Extralimital Note: Five Black-bellied Whistling Ducks in Concord, MA. Keep an eye out, particularly in freshwater ponds and wetlands. This is one of those "only a matter of time" species to be added to the CT state list. From Frank Mantlik: 05/04/11 - Stratford, Long Beach Blvd, Stewart McKinney NWR (restrcted access) -- About 1:30 pm I discovered an adult female RUFF (Reeve) in the salt marshes of Great Meadows Refuge during the high tide. Though the marsh was largely flooded, the bird was foraging in the short Spartina patens grass - along with Willets, both yellowlegs, Dunlin, SB Dowitchers, Black-bellied Plovers, and Least Sandpipers - landward of Lewis Gut. I was in a restricted area of the Refuge (I have special permission); see Scott Kruitbosch's posting today on CTBirds explaining the restriction. I was able to obtain a few record digiscope photos, despite the incessant rain and overcast skies. I hope to post some later this evening. My recommendation for looking for this rarity is to drive to the Restoration Marsh at # 650 Long Beach Blvd (designated by signs depicting a camera), in hopes that it may appear here with yellowlegs, etc. This site is not that far from where I saw it in the adjacent salt marsh. Elsewhere, I also saw a flying AMERICAN BITTERN at the "Warehouse Pond", which can be viewed from the parking lot near # 600 Long Beach Blvd. And later, Stratford, Short Beach Park (3:15), 1 adult BLACK SKIMMER on sandbar viewed with scope (during rain) from covered picnic tables just past the tennis courts. From Frank Mantlik & New Haven Bird Club walk: 05/04/11 - New Haven, East Rock Park -- 8:00 to 10:30 am; - 5 Black Vultures, Solitary Sandpiper, Swainson's Thrush, Orchard Oriole. From Dick & Joan Mihm: 05/04/11 - Glastonbury yard -- White-crowned Sparrow on patio under feeders. From Kathy Van Der Aue: 05/04/11 - Southport -- White-crowned Sparrow under my feeder. From David Lawton: 05/04/11 - Avon, yard -- SWAINSON'S THRUSH. From Tina Green: 05/04/11 - Westport, Grace Salmon Park -- Northern Pintail(drake). Burying Hill Beach -- 3 White-winged Scoters, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull. Sherwood Island SP -- 3 Saltmarsh Sparrows (late afternoon)- flushed as I walked the edge of the marsh on the model airplane field.