Empathy List Archives

TA

Tim Antanaitis

Wed, Aug 8, 2007 4:45 PM

Dennis Varza wrote:
Most shorebirds pass over inland Connecticut before dropping in on
the shore. So, if the habitat is available, drawn down reservoirs,
wet grassy fields etc. they should attract birds. But, how many? Last
year Ive started collecting reports of inland shorebirds. I cant
recall more than 40-50 birds at a time in the best of locations.

Dennis is right about rarely seeing large concentrations of
inland shorebirds. However, if the weather conditions are
right, and people check their local flooded fields, it is
possible to hit the jackpot. Andrew Dasinger and I were in
the right place at the right time on 9/9/04 - Ferry Lane
in South Windsor, as the remnant bands of rain and wind from
Hurricane Frances were passing to our north.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Frances2004rain.gif
Here's the list of shorebirds from that day:
American Golden-Plover 23
Black-bellied Plover 1
White-rumped Sandpiper 18
Pectoral Sandpiper 20+
Semipalmated Sandpiper 40+
Least Sandpiper 50+
Semipalmated Plover 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Killdeer 20+
Greater Yellowlegs 6
Lesser Yellowlegs 1

My estimates total 181+ birds, but there may have been over
300 given my tendency to underestimate the number of peeps.
So Andrew, if you read this and you had a higher count, I
would like to see your numbers.

Tim Antanaitis
Manchester

Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links.

Dennis Varza wrote: Most shorebirds pass over inland Connecticut before dropping in on the shore. So, if the habitat is available, drawn down reservoirs, wet grassy fields etc. they should attract birds. But, how many? Last year Ive started collecting reports of inland shorebirds. I cant recall more than 40-50 birds at a time in the best of locations. Dennis is right about rarely seeing large concentrations of inland shorebirds. However, if the weather conditions are right, and people check their local flooded fields, it is possible to hit the jackpot. Andrew Dasinger and I were in the right place at the right time on 9/9/04 - Ferry Lane in South Windsor, as the remnant bands of rain and wind from Hurricane Frances were passing to our north. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Frances2004rain.gif Here's the list of shorebirds from that day: American Golden-Plover 23 Black-bellied Plover 1 White-rumped Sandpiper 18 Pectoral Sandpiper 20+ Semipalmated Sandpiper 40+ Least Sandpiper 50+ Semipalmated Plover 1 Solitary Sandpiper 1 Killdeer 20+ Greater Yellowlegs 6 Lesser Yellowlegs 1 My estimates total 181+ birds, but there may have been over 300 given my tendency to underestimate the number of peeps. So Andrew, if you read this and you had a higher count, I would like to see your numbers. Tim Antanaitis Manchester --------------------------------- Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links.

J

jaybrd49@aol.com

Thu, Aug 9, 2007 1:11 AM

RE: Inland shorebirding, Rocky Hill Meadows can be spectacular. Last year, there were numerous buff-breasted sandpipers, golden plovers, short-billed dowitchers, and more killdeer than anywhere along the coast. Try it in early September when they are digging up the sod. It is hit or miss, but it can be terrific on the right day. It is also good for land birds and you can occasionally find blue grosbeak, dickcissel, various sparrows, etc. One caution, it is important to give the right of way to the farm machinery, Also, you'll need to stay on the dirt road and not interfere with the agricultural operations or walk into the fields and damage crops.

Jay Kaplan
Canton

-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Antanaitis timant123@yahoo.com
To: BIRDS ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Wed, 8 Aug 2007 12:45 pm
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] inland shorebirds

