BIRD NOTES ~ December 22, 2008

 

Bird Notes

 

 

The goldfinches are finally back, and they brought the siskins with them.  they are full of energy and there's lot of pushing and shoving around the feeders.  A big flock of cedar waxwings flying from tree to tree.  We've been seeing turkeys by the feeders this week.
---Susan James, Guilford, VT

 

 

Lots of bird activity in the yard over the past few days.  I have seen flocks of goldfinches (keep searching for pine siskins mixed in), a flock of evening grosbeaks, a cardinal, many chickadees, a hairy, a downy, juncos, tufted titmice and white-breasted nuthatches.  The lack of power is not affecting my 3½ year old or the birds.

---Mitch Harrison, Wardsboro

 

 

Birding this morning (3/15) produced 1 Cooper's Hawk at the edge of Kluge's horse pasture in W. Brattleboro- Bonnyvale Rd., 1 Sharpie in Hillwinds off of Upper Dummerston Rd. along with 1 Barred Owl and 1 Hermit Thrush(2nd day in a row) in the swampy area behind Hillwinds, and 1 Northern Shrike behind the Marina Restaurant in Bratt. Flocks of Cedar Waxwings seem to be everywhere!

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro

 

 

Brattleboro Christmas Bird Count

Despite Mother Nature’s ice sculpturing of southern Vermont, we had great success with the annual Brattleboro Christmas Bird Count. Twenty-seven of the forty volunteers were able to make it into the field and did an exemplary job of covering their assigned areas. The remaining thirteen were unable to make it out of their driveways because of downed trees, and wires, we hope by now that things are back to normal for you. Thanks too to the feeder counters, you are an integral part of our team. And last but not least, a special thanks to Hollie and Paul for again hosting the count down pot luck supper in their lovely home on Whipple Street.

 

We had the second highest species count ever, with a total of 62 which included 4 “count week” birds. The number of individuals counted totaled 5,818. Total miles walked was five. Total driven was 325. Hours spent in the field was 170.

 

Here are the highlights:

 

Common Goldeneye 1

Wild Turkey 37

Bald Eagle 3 mature & 2 imm.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1

Northern Flicker 2

Pileated Woodpecker 2

Horned Lark 150

Brown Creeper 3

Carolina Wren 1

Eastern Bluebird 40

Hermit Thrush 1

American Robin 49

Cedar Waxwing 1073

Savannah Sparrow 1

Snow Bunting 2

Pine Grosbeak 1

Red Crossbill 1

Common Redpoll 6

Pine Siskin 240

Evening Grosbeak 9

 

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

 

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

and touches your heart.

Happy Holidays