{BIRD NOTES} September 26, 2014

Bird Notes

 

 

 

 

This Bobwhite has been hanging out at the Tater Hill Golf Course which is between

Londonderry and Chester in Vermont.  He seems to be fairly tame. They think it

may have been domestically raised.
---Barbara Powers
 

 

 

Retreat Golden

An adult Golden Eagle was circling low over Retreat Meadows lagoon on 9/13.

---Hector Galbraith, PhD

National Wildlife Federation

 

 

Recent West Brattleboro Sightings

Common Raven (9/23)

Turkey Vulture – 26 (circling above Thurber Farm fields 9/23)

White-throated Sparrow – 3 (daily)

Song Sparrow (daily)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2 imm.—9/19)

Cardinal (M & F with imm. male 9/21)

Bald Eagle (imm. fly-over 9/22)

 

 

 

 

 

Putney Mt. Hawk Watch:  Sept.17-Sept. 24

Official Counter: John Anderson

Date	Obs Hrs	BV	TV	OS	BE	NH	SS	CH	NG	RS	BW	RT	RL	GE	AK	ML	PG	UA	UB	UF	UE	UR	TOTAL
2014-09-17	9.25			2			32	4	2	2	323				3	1							369
2014-09-18	8.5			1	3		36	5			133				12	5	1						196
2014-09-19	10			2	2		27	2	2		203	1			6								245
2014-09-20	7								1		17												18
2014-09-21	8						3				2				1								6
2014-09-22	10.25		4	6	5		70	3			82	1		1	24	1	1						198
2014-09-23	8.25		4	7	1		52	3	1	6	20				6	1	1						102
2014-09-24	8.5			7	4		22	2	1	1	32	3			3		2						77

 

BV=Black Vulture

TV=Turkey Vulture

OS=Osprey

BE=Bald Eagle

NH=Northern Harrier

SS=Sharp-shinned

CH=Coopers

NG=Northern Goshawk

RS=Red-shouldered

BW=Broad-winged

RT=Red-tailed

RL=Rough-legged

GE=Golden Eagle

AK=American Kestrel

ML=Merlin

PG=Peregrine Falcon

What’s The Best Birdseed To Put In Your Feeder? ---Info and photos by eNature.      Dark-eyed Junco                                                                                 Chickadees are common visitors to backyard feeders                      Fall is in the air in many parts of the country—and it’s a time of the year when many people think about feeding birds in their backyards. We’re not sure why this happens only in autumn, because feeding birds throughout the year has many rewards. Yet, autumn is the time when bird seed sales are held, and bird feeders are promoted most widely. Perhaps, it’s the notion that birds need more help in cold weather, and therefore, bird feeding is more popular in winter. Whatever the reason, the bird feeding season is on, and people are buying lots of bird seeds.     The kind of seeds you offer backyard birds makes a difference, because all birds don’t eat the same foods. If there is one kind of seed that is most attractive to the greatest number of backyard birds, it would be sunflower in any form. Sunflower seeds are relished by finches, grosbeaks, cardinals, jays, and even some species of woodpeckers.     The two most popular forms of sunflower seeds for birds are the black oil sunflower seed, which is in the shell, and the hulled (medium cracked) sunflower seed, which is out of the shell. eNature’s bird expert, George Harrison, tells us that if he could feed only one kind of bird food in his backyard, it would be hulled sunflower seeds.     Other popular seeds for finches, include niger (thistle), also spelled nyjer, a tiny black seed that is offered in a tube feeder with tiny port holes.  Safflower seeds are a favorite among cardinals, doves, and house finches. And the various wild bird seed mixes are eaten by sparrows, doves, juncos, and blackbirds. So don’t miss out on having a busy backyard this fall.  If you leave bird seed out, it’s almost certain to get found.

PLEASE share your birding news and photos with us so we can all enjoy reading about your birding experiences.

 

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Al Merritt  chpmnkx@sover.net

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Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society:   www.sevtaudubon.org