Birdnotes: {BIRD NOTES} May 26, 2013

Least Bittern --Google

Bird Notes

A LEAST BITTERN was reported from the Connecticut River in Hinsdale on May 18th.

---BirdEast Hotline

Guilford Sights and Sounds

The lushness of the vegetation and the richness of the song takes my breath away this time of year: finches, RB Grosbeaks, Bobolinks, (a few). A Scarlet Tanager, Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Tree Swallows, a Kingfisher, an Indigo Bunting, Song Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, a Blue-winged Warbler, Eastern Kingbirds, and more. But no House Wrens - I wonder why?

---Susan James, Guilford, VT

Yardbirds

This is the first time I have ever had Catbirds in my yard. Also I have a Downy Woodpecker drinking from the hummingbird feeder. I think this is highly unusual. I saw the same thing down in CT just recently.

---Geraldine Golet, W. Dover, VT

Shorebirds Continue at Retreat Meadows

Thanks to Hector Galbraith’s report of the shorebird fallout we were finally able to visit there today (5/25). Looking down the barrel of our scope we were able to get good views of the dozen or more Semi-palmated Plovers, 2 Least Sandpipers and half dozen Spotted Sandpipers that were working over the sandbars. We missed the Dunlin and Short-billed Dowitchers that apparently have moved on north. We also heard the rattle of the resident Belted Kingfisher somewhere up stream along the West River.