7/23. Following the heavy rains of the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, I visited several shoreline sites from Bridgeport to Milford. My particular intent was to check for shorebirds, gulls, and terns that might have been downed by the storm. Basically, I found the expected species, including large numbers of Ring-billed Gulls (including my first juveniles of the year) foraging on flooded ball fields and golf courses. Some think that since it is the middle of Summer, that southbound bird migration is months away. Not so for shorebirds that breed in the arctic or sub-Arctic. Many are in CT now, fattening up in advance of resuming their migration to South American wintering grounds. Milford Point yesterday held at least 10 species of shorebirds, including an estimated 3600 adult Semipalmated Sandpipers (no Stints among them). There was also about 200 Common Terns, over 100 Least Terns (some nesting, so please avoid getting too close), and a summering Common Loon. Johnson Creek, Bridgeport (at northbound exit 30 of I-95): summering adult male BUFFLEHEAD continues. Frank Mantlik Stratford Sent from my iPad