With the recent minor gatherings of gulls including the Black Headed Gull and small groups of Bonapartes Gulls last week and this past weekend, we decided to try a little gulling today. Although we had a moon tide with very high low tide which as you know is not the best for gulls-it was still worth a day out! Highlights: At the mouth of Fence Creek, Madison on a small sandbar- in the flock of mostly Ring Billed Gulls (36+) were 5 BONAPARTES GULLS. New Haven, Long Wharf- usual waterfowl species consisting of 150+ Scaup (approx 20 LESSER SCAUP), fewer Gadwall and Black Ducks. Not many Gulls present. West Haven/Woodmont Circle at Oyster River- (3 PINTAIL present) the pair of PINTAILS were easy to spot as they were sitting close to the parking area among the Mallards, Black Ducks and Geese. The pair was now joined by another hen PINTAIL making 3 total. Branford Indian Neck - Behind Lennys Restaurant- large concentration of Black Ducks, Mallards, Canada Geese, with 5 Wigeon and 1 drake PINTAIL. Indian Neck- 400+ Scaup in the lee along the shoreline. I only could ID 13 LESSER SCAUP in the flock. Even with the snow this morning, Jen and I hit the road early starting in Madison. Hoping to get another look at the Bonapartes Gulls in Hammonasset at Meigs, we found the Parks gates closed. We then drove along Seaview Ave. in Madison and found a group of Gulls standing on a small sandbar at the mouth of Fence Creek. In the flock of mostly Ring Billed Gulls (36+) were 5 BONAPARTES GULLS. Near Whistler Rocks and Tuxis Island were the usual groups of Common Goldeneyes. From West Wharf- we noticed a large gull gathering starting from the SW corner of Tuxis Island which extended for several hundred yards. The gulls were surface feeding but we couldn't find any Bonapartes Gulls; only typical species present (mostly Herring Gulls). Guilford- Great Harbor at Trolley Road- few gulls present on the little island just off shore (no Black Headed Gull). Rte 146 at Great Harbor Causeway by the fresh water discharge from Lost Lake (where I found the Black Headed Gull last week) the usual three-species merganser flock was present. The flock consisted of 2 Common Mergansers (pair), 27 Hooded Mergansers, 22 Red Breasted Mergansers. The marshes along 146 to Stoney Creek were full of Black ducks, Mallards, Hooded Mergansers and Canada Geese. Shell Beach- only a few gulls present and a small flock of Scaup flew by the harbor towards Sachem Head. (The Black Headed Gull was re-discovered and reported at this location later today) Stoney Creek docks- few gulls mostly Ring Billed Gulls. Many of the Herring Gulls that we saw today have lost their winter plumage and are now pure white with developing red gonys spots. New Haven, Long Wharf- usual waterfowl species consisting of 150+ Scaup (approx 20 LESSER SCAUP), fewer Gadwall and Black Ducks. Not many Gulls present. West Haven boat ramp- 30 Mute Swans and a small group of typical species Gulls. West Haven and South Street beaches- many gulls present (all typical species) and many Black Ducks along the shore. Good sized scattered flocks of Goldeneyes were off shore. West Haven/Woodmont Circle at Oyster River- because of the high tide most of the birds present were on the beach. The usual large concentration of Canada Geese present including 4 neck-collared birds. (3 PINTAIL present) the pair of PINTAILS were easy to spot as they were sitting close to the parking area among the Mallards, Black Ducks and Geese. The pair was now joined by another hen PINTAIL making 3 total. WE also located the green wing tagged Ring Billed Gull mixed with a few other gulls along the waters edge. (Not many gulls present) Stratford- Frash Pond- many gulls on the ice (typical species) and 32 Canvasbacks. The Cans took off and flew west. Sikorsky airport marsh and Lewis Gut- large numbers of Black Ducks and many Canada Geese. Also Hooded and Red Breasted Mergansers, and Mallards. 2 Harriers were hunting the marsh and 1 Redtail. Long Shore Park. I was hoping to find the reported adult Iceland Gull and/or the Redpolls. I walked the beach from the parking area east of the entrance booth. I looked through all the gulls I saw along the beach and out on the small rocky islands to the cove behind the cottages but could not find the Iceland Gull. When I returned to my truck Jen told me of a flock of 20 small birds that flew in and began feeding on the seed heads within the dune grass and fences along the beach. By her description of these birds they may have possibly beenthe reported Redolls. Stratford Boat Ramp- usual waterfowl and gulls (mostly Ring Billed) including 11 Gadwall, 13 Green Wing Teal and 17 Coot. Milford Harbor and Beaches through the refuges- many gulls (typical species) Black Ducks, Mallards and Canada Geese. Branford area- Short Beach- a few Mallards, Black Ducks, Canada Geese and Red Breasted Mergansers. Branford Harbor- 150 Gulls on the beach by the parking area- typical species mostly Ring Billed. Small flocks of Bufflehead and R B Mergansers in and out of the harbor. Branford Indian Neck - Behind Lennys Restaurant- large concentration of Black Ducks, Mallards, Canada Geese, with 5 Wigeon and 1 drake PINTAIL. Indian Neck- 400+ Scaup in the lee along the shoreline. I only could ID 13 LESSER SCAUP in the flock. 3 Wigeon on the rock near the road. Hammonasset Meigs Point- 50+ Gulls gathered off of the Point, only typical species (even amounts of Herring and Ring Billed Gulls). There was a larger flock of shorebirds present (100 +) mostly Sanderlings, few Dunlins and 5 Ruddy Turnstones. Madison, off Beach Avenue- large scattered groups of Common Goldeneyes and a small group of Great Black Backed Gulls. Another great day birding along the CT coast! Keith and Jen Mueller