Stilt Sandpiper, Stratford, Animal Control Marsh, 7/21/16

Stilt Sandpiper, Stratford, Animal Control Marsh, 7/21/16
An adult, breeding plumage Stilt Sandpiper in the Animal Control Marsh, near Birdseye Ave, in Stratford was found by Stefan Martin today:  I refound and photographed it, in the company of both yellowlegs from around 5-6 PM from the Elm condo/apts parking lot.  

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, female dark form, home, 7/21/16, also Gray Hairstreak, Var. Frit

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, female dark form, home, 7/21/16.   A welcome sight in the home garden today.  Also recent Gray Hairstreak at home and Variegated Fritillary in Stratford.

Gray Hairstreak, home garden, 7/19/16

Variegated Fritillary, Stratford Point, 7/20/16

Gray Hairstreak, home garden, 7/19/16

Gray Hairstreak, home garden, 7/19/16

Saltmarsh Sparrow, Guilford; Saltmarsh SparrowWhite Little Blue Heron (juv), Silver Sands 7/18/16

White Little Blue Heron (juv), Silver Sands 7/18/16

Saltmarsh Sparrow, Guilford, 7/13/16

Saltmarsh Sparrow, Guilford, 7/13/16

juv Little Blue Heron, Silver Sands, Nettleton Pond, 7/18/16

juv Little Blue Heron, Silver Sands, Nettleton Pond, 7/18/16

juv Little Blue Heron, Silver Sands, Nettleton Pond, 7/18/16

Piping Plover, Silver Sands SP, July 2016

Piping Plover, Silver Sands SP, July 2016.  Born around 6/26/16, the 4 chicks were quickly reduced to one.  They were born in the exclosure near Nettleton Pond that was in the middle of a large area surrounded successfully by symbolic stringing.  They stayed for at least 2 weeks most on or near a finger of shells and sand that extends north from the boardwalk on the east side of Fletcher's Creek. On 7/15/16 they moved back to the natal beach.  First flight occurred on 7/18/16 on the natal beach.  A few photos show it exercising the wing on 7/18/16.

Dad and fledgling, south of Fletcher's Creek outlet, 7/22/16

 fledgling, south of Fletcher's Creek outlet, 7/22/16

PIPL stretching wing, 7/18/16, Silver Sands

PIPL stretching wing, 7/18/16, Silver Sands

PIPL stretching wing, 7/18/16, Silver Sands

Diamond-backed Terrapin, Silver Sands SP

2+-day-old hatchling PIPL, 7/9/16 SSSP

2+-day-old hatchling PIPL, 7/9/16 SSSP

2+-day-old hatchling PIPL, 7/9/16 SSSP

adult PIPL tending offspring, 7/9/16 Silver Sands SP

2-week-old PIPL hatchling, SSSP, Fletcher's Creek

Ruff, SB Dowitchewrs, Stratford, Animal Contro, Pond, 7/2/16, 7/8/16

Ruff, found by Stefan Martin on 7/1/16, still present on 7/8/16.  Photos below.  Difficult to age or sex.

SB Dowitchers with Ruff, Stratford, Animal Control Pond 7/8/16

SB Dowitchers with Ruff, Stratford, Animal Control Pond 7/8/16

Ruff, Stratford Animal Control Pond 7/8/16

Ruff, Stratford Animal Control Pond 7/8/16

Ruff, Stratford Animal Control Pond 7/8/16

Ruff, Stratford Animal Control Pond 7/8/16

The Ruff found by Stefan Martin on 7/1/16 in the Stratford Animal Control marsh, was still there Saturday evening:

Ruff, 7/2/16, Stratford CT

Ruff, 7/2/16, Stratford CT

Ruff, 7/2/16, Stratford CT