January 2008 - Costa Rica - Trip Report>>
Blue-throated Toucanet. Costa Rica.
Photo by Gina Nichol. January 2008.

LOCAL CONNECTICUT SIGHTINGS
1/16/2008 -- From Luke Tiller:
I spent a nice morning down in Bridgeport leading a great group of birders around various spots. Good to be back in the country, catching up with friends, meeting some new ones and doing some birding.

There wasn't a host of uncommon species around, but Captains Cove Marina was exceedingly birdy. The LESSER SCAUP were in two rafts and numbered easily 100-150 birds - almost a surprise there was nothing in with them - when they are in in those numbers there is often a Redhead accompanying. We had a good discussion on the value of giss in identifying scaup as well as plumage details etc. Canvasbacks and Ruddy Duck were also nice to see.

Seaside Park was quiet with none of the hoped for white winged gulls (seem thin on the ground thus far on the coast?) but a female AMERICAN KESTREL was a bonus for most Big January listers. We then went to Beardlsey Park. Again the lake was quite quiet with only a hundred or two gulls present but with the bonus of an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL last weeks trash bird becomes this weeks rarity!

Finished off at Long Beach in Stratford where it was fairly quiet we did however get amazing looks? at Oldsquaw (and a few digiscoped shots), just meters off of the beach (I've rarely if ever seen them so close to shore). A huge distant raft of Goldeneye were somewhere just off of Pleasure Beach but the few that could be safely identified from that distance all seemed to be Commons. On the way out a male AMERICAN KESTREL was perched up near the airport.
Luke Tiller, Wilton
www.sunrisebirding.com

12/25/2007 - From Gina Nichol :
Madison, Hammonasset State Park -- 1 RED CROSSBILL, 6 SNOW BUNTING, 7 PURPLE SANDPIPER, 11 COMMON REDPOLL, 1 LAPLAND LONGSPUR

12/23/2007 - From Gina Nichol :
Madison, Hammonasset State Park, West Beach parking area (8 - 9:30 AM) --
11+ RED CROSSBILLS, 3 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH
The car access to West Beach was blocked this morning though the road was fairly free of ice. I walked in from the East Beach lot suspecting there would be something there and I was pleased with how easy they were to see. The birds are working the line of pines along the edge of parking lot. They are fairly noisy and tame allowing close looks in the shorter pines.

Ecuador - November 2007 Trip Report>>
Oilbirds in a newly discovered colony near Quito, Ecuador
Photo by John Ashworth. November 2007
More info in Ecuador Trip Report>>
Click for larger view>>

From Luke Tiller and Sunrise Birding Walk:
11/24/07 - Norwalk Harbor Tour, Norwalk -- EURASIAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELER, BLACK VULTURE, FOX SPARROW, PURPLE FINCH
Other Species Recorded: Pied-billed Grebe, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Am. Black Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Cardinal, American Tree Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow, American Goldfinch.

--It was a great day to be out enjoying a crisp but blue skied New England morning. Highlight of the trip for me was both the abundance and variety of species of waterfowl on the Aspetuck Reservoir. In all we managed to total 13 species of ducks including 1 EURASIAN WIGEON, 3 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 4 Ruddy Ducks and 1 Green-winged Teal. The Eurasian Wigeon is a genuine ABA (American Birding Association) area rarity as I mentioned on the walk but is in fact a grade 3 not grade 4 species and the Shovelers although not uncommon are notoriously difficult to stumble upon in the State. There is a listserve dedicated to hard to find ABA birds and where they can be found here: http://www.birdingonthe.net/hotmail/tuffbirds.html

As well as a profusion of waterfowl it was nice to see the Black Vultures as they reach something of their northern limit here in southern New England and it was good to find a number of fairly uncommon winter visitors: Fox Sparrows, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and of course some Purple Finches. In total we managed about 50 species for the day which to my mind is pretty good going for an inland trip in late November.

11/16/07 - From Gina Nichol :
Madison, Hammonasset State Park -- NORTHERN GANNET, AMERICAN BITTERN
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, Surf Scoter, Red-throated Loon, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Downy Woodpecker, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch. 

-- Eight hardy birders went out this morning despite the brisk west wind at Hammonasset. The Long Island Sound was quite kicked up making it difficult to see any loons and sea ducks. We were rewarded, however, with great looks at one of the American Bitterns that has been frequenting the marsh east of the Meig's Point parking field. Earlier this week, there were two Bitterns there, but today we only saw one. As we walked along the road by the marsh, a large group of American Black Ducks took flight, but to our delight, the Bittern remained. Ironically, it was closer than any of the ducks and we were thrilled at its lack of shyness. The bird was no more than 40 feet away - the closest I've seen this year. My experience recently is that these birds are not necessarily shy, it's their camouflage and skulking habits that make them difficult to see.

