Birdnotes

{BIRD NOTES} January 20, 2012

2012-01-20T20:47:00.001-08:00

Bald Eagle © Noreen Downs

Bird Notes

Excerpts from the New Hampshire Audubon Bald Eagle Survey

This was the 32nd consecutive year that New Hampshire Audubon has coordinated New Hampshire's part of the National Mid-winter Bald Eagle Survey (beginning with the Winter of 1980-81). This year the survey took place on Saturday, January 7th, except in the Lakes Region where we held it on Thursday, January 5th. Volunteer turn-out this year included a total of 85 people. Saturday's weather was amazing, with very mild temperatures and only light breezes, and without much snow cover across the entire state. Thursday's count in the Lakes Region took place in seasonal overcast conditions with precipitation mostly holding off until the end of the day. (See attachment for photo)

Survey Day statewide results: This year we located a total of 56 bald eagles (42 adults, 14 immatures*) and 1 golden eagle in New Hampshire on survey day, down slightly from the 61 eagles seen in our 2009 and 2010 counts, and nearly the same as the 54 eagles we saw last year. For a long-term sense of the trend, 11 years ago in 2001 we counted a total of 42 eagles, in 1991 we counted 19, in 1981 we counted only 8.

Connecticut River** - Total of 15 bald eagles seen, including 14 individuals (12 adults, 2 immatures) seen on Survey Day (11 observers), plus 1 additional eagle (1 immature) confirmed during the two-week count period.

---Chris Martin, Senior Biologist

Conservation Department, New Hampshire Audubon

Bald Eagle Over I-91

Vivian and I had a good 10 seconds view of an adult Bald Eagle last Friday. We were on I-91 heading into the Holyoke Range from the north and the eagle was headed upstream. We managed to stay on the road without a third hand on the wheel.

---Tom Prunier

Hildene Bird Walks

Attached are the dates for the monthly bird walks held at Hildene in Manchester, Vermont. We meet at the visitors’ center. All are welcome. Hope to see you there.

2012 Hildene Bird Walk Dates:
1/14/12 begins at 8 a.m.
2/18/12
3/17/12
4/14/12
4/28/12 - begins at 7a.m. until October
5/12/12
5/26/12
6/16/12
7/21/12
8/18/12
9/15/12
10/13/12 - begins at 8 a.m.
11/17/12
12/8/12

---Barbara Powers, Manchester Center, VT

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website: http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

{BIRD NOTES} ~ January 6, 2012

2012-01-07T08:40:00.001-08:00

Bird Notes

Albinistic Cardinal

I have an almost white male Cardinal he has two red flight feathers, the rest of the bird is almost a peach color. I have been trying to get a picture. But he is a very wary bird. He comes in with a pair of regular type cardinals. I live on Pond rd in Vernon. The first time I saw him was on 11/30/2011.

---Patrick Mockler

Peregrine and Prey in Vernon

Birding Brattleboro and Vernon for a couple hours this morning turned up 35 species. The highlight was witnessing the drama a Peregrine Falcon created
by putting up about 60 Ring-billed Gulls from a field across from the Miller
farm in Vernon, zooming into the mix, shadowing a singled out gull's futile
evasive maneuvers, making the kill, and chowing down on its lunch.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

This is our final revised count of the Christmas Bird Count held on December 17. There were seven volunteer groups and several individuals that took time out from their busy day to do a feeder count. All told, 4,177birds of 58 species were counted, which includes the 5 (CW) Count Week species.

Statistics________________________

Skies: Partly Cloudy

Temp.: A.M. 15 P.M. 35

Precipitation: None

Snow Cover: None

Lakes, Ponds and Rivers: Mostly Open

Small Streams: Open and Running

No. of Groups: 7

No. of Participants: 26

No. of Feeder Counts: several

Car Miles: 254

Walk Miles: 10.5

People Hours: 131.5

Total No. of Species: 58 (inc. 5 CW)

Total No. of Individuals: 4,177

VTBR--Brattleboro Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 17, 2011

CW = Count Week = 3 days before count day and 3 days after

Bold Face = new species this year

Canada Goose 572
American Black Duck 4
Mallard 59
Lesser Scaup 1
Common Goldeneye 1
Hooded Merganser 24
Common Merganser 26
Ruffed Grouse CW
Wild Turkey CW
Great Blue Heron 1
Bald Eagle 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 14
Peregrine Falcon 1
Ring-billed Gull 14
Herring Gull 101
Great Black-backed Gull CW
Rock Pigeon 174
Mourning Dove 123
Snowy Owl CW
Barred Owl CW
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 13
Downy Woodpecker 38
Hairy Woodpecker 20
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Shrike 1
Blue Jay 229
American Crow 301
Common Raven 7
Horned Lark 4
Black-capped Chickadee 338
Tufted Titmouse 53
Red-breasted Nuthatch 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 43
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Eastern Bluebird 54
American Robin 95
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 116
Cedar Waxwing 116
American Redstart 1 (F)
American Tree Sparrows 60
Song Sparrow 12
White-throated Sparrow 13
Dark-eyed Junco 546
Lapland Longspur 1
Snow Bunting 4
Northern Cardinal 27
Purple Finch 13
House Finch 23
Pine Siskin 42
American Goldfinch 629
Evening Grosbeak 10
House Sparrow 215

Old Christmas Trees Make New Bird Cover

Instead of discarding the family Christmas tree this year, turn it into cover for the birds. The life of the festive tree can be extended for several more months by taking it outside and laying it down or propping it up near or next to a bird feeder. In a matter of minutes, the old Christmas tree is providing new natural cover for the birds.

Every New Year’s, after undecorating our Christmas tree, I drag it outside and anchor it upright behind a low tray feeder just outside the sunroom where we eat breakfast and lunch everyday during the winter. The addition of the tree as cover behind the tray feeder immediately increases the number and kinds of birds that feed at the tray. In addition to the usual ground feeders, such as dark-eyed juncos and American tree sparrows, the Christmas tree cover attracts chickadees, nuthatches, northern cardinals and mourning doves. One year, we had a bobwhite use the feeder, and during other winters, ring-necked pheasants and wild turkeys visited.

If I want more cover than my one Christmas tree offers, I have gathered up and used the discarded Christmas trees of my neighbors, who have left their past glories at the curb to be picked up by the garbage man. One year, I was late removing the Christmas tree in the spring, and an American robin built a nest in its rusty red boughs, and raised four youngsters.

—George Harrison, eNature

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website: http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

{BIRD NOTES} ~ Dec. 16, 2011

2011-12-16T16:52:00.000-08:00

Female American Redstart © Len Reitsma 12.14.11 Brattleboro, VT and Red-flanked Bluetail © Justyn Stahl, San Diego, CA

Bird Notes

A Late American Redstart, Brattleboro,VT

A female American Redstart was reported to be hanging out at Jesse Wampler’s home on Beech Street. This is a real late date for this species which, because of the mild temperatures, was still able to find sustenance. But, with the frigid air moving in from Canada, it will need more than luck to survive. (See attachment). If it is still around until tomorrow (12.17.11) it will be the first ever to be reported on the Brattleboro Christmas Count.

Snowy Owl Update

The last sighting of the Snowy Owl was on the 14^th flying south along Route 142 towards Vernon, VT. It is probably still in the area, so be alert for it and let us know if you spot it. This bird will also be a first for the Brattleboro Christmas Count that takes place tomorrow.

More from Perugia, Italy

We have two more weeks in Italy before coming back to Brattleboro !!! As for UCCELLI (birds) I've seen magpies and rooks poking around in fields, two hawks hovering over a chicken coop, sparrows, blackbirds, crows, and of course pigeons in the town center (Perugia). Nothing exotic and no notices of nature groups meeting that I could find. There are still two roses in bloom in the tangled garden below our apartment and fresh produce at a farmer's market 2 minutes away.Many trees still have green leaves,others turning yellow before falling. Cold but it hasn't gone below freezing yet. Sorry to miss the bird count...Ciao, Lerna

Bird Unseen for 22 Years

Bird lovers are chirping with excitement following an extremely rare sighting in Southern California of a species that has only been spotted once before in North America, 22 years ago.

A red-flanked Bluetail was seen by biologists on San Clemente Island northwest of San Diego, the Los Angeles Times reported yesterday (12/10/11). (See attachment)

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website: http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

{BIRD NOTES} ~ Dec. 14, 2011

2011-12-16T16:44:00.000-08:00

Snowy Owl at NEYT Brattleboro, VT

Bird Notes

Snowy Owl at the Theater

A Snowy Owl was seen and photographed Sunday (See attachment) perched atop the chimney of the New England Youth Theater chimney at 100 Flat Street in Brattleboro. Maybe he wanted to audition for the owl role in a Harry Potter play.

Snowy Owl Heading for Vernon

We saw the owl this morning on rt. 142 at the Mt. View Church about 12:00 noon. It was across from the church flew south toward Vernon. Will upgrade as we see him. Hope he lands at the Miller Farm!

---Judy Farley, Vernon, Vt.

Redstart in Brattleboro

After watching the bird close every day, I can now say its a female Redstart not an SY male. Just heard her chipping and then saw her gleaning insects off the side of my neighbors house in the sun. When the afternoon comes she should come round to our westerly facing side and gleaning from my clapboards. Remarkable that she is still around. What could possibly be keeping her from joining the Smithsonian crew in Jamaica for the winter. I had a dream that instead of migrating she overwintered in my basement.
---Jesse Wampler, 33 Beech St., Brattleboro, VT

Waterfowl at Minards Pond

With the nice days and no ice, Minards Pond has been the hot spot around here. Today I counted 320 Mallards, a record number. Also a Common Merganser. 14 Hoodies, and 6 Black Ducks.

---Joanne Russo, Saxtons River, VT

A Very Tardy Hummer

A friend told me this morning that on 11/9 in East Dummerston he had a hummingbird at his window.

---Nancy Waterhouse, Putney, VT

Chris & the Commons

There is a wonderful article in the current issue of the Commons by Chris Petrak including his own photos of various types of owls. Thanks Chris!

---Judy Myrick, West Brattleboro, VT

* * *

The Brattleboro Christmas Bird Count will take place this Saturday, December 17^th. There are 7 teams of volunteers and from all reports all are raring to get out into the wilds to count birds. Species are noted as well as the numbers of each. Some groups get a good start by meeting early in the day for a hardy breakfast. The length of their stay in the field varies depending on conditions, the size of their area and the individuals participating. Last year 32 people in 7 groups spent a total of 182 hours in the field and drove 286 miles. Plus 6 feeder counters. They counted 5,177 birds of 57 species which included 5 (CW) Count Week species. The Count Week is considered as being 3 days before the count day, and 3 days after the count day and of course the count day itself.

Most of you feed the birds and I am sure you look at your feeding stations occasionally to see what species are stopping by. You can be included in this year’s count by letting us know what you are seeing that Saturday. They do not have to be rare and exotic species. Common birds and rare birds are treated the same when it comes to studying numbers and the trends that are being set as a result.

Here is how to conduct a Feeder Count:

You do not have to watch continuously. When you look at your feeders, make note the numbers of each species. At the end of the day report the highest single count for each species. For example, if during the day you count chickadees in the numbers of 3,7,2, 5, the number you report is 7 for the day. Send your report to Al Merritt via e-mail at chpmnkx@sover.net or call in your report to Hollie Bowen that evening Tel: 254-9087. Better yet come to the Count Down Pot Luck supper at Hollies home at 19 Whipple Street. Starting time is 6 p.m. and immediately following our repast we do the tabulation of the birds.

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website: http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

{BIRD NOTES} ~ December 7, 2011

2011-12-07T18:13:00.001-08:00

Bird Notes

Adirondack Birds

Sharon and I are lucky enough to be attending our grandson's hockey tournament here in Lake Placid this weekend. It's been great as the weather has been chilly but without an abundance of the white stuff, our team has gone undefeated up to this point, and we've been able to sneak away between games and hit places in the nearby environs. So far, we've birded Bigelow Bog, Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain. Even though we only get away for an hour or so each time, it's been enough to bag two new year birds and an elusive lifer for me, the Boreal Chickadee. Siskins were also found as well as the Red-breasted nuthatch which has been a nemesis for us this year. Great weekend all the way around! We head back home tomorrow.

---Dave & Sharon Baker

Cersosimo Setback

Just the beginning of the waterfowl that will be occupying these waters until the ice coats it over.

5 Hooded Mergansers

7 Common Mergansers

Retreat Meadows

Not much activity since the Snowy Owl left except for the hundreds of Canada Geese and 1 Double-crested Cormorant.

1 Mockingbird is at the water treatment plant guarding its cache of bittersweet and rose hips.

* * *

Don’t forget the annual Christmas Bird Count is coming up on Saturday December 17^th

We could use more feeder counters. Want to help? Send me a note indicating your location to see if you are in our count circle or not

Keep in mind that you are invited to the count down pot luck dinner at 6 p.m. at Hollies’ home 19 Whipple Street, Brattleboro.

There is a coastal trip to Cape Ann/Plum Island being led by Chris Petrak on Saturday, January 7, 2012

chrsptrk@svcable.net

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website:

http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

and touches your heart.

Remember Pearl Harbor

70 years ago today

{BIRD NOTES} ~ November 15, 2011

2011-11-21T17:00:00.000-08:00

Bird Notes

Westminster Coots

Sorry for the delayed posting. There were 7 American Coots at Allen Bothers Marsh in Westminster on Friday.

---Mitchell Harrison

Birding Highlights for the Area

A few highlights birding around Brattleboro and Vernon this morning...
1 Long-tailed Duck at the Retreat Meadows
2 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers working a willow tree at home in W. Brattleboro
24 C. Goldeneye on the Connecticut River in Vernon

1 Northern Shrike at the Gateway Farm in West B.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

Bluebirds in Vernon

There were at least 7 Bluebirds feeding on the sumac along the railroad tracks at our farm this morning. I have seen them several times this past week or so.

---Paul Miller, Vernon, VT

Ciao Everyone

All is well here. For anyone wanting to see where we are on google maps, the address is Via Bulagaio, 31 / Perugia / Italy. We heard about all your snow but it is still like early fall here. Some of the trees are starting to turn yellow and a few red so I'm curious as to how it will develop. I passed my level 1 class with a good score so tomorrow I start level 2 with a lot of my former classmates. They are friendly and fun so I hope the teacher isn't too serious!!!!

We have met a new Italian friend Renato, who invited us to his house outside of town for dinner. His wife, Monia, 2 of his older children, Serena and Andrea (boy)and Serena's Husband Marco and 4 year old Frederico, plus Renato and Monia's 3 year old Antonio (new marriage).A lovely feast, got home at midnight.

Bill's friend Peppe took us to the festival of the first picked olives south of here in Trevi, a small hilltown. Besides a large street fair, they had a fire going, toast was being made and then it was dipped in the new oil and handed to you on a napkin, messy but delicious! Also you could rub garlic on the toast and sprinkle salt on it.

We went to the Etruscan well in the middle of town which was dug out of rock more than 100' deep. I then found the well in the piazza nearby where Etruscans pulled up the water. When the Romans came, they devised ways to pipe water to the houses.

