[CT Birds] Southport Survey #137

[Dennis Varza]

Shouthport Survey # 127

The Sky was cloudy with no wind so the water was flat. When the water  
is like this it makes observation very easy, no waves and high  
contrast. I have found that Horned Grebe numbers go up under these  
conditions. The puzzle is: Are the grebes more abundant because of  
easier counting, or a preference calm water? Because of this, I have  
started recording the water conditions, first with words then with  
photos. It seems to me, considering where the birds are seen, that  
more birds show up, and I guess from creak mouths and harbors.

Off shore Long-tailed Ducks were flitting about in small groups. Near  
to shore there were flotillas of Red-throated Loons and Horned Grebes.

Lately I noticed that the gulls have become more wary around humans.  
These days I would see a flock on a beach and once I stopped and set  
up my scope a very safe distance away, the birds fly off. Today  
someone dropped off a pile of bread at Sassco Beach. All the gulls  
were sitting in a raft off shore just looking (do birds drool ?).  
Again no first winter Ring-biiled Gulls, and Im. Herring Gulls made  
up 7.5% of the birds.

Dennis Varza
Fairfield

Fairfield, Sunken Island, South Pine Creak Beach, Sasco Beach,  
Southport Harbor and Southport Beach 8:15-9:45

December/ January	27	1	
Tide     		L	H	H
Brant   		0	1	5
Canada Goose	450	120	180
Mute Swan   	4	3	2
Gadwall     	6	O	0
American Black Duck	20	14	24
Mallard              	60	8	34
Greater Scaup    	0	2	0
White-winged Scoter	3	2	0
Long-tailed Duck	3	5	13
Bufflehead           	4	5	14
Common Goldeneye	4	0	15
Hooded Merganser	8	2	30
Red-breasted Merganser	26	9	6
Ruddy Duck         	11	0	0
Red-throated Loon	3	0	14
Common Loon     	3	1	1
Horned Grebe     	1	0	30
Great Cormorant	1	4	3
Bonaparte’s Gull    	3	32	0
Ring-billed Gull   	29	105	186
Herring Gull        	50	127	89
Great Black-backed Gull	5	7	7