FW: [BIRD NOTES] December 29, 2006

 

 

 

 

Bird Notes

 

 

What Happened to Hibernation?

UGH!!!   The bears are not sleeping!!! Our feeders were emptied last night - although not destroyed, but my suet feeder is missing!!??? This critter left a big long scrape in the garden below the feeder with a couple of other big scratch marks further away. In come the feeders. "My" Downy was totally mystified about the loss of his ready breakfast! Give me some of that CO snow!!!!! ---Ruth Stewart, E. Dorset, VT

                                                               

 

Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk

A nearly all white Red-Tail is hanging out in Dorset Hollow on the lower Hollow Road near Knee Top Farm. Thought it would interest you all. (Still in area on 12/27)---Barbara Powers

 

 

Yellow-throated Warbler Still There

For those that may be interested in crossing the Big Water this weekend, the Yellow-throated Warbler was sighted again yesterday at Ausable Point State Campground. The bird can be found quite reliably within a small band of Chickadees and Nuthatches that roam throughout the center of the campground. If it is windy, stick closer to the more concentrated cedars, otherwise try to find patches of sun. Once the band is located, they should be fairly easy to follow.

---Dana C.Rohleder,Port Kent, NY

 

2006 Rarities

 

It was an exciting year in New England for avian rarities. We managed to see a few of them to boost our meager life list.

 

On February 8^th we drove south to Suffield, Mass. where we got to observe two Pink-footed Geese. This species breeds in Greenland and Iceland and are winter inhabitants of the British Isles. So a 1½  hour drive down I 91 was well worth the trip.

 

On March 21^st we sought out, and found the Greater White-fronted Goose that was hanging out in the Connecticut River just north of Herrick’s Cove at Roundies Cove. They breed in Greenland and N. Russia and winter in Ireland and Scotland. So, it was great to be able to add it to our Vermont sightings.

 

April 23^rd found us near Amherst, Mass. checking out a White-tailed Hawk. This is a southern species that should not have been north of the Texas border and caused quite a controversy as to its reason for being here.

 

A Western Reef Heron at first report, had showed up in Nova Scotia. Then on August 19^th one had been sighted and verified by Maine birders in Kittery. This was a once in a lifetime chance to add this bird to our list without having to travel to Africa. However it was a no-show on the 20^th so we had to go back for a second try the following morning. YES! We had great looks on the 2^nd try.

 

 

In September word spread of the Northern Wheatear that was discovered on the causeway in Colchester, VT. So, on September 10^th we were off and running at 5:30 in the morning. Following directions given by other birders it was exactly where they said it would be. We were able to study the bird for several minutes as it sat on a marble slab at the edge of the path that leads out into Lake Champlain. We were just in time too, because the next day it departed for an unknown destination. The name tells you he shouldn’t be here. Its range is Alaska, Canada, and Eurasia. It migrates to Africa and India.

 

Hopeully 2007 will be as generous with its rare offerings. Good Luck and Good Birding!

 

Best Wishes for a Healthy and

Happy New Year!

 

Al & Barbara Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT