BIRD NOTES ~ April 27, 2009

SVAS Bird Walk Group & Bar-headed Goose photos by Al Merritt

 

 

Bird Notes

 

West B. Warblers etc.(4/26)

Pleasant Valley Road was very birdy yesterday - particularly the grove of pines just past the trail that slants down to the reservoir.  The pines were full of singing Yellow-rumped, Pine, and Northern Parula warblers, along with the usual Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice and Chipping Sparrows.  Also in that same area were three (2 m, 1 f) Evening Grosbeaks in breeding splendor.  They were calling, which was a first for me!   Also heard a Red-shouldered Hawk further out the road - I wonder if there is a nest in the area?

---Nori Howe, West Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Wardsboro

I saw 4 Evening Grosbeaks feeding on a staghorn sumac in my yard yesterday.

---Mitch Harrison, Wardsboro, VT

 

 

Westminster & Putney

First BG Gnatcatcher at Allens Marsh today. Palm Warbler & WT Sparrow on River Rd., Putney.

---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

 

 

West Brattleboro & More (4/25)

Great morning at home in W. Brattleboro: 1 male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 5 R-c Kinglets, 30+ White-throated Sparrows, 4 Yellow-shafted Flickers, 3 Chipping Sparrows, 26 Pine Siskins, 2 pairs of Purple Finches, ~20 Goldfinches, 2 Y-b Sapsuckers, 2 R-b Woodpeckers, 4 Phoebes, 4 Tree Swallows, 2 Barn Swallows, and 1 Hermit Thrush.

 

Along the rr tracks in Guilford at the confluence of Broadbrook and the Conn. River there were 10 Myrtle Warblers and 2 E. Palm Warblers.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Chipmunk Crossing (4/26)

Activity is increasing at our feeders and around the yard. Today the Pileated Woodpecker is still in the area. We saw it twice today and heard it drumming all afternoon. Chipping Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue-headed Vireo, 2 female Purple Finch, a pair of Pine Siskins, a pair of Evening Grosbeaks, several White-throated Sparrows, 2 Slate-colored Juncos, a pair of Cardinals, and a pair of American Goldfinch.

---Barbara Merritt, West Brattleboro, VT

 

 

SVAS Bird Walk (4/25)

We met at Living Memorial Park at 7 a.m. on Saturday and drove to our first destination, East Orchard Street in West Brattleboro. The weather was cool but soon warmed up and light jackets gave way to shirt sleeves.

     The birding was slow at first and we really had to scratch for our first of the year Field Sparrow and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. But, as the sun broke through and touched the tree tops the bird activity picked up. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, several White-throated Sparrows and Northern Flickers, were some of the notables.     Next stop was the water pumping station at the Retreat Meadows. Here we added Northern Mockingbird, Green Heron, Common Merganser, Great Black-backed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, and the star of the show for the past week, the central Asian BAR-HEADED GOOSE.   The third stop was at Marina Road and the adjoining cornfield along the West River. Notables here were Great Blue Heron, Yellow Warbler, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk. 

     Before noon, fourteen of us counted 47 species. It was truly a good morning with a great group of enthusiastic birders.

________________

Group Photo Left to Right :   Chris Petrak, Bob Engel, Nissa Petrak, Susan James, Paul Miksis, Robyn Flatley, Lee Nye, Marcia Nye, Ned Pokras, Barbara Cole, Gale Stachelek, Barbara Merritt, and Bob Stachelek..   (See attached Photos by Al Merritt )

 

 

 

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.

Visit the SVAS website at www.sevtaudubon.org/

 

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

chpmnkx@sover.net

 

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

 and touches your heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIRD NOTES ~ April 22, 2009

Bar-headed Goose © Gerry James      Bloodroot by Al Merritt

 

 

 

Bird Notes

 

 

Today was “Earth Day”, I hope everyone was able to get out and do some “Green” thing.

 

Wildflowers in West B

Most of our focus this time of year is on migrating birds, but there are other beautiful things happening around us if we look closely. The annual display of Bloodroot is unfolding a half mile up Greenleaf Street on the right, in a field that abuts Ames Brook. Thousands of delicate white blossoms cover a half acre of an area that runs from the road to the brook. Slow down and take a look, it’s spectacular.

 

 

Southern Vermonters can be rewarded with a visual treat by taking a quick trip to the Turners Falls, MA, Rod and Gun Club. This morning there were 5 Horned Grebes in breeding plumage swimming around together and eating fish.

There were also at least 11 Red-necked Grebes, some in full breeding plumage, scattered about in the same area.

