BIRD NOTES ~ January 21, 2009

 

Sharp-shinned Hawk © John A. Lowery III

Bird Notes

 

 

 

Tree Sparrows and a Common Redpoll

We've also had several tree sparrows as regulars, and in the past couple of days, about 25 pine siskins, a few goldfinches, the rest of the usuals -- titmouse, chickadee, hairy and downy woodpeckers, juncos. Late in the week, a flock of cedar waxwings, and four male bluebirds were at and near the feeder for a day or so. Yesterday a lonely REDPOLL appeared. I looked in vain for a flock of them, but just the one, briefly early yesterday morning.
---Barbara Evans, Dummerston, VT

 

 

Red-bellied Woodpecker and Cedar Waxwings

It sure took a while for them to get here, but on Sunday the 11th, our sunflower feeder was visited by the first Red-Bellied Woodpecker (female) we have ever seen at our home here at 1300 feet in Newfane. My vintage 1980 Peterson shows the northern edge of its range ending in central Connecticut. She had no trouble fending off the large (dozen or so) flock of blue jays that usually monopolize the feeder. We have also had small numbers of Pine Siskin, a few Evening Grosbeaks, and even a brief cameo appearance by a small flock of Cedar Waxwings (unusual for us in winter).

---Steve Squires, Newfane, VT

 

 

 

Common Redpoll

Please add a Red Poll to the list -–it appeared stuffing itself in the feeder on Thursday morning fending off all other visitors while getting in a good feed.

---Barbara Cole, Wilmington, VT

 

 

 

Pine Siskins and a Common Redpoll

My rather large contingent of Pine Siskins continue to delight me with their antics.  They have been joined by 2 Goldfinches, 2 Chickadees, 3 Nuthatches  -  and this morning, a beautiful male Common Redpoll...  What a beautiful little bird...
---Sandra Sweet, Vernon, VT

 

 

 

 

Pileated Woodpeckers and Sharp=shinned Hawk

An interesting day in the Lowery backyard.  The two Pileated Woodpeckers on my dead pine tree is a great picture.  There has been one bird frequenting that tree for about a year but last week was the first time we had two there at the same time. 

And obviously the reason why we put so much generalized small bird seed along our back wall is to attract numerous birds but also because about 20 – 60 pigeons come in there every other day.  Some of the neighbors don’t like it but that’s OK.  They don’t understand the magnificent beauty of nature’s way especially when we get rarely Red-Tailed Hawks on our bank, but frequently Sharp-Shinned Hawks at least once a week. Then there is the once every two or three months when one of the Sharpies nails a pigeon and we get to watch him rip and tear the pigeon to pieces.  This Sharpie ate the entire pigeon. (See attachment)  Mary & I watched him for an hour and a half.  You can see in one picture where the Sharpie nailed the pigeon on the ground and dragged him over under the bush for cover near my bow & arrow block. This is where the smorgasbord was. The feathers are all that remain.

We also have two Grey Fox’s almost every night in the backyard and a couple times a week there are anywhere from 2 – 8 deer back there eating seeds that fall out of the bird-feeders right next to the fox’s and they are only a couple of feet away from each other.   Very interesting considering you would never see a deer anywhere near something like a coyote, and they are both predators.  I guess the deer don’t fear something as small as a fox and probably know they could kick them with their hooves if they wanted.

---John A. Lowery III

 

 

Rare Bird Alert

For those of you that are interested, there are two rare birds from north of the border that can be found within a 3 hour drive from Brattleboro.

 

A Northern Hawk Owl is hanging out in Eden, Vermont and an Ivory Gull in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Both are awesome birds that may not be reported close by again for another decade. If you want directions to one or both of these gems, drop me a note and I will be glad to send it to you.

Al Merritt

chpmnkx@sover.net

 

 

 

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.