Arnold Devine and Dwight G. Smith May 12(DTr,FZ) while Fox Spar Ralph Amodei, Grit On November 23-24, 1987, proached, and was not again rows were in Storrs March Ardwin, James Bair, Charles between 1200-1220 hours a observed. 15(GC) and an impressive 25 Barnard, Jr., Ray Belding, Louis Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhoco Subsequent sightings of this were at West Rock March 21(IG). Bevier, Steve Broker, Milan Bull, rax) was observed along Philo species, presumably the same lincoln's Sparrows hit SISP May Ellen Oark, George Clarl<, Jr., Curtis Road in Newtown, Con individual, were made February 12 and 14(RSo) and Miles Saoctu Barbara Corey, Harold CraOOall, necticut by Arnold Devine. Four 15, 1988 at exit 10, I-84, Newtown, ary, Sharon May 13(NC,HC,]Ki). T. I. Crossman, Neil Cunie, Maty photographs were taken on N~ by Mark Szantyr, aro on Apri13, Swamp Sparrow was in Wood Czlapinski, Paul Desjardins, vember 24. Sky conditions on 1988 on tre lawn at the Southbury bury April 9(RN) - a migrant or Buzz Devine, Angela Dimmitt, both days were sunny to partly Training School, Southbury, CT, winter resident? Carl Ekroth, Walter Ellison, Rich cloudy with air temperatures by JohnGallo. Sam Lapland Longspurs (6) at ard English, Fried, Merion between 40-53 degrees F. The origin of this Chough is Lordship March 3 86 THE CONNECI'ICUT WARBLER VOWME Vlll, NUMBER 4 fr7 ON THE OCCURRENCE OF A PAIR OF seenroto be conbacting. Con Mackenzie, Locke. 1%1. The trarily, the details provided birds of Guilford, Connecticut. RED-BELI.JED WOODPECKERS about the species' history in Yale PeabodyMuseum of IN NORTHWESTERN CONNECTICUf Connecticut by Luppi (1985) Natural History, New Haven. S. Dillon Ripley srow that in the last decade the 110 pp. state's's population has in Merriam, C H 1877. A review of In November 1985, a single first time, in addition to its char creased dramatically, although the birds of Connecticut. male Red-bellied Woodpecker acteristic low rattling call, we sredid not explidtly dte rerords Tuttle, Morerouse and Taylor, (Melanerpes carolinus) was seen have heard a loud drumming, from our western uplands. 'The New Haven. 165 pp. in the trees around our rouse in audible for a long distance, which Litchfield rerord of a pair of birds Peterson, R T. 1980. A field guide litchfield (27 miles due west of I thought to be a Pileated Wood srowing indications of breeding to the birds. Houghton Mifflin, Hartford, altitude 950 feet), in the pecker (Dryocopus pileatus). On appears to be a first for the hills of Boston. 384 pp. northwestern part of Connecti the contrary, this is an aspect of northwestern Conrecticut. Sage, J. H, L. B. Bishop, and W. P. cut To my knowledge, this was display behavior of the Red-bel Bliss. 1913. The birds of Con one of the first occurrences of this lied Woodpecker that I have not l.nffiAlURE CIIFD necticut Geologicaland Natu species in our state's "Canadian previously noted. It is a loud, Bent, A C. 1939. Life histories of ral History Survey, Hartford. Zone" wooded areas (Merriam ringing note like an alarm bell, North American wood-peck 370 pp. 1877, Sage et al. 1913, Bent 1939, and when the timbre of the ers. Bull. U. S. National Mu Short, L. L 1982. Woodpeckers of Mackenzie 1961, Luppi 1985). branch is suitable, the drumming seum, Washington, D.C. 322 the World. No. 4, Monog. Series The climate in northwestern can carry for a quarter mile. As of PP· of the IRiaware Museum of Connecticut approaches that of April 1988 the pair appeared to be Luppi, JoanneA 1985. Conrecti- Natural History. Greenville the Berkshire Hills to the north, actively engaged in nest-build cut birds: Red-bellied Wood IRiaware. 535 pp. being considerably colder in ing, much to my delight. pecker. Connecticut Warbler 5: winter. The northern limit of this 35-37. The woodpecker carne to a species' range is quite ilTegular, NHB Room 336, Smithsonian feeder containing suet and I ob with small outpost populations Institution, Washington, DC served it periodically througrout in various parts of the Northeast; 20560 the winter, although it disap single individuals have recently peared after that. In the autumn been recorded wintering as far of 1986, a male (same bird?) reap north as Nova Scotia and New peared and seemed to be present Brunswick (see recent reports in for a far longer time, coming to American Birds). Peterson (1980) the feeder when we provided shows the range of the species to suet and, even taking seeds put include the southern half of Con out for wintering passerines. necticut where he indicates that it A female was present in the is a permanent resident. L. L. spring of 1987; the pair was on Short (1982) states that Red-bel site during the entire season. lied Woodpeckers have bred That autumn I observed that a north to North Dakota, Canada role was being excavated in a and in the northeast, as far as dense stub of an ash tree. The pair Massachusetts. Stickel (1%3, now appears to be resident. cited in Short 1980) remarked that During the spring of 1988, for the in the 1960's the species' range 88 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 89 ON THE OCCURRENCE OF A PAIR OF seenroto be conbacting. Con Mackenzie, Locke. 