[CT Daily] 08/01/2007 SANDWICH TERN

[Roy Harvey]

I'm sorry if my comments last night asking where the birders were was
offensive to anyone.  That certainly wasn't the intention, but reading
it now I can see how it could be seen that way.  I know there are many
who have extra demands on their time in the summer (and ever other
moment of the year), and life does not allow any of us to spend as
much time as we would like at the thing we would rather be doing.  And
that travel is rather more expensive than we were used to just a
couple of years ago.  I never doubted that there are serious birders
actively seeking birds all the time, but who don't happen to have
anything to report at the moment.

What I intended to get across, but apparently did not accomplish, was
to offer the reminder that this really isn't as slow a time of year as
it may appear, and that there are exciting birds out there waiting to
be found -- and that more birding eyes out in the field could help
find them.  My own included, as a matter of fact.

As an aside I am glad that we have CTBirds available where such
matters can be discussed.  I like that all sides get aired - I think
it is good for Connecticut birding.

But speaking about people finding birds.....


 From Dori Sosensky and Lynn James:
8/01 - Stratford, Short Beach Park, shortly before 5:00 PM -- SANDWICH
TERN relocated on one of the sand bars opposite the beach.  As with
other reports viewing was difficult and the number Common Terns in
varying plumages made locating and identifying the bird a challenge.

 From Charlie Barnard:
8/01 - Stratford, Short Beach Park, roughtly 2:00 PM -- Charlie's
report of the Sandwich Tern at that time was later withdrawn, but
since it was seen later by someone who only looked because of his
report it all worked out pretty well after all.  Thanks Charlie!

 From Tim Antanaitis:
7/31 - West Haven, Sandy Point, 4pm-8pm (low tide 7:05pm) -- 1
PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 1 RED KNOT, 1 BLACK TERN, 5 BLACK SKIMMERS