We have been to more concerts, a mezzosprano and piano (excellent, from USA) and a concert with violin, cello, and piano..Schumann and Hayden. Ciao!!!

---Lerna and Bill, Perugia, Italy

Eagle Owl Video

Check out this video sent to me by Steve Medved of Putney, VT. (Click on attachment and open with Real Player) An awesome look at an Eagle Owl at a thousand frames per second!

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website: http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

{BIRD NOTES} Nov. 21, 2011

2011-11-21T15:20:00.000-08:00

Bird Notes

Highlights of a morning (11/20) birding with JoAnne Russo:
Herricks Cove, Rockingham, 13 GW Teal
Allens Marsh, Westminster, 2 Coot
Putney Great Meadows, 142 Snow Buntings, 125 Horned Larks, 75 Am. Pipit, 220 Am. Crow
---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

A Red-throated Loon has been visiting the Connecticut River between Vernon and Hinsdale, NH, yesterday and today(11/20). I spotted the bird yesterday from Vernon as it swam and dove around the island where the power lines cross the river about a mile above the dam. Returning today, I relocated the bird, but it was over on the Hinsdale side of the river so I drove over to the setbacks and was treated to some nice, much closer views. Hopefully it will stay around for another day or so.
---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

Pileated in West B.

Yesterday morning (11/20) we watched a female Pileated Woodpecker as it flew in an landed on the trunk of a dead elm tree. A large chunk of loose bark attracted its attention as it went about chopping off strips of it to gain access to the infected wood beneath. We could see that it was finding something delectable when it stopped occasionally to pry something out of the rotted wood and devour it. This may be the same female that we observed here last year when it landed on the side of the house and was fascinated by its own reflection in the storm window of our bedroom.

Tips on Feeding the Birds

1. Birds require foods with high nutritional content, especially protein and fat.

A bird’s diet must fuel a metabolism that can require up to a whopping 10,000 calories a day (equivalent to a human consuming 155,000 calories). A bird’s inner furnace burns especially hot during flight and the breeding season and on the coldest days.

This means birds must make highly efficient choices about what they eat. A backyard feeder is an especially efficient place to forage because it mimics what scientists call a “resource patch,” a cluster of food much like a fruit-laden apple tree.

But don’t worry that birds will become too dependent on your feeders. Evolutionary pressures encourage birds to continuously sample a wide variety of foods because any bird that becomes dependent on a single patch or type of food will perish if it runs out.

2. Birds must have high-quality food.

Birds are remarkably proficient at assessing potential food items for nutritional content and quality. If you watch your feeder closely, you may observe the animals lightly rattling individual seeds in their bills to weigh and taste them before deciding whether to drop them to the ground or eat them.

Low-quality foods are discarded and a consistently low-quality food patch may be avoided for a while—a behavior called “neophibia” that explains why birds learn to avoid your feeder if you put out old, moldy or inedible seeds.

3. Birds choose seeds that are easily handled and digested.

This finding emphasizes that for birds, eating is not only about nutrition but about consuming a lot of food very quickly while avoiding predators. Research has shown that given a choice between high-quality, cumbersome seeds or low-quality, easily handled seeds, birds consistently choose the latter.

The bottom line:

For these reasons and others, the study found that the most highly sought after seeds are: black oil sunflower, white proso millet, nyjer (thistle) seed and sunflower chips.

Whichever seeds you buy, a growing body of evidence shows that backyard feeding helps wild birds—the animals’ growth rates, survival rates, breeding success and clutch sizes all improve markedly when they have access to feeders.

---Adapted from “For the Birds: Which Seeds Are Best ?” by David Lukas, National Wildlife , October/November 2009.

