BIRD NOTES ~ January 12, 2010

Snow Buntings© Hilke Breder  1/7/10

Bird Notes

 

Hummingbirds

If you missed the program about the hummingbirds you still have a chance to catch it on the New Hampshire PBS Nature Series. “Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air” will air Thursday the 14^th at 9:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday the 19^th at 1:00 p.m. Don’t miss it. The photography is fantastic and the narration is very informative. It is really a MUST SEE.

 

 

Turkeys in Putney and Birds in LA LA Land

Al & Barb, it is always fun to read about your turkeys, but now I understand! On the same Sunday your turkeys showed up, I spotted a turkey in my yard for the first time in the 13 years I have lived here in Putney.  After moving room to room to get a better view, I was able to determine there was a small flock foraging just below the hill. But was I surprised when they started marching single file up the hill and across the yard to see 1 tom and 17 hens! They fed under and up in a crabapple tree for a while, and then all of a sudden up and flew off down the hill and over the tree tops.  This week I have seen more tracks, evidence of additional visits.  

  Also, while visiting my sister in LA for the holidays we visited Sepulveda Wildlife area in Van Nuys.  What a great birding site nearby, which is a major roosting site for white pelicans, egrets, cormorants, 4 types of herons, home to many waterfowl such as pied billed grebes, as well as a habitat for many hummingbirds, songbirds and flycatchers, and of course hawks.  A welcome relief from our winter!  

---Marilyn Tillinghast, Putney, VT

 

 

Vernon Buntings, Larks and Longspurs

There were ~60 Snow Buntings, ~40 Horned Larks, and 2 Lapland Longspurs in the large cornfield east of Stebbins Road in Vernon this morning. Also, below Vernon Dam, a Kingfisher flew in front of me as I watched 6 C. Mergansers and 5 Hoodies fishing.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Snow Buntings in Manchester Center

I found a flock of about 80+ snow buntings feeding in a field on the North Road in Manchester Center after being alerted of their location by my husband (He does pay attention). They are located just after Overlook Road going toward Route 7 on the right in the cornfield. This is the second time my husband has found them there so they seem to be hanging around and feeding.

---Barbara Powers, Manchester Center, VT

 

 

The Snow Bunting photo in the attachment was taken by Hilke Breder while birding at Salisbury Beach Reservation, MA. For more information and several excellent photos of more birds seen in the Cape Ann area see: http://tinyurl.com/yzzbyba

 

 

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.

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

 and touches your heart.

 

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

chpmnkx@sover.net

 

Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

www.sevtaudubon.org