12-26 



Observations of Rare or Unaommon Species 



Since the beginning of this study in 1971, species have been 

 sighted that are noteworthy (Table 12-4) because they are rare through- 

 out their range or because New Haven Harbor is near the limits or out- 

 side their normal range. 



Baird's sandpiper [Erolia bairdii) , golden plover (Pluvialis 

 dominica) , pectoral sandpipers (Erolia melanotus) and white-riamped sand- 

 piper {Erolia fuscicollis) have been listed as regular but uncommon fall 

 migrants and rare spring migrants along the eastern coast (Bull, 1974; 

 Sage et al. , 1913; Stout, 1967; Robbins et al . , 1966). This is believed 

 to be due primarily to the differences in their seasonal migration 

 flights; spring flights are through the interior of the continent while 

 fall flights follow the coast (Bent, 1929; Stout, 1967; Bull, 1974; 

 Robbins et al. (1966), 



The black tern {Childonia niger) , primarily a bird of the 

 prairies is also seen on the coast only in the fall (Collins, 1959). 

 Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri) ranges from uncommon to common as a 

 fall migrant (Bull, 1974) and is listed as rare on coastal beaches 

 (Robbins et al., 1960). The merlin (Falco columbarius) is listed as a 

 common fall coastal migrant but very rare in winter (Bull, 1974; in 

 addition, this species is uncommon throughout its range (Robbins et al . , 

 1977) . The marbled godwit (Limosa fedua) is also a regular but uncommon 

 fall migrant, largely confined to the south shore of Long Island and 

 areas to the south (Bull, 1974) . 



Two species, the cattle egret (Bubuleus ibis) and the glossy 

 ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), have only recently occurred in the New Haven 

 area. Cattle egrets, originally from Africa, became established in 

 South America and then expanded through the West Indies to North America. 

 Bert (1926) did not list this species as occurring in the United States 

 and it is believed to have first established itself in the early 1950 's 

 (Collins, 1959) . The first breeding record in New Jersey occurred in 



