27th Report of The Avian Records Committee of Connecticut
By Greg Hanisek and Jay Kaplan
This is the 27th report of the Avian Records Committee of Connecticut (ARCC). In the last report (see the 26th Report in The Connecticut Warbler Vol. 40 No. 2), three new species were added to the state list. The addition of Common Ringed Plover, Pacific Golden-Plover and Townsend’s Warbler brought the state list to 448 species. This year, two species were added, a Crested Caracara photographed flying over West Haven, and a Eurasian Tree Sparrow frequenting a bird feeder in Old Saybrook. These additions bring the state list to 450.
This year, the committee voted on 63 records, the same number as in 2021. Reports were provided by birders of all levels of expertise, including numerous reports from beginning birders. All reports received are carefully reviewed by ARCC members prior to voting. For those wishing to submit a report, updated information on how to develop a report is located in the ARCC section of the Connecticut Ornithological Association website.
This year, the committee also voted on two sets of Historic Records totaling 58 additional records. In earlier times, collected bird specimens from Connecticut were often shipped to museums and other institutions across the country. Many of these specimens include accompanying historical information. ARCC co-secretaries, Phil Rusch and Frank Gallo have been contacting institutions to document specimens collected in Connecticut. The results have led to many significant records, including new first records for the state.
STATE LIST AND REVIEW LIST
The committee depends on observers to submit their reports of species on the Review List (species for which the committee would like reports, and marked with an asterisk on the COA checklist), plus any species new to the state. The most recent State List and Review List may be viewed on the COA Website at www.ctbirding.org. Submit written reports along with documentary material to Jay Kaplan, ARCC chair, and to the ARCC co-secretaries, Frank Gallo and Phil Rusch.
Each year, the committee evaluates the Review List. The committee continues to review the criteria it uses to determine what constitutes a review species and is looking at what other state committees are now doing. Based on occurrence over the past 20 years, the committee has re-instated Barnacle Goose and Little Gull and added Pine Grosbeak to the Review List. Barnacle Goose and Little Gull records over the past 10 years have averaged one per year. Pine Grosbeaks have totaled three irruptions since 2000. Two of these irruptions were minor, and none rivaled those that occurred during the latter half of the twentieth century when the species was found regularly as far south as coastal Connecticut.
FORMAT
In the case of accepted records, only observers who submitted reports are listed, with the original finder listed first followed by an asterisk. Photos are acknowledged with ‡. Hyphenated numbers are the ARCC file numbers. For reopened files, an “R” follows the numbers. The species are listed in order according to the American Ornithological Society (AOS) Checklist. Multiple records of a particular species are listed chronologically. Months of the year are shortened to their first three letters.
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Members, in addition to the authors, who voted on records in this report are Nick Bonomo, Frank Gallo, Tina Green, Julian Hough, Alex Lin-Moore, Frank Mantlik, Phil Rusch, Dave Tripp, and Glenn Williams. Dave Provencher, who served on the Committee since 1996, has resigned. We thank Dave for his contributions to Connecticut ornithology over more than two decades.
ACCEPTED RECORDS
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
A flock of six was present on 1 Jun 2021 at the Watertown Fire District well field in Woodbury (2021-31 Nicolas Main*‡); a flock of five was at Rocky Hill Meadows from 28 Aug 2021 through 10 Sep 2021 (2021-36 Jamie Meyers*‡, Bill Asteriades‡, Christina E. Cole‡).
Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus)
One with apparent wing damage was seen at Goodwill Trail in Avon on 23 May 2021 (2021-28 Grace Chung‡); one was at Broad Brook mill pond in East Windsor on 27 Oct 2021 (2021-50 Jeff Fengler*‡); one was in a horse farm field in Somers on 31 Oct 2021, and bill pattern showed it to be different from the bird at nearby Broad Brook mill pond four days earlier and last seen 15 Feb (2021-54 Jeff Fengler*‡); one was in East Windsor and Ellington from 15 Dec 2021 to at least 8 Jan 2022 (2021-60 David Mathieu‡); four were together in South Windsor and Ellington from 19 Dec 2021 to at least 8 Jan 2022 (2021-61 David Lawton‡, Jamie Meyers‡, Russ Smiley‡); three were at and near Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport from 15 Jan to at least 4 Feb 2022 (2022-03 Jonathan Green*‡); one was at Charles E. Wheeler WMA and Silver Sands State Park, both Milford, from 20 Jan to at least 3 Feb 2022 (2022-06 Severin Uebbing*‡). Between 8-12 individuals were found in the fall and winter 2021-2022. There are now 21 total records for the state.
