2003 Year Summary
2003 Year Summary
SPECIES ( )
RIARC Number Vote (Accepted-Not Accepted-Natural Status Uncertain): # of birds reported; location; date(s); reporters (I = initial observer, R = report submitted, P = photograph submitted).
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
ATLANTIC PUFFIN (Fratercula arctica)
2003-2 (6-0): One; Block Island; 22 Mar 2003; Mrs. Von Arx (I), Alex Von Arx (I,R), Kim Gaffett (R,P).
Alex Von Arx and her mother found an Atlantic Puffin in an apparent weakened condition at the base of Mohegan Bluffs on Block Island. They picked up the bird and wrapped it in a coat to protect it while they tried to contact someone who could help. They were able to contact Kim Gaffett who met up with them to look at the bird. The bird seemed in good health so Kim banded it and went to Cormorant Cove with Alex and her mother. There they released the puffin into the cove.
A description of this event was written up by Alex Von Arx, and published in the 14 June 2003 edition of the Block Island Times.
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
REDDISH EGRET (Egretta rufescens)
2003-1A,B (7-0): One (im.);
A: Charlestown Breachway mudflats, Charlestown; 5-17 Jul 2003; Scott Tsagarakis (I,R), Carlos Pedro (I,P),
Linda Ferraresso (I), Shaibal Mitra (R), Curtis Marantz (R).
B: Quicksand Pond, Little Compton; 20-27 Jul 2003, 8 Aug 2003; Geoff Dennis (I,R,P), Robert Emerson (R).
This first state record of Reddish Egret was found by Scott Tsagarakis, Carlos Pedro, and Linda Ferraresso at the Ninigret Pond mudflats. The bird was first seen on the east side of the flats, backlit by the morning sun. Scott, Carlos, and Linda repositioned themselves to get better views of the bird. It was then that they confirmed the identification of this Reddish Egret.
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe)
2003-3 (6-0): One; Fogland, Tiverton; 16 Sep 2003; Eben Oldmixon (I,R,P).
Eben Oldmixon found this Northern Wheatear in Tiverton. He recognized the bird based on his experience with Wheatears in Finland. Eben took a photograph of the bird through the car windshield, and sent in a written report with supporting details.
In late July, the Reddish Egret was found at Richmond Pond in Westport Ma. Realizing that the bird was on the east side of the bay, Geoff Dennis checked out Quicksand Pond in Little Compton. Immediately upon entering the mudflats area of the pond Geoff found the Reddish Egret. Geoff's photographs and written report document the second appearance of this first state record.
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
LE CONTE’S SPARROW (Ammodramus leconteii)
2003-7 (6-0): One; Napatree, Westerly; 26 Nov 2003; Chris Raithel (I,R).
This Le Conte’s Sparrow was found with Song Sparrows and a Savannah Sparrow in an area of goldenrod and grass at Napatree Point. A detailed description and sketch were submitted.
DECEMBER