Birdnotes: {BIRD NOTES ~ March 7, 2016}

Bird Notes

My first Turkey Vulture of the year soaring over the Connecticut River downtown today (Monday, March 7). I've also noticed Raven pairs frolicking in the air above the quarry on Black Mountain in Dummerston.

---Jeff Nugent, Brattleboro

4 Northern Pintails were seen on the Connecticut River in Hinsdale on February 25^th

Red-wing Blackbirds back in several towns of southeastern VT. One Belted Kingfisher checking out our icy pond.

---Susan James, Guilford, VT

Robins have been reported by Eleanor Temple at Brookside in W. Brattleboro..

A small flock of Robins were also seen flying over the farm fields at Lilac Ridge Farm off of Ames Hill Road.

Here at Chipmunk Crossing on March 3^rd a Tufted Titmouse was giving his “Peter, Peter” call. A Carolina Wren picking at the suet and a Chipmunk packing bird seed in its cheeks. Can Spring be far behind?

A Bald Eagle was observed on March 5 circling over the intersection of Rt. 9 and Sunset Lake Rd. then banking and soaring east toward town.

Raptor Survey

Yesterday (Feb 27) I participated in a 50 mile raptor survey in the Pioneer Valley. In between Northampton and Sunderland and back on the west side of the Connecticut River we observed 38 Redtail Hawks, 2 Unidentified Buteos, 3 Bald Eagles (all mature), 2 Peregrine Falcons, 2 Northern Harriers, and a record 7 Turkey Vultures. Many were paired up and a pair of Redtails had a second adult female accompanying them apparently without aggression. This was the last of three surveys this winter. The survey has been run for three or four years. A write up of the protocol can be found in the Journal of the Hawk Migration Association of North America Volume 40, No 1. Survey results are entered into HMANA's data base.

---Tom Prunier

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