[CT Birds] Hammo Red Crossbill+ 5/1

[COMINS, Patrick]

>From Patrick Comins and Sylvia Halken's CCSU ornithology class:
5/1/08-- Madison, Hammonasset Beach State Park--LITTLE BLUE HERON, RED CROSSBILL, AMERICAN PIPIT, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, MERLIN, BROWN THRASHER, plus Short-billed Dowitchers, Blue-winged Teal and other expected species.

The Red Crossbill was a juv type, it flew over near the large Monk Parakeet nest and briefly landed atop a deciduous tree.  The American Pipit was with the White-rumped Sandpiper in the restoration area on the south side of the road out to Meigs' Point and was getting into alternate plumage.  I don't recall ever seeing one in alternate plumage before.  There may have been two White-rumped Sandpipers, but we didn't see them at the same time, but they appeared to be in different degrees of alternate plumage.

Patrick Comins, Meriden


PS Correction on yesterday's report...I meant Wilson's Snipe not Common Snipe.