{BIRD NOTES} ~ July 31, 2010

 

Bird Notes

 

 

 

West River at the Retreat Meadows

Yesterday, 7/22, the water level was low in the West River exposing several mud flats. While kayaking, shore birds observed included 2 Least Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Sandpipers, and 8 Killdeer. There was also a Bald Eagle, 3rd year bird, with an orange leg band. Great Blue Herons were numerous. This morning the water level covered all the mud flats. Two Wood Ducks, 1 Green-winged Teal, 3 Mallards, 1 Killdeer, 2 GBH's, and C. Geese were in the area of yesterday's mud flats. An interesting sighting for me was seeing 7 Great Egrets and 12 GBH's getting organized for flight last Sun. morning, 7/18 about 7 AM over the West River. From a swirling cloud of white and gray drifting north over the river, they morphed into an efficient flying machine; the 7 Great Egrets formed a peloton on one flank and the 12 GBH's on the other, then combined to fly east.
---Dave Johnston, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Broad Brook Boat Launch

Water was high, so no mud flat activity.

Baltimore Oriole, Kingbird, Yellow Warbler, Green Heron, Killdeer, Belted Kingfisher, Red-winged Blackbird, Willow Flycatcher, Flicker, and Cedar Waxwing. Also heard then saw one Wood Thrush on Broad Brook Road.

 

 

 

Herrick’s Egrets

While birding Herrick’s Cove this morning (7/29) with Martha Adams & JoAnne Russo we observed 12 Great Egrets roosting in trees and in the marsh.
---Don Clark, Grafton

 

 

Marina Road

A walk along Marina Road near the BOC Quonset hut gave us good looks at Yellow Warblers and 2 Belted Kingfishers. The Kingfishers were perched on the guy wires to the radio tower overlooking the small pond. Many Cedar Waxwings were doing their fly catching act along the banks of the West River as several Turkey Vultures circled up from their nearby roost on Putney Road. Two kayakers that we met, reported seeing a Bald Eagle during their paddle around the Retreat Meadows.

 

 

 

Allen Brothers Marsh, Westminster (7/30)

It was a perfect morning for birding with cool temperatures, no wind and partly cloudy skies. We counted 24 species in the half hour that we spent there. Notables were 2 Green Heron, 2 Great Blue Heron 5 Wood Ducks, 2 Swamp Sparrows, Yellow Warbler, 5 Barn Swallows, 2 Tree Swallows, a small flock of Cedar Waxwings and a Red-tailed Hawk circling up on the thermals.

 

 

 

Herrick’s Cove (7/30)

The numbers of Egrets has increased considerably from the previous day’s report by Don Clark. We counted 18 Common Egrets this morning and 8 Great Blue Herons. Also added Redstart, Black & White Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Swamp Sparrow, Kingbird, Cedar Waxwing and many Catbirds. The Egrets and Herons were all on the island that can be viewed from the south point.

 

 

 

Hungry Accipter

A short time ago I caught a glimpse of a large bird with wings spread sailing by our dining room window. I quietly moved  to a better vantage point and there sat a Sharp-shinned Hawk atop the roof of our large bird feeder. All birds were out of sight and even the gray squirrel, the only creature left without wings, scurried off into the underbrush. With that, the young accipiter took to the air. It has been here before as evidenced by the occasional pile of downy and flight feathers and I am sure it will return again.

 

 

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

chpmnkx@sover.net

http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

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