I concur with Greg on this. Nepaug this morning held a couple of Common Loons in nice breeding plumage, always a treat to see, and I did note a number of swallows working the reservoir as well. On the topic of swallows, Bank Swallow is regular in Canton but apparently no longer nests in town due to human disturbances in the human-created places where the birds have recently attempted to nest, thus in spring it is now noted almost elusively as a migrant. Jay Kaplan saw a lot of Banks along the Farmington River about a week ago, which was the only time this species was noted along the river despite numerous checks - until last night, when again there were numbers of them working the river. Another example of a species making a push through the state that might not be particularly noticed by birders doing year lists only. Many of us have by now recorded our year Magnolia Warblers and probably Swainson's Thrushes, but while I'm at it, and I'm sure Jay won't mind me saying this, he noted a good number of both species today on his walk. Myself, I found four different Northern Waterthrushes in Canton today, which is basically three more than expected in town this time of year, at best. They too seem to be pushing through in good numbers right now, based on my experience. There were a significant number of Swainson's Thrushes at Riverside Park in Hartford on Thursday the 17th, which I did not then have time to post about. In a 1/3 mile stretch I was never far from a Swainson's that day, though estimating numbers would be difficult due to the fact that I was walking back and forth and probably pushing the same birds one way or the other. As I have noted on here before, I keep town lists in all 169 towns in CT, which is madness but it's fun madness. I have been very frustrated in my efforts to add swallows of various species to those lists where needed so hopefully Greg is correct that a push is occuring now with these lovely birds. I would consider a push now of Trees or Barns to be particularly interesting given the rather early first arrival dates for both species. Jamie Meyers Canton, CT -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Greg Hanisek" <ghanisek@rep-am.com> > In addition to a great find by Fran, these birds serve as a reminder that > this time of year, under the weather conditions we have right now, is a good > time to look for "seaducks," terns and other waterbirds at inland locations. > It would be worth checking lakes and ponds while there's still light today, > as well as tomorrow. These mid-May movements more typically produce scoters > and Long-tailed Ducks, as well as plenty of Common Loons. But something > really unexpected such as these eiders is always a possibility. I was > looking today at Bantam Lake and some lakes in Middlebury. I got just a > couple Common Loons, but you never know. BTW, a lot of those swallows we > didn't see a month or more ago were out on the lakes today and yesterday. > > Greg Hanisek > Waterbury > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: > To: "CT Bird Listserv" > Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 12:34 PM > Subject: [CT Birds] Barkhamsted Common Eiders > > > > >From Fran Zygmont via Jamie Meyers: > > 5/19 - Barkhamsted Reservoir - 4 COMMON EIDERS, 1 drake and 3 hens, seen > > and photographed from the Saville Dam pulloff. They were first spotted > > fairly near the road at 7:15 but subsequently flew deeper into the > > reservoir and were well out into the reservoir by 7:35, when they were > > seen by Dave Tripp and Jamie Meyers > > > >>From Jamie Meyers: > > 5/19 - Roaring Brook Nature Center, Canton - 1 OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER > > previously found by Jay Kaplan on a bird walk, also 2 BLACK-BILLED > > CUCKOOS. All birds were in the meadow near the barn. Jay tells me the > > walk recorded 15 warbler species. > > > > > > On my way back to Canton from Barkhamsted I checked Nepaug Reservoir in > > the event that there were any amazing waterfowl there as well but had to > > settle for a pedestrian 2 Common Loons. Congrats to Fran on a superb > > inland find in the eiders! > > > > Jamie Meyers > > Canton, CT > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > > For subscription information visit > > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > > > > > >