Birdnotes: {BIRD NOTES} ~ DEC. 24, 2013

Bird Notes

Watch for Snowy Owl

Mind you this was birding at 60 MPH but this morning while driving 91 south crossing the Brattleboro town line I saw what looked like a snowy owl flying parallel to 91. Large bird of prey. Lots of white on back and belly. "Soft" fluffy wing beats. Not that I'm claiming to be sure that it was one but it might be worth looking over the flats to see if one is there.

---Tom Prunier

Vernon Dam Bonanza

A drake Barrow's Goldeneye was with ~147 C. Goldeneye, 58 Mallards, 52 Hoodies, 27 C. Mergansers, and 26 Black Ducks above Vernon Dam at 3:40 this afternoon with more ducks arriving to roost as I left at 4:10.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

SNOWY OWLS continued to be reported in New Hampshire during the past week There was 1 at Chickering Farm on River Road in Walpole.

---New Hampshire RBA

‘Varied Thrush in NYC

Al, I saw it today. It is really gorgeous. The Central Park thrush was a lot duller. This bird is bright orange. When I got to the area of course the people there said "you just missed it, it was here 10 minutes ago". There were several photographers and they said the bird makes its round & will be back. It did. It was in plain view a few times albeit for a short while. It made my day.

---Irene Warshauer

Horned Larks and Bluebirds in Vernon

Just a note to let you know we have Northern Horned Larks and Bluebirds. The Larks have been feeding around our bunker silos by the barns. The Bluebirds seem to be spending the night in our birdhouses. There are 15 to 20 Larks and 8 or so Bluebirds. The Bluebirds are at my house at 5 Tyler Hill Road, but they probably won't be here except when they choose to settle down for the night. That isn't every day. It is fun to have them around.

---Paul Miller

Brattleboro Christmas Bird Count

Here are the preliminary results of our December 21^st Bird Count.

The 15 mile diameter circle is divided up into 7 areas. Circle ‘s center is approximately the corner of Rt. 9 and Sunset Lake Road.Those areas were covered by the eagle eyes of 22 local birding enthusiasts that counted 56 species and a total of 4,366 individuals. The final tally and a complete listing of the birds seen on that day will appear in a later edition of Bird Notes.

Many thanks to all who participated in the field or at home doing feeder counts. A satisfying job well done!

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Please share your birding news with us.

Any Owls?

Hawks?

Finches?

Waterfowl?

What have you seen while on a trip?

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Al Merritt

chpmnkx@sover.net