BIRD NOTES ~ April 10, 2009

Bald Eagle at Retreat Meadows by Al Merritt / Glossy Ibis at Retreat Meadows by Paul Miksis

 

 

Bird Notes

 

Glossy Ibis at Retreat Meadows

Robyn and I spotted this beauty (See attachment) at the West River pumping station puddle. It was there when we left, around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, very actively feeding. Not much else out of the ordinary. Though we did watch what appeared to be a fight to the death between two Canada's. Actually rather disturbing. Robyn tried to break it up to no avail. But the loser did finally get away. 

---Paul Miksis, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Wilmington Migrants(4/7)

A couple of Fox Sparrows are joining the Song Sparrows gleaning odds and ends in the garden out back along with a number of Dark-eyed Juncos. Red winged Blackbirds are calling, four pair of Mourning Doves are cooing and the Canada Geese are looking over the little abandoned beaver dam in the meadow for which we need a new beaver. One was headed our way but unfortunately we found it dead yesterday on Route 9 near the stream.

---Barbara Cole, Wilmington, VT

 

 

West Brattleboro(4/7)

In front of our house on Bonnyvale Rd, a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers has been excavating a cavity in a Willow Tree. The male has been digging away from sun up till sun down doing 98% of the work over the past four days with an occasional inspection/touch up from the female. It looks like they could finish today. A pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers showed up and were billing around the Red-bellies' excavation work and were subsequently chased off by the male Red. A Yellow-shafted Flicker stopped by for a quick visit. At noon, a male Merlin flew into the birds at our feeders, but came up empty. Three Pine Siskins continue their daily visits along with ~ 15 Goldfinches. A pair of House Finches, 1 male Purple Finch, and 1 Fox Sparrow have been around for the past few days.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Retreat Boat Launch (4/8)

Viewed from the boat launch along Rt. 30, 1 Osprey perched near the platform on the island and 2 Bald Eagles- 1 adult and 1 second year bird perched together in a tree northeast of the island.

---Dave Johnston

 

 

Retreat Meadow (5:30 p.m.4/8)

Ring-necked Duck     2 m&F

Double-crested Cormorant     1

Osprey     1

Bald Eagle     1 mature (See attachment)

Eastern Phoebe     2

 

 

Springfield Meadows(4/8)

Mallards 4

Green-winged Teal 16

 

 

Roundies Cove

Ring-necked Duck 2 (m&f)

 

 

Allen Bros. Pond

Great Blue Heron

Wood Ducks

Tree Swallows

Cowbirds

Grackles

Redwings

Kingfisher

Song Sparrows

Turkey Vulture (fly-over)

Red-tailed Hawk (fly-over)

 

Happy Easter!

 

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

 

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