BIRD NOTES ~ May 2, 2009

 

Bird Notes

 

 

 

 

Hinsdale Rail Trail (5/1)

Went to the Hinsdale rail trail to bird today from the causeway to about half way to the bluffs turn-off and the place was alive with birds.  I saw at least 20 yellow rump warblers, a few yellows and a pair of pine warblers, a brown thrasher, two catbirds, a couple warbling vireos, a Baltimore oriole, a pair of blue-gray gnatcatchers, and an osprey to name the new 09 birds for me.

---Lani Wright, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Guilford Creeper

I wanted to report that I've seen a Brown Creeper outside my home for a couple of weeks now.  I can't tell if it's the same bird I see all the time, or if it's multiple creepers.  I usually spot it in the morning hopping up the trees outside my bathroom window. 

---Jennifer Chapin, Guilford, VT

 

 

Red-shouldered Hawk, Plus

We went to check out the Red-shouldered Hawk that Nori Howe reported hearing last Sunday on Pleasant Valley Road in W. Brattleboro. We heard it then found it sitting in a tree, in the early morning sun, preening its feathers. We watched it on and off through a 30X scope for about 10 minutes. Best look we have ever had of this raptor. While we were enjoying the view, 2 Barred Owls started hooting back and forth on the hill behind us.  Other notables were Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Raven, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, a pair of Bluebirds sitting on a nest box, Pine Siskin, and FOY Red-eyed Vireo, Indigo Bunting and Ovenbird.

---Barb Merritt, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Birding from A Hammock

On Sunday I heard my FOY black and White warbler and saw and heard two broad-winged hawks as I lay in my hammock.

---Mitch Harrison, Wardsboro, VT

 

 

W. Brattleboro FOY Birds

2 Brown Thrashers at Gateway Farm on Abbott Road, a pair of Eastern Phoebes are busy nest building under the eaves and Rose-breasted Grosbeak (M) visiting our black oil sunflower feeder. Boy, can they shuck seeds rapidly.

 

 

Bar-headed Goose

If you haven’t seen this striking central Asian member of the goose family, stop by the fields surrounding the water pumping station in the Retreat Meadows on Rt. 30. It is still there hanging out with a flock of Canada Geese.

 

 

Brattleboro Birds 5/2/09

At Broad Brook boat launch we found 2 Killdeer, 2 Wood Duck, 2 Rough-winged Swallows, a male Baltimore Oriole decked out in his bright orange and black finery, a Yellow Warbler, and a Warbling Vireo. At the Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary we saw an Osprey bracing against a strong breeze, perching in the top of a dead snag overlooking the Retreat Meadows. The “mew” of a first of the year Catbird got our attention as it peered out of the brambles along the trail.

 

 

V P T   P R O G R A M   N O T E

NATURE Sunday evening at 8:00 pm   "Eagles of Mull"
	Travel to a hauntingly beautiful island in Scotland to see an amazing diversity of wildlife, including golden eagles and rare white tailed eagle gulls.

 

 

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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