[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