[CT Birds] First Common Grackle of the season and my first post!

[Jonathan Matthews]

Hi all,

My friend up in VT turned me onto these lists.  I tend to get around
the state since I tutor students all around.  As my students work on
mind-numbing SAT math problems, I sometimes get to watch their
birdfeeders!

Yesterday in Southbury, CT I spotted the first Grackle I have seen
this year on a feeder.  I was surprised to see one this early.  Any
thoughts?  I live in Hamden, and although technically they year-round
here, I have never seen one during the winter.  Southbury is quite a
bit further north and this was up in the "mountains" so I was rather
surprised.

On the ride back from my appointment, along route 34 near the
Derby/Seymour line I watched a rather large, mixed group of ducks:
(shockingly, not a single Mallard to be seen!)

Common Mergansers
Hooded Mergansers

Perhaps a good 30 individuals in all and ONE Ring Necked Male - I did
not see any other ring necks among the group.   This spot on 34 is
right where a little peninsula cuts the river in half for a short
stretch.

Jon Matthews
Hamden