>From Frank Mantlik 10/2 Stratford, McKinney NWR (Great Meadows Unit) - I lead a walk here 9am-noon as part of the Stratford Bird Festival. About 25 people enjoyed views of 41 species with these highlights: Pied-billed Grebe, Little Blue Heron (imm.), Am. Kestrel eating a praying mantis, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, 2 Marsh Wrens, Brown Thrasher, 2 Eastern Towhees, 5 White-throated Sparrows (my first of fall). Other highlights I had around town today: - Greenway / Avco Cove (Beacon Point Rd.) w/ Linda M. and Moccios - American Bittern (flying of Milford Point marsh), adult Peregrine Falcon, Yellow Warbler (late). - Stratford Marina dock, high tide - adult LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, 6 Short-billed Dowitcher, 130 Greater Yellowlegs, 6 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Dunlin, 8 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 2 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. - Community Garden (Connors Lane) - Solitary Sandpiper, Tennessee Warbler, Marsh Wren, Lincoln's Sparrow, 2-3 Indigo Buntings, 16 Monk Parakeets, (and possible Orange-crowned Warbler). - home/yard with wife Linda - 2 Ruby-throated hummingbirds, Eastern Screech-Owl calling 7:10pm. Eastern Phoebes and Gray Catbirds were numerous everywhere today.