11/12/07 - From Gina Nichol:
Madison, Hammonasset State Park (10 AM - noon) -- NORTHERN GANNET, AMERICAN BITTERN, HUDSONIAN GODWIT, PURPLE SANDPIPER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, Mallard, Surf Scoter, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Coopers Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Downy Woodpecker,
American Crow, Horned Lark, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch. Harbor Seal.

11/10/07 - From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Workshop:
Madison, Hammonasset State Park (8:30-11 AM) Meig's Point area -- NORTHERN GANNET, 15 SNOW BUNTINGS, FIELD SPARROW
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Northern Harrier, Black-bellied Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Downy Woodpecker, American Crow, Black-capped
Chickadee, Northern Mockingbird, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, American Goldfinch. 

From Luke Tiller and Sunrise Birding Walk
11/10 - Westport, Compo Beach -- 12 Forster's Terns, 9 Snow Buntings, 5 Horned Larks. Nyala Farms - 30 American Pipits
Highlights at Compo Beach in Westport 12 Forster's Tern's - some providing particularly nice in flight views, 9 Snow Buntings and 5 Horned Larks - a probable Longspur wouldn't come down or call and circled out west. Nyala Farms - 30 American Pipits and to me almost as exciting 2 dozy Coyotes soaking up some rays and napping in the middle of the field. Surprisingly little on the sound today, however some of the little ponds around Westport are starting to fill up with puddle ducks.

11/09/07 - From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
New Haven, Lighthouse Point, -- WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (juv.), FOX SPARROW, SNOW BUNTING, PURPLE FINCH (female), EASTERN MEADOWLARK
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, Mallard, Red-breasted Merganser, Double-crested Cormorant, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch.

Fox Sparrow photo by Walt Duncan.
Lighthouse Point, November 9, 2007

10/20/07 - From Luke Tiller & Sunrise Birding walk:
Westport, Sherwood Island State Park -- AMERICAN PIPIT, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
Other species recorded: Red-throated Loon,Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Canada Goose, Mallard, Black Duck, Turkey Vulture, Coopers Hawk, Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, Killdeer, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Laughing Gull, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Field Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-Winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-Headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow

10/16/07 - From Gina Nichol & Sunrise Birding walk:
New Haven, Lighthouse Point, -- 4 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, 12 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch. Red Admiral, Monarch, Gray Squirrel.

White-crowned Sparrow adult (above) and juvenile (left).
The adult bird is likely Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelli. The gambelli subspecies which is very rare in CT. See the COA discussion list thread for this bird>>

Photos taken by Walt Duncan at the Sunrise Birding Sparrow Identification Workshop on October 13, 2007

 

 

 

10/9/07 - From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
Madison, Hammonasset State Park (8-11 AM) -- COMMON EIDER (female), LITTLE BLUE HERON, MARSH WREN, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
Other species recorded: Brant, American Black Duck, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Palm Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch. 

10/6/07 - From Gina Nichol, Julian Hough, and Sunrise Birding Raptor Workshop:
New Haven, Lighthouse Point -- 10 MERLINS, 2 PEREGRINE FALCONS
Also: 5 Osprey, 4 Northern Harrier, 50 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 5 Cooper's Hawk,
1 Broad-winged Hawk, 40 American Kestrel

10/2/07 - From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
New Haven, Lighthouse Point, -- 2 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, Fish Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Palm Warbler, American Redstart, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow. 

9/30/07 - From Gina Nichol:
Madison, Hammonasset State Park (8-11:30 AM) -- COMMON EIDER female, 2 LITTLE BLUE HERON, 2 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 3 BROWN THRASHER, FIELD SPARROW, 2 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (one adult, one juvenile)
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, 2 Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Nashville Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, American Goldfinch. 

9/25/07 - From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
Madison, Hammonasset State Park (8-11 AM) -- 2 CASPIAN TERNS, 5 LITTLE BLUE HERONS, 2 MARSH WRENS, AMERICAN BITTERN
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Osprey, 4 Northern Harrier, 5 Killdeer, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, American Goldfinch. 

Caspian Tern photos courtesy of Angela Smith.

