Greg Hanisek, Jay Kaplan and Frank Mantlik
This is the 26th report of the Avian Records Committee of Connecticut (ARCC). In the last report (see the 25th Report of the Avian Records Committee of Connecticut, Connecticut Warbler Vol. 39 No. 2), a single species, Brewer’s Sparrow, was added to the state list to bring the total to 445. This year three new birds were added: Common Ringed Plover, Pacific Golden-Plover and Townsend’s Warbler, bringing the total to 448.
At the committee’s annual meeting on Feb 28, 2021, 65 records were voted on, a substantial increase from 32 in 2020 and 29 in 2019. Digital photography allowed the committee to expedite and accept many of these records unanimously at the meeting, held virtually for the first time due to constraints placed upon gatherings by the Covid-19 pandemic. Several of the accepted records were submitted by beginning birders, demonstrating that rarities are not necessarily found by experienced observers. Updated information on how to submit a report may be found on the committee’s web page on the COA web site (https://www.ctbirding.org/arcc/reporting-rare-sightings/).
STATE LIST AND REVIEW LIST
The committee depends on observers to submit their reports of species on the Review List (species 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 reports along with documentary material to Jay Kaplan, ARCC chair (jaybrd49@aol.com), and co-secretaries Frank Gallo (peeplo@aol.com) and Phil Rusch (philiprusch@charter.net). Greg Hanisek, ARCC secretary for 20 years, announced his retirement from that position at the meeting, but he will remain a member of the committee.
Each year the committee evaluates the species on the Review List. The committee is currently reviewing the criteria it uses in order to determine what constitutes a review species and is looking at what other state committees are now doing. This review is ongoing. The committee also documents the occurrence of rare species’ breeding records. Currently, all such breeding records are being submitted to the ongoing Connecticut Breeding Bird Atlas Project. In other action, the committee has, as expected, removed the originally introduced Ring-necked Pheasant from the state list. It has been extirpated as a breeding species in Connecticut.
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Members, in addition to the authors, who voted on records in this report are Nick Bonomo, Frank Gallo, Tina Green, Julian Hough, Dave Provencher, Phil Rusch, Dave Tripp and Glenn Williams.
FORMAT
This report continues the format of previous reports. 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.
OLD RECORDS
The committee has undertaken a long-term project to document historical occurrences of rare birds in Connecticut. Committee members Phil Rusch and Frank Gallo are spearheading this effort The following five records are part of the result.
WESTERN GREBE (Aechmophorus occidentalis) A bird discovered on 7 or 8 Oct 1978 by the late John Maynard, and present into January 1979, is listed by Zeranski & Baptist as the first documented record. A photo provided to the committee by Chris. S. Wood confirmed the bird as a Western Grebe. At the time of this observation the taxon had not been split into Western and Clark’s Grebes. 2020-41.
BLACK RAIL (Laterallus jamaicensis) A potential breeder was captured by Noble S. Proctor, photographed and then released on 25 June 1980 at a wetland in Cromwell. An account with photo appeared in American Birds in November 1980 and the record is listed in Zeranski & Baptist. 2020-48.
GRAY KINGBIRD (Tyrannus dominicensis) A first state record was found and photographed by William Burt on 9-10 Nov 1974 in Old Lyme. The record and a photo appeared in American Birds in February 1976. Burt provided a photo copy to the committee. 2020-57.
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus) One was present 17-22 May 1977 in Old Lyme, where it was photographed by William Burt, who provided a copy to the committee. The record and a photo appeared in American Birds in September 1977. 2020-58.
LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys) The first state record was banded by Jeff Spendelow on 8 Oct 1978 at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven. It remained in the area until at least 24 Oct. Spendelow provided a series of in-hand photos with accompanying documentation to the committee. 2020-35.
ACCEPTED CURRENT RECORDS
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE (Anser brachyrhynchus) Two were found on 24 Oct 2020 at Great Pond in Simsbury and remained through 15 Dec 2020, there and at nearby farm fields (2020-26 Doug Beach*‡). Starting with the first fully documented record for the Lower 48 in Mansfield, CT in 1998, there have now been 12 state records.
