Shorebirder

As of right now, the weather forecast is calling for winds with an easterly component for up to a week or more. East winds are generally frowned upon along the Atlantic coast during peak migration periods because they cause migrants to drift further west (*away* from the coast) as they fly. But there can be a silver lining to these conditions. The first species that comes to mind is Northern Wheatear, a rarity that tends to appear in New England during mid-September. While we are getting towards the end of the "Wheatear Window," there is still time to bag one of these goodies. The current-and-upcoming easterly winds could make this more likely, as most/all of these autumn birds are probably coming from the Greenland-breeding population that migrates over the open Atlantic to points southeast. We should also be considering European vagrants, particularly juvenile shorebirds (Little Stint? Common Ringed Plover? Curlew Sandpiper?). Wouldn't hurt to keep an open mind!

Last year, the adult Zone-tailed Hawk(s) that summered in Massachusetts and Nova Scotia almost certainly passed through Connecticut without being noticed, only to be seen on September 27th at the Cape May (NJ) and Cape Henlopen (DE) hawkwatches. At least a few CT birders were aware and ready last year, but came up empty regardless and were disappointed that we had missed it. Fast forward to this past summer, when birders in Rhode Island had an adult Zone-tailed Hawk on August 15th. The sighting was a one-off, and the bird was not seen again. Still, it put local birders on alert to the bird's presence. We were ready again this year...particularly Julian Hough, who went through the trouble to personally alert the state's hawkwatchers to the possibility that it would come through again this year. Julian had missed the bird in Cape May last year by just eight minutes... At 10:47 this morning, Liz Hill spotted a Turkey Vulture that ended up not being a Turkey Vulture. It was the

Every now and then while reviewing photos I will find something that I did not see in the field. This doesn't happen often, which is why I was surprised when I saw things in my photos that I missed in the field on consecutive days this week. I spent a few hours on 9/14 at Lighthouse Point in New Haven to enjoy some hawk migration. I always keep my camera on my shoulder or at my side in case something interesting flies by or if a hawk makes a close pass. On this day there were many Merlins zipping around, one of which made a pass fairly low over our heads. I reached straight for the camera and fired off a few shots. It was easy to see, after the fact, that the Merlin was carrying a snack in the form of a small bird. Blown up, it looks to me like it's probably a hummingbird. I sent the photos to a few friends for their thoughts. One or two folks suggested that it might be something larger than a hummingbird, though I am not sure. Barn Swallow was suggested by someone who was th

I love this [sub]species pair. This morning I spent some time with these juvenile Willets, one "Eastern" and one "Western," at Sandy Point in West Haven, CT. juvenile "Western" Willet Stitched side-by-side comparison of juvenile Eastern (left) and Western Willets. The subtle plumage and structural differences are shown well by these two.  - NB

I spent yesterday afternoon boating off the Norwalk (CT) Islands. It was birdy...terns and gulls were feeding in small flocks just offshore. Black Terns were very well represented, with at least 10 individuals among the more common species. There is currently an unprecedented incursion of Cory's Shearwaters into far eastern Long Island Sound. Though I was well west of there, I spent over an hour setting up a fish oil slick in the middle of the sound in hopes of attracting one of these birds. No luck with that, nor with finding the Humpback Whale (!) that was seen off the Milford coast the afternoon before.  - NB

On Sunday, August 30, I spent the day shorebirding along the CT coast with seven members of the Connecticut Young Birders Club. Everyone had a blast, and most of the boys picked up at least one life bird during the day. Shorebird numbers and variety were on the low side for the date, but we still saw some cool stuff. The continuing Marbled Godwit in Guilford was a nice get, and we had several juvenile Western Sandpipers too. But the highlight of the day came just as we were wrapping things up at Sandy Point in the evening, when Jory Teltser spotted a Buff-breasted Sandpiper arrive and land on the flats. Great scope views were enjoyed by all. young CT birders at Sandy Point in West Haven, not long before a Buff-breasted Sandpiper made their day I'm looking forward to the next field trip I take with this group!  - NB