1%1. The trarily, the details provided birds of Guilford, Connecticut. RED-BELI.JED WOODPECKERS about the species' history in Yale PeabodyMuseum of IN NORTHWESTERN CONNECTICUf Connecticut by Luppi (1985) Natural History, New Haven. S. Dillon Ripley srow that in the last decade the 110 pp. state's's population has in Merriam, C H 1877. A review of In November 1985, a single first time, in addition to its char creased dramatically, although the birds of Connecticut. male Red-bellied Woodpecker acteristic low rattling call, we sredid not explidtly dte rerords Tuttle, Morerouse and Taylor, (Melanerpes carolinus) was seen have heard a loud drumming, from our western uplands. 'The New Haven. 165 pp. in the trees around our rouse in audible for a long distance, which Litchfield rerord of a pair of birds Peterson, R T. 1980. A field guide litchfield (27 miles due west of I thought to be a Pileated Wood srowing indications of breeding to the birds. Houghton Mifflin, Hartford, altitude 950 feet), in the pecker (Dryocopus pileatus). On appears to be a first for the hills of Boston. 384 pp. northwestern part of Connecti the contrary, this is an aspect of northwestern Conrecticut. Sage, J. H, L. B. Bishop, and W. P. cut To my knowledge, this was display behavior of the Red-bel Bliss. 1913. The birds of Con one of the first occurrences of this lied Woodpecker that I have not l.nffiAlURE CIIFD necticut Geologicaland Natu species in our state's "Canadian previously noted. It is a loud, Bent, A C. 1939. Life histories of ral History Survey, Hartford. Zone" wooded areas (Merriam ringing note like an alarm bell, North American wood-peck 370 pp. 1877, Sage et al. 1913, Bent 1939, and when the timbre of the ers. Bull. U. S. National Mu Short, L. L 1982. Woodpeckers of Mackenzie 1961, Luppi 1985). branch is suitable, the drumming seum, Washington, D.C. 322 the World. No. 4, Monog. Series The climate in northwestern can carry for a quarter mile. As of PP· of the IRiaware Museum of Connecticut approaches that of April 1988 the pair appeared to be Luppi, JoanneA 1985. Conrecti- Natural History. Greenville the Berkshire Hills to the north, actively engaged in nest-build cut birds: Red-bellied Wood IRiaware. 535 pp. being considerably colder in ing, much to my delight. pecker. Connecticut Warbler 5: winter. The northern limit of this 35-37. The woodpecker carne to a species' range is quite ilTegular, NHB Room 336, Smithsonian feeder containing suet and I ob with small outpost populations Institution, Washington, DC served it periodically througrout in various parts of the Northeast; 20560 the winter, although it disap single individuals have recently peared after that. In the autumn been recorded wintering as far of 1986, a male (same bird?) reap north as Nova Scotia and New peared and seemed to be present Brunswick (see recent reports in for a far longer time, coming to American Birds). Peterson (1980) the feeder when we provided shows the range of the species to suet and, even taking seeds put include the southern half of Con out for wintering passerines. necticut where he indicates that it A female was present in the is a permanent resident. L. L. spring of 1987; the pair was on Short (1982) states that Red-bel site during the entire season. lied Woodpeckers have bred That autumn I observed that a north to North Dakota, Canada role was being excavated in a and in the northeast, as far as dense stub of an ash tree. The pair Massachusetts. Stickel (1%3, now appears to be resident. cited in Short 1980) remarked that During the spring of 1988, for the in the 1960's the species' range 88 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 89 volatile plastics that will chemi graphs of the Wood Stork in PHOTOGRAPIDC DOCUMENrATION cally affect the picture. Because Connecticut. Thus, it is desirable FOR CONNECTICUT BlliDS exposure to intense light, as in a that individuals possessing im George A Clark, Jr. slide projector, greatly reduces portant documentary photo the useful life of slides, copies of graphs arrange for duplicates or In the latter half of the twen unusual dates. It appears likely documentary slides (rather than extras to be placed in archives tieth century, the camera has that photography will become originals) should be used for such as those of the Connecticut become, in certain respects, a increasingly important in future repeated projection. With these Rare Records Committee and/ or successor to ornithology's shot documentation. few precautions, color slides may an appropriate museum. Unlike gun of the previous century. One Specitrens and photographs be kept in good condition for museum specimens, photo hundred years ago collectors are not fully equivalent, but a many years. graphs can usually be easily went afield and brought home strong case can be made that Although photography has duplicated. A dispersed distri specimens to document occur documentary photographs been for decades a major tech bution of copies reduces the rence. Today's bird photogra should be given the same quality nique in ornithology, museums chance of loss and makes the phers bring back photographic of attention to specimens. In with ornithological collections photographs easier for others to images that