Birdnotes: BIRD NOTES ~ January 1, 2009

Bird Notes

I've had a few of the regulars - Tufted Titmouse, White Breasted Nuthatch, Chickadees, and the Red Bellied Woodpecker... However, I think that the entire Vernon population of Pine Siskins come to dine at my feeder... :o) To watch them flit from feeder to the ground and back into the tree is like watching the fall leaves falling from the tree... I'm certainly enjoying them...
---Sandra Sweet

I got a longer and closer (12 inches) look at the Pine Siskin with the "spine". The bird actually kept its head and bill still for a second and I could see that the upper mandible had not grown to normal length. That made the long and very thin lower mandible, appear to be a spine lodged in the beak. I watched closely and it was apparent that the bird turns its head to the side in order to grasp seeds using the side of its bill where the mandibles actually meet. This bird is very aggressive toward other siskins, holding them at bay with open bill and open wings posturing. He/she stays and feeds alone long after the other birds have left. A Carolina wren did manage to keep its position in the feeder.

---Charlie La Rosa, Brattleboro, VT

The Barred Owl which visited our feeders last week swooped over our yard and field a couple of days ago. The owl was very low looking for unsuspecting rodents. I hope we get to see it again.
---Susan James, Guilford, VT

12/30

In Vernon, below the dam, a pair of adult Bald Eagles were perched on a branch overhanging the Conn. River catching some rays. The only birds in the river were 4 Hoodies. One drake C. Goldeneye was diving about in the small pond in front of the post office in Vernon. Just over the state line in West Northfield, MA. on Caldwell Rd., a flock of at least 50 Horned Larks and 1 Lapland Longspur were toodling in and out of the cornfield furrows trying to stay out of the wind. The Longspur sat along the edge of the road for a while offering great looks. Eight Bluebirds flitted in the trees along the eastern end of River Rd.