FEEDER COUNTERS NEEDED

Brattleboro Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 17, 2011

Be a Citizen Scientist and join one of the seven groups that will be out in the field counting birds OR If you are within the boundaries of the 15 mile diameter circle designated for the Brattleboro count, you can stay in the coziness of your home and do a bird feeder count. You do not have to watch continuously. When you do look at your feeders, note the numbers of each species. For example, if during the day you count chickadees in the numbers of 4, 6, 3, 2, the number you would report is 6 since that is the highest number seen at one time. If you think that they are not worth reporting you would be wrong. They all count no matter how common and how small a number. If you are uncertain if you are within the count circle, send along your address with your totals. Also, even if you don’t take part everyone is invited to attend the Count Down Pot Luck Supper at the home of Hollie Bowen & Paul Love at 19 Whipple Street in Brattleboro at 7 p.m. The repast will immediately follow the tallying of the birds. Don’t let us have all the fun. Plan on attending!

Send your count totals via e-mail to me: chpmnkx@sover.net or bring them with you to the supper.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Happy Thanksgiving

{BIRD NOTES} ~ October 31, 2011

2011-10-31T16:05:00.000-07:00

Bird Notes

Late Butter Butt (10/30)

As I was shoveling way too much snow out of my driveway this morning I was joined by a yellow-rumped warbler that was poking among leaves I had turned over as I shoveled. Now that the fields are covered I'm interested to see if all of the geese in the area will move out.
---Charlie La Rosa, Brattleboro, VT

Retreat Treats (10/30)

This afternoon at the Retreat Meadows: among the 600-odd Canada geese there was 1 cackler and 3 long-tailed ducks. It was a different cackler from one that Dave Johnson photographed here a couple of weeks ago. It was very dark- dark enough to be a Taverner's (reported from western MA a week or so ago), but the head and bill structure were wrong for that race - more like a typical hutchinsii.

---Hector Galbraith, Dumerston, VT

A Grand Day on Putney Mountain

Friday 10/28 turned out to be a spectacular day at the hawk watch on Putney Mt. 6 Watchers trudged up through the snow and were treated to 333 birds, of which 133 were Turkey Vultures . It seemed to be TV moving day, with most birds rising up one after another and gliding over our heads. Most passed in the space of 2 hours. We also saw to 2 Bald Eagles, 3 Golden Eagles , over 90 Red-tails, Northern Harriers, Goshawks, Cooper's, Sharpies, Red Shoulders (9), 3 Osprey, Kestrels(5) and a Rough-legged.

Weather: light to mod NW wind, Blue skies, Temps.... well....cold but not freezing and snow on the ground. Guess the birds knew a whomper of a storm was coming.
---Terri Armata, Bennington, VT where the snow is starting to whomp down.

How Clever Are Ravens?

Check out this short story about a Raven pair, a Dog and a Bone.

http://birdnote.s3.amazonaws.com/Birdnote/2011/10-Oct-2011/111011-Raven-Dog-Bone.mp3

The Trick or Treat Storm

After it finally stopped snowing, we measured 15 inches of snow in our backyard here at Chipmunk Crossing. The birds were frantically shuttling in and out of the bird feeders and virtually stepping on each other to get to the millet and black oil sunflower seed. There were no unusual species among them, just hungry regulars converting bird seed into energy. They included many Juncos and Chickadees, a male Cardinal, a handsome White-throated Sparrow, 2 Blue Jays, 4 Morning Doves, 2 White-breasted Nuthatches, 3 Goldfinch, and 3 Tufted Titmice. The day before the storm a small vociferous flock of crows flew over the house in hot pursuit of two croaking Ravens. They were doing their best to usher them out of the neighborhood.

Keep in mind that the Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday, December 17. We are in need of volunteers to do feeder counts. If interested, drop me an e-mail and include your address so we can determine if you live within the count circle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

{BIRD NOTES} ~ October 28, 2011

2011-10-28T09:31:00.001-07:00

Swainson’s Hawk © e-Nature

Bird Notes

The Snow Brought in Some Snows at the Meadows

This morning (10/28) at the Retreat Meadows in Brattleboro were about 400 canada
geese, 50 snow geese, and 1 clay-colored sparrow at the Rt. 30 boat launch.

