Sharpie, Pine Warbler 23-24 Nov

Above, pictures of a Pine Warbler on 24 Nov 10; below, a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk on 23 Nov 10. Both birds have been around our house for the past few days. The Pine Warbler has been supplementing his wild food diet with hulled sunflowers at our neighbor's feeder.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher video

Two pictures of a Common Loon on 19 Nov 10 in Milford harbor.

A still photo of the Fork-tailed Flycatcher in Stamford.
A short video record of the Fork-tailed Flycatcher in Cove Island Park in Stamford CT.

Greater Yellowlegs Mondo Ponds 22 Nov 10

Today, on the anniversary of JFK's assassination, Greater Yellowlegs bathing and calling at Mondo Ponds in Milford, CT.

Cooper's Hawk at CACC

A few views of one of a pair of Cooper's Hawks checking out the sparrows in the brush bordering the parking lot at the CACC in Milford on a warm, sunny 12 Nov 10.

Tagged Ringed-bill Gull, Sachems 11/10

Female Sachems on 10 November. Also, a 1st winter Ring-billed Gull with red tag and leg bands at Silver Sands State Park beach on morning of 11 Nov 10.

Nelson's, Sachem 10 Nov 10

Typical impeded view of a Nelson's Sparrow taken on 8 Nov while searching unsuccessfully for Le Conte's. Both of these Ammodramus species run around like mice, gathering Spartina seeds. At high tide they leave the Sound-side Spartina and forage on the dunes.

Then ventral and dorsal views of female Sachem still at neighbor's garden on Wednesday, 10 Nov 10. While the Salvia, Buddleia, and Montauk Daisies still bloom and the temps remain reasonable, the Sachems persist.

Harlequin Duck Taken by Gr BB Gull

Above is a grainy enlargement of a photo of a Great Black-backed Gull after it plunged into the water to attack a female Harlequin Duck at Milford Point today, Friday, 5 November 10 around 4:00 PM. Below is a video of the Harlequin being chased and captured by the Great Black-backed Gull.

Pine Siskins at feeder 2 Nov 10

A few pictures of Pine Siskins at a thistle feeder in our neighbor's yard. One photo shows a Siskin showing his wing plumage details while warding off a House Sparrow. Another picture allows comparison of Siskin and Goldfinch.

Le Conte's Sparrow Milford Point 3 Nov 10

Here are a few record shots of the Le Conte's Sparrow that was first found by Tom Sayer on 29 October 10 in the Spartina on the west side of the Francis Street spit at Milford Point while he and others, esp Jim Zipp, were searching for Nelson's Sparrows to photograph. We finally got good looks on Monday (1 Nov). Today the Le Conte's was easily seen for extended periods, and the pictures give some indication of the trouble in seeing this skulker. Also seen at the same spot today: Nelson's Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Marsh Wren, Clapper Rail, and a Sora. On the spit the Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and Lapland Longspur continue to be seen. We did not see the Western Grebe that was around the spit yesterday. The photos are meant to be looked at in this order: 4, 3, 2, 1. Only after searching through the grass do you get a view.

Sachem 1, 2 Nov 10. CT late date record.

Still one, probably two female Sachems around. First two photos show female Sachem on November 2. Photos 3 and 4 show November 1 Sachem on Montauk Daisy in garden at Crown and Trumbull in Milford. Old late date record for CT was October 22.