[CT Birds] 5/2 RUFF might be gone

[Frank Mantlik]

Today was the first day I looked for the Westport
RUFF, and didn't find it.  Every other time for the
past 2 weeks that I've looked for it before work (7am
or so), I've readily seen it, regardless of tide
phase.  This morning there seemed to be some other
changes as well: fewer yellowlegs, plus some new
arrivals, including one each spotted sandpiper and
semipalmated sandpiper.  Curious, I looked again
afterwork today, about 4:45, with the tide mid and
coming in (perfect).  Again, no sign of the Ruff.
There were however 67 yellowlegs (vast majority
greaters).  With this, I suspect our Asian visitor
might have departed.  It was here for a full 14 days,
and was enjoyed and photographed by many.  Grace
Salmon Park has some great potential for other
interesting waders, and is easy to check.  (Orchard
and Baltimore orioles were present today.)
Regarding the bird's sex, I agree with Frank Gallo
that it was a male. This is based largely on it's body
size quite comparable to that of a greater yellowlegs;
females are smaller, more like a lesser yellowlegs. 
Also, when I saw it yesterday morning, it's head
plumage did seem to be starting to molt into a blacker
feathering, creating the effect of a darker hood.  I
obtained some photos Thursday which I hope to post
soon.

Elsewhere today, I finally found some migrants
(warblers, catbird, oriole) and a red fox in the
wooded side roads at Longshore Park - comparable to
what M. Sampson found at Greenwich Point, and S.
Kruitbosch found in Stratford.

Frank Mantlik
Stratford