The 28th Report of The Avian Records Committee of Connecticut
By Phil Rusch, Julian Hough, and Frank Mantlik
This is the 28th report of the Avian Records Committee of Connecticut (hereafter ARCC or “the committee”). The committee met in person on 5 March 2023 to complete a review of rare bird reports for the years 2022 and early 2023. This year the committee voted on 77 records, involving 43 species and 4 subspecies. The committee accepted 60 records for an acceptance rate of 85%. Some records are still being deliberated. One new species, Violet-green Swallow, was added to the state list, which brings the total to 451 species. Other highlights include the state’s second record of Black-chinned Hummingbird, third records of Short-billed Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Gray Kingbird, and Green-tailed Towhee, and fourth records of Say’s Phoebe and Smith’s Longspur.
STATE LIST AND REVIEW LIST
The committee requests observers submit their reports of species on the Review List (marked with an asterisk on the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) checklist), plus any species new to the state. The most recent Review List may be viewed on the COA website at:
https://www.ctbirding.org/arcc/arcc-review-list/
For those wishing to submit a report, updated information on how to develop a report is located in the ARCC section of the COA website. The link is:
https://www.ctbirding.org/arcc/reporting-rare-sightings/
Submit reports along with documentary material to the ARCC co-secretaries, Frank Gallo and Phil Rusch.
Each year, the committee evaluates the Review List to quantify the criteria used to determine what constitutes a review species. Based on a decline in occurrences over the past 20 years, the committee has determined that both Red-necked Phalarope and Barn Owl should be added back to the Review List, the latter species has undergone a steep decline in both nesting reports and sightings. The committee voted to remove Black-legged Kittiwake from the review list with the exception of inland records, of which there is a total of only three records since 1895.
Lastly, the committee decided to track several species for possible return to, or removal from, the Review List including Wilson’s Phalarope, American White Pelican, Swallow-tailed Kite, and Western Kingbird.
FORMAT
The format of the report has changed ever so slightly. The species are listed in order according to the American Ornithological Society (AOS) Checklist.
Common Name Latin Name [Total number of accepted records]
Year: with multiple records of the species listed chronologically.
- Number of Individuals greater than one
- Age, if known
- Location, town,
- Date(s) occurrence: In the case of Accepted Records, (the finder or collector is listed first with those submitting reports next. * Denotes a report submitted)
- Record number is the year followed by the record number. e. 2023-00
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Jay Kaplan has decided to step down as chair of the committee. We wish to thank Jay for his long tenure as chair (Since 2003) of ARCC. Jay will continue to be an active member of the committee. Frank Mantlik has assumed the chairmanship. The committee welcomes Jeremy Nance as a new member of the ARCC. Jeremy is an active birder in the southwestern part of the state and has proven himself a reliable field observer with a number of good finds to his name. The committee welcomes the experience he can bring to our assessment process.
The current committee members are Nick Bonomo, Frank Gallo, Tina Green, Greg Hanisek, Julian Hough, Jay Kaplan, Alex Lin-Moore, Frank Mantlik, Jeremy Nance, Phil Rusch, Dave Tripp and Glenn Williams.
For more info on each ARCC member visit the COA website:
ACCEPTED RECORDS
Ross’s Goose Anser rossii [13]
2016: Adult, Southport, Fairfield, Fairfield, 16 Dec (Christopher W Samorajczyk). 2016-37.
2023: Adult, Day Hill Road, Bloomfield/Windsor, Hartford, 18-19 Jan (Owen Cannon, Jeff Fengler*). 2023-04.
The Southport record was unearthed while researching specimens at the Yale Peabody Museum Collections. During December 2016 and January 2017, there were two Ross’s Geese present in the Fairfield-Westport area. Neither of these two individuals coincided with the YPM specimen.
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus [23]
2023: Two, Adult, Hockanum River Linear Park, Vernon, Tolland, 5-12 Feb (David Mathieu*). 2023-12.
(Black) Brant Branta bernicla nigricans [8]
2022: Adult, Bradley Point Beach, West Haven, New Haven, 12 Nov (Julian Hough*). 2022-53.
