Birdnotes: {BIRD NOTES} ~ June 10, 2010

Cerulean Warbler

Bird Notes

Guilford Eagle

While kayaking at Weatherhead Hollow I saw an eagle fly overhead and slowly drop out of sight to the south. I quickly paddled in that direction and found a mature Bald Eagle perched in a tree.

---Anne Cloutier, Guilford, VT

Two Uncommon Warblers Can Be Found Nearby

Thanks to those who posted on the NH listserve the presence of CERULEAN WARBLER singing along the trail up Mt. Wantastiquet. About 500 feet past the second orange gate, the Cerulean is still being heard - and continuing through the first 2 switchbacks. I heard it several times on Tuesday -Richard Foye had a good look on Wednesday, about half way between the 2nd gate & first switchback. (It was nesting there in ‘94, but I am not aware of other records since.) Also, the Prairie Warbler along Old Ferry Rd. in Brattleboro is still singing and protecting his turf.

---Chris Petrak, South Newfane, VT
Tails of Birding - www.tailsofbirding.net

Indigo Buntings & More

For the last week or so we have had three Indigo Buntings regularly visiting our mixed seed feeders. One is a non-breeding male with mottled plumage. The other two appear to be a mated pair, he in his splendid indigo breeding plumage and she in her drab light brown attire with a slight hint of blue on her shoulder. She could very easily be mistaken for a sparrow of a questionable species. They are not birds that you would expect to find at feeders, although they have been returning to Chipmunk Crossing each spring for the last 3 years. Burt Tepfer also reported that an Indigo has been visiting his feeder in Putney.

Our Wood Thrush has become semi-silent while the Veery sings and calls on, accompanied by the Ovenbird. Robins have raised young and moved out. Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers have started bringing their young to the suet feeder. Three male and one female Rose-breasted Grosbeak seem to be ever present at the sunflower feeders. They can empty a feeder in no time at all. A pair of Catbirds has taken up residence somewhere in the hillside shrubbery. Their mews, chips, squawks and squeaks continue on for hours. One species that we haven’t seen a lot of this spring is the Chimney Swift. Is it just us?

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F I E L D T R I P

“Exploring the Hogback”

Saturday, June 12, 7:00 a.m.

Wander the clearings and forests of Hogback Mountain with Marlboro biologist Bob Engel,

looking for song birds and other curiousities.

Meet at the Alpen Globe Parking Lot on Route 9 atop Hogback Mountain

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P R O G R A M N O T E

"World Wildife In Our Homes"

Tuesday, June 15, 7:00pm

Michael Clough of Rockhopper Outdoor Education http://www.rockhopperoutdoored.com will bring an assortment of exotic animals to illustrate the issues surrounding the exotic pet trade. Artifacts from the USFWS "Suitcase for Survival" will help to highlight the effects of the illegal trade in wildlife, as will a brief powerpoint presentation. Rockhopper's animal educators are primarily unwanted pets that have been donated for use in educational programs.

This program is sponsored by Southeastern VT Audubon Society

and will be held in Brattleboro's Brooks Memorial Library meeting room.

FREE and open to the public.

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

chpmnkx@sover.net

http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

and touches your heart.