August 13

Monk Parakeets in New York
While in New York State in mid-July, we chased down a tip of Monk Parakeets
nest building near Stewart International Airport. We found the nest without
a problem, mainly because it was a massive collection of sticks that was
nearing the size of an Osprey's nest. It hung precariously close to high
voltage wires beneath a pair of transformers on a utility pole at the edge
of a very busy highway. They seemed oblivious of the noise and constant
traffic flow just beneath them and carried on with their nest building
chores without interruption.


David Baker Monk Parakeet Nest

The Monk Parakeet was deemed to have arrived in the Northeast from
South America via Kennedy International Airport as a cage bird, escaping to
the wild when a shipping container ruptured.

"Early on, it was feared that this parakeet would thrive in its new home,
ravaging crops as its range expanded. Over the years, this threat has not
materialized and, in many areas, efforts to retrieve wild parakeets have
been discontinued. It is worth noting that, in Argentina, agricultural
losses attributed to the Monk Parakeet have never been accurately measured."
---Mark Spreyer


S I G H T I N G S
West Brattleboro
August 7, 2006

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Downy Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Tree Swallow 4
Cedar Waxwing 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4
Indigo Bunting 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
Purple Finch 2
American Goldfinch 4


Guilford
August 10, 2006

Wild Turkey 7
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Tree Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 16
Black-Throated Blue Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 2
American Redstart 1
Common Yellowthroat 1