Steve's Birds: March 2016

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

California Gull, Hammonasset State Park, 3/22/16

California Gull, Hammonasset State Park, 3/22/16. Discovered by Stefan Martin on 3/21/16, this bird has been seen for the past 3 days. It's a first cycle gull transitioning into 2nd cycle: that's why this identification is unexpected.. A first California Gull in Connecticut, and an amazing find. Photos show CAGU size btw RBGU and HEGU.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Ross's Goose, Seaside Park, Bpt 3/20/16

Ross's Goose, Seaside Park, Bpt, 3/20/16

Saturday, March 19, 2016

3/18/16, E. Comma, Bluebirds, Great Egret 7 PIPL Mlfd Pt

FOY Eastern Comma, Eisenhower Park, 3/27/16

E Bluebird, Eisenhower Park 3/17/16

3/18/16 7 PIPL Mlfd Pt

4 of 7 PIPL, 3/18/16 Milford Point

PIPL 3/18/16 Mlfd Pt basic plumage

Great Egret FOY Mlfd Pt breeding plumage

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

3/15/16, four Piping Plover, Milford Point; 4 AMOY

3/15/16, four Piping Plover, Milford Point; 3 males; 1 non-breedng plumage bird; also, 4 American Oystercatchers.

1 of 4 AMOY, 3/15/16 at Milford Point, main sandbar

PIPL, 3/15/19, Milford Point, Cedar Beach

PIPL, 3/15/19, Milford Point, Francis St spit; basic plumage

PIPL, 3/15/16 Cedar Beach: call and response with other male

First Piping Plover(s) of 2016, 3/11/16, Milford Point

First Piping Plover(s) of 2016, 3/11/16, Milford Point. Nick B found a PIPL at Long Beach Stratford yesterday. Today, found a PIPL at beginning of Francis Street Spit around 11:15 AM, near high tide. Found a second about half-wt out western sandbar. At high tide, western sandbar washed over. Could be trouble for nesting. Photo of first PIPL below:

first PIPL of 2016 season, 3/11/16 Milford Point

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Barrow's Goldeneye, 3/6/16, Madison CT

Barrow's Goldeneye, 3/6/16, Madison CT. A beautiful breeding plumaged drake Barrow's Goldeneye was off Middle Beach Road in Madison. This continuing bird has the purple head of a breeding male.