2012-10-13 - Milford, CT - Oval

Cluster of red/orange objects ascending into sky.


((NUFORC Note: One of six sightings from same source, submitted over the course of two months. PD))


(Please refer to previous sightings from Milford since 06/06/12) Again, from Gulf Beach.

Saturday evening, cold, overcast, and steady wind 10mph+ from SSW, which after sunset shifted to SW.

Maintaining watch over previous NW and N positions for possible reoccurance when, at 8:22 PM, surprised to notice a large cluster of what appeared to be sky lanterns or balloons slowly rising above the treeline in the NE (15 degrees), at what initially appeared to be 2 + miles distance. Immediately started video recording with Lumix ZS15 superzoom.

Original cluster composed of over 20 objects, all slowly drifting upwards, while changing positions and forming an X shaped plume. These floating objects, for the most part, did not appear to be moving into the NE, as they ought to have been by the steady wind at my back. There was a continuous release of other lit objects beneath those that had already risen up into the sky, eventually fading from sight. (The treeline peaks at about 4 degrees, the maximum elevation any of the lit objects attained was about 25 degrees - that appeared to be their ceiling.) None of these lit objects appeared to be drifting steadily into the NE, though that could simply have been the result of their angle of movement to my angle of view.

As these lights continued to emerge above the treeline, the newest/lowest ones were brighter, more prominent, and definitely appeared to be moving against the wind's direction, sometimes in pairs. Some of the final objects looked very much as if they were moving towards the Gulf. Likewise, there seemed to be a grouping of some of these objects as they ascended, as if they were maintaining a set space between each other. Possibly distance illusions? Close scrutiny of the 3 minute HD video might clarify this.

This incrementing cluster of lit objects gradually diminished after 15 minutes, the final object fading away by 8:37 PM. Total estimate = 40 - 55 sky lanterns/balloons/kites, what-have-you.

Very brief follow up: At 9:15 PM, after waiting for any reoccurance, I drove to Milford's Westfield Shopping Center, which is near the line of sight these objects had appeared in, in order to find out if there had been some local event that would explain such a release. None known of. No one else had seen anything.

During that evening, and over most of the next week, after dozens of inquiries throughout the area, including checking every regional and local newspaper's recent and current issue, as well as talking with police and fire officials, I have finally been able to triangulate the area these lit objects emerged from: The western portion of Stubby Plain in Milford. Google maps reveals this particular area to be marshland immediately surrounded by forest. It is about 6,000 feet to the NE of the Gulf Beach bridge, where I was recording from.

Visiting this area confirms that it is almost impossible to enter into the plain itself through the swampy woods that surround it. There is one large fenced off parking area adjacent. I should add that not a single remnant of any kite or balloon or lantern has been found, even though their supposed plume of movement was mostly over a heavily populated area.