{BIRD NOTES} ~ April 21, 2011

Burrowing Owls © Barbara Powers

 

Bird Notes

Burrowing Owls

Here are the owls I saw in Cape Coral, Florida. They were very cute. (See attachment)
---Barbara Powers, Manchester Center, VT

 

 

Hinsdale Rail Trail (4/21)

This morning a mixed flock of Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) and Palm Warblers (Yellow) in about equal numbers moving along Hinsdale Setback rail trail, dam portion, feeding in gravel pot holes and along waysides, estimate about 15 each. Also Ruby-crowned Kinglets in twos and threes in brush along rail trail, north and south of dam, total about 12.
---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Peregrines in Vernon (4/19)

Our son just called to tell me that there were two Peregrine Falcons trying to catch pigeons at the farm this morning. They were unsuccessful in their attempts. The pigeons flew into the barns and the Falcons didn't follow them.

---Paul Miller, Vernon, VT

 

 

Birds in Wilmington (4/17)

Osprey, 3 Fox Sparrows, White-throated Sparrow, male Brown-headed Cowbird, Tree Swallow, and Red-breasted Nuthatch.

---Barbara Cole, Wilmington, VT

 

 

Retreat Meadows (4/18)

A pair each of American Wigeon, Mallards and Black Ducks, a large flock of Canada Geese, several Robins, a Song Sparrow, and a Turkey Vulture.

 

 

Hinsdale Set-back (4/20)

We witnessed a “fallout” of Yellow-rumped Warblers on the rail trail at the set-back. They were dressed in their bright spring finery and just dripping from the bushes. With them were several yellow race Palm Warblers wagging tails and hugging the lower branches. Over on the river side were many Tree Swallows flying low and skimming the water. Lined up on a huge floating tree trunk were 15 Double-crested Cormorants.

 

 

Spofford Lake, NH (4/20)

The warmer temperatures finally won out and the ice on the lake has disappeared. Today we stopped to look at a couple of waterfowl that turned out to be Black Ducks. In scanning the lake with our binocs we discovered that there were utterly thousands of swallows flying low over the water. As near as we could determine the bulk of them were Tree Swallows. But, we were in agreement that there must be some rough-wings intermingled.

 

 

Please Note that we are taking a break and will be back to continue BIRD NOTES the first week of June.

Meanwhile, check out Southeastern Vermont Audubon’s website.

http://www.sevtaudubon.org/

HAPPY EASTER!

---Al  & Barbara Merritt

 

 

 

U P C O M I N G    P R O G R A M S

In the community room of Brooks Memorial Library, Main Street, Brattleboro, VT

 

Tuesday, May 17^th @ 7 p.m.   “Cycling the Pacific Coast”

Last May Joe Cook rode his bicycle from Vancouver to Mexico. His program will feature Victoria, British Columbia, the Oregon Coast, lighthouses, redwoods, and sea lions, Sonoma County, the Tour of California, San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Joe is a local attorney and president of the Putney Bicycle Club.

 

 

 

 

U P C O M I N G   F I E L D  T R I P S

 

“Birding Along the Connecticut River”

April 23, meet at 7 a.m.

Meet Al and Barbara Merritt at Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro for a morning of early Spring birding. Waterfowl, early migrants and maybe an Eagle on the nest.

 

 

“Putney Wildflowers and Birds”

Sunday May 1 @ 1:30 p.m.

Pat Shields will lead a walk through the Putney School Forest and wetlands along Sand Hill Road in Putney where wildflowers extravagantly celebrate Spring, and where migrating songbirds come to rest and some to nest. Meet at the kiosk by the Putney Pool (the driveway right before Putney Central School).

 

 

“Warbler Walk”

Saturday May 14 @ 7 a.m.

Join local birder Richard Foye as he searches for Spring songbirds along the trails of the Brattleboro Retreat and other “migrant traps” along the Connecticut River. Meet at the “pull over” opposite the intersection of Cedar Street with Route 30.

 

 

 

{BIRD NOTES} ~ April 18, 2011

 

Bird Notes

 

Local Spring Bird Walk

Saturday, April 23 - 7:00am

Meet Al and Barb Merritt at Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro for a morning

of early Spring birding in the Connecticut River Valley. Eagles may be on the nest,

waterfowl in the rivers, and many migrants making their arrival.

This field trip is sponsored by Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society.

 

 

 

Glossy Ibis in Keene (4/14)

I drove to Krif Rd in Keene, NH  this morning to check on snipe, didn't find any but saw a Glossy Ibis foraging next to the ditch off Cornwell Dr. Unfortunately soon after a big truck drove by and flushed the bird which took off toward Krif Rd and disappeared. I was unable to re-locate it.

I managed to get a couple of photos though:

http://onejackdawbirding.blogspot.com/2011/04/glossy-ibis.html

---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Retreat Meadows (4/14)

6:45-7:30 PM. Water treatment plant, Rt 30, Brattleboro:
1 Spotted Sandpiper
1 C. Loon
2 A. Wigeon
3 Pied-billed Grebes
8 Wood Ducks
8 Green-winged Teal
14 Ring-necked Ducks
2 Hooded Mergansers

8 C. Mergansers
4 Black Ducks
18 Mallards

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

 

Coopers Hawk at Green River Bridge (4/14)

Last Friday while setting up for a snowmelt powered kayak run down the Green river I saw an adult female Coopers hawk fly over the bridge area calling as it went by. 

---Tom Prunier, Westminster, VT

 

 

 

A Few 1st of Year Birds (4/15)
Marina Field, Bratt.: 6 Rough-winged & 1 Barn Swallow, Green Heron, 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers, Vesper Sparrow.
River Rd, Putney: Louisiana Waterthrush, RC Kinglet
---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

 

 

First of Season Osprey (4/16)

There was an Osprey this morning, fishing from a tree behind my house, on the east bank of the Retreat Meadow.