 

     On 4/20 the hi=lights of a walk along the railroad tracks by Broad Brook in Guilford, VT, included a flock of 45 Cedar Waxwings, 1 Pine W., 1 Myrtle W.,1 Eastern Palm W., and 5 Wood Ducks. The Pied- billed Grebe and Bar- headed Goose continue at the Retreat Meadows in Brattleboro.

---Dave Anderson, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Wardsboro Birds

This morning in Wardsboro I heard a yellow-rumped Warbler singing, the grouse drumming at its normal spot on the stone wall, a yellow-bellied sapsucker calling and white-throated sparrows singing.  Last evening there were several flickers feeding with robins on the field.

---Mitch Harrison, Wardsboro, VT

 

 

Vernon Specialty

Paul saw a Meadowlark Friday afternoon as we were just north of the Miller Farm on Rt 142 about 2 p.m. 

---Mary Miller, Vernon, VT

 

 

Bar-coded Goose? 

Meg and I went down to the water-treatment plant this morning around 9 or so, and saw the Bar-headed Goose in with a small gaggle of Canada Geese, in the field up-road from the plant.  I'm trying to start an unfounded rumor that the goose has cross-bred with a Canada to create a new species, the “Bar-coded Goose”. This will be the easiest bird to identify, if you have a laser scanner . . . What the heck, it's only April 1st Plus 21!

---Ned Pokras, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Birds of Missisquoi Wildlife Refuge on VPT

On Tuesday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m., “VPT’s Outdoor Journal” continues its seventh season on Vermont Public Television.  Among the stories is a visit to the great blue herons and osprey of Missisquoi Wildlife Refuge.  The program will be webcast live on vpt.org at the time of the broadcast and archived on our website for video on demand. There is also a rebroadcast on the following Saturday at 10.

 

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.

BIRD NOTES ~ April 19, 2009

Bluebird by Paul Miller  and  Bar-headed Goose by Gerry James

 

Bird Notes

 

 

 

Bar-headed Goose

Fellow bird enthusiast Chris Petrak called early Saturday morn to tell us of a Bar-headed Goose near the water pumping station at the Retreat Meadows. We were there within minutes looking at this spectacular bird from central Asia as it paddled along behind a couple of Canada Geese. It could be an escapee from someone’s collection, but maybe not. It was not sporting any bird bands on its legs. At any rate, until the experts say otherwise we have a rare uncommon visitor from the other side of the world mingling with our common Canada Geese at the Meadows.(See attached photo)

 

“The superlative for the highest altitude migrant goes to the Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus), which has been seen at up to 33,382 feet (10175 m). This bird, which breeds in Central Asia, migrates through the Himalayan range. The air at these heights is so thin that helicopters cannot fly there and kerosene cannot burn. The Bar-head has a slightly larger wing area for its weight than other geese, which is believed to help the goose fly so high”.

---Dan Pataki

 

 

 

 

Great Horned Owl and Eastern Bluebird

On Sunday and Monday nights, Paul heard the hoots of a Great Horned Owl coming from farther up Tyler Hill Road. For the view out our dining room window on the 15^th see the attached photo.

--Mary Miller, Vernon, VT

 

 

 

 

 

P  R  O  G  R  A  M     N  O  T  E

 

"How Green Is My Valley?"

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

7 p.m. Brooks Memorial Library meeting room.

 FREE and open to the public.

Nathaniel Tripp will use the Connecticut River to describe the dynamics of a "natural" river, and then discuss hydro and nuclear power, and politics, as well as the impact of green electrical generation system on the river.  He is an author, producer for film and television, and part-time farmer on a hill farm in the Northeast Kingdom.  A recent book is Confluence: A River, the Environment, Politics and the Fate of All Humanity.

Sponsored by Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

 

 

 

F  I  E  L  D    T  R  I  P

 

Birding Around Brattleboro

7 a.m. Saturday April 25, 2009

Meet Al & Barb Merritt at Living Memorial Park in West Brattleboro for a morning of birding around the Brattleboro area for waterfowl, and early Spring migrants. Wear suitable footwear for wet conditions.  Insect repellant might come in handy and of course binoculars and field guide.

 

Sponsored by Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIRD NOTES ~ April 16, 2009

Golden-crowned Sparrow © Terry Sohl

 

 

Bird Notes

 

 

RBA: GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW

This bird is visiting a feeder in Orwell, VT.  It is thousands of miles from its home on the west coast and a real rare find here in the east. It was first reported on Monday(4/13) so the next morning we drove the 2+ hours north and within 10 minutes of our arrival we were looking at the bird feeding on the ground with a Song Sparrow and a number of House Sparrows. It reminded us of the shape and body color of a White-crowned Sparrow with a song similar to the beginning of the song of the White-throated Sparrow. Chances are that you will not see this bird again unless you are planning a trip out west or to Alaska. (The attached photo is not the bird and is meant only to show its likeness. © Terry Sohl)

 

Directions from the south: North on Rt. 22A to Rt. 73. Turn left on 73 and travel approximately 4 miles to #51 Rt 73. This is the private home and art gallery of Norton & Marlene Latourelle. They are willing to let interested birders view the bird. To get there take Rt 73 as if you were going to the ferry, they are on the left side of the road just after the road curves to the right. The buildings are red in color, an older house and the Gallery are nearest to the road. The feeder is by the new house which is directly behind the old red house. Good luck and happy birding.

