[CT Birds] GBBC udpate for Saturday

[COMINS, Patrick]

I'm sure there will still be reports tricking in, as people can log sightings after the fact (hint, hint observers of Western Tanager, Orange-crowned Warbler, Pine Grosbeaks, Red Crossbills or anything else that isn't on the list yet), but as of 8:00 PM we're now up to 74 species (with the Fox Sparrows and Northern Gannet removed for now pending further details).    How's that for a gigantic sentence?

Highlights so far:
2 Snow Geese in Wallingford.
Ring-necked Pheasant in Guilford.
Northern Goshawks in Burlington and Colchester.
The Red-headed Woodpecker in Ashford.
Northern Shrike in Ashford.
41 Red-breasted Nuthatches throughout the state (perhaps too high?)
Ruby-crowned Kinglets in Wallingford and Amston.
Brown Thrasher in Amston.
Palm Warbler in North Branford.
White-crowned Sparrows (20, but we likely need to check them all out as they are often over-reported).
57 Snow Buntings in South Windsor.
22 Rusty Blackbirds in Litchfield.
76 Purple Finches scattered about the state (again may have to check a lot of them out when we get a chance)
38 Common Redpolls from 5 locations.
5 Pine Siskins from various locations.
8 Evening Grosbeaks between Norfolk and Harwinton.  (The Norfolk observer I know and I have seen photos.  May have to check out the Harwinton birds, but if they'd be anywhere, that would be a good place for them).

There was an intriguing report of Indigo Buntings in winter plumage from an experienced birder who was sure they weren't bluebirds.  We would need photos or multiple observers to accept that report, as we would also need to rule out the ridiculous as well as the sublime.  As you may recall, a winter Indigo Bunting last year turned out to be a Lazuli Bunting.  They were reported at the corner of Johnnycake Mtn. Rd. and Polly Dan Rd. in Burlington in case anyone wants to keep their eyes open in that area.

Patrick Comins, Meriden

PS  The CAS Eagle Festival was great today, with eagles right from the River Museum and a light morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK across the river.  (I'm waiting to see how many reports of Rough-legs we get from Essex before submitting it to GBBC).