{BIRD NOTES} ~ JANUARY 27, 2011

 

Bird Notes

 

Putney Horned Larks

Driving along River Rd from Putney to Westminster this morning I saw a flock of 20 Horned Larks and 3 Snow Buntings settled down on a snow-covered field, apparently enjoying the sun. Some were covered in snow up to their heads, probably as protection against the cold.

Here is a report and photos:

http://onejackdawbirding.blogspot.com/2011/01/horned-larks-and-snow-buntings-on-snowy.html

---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Grosbeaks in Marlboro

24 Evening Grosbeaks lined up on my deck railing this morning eating black oil sunflower seeds.  I can't refill the feeders because the snow is too high, so putting seeds on the railing and in the driveway seem the best temporary solution.  It's great to have the grosbeaks back.

---Molly Martin, Marlboro, VT

 

 

Bohemian Waxwings in Marlboro

Eight Bohemian Waxwings inspecting the robin-depleted crabapples here at the house.  The waxwings  hung for maybe 30 minutes, then, gone.  Maybe half of them were first year birds. The early bird gets the fruit.

---Bob Engel, Marlboro, VT

 

 

Evening Grosbeaks and a Bohemian Waxwing

A single Bohemian Waxwing fed on an apple in the tree outside our kitchen window this morning. Also, Evening Grosbeak flocks continue to be regular, sometimes numbering 50+
Photos at http://tailsofbirding.blogspot.com
---Chris Petrak, South Newfane, VT

 

 

Birds at Chipmunk Crossing

4 Common Redpoll, Northern Cardinal (1 M, 3 F), Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Wren and the usual Dark-eyed Juncos, Chickadees, W.B. Nuthatches, Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, Hairy & Downy Woodpeckers, Blue Jays and Morning Doves.

 

 

 

Horned Larks & Snow Buntings

We found lots of action along the roadside of Pond Road in Vernon this afternoon (1/27) .  We came across four small mixed flocks, with maybe two dozen birds each, of Larks and Buntings feeding in the grasses at roads edge where the snow was skinned back by the snowplows and the warmth of the sun. Heading further south on Rt. 142 then turning east on Caldwell Road we came across a much larger flock of over 100 birds, flying then alighting on the snow covered cornfields. The Horned Larks outnumbered the Snow Buntings by a 3 to 1 margin. Unfortunately we couldn’t make any of them into Lapland Longspurs. We parked in the driveway of the farmyard that leads to the manure pit, turned off the engine and waited. The birds that were flying aimlessly over the fields soon flew in our direction and landed almost close enough to touch, affording us wonderful views of these two marvelous species.

 

 

Abbott Road, W. Brattleboro

A flock of 30 to 40 Cedar Waxwings have been hanging out around the bittersweet and the huge supply of rose hips at the old Gateway farm property. 2 Eastern Bluebirds have also been observed in that same area.

 

 

 

Excerpts from the 31^st New Hampshire Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey

This was the 31st consecutive year that New Hampshire Audubon has coordinated New Hampshire's portion of the National Mid-winter Bald Eagle Survey (beginning with the Winter of 1980-81).  This year the survey took place on Saturday, January 8th, except in the Lakes Region where we held it on Thursday, January 6th.  Volunteer turn-out this year included a total of 72 individuals.  While Saturday's falling snow presented visibility challenges especially in southwestern NH, Thursday's count in the Lakes Region took place in beautiful, mild sunlit conditions without precipitation. 

 

Survey Day statewide results:  We located a total of 54 bald eagles (37 adults, 15 immatures*, and 2 unknown age) in New Hampshire on survey day, down roughly 10% from the 61 eagles seen in our 2009 and 2010 counts.  For long-term perspective, 10 years ago in 2001 we counted a total of 42 eagles, in 1991 we counted 19, in 1981 we counted only 8.

 

Count Period statewide results:  The official mid-winter "survey day" occurs within a more inclusive two-week "count period," which this year ran from December 29, 2010 to January 12, 2011.  We keep records on the number of eagles seen during this 15-day interval, combining survey day data with any additional individual birds that are reported during the count period and are distinguishably different (by plumage or location), to arrive at an overall count period total.  During this year's count period, we found a total of 71 bald eagles (51 adults, 18 immatures, and 2 unknown age).  This number is down 5% from last years record-high of 75 birds seen.

 

Connecticut River** - Total of 12 bald eagles seen, including 9 individuals (7 adults, 2 immatures) seen on Survey Day (10 observers), plus 3 additional eagles (3 adults) confirmed during the two-week count period.

 

Chris Martin, Senior Biologist

Conservation Department, New Hampshire Audubon

84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH  03301

 

Office phone:  603/224-9909 x317;  Fax:  603/226-0902;

E-mail:  cmartin@nhaudubon.org;  Web:  www.nhaudubon.org

 

New Hampshire Audubon -- Protecting New Hampshire's natural environment for wildlife and for people.

 

 

 

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

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

Check out our website:  http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

and touches your heart.

 

{BIRD NOTES} ~ January 18, 2011

Calista’s Turkeys © Dan Mosheim.jpg      &     Horned Lark © Hilke Breder.jpg

Bird Notes

 

The Turkeys of Dorset, VT

You wouldn’t think of going to look for turkeys in a furniture shop but that’s exactly what you will find at Dan Mosheim’s “Dorset Custom Furniture”. I have attached two photos sent to me by Dan and Colista. The Wild Turkeys are regular visitors beneath their bird feeders.

 

 

Horned Larks in Walpole

Yesterday I drove to River Rd near Walpole to see whether the Snow Buntings reported there several days ago were still present. I also wanted to check on Horned Larks that I had seen there during previous years. I didn't find any Snow Buntings, but a flock of Horned Larks were feeding along the roadside.

Photos and report: http://onejackdawbirding.blogspot.com/2011/01/horned-larks-along-roadsides.html

---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Nothing Could Be Finer than to See a Carolina (Wren that Is)

This morning when it was still 8 below zero here in Wilmington, I had a Carolina Wren at my feeder!  The  House Wrens are never here in the winter, so I was very surprised and concerned for the poor wee thing.  The usual crew of Cardinals, Goldfinches, Redpolls, Chickadees, Mourning Doves, Bluejays, Nuthatches--both kinds--and Tufted Titmice (mouses?)

---Mary Ann McLeod, Wilmington, VT

 

 

Buntings and Larks in Vernon

This afternoon (1/15) there was a mixed flock of ~ 180 Snow Buntings, ~50 Horned Larks, and 1 Lapland Longspur feeding on seed heads sticking out of the snow in the large field across from the Vernon General Store at the intersection of RT 142 and Stebbins RD.
---Dave Johnston, W.Brattleboro, VT

 

 

The flock of ~180 Snow Buntings, ~60 Horned Larks, and 1 LAPLAND LONGSPUR
was in the same field as posted yesterday feeding on the seed heads from 10-11 this morning (1/16). They then flew into the cornfield to the east that stretches between Stebbins and Blodgett Rds. One Yellow-shafted Flicker was observed perched in a tree bordering the field on the east side of Meadowbrook Rd in W. Bratt. ~7:45 AM.
---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Don Clark, Dave Johnston and I saw 4 SAVANNAH SPARROWS at the farm on Blodgett Rd. in Vernon this afternoon. Lots of Horned Lark and Snow Buntings but we were unable to find the lapland longspur.
 ---JoAnne Russo, Saxtons River, VT

Following Dave Johnston's recent reports of Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and the Lapland Longspur, I checked out the same field adjacent to the intersection of Route 142 and Stebbins Road at 9:00 or so this morning.  Like Suki's (JoAnne) report for this afternoon there were good numbers of larks and buntings but no longspur.  I did not see the Savannah Sparrows at the farm on Blodgett Road (spent time there only to turn around), but the thicket with bittersweet vines next to the road (south side) just east of the first house and barn off Route 142 produced: Eastern Bluebirds, 7;   Red-bellied Woodpecker, 1;   and Northern Mockingbird, 1.  Further south on Route 142 at the dairy farm (west side of road) just north of the Mass. state line there was about 30 American Tree Sparrows feeding in the stand of weeds next to the feedlot.

---Ken Cox

 

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

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

Check out our website:  http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

and touches your heart.

