Pine Creek Marshes, Fairfield CT, 16/Feb/2025

Fox Sparrows in wintry conditions at Pine Creek, Fairfield; snow underfoot & worsening icy rain, but worth it for what is my favourite sparrow species. pic.twitter.com/RasqDOJoWO

— Marcus (@aucarius) February 16, 2025

eBird Checklist:

Sunday 16th February, Pine Creek--Ditch Trail, Fairfield CT USA.

Sherwood Island State Park, Fairfield CT, 15/Feb/2025

At Sherwood Island State Park, CT, this morning, among others continuing Merlin & my first American (Buff-bellied) Pipit, my 700th life tick! pic.twitter.com/RMN8gK9GJH

— Marcus (@aucarius) February 15, 2025

eBird Checklist:

Saturday 15th February, Sherwood Island State Park, Fairfield CT USA.

Sherwood Island State Park, Fairfield CT, 19/Oct/2024

Eastern Meadowlarks at the model airplane field.

eBird Checklist:

Saturday 19th October, Sherwood Island State Park, Fairfield CT USA.

Gooseberry Neck, Bristol, US-MA, 25-Aug-2013

11:53 AM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Outing to a familiar migration hotspot on a lovely day.
Weather: bright, hot & sunny.
21 species

Common Eider X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Osprey X

Grey Plover 2 on nearby rocks off south-east tip; primary projection not beyond tail, pale top of head, noticeable bill.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 foraging on rock close to south-east shore. Easily identifiable shape and bobbing behaviour.

Whimbrel 4 flew in low, directly towards and over me as I stood on the southern tip! The settled on the nearby beach and started to forage, keeping a eye loosely on me.

Sanderling 50 along the shore, flying to avoid people, and then roosting at the end of the island as I sat about 40 yards away having my lunch. I was able to move off without disturbing them.

Semipalmated Sandpiper 5 + foraging at various points along the shore, or on rocks in the water.

Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X

Least Tern 3 between rocks to the east and south of the mainland. They and other terns initially moved between the near eastern rocks and the further away southern rocks, before mainly settling on the farther rocks.

Black Tern 3 on southern rocks; small, darker body including tail, but not possible to pick out too many more details because I only had my binoculars.

Common Tern 1

Forster's Tern 1 flew out to the southern rocks, distinctive face mask just about visible.

Mourning Dove 2 near the tower.
Tree Swallow 100 + flying throughout and many perching on reeds.
Barn Swallow 1 or 2 among the tree swallows.
Grey Catbird X
Song Sparrow 1

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15095339

Parker River NWR--North Pool Overlook, Essex, MA, USA, 13-Jul-2013

7:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Final stop on the day-trip. A dusky look over the pond.
Weather: sunny, warm, dusk.
13 species

Mallard X
Wild Turkey X - including an adult and two chicks that crossed the road just before we pulled off into the overlook parking area.
Snowy Egret X
Semipalmated Plover 1
Least Sandpiper X
Willow Flycatcher 1 chasing other birds off low to the south of the parking area.
Eastern Kingbird X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow 1 flew in from the direction of the barn to the north, and out over the field next to the pond.
European Starling X
Song Sparrow X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14695645

Sandy Point Carpark and Beach, Essex, MA, USA, 13-Jul-2013

6:00 PM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: After reaching the end of the road on the island we took a brief walk out from the carpark to the beach, & back again.
Weather: bright, sunny, cooling breeze.
11 species

Osprey 2 over the sea.
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Least Tern X
Tree Swallow X
Grey Catbird X
Cedar Waxwing 1 alighted in the small trees around the carpark.

Common Yellowthroat 1 male, briefly showed at the top of a tall shrub as I sat in the car. Striking bandit's mask stood out in the sunlight.
American Redstart 2 total; the first was a female on the ground in the carpark at the front of our car. An unusual please to see one, on the ground, but great to get such a close look! The second I saw when I took a brief walk up a small path just off the carpark.
Yellow Warbler X - a few adults in low shrubs around the area with vociferous young in tow.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14695616

Parker River NWR--Salt Pans, Essex, MA, USA, 13-Jul-2013

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Family roadtrip to a place I have been reading about for ages. We drove the length of the island & back again, hardly venturing out due to the swarms of biting green-headed flies. On the way back dusk has set so mosquitoes cam out instead, but a wonderful place nonetheless & I hope to return many times as there were lots of birds.
Weather: bright, sunny & very hot.
12 species

Snowy Egret 1
Willet 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper X
Least Tern X
Eastern Kingbird X
Tree Swallow 2
Grey Catbird X
European Starling X
Song Sparrow X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14695560

Plum Island--North End, Essex, MA, USA, 13-Jul-2013

3:50 PM
Protocol: Incidental
Comments: With Kim. Weather: bright, warm some clouds.
3 species

