BIRD NOTES ~ August 23, 2008

 

Bird Notes

 

 

We just had about a dozen turkeys pay a visit to our apple trees.  The three adults and nine little ones are relatively new to the neighborhood.  Now if we could just train them to pick up all the drops!

 

On the other hand, the five crows who frequent our backyard have discovered the pears in the pear tree.  One just flew off holding a pear by the stem in its beak!  I'm not quite so happy about that! 

 

I have a very territorial male hummingbird who spends his days guarding the feeder.  If any other hummer approaches, he quickly escorts them away.  I have also watched him do battle with a Hairy Woodpecker over the suet feeder!  I guess the entertainment will be ending soon!

---Nori Howe, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

 

Here in Waltham, Mass. the bird count seems to be sharply down.  The orioles, chickadees, titmice, mallards, and woodpeckers are almost nonexistent.  We do see one GREAT BLUE HERON, lots of CANADA GEESE, three RED-TAILED HAWKS and one very loud CAROLINA WREN.  Sometimes there are two WOOD DUCKS, herded by a female. 

---Doreen Pugh

 

 

East Dorset Birds

As I was tallying the bird activity in my yard around 6 pm on Thurs., a sky scan picked up a small pointed winged bird high overhead.  I excitedly first thought- Merlin - but soon realized it was a lone Night Hawk winging its way south - a unusual treat, nonetheless.

 

Other activity:

Red-eyed Vireo - 2 (feeding young!)

Rose breasted Grosbeak - male

Scarlet Tanager - male

Catbird

House Finches - 6

Tufted Titmouse - 4

Black-capped Chickadee - 5

Gold Finch - x

House wren  1

RT Hummingbird - 3

I'm sure there were some warblers out there too, but I never could pick them up in the leaf cover.

---Ruth Stewart, E Dorset, VT

 

 

Retreat Meadows

There is a GREAT EGRET and a GREAT BLUE HERON hanging out at the West River side of the Retreat Meadows. Also seen regularly are BELTED KINGFISHER on the guy wires of the WTSA radio tower and CEDAR WAXWINGS in the treetops in that same area.

 

 

Sunset Lake Loons

Chris Petrak reports that while kayaking on Sunset Lake he was able to get very good looks at a pair of COMMON LOONS and of watching a family of HOODED MERGANSERS floating down the river that borders his property in South Newfane.

 

 

Sedge Wren at Allen Bros. Marsh

We arrived about 9 Thursday morning trying for a glimpse of the Virginia Rails. We instead found two small wrens that we identified as SEDGE WREN. As you enter Henwood Hill Road from RT. 5 it’s on the right roadside wet area. I hope others can check this out and get a look at these rare occurring birds.

 

Other birds seen there were SOLITARY SANDPIPER, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, 18 to 20 Wood Ducks, Great Blue Heron, 4 Green Heron, 3 Belted Kingfishers, 6 Kingbirds, Red-eyed Vireo, 2 Phoebes and other regulars.

 

 

W. Brattleboro Bobolinks

We observed 18-20 non-breeding BOBOLINKS on Abbott Road this morning(8/23). Several were along the roads edge and many more were sitting in the shrubbery and golden rod at roadside. They are undoubtedly in their migration mode and will soon be winging their way to the bobolink wintering grounds in South America.

 

 

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