“BLACK” BRANT (Anser bernicla nigricans) This western form was found on 1 Dec 2020 at Sandy Point in West Haven (2020-21 Alex Lin-Moore*‡). It was the sixth state record.
TUFTED DUCK (Aythya fuligula) A female was found on 22 Dec 2020 at Captain’s Cove in Bridgeport (2020-45 Aidan Kiley*‡ Frank Gallo‡). The same bird is believed to have been present here for five consecutive winters and six out of the last seven. It was present into mid-March 2021.
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis) One was found on 2 Jan 2021 at the western end of Saville Dam at Barkhamsted Reservoir in Barkhamsted (2021-08 Glenn Barger*‡).
WESTERN GREBE (Aechmophorus occidentalis) One as found on 5 May 2020 off Cove Island Park in Stamford (2020-40 Tina Green‡).
WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica) One visited a private feeder in Old Saybrook 10-11 Apr 2020 (2020-42 James Sherwonit). One was found on 11 Oct 2020 at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford (2020-17 Jerilyn Duefrene*‡).
CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW (Antrostomus carolinensis) One was heard and recorded in the early morning hours of 1 June 2020 near Hoydens Hill Open Space in Fairfield (2020-08 Chris Petherick*). It is the 10th state record.
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus calliope) A female was at a feeder in Stamford on 15-23 Oct 2020 (2020-46 (Patrick Dugan,* Frank Gallo‡, Dave Winston‡). It is the sixth state record.
YELLOW RAIL (Coturnicops noveboracensis) One was brought to the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point on 15 Oct 2020 (2020-18 Frank Mantlik‡). It was originally found stunned in a nearby neighborhood, and spent time resting out in the open, allowing numerous observers to see this secretive species. It was subsequently safely coaxed into the nearby marsh.
LONG-TAILED JAEGER (Stercorarius longicaudus) One was seen well on 25 Aug 2020 at Stratford Point, Stratford as it flew in to inspect a large flock of foraging gulls and terns (2020-14 Frank Mantlik*‡).
DOVEKIE (Alle alle) One was released on 26 Dec 2020 at Hammonasset Beach State Park by a wildlife rehabber, Christine Cummings (A Place Called Hope www.aplacecalledhoperaptors.com), after she received it from a North Branford resident that morning (2020-37 Frank Mantlik‡). This small alcid no doubt “wrecked” at the inland yard as a result of a Dec 24-25 storm with strong south winds and rain.
THICK-BILLED MURRE (Uria lomvia) One was seen on 9 Jan 2021 at the Avery Point campus of UConn in Groton (2021-03 Jory Teltser*). It was at the mouth of the Thames River in the company of several Razorbills.
BLACK GUILLEMOT (Cepphus grylle) One was discovered 3 Jan 2020 by a birding couple at Bluff Point State Park, Groton, then relocated the next day (2021-02 Phil Rusch, Frank Mantlik‡). It remained in the area through 14 Jan.
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus) Two were found on 30 May at Barn Island Wildlife Management Area, Stonington (2020-31 Glenn Williams*‡). This is the seventh state record.
PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis fulva) A molting adult was found on 29-31 Oct 2020 at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford (2020-23 Frank Mantlik*‡). This was the first state record. There are now about 15 records for the eastern states.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) Identification of this first state record was based largely on the diagnostic call of this small plover, which is very similar in appearance to the abundant Semipalmated Plover (2020-13 Nick Bonomo*).
RUFF (Calidris pugnax) A juvenile was present one day only on 7 Sep 2018 in the West End shorebird pools at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison (2020-06 Bill Batsford*‡).
ROSS’S GULL (Rhodostethia rosea) A second-cycle was found 16 Jan 2021 at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison (2021-06 Micky Komara*‡, Nick Bonomo). Word was gotten to the public, allowing dozens to see this rare one-day “wonder.” There’s is one previous state record, from 11-22 Apr 1984 in West Haven.
