Birdnotes: {BIRD NOTES } ~ December 14, 2015

Bird Notes

A Blue-headed Vireo was reported in Hinsdale on December 5.

An adult Bald Eagle was spotted perching in a treetop along the West River at the Retreat Meadows and when we arrived at home in West B. there was a first of the season Tree Sparrow feeding on the ground beneath the feeder. The Carolina Wren was singing down the hill and is an infrequent visitor to our suet feeder. Also had a pile of feathers that appeared to be those of a Mourning Dove. Evidently the “Sharpie” had stopped by.

---Al & Barb Merritt

There is still lots of open water in the West and Connecticut Rivers due to the warmer temperatures, so check them out for waterfowl. It holds mostly Canada Geese right now, but you never know. There is a cold front soon to move through the area that may push them in.

A Snowy Owl has been reported in the Lake Champlain area as well as a Pacific Loon near the NYS bridge.

Don’t forget this Saturday is the annual Christmas Bird Count.

Audubon’s 116^th CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT will take place for the Brattleboro area on Saturday December 19^th.

There will be 25 to 30 people divided into 7 teams that will scour our 15 mile diameter circle and list the species and the numbers of each. At 6:00 p.m. we will all gather at Hollie Bowen’s and Paul Love’s beautiful home at 19 Whipple Street in Brattleboro to compile and talk about all the great birds while enjoying a wonderful pot luck supper. Please join us and bring a dish to share. Even if you didn’t participate this is for ALL members.

If you wish to participate in any manor, please contact our compiler, Bob Engel: bengel@marlboro.edu

PLEASE share your birding news and photos with us so we

can all enjoy reading about your birds and birding

experiences.

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Al Merritt chpmnkx@sover.net