Birdnotes: {BIRD NOTES} ~ November 27, 2013

Bird Notes

Northern Shrike in West B. (11/26)

A first winter N. Shrike was perched at the top of the Maple trees on the corner of Bonnyvale and Mather Rds in W. Brattleboro this morning at 8:00.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

Snowy Owl at Perkins Pier

Down at the Pier with Josh Stewart, Ted Murin and monster-scope now. (11/23) From the Perkins Pier parking lot, the Snowy is located on the breakwater to the right of Juniper Island right by the driftwood and sapling.
--Leah Tansey

Colchester Causeway Snowy Owls

Shirley Zundell and I made the trip to Chambly, as did 50+other birders. The Ross’s Gull was not spotted by about 11:00 when we headed south. There was a large flock of Snow Geese a mile north of the bridge at Saint Jean and a smattering of ducks on the river between Chambly and Saint Jean.
The Colchester Causeway SNOWY OWLS were seen yesterday and their number was confirmed at 2. I rode a bike out this afternoon and did not see any. (11/23)
---Bob Dill, Burlington, VT

Snowy Owls Are Moving Southward

There are reports of 2 Snowy Owls in Burlington area, 3 reports in southern New York State and 2 in coastal New Jersey. This may be a good year for this Arctic species to make a showing locally. Windham County birders be vigilant!

Snow Goose flock in flight over Dead Creek WMA Refuge area.

Photo enlarged for counting. 3355 birds counted. View is to the northeast.

Aerial Photo by Ian Worley

Note the "bow" marginal row of birds extending across the top of the flock and

around the right edge. The bow is formed by the leading edge of the birds. In

this case the flock had been moving from the bottom left to the top right as

indicated by the extensive line of birds across the top of photo, but is in

transition to moving to the right as evidenced by the new bow forming

on the right.

~ A REMINDER ~

The annual Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday, December 21^st . If you wish to participate, please send me an e-mail indicating whether you wish to be out in the field with a group of one of the 7 areas or in the comfort of your home to do a feeder count. That evening everyone is invited to the “Compilation Pot Luck Supper” that will be held at Hollie Bowen’s home at 19 Whipple Street in Brattleboro, starting at 6 p.m.