are often used for particular, each documentary have generally not attempted to locate for scientific study. equivalent purposes. The goal of photograph should be fully la accumulate documentary photo As institutional collections of this article is to provide a brief belled with the date, locality, and graphs. An important exception documentary photographs introduction to documentary name of the photographer. This has been Proj2ct Vireo, a major grow, there will be a need for photography in contemporary information should be clearly photographic collection devoted cataloging and computerization Connecticut ornithology. printed on the slide mount or to ornithology and housed under as is now often done for specimen Any exact tabulation on back side of the print. Additional archival conditions at the Acad collections. Ideally, documen documentation for Connecticut data might also be recorded, such emy of Natural Sciencesin Phila tary photographs should not be birds will quickly become dated, as more detail on the locality and delphia (Myers et al. 1984). used for other purposes. At the so the end of 1987 was arbitrarily cirrumst:ances, the film used, fo Within Connecticut, there is a Connecticut State Museum of chosen as a closing date. At that cal length of lens and specific small but growing collection of Natural History, there is a grow time, according to information in details of exposure. Documen documentary photographs at the ing file of more than 650 slides on the files of the Connecticut Rare tary photographs should be Connecticut State Museum of birds routinely used for lectures Records Committee, at least 321 stored and handled carefully. Natural History in Storrs. Per and other illustrative purposes, species of birds were docu Although most individuals and haps an historic lack of institu in addition to the collection of mented for the State by existing nonprofit institutions cannot af tional photographic collections documentary photographs. specimens preserved in seven ford the substantial costs of long for birds has resulted in many Although 35mm slides of museums. An additional 32 spe term storage in controlled-di important documentary photo excellent quality are available for cies of bitds were documented by mate chambers, even simple ef graphs remaining in the purchase through Proj2ct Vireo, photographs (which had been forts can greatly contnbute to the possesion of individual photog the Comell Laboratory of Orni published for at least 12 of these longevity of photographs. Pi0- raphers. Just as many specimens thology in Ithaca, New Yorl< and species). In addition to photo tures should be kept free of mois in the private bird collections of through commerical agencies, graphs documenting State occur ture, dust and dirt and stored in the 1800's have now disap many of those who regularly lec rence, there exist numerous pho the darl< and away from extremes peared, there is a risk that scien ture on bitds or seek photographs tographs that docurrent behav of temperature, particularly heat. tifically significant documentary for publications wish to obtain ior, ecology, breeding records, Prints should be housed in add photographs will also be lost. pictures that are not commer and occurrence of rarities or spe free envelopes and slides should This has apparently already 00- dally available. For such pur cies in unusual localities and/ or not be stored in holders made of curred with the only photo- poses as well as for research e£- 90 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 91 volatile plastics that will chemi graphs of the Wood Stork in PHOTOGRAPIDC DOCUMENrATION cally affect the picture. Because Connecticut. Thus, it is desirable FOR CONNECTICUT BlliDS exposure to intense light, as in a that individuals possessing im George A Clark, Jr. slide projector, greatly reduces portant documentary photo the useful life of slides, copies of graphs arrange for duplicates or In the latter half of the twen unusual dates. It appears likely documentary slides (rather than extras to be placed in archives tieth century, the camera has that photography will become originals) should be used for such as those of the Connecticut become, in certain respects, a increasingly important in future repeated projection. With these Rare Records Committee and/ or successor to ornithology's shot documentation. few precautions, color slides may an appropriate museum. Unlike gun of the previous century. One Specitrens and photographs be kept in good condition for museum specimens, photo hundred years ago collectors are not fully equivalent, but a many years. graphs can usually be easily went afield and brought home strong case can be made that Although photography has duplicated. A dispersed distri specimens to document occur documentary photographs been for decades a major tech bution of copies reduces the rence. Today's bird photogra should be given the same quality nique in ornithology, museums chance of loss and makes the phers bring back photographic of attention to specimens. In with ornithological collections photographs easier for others to images that are often used for particular, each documentary have generally not attempted to locate for scientific