NOTE: Due to the widespread reports of Purple Finch, I am generally not going to include them in the daily report for the time being. Those who are interested in following this unusual event can do so by reading CTBirds. Note: I don't usually include anything older than a day or two, but a report from last week that I had to wait on a bit more detail and reasearch (thanks, Nick) is unusual enough for special mention. From Kat Conte: 10/23-24/14 - Hebron, yard -- male COMMON REDPOLL was at both of my feeders for two days then left. The red cap was very distinct and he looked just like the picture #5 in the link you sent on ID (Cornell site). He was into my thistle mostly. From Tina Green with Patrick Dugan and Stefan Martin: 10/28/14 - Stamford, Cove Island Park -- male Painted Bunting seen at the north side of the tennis courts. The bird was seen originally at 7:05 for 5 minutes then dove into the brush.It reappeared at 8:27 briefly and then moved back along the edge of the north side of the tennis courts and went back into the brush. From Stefan Martin: 10/28/14 - Stamford, Cove Island Park -- Gotta give credit where credits due. Vanessa David was originally the first person who got a picture of the Painted Bunting at cove yesterday. From John Oshlick: 10/28/14 - New Haven, East Shore Park -- 1 Orange-crowned Warbler seen near exercise trail heading toward magic hedge. Great looks. From Keith Mueller: 10/28/14 - Madison, Hammonasset State Park -- Wilson's Snipe in the nature center parking lot (chased off by a Sharp-shinned Hawk). From Judy Moore: 10/28/14 - Woodbridge, Woodbridge Community Gardens -- Fox Sparrow. From Gary Valade: 10/28/14 - Pomfret, Pomfret Center, Bafflin Sanctuary, hedgerows and fields on the north side of Bosworth Rd -- a single Fox Sparrow and 3 White-crowned Sparrow. Also 13 Rusty Blackbirds along the western edge of the field. A single Eastern Meadowlark flew up from the grassy area mid field and 1 or 2 others could be heard. From Jack Swatt: 10/28/14 - Simsbury, Talcott Mt -- Had 4 PINE SISKINS while hiking the mountain Tuesday. From Dana Campbell: 10/28/14 - New Haven, Lighthouse Point Park Hawkwatch -- 1 EASTERN MEADOWLARK, 1 AMERICAN PIPIT. (Also a late Eastern Kingbird that stared quite a discussion on CTBirds). From Robert Dixon: 10/28/14 - Sterling yard -- We have been averaging around six PURPLE FINCHES a day at the feeders along with a few flyovers. That changed today. While I was at work Linda had (20) PURPLE FINCHES at the feeders including five adult males. From Ralph Amodei: 10/28/14 - East Haven, yard -- one immature White-crowned Sparrow. From Gary Hamilton: 10/27/14 - Glastonbury -- On my way to work Monday morning I saw a dead Snowy Owl on the left edge of the pavement on route 2 west just before exit 8. Looks like it dove into the pavement rather than having been hit by a car. From Keith Mueller: 10/27/14 - Durham, Greenbachers Pond -- Cackling Goose (in with 650 Canada). Wallingford, Mackenzie Reservoir -- Greater White-fronted Goose, 2 Cackling Geese, and an additional small dark goose with a stubby bill. From John Oshlick: 10/27/14 - Milford, Silver Sands State Park -- 1 Orange-crowned Warbler seen near where the gated dirt rd reaches the beach. 3 Vesper Sparrows, 1 Lincoln's Sparrow. From Bill Banks with many: 10/27/14 - New Haven, Lighthouse Point Park, Hawk Watch -- Northern Goshawk. From Chuck Imbergamo: 10/27/14 - Madison, Hammonasset State Park -- a group of four immature Little Blue Herons in the marsh at the extreme southwest edge of the park. Also many Pine Siskins, 5 White-crowned Sparrows. From Ryan MacLean: 10/27/14 - Greenwich, Quaker Ridge -- Golden Eagle #4 for the season at 1:10. Nice looks directly overhead heading west. From Tina Green: 10/27/14 - Guilford, Sachem's Head -- 16 Royal Terns, 2 Forster's Terns seen with Ann Peterson(private property). Shell Beach -- Long-billed Dowitcher. From Annie Perko: 10/27/14 - Colchester, Bruce Circle, yard -- 2 Rusty blackbirds 1 male and 1 female in dogwood. From Carolyn Cimino: 10/27/14 - Waterford, Harkness SP -- mid afternoon; 10 White-crowned Sparrows, all juvenile. From Frank Mantlik: 10/27/14 - Bridgeport, Seaside Park - No sign of the previously reported Western Kingbird Monday morning. I drove the park roads to the extreme east end, seeing 2 COMMON RAVENS, 3 BONAPARTE'S GULLS. Stratford, Long Beach Blvd, McKinney NWR -- 1 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW. From Ralph Amodei: 10/27/14 - East Haven, yard -- 5:35 PM; 1 Vesper Sparrow (may have been two). From Dave Rosgen via John Marshall: 10/27/14 - arkhamsted, Saville Dam -- RED-NECKED GREBE. From Sol Satin via Sara Zagorski: 10/26/14 - Guilford, Sachem's Head -- 18 Royal Terns and 20+ Forster's terns on the rocks. These birds have been hanging out there for the past 2 weeks. From Aidan Kiley: 10/26/14 - Fairfield, yard -- 1 Brown Creeper, 1 Black Vulture flying very close.