[BIRD NOTES] ~ February 25, 2010

Barred Owl and Least Weasel© Barbara Cole

 

Bird Notes

 

Dorset Sightings

My wife Kit got some great photos of a Pileated Woodpecker on our bird feeder last Saturday and I put a couple of them up on my blog here http://dorsetcustomfurniture.blogspot.com/  Plus this afternoon, my son and I saw two Barred Owls in the trees outside our shop.

---Dan Mosheim, Dorset, VT

 

 

 

Wilmington Birds and a Mammal

Our Barred Owl has been appearing more regularly these past few weeks.  Today it swooped down to the ground at 3:30 p.m. to gather a morsel that it gulped down.  The other night, Thursday 2/ 18 it was perched on our birdfeeder and was really watching the ground for some time but we did not see it catch anything.  I have seen red -backed voles and shrews around the spilled seeds during the day.  A Sharp-shinned Hawk was sitting on the tree at our other feeder and then flew to a larger tree nearby. Missed its initial approach so do not know how successful it was in getting a meal.

     I was happy to see two Red-Breasted Nuthatches today, there was only one a couple of weeks ago.  Today there are a few Dark-eyed Juncos, plus the usual Chickadees, Blue jays, and a pair each of the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers filling up as the storm comes in.   We have had a couple of Purple Finches and a Goldfinch and two Tree Sparrows early in February. The crows and ravens are always flying around and there probably is a raven nesting area on Shearer Hill near the rock quarry.

     Our kitchen was a mess of spilled bread from the bread box the other morning and the next night bones were taken from the closed trash closet!  Thinking Red Squirrel I put the Catch a Live trap with a large bone in the closet and, lo and behold, we caught a pretty little Least Weasel.  If we did not have chickens I would have been happy to have it around to keep the mouse population down but we set it loose up at Hogback where there were plenty of tiny tracks seen on the recent track walk held there. I have attached a couple of pictures of the owl and the weasel.

---Barbara Cole, Wilmington, VT

 

 

 

Price Chopper Woodpecker

A Pileated Woodpecker was seen flying over the parking area at Price Chopper in Brattleboro this afternoon (2/22). This is the 3^rd time we have seen a flyover there, but each time it has flown in a different direction, i.e. North, South, and West.

 

 

Chipmunk Crossing Notes

Today(1/25) I was out putting seed in some makeshift feeders after finding all of our regular feeders on the ground buried in snow. They had all been taken down by the weight of the 18” of heavy, wet snow. Our resident squirrel seemed disappointed that the seed was so conveniently placed on a short table in the backyard. There was no need to try to outsmart me, just hop up and eat. Our regular birds didn’t seem to mind at all and had a steady shuttle going in and out. W-B Nuthatches, Titmice, Chickadees, Juncos, Mourning Doves, Blue Jays and Downy Woodpeckers.

     It was raining and I looked skyward to see if there were any signs of it stopping. Very high up was a lone Raven flying north without a sound. I usually hear them “croaking” before I see them.

     Our weekend coastal field trip was cancelled due to the weather. We were disappointed, but the odds of seeing any birds in the predicted wind gusts of 60-70 mph, were nil. So, we’ll go another day when the gods aren’t as angry.

 

 

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

 

Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

www.sevtaudubon.org

 

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

 and touches your heart.

 

[BIRD NOTES] ~ Feb. 22, 2010

Barred Owl @ Chipmunk Crossing

 

Bird Notes

 

*Attachment shows a Barred Owl at Chipmunk Crossing. I apologize for the poor quality, but the only shot that I had was through 2 panes of glass.

 

 

 

Bald & Barred and an Early Timber Doodle

Two good sightings the past two days (2/17-18):  Yesterday I saw a Bald Eagle swoop down over route 30 in Newfane and make its way down the West River.  Today at dusk I saw a Barred Owl fly in and perch in a tree in my yard.  An early Woodcock searching for snow-free ground was standing on Kent Road in Wardsboro Friday night (2/19).

---Mitch Harrison, Wardsboro,VT

 

 

More Bald & Barred

I was driving north on I 91 early this afternoon and saw a beautiful Bald Eagle perched in a tree alongside the highway, just before the 17 mile marker (almost to Putney).  Great view even at highway speeds.  We have a Barred Owl who has been seen in our neighborhood recently, I believe it was Sunday (2/14) that I saw it last.

---Carol Schnabel, Guilford, VT

 

 

Putney Bald Eagle

Hello!  Yesterday when I was headed north on I-91 about 9:45AM, there was a mature bald eagle sitting in a pine between the interstate & Route 5 about where Canoe Brook Road comes into route 5.  I didn't see it when I came south about 3 hours later.  Has anyone else reported one near there?  *Yes, see note above.