study. equivalent purposes. The goal of photograph should be fully la accumulate documentary photo As institutional collections of this article is to provide a brief belled with the date, locality, and graphs. An important exception documentary photographs introduction to documentary name of the photographer. This has been Proj2ct Vireo, a major grow, there will be a need for photography in contemporary information should be clearly photographic collection devoted cataloging and computerization Connecticut ornithology. printed on the slide mount or to ornithology and housed under as is now often done for specimen Any exact tabulation on back side of the print. Additional archival conditions at the Acad collections. Ideally, documen documentation for Connecticut data might also be recorded, such emy of Natural Sciencesin Phila tary photographs should not be birds will quickly become dated, as more detail on the locality and delphia (Myers et al. 1984). used for other purposes. At the so the end of 1987 was arbitrarily cirrumst:ances, the film used, fo Within Connecticut, there is a Connecticut State Museum of chosen as a closing date. At that cal length of lens and specific small but growing collection of Natural History, there is a grow time, according to information in details of exposure. Documen documentary photographs at the ing file of more than 650 slides on the files of the Connecticut Rare tary photographs should be Connecticut State Museum of birds routinely used for lectures Records Committee, at least 321 stored and handled carefully. Natural History in Storrs. Per and other illustrative purposes, species of birds were docu Although most individuals and haps an historic lack of institu in addition to the collection of mented for the State by existing nonprofit institutions cannot af tional photographic collections documentary photographs. specimens preserved in seven ford the substantial costs of long for birds has resulted in many Although 35mm slides of museums. An additional 32 spe term storage in controlled-di important documentary photo excellent quality are available for cies of bitds were documented by mate chambers, even simple ef graphs remaining in the purchase through Proj2ct Vireo, photographs (which had been forts can greatly contnbute to the possesion of individual photog the Comell Laboratory of Orni published for at least 12 of these longevity of photographs. Pi0- raphers. Just as many specimens thology in Ithaca, New Yorl< and species). In addition to photo tures should be kept free of mois in the private bird collections of through commerical agencies, graphs documenting State occur ture, dust and dirt and stored in the 1800's have now disap many of those who regularly lec rence, there exist numerous pho the darl< and away from extremes peared, there is a risk that scien ture on bitds or seek photographs tographs that docurrent behav of temperature, particularly heat. tifically significant documentary for publications wish to obtain ior, ecology, breeding records, Prints should be housed in add photographs will also be lost. pictures that are not commer and occurrence of rarities or spe free envelopes and slides should This has apparently already 00- dally available. For such pur cies in unusual localities and/ or not be stored in holders made of curred with the only photo- poses as well as for research e£- 90 THE CONNECTICUT WARBLER VOLUME Vlll, NUMBER 4 91 forts, new pictures must be taken. casl Although the present gen 1HE CONNECTICUT WARBLER A vast literature exists on photo eration of video cameras cannot graphic t<..'Chniqucsand only a produce pictures of tre quality Editor few comments will be made here. attainable with ordinaty 35mm Betty S. Kleiner, Simsbury Successful bird photography cameras, it seems posstble that 5 Flintlock Ridge, Simsbwy 06070 usually requires some technical within 10 years high resolution Art Director knowledge of photography and electronic images may begin to Patrick J. Lynch, Cheshire often nea.'SSitatcs investment of replace the photographic emul Associme Editors considerable time. Relative to sions now in use. Such develop Robert A. Askins, New I.Dndon FrederickPurnell Jr., Darien birding, bird photography can be ments would provide new chal Anthony H. Bledsoe, New Haven Fred C. Sibley, Guilford expensive in view of costs for lrngcs in the exciting enterprise George A. Clark, Jr. , Storrs Clay Taylor, Moodus cquiprn."'lt, film and proressing. of bird photography. Jay B. Kaplan, Canton Carl J. Trichka, Fairfield In the usual case, the preferred Editorial AdWory Board camera is a 35mrn single lens re ACKNOWLEDGMENI'S Michael Harwood, Washington, Chairman flex with interchangeable lens. I thank the many individuals Noble Proctor &cause birds often cannot be who have provided information John Terres closely approached, long tele about photographs of Connecti The Conna:ticut WarlJler , is devoted to the study c:Lbirds, and is published photo lenses of 300 to 1 Connecticut Birds ~~~~,.....' ' George A Clark, Jr. The Connecticut Ornithological Association 314 UnquowaRoad Non-Profit Org. Fairfield, CT 06430 U.S. Postage PAID Fairfield, CT Permit No. 275 Volume VIll No. 4 October 1988 Pages 69-92