ennis Varza wrote:
ost shorebirds pass over inland Connecticut before dropping in on
he shore. So, if the habitat is available, drawn down reservoirs,
et grassy fields etc. they should attract birds. But, how many? Last
ear I’ve started collecting reports of inland shorebirds. I can’t
ecall more than 40-50 birds at a time in the best of locations.
Dennis is right about rarely seeing large concentrations of
nland shorebirds. However, if the weather conditions are
ight, and people check their local flooded fields, it is
ossible to hit the jackpot. Andrew Dasinger and I were in
he right place at the right time on 9/9/04 - Ferry Lane
n South Windsor, as the remnant bands of rain and wind from
urricane Frances were passing to our north.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Frances2004rain.gif
ere's the list of shorebirds from that day:
merican Golden-Plover 23
lack-bellied Plover 1
hite-rumped Sandpiper 18
ectoral Sandpiper 20+
emipalmated Sandpiper 40+
east Sandpiper 50+
emipalmated Plover 1
olitary Sandpiper 1
illdeer 20+
reater Yellowlegs 6
esser Yellowlegs 1
My estimates total 181+ birds, but there may have been over
00 given my tendency to underestimate the number of peeps.
o Andrew, if you read this and you had a higher count, I
ould like to see your numbers.
Tim Antanaitis
anchester

ahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links.

his list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for
he discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
or subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

RE: Inland shorebirding, Rocky Hill Meadows can be spectacular. Last year, there were numerous buff-breasted sandpipers, golden plovers, short-billed dowitchers, and more killdeer than anywhere along the coast. Try it in early September when they are digging up the sod. It is hit or miss, but it can be terrific on the right day. It is also good for land birds and you can occasionally find blue grosbeak, dickcissel, various sparrows, etc. One caution, it is important to give the right of way to the farm machinery, Also, you'll need to stay on the dirt road and not interfere with the agricultural operations or walk into the fields and damage crops. Jay Kaplan Canton -----Original Message----- From: Tim Antanaitis <timant123@yahoo.com> To: BIRDS <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Wed, 8 Aug 2007 12:45 pm Subject: Re: [CT Birds] inland shorebirds ennis Varza wrote: ost shorebirds pass over inland Connecticut before dropping in on he shore. So, if the habitat is available, drawn down reservoirs, et grassy fields etc. they should attract birds. But, how many? Last ear I’ve started collecting reports of inland shorebirds. I can’t ecall more than 40-50 birds at a time in the best of locations. Dennis is right about rarely seeing large concentrations of nland shorebirds. However, if the weather conditions are ight, and people check their local flooded fields, it is ossible to hit the jackpot. Andrew Dasinger and I were in he right place at the right time on 9/9/04 - Ferry Lane n South Windsor, as the remnant bands of rain and wind from urricane Frances were passing to our north. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Frances2004rain.gif ere's the list of shorebirds from that day: merican Golden-Plover 23 lack-bellied Plover 1 hite-rumped Sandpiper 18 ectoral Sandpiper 20+ emipalmated Sandpiper 40+ east Sandpiper 50+ emipalmated Plover 1 olitary Sandpiper 1 illdeer 20+ reater Yellowlegs 6 esser Yellowlegs 1 My estimates total 181+ birds, but there may have been over 00 given my tendency to underestimate the number of peeps. o Andrew, if you read this and you had a higher count, I ould like to see your numbers. Tim Antanaitis anchester -------------------------------- ahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. ______________________________________________ his list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for he discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. or subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

CP

COMINS, Patrick

Thu, Aug 9, 2007 2:06 AM

Also North Meadow Road in Windsor, and the turf farm at the north end of the South Windsor Flooplain. Same disclaimers regarding farmland as for Great Meadows.

In the spring, Portland Fairgrounds can be excellent, as they flood a small area for winter ice skating and water usually remains well into migration and spring flooding can leave behind all sorts of pools as it recedes. Great spot for snipe and I have even had Short-billed dowichers, Dunlin and Semipalmated Plover there. All pretty tough to get inland in the spring.

Patrick Comins, Meriden.

Also North Meadow Road in Windsor, and the turf farm at the north end of the South Windsor Flooplain. Same disclaimers regarding farmland as for Great Meadows. In the spring, Portland Fairgrounds can be excellent, as they flood a small area for winter ice skating and water usually remains well into migration and spring flooding can leave behind all sorts of pools as it recedes. Great spot for snipe and I have even had Short-billed dowichers, Dunlin and Semipalmated Plover there. All pretty tough to get inland in the spring. Patrick Comins, Meriden.