Purple Martin X - at lighthouse gourds. An easy life-tick.
Northern Cardinal 1
Common Grackle X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14634999

Apponagansett Beach & Bay inc. Knowles Beach & Marsh, Bristol, MA, USA, 31-Mar-2013

12:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Easter visit to the in-laws & the usual walk with Kim & father-in-law.
Weather: bright & sunny, cool.
13 species

Bufflehead 3 distant from Apponagansett on the water.
Great Northern Diver 1 flew in to the water as we sat at Apponagansett.
Turkey Vulture 1 at Apponogansett.
Osprey 1 on nest platform in creek, seen from a road off W Smith Neck Rd.
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Blue Jay X
Black-capped Chickadee X
European Starling X
Savannah Sparrow 6 approx. foraging over the short grass in the carpark at Apponagansett, occasionally perching on fences & picnic tables. Hint of yellow lores and lightly streaked underparts without conspicuous chest dot of song sparrow.
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
American Goldfinch 1 sticking close to feeders in one of the gardens on Smith Neck Road. It moved between a tree next to the feeders & the feeders.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13634074

Stump Pass Beach SP, Charlotte, FL, USA, 22-Mar-2013

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Another trip to the beach with Kim; most of the time spent sitting around but we did go for a walk to the point.
Weather: bright, sunny, warm; mixed clouds.
11 species

Brown Pelican X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X - at least one pair nesting in the area.
Willet X
Ruddy Turnstone X
Sanderling X
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Forster's Tern X
Royal Tern X
Black Skimmer X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13633985

Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL, USA, 21-Mar-2013

11:30 AM

Protocol: Incidental
Comments: Day out on the beach with Kim.
Weather: bright & sunny; windy (NE).
10 species

Double-crested Cormorant 2 out to sea.
Brown Pelican X
Osprey 1 over sea.
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Royal Tern X
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3 on overhead power lines in the carpark, cooing away.
Fish Crow X
Common Grackle X - carpark.
Boat-tailed Grackle X - carpark.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13471818

Shamrock Park, Sarasota, FL, USA, 20-Mar-2013

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: A late small walk with Kim in average weather which caused the beach to be cancelled. Weather: blustery, spots of rain, mild.
14 species

Double-crested Cormorant 1 along intercoastal.
Brown Pelican 1 towards the sea.
Great Blue Heron 2
Snowy Egret 1 along intercoastal.
Laughing Gull X
Royal Tern X - a group of about a dozen flew over the carpark towards the intercoastal as we left.
Mourning Dove X
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 total; one on dead tree at end of firebreak path, another about halfway back up the path, repeatedly coming in to a patch on the ground before flying back to a thick tree branch.
Downy Woodpecker 1 heard then seen.

Florida Scrub-Jay 2 total; first one on the way back up the firebreak path. It was calling from a low shrub which it continued to do for a few minutes, it then flew directly towards where we were standing on the path observing it, coming closer & closer until it alighted on my head for a couple of seconds! It then flew back to another nearby shrub where it continued to call, moving slightly away from the path as we left it. The second was atop a small tree on the way to the visitors' centre. It called for 10 minutes or so before a gust of wind caused it to take wing.

Carolina Wren 1 heard singing & briefly glimpsed as it flitted down into undergrowth.
Northern Mockingbird X - several around apparently staking out territories?
Palm Warbler 3 individuals flitting low down at intervals along the path, with chestnut heads.
Pine Warbler X - several in the trees throughout.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13472067

Apponagansett Beach & Bay inc. Knowles Beach & Marsh, Bristol, MA, USA, 2-Mar-2013

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Usual walk with Kim when visiting the in-laws.
Weather: bright, cool, breezy.
13 species

Bufflehead X
Red-breasted Merganser X
Great Northern Diver X
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Downy Woodpecker 1 on a garden feeder right next to the road.
American Crow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
European Starling X - with the blackbirds & grackle.
Dark-eyed Junco X - several flying low in the same garden as the woodpecker.
Red-winged Blackbird 2 singing from high trees off the road on the way back. It took me a while to remember the song as winter has felt so long! They were with a grackle & a starling; first of year.
Common Grackle 1 with the blackbirds; first of year.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13632370

Titchwell Marsh RSPB Nature Reserve, Norfolk, GB, 27-Dec-2012

2:45 PM - 4:00 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Xmas holiday walk with Kim as we neared the end of our time in Norfolk. We walked to the beach & back.
Weather: overcast, breezy & cold.
32 species

