I thought I'd pass on a couple of interesting tidbits from field work people in our research group have done in the past week. First, the two graduate students who are currently running our sparrow research saw a seaside sparrow at Hammo last week that was banded (as an adult) in 2003.  Then today they caught the first two birds of the season at Barn Island - both were males and had been banded there previously (I don't know when yet). So, if you see either species and can get a good look at its legs, please check to see if there are any bands.  There should be a metal band and 1-3 colour bands.  Noting which colours are on which legs, and if there are two on the same leg which is on top, would be especially helpful.  Seeing legs with binoculars is not easy, but as the seaside sparrow observation shows, it is possible. Also, Margaret has been checking a swift roost site in Willimantic and had 334 going in on May 5th.  Getting a good count was harder last night, but there seemed to be similar numbers. Chris Elphick Storrs, CT elphick@sbcglobal.net