 

From Luke Tiller and Sunrise Birding Group
9/22 - Saugatuck Falls Natural Area, Redding - 1 OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, 35+ PURPLE FINCHES
Other species recorded: Coopers Hawk, Mourning Dove, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Parula, Black and White Warbler, Black-Throated Green Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, Swamp Sparrow, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch

9/20/07 - From Gina Nichol:
Madison, Hammonasset State Park (7-8:30 AM) -- COMMON EIDER female,
2 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, 3 LITTLE BLUE HERONS, MARSH WREN
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, 3 Killdeer, Ruddy Turnstone, Willet, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Vireo, Common Yellowthroat, Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, American Goldfinch. 
Locations:
COMMON EIDER female -Sitting on a rock in the water off the pebble beach on the Moraine Trail at Meig's Point
2 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER - Nature Center parking field, good comparison with a Black-bellied Plover also in the parking field
EASTERN MEADOWLARK - Flew into southeast corner of Nature Center parking lot then perched on top of a cedar across the road, good views
3 LITTLE BLUE HERONS in waterway near swan pond
MARSH WREN in marsh left of entrance road before first rotary

9/19/07 - From Gina Nichol:
Madison, Hammonasset State Park (7-9 AM) -- COMMON EIDER (female), 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BROWN THRASHER, MARSH WREN
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, 4 Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Willet, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Monk Parakeet, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker,
Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Palm Warbler,
Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Sparrow. 
Locations:
COMMON EIDER- off the pebble beach on the Moraine Trail at Meig's Point
2 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER - Nature Center parking field
EASTERN MEADOWLARK - flying over marsh across from East Beach parking lot
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and BROWN THRASHER in shrubs across from East Beach parking lot
MARSH WREN in marsh left of entrance booths

9/18/07 - From Gina Nichol with Sunrise Birding Secret Shorebird walk:
Westbrook, Menunkatesuck Flats -- LITTLE BLUE HERON
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, American Oystercatcher, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Common Grackle, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow.  Eastern Cottontail.

From Luke Tiller and Sunrise Birding walk:
8/4/2007 - Milford, Milford Point
Species recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Osprey, Black-bellied Plover, Piping Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher (both griseus and hendersoni subspecies), Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow.

Galápagos and Ecuador
July 2007 - Trip Report>>

Galápagos Rail. Santa Cruz, Galápagos
Photo by Juan Carlos Calvachi. July 2007
Click for larger view>>

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding walk:
6/15/2007 - West Haven, Sandy Point
Species recorded: Brant, Mallard, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, Osprey, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Willet, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Monk Parakeet, Willow Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, House Finch, American Goldfinch.

GREAT GRAY OWL. Wilson, Wyoming
Photo by Steve Bird. May 30, 2007

Montana, Yellowstone, & the Grand Tetons
Private Tour - May/June 2007>>

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding class:
5/24 - Madison, Hammonasset State Park, Willard's Island, 8 - 10 AM -- AMERICAN BITTERN (flyover at park entrance), 2 LITTLE BLUE HERONS, 3 SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS (close views from observation platform at Willards Island)
Other species recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Osprey, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Willet, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Least Tern, Mourning Dove, Willow Flycatcher, Fish Crow, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, Blackpoll Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch.

5/22/2007 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park -- RUFF
Found by Tim Antanaitis at the Meig's Point pond. 

  

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding walk:
5/22/2007 -- West Haven, Sandy Point (8 - 10 AM) -- SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW
Other species recorded: Brant, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, Clapper Rail, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Killdeer, American Oystercatcher, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Least Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Mourning Dove, Willow Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, House Sparrow.

