[CT Birds] Greenwich-Stamford Christmas Bird Count highlights 12/14

[Cynthia Ehlinger via CTBirds]

Greenwich-Stamford Christmas Bird Count 12/14
Highlights

The cold, snowy start to the Greenwich-Stamford Christmas Bird Count on
12/14/25 may impact our total numbers of birds, which are still coming in,
but the total 116 species on count day is surprisingly above our recent
average of 111. An additional 6 species were noted during count week. Count
Day highlights included some continuing birds -- Greater White-fronted
Goose, Dickcissel, Indigo Bunting, Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned
Warbler -- and some great surprises -- Red-necked Grebe, Cackling Goose,
Harlequin Duck, Wilson's Snipe, Rough-legged Hawk, and Clay-colored Sparrow.
Many thanks to Greenwich Audubon for hosting our compilation, and kudos to
my co-compiler Ryan MacLean and all the hardy participants who braved less
than ideal conditions.
Plus best wishes to all the upcoming CBCs in CT for a safe and productive
count this season. The data is such a crucial part of assessing avian
populations and the health of our environment. Thank you all.
On a somber note, we dedicated this count to the memory of Meredith
Sampson, a caring wildlife rehabilitator, leader of the First Sunday Bird
Walks at Greenwich Point, former CBC captain at Greenwich Point and
lifelong resident of Old Greenwich, who passed away in November of this
year. As a friend observed, she was "a force *of* nature and a force *for*
nature."

Cynthia Ehlinger
Greenwich-Stamford Christmas Bird Count compiler
Riverside

To subscribe or unsubscribe via email, send an email with just "join" or "leave" in the subject or body to: ctbirds...@lists.ctbirding.org

CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/

CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/

[Ryan Maclean via CTBirds]

Thank YOU Cynthia for all of your efforts and work on this count and to
everyone who made it possible despite the weather. To provide a couple
further insights, amongst the many highlights of this year's Greenwich
Stamford CBC, the continuing INDIGO BUNTING at Greenwich Point was actually
first for this species in the count's 100+ year history. While amazingly
both Painted Bunting and Blue Grosbeak have been historically recorded,
INBU has not been for this count. Major credit to the Greenwich Point team
of Brian O'Toole, Lisa Monacelli, Joe & Adam Fasciolo, Ellyne Rey and Chris
Wisker for staking this out along with many of the other count rarities
including Tennessee & Orange-Crowned Warblers, Dickcissel, Red-Necked Grebe
and others. Stefan & Shaun Martin had the light morph Rough-Legged Hawk
from Cos Cob Park Greenwich along with the count's only American Coot.
Emily Keating & Dave Woolery found the Clay-Colored Sparrow at Scalzi Park
in Stamford while Frank Mantlik found the Harlequin Duck at Cove Island
Park and refound the 3 Greater White Fronted Geese originally reported in
Darien at the North end of Holly Pond. Tom Burke & Gail Benson had a late
LAUGHING GULL at the reliable wintering location of Czecik Marina Stamford.
On the NY side Julien Amsellem, Reed Willard & Phil Ribolow had Wilson's
Snipe & Cackling Goose in Armonk NY with Ricky Chmielecki finding another
Wilson's Snipe. In all an absolutely amazing effort from all involved.

With difficult viewing conditions on Long Island Sound early in the
morning, several misses for count day included all three Scoters, but all 3
species were accounted for during Count Period. Most notable for Count
Period sightings was a shockingly late juvenile BROAD-WINGED HAWK
photographed by John Hopkins at Montgomery Pinetum in Cos Cob on Sat 12/13,
which also has never been recorded previously for this count. Other Count
Period additions included Marsh Wren and American Woodcock.

One other individual who was physically missed this year was long-time
count compiler Gary Palmer who sadly missed his first Greenwich Stamford
CBC since joining 50+ years ago. We send our best to him and greatly look
forward to him returning next year.

Our thanks to Cynthia once again and best wishes to all this CBC season!

-Ryan MacLean
Greenwich Audubon Center