{BIRD NOTES} ~ Oct. 2, 2011

Bird Notes

 

Re: Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Funny you should mention it . . . I just enjoyed a lovely little Hummingbird who perched on a rose bush this afternoon (9/30 Friday) in Wilmington.  My feeder is still up and I still have honeysuckle vines in bloom, which they love.

---Mary Ann McLeod, Wilmington, VT

 

 

Retreat Meadow (10/1)

For those of you that haven’t been there yet, there are still Great Egrets to be seen at the Retreat Meadows. The Turkey Vulture roost near the Veterans Memorial Bridge seems to be growing larger by the day. There was an enormous kettle circling over that area today in the rain.

 

 

Migration Continues (10/1)

Reports from Sullivan County in New York State indicate large flocks of wood warblers and thrushes moving south through the Bashakill Wildlife Management area today despite very wet conditions.

 

 

North American Raptors by the Numbers

Smallest: American Kestrel (9" long, 22" wingspan)
Broadest wingspan: Bald Eagle (80")
Heaviest: Golden Eagle (10 pounds)
Longest distance migrant: Peregrine Falcon from Arctic slope to Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago off the southernmost tip of the South American mainland, across the Strait of Magellan.
Biggest comeback: Bald Eagle removed from the endangered species list in 2007.

---Courtesy of Audubon Magazine

 

 

Buying Binoculars?
Following birds in flight requires a good pair of binoculars. Picking among the sizes, optics, prices, and brands is crazy-making.  Luckily, Audubon Magazine has great recommendations. Find the best binocs for you.

 

 

Taking a Time Out

Barb and yours truly are taking a break and heading for our Catskill Mountain retreat for a few days. We have no access to computers there, so we’ll be in touch when we return.

 

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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/

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