4/19 Milford, Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center. 9am-10:30am. High tide rising, 48F, overcast. Two enthusiastic class visits this morning. Our Purple martins are returning. 6 were observed flying around the gourds and calling. 3 Ospreys in the area. Two on our nest (copulating at 10:05am) and 1 flying north over the marsh. On the Marsh: estimate of 200 Brant throughout the marsh, 2 Oystercatchers foraging on the mudflats, 1 Great Egret, 1 Snowy egret standing in the marsh water as the water was up to its body and then it took off, 8 Black bellied plovers, 2 Greater yellowlegs and 4 Mute swans. On the grounds: 6 Mourning doves, 6 Robins, 4 Song sparrows singing loudly, 3 White throated sparrows, 5 House sparrows, 2 American Crows and 2 Fish crows. Bev Propen, Orange