Birdnotes: Bird Notes ~ 1.25.08

Bird Notes

Yesterday on a walk on Windhill Road in Manchester Center, I saw a large flock of about 275 REDPOLLS. It was very exciting to see such a large flock staying together flying from tree to tree.
---Barbara Powers, Manchester Center

Has anyone seen a Carolina wren around? I am not sure but I saw what had to be a wren just outside my back door. He didn't stay very long which makes me a little worried to identify him for sure. Have you seen any in the winter? I have looked at everything like him and it seems that it has to be a wren.

---Judy Farley, Vernon

A Colorful Array

On Sunday afternoon, January 19^th, a guest who was having lunch at my house was treated to the following: the RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER that I haven’t seen in months, suddenly reappeared at the suet feeder and as we were watching him/her, 7 BLUEBIRDS arrived. Catching our breath and settling down to watch them amidst TUFTED TITMICE, NUTHATCHES, and CHICKADEES, who should appear but two pairs of PINE GROSBEAKS at the crabapple. A stellar 15-minutes of birdwatching!

--Phyllis Benay, Black Mountain Rd., Brattleboro

Avian in West Brattleboro

Yesterday morning, 1/23, I observed a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER working a tree at the intersection of Bonnyvale Rd and Miller Rd in W. Brattleboro. There has also been a flock of PINE GROSBEAKS in the same area on a daily basis. There were about 20 there on 1/23 and 38 sitting in a tree on 1/22. Again I note the absence of redpolls around the Brattleboro area. The snow storm on 1/14 brought 3 c. redpolls to our feeder and those are the last I've seen. There have been many flocks of CEDAR WAXWINGS around Bratt.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro

Robins, Waxwings, Grosbeaks and Maybe a Snowy

We have been watching the crabapple tree across from the Jewish synagogue on Greenleaf St. all winter and haven’t seen anything taking advantage of its fruit laden branches. Tuesday a small flock of ROBINS arrived and got their fill of crabapples. Today (1/24) a huge flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS, est. 150 birds, were sitting in the tree tops nearby and in the tree itself availing themselves of the bountiful crop of fruit. No Bohemians yet, but we will keep a watchful eye in that direction. This morning (1/25) we counted 10 PINE GROSBEAKS in that same tree.

We had an exciting call from Carol Schnable of Green River Rd., telling of a possible Snowy Owl sitting in a tree along Hinesburg Rd. We went there the first thing the next morning and were only able to find a handsome BARRED OWL perched atop a telephone pole in that vicinity. But, it did not match her account of a large white-headed owl with a white and gray body. So, if you are traveling on Hinesburg Road near Green River Rd. be vigilant and let us know if you see an owl fitting that description. It could be a Snowy!