FRANKLIN’S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan) A first-alternate bird was found on 5 Jun at Griswold Point in Old Lyme (2020-59 Dave Provencher*‡). There are three previous records of single birds, in addition to the historic eastward flight in mid-Nov 2015 when dozens were found along the Connecticut coast and many more throughout the Northeast.
MEW (COMMON) GULL (Larus canus canus) A first-basic bird of the nominate race was found on 9 Dec 2020 at Green Harbor Beach, New London (2020-27 Nick Bonomo*). This is the first Mew Gull of this age class found in the state. There are six previous records of L. c. canus.
CALIFORNIA GULL (Larus californicus) An adult in winter plumage was found on 3 Jan 2021 at Bradley Point in West Haven for a third state record. (2021-01 Julian Hough*‡). It was seen sporadically into March.
SOOTY TERN (Onychoprion fuscatus) There were a series of reports on 4 Aug 2020 associated with Hurricane/Tropical Storm Isaias. One adult was seen from Sniffens Lane in Stratford at the mouth of the Housatonic River (2020-19 Frank Mantlik*‡). Two adults were seen from Shippan Point, Stamford (2020-43 Frank Gallo,* Patrick Dugan*). Five adults were seen from Point Folly on Bantam Lake, Litchfield (2020-51 Nicolas Main*‡, Fran Zygmont). One adult was seen from Cornfield Point, Old Saybrook (2020-54 Dan Rottino*).
GREAT SHEARWATER (Ardenna gravis) Two were seen from Cornfield Point, Old Saybrook on 11 July 2020 after the passage of Tropical Storm Fay (2020-10 Nick Bonomo,* Phil Rusch). One was seen on July 11 2020 from Stonington Point, Stonington (2020-32 Glenn Williams*).
MANX SHEARWATER (Puffinus puffinus) One was seen on 30 Sep 2020 from Stonington Point, Stonington (2020-12 Dave Provencher*, Phil Rusch). It is the third state record.
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis) An immature first photographed on a car hood in Old Saybrook 26 Jan 2021 was then relocated the next day in a cove of the Connecticut River in Essex (2021-07 Frank Gallo‡). The weak bird was easily captured by state environmental staff, transported to a local rehabber, and eventually flown to another rehab facility in Florida.
GREAT BLUE HERON, WHITE MORPH (“Great White Heron”) (Ardea herodias) One found 27 Sep 2020 in the Cos Cob section of Greenwich remained through 20 Dec 2020, when it was found deceased the next day (2020-24 Frank Mantlik‡, Sean Murtha). The carcass has been deposited at Yale Peabody Museum.
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus) One was seen 17-20 Aug 2020 on private property at Samuel Bargh Reservoir in North Stamford (2020-38 Frank Mantlik‡). It is the 10th state record.
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus) One was present on 25-26 May 2020 at Samuel Bargh Reservoir in North Stamford (2020-20 Al Collins*, Max Collins*‡). This species, once a regular migrant and winter visitor throughout the Northeast, has become very rare along with the precipitous decline of the most northerly subspecies, L. l. migrans.
BELL’S VIREO (Vireo bellii) One was found at Silver Sands State Park, Milford on 22 Oct 2020, and subsequently seen by many through 1 Nov 2020 (2020-15 John Oshlick*‡).
SEDGE WREN (Cistothorus platensis) A singing male found on 26 Jul 2020 in a field in Newtown was present to 27 Sep (2020-50 Patrick Dugan*‡, Frank Gallo). Although the habitat was appropriate for breeding, a mate was never observed.