 

 

West B Birds (4/15)

Near the end of Pleasant Valley Road - two Hermit Thrushes, one of which sang a few notes of its beautiful song!  Also, three singing Pine Warblers, and a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.  A Red-shouldered Hawk called as it circled over the road.  Great sounds of spring!

---Nori Howe, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

Birds at Bennett Meadow (4/14)

Among the birds at Bennett Meadow (W. Northfield, MA) - Yellow-rumped Warbler, lots of Tree Swallows, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Mockingbird, several Eastern Phoebes, and a Great Blue Heron.  Also had Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-bellies, and a Mockingbird at Pauchaug Brook.

---Nori Howe

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIRD NOTES ~ April 13, 2009

 

Snowy Owl & Crows photos by Paul Miller

 

 

Bird Notes

 

Snowy Owls at Plum Island

Yesterday (4/10) we visited Plum Island, MA and you can tell what this poor Snowy Owl had to tolerate! (See attached photos by Paul)

---Mary and Paul Miller, Vernon, VT

 

 

Bennett Meadow Migrants

Three Blue-winged Teal at Bennett Meadows (Northfield, MA) this morning 4/10!!(my first ever), 6 Tree Swallows, an Alder Flycatcher, Grackles and a few Rusty Blackbirds. Not to mention the first blooming bloodroot I've seen.  I went back to Bennett Meadow today(4/12) and there were 120 Tree Swallows flying over the pond across the road.  The dead trees were blue with them. I saw one Barn swallow.

---Lani Wright, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Wilmington Snow Goose

A Snow Goose in the company of three Canada Geese flew into Wheeler’s field about a mile  out of Wilmington village north on Route 100 on Friday morning 4/10 and was still there at three in the afternoon. A Turkey Vulture was checking out the newly spread manure! Saw a  Chipping sparrow in the bush where one nested last year, the Yellow-bellied sapsucker was back to its old territory drumming on the stove pipe and there was a Brown Creeper on the maple tree.

---Barbara Cole, Wilmington, VT

 

 

Bellows Falls and Brattleboro Birds

Thursday evening, 4/9, there was a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers in the Conn. River just north of Joy Wah Restaurant on Rt. 5 in Bellows Falls.

Saturday evening, 4/11, there was 1 Pied-billed Grebe swimming at the Retreat Meadows. A Field Sparrow and a Savannah Sparrow were in the thick growth surrounding the water treatment plant off of Rt 30. A male Belted Kingfisher was fishing behind the water treatment plant.

On Easter Sunday, a walk around the perimeter of the cornfield behind the Marina Restaurant in Brattleboro  yielded 1 Eastern Palm Warbler, 4 Common Snipe, 1 Savannah Sparrow, 1 Field Sparrow, 1 Yellow-shafted Flicker, a pair of Belted Kingfishers, 2 N. Rough-winged Swallows, and 9 Wood Ducks.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Putney, Westminster & Bellows Falls

Friday afternoon, 4/10, I had 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallows mixed in with Tree Swallows along Sand Hill road in Putney. There was 1 Fox Sparrow along River Road in Putney. In Westminster beside rt.5 on the long flat stretch near the farms I had two calling/courting American Kestrels. I met up with Don Clark and Martha Adams at Herricks Cove and we had 2 Bufflehead and several Green-winged Teal. At the upper meadows we saw a Flicker and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Good birding.

---Taj Schottland, Putney, VT

 

 

Wardsboro Grosbeaks 4/12

Evening Grosbeaks on our property this morning.

---Mitch Harrison, Wardsboro, VT

 

 

P  R  O  G  R  A  M     N  O  T  E

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 7 p.m. Brooks Memorial Library meeting room. FREE and open to the public.

"How Green Is My Valley?" - Nathaniel Tripp will use the Connecticut River to describe the dynamics of a "natural" river, and then discuss hydro and nuclear power, and politics, as well as the impact of green electrical generation system on the river.  He is an author, producer for film and television, and part-time farmer on a hill farm in the Northeast Kingdom.  A recent book is Confluence: A River, the Environment, Politics and the Fate of All Humanity.

Sponsored by Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

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.