{BIRD NOTES} ~ May 5, 2013

     

             

Bird Notes

 

 

West Brattleboro Spring Migrants (5/5)

A Louisiana Waterthrush was singing his heart out along the Whetstone Brook just north of my house this morning.  I wonder if it was the same one that I heard behind Discount Beverage a few days ago.  An Ovenbird was calling from the woods across the street, and a Yellow Warbler was singing by the bridge.  Amazingly, after not having any all winter, I now have a feeder full of very noisy Pine Siskins.  Similarly, Blue Jays were absent this winter, but have recently returned in good numbers.  I have seen what I think is a Broad-winged Hawk circling overhead and flying to and from the woods between Meadowbrook Rd and Orchard St several times over the past few weeks.  Nesting, maybe?  For the first time ever, I have Bluebirds - they are in the nest box ordinarily occupied by Tree Swallows, who moved into the box usually occupied by House Wrens.  Haven't heard the Wrens yet!

---Nori Howe, W. Brattleboro, VT

  

 

Migrants at Herricks Cove

A few nice migrants at Herricks Cove, Rockingham this morning including Nashville, B-t Green, Thrasher, Redstart, Marsh Wren & Orchard Oriole (male).
---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

 

 

They are Coming!

The migrating birds are doing just that. Many reports have come in from the Catskills of New York State, not in big numbers yet, but the advanced guard of the species that we would expect in the first waves; Palm, Pine, Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, Hermit Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chipping, Song, Savannah, Field, Swamp, Fox and White-throated Sparrows. In New York’s Ulster County at the Shawangunk Grasslands area last week good eyes reported a Smiths Longspur! Way out of its Arctic range. I am told that it hung around for about a week. Be vigilant and for those with good ears, LISTEN !

 

We expect to be absent from the Brattleboro area for a time. But, please keep sending in your sightings and we will play catch-up when we return.

 

 

SVAS FIELD TRIP

 

Warbler Walk

 

Saturday, May 11 @ 7 a.m.

Join local birding expert 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 at 7 a.m.

Sponsored by Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

 

 

WARNING!

Bears are out and about. Time to bring in the bird feeders!

 

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Please share your birding news with us.

Any new migrants?

What have you seen while on a trip?

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Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

chpmnkx@sover.net

 

SVAS   www.sevtaudubon.org