(Black) Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)
This western subspecies was found in a flock of (Atlantic) Brant flying over New Haven Harbor in West Haven on 5 Feb 2022 (2022-10 Nick Bonomo*‡). This observer has found five of the seven state records.
Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
An adult female was present from 4 Jan 2022 through at least 24 Feb at Captain’s Cove in Bridgeport and nearby areas (2022-02 Greg Hanisek*). Single females have been seen there during several winters since 2015.
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
One was at Bantam Lake in Litchfield on 30 Aug 2020 (2021-57 Greg Hanisek*); one was at Stonington Town Docks from 25 Jan through at least 8 Mar 2022 (2022-07 Phil Rusch*, Sue Palmer‡).
Chuck-Will’s-Widow (Antrostomus carolinensis)
One was singing at dawn on 19 May 2021 at Shippan Point, Stamford (2021-27 Al Collins*).
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus)
One was found road-killed on 11 Nov 2021 in Mystic (2021-59 Rick Newton*‡).
Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis)
One was flushed twice on 17 Oct 2021 from a grassy area at Flirt Hill in Easton (2021-45 Jeremy Nance*).
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
One was present at Barn Island WMA in Stonington on 31 May-1 Jun 2021 (2021-30 Robert Dewire*, Christopher Veale‡).
Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
The state’s second was found on 16 Dec 2021 in the saltmarsh at the Milford Point Coastal Center and seen by many that day (2021-58 Tom Murray*, Paul Fusco‡, Cody Limber‡).
Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia)
One was found in poor condition on 17 Jan 2022 at Lyme Fairgrounds in Lyme. It was taken to a veterinarian, where it was euthanized (2022-05 Michael Stanton*‡). One was found on 31 Jan 2022 at Stonington Point in Stonington (2022-08 Russ Smiley*‡, Phil Rusch). It was seen by many observers that afternoon and stayed until 11 Feb 2022. Another individual was found at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford on 2 Feb 2022 (2022-09 Bill Rankin*‡).
Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)
Single juveniles were seen from a boat off East Haven on 4 Sep 2021 (2021-38 Nick Bonomo*‡); from the end of the Moraine Trail at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison on 8 Sep 2021 (2021-39 Carolyn Cimino)*‡); from shore at Sandy Point, West Haven, on 11 Sep 2021 (2021-40 Julian Hough*‡); and from shore at Smith Neck Road, Old Lyme, on 9 Oct 2021 (2021-43 Nick Bonomo*, Phil Rusch*). Two juveniles were seen from Stonington Point on 26 Oct 2021 (2021-49 Phil Rusch*). The autumn of 2021 saw an unusually high volume of records of this pelagic gull at inshore and inland bodies of water in the northeastern United States. This began immediately following the passage of Hurricane Ida’s remnants into the Canadian Maritimes, which might have forced several kittiwakes to migrate inland, such as by following the Saint Lawrence River, rather than directly out to sea.
Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini)
A juvenile was seen from a boat off East Haven on 3 Sep 2021 (2021-37 Nick Bonomo*‡). It was a third state record.
Common (Kamchatka) Gull (Larus canus kamtschatschensis)
One was found on 1 Apr 2021 at Seaside Park in Bridgeport (2021-22 Jeremy Nance*‡). It was relocated on 5-8 Apr in West Haven (John Oshlick‡); one found by Patrick Dugan was present from 10 Feb to at least 5 Mar 2022 at Cove Island Sanctuary and Cummings Park in Stamford, where one also was present in winter 2019 (2022-11 Frank Mantlik‡). Kamchatka Gull is a vagrant from East Asia that, while still quite rare in our part of the world, is being detected in the Northeast with increasing frequency. The exact cause for this increase in records is unknown but may include some combination of improved birder awareness, easier digital photo documentation, the recent establishment of identification criteria, and an actual increase in the species’ vagrancy.
Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus)
One was seen off Stonington Point on 4 Aug 2020 in conjunction with the passage of Tropical Storm Isaias (2021-16 Russ Smiley*‡); a specimen of an adult female at the University of Connecticut Museum was found on 28 Aug 2011 in North Windham in conjunction with Tropical Storm Irene (2021-18 Diane Novak*).
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica)
One was found on 4 Jun 2021 at Milford Point, then seen by many (2021-33 Frank Mantlik*‡). A photo appeared in The Connecticut Warbler Vol 42, No 1.
Great Shearwater (Ardenna gravis)
One was seen on 4 Aug 2020 from Stonington Point in Stonington in conjunction with the passage of Tropical Storm Isaias (2021-23 Russ Smiley*‡).
Frigatebird Sp. (Fregata sp.)
One, believed to be an immature, was seen briefly in flight on 10 Jan 2022 in East Lyme (2022-29 Andrew Dasinger*). The circumstances of the observation did not allow the identification to species.
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
The state’s second was found on 12 May 2021 on the Saugatuck River at Grace Salmon Park (and later Longshore Club Park) in Westport. It was seen by many through 15 May (2021-26 Frank Mantlik*‡). A photo appeared in The Connecticut Warbler Vol 41, No 4.
Roseate Spoonbill ((Platalea ajaja)
As part of a widespread post-breeding dispersal north of its normal range, at least one immature was seen from 31 Jul to 22 Sep 2021 at various coastal locations from West Haven to Old Saybrook (2021-34 John Oshlick*‡, Frank Mantlik‡); an immature was found on 7 Aug 2021 at Allyndale Road in Canaan, not far from the Massachusetts line (2021-35 Buzz Devine*‡). A photo of the coastal bird appeared in The Connecticut Warbler Vol 42, No 1.
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
A subadult was seen by multiple observers as it passed over the Lighthouse Point hawk watch in New Haven on 19 Sep 2021 (2021-41 John Oshlick*‡, Alex Lin-Moore).
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)
The state’s first was seen well flying and perched for a single observer on 7 Mar 2021 along the West Haven shoreline (2021-19 Amy Peck*‡). There are now at least eight New England records. A photo appeared in The Connecticut Warbler Vol 41, No 4.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
One was found at a feeder on private property in Old Saybrook on 7 Oct 2021 (2021-44 Anne McNulty*‡, Phil Rusch‡, Chris Veale‡, Bruce Finnan‡). It was associated with flocks of House Sparrows and remained in the neighborhood through at least 2 Jan 2022. Identification was straightforward, but the issue of origin resulted in an extensive investigation by Rusch, co-secretary of ARCC. This Old World native has been long-established in a small North American range in the St. Louis area and historically showed little evidence of range expansion or vagrancy. However, in its closest native areas in the United Kingdom, it is not migratory and has been in decline for decades, suggesting trans-Atlantic passage by natural means was unlikely. Rusch’s research showed that – unbeknownst to most Eastern birders – range expansion in North America has been increasingly significant (see accompanying maps). The species is now well-established hundreds of miles from its historic base, primarily northward but also with records both east and west. There is now an accepted record for New Jersey, and a formerly unaccepted record from Massachusetts is being re-evaluated. ARCC determined that the Old Saybrook bird fit this trend of natural range expansion. This is a first state record.
Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni)
A female/HY was seen on 24 Feb 2021 at Ellington Cemetery in Ellington (2021-15 David Mathieu*‡); at least one adult was seen 21 Feb-14 Mar 2021 at feeders in West Cornwall (2021-20 Larry Master*‡); an apparently worn adult male was seen from 26 Feb to at least 10 Mar 2021 at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport (2021-14 Frank Gallo‡, Chris S. Wood). Hoary Redpoll continues to be a tough species to evaluate for the committee. Even when photos are obtained, some birds, especially more heavily streaked individuals, continue to cause headaches. The inherent wisdom is to err on the side of caution, but this often means that these well-streaked individuals (always HY females?) are likely to escape the net. However, when assessing these records, the committee also feels that it is not productive to label them as “just a Common” but to accept the limitations posed by certain individuals of certain species and decide that the bar of reasonable doubt was not met. Aging and sexing redpolls in early winter may be possible since adults have a complete post-breeding molt and will have relatively fresh tertial fringes, wing, and tail feathers compared to HY, which will have these corresponding feathers more worn and pointed. However, birds in late February or March may be more difficult to age since adults and SY individuals will be equally worn at this date. Julian Hough
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco (Junco hyemalis oregonus)
An adult male visited a feeder in Chaplin from 3 Feb to 22 Mar 2021 (2021-12 Phil Rusch*‡). A photo appeared in The Connecticut Warbler Vol 41, No 3.
Harris’s Sparrow (Zonotrichia querala)
One was seen 22-25 Oct 2021 at Allen’s Meadow Park in Wilton, a location that has a previous record of this western species (2021-46 Alan Welby*‡, Kate Wong‡).
LeConte’s Sparrow (Ammospiza leconteii)
One was found on 23-27 Oct 2021 at H. Smith Richardson Wildlife Preserve in Fairfield (2021-47 Mary Walsh*‡, Don McGregor‡).
Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens)
An adult male was in a private yard in Westport on 3 Oct 2021 (2021-42 Chase McCabe*, Aidan Kiley‡, Jo Fasciolo); a male was found at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison on 24 Oct 2021 (2021-48 Anna Zizak*‡, John Oshlick‡, Rick Gedney).
Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii)
An adult male was seen on 9 Feb 2021 in Rockville (2021-10 Aidan Persaud*).
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)
An SY bird visited a feeder in Hamden for about 15 minutes on 4 Mar 2021 (2021-13 Arthur Shippee*‡); an adult male visited a feeder in the Weatogue section of Simsbury on 3-4 May 2021 (2021-24 Cindy Kiesewetter*‡, Jamie Meyers‡); an HY male was seen on 18 Nov 2021 at East Shore Park in New Haven (2021-56 John Oshlick*‡); an SY male found on 1 Jan 2022 by Nic Main at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison was present to at least 24 Jan 2022 (2022-01 Greg Hanisek*, Severin Uebbing‡).
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)
An adult male visited the Dodd’s feeder at Lord’s Point, Stonington, from 26 Feb to 4 Apr 2021 (2021-17 Phil Rusch, Sue Palmer‡, Dave Provencher‡).
RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED
Say’s Phoebe (Sayoronis saya) One was reported to have been heard only on 19 Oct 2019 in Waterford (2019-23).
Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii)
The extreme brevity of an observation on 13 Nov 2019 in Waterford led to the committee’s decision (2019-24).
Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica)
One was reported to have been seen flying by Meigs Point at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison on 30 Oct 2021 in the company of two Red-throated Loons (2021-52). The brevity of the observation was of concern for a species with a history of identification difficulty in the state.
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)
One was reported to have been seen briefly on 12 Mar 2021 at Bluff Point State Park in Groton (2021-21). Again, the brevity of the observation contributed to the committee’s action.
Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni) One photographed on 19 Jan 2013 in Barkhamsted did not meet the exacting requirements for confirmation (2020-44).
RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED (ORIGIN)
Yellow-fronted Canary (Crithagra mozambicus)
This species, a commonly kept cage bird, was present from 14-23 Sep 2021 at Stratford Point. It is a native of sub-Saharan Africa (2021-62 Frank Mantlik*‡).
Greg Hanisek, 175 Circuit Ave., Waterbury, CT 06708
Jay Kaplan, 71 Gracey Road, Canton, CT 06019
Co-secretary Frank Gallo, 35 Urban St. New Canaan, CT 06840
Co-secretary Phil Rusch, 16 Singleton Road, Chaplin, CT 06235