Hello Tweets,


My mother and attempted for the Brambling on the 26th and 27th of
December,despite extensive searching(walking and driving the several roads
near the previous locations where the bird was last seen), as well as
thoroughly check and recheck up to four residences in the immediate area
that hosted feeders in their yard. During both day we encountered a total of
5 additional birders from across the state, as we exchanged ideas and
thoughts of the bird's whereabouts and status of the bird, and it is very
possible, and most likely due to the several predators in the immediate
area, including a single immature Northern Shrike at one residence
feeder(being the most productive of the four residences)that the bird was
taken. Other predators in the immediate area included up to two Cooper's
Hawks(with one bird physically seen capturing a House Sparrow), and a single
Merlin. We personally believe it is highly unlikely that the bird retreated
to another part of Bridgeport, or completely took off from the area due to
the time of year, and it close asscoiation with other sparrow,finch and
junco flocks. There are good numbers of the finch and sparrow flocks in the
general area, with the fairly larger concentrations of House Sparrows, with
lesser numbers of Dark-eyed"Oregon"Juncos, House Finches, and American
Goldfinches. We were welcomed at one feeder residence both days, where
activity was very noticeable throughout the day, which is the exact
residence that hosted the immature Northern Shrike on the 26th, but activity
didn't seem to decrease that much even with several predators in the area.
We brought the attention of the Brambling to this residence, as well as
other local Bridgeport residents that were interested in the recent birding
activity to this town. The residents that hosted the greatest abundance of
birds at their feeder allowed us to visit with them today, and seemed very
interested in this sighting, BUT did not indicate at all of the recent
possibility of this bird associating at their feeder during the recent week,
but they were very happy to allow several birders to watch their feeders.
Several notable species that were observed at their feeder included up to 5
Common Redpolls on the 26th, and at least 3 on the 27th, with several
Dark-eyed"Slate-colored"Juncos, in addition to more common species present.

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
GODWIT at worldnet.att.net