{BIRD NOTES} ~ March 25, 2012

Pine Warbler (file photo)                                                             Pied-billed Grebe © Julie Waters

 

Bird Notes

 

 

Bohemians at C&S

A mixed flock of about 60 waxwings,~ 40 Bohemian, was feeding from the
ornamental fruit trees by the C&S Warehouse on Putney Rd in Brattleboro
early this afternoon. (3/24)  Enjoy.

---Dave Johnston, West Brattleboro, VT.

 

 

Timber Doodles, Wood Frogs & Bats

Last evening I heard 2 Woodcocks in our neighborhood on Black Mountain Road in Brattleboro. Their peenting was almost drowned out by the unbelievable din made by spring peepers and wood frogs. I was thrilled to see 2 bats fly circles over our house and wetland. The woodcocks  were doing their courtship singing again when I stepped out at about 6:30 this morning. (3/21) ---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro

Hi Hilke (et.al) I'm glad you're hearing wood frogs.  I walked out to look at the vernal pools in our  hay fields a couple days ago.  They were full of water, but no eggs yet.  I was worried that -- with the warm weather -- the pools might be gone before the amphibians get to them.  Hopefully that won't be the case.  Your wood frogs give hope.       We had a bright-yellow Yellow Shafted Flicker on our suet feeder this morning.  Interesting species.  In large groups on the ground feeding on ants (according to Sibley) in the fall.  In the trees in summer.  On feeders now (perhaps all the energy in the fat is great for post-migration recovery).  Omnivore?  Or just opportunist?       I've been thinking about the bats that community members have been reporting.  I remember hearing a program on Jane Lindholm's show with a couple experts on White-nose.  They said that often, the individual bats we see flying around are those infected with the fungus.  Perhaps that's only in winter (hopefully), but I'd like to know whether I should be expressing joy or feeling sadness over the furry-fliers that are being seen. ---Scott Sainsbury,  Moretown

 

Vernon Birds

Watched a happy phoebe up at the rec center in Vernon. Yesterday. There was a kinglet also but the sun was the wrong way so didn't know which it was. Bummer, too tiny and far up. Bluebirds singing a song in the back yard, cowbirds raiding the feeder. Lots of grackles. All a sign of spring. Our regular Red-bellied is calling and tapping for his mate.   Visitors to our feeder this winter were tree sparrows, goldfinches, downy and hairy woodpeckers. chick-a-dees, bluejays, cardinals and house sparrows. Maybe more when we didn't see them. didn't have nuthatches this year. Thanks for all the news.

---Judy Farley, Vernon, VT

 

 

Herricks Cove Pine Warbler

An early Pine Warbler at Herricks Cove this morning flew into a conifer in front of me and began to trill. A strange Spring.
---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

 

 

Allen Brothers Marsh

A pair of Wood Ducks (the male is absolutely dazzling), many Tree Swallows, Pied-billed Grebe, Belted Kingfisher, a small mixed flock of Blackbirds and the usual dozen or so Canada Geese.

 

 

 

***************

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

chpmnkx@sover.net

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