The COMMON GROUND-DOVE on Ora Ave/Proto Drive in East Haven continues. it was seen (from various reports) at 8:45, 10:30-11:15am, 2:20 (briefly), 2:35 (briefly), 2:30PM-4:00PM, and in and out from 3:30 to 4:45 when the road was quiet. It made no difference if there were Mourning Doves or not. Dori thought that the bird might actually prefer to be around fewer birds rather than in a crowd. The bird has mostly been seen coming in from behind a log - unfortunately I can't describe the log. The dove is sensitive to how close people are. Apparently when there are only a couple of people they can be a bit closer without problems, but once the crowd starts to form they have had much better luck by backing away another ten feet or more. Too close and it simply does not come out into view. From what I can bather about ten feed back from the edge of the road is probably a good place to start. Particularly important, the owner of the property where we all stand to watch for the dove has been having a problem with surveyor's stakes being removed at night. Every time that happens the surveyors have to come back, and that is expensive. So, we are welcome to continue to watch for the bird as long as we do not disturb the surveyor's stakes. IF WE HAD TO STAY OFF THIS PRIVATE PROPERTY WE WOULD BE TOO CLOSE FOR THE BIRD TO COME OUT. The water company's water line installation will not happen sooner than Monday. There is a LOT of truck traffic and there will be traffic tomorrow.. Parking out of their way is important. This means everyone parks on the SAME SIDE OF THE ROAD - the left side as you come in - and off to the side as much as possible. Watching for trucks when you arrive and depart is very important; Dori says there were almost two accidents today. There are will probably be ATVs over the weekend too. It is likely to be cold this weekend, so dress appropriately. If it is nice enough consider bringing a chair. Here are a couple of maps that might help. USE THE HYBRID VIEW. http://maps.live.com/?v=2&cid=27129B7B7AD8CE3B!279&encType=1 http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=104793863447053647228.00043d183b7554241a1f4&t=h&z=16&om=1 From Mark Aronson: 10/26 - New Haven, Cottage Street and Whitney Avenue -- Evening Grosbeak, fly over From Peary Stafford and Olaf Soltau: 10/26 - Washington, Macricostas Preserve of Steep Rock -- 2 Lincoln's Sparrows, 1 Eastern Meadowlark, 50 Purple Finches, 1 Rusty Blackbird, probably 100 American Pipits. From Angela Dimmitt 10/26 - New Milford yard -- 20 +/- PINE SISKINS in tree tops but not at thistle feeder From Ralph Amodei, Milano Fiacan 10/26 - Madison, Hammonasset Beach State Park, Wilards Island -- 2 Juv GOSHAWKS From John Schwarz: 10/25 - Madison, Hammonasset SP -- 4 PM, One Gray-cheeked Thrush along Willard's Island Trail. From Luke Tiller 10/26 - Wilton, Allen's Meadows -- 1 BLUE GROSBEAK, 2 Vesper Sparrows, 1 Fox Sparrow, 1 Eastern Meadowlark, 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, only 2 or 3 White-crowned Sparrows and 20+ Purple Finches. From Diane Tucker: 10/26 - West Hartford backing Up to Spicebush Swamp -- Three pine siskins have been eating thistle seed from my feeders all afternoon. From Dave Rosgen, w/ John Marshall (except for the siskins, which left before he arrived): 10/26 -- Litchfield, White Hall Rd. (White Memorial's Museum Area, 5 p.m. 'til dark) -- 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 9 Pine Siskins, 14 Purple Finches. From Frank Mantlik 10/26 - Stratford, Stratford Point (former gun club) 2:50-4:15pm -- East winds 15-20. Seawatch, part of the time joined by EJ Raynor; 2 White-winged Scoter, 2 Black Scoter.