Birdnotes: {BIRD NOTES} ~ April 7, 2014

Bird Notes

Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society

Osprey at the Meadows (3/31)

Osprey fishing off the east bank of the Retreat Meadow

---Judith Kinley, Brattleboro, VT

Hinsdale Setback (4/2)

Great Blue Heron 1

Great Black-backed Gull 3

Herring Gull 4

Ring-billed Gull 2

Ring-necked Duck 72

Mallard 12

Common Merganser 8

Hooded Merganser 61

Canada Goose 14

Birders Asked to Seek and Report Rusty Blackbirds

The Rusty Blackbird is one of North America’s most rapidly declining species and is the focus of efforts by scientists and volunteers to better track the blackbird’s migration habits and stopover habits.

The Rusty population has declined 85 to 95 percent since the mid-20^th century. To this end, the Rusty Blackbird “Spring Migration Blitz” of 2014 is urging birders to go out between now and April 30^th to see where they take breaks during their migration to boreal breeding grounds. Reports should be made through the online eBird checklist program. Birders can identify male Rusties in the spring by their glossy black plumage and the female by their rusty highlights on an otherwise silvery-gray body. The birds have pale yellow eyes.

Rusty Blackbird ( female) © Cornell U.

The “Spring Migration Blitz of 2014” is an international project planned and coordinated by Judith Scarkl of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies in Norwich, VT. More information is available at www.rustyblackbird.org

A few new arrivals in Vernon this morning. (4/3)

Horned Grebes

Palm Warblers

Osprey

---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

Report from Florida

Here in Florida, we've had a flock of black-bellied whistling ducks take up residence on our pond.