5/22/2007 -- New Haven, East Rock Park
(Whitney Museum area, 6:30 - 7:30 AM)
Species recorded: Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, American Redstart, Common
Yellowthroat, Canada Warbler, Swamp Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol and New Haven Bird Club group 5/20/2007 -- Lyme, Nehantic State Forest, Keeney Road: On Sunday, May 20, a group of birders from the New Haven Bird Club went to Nehantic State Forest in Lyme for a Bird Walk led by Gina Nichol.  We met at the entrance where we enjoyed the lovely song of a Veery and got great looks at a singing Indigo Bunting perched in a tree in the garden next to the park road.  We walked along Keeney Road where there were several birds singing high in the trees.  At first it was quite difficult to see anything through the leaves but eventually we got good views of several species including Eastern Towhee, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, American Redstart, Gray Catbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Tufted Titmouse, and Red-eyed Vireo.  A Veery on the ground near a little parking area gave good views.  In one area, we heard a bird that we first thought was a Worm-eating Warbler as its song was a one phrase trill.  When we saw the bird, it turned out to be a Blue-winged Warbler that was not singing the traditional two-parted trill of the Blue-winged.  The bird's plumage was interesting as well.  It was very dark on the back of the head and had the eye-line and wing bars of a Blue-winged.  Another nice sighting was an Eastern Wood-Pewee building a nest.   We also saw a Baltimore Oriole doing the same further down the road in an open, swampy area.  Flyovers included Common Loon, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, American Crow, Tree Swallow, and Turkey Vulture.  Red-bellied Woodpecker was heard and Downy was heard as well as seen.  We turned off the main road at yellow gate #12 and walked up a trail where we found three singing Yellow-throated Vireos.  On the way back down to Keeney Road, we coaxed a Black-and-white Warbler down from the tree tops so we could get a decent view of it.  In the swampy area near gate 12, we had Warbling Vireo, Swamp Sparrow (singing, no views), Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Common Grackle, and Common Yellowthroat. In the trees above the swamp, a Great Crested Flycatcher showed well. The surprise of the day was several Purple Martins flying over the swamp.  On the way back to the cars, a few American Robins were seen on the road.  Blue Jays, were also seen.  Our "heard only" list included Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler (we think!), Northern Parula, Chipping Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Carolina Wren, and Mourning Dove.  A few people continued on Keeney Road and found a few more species including Prairie Warbler, Pine Warbler (1 heard - a good day for trillers!), Eastern Kingbird, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-Shouldered Hawk, American Goldfinch, Mallard, Mute Swan, and Solitary Sandpiper.    All in all, it was an enjoyable morning!

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding class:
5/19/2007 -- Branford, Supply Ponds
Species heard and/or seen: Mute Swan, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Northern-Rough-winged Swallow, Barn
Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding class:
5/17 - Madison, Hammonasset State Park, Willard's Island, 8 - 10 AM-- LITTLE BLUE HERON
Other species recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Osprey, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Willet, Least Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Blue Jay, American Crow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Prairie Warbler, American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
5/15/2007 -- New Haven, East Rock Park (Trowbridge area, 8 - 10 AM) -- WILSON'S WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER
Other species recorded: Turkey Vulture, Ring-billed Gull, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue Jay, American Crow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, European Starling, Warbling Vireo, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch, Indigo Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Chipping Sparrow.

From Gina Nichol and Menunkatuck Audubon Birdathon walk:
5/12/2007 -- Branford, Supply Ponds -- KENTUCKY WARBLER, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, ORCHARD ORIOLES
Species recorded: Mute Swan, Mallard, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, European Starling, Warbling Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch. Green Frog, Black Rat Snake, Painted Turtle, Spring Azures, Yellow Swallowtail.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding walk:
5/8/2007 -- Killingworth, Chatfield Hollow
Species recorded: Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Northern Parula, Pine Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding class:
5/6/2007 -- Killingworth, Chatfield Hollow -- WORM-EATING WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER
Other species recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Parula, Pine Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush (2 singing in different locations) Common Yellowthroat, Chipping Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, 65+White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch.  We had AMAZING looks at all the warblers!

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding class:
5/5/2007 -- Branford, Supply Ponds -- 2 ORCHARD ORIOLES
Species recorded: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Osprey, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow-throated Vireo, Blue Jay, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, House Wren, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Towhee, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch

From Gina Nichol:
5/4/2007 -- Killingworth, Chatfield Hollow State Park (7:30 - 9:30 AM) -- YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (both singing)
Other species recorded: Turkey Vulture, Mourning Dove, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Barn Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Pine Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Chipping Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding class:
5/2 - Madison, Hammonasset State Park, Willard's Island area --
2 BROWN THRASHERS, LITTLE BLUE HERON, 2 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, PEREGRINE FALCON
Other species recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Glossy Ibis, Osprey, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Least Sandpiper, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol:
5/2 - Madison, Hammonasset State Park, Willard's Island and Meig's Point area -- 9 BOBOLINKS, 3 BROWN THRASHERS, FIELD SPARROW, 2 BLUE-WINGED TEAL
Other species recorded: Brant, American Black Duck, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, American Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Least Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove,
Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Carolina Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch. 2 Coyotes.

Eastern Kingbird. Photo © Gina Nichol. Bolivar, Texas. April 2007   Texas trip report>>

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
5/1/2007 -- New Haven, East Rock Park
Species recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Ring-billed Gull, Wild Turkey, Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Kingbird, Chimney Swift, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, American Robin, Warbling Vireo, Blank-and-White Warbler, Palm Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
4/28/2007 -- Killingworth, Chatfield Hollow State Park
Species recorded: Mallard, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Mourning Dove, Pileated Woodpecker (in nest hole), Eastern Phoebe, Warbling Vireo, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American Robin, Pine Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch.  Red Eft, Eastern Chipmunk.

