Hi all, I’m back from 4 ½ months away and have been to Barn Island a couple of times this week—a nice welcome home. It has beautiful leaf color and there is lots of food around for birds so it’s no surprise that they are plentiful. It is hunting season so Sunday is the best day to visit since no hunting is allowed there on Sundays. On 10/22 on a quick visit to the upper parking lot (off Greenhaven Road, right on Stewart Street) I spotted a yellow-billed cuckoo. It was completely silent and moving its head only occasionally, but when following ruby-crowned kinglet with my binoculars it suddenly came into view. It’s tail feathers were worn with some missing. Either in heavy molt or the result of an unfortunate encounter with a predator. It finally turned and gave me a good look at its russet primaries. Today 10/24 I walked in from the parking lot on Palmer Neck Road. Among other things there were 19 greater yellowlegs, numerous great egrets and great blue herons and large flock of song sparrow with other sparrow kinds mixed in (swamp, chipping, white-throated and white-crowned.) Also: 10/24 – Stonington yard- 1 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH Dorothy Wadlow