Birdnotes: [BIRD NOTES] November 27, 2007

Bird Notes

This morning(11/25) in the field by the Marina Restaurant, Brattleboro, there were 8 SNOW BUNTINGS. As I was watching them ~ 15 COMMON REDPOLLS flew in, stayed for a minute, and flew off.

---David Johnston, W. Brattleboro

At the Retreat Meadows(11/25): 1 GADWALL and 3 SCAUP, at least one of which was definitely a lesser. There was also a KESTREL flying over the recycling facility in N. Brattleboro.

---Taj Schottland

West River off of Marina Rd.(11/24):

NORTHERN SHRIKE

Common Merganser (3 F)

Fort Dummer setback:

Great Blue Heron

Canada Goose (100+)

Ring-neck Duck (5)

Black Duck (4)

Mallard (6)

Hooded Merganser (9)

Common Merganser (19)

Great Black-backed Gull

Ring-billed Gull

We were surprised to see a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER at our feeder on the 14^th of November.

---Burt Tepfer, Putney

W. Northfield birds

I just wanted to let you know that at about 11:00 this morning on Caldwell Rd. in W. Northfield there were at least 120 HORNED LARKS eating in the fields. The 50 or so birds I was able to observe well were all HORNED LARKS, but the others??

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro

Turners Falls, MA

There are numerous good birds being seen at the Turners Falls power canal in western Massachusetts. Turners Falls is only about 15 minutes south of the VT/MA border. This is easily within striking distance for southern VT birders. Hector Galbraith found 9 CACKLING GEESE there today. I went down and refound 8 of them. Also present: 1 female BARROWS GOLDENEYE, 1 GLAUCOUS GULL, 2 iceland gull and Hector also had a NELSON’S GULL (a Glaucous hybrid). I Thought VT birders might be interested. It's certainly worth the drive.

---Taj Schottland, Putney, VT

Directions to Power Canal: Rt. I91 south to exit 26. Take Rt. 2 east. At second traffic signal turn right across bridge. Continue straight thru town. Turn right at 11^th Street and cross bridge. Turn left on “G” Street and follow canal south. ---Al Merritt