Birdnotes

Sightings listed for the Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

Monday, September 11, 2006

August 6

Porch Dwellers
We had Barn Swallow tenants for 6 weeks on our front porch that successfully
raised 5 youngsters. They are meticulous nest builders and house keepers.
They spent a week patiently coaxing the babies to fledge, and after they
were all out of the nest, all of the youngsters returned at night to cram
themselves into the nest for the night. This went on for about 8 or 9 days.
We now have a House Wren family on our front porch, and the parents
scold and chatter at us as we go about our lives. Our feeders have had lots
of Titmouse youngsters lately, and they are amazingly unafraid of us.
---Susan James, Guilford


Beggars of South Newfane
I'm watching young birds still begging for food. Chipping Sparrow begged
from a young Song Sparrow (without success!) and finally found a parent to
feed it. A young Song Sparrow tried to get food from a female Purple Finch.
Two days ago a young Rose-breasted Grosbeak was still getting food from its
mother, but has since begun feeding itself - at my expense. Blue Jays are
among the most demanding youngsters, and noisiest. Cedar Waxwings were
working the tree tops in what appeared to be a "feed me" chase mode.
Likewise, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are zipping around in what I suspect in
the kid chasing the parent begging for food behavior, but they don't stay
still long enough to see the feeding or get a look at plumages.
A first at my feeders was a visit by a Gray Catbird on my platform
feeder. Catbirds are all about the yard, but not at the feeders. I suspect a
youngster taking advantage of easy food.
Some of the young birds are so naive and unafraid that I've taken to
chasing them from the feeders - especially true of the grosbeak and young
Downy Woodpeckers.

Chris Petrak




Maine Birds
We are back from a quick mini vacation at the Rangeley Lake region of Maine.
We went out on the lake there and cruised around with our friends on a
pontoon boat and saw the most awesome sight that I have ever seen in the
bird world. There were a number of loons around and we could see them dive
and resurface. It was exciting and even more so when we spotted a wee one by
an adult, probably it's Mom. We tried to get up as close as possible with
out causing too much stress, watching all along the little one. Mom was
nervous not knowing we wouldn't harm her. As we were circling trying to get
a picture of her she got more nervous and we saw the baby disappear and for
a minute we didn't see anything happen. Then with the baby tucked under her
wing she dove and came up a short distance away. As we went around the lake
we saw what was probably her mate. I had no idea that the young ones could
dive and I guess this was a very young one, maybe newly hatched. It was so
small we could hardly see it. I read later that they dive on their own in a
few days, but can't catch anything yet.
We saw lots of Cedar Waxwings that were flying out over the water
catching insects. I didn't know they did that so I learned something else.
Also saw lots of Chickadees and Kingfishers. ---Judy Farley, Vernon, VT


Congratulations!
In case you didn't know, I received this email notice about SEVT Audubon's
recently retired newsletter editor.

Jennifer Lann's new daughter, Sylvie Grace Lann, arrived five weeks early on
Friday, July 21, 2006. At 4 lbs. 12 oz., she is tiny but very healthy,
leaving Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center after only a two-day stay.
---Geoff Burgess

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