April 10 - 25, 2007
TEXAS SPRING MIGRATION TOUR
Trip Report & Photo Gallery >>

Golden-cheeked Warbler
Photo © Gina Nichol
Lost Maples, Texas. April 2007

From Gina Nichol
and Sunrise Birding Group:
4/5/2007 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - NORTHERN GANNET, PEREGRINE FALCON
Other species recorded (west side of park and campground): Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Workshop:
3/28/2007 -- Branford, Branford Supply Ponds -- PURPLE FINCH heard singing in pines near orange trail
Other species heard and/or seen: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Wood Duck, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Group:
3/28/2007 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - PECTORAL SANDPIPER
Other species recorded (Meig's Point area): Brant, American Black Duck, Mallard, Surf Scoter, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Osprey, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, American Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Horned Lark, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch, Harbor Seal.

From Gina Nichol:
3/26/2007 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - PECTORAL SANDPIPER with Killdeer in Meig's Point grass parking lot.
Other notable sightings: Great Egret at the swan pond, Green-winged Teal and Greater Yellowlegs at the pond next to the parking lot at Meig's. Osprey and Eastern Phoebe (first ones I've seen at Hammo this spring).

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Group:
3/21/2007 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - 3 PURPLE SANDPIPERS, 1 BONAPARTE'S GULL, 1 EASTERN MEADOWLARK, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, American Wigeon, Surf Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, American Crow, Horned Lark, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Harbor Seal. Opossum.

The Purple Sandpipers were on the rocks at the end of the Meig's Point Jetty. The lone Bonaparte's Gull was feeding on the beach at Meig's Point. The Eastern Meadowlark flew across the big parking lot landing a few times as it moved in a northwesterly direction toward the marsh. The Rough-legged was seen from the Cedar Island Trail flying toward Willard's Island.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding class:
3/18/2007 -- Killingworth, Chatfield Hollow State Park - AMERICAN WOODCOCK, 3 BROWN CREEPERS, 3 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES,
2 FOX SPARROWS
Other species recorded: Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird.

American Woodcock at Chatfield Hollow. March 18, 2007. Photo by Gina Nichol.

From Gina Nichol & Sunrise Birding group:
3/14/2007 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - AMERICAN BITTERN, PURPLE SANDPIPER, BONAPARTE'S GULLS
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, American Oystercatcher, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling,
Dunlin, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Monk Parakeet, American Crow, Horned Lark, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Harbor Seal.

March 3 - 11, 2007
Winter Specialties of Southern New England Tour>>
Short-eared Owl
Photo by Steve Bird. Winter Specialties Tour 2007.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding walk:
2/21/2007 -- Westbrook, Menunketesuck flats - 45+ PURPLE SANDPIPERS
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, American Black Duck, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Black-bellied Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-Backed Gull, American Crow, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Song Sparrow, House Finch 
Westbrook, Salt Island sea wall: BONAPARTE'S GULL, Ruddy Duck, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
2/9/2007 -- Westbrook, Menunketesuck flats - 3 PURPLE SANDPIPERS
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, Mallard, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Black-bellied Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, House Finch

From Gina Nichol:
10/27/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - 4 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, 2 AMERICAN PIPITS
Other species recorded: Brant, American Black Duck, Surf Scoter, Red-Throated Loon, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, American Kestrel, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, American Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, Field Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, American Goldfinch. 6 Harbor Seals.

Great Blue Heron at Hammonasset State Park, Madison.  Photo by Gina Nichol.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Class:
10/26/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - VESPER SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
Other species recorded: Brant, American Black Duck, Surf Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Northern Harrier, Black-bellied Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal. 5 Harbor Seals.

From Gina Nichol:
10/24/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park (7-9 AM)- WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren (heard), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, 70+ Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Class:
10/19/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - VESPER SPARROW (working field edge across from Swan Pond)
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Osprey, Merlin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren (heard), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, House Finch

Chile sightings - 2006>>

From Gina Nichol & Sunrise Birding Group:
9/28/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, 3 LITTLE BLUE HERONS
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, White-winged Scoter, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Osprey, Greater Yellowlegs, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren (heard by the rotary on the way out), Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Common Yellowthroat, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch.

Little Blue Heron. Photo by Jim Murtaugh.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Class:
9/26/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Meigs parking lot), 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 3 LITTLE BLUE HERONS (adults)
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Osprey, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Sanderling, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Wood-pewee, Eastern Phoebe, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, House Finch, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol:
9/25/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park (8 - 9 AM) - PHILADELPHIA VIREO (Willard Island), AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Meigs parking lot)
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Killdeer, Mourning Dove, Blue Jay, Eastern Phoebe, Carolina Wren, Black-capped Chickadee, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Scarlet Tanager, Palm Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch. Charlie Rafford also reported a Nashville Warbler at Willard Island.