---Judith Kinley, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Winter Finch at Chipmunk Crossing (4/16)

Today we had 2 Pine Siskins stop by for a short visit at our feeder. At the same time a Red-breasted Nuthatch returned time after time to the sunflower feeder for some tasty morsels.

 

 

Swallows Return (4/16)

This morning there were a dozen Tree Swallows skimming the water of a flooded area below the steep embankment behind Michael's Barber Shop in the Aubuchon Plaza on Putney Road, Brattleboro.

 

 

FOS Northern Flicker (4/16)

In West Brattleboro on Saturday we heard, then located a N. Flicker perched in a treetop in a field off of East Orchard Street.

 

 

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

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FW: {BIRD NOTES} ~ April 8, 2011

 

Bird Notes

 

First of Season Egret

At the Retreat Meadows from the Route 30 boat launch, a Great Egret was observed today (4/6)

---Parker Huber, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

White-winged Crossbills in Putney (4/6)

Glanced out at the feeder today, and to my surprise, saw a pair- male and female – White-winged Crossbills there, munching away at the black oil sunflower seeds.  A life bird for me!!  Got a great look at the  cross bills against the sunlit grass!! 

You never know what surprises you'll find at the feeder!

---Burt Tepfer, Putney, VT

 

 

Some First of Season Species (4/5)

A few good days in bad weather around my marsh:  8 Wood ducks, 1 pair of mallards, Eastern Phoebe is back, a Great Blue Heron came to visit, a pair of Canada Geese have resumed their annual nesting residence, the muskrat is active throughout the day, and finally, a Northern flicker.

My feeders have been hosting all the usual suspects as well as Fox Sparrows (a rare visitor in fall and spring) and Chipping Sparrows.  At dusk, the Woodcock are actively beeping and dancing their usual sidestep.

---Phyllis Benay, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Awakening Bears (4/5)

Top of South Street, West Brattleboro - We had a visit from a BEAR on Saturday night about 1AM according to our neighbor who heard and saw the visitor.  Our feeders were down but not badly damaged.  Our neighbor's feeder didn't fare so well.  We are now just scattering seed on the ground.  Lots of Juncos, a resident pair of Cardinals, a Song Sparrow or two, Chickadees, Morning Doves, Blue Jays, and the occasional Red-winged Blackbird.  We have heard the Bluebirds but had not seen them.  Many Robins in the field where the snow has gone.

---Carol Barber, West Brattleboro, VT

 

 

FOS Tree Swallows (4/5)

Just a note to report our Tree Swallows arrived back this am. There are two pairs by the looks as they are already claiming two nest boxes. Also there are Snow Geese on the field toward the river. There were 58 of them yesterday and probably the same today. Had a Downy, a Hairy and  Red-bellied on our suet feeder at the same time yesterday. The Bluebirds have been around for some time.

---Paul Miller, Vernon, VT

 

 

At Chipmunk Crossing and Beyond (4/8)

The snow that still covers our little acre is slowly melting away and patches of grass are showing for the first time since late last year. Birds are starting with their calls and songs that at first escape our ears because we haven’t heard them for so long. Robins clucking, Cardinals whistling, Nuthatches yanking, Chickadees feebeing, Juncos trilling, Downys drumming, Crows clacking and the Goldfinch saying sweeeet. Isn’t it great to be hearing them again!

          At the Retreat Meadows today (4/8) were 20 Ring-necked Ducks, 6 Common Mergansers, a pair of Hooded Mergansers, a Great Blue Heron, and 2 Phoebes. There was a Red-tailed Hawk sitting in a tree at the corner of Western Ave. and the I 91 northbound off ramp.

          For the second day, there is a Great Egret in the cattail marsh behind the Target store in the Manadnock Market Place, Keene, NH.

 

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

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} ~ April 5, 2011

 

 

Bird Notes

 

Beware the Bears!

Just to let folks in the Greenleaf St, Green Meadow & Country Hill area of West Brattleboro that we found our first (and hopefully our last J) bear-bashed feeder of the year today.
I had brought the feeders in last night to keep them dry, except for one. Mistake.
---Laurie Miner, West Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Retreat Meadows, Brattleboro

observed from Rt 30 boat launch 6:30-7 PM:
1 drake Red-breasted Merganser
1 drake Bufflehead
2 Wood Ducks
1 Great Blue Heron
14 C. Mergansers
3 Mallards
15 C. Geese
~ 30 Ring-billed Gulls
---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Pink-Footed in Walpole

Our annual waterfowl survey starting at Herrick's Cove delivered! The highlight was a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE in the fields at Malnati's Farm in Walpole (across from Agway) NH!! State record for NH!!
Other highlights include:
Herrick's Cove:  pintail, American wigeon, singing brown creeper, eastern phoebe.
Skitchewaug Mtn across from Springfield Meadows: 2 peregrines
Charlestown Great Meadows; rough-legged hawk giving great views kiting!
---JoAnne Russo, Saxtons River, VT

 

 

Vernon Tree Swallows & More

Just a note to report our Tree Swallows arrived back this am. There are two pairs by the looks as they are already claiming two nest boxes.

Also there are Snow Geese on the field toward the river. There were 58 of them yesterday and probably the same today.

Had a Downy, a Hairy and  Red-bellied on our suet feeder at the same time yesterday.

The Bluebirds have been around for some time.

Thanks for your reports. They are fun to follow.

---Paul Miller, Vernon, VT

 

 

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

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.