Bird Notes

Bird Notes

10/21/06

Trick or Treat

Keene has its pumpkins, BEEC has its Forest of Mystery, but Putney Road has its real live ghoulish creatures in the Turkey Vultures that roost there. In case you haven’t noticed, they are frequently seen circling over Brattleboro and hang out in the dead trees near the Shell station. They must have a reason for being there but as yet we haven’t figured out what that reason is. Happy Halloween.

Click on this link for some vulture photos by Julie Waters. The face only a mother could love. http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/?&tc=58&keywords=&dte=2006-10-16

Addison’s Snows and More

In the Dead Creek area of Addison, VT, the several thousand Snow Geese present two days ago were no where to be found. Around noon, about 75 Snows thought about landing, but never did. On the other hand, three hours earlier and 15 miles to the south, an old corn field hosted about 150 Snows, 800 Canada Geese, and one Cackling Goose, probably a Richardson's. Photos aren't real good, but my companions (who have had a lot of experience with Cackling) were certain. We searched the Dead Creek are north and south on many roads looking for the snows. About 2:30 we returned to the field where we had seen the Snows and Cackling. Some Canada still remained, but the others were over the hill, or had decamped elsewhere.

Working between the corn field and shrubs was a sizeable flock of mixed blackbirds, including around 50 Rusty Blackbirds. Photos are at www.tailsofbirding.net.

---Chris Petrak, S. Newfane, VT

New at the Meadows

This morning at Brattleboro Retreat Meadows there were 4 Wilson's Snipe. Also there - about 600 Canada Geese (no cacklers). For a photo of the snipe go to my website at http://hgbirder.org/ then to photos - New England and click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

---Hector Galbraith PhD, Dummerston, VT

Power Canal Birds

A couple of days ago we stopped by the Turners Falls Power Canal for a quick look see. Besides the common regulars, we found:

Pied-billed Grebe (2)

Northern Pintail

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Bald Eagle (3)

Red-tailed Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-rumped Warbler

At Barton Cove we added:

Double-crested Cormorant (6)

Mute Swan (12)

Cool Air Stirs Migrants

Yesterday a fast moving cold front pushed through the area and kindled what was probably the last thunderstorm of the season. It brought with it high wind gusts that denuded most of the colorful trees on our little acre and stirred the Juncos and White-throated Sparrows into making an appearance at our ground feeders. The incessant winds, still blowing this morning, make the 40s feel like the 30s, giving us the first taste of things to come. The small streams have been rejuvenated and are gushing over the rocks and rills in search of the Connecticut River and points south. The human snowbirds are probably already on their way to warmer climes while several migrant bird species have been hanging in enjoying the milder weather.

Now is the time of year for observing waterfowl in migration. Species that we only see in the spring and fall are stopping by not only in the rivers, but in local lakes, ponds and stubbled cornfields.

The Addison, VT Snow Geese put on spectacular flight displays as hundreds and some time thousands circle and land in the fields bordering the provided goose viewing area. Here is a link that will give you a preview of what to expect there from now through most of November.

http://songstar.org/birds/sngo01.html

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT