{BIRD NOTES} ~ September 13, 2010

Least Tern © Hilke Breder  &  Dark-eyed Junco © Barbara Cole

Bird Notes

 

 

~ August Notes ~

 

Spofford Lake Eagles

Two Bald Eagles, an adult and an immature bird, were apparently fishing at Spofford Lake on Friday, 8/13, just after daybreak. Numerous fish were on the surface of the calm lake although I didn't see either of the eagles grab anything for breakfast.

---Charlie La Rosa, Brattleboro, VT

 

West B. Nighthawks

While sitting outside this evening (Thursday), around 6:30, we saw three nightjars fly overhead. They appeared to be headed south so we presume they were migrating. We also presume these were Common Nighthawks, but they were sillouetted. A short time later, we saw a single Chimney Swift.

 ---Ned Pokras, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

One Good Tern Deserves Another

Last Monday following a whale- and bird-watching trip out of Newburyport I stopped at Sandy Point (State Park) on Plum Island. The Least Terns were still in their territorial mood and tried to chase me off. I was surprised to see a tern sitting on a nest of unhatched eggs. (See attachment and for more photos  visit:  http://tinyurl.com/37rzbm2 ).  I doubt these will hatch or if so, fledge, before the migration. The parents will have to abandon them.    For more on this subject see Chris Petrak’s report “Time Ran Out” @ http://tailsofbirding.blogspot.com/

---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

  

Chipmunk Crossing Hummers:  We purchased new bright red “Hummer” feeders with perches this year and we are getting a phenomenal response from the family of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that we previously saw only occasionally. Before the youngsters started showing up the parent birds were spending much more time sipping and sometimes just resting as if in a torpor. Of course all of that changed when the hyperactive kids suddenly appeared on the scene. Now the activity has picked up and there is not much sitting and resting on their part. It’s GO, GO, GO! Diving together, diving at each other, flying in reverse, flying straight up like they are on a fast elevator. You name it, they have been practicing every aerobatic maneuver imaginable and all passes over our heads are accentuated with a slurring noise.  I guess this training period is needed to get them in shape for their long trip south to Mexico and beyond.

 

~ September Notes ~

 

Putney Mountain Hawk Watch Summary 9/1 to 9/12

Date	Obs Hrs	BV	TV	OS	BE	NH	SS	CH	NG	RS	BW	RT	RL	GE	AK	ML	PG	UA	UB	UF	UE	UR	TOTAL
2010-09-01	4.5						1				2												3
2010-09-03	6						3				7				1								11
2010-09-04	7					1	7				2				3								13
2010-09-05	7			1	2	2	8		1						3	1							18
2010-09-06	6			1	1		7	1			9	1			5								25
2010-09-07	6.5					1	4				2				1								8
2010-09-08	6			3		1	4	1							1	3							13
2010-09-09	8.5			2	2	1	14	1			6				6	1	1						34
2010-09-10	8.5			34	3		23	3			129				6	1	1						200
2010-09-11	10			7	1		13	2			50				2								75
2010-09-12	6			4			4	2			90												100
Total: Sep 2010	76 hours	0	0	52	9	6	88	10	1	0	297	1	0	0	28	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	500
Total: Fall 2010	109 hours	0	0	56	18	7	88	10	1	0	331	1	0	0	38	7	2	0	0	0	0	0	559

 

West River Egrets

This morning a Snowy Egret was feeding along with a Great Egret off an overgrown island in the West River. Here are some photos: http://tinyurl.com/3ya9c74

---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

 

Birds and Dragonflies

Last week there were an unusual number of dragonflies in the yard. Have seen only one bat! Flushed out a Woodcock and a couple of Ruffed Grouse near our little stream and two hen Wild Turkeys with their chicks were in the meadow below.   A Pileated Woodpecker flew across the field. I spent a good amount of time watching this greedy little juvenile Dark-eyed junco defending the larder (See attachment).  It would scurry around the center post maintaining complete control of the territory much to the annoyance of the Black-capped Chickadees who were immediately attacked upon landing. 

Otherwise it was just the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers on the suet which is also being eaten by chickadees, juncos and Song Sparrows.

---Barbara Cole, Wilmington, VT

 

Chipmunk Crossing Birds and Beasts

We spent a couple of weeks in New York State recently visiting old friends and house sitting for relatives. When we returned we found that the local Black Bear had visited our little acre again and had pulled down the feeders and to our surprise had very carefully emptied them without any damage. But, they had carried off the suet feeders again. We have scoured the wooded area that borders our property, but as of yet have had no luck in finding them.

 

We also have a so called “squirrel proof” feeder that is inside a wire cage to protect it from the squirrels. Of course they didn’t specify the squirrel species in their brochure. Our local red squirrels have found it very easy to squeeze through the wire squares, sit inside, gorge themselves on black oil sunflowers and repel all of the feathered creatures that show up.

 

Meanwhile the Black-capped Chickadee population has exploded. There is often a steady stream of them flying in to our other feeders that are more secure from the tree rodents. The families of Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatch and now a large family of Goldfinch are constantly fighting for position. There are still 3 immature Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that are hanging in and 3 or 4 Purple Finch youngsters. Today 3 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks flew in and spent some quality time at the large hanging feeder shucking and eating sunflower seeds.

 

Wood warblers have been down in numbers compared to previous years, but we have noted Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Common Yellowthroat, Nashville, and a Blackpoll. Also have had Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed Vireo and heard a clucking Wood Thrush. A Red-breasted Nuthatch made a quick entrance grabbed a seed and flew off never to return.

 

The passerine migration is definitely underway and so are the raptors. See the Putney Mountain Hawk Watch Summary above. Better yet take that short hike across the ridge at Putney Mountain and join the experts on the mountain top. It is getting very close to the big day when hundreds, maybe thousands of Broad-winged Hawks will pass overhead. It is a spectacle to behold!

 

 

~ PROGRAM NOTE ~

 

 

"Baja California: Its Biology by Motorcycle"

 

Tuesday, September 21 @ 7:00 pm

In the meeting room of Brattleboro's Brooks Memorial Library

 

 

Bob Engel covers "a reasonably intimate tour of some of the birds and plants of this amazing peninsula with a touch of San Diego County's Colorado desert also thrown in."

 

This program is sponsored by Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

and is FREE and open to the public.

NOTE: The program titled “Don’t Touch the Boobies” originally scheduled for this date will be shown at the October 19^th meeting of SVAS.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

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/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

and touches your heart.