 

 

{BIRD NOTES} ~ January 13, 2011

Northern Shrike © Hilke Breder & Common Redpoll © Chris Petrak

Bird Notes

 

A Marlboro Variety

Along with the regulars -- white- and red-breasted nuthatches, chickadees, blue jays, downy and hairy woodpeckers and juncos (missing a

titmouse) -- a flock of 40+ Pine Siskins and 15+ Common Redpolls have been at the feeders here for a couple of weeks.  An occasional Evening Grosbeak, either male or female depending on the day, checks out the feeders, but doesn't hang around long.  A single Ruffed Grouse crossed the road in front of my driveway on Whitaker Farm Road yesterday.

---Molly Martin, Marlboro, VT

 

 

Redpoll Invasion

Today’s slowly developing snow storm brought a redpoll invasion around my feeders – an estimated 200-300 Common Redpolls.

A few photos are posted at Tails of Birding: http://tailsofbirding.blogspot.com/

Evening Grosbeaks continue to be present daily – this morning the number was 60+

---Chris Petrak, South Newfane, VT

 

 

Northern Shrike on Marina Road

This morning while walking my dog on the West River Trail near the Marina I spotted a Northern Shrike perched on top of a tall tree on the swamp side of the trail. It flew off after a while but I don't think it went far. It's a first winter bird. Here are some photos;

http://onejackdawbirding.blogspot.com/2011/01/northern-shrike.html 

---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Blizzard Birds

The feeders in my yard were active during Wednesday’s snow storm. A few images are at:

Tails of Birding – www.tailsofbirding.net

 

Residents and visitors included:

 

Evening Grosbeak (75-100)

Common Redpoll (75-100)

Northern Cardinal (4)

European Starling (10)

Black-capped Chickadee (10)

Tufted Titmouse (4)

Downy Woodpecker (6)

Hairy Woodpecker (3)

White-breasted Nuthatch (2)

Mourning Dove (25)

Blue Jay (35)

Red-bellied Woodpecker (1)

Song Sparrow (2)

Dark-eyed Junco (25)

Rock Pigeon (7)

Red Squirrel (3)

Vole (4)

---Chris Petrak, South Newfane, VT

 

HOW TO HELP THE BIRDS IN SNOW STORMS

Most of the country is reeling from all the snow and ice storms. Don't forget to help out the birds, these are hard times for them too!

 

~ Stock feeders full before the storm as birds will eat heavily before, and during the storm. Birds can sense when storms are coming so they chow down. Most birds cannot go without food for more than about 2 days or less, so it is essential they get food during the storms.

 

~ Offer high calorie items like suet cakes and black oil sunflower, which have a high fat content. Birds burn more calories to keep warm in severe weather so this will give them energy. Offer the suet cakes in holders that have a roof. Woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and even wrens, bluebirds and others will eat suet. We put out multiples suet cakes.

 

~ Keep snow off feeders by going out during, as well as after, the storm and brushing the snow off the feeders. (It's not fun, just remind yourself you are helping the birds.)

 

~ Birds that eat off the ground, like Mourning Doves and Juncos can be hard hit during these storms that cover the ground in deep snow. Shovel out under the bird feeder and sprinkle seed on the ground for these birds.  You can even build a shelter of boards and put seed under it for them.

 

~ Put up extra feeders, as many more birds will be forced into feeders in search of food during storms. Birds like goldfinches like to eat as a flock all at once, so having multiple feeders with multiple perches will help them get the food they all need.

 

~ Come inside, pour yourself some hot cocoa and watch your grateful feathered friends at your feeders with your binoculars. That's your reward.

---Stokes Bird News

 

 

At Chipmunk Crossing

Along with the regulars at our feeders here at the “Crossing” were a Carolina Wren and 3 Tree Sparrows.

 

 

 

 

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

 Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

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

Check out the SVAS website:

http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

 

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

 

 

 

{BIRD NOTES} ~ January 7, 2011

 

 

Bird Notes

 

 

 

The Eagles are Back in the Hudson

In the late 19^th century a West Point surgeon by the name of Edgar Alexander Mearns was documenting the birds of the Hudson Highlands. In his writings he mentioned seeing Bald Eagles during the winter months riding the ice floes down the Hudson River between Newburgh and Cornwall, New York. While living on the bluffs overlooking Cornwall Bay for many years, we often wondered if that would ever be the case again in our lifetime. Thanks to conservation leaders like Pete Seeger and Scenic Hudson, that dream has become a reality in the past few years with the cleanup of the Hudson. Now the Bald Eagles are seen regularly and are nesting locally along the Hudson. The following is the latest posting from a friend in the Mearns Bird club:

I stopped by the Torches Restaurant parking lot at the riverfront in Newburgh this morning (1/6) to check out the river. Three adult Bald Eagles, and one that was not quite an adult (white head and tail streaked with brown) and seven immature eagles were sitting on the ice for a total of 11 birds. If you are in the area, come on down and check it out. Also, the eagle pair at Tomahawk lake are busy working on their nest. Looks like they will be back.    ---Amy Greher, Monroe, NY

 

 

Lots of Finches

My Cardinals still arrive at the feeder religiously at first light and last light and occasionally during the day.  But what I'm seeing mostly these days are Finches.  A flock of 50-75 are here every day, some Purple but mostly Goldfinches.  The Chickadees, Nuthatches (Red and White-breasted) Blue Jays and Titmice come and go all day.

 ---Mary Ann McLeod, Wilmington, VT

 

 

Eagles Along the Connecticut

Hello!  I called Nori Howe late this afternoon & found out she & Vic were watching 2 Bald Eagles sitting in a tree across the Connecticut River from their nest tree.  Since we were just leaving my daughter's home in Vernon, we came home via Stebbins Road.  When we drove down the power line & went down that wooden staircase to the river, they were clearly visible to the naked eye (no binos in the truck!). Another use for cell phones!

---Hollie Bowen, Marlboro, VT

 

 

Goldeneye at Play

We made a stop at the Stebbins Road lookout yesterday (1/6) but didn’t see the eagles. The existing nest on the bluffs looked the same as it did last Fall. So, if the eagle pair are planning to raise a family there they haven’t moved in yet. In the water at the bend in the river just east of there we could see diving ducks. But it wasn’t until we set up a scope that we could identify them as Common Goldeneyes, about 20 of them. It was if they were playing a game. On the surface the current was strong enough to carry them backwards twenty yards or so before they would dive under in unison. Then about 15 yards upstream they bobbed to the surface only to be carried backward again where the game was repeated. I say game because it didn’t look like they were catching minnows or anything else. We think they were just having fun.

 

 

Redpolls at Chipmunk Crossing

With only the regulars coming into the feeders for weeks, it was a great surprise and a treat to see 4 Common Redpolls feeding on the ground beneath our feeders yesterday (1/6). It didn’t last long however, they only stayed for a couple of minutes before something spooked them and they never returned.

 

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

 Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website:

http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

 

{BIRD NOTES} ~ January 4, 2011

 

Bird Notes

 

 

Trip Canceled

The Coastal Birding Trip scheduled for this Saturday, January 8, with Chris and Nissa Petrak has been CANCELED, out of weather prediction fears for another coastal storm.  However,  Chris and Nissa will be making a trip to the coast sometime this month.  If you would like to be notified of his plans (probably short notice -possibly the night before) send him an email: chrsptrk@svcable.net

 

*  *  *

 

Vernon Dam Roost Continues (Dec. 31)

 About 4:00 PM the drake Barrow's Goldeneye flew in with about 20 C. Goldeneye above the Vernon Dam offering excellent views from the Vernon side. There were ~40 total C. Goldeneye, ~35 Black Ducks, ~ 45 Hooded Mergansers, ~ 30 C. Mergansers, and ~6 Mallards when I left at 4:30. Also observed by Don Clark and friends viewing from the New Hampshire side.
Happy New Year!
---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

We also had a Pied-billed Grebe and Red-necked Grebe!!
---JoAnne Russo, Saxtons River, VT

 

I-91 Owls & Hawks

Barred Owls are still being seen along I-91 to the north of Brattleboro by local motorists. Yesterday we spotted a mature Red-tailed Hawk just taking to the air from a grassy section of ground just north of the entrance ramp to the highway from Western Ave. A couple of times this fall/winter in the wooded section of hemlocks near our yard here at Chipmunk Crossing, a number of neighborhood crows has cornered, then flushed a Barred Owl that flies off in a NW direction.  Chris and Jennifer Lann took a video of a Christmas Day visitor – Barred Owl – at their new home on Sunset Lake Road in Brattleboro. The video can be seen on Shutterbug:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8IaNHLdyyaMUw

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Check out our website:

http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

 

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

 

and touches your heart.