From Gina Nichol, Migration Festival Bird Walk
9/23/2006 -- New Haven, Lighthouse Point Park (9:30 - 10:45 AM) -- PEREGRINE FALCON
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, Great Egret, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Black-capped Chickadee, Gray Catbird, European Starling, American Redstart.

From Gina Nichol with Sunrise Birding group:
9/21/06 -- Groton, Bluff Point, "hot corner" 6:30 - 10 AM -- PHILADELPHIA VIREO, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, 500+ warblers(14 species)
Other species recorded: Mute Swan, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Woodcock, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted titmouse, Veery, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Palm Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Towhee, Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch

From Gina Nichol:
9/20/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park (6:15 - 8 AM on foot*) -
2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS (Meigs Point parking field) 2 LITTLE BLUE HERONS, SCARLET TANAGER
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Sanderling, Least Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Great Horned Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, Eastern Phoebe, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Palm Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch. Eastern Cottontail, Striped Skunk, Gray Squirrel.
*The gate opens to car traffic @ 8 AM.

From Gina Nichol with Sunrise Birding course:
9/19/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - LITTLE BLUE HERON
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Blue Jay, Eastern Phoebe, Fish Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Common Yellowthroat, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol with George Letis (6 PM):
9/18/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - 2 MARBLED GODWITS, 2 SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS

From Gina Nichol:
9/16/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - DICKCISSEL (adult male), WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, PEREGRINE FALCON, 2 MARBLED GODWITS
Also recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Tern, Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Tree Swallow, Northern Flicker, Rock Pigeon, European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Carolina Wren, Savannah Sparrow, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow

From Gina Nichol with Sunrise Birding course:
9/12/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - LITTLE BLUE HERON
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Wood-pewee, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow Warbler, Palm Warbler, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol with Sunrise Birding group:
9/7/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - 1 NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW, 2 MARBLED GODWITS,
1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER
Also recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Mute Swan, Mallard, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Clapper Rail, Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Sanderling, Least Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher (adult & juvenile), Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Gray Catbird, European Starling, House Finch

From Gina Nichol with Sunrise Birding course:
9/5/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - 2 LITTLE BLUE HERONS (adults), MERLIN, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, PURPLE MARTIN, SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW
Other species recorded: Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Laughing Gull, Common Tern, Monk Parakeet, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Tree Swallow, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Common Grackle.

From Gina Nichol:
9/4/2006 -- Branford, Block Island Road (Bruce & Johnson's Marina) - 20+ COMMON NIGHTHAWKS

From Gina Nichol:
9/3/2006 -- Rocky Hill, Rocky Hill Meadows - 2 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, 3 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS. 
Also: Lots of peeps, killdeer, Bald Eagle.

From Gina Nichol:
9/1/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - 3 LITTLE BLUE HERONS (adults)
Other species recorded: American Black Duck, Double-crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Northern Harrier, 3 Cooper's Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Laughing Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Gray Catbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
8/31/2006 -- Guilford, Chaffinch Island Park - 6 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS
Also recorded: American Black Duck, Mallard, Wild Turkey, Double-crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Osprey, American Oystercatcher, Ruddy Turnstone, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Laughing Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Tree Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Cardinal. Probably Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Mammals: Big Brown Bat, Eastern Cottontail, Gray Squirrel

Ruddy Turnstone.  Photo by Gina Nichol.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
8/17/2006 -- Branford, Stony Creek Nature Trail - BALD EAGLE (adult), SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW, LITTLE BLUE HERON (juvenile), MARSH WREN
Also recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Glossy Ibis, American Black Duck, Mallard, Osprey, Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From Gina Nichol:
8/16/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - WESTERN SANDPIPER (juvenile), BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (juvenile), RED KNOT (juvenile), 1 BLACK SKIMMER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, PEREGRINE FALCON
Also recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Mute Swan, Mallard, Semipalmated Plover (adult & juvenile), Piping Plover (adult & juvenile), Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher (adult & juvenile), Greater Yellowlegs, Willet (adult & juvenile), Spotted Sandpiper (adult & juvenile), Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper (adult & juvenile), Least Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher (adult & juvenile), Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, European Starling, American Goldfinch, Yellow Warbler, House Sparrow, Monk Parakeet.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
8/15/06 -- Old Lyme, Watch Rock Preserve - LITTLE BLUE HERON, FORSTER'S TERN, GREEN-WINGED TEAL
Also recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, Turkey Vulture, Mute Swan, Mallard, Osprey, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Downy Woodpecker, American Crow, Carolina Wren, House Wren, Gray Catbird, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol, Julian Hough and Sunrise Birding Shorebird Workshop:
8/14/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - WESTERN SANDPIPER, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (adult & juvenile), RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, BONAPARTE'S GULL
Also recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-heron, Mute Swan, Mallard, Clapper Rail, Semipalmated Plover (adult & juvenile), Piping Plover (adult & juvenile), Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher (adult & juvenile), Greater Yellowlegs, Willet (adult & juvenile), Spotted Sandpiper (adult & juvenile), Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper (adult & juvenile), Least Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher (adult & juvenile), Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, European Starling, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow.