---Hollie Bowen, Marlboro, VT

 

 

Harbingers of Spring?

The flock of Robins on Abbott Rd. in W. Brattleboro has increased to 30+. They were there again yesterday (2/17) foraging beneath the maples in the exposed leaves at roads edge.  Down the road at Gateway Farm, the Red-tailed Hawk is still keeping a watchful eye from its perch in a large sugar maple in the hedgerow. On Greenleaf St. the Cardinals are staking out their territory by announcing “Cheer Cheer Cheer!” It will not be long before the male will be feeding its mate sunflower seeds.

 

 

Early Redwing

The first Redwing Blackbird showed up at our feeders this morning (2/22).  We usually get one male a few days before a flock arrives. This is a week or two earlier than usual.  Spring is coming!
---Susan James, Guilford, VT

 

 

 

 

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

 

Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

www.sevtaudubon.org

 

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

 and touches your heart.

 

 

[BIRD NOTES] ~ February 18, 2010

 

Bird Notes

 

 

Evening Grosbeaks

I saw a flock of approximately 10 evening grosbeaks on Mowry Road in Jamaica this morning.

---Mitch Harrison, Wardsboro, VT 

 

 

Birding on Snowshoes

I took my snowshoes to Bennett Meadow yesterday (2/17/10).  A large flock of Canada Geese flying northward landed in the river and then moved onto the field to explore the corn stubble, putting up a flock of about 15 Snow Buntings.  Among the other birds seen were 6 American Black Ducks, 4 Mallards, a single Red-bellied Woodpecker, and a Red-shouldered Hawk flying over.  

---Nori Howe, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Grande Birds of Southern Texas

The birding trip that Michael King and I took to southern Texas last week -- from Corpus Christi in the north, down the Gulf coast to Brownsville in the south and up the Rio Grande valley to Falcon State Park in the west -- yielded more than 120 species, including over 30 life birds and another 30 species that are not available in the Northeast. Highlights include many of the lower valley specialties -- green jay, great kiskadee, chachalaca, clay-colored robin, olive sparrow, tropical parula, Harris's, gray, white-tailed and zone-tailed hawks, Altamira, Audubon's and hooded orioles, Couch's kingbird, buff-bellied hummingbird, white-tipped dove, least grebe and Chihuahuan raven. We were also fortunate to get good looks at two Mexican endemics: northern jacana and crimson-collared grosbeak.

     Other birds of note include whooping crane, white and brown pelicans, reddish egret, long-billed curlew, snowy plover, Inca dove, pyrrhuloxia, cinnamon teal, mountain plover, Sprague's pipit, burrowing owl, golden-fronted woodpecker, vermillion flycatcher, greater roadrunner, Aplomado falcon, white-tailed kite, Cassin's sparrow, screech owl and sedge wren. All in all, a welcome respite from the bird-depleted habitats of the wintry Northeast.

---Molly Martin, Marlboro, VT

 

 

Back Porch Birds In Putney

Spent the weekend at home in Putney and got to see the Turkeys that had been passing through the yard - today there were 16 that crossed both ways, once early morning, and then midday.  I also just happened to step out onto the back porch to startle a pair of Ruffed Grouse just off into the tree line.  The female flew off, but the male continued to strut in full display.  At the feeders today was a flock of approximately 20 Goldfinch, 12 Blue Jays, and in the sumac, about 50 Robins.   Exciting what happens when you sit in one place for a while!  

---Marilyn Tillinghast, Putney, VT

 

 

Saxton’s Cedars

Numerous Blue Jays, American Crows and 110 Cedar Waxwings were found at the Vermont Academy in Saxton’s River, VT

---Lance Tanino, Keene, NH

 

 

And the Winner Is . . .

I read the following on the [MASSBIRD] site, though I don’t know the author:

 

One of the more interesting sightings was watching a HERRING GULL viciously attack an ICELAND GULL, for no apparent reason, and then the ICELAND GULL just went postal on the Herring, standing on it, biting it everywhere and rolling in the water. It was such an amazing commotion that an entire flock of eider swam a distance over, just to watch close hand. THAT was pretty comical to see. Later, once the Iceland let go, it continued to follow the Herring as it flew a distance, landed in the water again and the Iceland kept following it.

LESSON: Never disrespect an Iceland.

 

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

Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

www.sevtaudubon.org

 

 

 

[BIRD NOTES] ~ February 12, 2010

Watching Hummingbirds © Nancy Waterhouse

 

Bird Notes

 

 

RE: Torpid Downy

Responding to the post about the Downy that seemed asleep. I had a similar experience with a Downy in NJ about 14 years ago.  I was able to touch it before it woke up and flew.

