From Timothy L Thompson: 01/07/14 - Groton, Thames River -- Pacific Loon was spotted Tuesday, twice during a thirty minute period inside the docks at EB. 01/08/14 - Groton, Thames River -- Today (Wednesday), the whole entire interior waterway in and around the docks is frozen in. I did a twenty five minute survey around the dock area and there simply is no available open water for the loon to dive and swim freely. I glassed across the river to the Fort Trumbull side and noted significant wildfowl activity. In my opinion, the loon has to be near open water and to those so inclined, it might be productive to take some time to look from Fort Trumbull glassing the shoreline and open river water. Also, thoroughly check the islands just south of FT. Other spots to check are: Bentley Creek located off Trumbull Street (NL), prior to the Wastewater Treatment plant, there is a little pull off for parking and additional parking spots will open up as they day wears on. You can check Burr's Marina south of FT, the shoreline in front of Mitchell College (basically all along Pequot Ave) and further down to Pequot Lighthouse area at the mouth of the river. Ocean Beach gets a lot of loons/wildfowl feeding off shore too. High tide is at 3:11 pm today. The winds have subsided and the chop on the river has gone down. It appears to be favorable viewing until sunset. From Bill Banks: 01/08/14 - Westport, Burying Hill Beach -- 7:45 AM; Barnacle Goose. From Frank Mantlik: 01/08/14 - Southport/Fairfield, Country Club of Fairfield -- Barnacle Goose first seen among 1000+ Canada Geese viewing from Harbor Rd; flock flew back to the golf course, viewed from from Pequot Yacht Club lot, Harbor Rd, Southport. At least one Cackling Goose was also found. From Keith Mueller: 01/08/14 - Madison, Circle Beach -- Only 1 Iceland Gull today. Ice everywhere along the beaches. Most of the Gulls appeared to have moved out of the area; the numbers are down to 100 from 500 a few days ago. Windsor, Windsor Landfill -- 1 to 2:30 PM; 2 first cycle Iceland Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (adult and 3rd cycle). From Gil Salk: 01/08/14 - Hebron, near Gay City State Park, yard -- The first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker I've seen here, plus Rusty Blackbird at the feeder. From Joseph Cala: 01/08/14 - Milford, Milford Point -- AM; one Snowy Owl. From Tina Green with the Hands & Zipps: 01/08/14 - Fairfield, South Pine Creek -- Rough-legged Hawk over landfill area, very bright Orange-crowned Warbler. From Tina Green leading NHBC first wednesday walk: 01/08/14 - Westport, Sherwood Island SP -- Highlights included Common Raven, Brown Thrasher. From Robert Dixon: 01/08/14 - Sterling yard -- FOX SPARROW (2), YELLOW-BELLED SAPSUCKER, RUSTY BLACKBIRD (2). From Steve Broker: 01/08/14 - Hamden, North Lake Drive (off Whitney Avenue and Servoss Street) -- 130 Rusty Blackbirds. From Frank Gallo: 01/08/14 - West Haven, West Haven Boat Ramp -- Much of New Haven Harbor was frozen so I stopped at the boat ramp to scan the Kimberly Ave area at the mouth of the West River where I there was still some open water. There were 26 Lesser Scaup (probably more, among 1000 greater scaup), 4 Redheads up near the I-95 bridge.