HOARY REDPOLL (Acanthis hornemanni) An unprecedented incursion generated several reports, some of which were sent to a second round of voting for further consideration of identification issues. Accepted were one at Station 43, South Windsor, on 16 Dec 2020 (2020-33 Tom Marsan-Ryan); one at Sniffens Lane, Stratford, on 31 Dec 2020 and 1 Jan 2021 (2020-34 Frank Mantlik‡, Julian Hough); one found on 13 Jan 2021 at Nod Brook Wildlife Management Area in Avon and present into March (2021-05 Gillian Smits*‡, Alex Lin-Moore). Two previously unsubmitted records from the 2013 flight were accepted: a bird at a Barkhamsted feeder on 19 Jan 2013 (2020-55 Julian Hough*‡) and a different individual at the same feeder on 20 Jan 2013 (2020-56 Nick Bonomo*‡).
DARK-EYED (OREGON) JUNCO (Junco hyemalis) A male visiting a private yard with feeders was first noticed in mid-Jan 2021. On 2 Feb it was then re-sighted, identified and photographed. (2021-09 Ann and David Fiske*‡). It remained for at least an additional month.
LeCONTE’S SPARROW (Ammospiza leconteii) One was found on 27 Sep 2020 in Newtown (2020-49 Patrick Dugan*‡).
HARRIS’S SPARROW (Zonotrichia querula) A very cooperative individual was found on 23 Feb 2020 at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison (2020-07 Micky Komara*‡, Greg Hanisek). The last known report of this long-staying bird, seen by many observers, was 10 May 2020. It is the 12th state record.
WESTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella neglecta) One was found on 13 June 2020 at Glastonbury Meadows, Glastonbury (2020-52 Andrew Dasinger‡*,Jason Rieger‡). The observers submitted very detailed and well-illustrated reports to confirm this difficult identification. This is the fourth state record.
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii) Adult males were present at feeders on 15 Nov 2020 in Ledyard (2020-47 Deborah Vessels*‡) and 22 Nov 2020 and beyond in Hebron (2020-36 Joyce Managerr*‡, Frank Mantlik‡, Tina Green‡).
YELLOW-RUMPED (AUDUBON’S) WARBLER (Setophaga coronata auduboni) One was seen well 8 Nov 2020 at Stratford Point, Stratford (2020-60 Stefan Martin*‡).
TOWNSEND’S WARBLER (Setophaga townsendi) The long-awaited state first, an SY female, was present and seen by many 17-19 Apr 2020 at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Wethersfield (2020-09 Paul Desjardins*‡). Remarkably, the second for the state, believed to be an adult female, was seen on 26-27 Oct 2020 at Nathan Hale Park in New Haven (2020-22 John Oshlick*‡, Frank Mantlik‡).
WESTERN TANAGER (Piranga ludoviciana) A second-year male visited a feeder in Stratford from 16-20 Apr 2020 (2020-25 Frank Mantlik*‡).
PAINTED BUNTING (Passerina ciris) Three adult males were reported: one found on 19 Dec 2019 at a feeder in Stamford (2020-29 Cindy Safian*‡, Frank Gallo); one at a New Canaan (corrected from Darien) feeder from 1 Feb to c. 7 Apr 2020 (2020-28 Cleo Abrams-Horsburgh*‡, Frank Gallo‡, Frank Mantlik‡); one at a feeder in Branford on 11 Oct 2020 (2020-30 Eileen Becker-Dunn*‡).
RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED
CORY’S SHEARWATER (Calonectris diomedea) Reports of two different individuals (2020-11, 2020-53) lack sufficient detail, primarily because of the short duration of the observations and/or distance.
PACIFIC LOON (Gavia pacifica) (2020-39) Distance and hazy conditions were cited in taking a conservative approach to a difficult identification.
Correction
The following record was inadvertently omitted from the 18th Report:
Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacifica): One was reported on 15 December 2012 from a beaver marsh in Chaplin (2012-42). Two experienced observers saw and heard a dark “Winter” type wren. They provided detailed notes and sketches. Intriguing as the sighting was, given the absence of photographs or recordings, and the fact that this record would be the first confirmed record of the species east of the Mississippi River, the committee did not accept the record.
Greg Hanisek, 175 Circuit Ave., Waterbury, CT 06708
Jay Kaplan, 71 Gracey Road, Canton, CT 06019
Frank Mantlik, 195 High View Drive, Stratford CT 06614