From Stefan Martin: 01/18/14 - Stratford, Birdseye Boat Ramp -- At about 4:20 PM Saturday there was a THICK-BILLED MURRE very close into shore at Birdseye Boat Ramp (at the end of Birdseye ST in Stratford). I first spotted the bird about 5ft. offshore to the left of the platform. It appeared as if he was even coming out of the salt marsh! I was able to run back to the car to obtain some ID shots before it flew South out of the harbor. (Note: Thick-billed Murre "is an incredibly rare bird in CT with few records". There is a picture of this one in Greg Hanisek's blog: http://blogs.rep-am.com/nature/2014/01/19/thick-billed-murre-in-stratford/) Stratford, Birdseye Boat Ramp -- 11:30 AM; 3 Snowy Owls visible from here. Fairfield, Penfield Beach -- drake Barrow's Goldeneye still present as of 10:30 AM. From John Oshlick: 01/18/14 - Wallingford, North Farms Reservoir -- The Tundra Swan was present this morning but it took off with 3 mute swans. It flew toward Bishop's Pond. From Dan and Karen Mercurio: 01/18/14 - Wallingford, North Farms Reservoir -- Tundra Swan left heading towards Bishops Pond in Meriden.  From Aaron Dollar: 01/18/14 - Wallingford, North Farms Reservoir -- Tundra Swan returned, seen between 815 and 925 with other birders. From Phil Asprelli with Jason Reiger: 01/18/14 - Wallingford, North Farms Reservoir -- Tundra Swan present as of 3:30 PM. From Bill Banks: 01/18/14 - Norwalk, 14 Acre Pond -- Blue wing teal and Shoveler present 8:50 AM. (For those not familiar with the location use a computerized map to find 20 Stony Brook Road Norwalk; it will bring you right to best viewing location.) From Brendan Murtha: 01/18/14 - Norwalk, 14 Acre Pond -- 3:40 PM; The Blue-winged Teal and Northern Shoverler were still present in the afternoon, but a new addition was a RUSTY BLACKBIRD foraging in the mud at the edge of the water. From Fran Zygmont: 01/18/14 - Barkhamsted -- 1 lone Pine Siskin continues. From Keith Mueller: 01/18/14 - Madison, Circle Beach -- 2 adult Iceland Gulls continue. From Tina Green: 01/18/14 - East Lyme, Rocky Neck State Park -- adult female or 1st winter male Yellow-headed Blackbird seen flying with large flock of blackbirds and starlings from about 50 yards away and then flew off to the west by itself. Heard the "qwipt"call six times while it was flying off. Preston, Amos Lake boat launch -- As of 3:06 PM; 2 Greater White-fronted Geese and 2 probable hybrids, one a Greater White- fronted hybrid and a Canada x ??. 3:16; 2 Greater White-fronted Geese moved out of sight of boat launch, possibly could be seen from Rt 164. From Dan Rottino with Cynthia Moreau and Sylvia Fournier: 01/18/14 - Preston, Amos Lake -- 2:00 PM; 1 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (with thousands of Canada Geese). Viewed directly opposite the boat launch. From Florence McBride: 01/18/14 - Hamden, yard -- There was a juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker working the spruce near our back porch at 8:15 AM Saturday. It, or one that looked just like it, was also observed several times on 1/14, and at least once every day between 12/31/13 and 1/3/14. On 1/2 and1/3 it was calling as well as working on and feeding at sapwells. This tree has attracted sapsuckers during other winters, and there have been rows of their wells on its trunk for many years. From Alex Burdo: 01/18/14 - Fairfield, Morehouse Lane -- 1 BLACK VULTURE soaring above the farm towards the end of the road.