Pink-footed Goose X
Greylag Goose X
Brent Goose X
Mute Swan X
Mallard X
Northern Shoveler X
Northern Pintail 1 male on freshwater marsh.
Eurasian Teal X
Little Grebe X
Little Egret X
Eurasian Marsh-Harrier X
Common Moorhen X
European Golden-Plover 100 + on freshwater marsh.
Eurasian Oystercatcher X
Common Redshank X
Eurasian Curlew X
Ruddy Turnstone X
Black-headed Gull X
Common Gull X
Great Black-backed Gull X
Common Wood-Pigeon X
Eurasian Collared-Dove X
Common Kestrel X
Great Tit X
European Robin X
Eurasian Blackbird X
European Starling X
Common Chaffinch X
Brambling 1 feeding on the feeders at the visitors' centre. It was a stand-out bird, very dapper in its distinct plumage. A really nice & unexpected one to see since my last one was nearly 20+ years ago in Scotland!
European Greenfinch X
Common Linnet 8 approx.
House Sparrow X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13623690

Apponagansett Beach & Bay inc. Knowles Beach & Marsh, Bristol, MA, USA, 9-Dec-2012

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Usual walk with Kim around the area during a visit to the in-laws.
Weather: bright, sunny, cold.
15 species

American Black Duck X - at Knowles.
Mallard X
Bufflehead X
Red-breasted Merganser X
Great Blue Heron X
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 perched in a tree in the farm/garden on the corner of W Smith Neck, it flew off towards the bay. Barred tail & smaller size identified.
Ring-billed Gull X
Herring Gull X
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 amongst the ring-billed & herring gulls in the parking area at Apponagansett. Yellow legs & slaty back, similar size to herring gull all helped with the id, plus a familiar bird from Europe.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 on the trees at Apponogansett.
Black-capped Chickadee X
Carolina Wren 1 in the same garden as white-throated sparrows on the way back.
American Robin X
Song Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X - in a garden on the way back.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13623600

Stump Pass Beach SP, Charlotte, FL, USA, 24-Nov-2012

10:00 PM - 12:30 AM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Final day of the Thanksgiving vacation on a nearby beach with Kim. This time I went for a walk down the path through the mangroves & tree & then back up the beach.
Weather: warm & sunny.
12 species

Magnificent Frigatebird 1 heading in (SE) off the sea; probably immature or female.
Double-crested Cormorant X
Brown Pelican X
Great Egret 1 also on intercoastal.
Snowy Egret 1 on intercoastal.
Osprey X
Ruddy Turnstone X
Sanderling X
Laughing Gull X
Royal Tern X
Black Skimmer 50 + gathered together on a sandbank between being disturbed by wandering fishermen & tourists.
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 1 flitting among mangrove shrubs next to intercoastal water; long tail, white 'spectacles', grey-blue, white-ish otherwise. Life-tick.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13623309

Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL, USA, 23-Nov-2012

11:40 AM - 5:30 PM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Another day on another beach with Kim, father-in-law & briefly mother-in-law & cousins. An amazing powder beach, very busy but some good birds moving through as well.
Weather: war & sunny, breeze NE (offshore).
10 species

Red-breasted Merganser 1 female flying at sea; white panel on wings.
Brown Pelican X
Turkey Vulture 1 distant.
Osprey X
Ruddy Turnstone X
Sanderling X
Laughing Gull X
Ring-billed Gull X
Royal Tern X
Sandwich Tern X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13623261

Stump Pass Beach SP, Charlotte, FL, USA, 22-Nov-2012

10:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Another day on the beach with Kim; bird species same as previous day plus the below, also a small group of dolphins passed close to the shore.
Weather: warm & sunny.
1 species

Black Scoter 20 approx. heading north at sea. Distinctive 'ribbon' in flight with yellow bills.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13623220

Stump Pass Beach SP, Charlotte, FL, USA, 21-Nov-2012

2:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Following a drive from Manasota Beach we ended up here where Kim & I jumped out briefly to look at the beach. Weather: warm & sunny.
7 species

Double-crested Cormorant X
Brown Pelican X
Osprey X
Grey Plover 1 on the beach.
Ruddy Turnstone X
Laughing Gull X
Black Skimmer 30 approx. skimming up & down the sea. Very distinctive, striking bird, & one I had hoped to see on this trip. Life-tick.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13478258

Manasota Beach, Sarasota, FL, USA, 21-Nov-2012

12:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Trip to the beach with Kim & parents-in-law. Weather: bright, sunny, warm; N breeze.
11 species

Northern Gannet 6 + at sea.
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Brown Pelican 6 approx. throughout the visit.
Willet 2 north over the sea.
Ruddy Turnstone X
Sanderling X
Laughing Gull 10 +
Forster's Tern 1 or 2 also along the beach.
Royal Tern 6 approx. along the beach & on the sand.
Sandwich Tern 1 or 2 along the beach.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 from the carpark on a telegraph pole.

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13478229