Birdnotes: {BIRD NOTES} ~ February 22, 2011

Bird Notes

The Waterfowl Roost

We found a nice collection of waterbirds late this afternoon at Vernon Dam, including 1 adult male Barrow's Goldeneye (previously reported). Most birds were above the dam, with a trail nicely packed by snowshoes to the water's edge. A bit further downstream, on the river side of Rt. 142 opposite "Vern-mont Farm", we had beautiful low-angle light on a flock of ~200 Snow Buntings and then ~300 European Starlings. Also of note, but south of the border in Sunderland Mass., an adult Peregrine Falcon was actively chasing and diving on an immature Bald Eagle.

Above and below Vernon dam:
20 American Black Duck
   4 Mallard
170 Common Goldeneye
   1 Barrow's Goldeneye
23 Hooded Merganser
   10 Common Merganser
     1 Song Sparrow
---Spencer & Doug Hardy, Norwich, VT

Early Turkey Vulture

Allison Deen had a Turkey Vulture on Back Westminster Rd. in Westminster today.
---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

Northern Shrike

The adult Meadowbrook RD N. Shrike seems to have expanded its territory to the area around 396 E. Orchard Street, less than 2 miles across the fields from Meadowbrook. It was perched in a large maple tree just past the house at 3PM and 5PM.
---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

Guilford Grouse

We had a Ruffed Grouse spend the night in our garage Monday. We saw it in the late evening and again early (still dark) morning, then it flew the coop when the sun came up.

---Carol Schnabel, Guilford, VT

Brattleboro Redpolls

Yesterday morning I was surprised by a flock of Common Redpolls at my feeder although I had seen reports of Redpolls on other bird listservs in New England. It was true: an irruption had been forecast in the fall. It stayed for about 30 minutes and so far has not returned. I did not see any Hoaries.

http://onejackdawbirding.blogspot.com/2011/02/invasion-of-redpolls.html

---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

Larks, Buntings, Bluebirds & both Waxwings

As I left my home this morning and drove through the intersection of Dover Rd & Augur Hole Rd in South Newfane, I had to pause for a flock of 75+ Cedar & Bohemian Waxwings, plus about ten Eastern Bluebirds. Ahhhh...

Also, mixed flock of Larks and Snow Buntings continue in the field and around the buildings of the Miller Farm in Vernon.

Waxwing & Lark photo posted at http://tailsofbirding.blogspot.com

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