From Gina Nichol:
8/13/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - 2 LITTLE BLUE HERON (adults), PURPLE MARTINS, SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW, 3 BROWN THRASHERS
Other species recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Canada Goose, Osprey, Clapper Rail, Willet, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Killdeer, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Tree Swallow (1,000+), Barn Swallow, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, American Robin, European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From Gina Nichol with Hank Golet:
8/12/06 -- Old Lyme, Watch Rock Preserve - 7 LITTLE BLUE HERONS (1 adult, 6 juvenile)
Also: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker, American Crow, American Redstart, among others.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Walk:
8/10/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - NORTHERN HARRIER
Also recorded: Osprey, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron,Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Short-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Yellow Warbler, Downy Woodpecker, Monk Parakeet, Mourning Dove, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Workshop:
8/8/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 1 BLACK SKIMMER, NORTHERN HARRIER, COMMON NIGHTHAWK
Also recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Clapper Rail, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Short-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Barn Swallow, European Starling, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow. Jan saw a Northern Harrier before the workshop. Tom saw a Common Nighthawk feeding around the street lights in front of Captain's Galley just after the workshop. The colony was very quiet. Most birds were out on the sand bars.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. Photo by Ryan Sayers.
July 25, 2006. Sandy Point, West Haven.

From Gina Nichol and Greg Forbes:
8/6/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - WESTERN SANDPIPER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER
Also recorded: Mute Swan, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Barn Swallow, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow.  No Black Skimmers.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Workshop:
8/5/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - BLACK SKIMMERS, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER
Also recorded: Mute Swan, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Osprey, Black-crowned Night-heron, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Marsh Wren (heard), Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Monk Parakeet, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow.

Black Skimmer photo by Ryan Sayers. July 25, 2006. Sandy Point, West Haven.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding workshop:
8/1/2006 -- Milford, Milford Point -- WHIMBREL, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER
Also recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Brant, Osprey, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Barn Swallow, Marsh Wren (heard), Song Sparrow, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, House Sparrow.

From Gina Nichol with Julian Hough and Sunrise Birding workshop:
7/31/2006 -- Milford, Milford Point -- WHIMBREL, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER
Also recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Brant, Osprey, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Willet, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Mourning Dove, Barn Swallow, Marsh Wren (heard), Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, House Sparrow.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Workshop:
7/29/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - MARSH WREN, BLACK SKIMMERS
Also recorded: Mallard, American Black Duck, Mute Swan, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Short-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Mourning Dove, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Monk Parakeet, Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, House Sparrow, Diamondback Terrapin.

Common Tern photo by Ryan Sayers. July 25, 2006. Sandy Point, West Haven.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Walk:
7/27/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - LITTLE BLUE HERON (juvenile) MARSH WREN, BLACK SKIMMERS
Also recorded: Mallard, Mute Swan, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Short-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Clapper Rain, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Willow Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, House Sparrow.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Workshop:
7/25/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point -
2 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS (adults), BLACK SKIMMERS (adults and chicks)
Also recorded: Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, Clapper Rail, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher (with chick!), Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Short-billed Dowitcher, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Mourning Dove, Barn Swallow, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

Clapper Rail photo by Ryan Sayers. July 25, 2006. Sandy Point, West Haven.

From Gina Nichol:
7/23/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park (Moraine Trail - 11:30 AM to 1 PM) - PECTORAL SANDPIPER, LITTLE BLUE HERON, PURPLE MARTIN, SEASIDE SPARROW, SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW
Other species recorded: Double-crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Glossy Ibis, Osprey, Willet, Greater Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Killdeer, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Laughing Gull, Common Tern, Mourning Dove, Willow Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Gray Catbird, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
7/20/2006 -- Milford, Milford Point -- RED-NECKED STINT (6-7:30 PM), BLACK SKIMMER, MARSH WREN

From Gina Nichol and others:
7/18/2006 -- Milford, Milford Point -- RED-NECKED STINT (8:15 AM on sand flats off Francis Street near Coastal Center), WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
Also: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Brant, Osprey, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Willet, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Mourning Dove, Monk Parakeet, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, House Sparrow.

