BIRD NOTES ~ August 18, 2008

Bird Notes

 

 

Marlboro Cuckoo

A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO flew to the edge of our woods this morning(8/14) and lingered long enough for us to get a diagnostic view of him through our scope, including his eye with the black pupil surrounded by red.  It was a very special treat and a big surprise.

---Michael King and Molly Martin, Marlboro, VT 

 

 

Herricks’ Egrets

Just before sundown last night(8/13) I watched two GREAT EGRETS flying north over Herricks cove, amazingly beautiful in flight. There were hundreds of mixed swallows flying all over the Williams River area and 50 or so diving into the water bathing. The water looked like it was exploding there were so many birds all bathing at the same time. No signs of any shorebirds yet. An adult BALD EAGLE made the rounds over Herricks Cove to end the day.

---Peter Manship, Ludlow VT

 

 

Migration Over Brattleboro

This Sunday evening, 6:30 to 7:45, from our roof, in downtown Brattleboro: CHIMNEY SWIFTS: 100+ (swirling after insects low, then higher and higher, then gone); RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS: several flocks of dozens heading to roost; SWALLOWS (sp?): several flocks, maybe 50 total individuals; NIGHTHAWKS: 20; All heading south.

---Paul Miksis & Robin Flatley, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

 

Field Trip to Phyllis’ Marsh, 8/16/08

Saturday was a great day for the scheduled walk. Patches of blue sky and warm early morning sun was incentive enough to walk on through the dew laden grass of the newly mown trails in search of avian treasures.  After a short distance, the high pitched notes of the CEDAR WAXWING diverted our attention to the tops of the dead pine trees that dominate the inner marsh. The numbers increased as more Cedars appeared, sometimes hovering in quest of a delectable flying insect.  Most were immatures probably learning the ropes and getting pointers in survival techniques from their parents. A rata-tat-tat interrupted the scene. It was the easily identifiable tapping of a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER that drills multiple holes in the bark of trees to allow the sap to ooze to the surface. Insects are attracted to it, thus an instant meal for the Sapsucker or an enterprising Hummingbird. We were lucky enough to see both on a nearby black birch tree. A WOOD PEEWEE sang its name  . . . peeee a weeee, from its lofty perch, then jumped off quickly to snag a high flying bug. A CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER in fall plumage and a female CANADA WARBLER made a brief appearance in the leafy understory. In a distant tree a male SCARLET TANAGER ablaze with color was spotted. Ooohs and Aaaahs were soon heard as each of our group focused their binoculars on it. Nearby the bright orange of a BALTIMORE ORIOLE caught or attention as it gleaned a tree branch holding a web worm nest.  And so it went during this wonderful meeting with nature.  Eleven enthusiastic birders counted 23 species of birds on a gorgeous summer morn.

 

Many thanks to Phyllis Benay for allowing us access to her wonderful nature preserve.

 

 

Yardbird News

The numbers of birds coming to our feeders is phenomenal as more and more parents introduce their youngsters to our yard. The daily appearance of the INDIGO BUNTING family, male & female parents and male & female youngsters has been a real joy.  Normally this is a bird that we only see and hear a couple of times in the spring of the year.  This morning we had a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, a RED-EYED VIREO and 2 imm., male PURPLE FINCH.

 

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There have not been a lot of bird reports coming in, so there haven’t been a lot of BIRD NOTES to be sent out. (Hint, hint.) It is your comments and reports that make up the bulk of this report. Please keep them coming. Believe it or not the migration has started.

 

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.

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

 

 

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

chpmnkx@sover.net