{BIRD NOTES} ~ September 3, 2012

 

Bird Notes   Phyllis’ Marsh Field Trip At 6:00 am on Saturday, August 18, we were having a short rain storm.  Nine birders showed up at Phyllis's Marsh at 7:15 for our field trip, in spite of the wet start to the day.  It was damp and cool, but the day turned into a beautiful morning. The birds were slow to sing and move around, but after about a half hour they began to pop up and feed, and a few were singing. We were hoping for a glimpse of the Wood Ducks, and a couple of people did see them as they flew and called.  A Kingfisher put on a great show for us, calling, perching, flying, and diving.  She was still there the next morning.  Bluejays also were entertaining.  Several of them were acting more like warblers chasing bugs in the trees.  We also had very satisfying looks at a Green Heron.   Here is our complete list, mostly in order of appearance.  I hope I didn't leave out any birds.  Let us know if I did. American Goldfinches Cedar Waxwings Black-capped Chickadees Mourning Doves Northern Flickers American Robins Gray Catbirds Blue Jays Song Sparrows American Crows American Woodcock (flushed) Belted Kingfisher (female) Eastern Phoebes Wood Ducks (flushed) Common Yellowthroat Green Heron TuftedTitmouse Easter Wood Pewee ---Susan James, Guilford   Migrants at the West River Mudflats Extensive mud flats in the West River, Retreat Meadows/Marina, attracted 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 19 Least Sandpipers, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, and 6  Killdeer. ---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro

 

Nighthawks Over Westminster Station

Westminster Station 8/20 ~ 5 observers ~ 150 birds (5:40-7:20 p.m.)

Westminster Station 8/25 (5:30-7) 2 observers / 148 birds

Westminster Station (8/31). My last count for this year produced 34 birds. It was a better night for swallows & swifts, which were everywhere, and visits by the local Merlin.

---Don Clark, Grafton

 

Nighthawks Over Brattleboro (8/22)

An amazing sight! Given Don Clark's and others observations near Saxton's River, I might have expected such an event. But it was huge. The numbers built up and then dwindled, but for a good half hour (6:15-6:30) there were never fewer than 50 birds in view, moving from N to S. My vantage point, Robyn's porch, made for poor counting accuracy. But there had to be many hundreds of Nighthawks passing through Brattleboro this evening.

---Paul Miksis, Brattleboro

 

Sunflower Finch

Almost every afternoon this week we have enjoyed a visit from a male Goldfinch feasting on a sunflower blossom right next to our window.  He stays a few minutes, hanging on even sideways and upside down.

---Judy Myrick, West Brattleboro

 

Putney Mountain Hawk Watch

The hawk migration is underway and Putney Mountain is being manned every day starting September 1.  All are welcome to join in the count. Here are the totals for the first two days:

Osprey 3

Bald Eagle 2

Northern Harrier 1

Sharp-shinned 14

Cooper’s 1

Broad-winged 39

Kestrel 7

Merlin 1

 

Directions to watch area:

From Putney, go west on Westminster West Road, left on West Hill Road, right on Putney Mt. Road 2.1 miles to crest, turn right into parking area. Follow easy trail for .5 miles to open area. The hawk watchers will be obvious.

 

Bullwinkle Returns

He loves the birdbath.  And why not?  Fresh water everyday and the water is elevated.  A couple of days ago he brought his girlfriend. 

 

 

Yesterday morning there was a cow moose here and she started eating our aspen trees in the back of the house.   I finally got her to leave by throwing a stone that bounced and hit her leg.  I came in the back door after getting her to leave, and went out on the front deck. There stood a mother and her two calves...EATING OUR ASPEN.  I had to go out and shoo them away.   For years Estes Park has had an elk problem (stopping traffic, sleeping in yards, walking on decks and eating planted flowers, etc) and I fear we are going to have a moose problem here at Liberty Knoll. There's always a downside to every upside.  Be careful what you wish for. 

---Sandy Merritt, Red Feather Lakes, CO

 

 

Please keep us abreast of what birds you are seeing, whether at home or on a trip in or out of the Windham County area.

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

chpmnkx@sover.net

 

Labor Day 2012