Red-necked Stint photo by Gina Nichol. Milford Point. July 18, 2006.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Summer Solstice walk:
6/21/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - 21 BLACK SKIMMERS
Also seen and/or heard: Mallard, American Black-Duck (Mallard hybrid), Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher (with chick!), Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Mourning Dove, Rock Pigeon, Willow Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Baltimore Oriole, House Sparrow.

American Oystercatcher chick.  West Haven, Sandy Point.
June 21, 2006.  Photo by Gina Nichol.

From Gina Nichol:
6/20/06 -- Branford, I-95, Exit 55 -- BLACK VULTURE flying over highway.

From Gina Nichol:
6/19/06 -- Guilford, Chittenden Park, Field Road -- CATTLE EGRET. Breeding plumage bird on soccer field at 7:30 AM.
6/18/06 -- Branford, Flat Rock Road yard -- Field Sparrow

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding Workshop:
6/17/06 -- Lyme, Nehantic State Forest -- YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Gate 9 trail), YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (Gate 7 trail)
Also seen and/or heard: Great Blue Heron, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-pewee, Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
6/14/2006 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - 18 BLACK SKIMMERS
Also: Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, Black-bellied Plover, Piping Plover, Willet, Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Least Tern, Mourning Dove, Willow Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, House Sparrow.
Heard: Monk Parakeet, Yellow Warbler, Northern Flicker

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding workshop:
6/11/2006 -- Branford, Supply Ponds - ORCHARD ORIOLE
GREAT LOOKS AT: Blue-winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Indigo Bunting
Other species seen and/or heard: Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Pine Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch. Black Rat Snake.

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding workshop:
6/8/2006 -- Branford, Supply Ponds - ORCHARD ORIOLE
GREAT LOOKS AT: Blue-winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Indigo Bunting, Great Crested Flycatcher
Other species seen and/or heard: Mute Swan, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Cooper's Hawk,Red-tailed Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Red-bellied Woodpecker,Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Kingbird, Warbling Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Pine Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol & John Ashworth:
6/5/06 -- Lyme, Nehantic State Forest -- Yellow-throated Vireo

From Gina Nichol & John Ashworth:
6/4/06 -- Lyme, Nehantic State Forest (8:15 PM, Gate 7 trail) -AMERICAN WOODCOCKS displaying, CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW, WHIP-POOR-WILL

Madison, Hammonasset State Park - SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW, PURPLE MARTIN, LITTLE BLUE HERON, BROWN THRASHER

American Woodcock photo by Richard Baetsen.

From Gina & Bruce Nichol & John Ashworth:
6/4/06 -- West Haven, Sandy Point - SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW, RED KNOT

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
6/3/2006 -- Branford, Supply Ponds - ORCHARD ORIOLE
Westbrook, Menunketesuck flats - BONAPARTE'S GULL

From Gina Nichol, John Ashworth, & Betty Zuraw:
6/2/2006 -- Bloomfield, Penwood State Park - KENTUCKY WARBLER
West Hartford, route 44 power lines - BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER
Windsor, Northwest Park - FIELD SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding workshop:
6/1/2006 -- Branford, Stony Creek Trolley Trail - PURPLE MARTIN, MARSH WREN, SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW
Other species seen and/or heard: Canada Goose, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Snowy Egret, Glossy Ibis, Osprey, Willet, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Gray Catbird, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch.

From Gina Nichol:
5/31/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park (Moraine Trail 6:30 PM):
SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW, SEASIDE SPARROW, PURPLE MARTIN, PIPING PLOVER (3 newly hatched), SURF SCOTER

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding group:
5/31/2006 -- Branford, Supply Ponds - 2 ORCHARD ORIOLES
Other species seen and/or heard: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Osprey, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Scarlet Tanager, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, House Finch, American Goldfinch.

Prairie Warbler photo by Steve Maslowski.

From Gina & Bruce Nichol:
5/29/2006 -- Branford, Stony Creek Trolley Trail - PURPLE MARTIN, MARSH WREN, SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW

From Gina Nichol and Sunrise Birding workshop:
5/25/2006 -- Madison, Hammonasset State Park - Warbler Fallout! (16 species)-- NORTHERN PARULA, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER