Birdnotes: [BIRD NOTES] NOV. 14, 2007

Bird Notes

From the Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary vantage point of the Retreat Meadow's, I had a female/non-breeding plumage male, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER associating with about 10 other COMMON MERGANSERS.

No unusual geese that I could pick out.

---Taj Schottland, Putney, VT

Wilmington Birds

During the past two weeks we have had:

A SMALL FLOCK of EVENING GROSBEAKS,

2 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD MALES,

PILEATED WOODPECKER,

CAROLINA WREN,

GOLDEN CROWNED KINGLET,

WHITE THROAT and SONG SPARROWS,

RAVENS,

CROWS,

BARRED OWL,

MOURNING DOVES

and the usual BLUEJAYS, CHICKADEES, JUNCOS, WHITE AND REDBREASTED NUTHATCHES, PURPLE FINCHES, GOLDFINCHES, with a PINE SISKIN among them, DOWNY AND HAIRY WOODPECKERS,RED-TAILED HAWK and I am sure I am missing some.

---Barbara Cole, Wilmington

Marlboro Birds

Last week there was a NORTHERN SHRIKE hanging out around Hidden Lake in Marlboro and an albino GOLDFINCH at our house on Whitaker Farm Road.

---Molly Martin and Michael King

Yesterday when I went to Marlboro to refill the feeders over my lunch hour, my goldfinches had transformed into PINE SISKINS! Still had EVENING GROSBEAKS too.

---Hollie Bowen

There have been up to seven PINE GROSBEAKS eating crabapple fruits at our house in Marlboro (for 5 days, now). The subtle pinks, bright reds, yellow-greens and grays on the heads and bodies are just superb.

---Bob Engel

Retreat Meadows

This morning at the Brattleboro Retreat Meadows there was an adult Greenland GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE among the 600 or so Canada Geese. For a photo of this bird go to the following URL:

http://hgbirder.org/others.asp

and double click on the thumbnail.

---Hector Galbraith PhD, Dummerston

At about 9:00 this morning from Rt 30 in the Retreat Meadows-nice looks at a greenland WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, 3 RING-NECKED DUCKS, BLACK DUCKS, GREAT BLUE HERON, several HOODED and COMMON MERGANSERS, 4 PINTAILS, RING-BILLED GULLS, and of course MALLARDS. On the west side of RT. 30 an adult BALD EAGLE and a RED-TAILED HAWK were sharing the thermals.

Across the river in the fields by the Marina were 3 HORNED LARKS, 12 PIPITS, and 12 SNOW BUNTINGS along with several TREE, SAVANNAH, and SONG SPARROWS. There was also a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK flying over towards the river.

At home in W. Bratt. a male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER continues to visit and also a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. A nice treat was a flock of 8 BLUEBIRDS. I have not seen the N. SHRIKE that had been around for 3 days, since last Monday.

Three adult, female PINE GROSBEAKS were gorging themselves on ornamental cherries on a tree behind Academy School in W. Bratt. off and on throughout the afternoon.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro

South Newfane

Today 11/12 along Augur Hole Rd.

20+ PINE GROSBEAKS feeding in berry trees

30-40 SNOW BUNTINGS

A COMMON REDPOLL has been visiting a feeder for the last 2 weeks and a WILSON’S WARBLER (in the same yard as the redpoll) was heard calling on Saturday.

---Chris Petrak, South Newfane, VT

Fort Dummer Setback (11/11)

Common Merganser 79

Hooded Merganser 11

Ring-necked Duck 21

Black Duck 2

Canada Geese 51

Red-throated Loon

Belted Kingfisher

Retreat Meadows (11/11)

Hooded Merganser 29

Common Merganser 9

Great Blue Heron 3

Caldwell Road, Northfield, Mass. (11/11)

Northern Harrier

Horned Lark 40+

Sandra Sweet had a handsome mature male SHARP-SHINNED HAWK land in her backyard after chasing her feeder birds. She also has a FOX SPARROW in her yard.

At our feeder here in West B. we also have been watching the FOX SPARROWS scratching in the soil around our feeders. The numbers keep increasing and now stand at an unprecedented 7!

At the Hinsdale setback this afternoon we came across a flock of 40+ COMMON REDPOLLS feeding in the birch treetops bordering the roadway.

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.