Despite the many throngs of Brant wintering along the Connecticut coastline, this is only the 8th record of this distinctive Pacific race. While it is truly a scarce migrant, it probably occurs more than the few records suggest, perhaps due to a lack of observers’ efforts in targeting flocks specifically looking for this race.
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis [22]
2023: Adult, Stonington Point, Stonington, New London, 18 Jan-20 Feb (Russ Smiley*). 2023-03.
This individual has wintered in Stonington Harbor since 2017.
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica [17]
2022: Adult, Branford, New Haven, 7-19 Dec (Dan Barvir, Steve Mayo*) 2022-63.
The bird was visiting feeders at a private residence and was only visible from the inside of the homeowner’s living room.
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri [2]
2022: HY, probably female, South Windsor, Hartford, 15 Oct-23 Dec (anonymous, Matt Bell*). 2022-61.
Only the second state record, it frequented a private feeder and was not available to the general masses. Permission was briefly granted to a local birder who was able to document the occurrence with photographs that enabled a confident identification of this tricky Western species. Unfortunately, the bird probably succumbed to the extreme cold of 23 Dec as it was not seen after that afternoon.
Black Rail Laterallus jamicensis [8]
2022: Adult, Torrington, Litchfield, 5-8 Jun (Dave Rosgen; Mark Danforth*). 2022-27.
One was heard calling, and seen briefly, by veteran birder Dave Rosgen. It intermittently vocalized nightly from a cattail marsh on the Still River Greenway. Heavy rain on 9 June flooded the pool, likely causing the rail to abandon the marsh. Unfortunately, news of the find was slow to be released, in part because initially it was unclear if the site was on private property, as well as concern for the bird – a sensitive species – being agitated by recorded playback. Even so, many others were able to hear the bird’s calls on subsequent nights. The committee always urges rarity finders who wish to share their good fortune with others to weigh releasing news of rare birds and the effects it may, or may not, have on the birds’ welfare.
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus [11]
2022: Adult, Meadow Pond Park, Simsbury, Hartford, 21 May (Tom Yanik*). 2022-23; Adult, presumed same as the Simsbury bird, Four Mile River Boat Launch, Old Lyme, New London, 21 May (Andrew Dasinger*, Glenn Williams*). 2022-24A; Adult, presumed same as the Old Lyme bird, Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme, New London, 21-27 May (EBird reports). 2022-24B.
The Simsbury bird is the first inland record for CT. One theory is that the bird was disoriented by the dense fog and followed the CT River north to Simsbury. Possibly the same bird was found in the afternoon in Old Lyme, and later at nearby Rocky Neck State Park.
Ruff Calidris pugnax [12]
2022: Juvenile, Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, New Haven, 14-16 Sep (Matthew Male, Karen Gallo*, Bill Rankin*). 2022-38.
This confiding shorebird was discovered frequenting the West End puddles at Hammonasset State Park and was seen and photographed by many observers during its stay.
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea [8]
2022: Adult, Short Beach, Stratford, Fairfield, 18-30 Jul (Frank Mantlik*). 2022-28.
A worn breeding-plumaged individual was found in a small pond on the Short Beach Golf Course by veteran rarity finder and hard-working local birder Frank Mantlik. Its protracted stay – at nearby Stratford Point or Milford Point (New Haven) – allowed new generations of observers to add it to their state and life lists. This was the first chaseable individual since a juvenile, 8-13 Oct 1998 in Old Lyme. An Ebird search showed this was the only Curlew Sandpiper in North America at the time and it was subsequently voted as COA’s “Bird of the Year” for 2022.
Dovekie Alle alle [11]
2023: Age uncertain, Thames River mouth, New London, New London, 21 Jan (Phil Rusch*). 2023-07.
This distant individual was only seen twice in two hours but seen by an observer familiar with this diminutive alcid.
Common Murre Uria aalge [17]
2023: Adult, Thames River, New London, New London, 19 Jan-2 Feb (John Oshlick*). 2023-06.
This species was unrecorded in the state prior to 2011. This lone bird was found during a large incursion of Razorbills into the eastern Long Island Sound during Jan and Feb 2023. Only three of the state’s 17 records have been seen from shore.
Thick-billed Murre Uria lomvia [31]
2022: Age uncertain, Shippan Point, Stamford, Fairfield, 17 Jan (Patrick Dugan, Frank Gallo*). 2022-04.
Adequately described and photographed, Patrick Dugan’s report was transcribed and submitted by non-observer Frank Gallo. Similar to Dovekies, Thick-billed Murres have a propensity of being “wrecked” during inclement weather and are typically found moribund inland, or along the coast. Any birders with grand plans to add this bird to their state list should therefore be quick off the mark and armed with defibrillators when future birds are reported!
Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle [7]
2022: Adult, Stonington Point, Stonington, New London, 19 Apr (Phil Rusch*). 2022-15.
2023: Juvenile, Thames River, New London, New London, 19 Jan-19 Feb (John Oshlick*). 2023-05.
The Stonington bird was a fly-by, breeding-plumaged individual. The New London bird remained in the river mouth for a month, seen from shore by a number of lucky birders. It, and the above Common Murre, were both found by keen birder John Oshlick. This species, historically, has been difficult to find in the state.
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla [30]
2022: Adult, Stonington Point, Stonington, New London, 19 Dec (Russ Smiley*). 2022-59; Two, first-cycle, Shippan Point, Stamford, Fairfield, 23 Dec (Al Collins*). 2022-65.
The Stonington bird was a well-photographed fly-by. The Stamford birds were singles both flying east offshore during strong southwest winds.
Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus [8]
2022: First-cycle, Short Beach, Stratford, Fairfield, 27 May (Frank Mantlik*). 2022-25.
This one-day wonder was discovered and well-photographed roosting with other gulls and Common Terns on tidal sand-flats off of Short Beach. This species has become much less common in CT in recent years, probably tied to a shift in spring migration routes by flocks of Bonaparte’s Gulls, resulting in its return to the Review List.
Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan [16]
2022: Adult, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir dyke, Windham, Windham, 28 Jul (Phil Rusch*). 2022-29;
First-cycle, Southport, Westport/Fairfield, Fairfield, 12 Nov (Tina Green*). 2022-52.
The Windham bird, very rare inland, was a lucky find by an experienced observer. Strong, fast-moving southwesterly storms tracking northeast in early November are prime systems for scooping up south-western migrants such as Cave Swallows and Franklin Gulls which are staging in large numbers in Texas. Almost to the day, a similar system looked to be developing that might replicate the similar incursion of Franklin’s Gulls in November 2015. Alas, it proved not to be except for the fall record. The Southport bird was among a large flock of late-season Laughing Gulls that lingered along the shore due to plentiful baitfish (Menhaden).
Common Gull Larus canus [11-kam, 9-canus]
2023: Adult, race kamtschatschensis, Cove Island Park, Holly Pond, Cumming’s Park, Stamford, Fairfield, 25 Jan-6 Mar (Patrick Dugan, Frank Mantlik*). 2023-09A; Adult, kamtschatschensis, presumed same as Stamford bird, Seaside Park, Bridgeport, Fairfield, 4 Feb (Jeremy Nance*). 2023-09B; Adult, nominate race canus, Coventry Lake, Coventry, Tolland; Eastbrook Mall, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Tolland; Northridge Drive, Airport Trail, Windham, Windham, 17 Jan-21 Mar (David Mathieu*). 2023-08.
The Stamford individual of the Asian race, colloquially referred to as Kamchatka Gull, has apparently returned for its 5th year. It’s interesting that it flew from Stamford to Bridgeport, then back again, but based on wing pattern and appearance, it was presumed to relate to the same individual.
The nominate Eurasian race canus, colloquially referred to as Common Gull, was a rewarding find for Dave Mathieu, whose hard-working inland gulling paid off to the delight of many observers who traveled to see this individual. After its brief appearance and identification at an evening gull roost on Coventry Lake, it was sighted in three towns over two counties. To the astonishment of birders in the Northeast Corner, it decided to make the rooftop at the rear of Kohl’s at the Eastbrook Mall in Mansfield, and the parking lot at the Walmart in North Windham its primary foraging locations with Friskies fish-flavored dry cat food as its meal of choice. It was seen by over 200 birders from 17 states as far away as Florida, California, and West Virginia.
Even more amazing, Phil Rusch discovered a second Common Gull that joined the original individual at the Walmart lot on the morning of 19 Mar 2023. It will be reviewed in due course.
Short-billed Gull Larus brachyrhynchus [3]
2022: Adult, Long Beach, Lordship Seawall, Stratford, Fairfield, 20 Mar (Aidan Kiley*). 2022-64.
2023: Adult, presumed same as Stratford above, Holly Pond, Stamford, Fairfield, 30 Jan (Patrick Dugan, Aidan Kiley*). 2023-10.
It is also presumed this is the same individual that was seen at Randall’s Island, New York City 3 Dec 2022 – 19 Jan 2023, and perhaps is also the same bird that had been seen in various parts of Brooklyn in previous years. Since its split from the “Mew Gull” complex by the AOS in 2021, it has required observers to separate them to species level, which can be quite tricky and primarily involves a precise description of the wing tip pattern. Key field marks of putative Short-billed gulls should involve noting the color of the eye, size of the bill, wing pattern and the pattern of the head and breast markings. Short-billed Gulls typically show a distinctive “nicotine-stained” shawl of fine markings that is often a clue when seen at a distance. These two sightings constitute only the second and third records. The first record was found by “Mew Gull whisperer” Nick Bonomo at Hammonasset on 20 Mar 2016. Keen gullers would be well advised to read his identification article and status in the state on this complex (Connecticut Warbler Volume 37: Number 2; pp 32-47).
Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus [3]
2022: Third-cycle, Long Beach, Stratford, Fairfield, 18 Mar (Jeremy Nance*). 2022-13.
Only the third record, and the first recorded away from a landfill, of this hard-to-identify Asian species. Discovered among a large flock of plankton-feeding gulls by a sharp-eyed observer, at least 20-30 birders managed to connect with this mega-rarity before dense fog developed. It is presumed to be the same individual as the one that frequented Central Park in New York City in February 2022.
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica [14]
2022: First-cycle, Sandy Point, West Haven, New Haven, 18-19 Oct (Julian Hough*). 2022-42.
In true Patagonia Picnic Table Effect, it was found while the observer was watching the Smith’s Longspur. Despite breeding on Long Island, this remains a rare species in the state with individuals not lingering long. All previous records are of breeding adults in late spring and summer, so this individual, molting from juvenile to first-basic plumage, represents the first non-adult in the state.
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea [10]
2022: Adult, Lower Bolton Pond, Bolton, Tolland, 13 May (David Mathieu*). 2022-17; Twenty-seven, Adults, Bantam Lake, Litchfield, Litchfield, 13 May (Dave Tripp*). 2022-18; Fourteen, Adults, Candlewood Lake, Brookfield, Litchfield, 13 May (Brendan Murtha*). 2022-19; Sixteen, Adults, Lake Pocotopaug, East Hampton, Middlesex, 13 May (Russ Smiley*). 2022-20; Seven, Adults, Saugatuck Reservoir, Easton, Fairfield, 13 May (Jeremy Nance*). 2022-21; Adult, Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, New Haven, 13 May (Aaron Bourque*). 2022-22.
On the morning of 13 May 2022, Connecticut awoke to dense fog covering the majority of the state. The weather conditions aligned to produce a fall-out, with at least 69 Arctic Terns on scattered inland lakes. For a more in-depth look at this incredible Arctic Tern incursion, see Jeremy Nance’s article in The Connecticut Warbler, Volume 42, No. 3, pp 71-78, 2022.
Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica [8]
2022: Nepaug Reservoir, Canton, Hartford, 10 Nov (Jay Kaplan*). 2022-51.
This species, well known to be prone to misidentification due to the problems of light and identification pitfalls with other loons, still presents adjudication difficulties for the committee. Often distant, through no fault of the observer, there are often no photographs to aid in submissions, and like many other species, descriptions are often lacking in the requisite areas to help the committee decide if a Pacific Loon was seen. Observers would be advised to refer to the article by Julian Hough on the identification of Pacific Loon in The Connecticut Warbler, Volume 28: Number 1; pp 25-31 which points observers towards the subtle features that need to be documented in the field.
Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea [15]
2022: Long Island Sound (from the ferry), Waterford, New London, 3 Sep (Chris Loscalzo*, Marianne Vahey). 2022-37.
This shearwater was seen at close range and was well described by experienced observers.
Great Shearwater Ardenna gravis [21]
2022: Four, Long Island Sound (from the ferry), Waterford, New London, 28 Jul -11 Aug (Russ Smiley*, Steve Mayo*, Dan Rottino*). 2022-30A-E.
These individuals were seen in Connecticut waters from the ferry between New London and Orient Point (NY) which offers birders the best chance of seeing tubenoses in CT.
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis [10]
2022: Sub-adult, Old Saybrook, Middlesex, 9-10 Sep (Tim White*), 2022-36A; Sub-adult, presumed same as above, Old Lyme, New London, 10 Sep (Steve Mayo*). 2022-36B; Sub-adult, presumed same as above, Niantic Bay, East Lyme/Waterford, New London, 12-22 Sep (Dave Provencher). 2022-36C; Sub-adult, Stonington Harbor, Stonington, New London, 7 Nov (Phil Rusch*). 2022-50; Sub-adult, Stamford, Fairfield, 29 Nov-3 Dec (Patrick Dugan, Frank Mantlik*). 2022-57.
The Stonington individual was seen at dawn the prior two days in Watch Hill, RI, flying from the direction of Stonington Harbor. The Stamford individual was seen by U.S. Coast Guard contractors on 29 Nov 2022 and the information was relayed to local birders by Brian Hess and Miley Bull and many birders saw it subsequently around Shippan Point/Westcott Cove.
White Ibis Eudocimus albus [15]
2022: Three, Juveniles, Plum Bank Marsh, Old Saybrook, Middlesex, 21-28 Aug (John Michael
Arnett*, Severin Eubbing*, Jim Sherwonit*). 2022-32; Juvenile, Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme, New London, 2-14 Sep (Deb Lalonde*, Bill Rankin*). 2022-33A; Juvenile, presumed same as East Lyme, Hammonasset State Park, Madison, New Haven, 14 Sep (Steve Mayo*). 2022-33B; Juvenile, presumed same as above, Lighthouse Point, New Haven, New Haven, 15 Sep (Tom Murray*). 2022-33C; Juvenile presumed same as above, Sandy Point, West Haven, New Haven, 16 Sep (Paul Smith*). 2022-33D; Juvenile, Stewart McKinney NWR, Stratford, Fairfield, 7-16 Sep (Mary Walsh*, Vin Gallogly*, Chris Wood*, Aidan Kiley*). 2022-34; Two, Juveniles, Stratford, Fairfield, 23 Oct-13 Dec (Frank Mantlik*). 2022-46.
These seven individuals were part of a large post-breeding dispersal into the northeast and New England that included a flock of up to 30 juveniles in Wells, ME in August. The species is now nesting in southern NJ, with an amazing tally of 1075 (490 juveniles) in the evening roost in Ocean City on 21 Aug 2022! The initial flock in Old Saybrook may have numbered up to six birds and was found by a Diamondback Terrapin researcher who posted his photos on iNaturalist.
Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni [15]
2022: Juvenile, intermediate morph, Lighthouse Point, New Haven, New Haven, 27 Oct (Tom Murray*, Paul Roberts*, Bobbi Fisher*). 2022-47.
A pleasant surprise, this rarity was seen well and photographed by experienced hawk-watchers. Almost annual in recent years, it remains a highly-prized find at hawk-watches. Despite its expected occurrence, without the presence of photographs, based on recent submissions, describing this distinctive species’ differentiating fieldmarks on paper seems to be tricky.
Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis [3]
2022: HY, Bauer Park, Madison, New Haven, 12 Oct (Chuck Imbergamo*, Anthony Woodall). 2022-40.
A great find by our local hardworking list-serve moderator, Chuck Imbergamo. He alerted one other birder; they both obtained excellent photos. Only the 3rd record, it disappointed many birders by quickly departing southwest never to be seen again.
Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya [4]
2022: Sikorsky Airport, Stratford, Fairfield, 19 Mar-2 Apr (Tom Murray*). 2022-14.
A purple patch for rarities in Stratford, this bird put on a show at Sikorsky Airport for 100+ observers. It was another feather in Tom’s rarity cap after his recent discovery of the Milford Point Northern Lapwing on 16 Dec 2021.
Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina [1]
2022: Female, Farmington River, Avon, Hartford, 8 May (David Lawton*). 2022-16.
This long-awaited first state record was found in a mixed swallow flock feeding over the Farmington River in Avon. The swallow was seen and carefully studied by an experienced observer over a 90-minute period. Detailed field notes and sketches accompanied his report, though no photos were obtained. His description included proper size (smaller than Tree Swallow), a grass-green back, and a distinctive rump pattern. Despite the efforts of several hopeful birders the entire next day, it was never seen again.
Townsend’s Solitaire Myadestes townsendi [8]
2022: Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, New Haven, 21 Nov 2022-1 Mar 2023 (Scott Roxbrough, Steve Mayo*, Phil Rusch*). 2022-54.
First discovered, and reported on eBird, by Scott Roxbrough, this rare thrush spent the entire winter in the park’s campground area and was seen by dozens of birders. It fed typically on the fruit of Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and other plants.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus [2]
2022: Adult, Seacrest Road, Old Saybrook, Middlesex, 20-28 May (Anne McNulty*, Steve Mayo*). 2021-44 Addendum.
The bird that constituted the first state record in the fall/early winter of 2021-2022 returned for eight days in 2022 to the same feeding station in Old Saybrook to the delight of the homeowners. It is likely the bird had wintered locally among one of the large flocks of House Sparrows.
Smith’s Longspur Calcarius pictus [4]
2022: Sandy Point, West Haven, New Haven, 18 Oct (Bill Rankin*, Cody Limber*). 2022-41.
This was a great find by local patch birder, Bill Rankin. Its identity was quickly determined via circulated photos, and the news was disseminated promptly. Although it was seen and photographed by many, as is usual with this species in Connecticut, it was a one-day wonder.
LeConte’s Sparrow Ammospiza leconteii [16]
2022: Cassidy Road, Southbury, New Haven, 20 Oct (Jeff Campbell). 2022-43; Woodbridge, New Haven, 23 Oct (Chris Loscalzo*). 2022-45.
Dark-eyed “Oregon” Junco Junco hyemalis oreganus [7]
2022: Adult male, Bethany, New Haven, 4 Nov 2022 – 1 Mar 2023 (Ann Fiske). 2022-67.
This distinctive junco returned to a Bethany yard for the third consecutive winter.
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus [3]
2023: Veterans Park, Fairfield, Fairfield, 13 Jan-19 Mar, (James Purcell*, Frank Mantlik*, Aidan Kiley*). 2023-02.
James Purcell discovered this rarity, the state’s third, among a mixed flock of sparrows a short way from his home. The bird found a private feeding station adjacent to the park and settled in for the winter. The homeowner allowed many to view this special bird.
Yellow-rumped “Audubon’s” Warbler Setophaga coronata auduboni [6]
2022: Long Beach, Stratford, Fairfield, 23 Oct (John Oshlick*). 2022-44.
Painted Bunting Passerina ciris [22]
2022: Hatch-year, probably male, Silver Sands State Park, Milford, New Haven, 24 Nov (Julian Hough*). 2022-56; Hatch-year, Coulter Street, Old Saybrook, Middlesex, 9 Dec (Nick Jacome, Joe Attwater*). 2022-58; Adult male, Lord’s Point, Stonington, New London, 21 Dec 2022-24 Jan 2023 (Steven Dodd, Phil Rusch*). 2022-60.
Both HY birds were short stayers and didn’t hang around long to be seen by the masses. The Stonington adult is likely the same male that was at the same location during Feb-Mar 2022.
BREEDING RECORDS
Sandhill Crane Antigone canadensis
2022: 2022-01-Breeding
Several Ebird reports with photos 24-31 July 2022 documented two different families with small flightless juveniles in Norfolk. After several years of suspected breeding in the state, this constitutes the first confirmed breeding by Sandhill Cranes.
RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED
Ross’s Goose Anser rossii
2023: Groton, New London, 8 Jan. 2023-01.
One was reported near dusk from the Mystic River in Groton. The photos were of a lone adult white goose, facing directly into the camera, and therefore indeterminate as to whether it was a Ross’s or Snow Goose.
Ruff Calidris pugnax
2022: Madison, New Haven, 29 Sep. 2022-39.
Two individuals were reported as photographed at Hammonasset Beach State Park on 29 Sep. (One juvenile had been present there 14-16 Sep). Careful examination of the metadata on the photographs revealed that the photos were taken 15 Sep 2022, and of one individual. The committee believes that this was an innocent clerical mistake.
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla
2022: Waterford, New London, 24 Dec. 2022-62.
Two individuals were observed from shore off Harkness State Park. Though the observer reported some field marks for the species in question, a majority of the committee felt the description didn’t clinch the identification, nor did it eliminate other small gull species.
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
2022: Old Saybrook, Middlesex, 23 Aug. 2022-35.
While the observer noted an impression of a bulky white tern, at great distance, the photos submitted were inconclusive and two-thirds of the committee voted to not accept.
Great Blue Heron, white morph (“Great White Heron”) Ardea herodias occidentalis
2022: Waterford, New London, 30 Apr. 2022-26.
The observer admitted to having a moderate level of uncertainty regarding the identification. The photos submitted were distant and overexposed, but one showed a bird with black legs. Also, some on the committee felt the size and structure of the bill was not correct for a Great Blue Heron, and better fit Great Egret.
Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni
2022: Greenwich, Fairfield, 29 Sep. 2022-48.
Greenwich, Fairfield, 30 Oct. 2022-49.
In both reports, descriptions of the birds in question lacked adequate details. In cases like these, where photos were not obtained, detailed field notes and sketches are recommended.
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo
2021: Stamford, Fairfield, 26 May. 2021-63.
Three observers saw a medium-sized falcon briefly in flight that one of them felt fitted this species. Though some descriptive details were noted, the committee unanimously felt a bird of such extreme rarity, submitted a year after the observation, warranted more documentation.
Hoary Redpoll Acanthis hornemanni
2021: Canaan, Litchfield, 21 Jan. 2021-04.
One bird was photographed among some Common Redpolls on the ground. The written description was fairly good, but in some ways contradicted what the photos showed, including a moderate amount of streaking on the rump. The committee deliberated for the full three rounds of voting, but still could not muster enough positive votes for acceptance.The committee also felt that many of these HY females pose a challenge based on current acceptable criteria and may not be identifiable with certainty in the field due to overalap with HY female Common Redpoll.
Dark-eyed “Oregon” Junco Junco hyemalis oreganus
2023: Simsbury, Hartford, 9 Jan. 2023-13.
An individual of this subspecies was reported from Rosedale Farms in Simsbury. The description and one photo was circulated to several experts with experience in the many subspecies of Dark-eyed Junco. All of them thought this bird was not a pure “Oregon” Junco, but rather likely an intergrade, based in part on having too much gray on the flanks.
RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED (ORIGIN)
Painted Bunting Passerina ciris
2021-25, Facebook.
One was reported from Union Park in Manchester on 11 May 2021, via Facebook. Though the photo was indeed of a HY/female Painted Bunting, the committee, in two rounds of voting, felt that without any written details nor confirmation from the photographer as to where the photo was taken, the record should not be accepted.
Yellow Rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis
2021-53, Facebook.
A live individual of this species was reported on Facebook as being brought to a veterinary clinic in Wilton on 20 Sep 2021. Photos of the bird in hand were of a Yellow Rail. Despite committee efforts to obtain details about this event, it could not be ascertained where – CT, NY, or elsewhere – the bird had been captured. In its second round of voting, the committee voted unanimously to not accept.
In the future, the committee has decided that Facebook records will be considered for review only if the Facebook poster fills out a written report. Those without such will be added to the large number of un-reviewed reports that the committee has on file.
Frank Mantlik, mantlik@sbcglobal.net
Phil Rusch, philiprusch@charter.net
Julian R. Hough, jrhough1@snet.net