Redheads, 11/25/13 Sandy Point

We went to Sandy Point in West Haven searching for the Snowy Owl that was reported this morning (11/25/13), but we found no owls.  But among the many Greater Scaup (maybe 2000) we located at least 4 Redheads.  Also present were American Pipits, Horned Lark, American Tree Sparrow, and Savannah Sparrow. A few distant record shots of the Redheads are below.

11/25/13 Sandy Point, W. Haven, can you find 4 Redheads?

11/25/13, Sandy Point, West Haven, 3 Redheads?

Eurasian Widgeon, Milford 11/23/13

This morning, Saturday, 11/23/13, Frank Gallo found 5 drake EurasianWidgeon on the pond next to Jonathan Law High School in Milford CT.   5 Widgeons together is perhaps a record for CT.  We found 4 drakes, no hens.  (They have been showing up quite often this fall: we found a beautiful drake near Stratford Point about 3 weeks earlier.)  Also on the pond were about 160 American Widgeon, many Canadian Geese and quite a few Mallards and Gadwall (and a few gulls).  First, a few photos from this afternoon 911/23/13)
Also, a few photos of the scene on 11/24/13, Sunday, when we again found 4 drakes.

11/24/13

11/24/13

11/24/13

11/24/13

11/23/13 drake Eurasian Wigeon with hen Amer. Wig. & neck-banded Canadian Goose

11/23/13 drake Eurasian & Amer. Wigeon, Black Duck

11/23/13 drake Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall couple, calling male Am Wig

11/23/13

11/13/13

11/23/13

Ipswich Savannah Sparrow, Milford Pt, 11/09/13

For the past few days at least one, probably two, Ipswich Savannah Sparrows have been feeding on the Spartina seeds at the beginning of the Francis St spit at Milford Point.  Below, a few record shots:

Snow Buntings, Oct/Nov 2013

On 29 October 2013 a Snow Bunting appeared in the back yard--a yard first.  During the first week of November, Snow Buntings showed up on the coast at both Silver Sands and Milford Point.

Silver Sands Snow Bunting

Silver Sands Snow Bunting, eating grass seeds, mostly Spartina

Snow Bunting, neighbor's shed roof, 10/29/13

Snow Bunting Silver Sands eating Spartina seeds from wrack