BIRD NOTES ~ June 30, 2008

COMMON  NIGHTHAWK

 

Bird Notes

 

 

“Peenting” Nighthawks

A single Common Nighthawk was heard "peenting" near McNeil's on Sunday morning at 1:30AM.  How common are nighthawks in Brattleboro?

--Lance Tanino, Keene, NH

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*Note: They have been known to nest on the flat gravel roofs in downtown Brattleboro.

 

 

 

Carolina Wren in West Brattleboro

On June 23 afternoon, outside my house in West Brattleboro near the interstate, we heard a bird call which my friend (Mimi) described as "teakettle teakettle". She and I were unfamiliar with the call. She saw the bird, I didn't. She looked it up and this is her report below.

---Maggie Newton

 

I believe the loud 'teakettle teakettle' call we heard was that of the CAROLINA WREN.  The reddish brown back is also diagnostic.  It's common up and down the East coast, often in built up areas, which is why perhaps I didn't know the call. 

---Mimi Morton

 

 

 

Watch Out for the Turtles

Here in Waltham, MA, on Lyman Pond, one immature GREAT BLUE HERON, two GREEN HERONS and a female WOOD DUCK with 4 babies.  Also over seven small snapping turtles, look out, duckies!  On May 28, I saw a CEDAR WAXWING totally involved in scratching all over its body.  Not seen since.

---Doreen Pugh

 

 

 

Avian Nursery School at Chipmunk Crossing, West B.

If you chose not to feed the birds after the spring migration, you are missing out on seeing the youngsters of your neighborhood nesters. This week at our feeders we have recorded several immatures that first show up with their parents and then, after several visits, gain enough courage to show up on their own.

     Here is that list: BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, TUFTED TITMOUSE, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, DOWNY WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, PURPLE FINCH, CARDINAL, BLUE JAY, MOURNING DOVE, and COMMON CROW.

     Mature birds that are regulars but not yet bringing young with them are: INDIGO BUNTING, REDWING BLACKBIRD, CHIPPING SPARROW, SONG SPARROW, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, and ROBIN.

     Still others that we hear frequently but are not expected at the feeder are: WOOD THRUSH, VEERY, CATBIRD, RED-EYED VIREO, OVENBIRD, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. The Ovenbird did show up briefly one day and walked out on the limb of the willow tree near our back deck. Ever see one walk? They look like little tin wind-up toys that you wind with a key and set on the floor.

     So, if you wish to get in on the action, put out some bird feed in a favorite feeding station and watch the flying circus. The youngsters really add a comic touch to some serious survival techniques and singing lessons that are being taught them by their parents.

 

 

Please keep us abreast of what birds you are seeing, whether at home or on a trip in or out of the Windham County area.

 

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

chpmnkx@sover.net