11/15- Milford, Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center. 10am-1PM. sunny, 46F, high tide rising. Several visitors today- 2 young elementary school classes and other visitors during the day. Two women who visited around lunch were mesmerized by Franklin, our Diamond Backed terrapin. Franklin was out of the tank and walked right over to the women and was staring up at them with his head by her sneaker. :) A brief walk to the Long Island sound side by beach & lagoon: About 50 Black bellied plovers, several hundred Dunlin with their heads all tucked in (Thanks to Steve Spector for help with the ID), Red breasted mergansers in water of LIS, many Brant. On the marsh: Beautiful blue water with golden marsh cord grass-- 8 Mute swans (with 1 young one-still gray), 25 American Black ducks, 16 Buffleheads, about 35 Canada Geese. On the grounds & paths: 8 House finches, 14 House sparrows flitting around the brush piles, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 4 Robins, 1 Mockingbird, 4 Mourning Doves, 1 Cardinal and a flock of about 35 Starlings circling the marsh and coastal center much of the morning. Bev Propen, Orange