Birdnotes: {BIRD NOTES} ~ June 25, 2010

Bird Notes

Vernon Heron Rookery (6/19)

Several of us hiked the Lillis Pasture Road to the pond near the Interstate where there are five active heron nests. We counted 11 young birds and were privileged to see three parents come and feed the young. I have seen a lot of nests before, but never observed their feeding. The hike is about 45 minutes to the pond. You would want a spotting scope to see them well as they are on the far side of the pond.

---Paul Miller, Vernon, VT

Champlain Valley Birds (6/22)

Today I started at East Creek WMA in Orwell with at least 4 E. Meadowlarks. One sat on a fence post singing for quite a while.Next, at Brilyea Access, Dead Creek, one adult C. Moorhen and 3 chicks were out in the open feeding. The 2 Grasshopper Sparrows at Farr Cross Rd were singing and hanging out around the road making them easy to spot. Then at South Slang in Ferrisburg there was another C. Moorhen in the open, 2 Soras calling, and 2 Black Terns flying around on the north side of the road. Two Cattle Egrets were busy gleaning insects off of lazy cows at Shelburne Farms, fun to watch. The Clay-colored Sparrow in S. Burlington was singing away and gave great views in its favorite shrub. Finally there were numerous Black Terns feeding at Charcoal Creek in Swanton and the C. Terns at Popasquash Island in St. Albans were also very active. A long, but rewarding day. Thanks to all of you who originally posted some of these birds!
---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

Unusual Tern at Herrick’s Cove (6/23)

Martha Adams, JoAnne Russo, Lance Tanino and I were surprised to find a Caspian Tern at Herricks Cove in Rockingham this morning around 8:30. The bird flew off and presumably up river. A search north to Springfield could not relocate it. An unusual sighting for here.
---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

Chipmunk Crossing’s Avian Creatures

The local Ruffed Grouse was standing near the entrance to our driveway when we arrived home from shopping on Monday. The two families of Rose–breasted Grosbeaks have been busy emptying our sunflower feeders. However, we have been more than rewarded as they sing their sweet songs from the treetops. The two pair of Indigo Buntings have been quietly foraging in our mixed seed feeders, making multiple trips each day. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has found a suitable drumming tree/pole to announce its presence several times a day. A Black-throated Green Warbler spent the late morning singing in the treetops on the south side of our little acre, and a vociferous Wood Thrush gave us several choruses of his beautiful song. The Catbird pair have quieted down, but we know they are still present with an occasional sighting.

On a wintry morning in 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt arrived at a White House cabinet meeting unexpectedly and with great exuberance. Something of genuine importance had obviously just happened. All eyes were fixated on Roosevelt, who was quaking like a dervish with either excitement or agitation---it was unclear which. Having endured the assassinations of three Republican presidents---Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, and William McKinley---Roosevelt's so-called kitchen cabinet at least had the consolation of knowing that their boss, at the moment, was out of harm's way. Still they leaned forward, bracing for the worst. "Gentlemen, do you know what has happened this morning?" Roosevelt breathlessly asked, as everybody leaned forward with bated breath for the bad news. "Just now I saw a Chestnut-sided Warbler---and this is only February!"

---The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America, by Douglas Brinkley

---Submitted by Steve Medved, Putney, VT

Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

chpmnkx@sover.net

http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

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