---Mitch Harrison, Wardsboro, VT

 

 

 

RE: Hummingbird program

This is sort of funny.  My cat watching the humming bird show. We both enjoyed the show!  (See photo attachment)

---Nancy Waterhouse

 

 

 

Birding in Florida

My trip to SW Florida this past week with main focus on birding was incredibly productive – see the photos & comments on my blog: http://onejackdawbirding.blogspot.com

The weather was beautiful, mid 70's with a light breeze, until the last day when we had some rain. It was brutal to come back to the NE deep freeze!

---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

 

The Barred Owl Returns

When we looked out this morning (2/5) to check the feeders, there sat a Barred Owl on the low limb of the red maple tree. It had its back to us and was facing the wooded area about 50 feet away. It seemed to be intrigued with something that had caught its fancy. It turned and looked our way a couple of times. Amazing how they can turn their head that far around. It stayed clutching that limb for about 20 minutes or so before we noticed it had flown off. We thought that it must have been the same one that landed in our backyard on Feb. 1.

 

 

 

Cedar Waxwings Galore

This afternoon in the trees bordering Putney Road at C&S Wholesale, was a flock of 100+ Cedar Waxwings. Try as we might, we couldn’t make any of them Bohemians. Down the road farther at Chickering Drive was another flock probably half that size gorging themselves on the fruit from the many ornamentals that line the parking area across the street from the south end of the old Home Depot building. High overhead we watched as a huge flock of Crows flew over. They were apparently heading for a roost somewhere in the vicinity of W. Chesterfield, NH.

 

 

New Bird Species Discovered in Borneo                             Biologists at the University of Leeds in England announced that they have discovered a new bird species in a Borneo rainforest. The new bird, named the Spectacled Flowerpecker, is a small gray bird about the size of a wren. There are white markings around its eyes, belly, and breast. The new birds were seen several times over the course of a few days at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge.---Birders United,  Feb 9th, 2010

 

 

Vermont Public Television

 

In the Valley of the Wolves

VPTV, Sunday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.

 

“Nature” encores the dramatic saga of Yellowstone’s remarkable Druid wolf pack.

 

This is a repeat PBS program. But, even if you did see it before it is worth seeing again. Wonderful creatures in an awesome setting.

 

 

 

A Reminder

Beaver Friends and Other Goings-On

In the Dark

 

7 p.m. Tuesday, February 16

 

Patti Smith, naturalist with BEEC, will relate the sounds and sights she experienced during a Vermont night with her beavers around their pond.

 

In the Community Room of the Brooks Library

Sponsored by the Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

FREE and open to the Public

 

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

 

Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

www.sevtaudubon.org

 

 

[BIRD NOTES] ~ February 8, 2010

Torpid Downy © Paul Miller and Grey Fox © Sally Warren 

 

Bird Notes

 

 

A Rare Grey Fox
I don't report much, but here are 2 pix of a Grey Fox in Woodstock.  We had seen tracks and we were in possession of one of those game cameras that is activated at night by motion.  We ate a chicken en famille and put the carcass out.  These are the two pictures the camera took.  According to the resident expert, while even red foxes can have a grey phase, this is a grey fox by virtue of the black tip to its tail.  They can climb trees and they are quite rare.  Next chicken dinner, we will put the carcass in a tree and see what we get.

---Sally Warren, Woodstock, VT

 

 

Vernon’s Torpid Downy

I am enclosing a picture of a Downy Woodpecker that seemed to be asleep. He stayed by my suet feeder for about a half an hour without moving. I was able to get within a few feet before it decided to fly. The eye seems to be covered with the nictitating membrane, but the flash is reflected slightly from the eye itself. I am calling a "he", but I think it may be a juvenile or female.

Thanks again for your column.

---Paul Miller, Vernon, VT

 

 

A Beautiful Day of Solitude in the Wenlock WMA.

2 male White-winged Crossbills

3 Boreal Chickadees

2 Gray Jays

5 Red-breasted Nuthatches

6 Purple Finches

2 Hairy Woodpeckers

1 Downy Woodpecker

0 Spruce Grouse.. Oh well...

The previously reported N.HAWK OWL offered excellent views right by the

snowmobile crossing along Rt105, perched vigilantly atop a spruce. There was also a N.Shrike in a treetop along a stream two miles south of Island Pond on Rt 114.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro

 

 

Local Birds

After hearing nothing but “chips” all winter, this morning our resident N. Cardinal was singing, Cheer! Cheer! Cheer! 

