The Eastern Screech

Volume 1, Issue 4 Nautchaug Ornithological Society's Newsletter December 2000

December 1^st, 2000

SOUTH TEXAS: RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND

GULF COAST

As those of you who have done Christmas Counts in the past have discovered, every count is great. Some enable you to find life birds that you have looking for for awhile. Some are remembered by the fabulous people you went out with and became fast friends. Some are better remembered a couple of years down the line sipping hot cocoa by the fire while laughing at yourself at what you did. No matter what there is always a good feeling about being involved. Maybe it is feeling of giving back. Maybe it is the feeling of a good day’s work doing something you love. Maybe it is the friendly competition to get the best list, rare bird, or story. Whatever the reason, the Christmas Count can be one of the best gifts you give and receive.

All those that wish to become involved, please contact Steve Rogers either by phone or at the next meeting. Steve will give you your maps and tally sheets. Allotment of count areas will taken on a first come first served basis with a preference given to individuals who wish to do the same count area as last year. Those of you have not done this before but wish to become involved to see what you have been missing, you can be paired with a more experienced person or group.

For those of you who are not able to be involved with the Christmas Count or for those of you who just can’t get enough of counting (who can really), the Trailwood Count will be held on December 31^st. Please contact Sam Higgins for further information regarding signing up for this count. She will also have more information at the meeting on the 1^st of December.

In January, we will be having a field trip out to Race Point, Massachusetts. We should have a good chance of seeing some great alcids and other pelagics. Further information will be included in the next issue.

N.O.S. Seal

It has been brought to our attention that N.OS. does not have an official emblem or seal. Therefore a call is going out to all our talented members for them to create a logo for our group. . A seal is a symbolic statement of the heritage, identity, and mission of NOS. At the May meeting we will be examining the seals (paintings, drawings, etc...) brought in by the members of NOS for adoption We will use this seal for official mailings and we could even have tee shirts or pins made to promote NOS. So get cracking on a seal that you think would hit the mark!

Locally, Steve Morytko reported on the 18^th that on Mirror Lake "there was 1 (Greenland) GREATER WHITE FRONTED". At Hammonasset, there have been LAPLAND LONGSPURS, VESPER SPARROWS and on the 19^th-21^st there was a KING EIDER off Meig’s Point. On the 4^th there was a GREAT CORMORANT. Also there on the 18^th were BALTIMORE ORIOLE, BLACK SCOTER and BLACKBURNIAN and BLACK POLL WARBLERS. SNOWY OWLS have been in Stratford and Milford for most of the month. Also at Milford was on the 10^th was a SHORT EARED OWL. BALD EAGLES have been seen in the vicinity of their wintering grounds near the Connecticut River. On the 21^st, there was a GOLDEN EAGLE in Canaan. Stratford had had CANVASBACKS at Frash Pond. On the 21^st, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK seen along Interstate 95 at Exit 59. From the 11^th to the 15^th, a CATTLE EGRET was in Wallingford.

Through out New England, NORTHERN SHRIKES, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, and SNOWY OWLS are being reported. In Massachusetts for several days in the middle of the month, a TROPICAL KINGBIRD was at Hingham at the Trustees of Reservation property, World's End. Also, typical winter pelagics have been seen with increasing regularity off of the Cape including, DOVEKIES, COMMON MURRE, THICK-BILLED MURRES, RAZORBILLS, BLACK LEGGED KITTIWAKES, POMARINE JAEGERS, PARASITIC JAEGER, LITTLE GULL, BLACK-HEADED GULL and ICELAND GULLS. At Plum Island a GYRFALCON was confirmed at Hellcat Marsh, For a while in the middle of the month a TUFTED DUCK was in Sterling. In Concord, a MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD was reported. In Rhode Island, the HARLEQUIN DUCKS have returned to Sachuest Point. Also a EURASIAN WIGEON was found at Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge on the 5^th. In Vermont on the 6^th, an immature IVORY GULL was off Charlotte. In Maine on the 3rd, a BOREAL OWL was in Freeport and a NORTHERN HAWK OWL was in the Weld Area. In New Hampshire on the 3^rd, a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER and two BOREAL CHICKADEES were found in Ellsworth.

In New Jersey, there have been several interesting birds. A TROPICAL and WESTERN KINGBIRD were seen on the 18^th in Cumberland County The Western was relocated on the 19 and 20^th. There was a WOOD STORK on the 14^TH at Bivalve. There were 3 CAVE SWALLOWS on the 6^th at Cape May. Several states reported numerous late fall humming bird sightings, most of these were Rufous/Allen’s. But one of these was caught on tape and its is highly suggestive to be a CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD. This bird was at a feeder from November 11^th to 15^th at NJ Audubon CMBO in Goshen. In Maryland, the KELP GULL is continuing to be seen in St. Mary’s County.