{BIRD NOTES} ~ March, 18, 2010

Ruddy Shelduck © Google  /  Greater White-fronted Goose © Julie Waters

 

Bird Notes

 

 

 

Spring Officially Arrives at 1:30 pm on Saturday, March 20^th

I hope that you all have been getting out and enjoying the unusually warm, sunny weather. Flocks of waterfowl have been moving through the Connecticut River Valley with many species being represented. Two pair of Bald Eagles are showing signs of possible nesting. A Northern Shrike is still hunting in a field at the top of Meadowbrook Road near the Pleasant Valley Rd. intersection. Last week a Red-shouldered Hawk was also seen in that area. At least 2 White-fronted Geese are foraging in a cornfield along Rt. 5 in Westminster, VT accompanied by Wood Ducks, Canada Geese and a Cackling Goose. On the 11^th and 12^th an exotic Ruddy Shelduck was also observed there.  So, keep your eyes open for our migrating feathered friends . . . they are coming to a field, a body of water, or maybe a feeder near you!

 

 

Goshawk in West Brattleboro

Meg (Kluge) reported seeing a Northern Goshawk just up the road from our house on Wednesday morning. This morning(3/12) I saw a Common Grackle on Rte. 9 just east of Bonnyvale. First of the season. We started recording yearly firsts last year, and our records show our first Grackle in 2009 on April 4.

 

Also, wondering if you've seen this article on the BBC website, about a rather extensive survey of songbirds in the Eastern US:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8560000/8560694.stm

---Ned Pokras, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

 

West B. Hawk

I saw a Red-shouldered Hawk both yesterday and today (3/12) perched on a branch on the east side of Meadowbrook Rd. near the Reisman Farm.  Eventually, it flew south over the fields across from the farm and landed in a tree on the other side of the field.

--Nori Howe, W. Brattleboro, VT 

 

 

Westminster White-fronted Goose

SAT 3/13 in cornfields west of rte 5 in the flats in Westminster, VT there was a huge flock of Canada Geese with about 6 Greater White-fronted Geese. Don't know if this is really unusual for here in migration, Sibley characterizes them as "rare" in the east. A first for me, in any case.

---Sumner Grey, Langdon, NH

 

 

Connecticut River Valley--March 12, 2010

Location:   Great Meadows, Charlestown

Observer: Lance Tanino

Canada Goose     285

Mallard     10

Northern Goshawk     1 flew over Route 12

American Crow     80; many more flocks migrating north over Route 12

this afternoon.

FISH CROW     1 heard among a flock of AMCRs near wastewater treatment plant

Red-winged Blackbird     3

 

Location:     Route 12 CT River, Charlestown (across Herrick's Cove IBA, VT)

American Black Duck     50

Mallard     55

Ring-necked Duck     1

Common Goldeneye     25

Hooded Merganser     28

Sharp-shinned Hawk     1 flew low over the river headed north

Ring-billed Gull     13

 

Location: Hinsdale Setbacks, Hinsdale, NH

Canada Goose     282

WOOD DUCK     4

GADWALL     2

Mallard     87

BUFFLEHEAD     3 males

Ring-necked Ducks    35

Common Goldeneye     16

Hooded Merganser     12

Common Merganser     23

Bald Eagle     1 adult

Ring-billed Gull     17

Herring Gull (American)     4

Great Black-backed Gull     8

Belted Kingfisher     1

Red-bellied Woodpecker     1

Song Sparrow     1 (First of year)

BLACKBIRD (SP.)  1263 (mixed Red-wing Blackbird/Common Grackle flocks flew north headed towards roost trees and marsh.)

 

 

March 14, 2010

Hinsdale Setbacks, Hinsdale, NH

Canada Geese    268

American Black Duck    36

Mallard    45

Ring-necked Ducks    43

Bufflehead   3(M)

Common Goldeneye   18

Hooded Merganser   13

Common Merganser   11

Bald Eagle    1(Juv)

Ring-billed Gulls    5

Herring Gulls    5

Great Black-backed Gull    1

American Crow   2

Black-capped Chickadee    1

American Tree Sparrow    6

Dark-eyed Junco    1

N. Cardinal    1

Blackbird (sp?) 1405

---Lance Tanino, Keene, NH

 

 

Vernon Eagle

I saw a Bald Eagle flying with something in its claws from the river toward the woods on Rt. 142 north, just past the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Has anyone else seen it in this area. I hope there may be a nest near. Will watch from now on.

---Judy Farley, Vernon, 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