 

On Abbott Road this afternoon I found 2 Robins, 2 Bluebirds and 6 Cedar Waxwings helping themselves to the bittersweet berries in a roadside tangle. Across the field at Gateway Farm sat a handsome Red-tailed Hawk in a sugar maple, soaking up the afternoon sun. On Barrows Road in Marlboro we watched a very richly colored Robin tear into a frozen apple on the ground beneath an apple tree. Nearby in an apple tree sat a Barred Owl engrossed with something in the grass below his perch.

 

 

PROGRAM NOTE

Beaver Friends and Other Goings-On

In the Dark

 

7 p.m. Tuesday, February 16

 

Patti Smith, naturalist with BEEC, will relate the sounds and sights she experienced during a Vermont night with her beavers around their pond.

 

In the Community Room of the Brooks Library

Sponsored by the Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

FREE and open to the Public

 

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

 

Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

www.sevtaudubon.org

 

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

 and touches your heart.

 

 

 

BIRD NOTES ~ February 4, 2010

 

Bird Notes

 

 

Nora Wilson reports that she has 12 to 15 Evening Grosbeaks and a dozen American Goldfinch coming to her feeders in Marlboro, while Hollie Bowen has a small flock of Tree Sparrows still frequenting her feeders on Stark Road in that same community. Chris Petrak has been observing two male and a female Red-bellied Woodpecker at his home in South Newfane.

     Here at Chipmunk Crossing in West Brattleboro we have watched our number of Wild Turkeys drop from an original 5 down to 4 and now only 2 are showing up for their handout of cracked corn and mixed bird seed. Maybe the fresh fox tracks criss-crossing our property, has something to do with the decline in numbers.

     On February 1 we saw 2 Barred Owls. The first owl landed in our yard below a pole feeder and then fluttered into the base of a multi-trunked willow, apparently chasing a vole that I know is present at times. The second was just north of exit 2 on I91. It flew across in front of the car, banked over the median, then returned to a perch at roadside. Both were seen within a half hour of each other about mid-day. The food supply for these night creatures must be getting low to bring them out in the daylight hours.

     Even though Puxatawny Phil saw his shadow and predicts 6 more weeks of winter, have you noticed that the Tufted Titmouse is singing its Spring “peter!, peter!, peter!” Who are you going to believe? Better yet, who do you WANT to believe?

 

 

Hudson Valley Eagles

Here is a great report from Gerhard Patsch, a friend from the Hudson River Valley of New York State:

 

19 participants ventured south along the eastern shores of the Hudson River just north of the Big Apple, to count wintering Bald Eagles and whatever else along the way. It was overcast, cold and breezy with temperatures in the teens.  We had 104 BALD EAGLE sightings! At the Croton RR Station we found 11 species of ducks: Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Redheads, Buffleheads, Canvasbacks, Pintails, Common Mergansers, Ruddys, Gadwalls, Mallards and Black Ducks. Other notables included Kingfisher, Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Great Cormorants, Snow Goose, 2 Fox Sparrows, Catbird and Rough-legged Hawk. Altogether we tallied 50 species.

What a great elixir for the winter blahs!

 

 

Merrimack River Eagle Festival

Visit Newburyport, MA for the Fifth Annual Merrimack River Eagle Festival on February 13, 2010 - all FREE.

 

* Visit Eagle Hot Spots: "Eagle specialist" volunteer guides answer questions and help you see eagles in the wild.

* See an Eagle Show: Tom Ricardi of the Massachusetts Bird of Prey Rehabilitation Facility presents two raptor demonstrations.

* Have Fun with your Family: Enjoy nature activities including live bird demonstrations, crafts, and games.

 

Please go to www.massaudubon.org/eaglefestival for a complete listing of events at the Merrimack River Eagle Festival.

 

For additional information, please contact:

 

David M. Larson, Ph.D.

Education Coordinator

Joppa Flats Education Center

Mass Audubon

Newburyport, MA

978-462-9998

The Great Backyard Bird Count

February 12 -15, 2010

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count. You can count for longer than that if you wish! Count birds in as many places and on as many days as you like—one day, two days, or all four days. Submit a separate checklist for each new day. You can also submit more than one checklist per day if you count in other locations on that day.

2. Count the greatest number of individuals of each species that you see together at any one time. You may find it helpful to print out your regional bird checklist to get an idea of the kinds of birds you're likely to see in your area in February. You could take note of the highest number of each species you see on this checklist.

3. On or after February 12, enter your results. Click on the following to enter online: www.birdsource.org   or  use this form to print and mail: http://www.birdsource.org/downloadsGBBC/GBBCDataForm.pdf

 

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

 

Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

www.sevtaudubon.org

 

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

 and touches your heart.