{BIRD NOTES} ~ December 07, 2016

 

Bird Notes

 

Barrows Goldeneye

On December 4^th a male Barrows Goldeneye was reported being seen in the Connecticut River at Hinsdale.

 

Bird in the Window

We had a window-stunned shrike here a week ago.  I decided to give it room, but

pretty sure it was a loggerhead.  Somebody landed nearby and scolded the hell out

of it.  I heard the scolding -- two bouts -- but did not get to the window in time to

ID the scolder.   The shrike eventually flew off.  
---Bob Engel, Marlboro, VT

 

Report from Wilmington

Wonderful to hear all those new bird names from Bhutan!

We have noticed a void in the usual viewing of flocks of Canada Geese.

Actually have not heard one flock and we have been out and about this fall  as

usual.  Always over the past 50 years we have seen and heard them fall and spring. 

Feeder birds are the usual chickadees, blue jays, both nuthatches and

woodpeckers, a  couple of mourning doves, a few goldfinch and purple finches, a

couple of cardinals, a titmouse and one evening grosbeak this morning.  Pileated

is about in the woods and raven overhead.

---Barbara Cole, Wilmington, VT

 

                   

                                                            Evening Grosbeak © Google

 

Winterizing for Wildlife

• As fall becomes winter and temperatures drop, make your backyard more

     inviting to wildlife. 

• Provide songbirds with suet and other high-calorie foods such as peanut

     butter and chopped nuts.

• Make sure local wildlife has a reliable source of water, not just to drink, but

     also to bathe in order to keep their insulating feathers clean.

• Shelter is particularly important in winter, as wildlife needs cover from both

     predators and cold weather. Collect fallen branches, twigs and leaves to add    

     to your brush pile, to increase shelter for small animals.

 

 

 

WINTER FINCH FORECAST

Expect typical movement of the following species into their normal winter ranges (i.e. no irruption).

Pine Siskin  These opportunistic nomads prefer Nyjer and sunflower chips.

Red-breasted Nuthatch  Watch for them at feeders. They prefer seed blends with sunflower, peanuts and tree nuts and they like suet products.

Pine Grosbeak  Not a typical feeder bird. When they visit feeders they prefer seed blends with sunflower.

Red Crossbill   Not a typical feeder bird. Usually feeds on conifer seeds.

Bohemian Waxwing  Not a typical feeder bird. When they visit feeders they prefer seed blends with fruits and sunflower.

White-winged Crossbill  Not a typical feeder bird. Usually feeds on conifer seeds.

 

 

Birds that may irrupt in small numbers in localized areas include the following:

Purple Finch Watch for them at feeders. They prefer Nyjer and sunflower seed.

Common Redpoll  and Hoary Redpoll 

·                            Look for Hoary’s mixed in with flocks of Commons.

·                            Watch for them at feeders. They prefer Nyjer and sunflower.

Evening Grosbeak  Watch for them at feeders. They prefer sunflower seeds.

Blue Jay  Watch for them at feeders. They prefer peanuts, tree nuts and sunflower seeds.

 

 

 

 

 

PLEASE share your birding news and photos with us so we

can all enjoy reading about your birds and birding

experiences.

 

Al Merritt  chpmnkx@sover.net

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Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society:   www.sevtaudubon.org