{BIRD NOTES} ~ October 30, 2012

Bird Notes

A Bird from the Scottish Highlands

Vic and I recently drove down to Jamestown, RI to see the Wood Sandpiper.  The bird was very cooperative, and came to within about 20 yards of where we were standing in a very wet marsh with a rising tide!  There were lots of birders there - you could feel the excitement.  Kudos to the person who made the initial ID.

Latin name: Tringa glareola The wood sandpiper is a medium-sized wading bird, with a fine straight bill, yellowish legs and a conspicuous long white stripe from the bill over the eye to the back of the neck. In flight, it shows no wing-stripes and a square white rump. A passage migrant in spring and autumn, breeding in Northern Europe and wintering in Africa; a few pairs breed in the Scottish Highlands. The flooding of some previously drained traditional marshes in Scotland may help this species in the future.

 

 NOTE: If there is a rare and/or interesting bird sighting within a 3 - 4 hour drive from Brattleboro, we often try to make the trip.  If there are other birders that would be interested in joining us, we would be happy to have company!  We can probably accommodate two extra people.  Send me your name, email address, and phone number, and I would try to give you as much notice as possible.  Sometimes these trips are spur of the moment and they are not always successful!

---Nori Howe, W. Brattleboro, VT  

nohowe@myfairpoint.net  802-254-5423

 

 

 White-winged Crossbill in Brattleboro (10/29)

About 2:15 this afternoon, I had a White-winged Crossbill on the thistle feeder.  I was moving around the yard bringing in potted mums and pumpkins and got within two feet of her so I could see the crossed bill.  She must have been both fearless and hungry to allow me to get so close.  Even though Sibley says they always travel in flocks, so far she's the only one I've seen. 

---Molly Martin, Brattleboro

 

 

West B. Mocker

Yesterday, 10/28, in mid-afternoon we had a brief visit from a Northern Mockingbird. It's probably been a couple of years since we've seen one on the property, which makes me wonder if it might've been blown around by the approaching winds of Sandy.

---Cheers, Ned Pokras, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Water Treatment Plant at Retreat Meadows (10/29)

Red-tailed Hawk, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and N. Mockingbird

 

 

Cackling Goose

Two Cackling Geese are still being reported at Turners Falls, MA (10/30)

 

 

 

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

chpmnkx@sover.net

 

www.sevtaudubon.org

 

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

and touches your heart.