---Hector Galbraith, Dummerston, VT

Allen Bros. Marsh (10/24)

8 coots were in Allen's Marsh, Westminster this AM.

---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

*NOTE:They were still there the afternoon of the 26^th.

Retreat Meadow (10/23)

1 Black Scoter, a pair of C. Mergansers, and ~500 Canada Geese were at the
Retreat Meadows off of Rt 30 in Brattleboro this evening.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

Hawk Watch Reward

The rare sighting of a SWAINSON’S HAWK over the Putney Mt. Hawk Watch site yesterday(10/23) was a surprise for the 6 counters present. It's the reason we put in long hours with many days of adverse conditions. You just never know what the next bird over the ridge will be.
---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

Backyard Birds in W. Brattleboro

My backyard was full of birds yesterday (10/26). The most interesting was a male Black-throated Blue Warbler that spent a couple of hours gleaning insects from the birch tree.

---Nori Howe, W. Brattleboro, VT

A Goose from Greenland at the Power Canal (10/26-27)

Nori Howe notified me of the sighting of a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE at the power canal in Turners Falls, Massachusetts yesterday and again this morning. This species breeds in Greenland, rarely finding its way south into New England in the fall.

Vernon Geese and Retreat Meadows Waterfowl

32 Brant, 140 Snow Geese, and ~250 Canada Geese occupied the cornfield on the corner of Rt142 and Newton Rd in Vernon between 5 and 5:30 this evening ( 10/27). The Snow Geese, Brant, and ~2/3 of the Canadas flew off to the west as it started to snow. Beautiful sight!

Earlier 5 Bufflehead( 4 drakes), 8 C. Mergansers, and 2 Double-crested Cormorants were diving about at the Retreat Meadows in Brattleboro.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

Herricks Cove Scoters

2 Black and 11 Surf Scoters at Herricks Cove in Rockingham midday.

---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

New Movie: “The Big Year”

Don't know if everybody's heard there's a new Steve Martin movie just out that centers around a birding "big year." I assumed it would be lousy because Hollywood always treats birding badly, but the folks at Cornell went to see it and loved it! Here's their review: http://tinyurl.com/3ecshu7
---Jane Stein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website: http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

{BIRD NOTES} October 25, 2011

2011-10-27T13:31:00.001-07:00

Bird Notes

Herricks Cove (10/21)

A small flock of mostly song sparrows, yielded a clay-colored sparrow this morning at Herrick's Cove in Rockingham. Also a imm. white-crowned and a few juncos.
Picture of the clay-colored sparrow on Flickr VT eBird.
---JoAnne Russo, Saxtons River, VT

Herricks Cove and Spring Tree Road (10/22)

The Clay-colored Sparrow that JoAnne Russo found yesterday at Herricks Cove was there again this morning. It was feeding with about a dozen Song Sparrows and two White- throated Sparrows in the short grass on the right hand side of the road, going out to the point in the picnic area, in the area between the gate and the big willow tree.

The West River behind the Marina Restaurant in Brattleboro had ~400 Canada
Geese and 1 Cackling Goose early this afternoon.

---Dave Johnston, West Brattleboro, VT

A Lucky Day

Last Saturday (10/15), about 4:30 in the afternoon, I was standing below the Marina looking over toward route 30. The sun was in my eyes, to my right and bright. Just then about 100 Canada Geese flew over my head toward route 30. Right into the sun. Every wing was aglow and like a light show across every wing, and the very tips of all the wings were afire. How lucky can you get to be there at just that time? I can’t imagine getting time, place and birds in just that place again.

---Lynn Martin, Brattleboro, VT

Top Ten Reasons There Are No Birds at Your Feeders

1. There was an abundance of rain this growing season in many parts of the country, producing bumper crops of wild foods.

2. There are lots of wild seeds of composite flowers available, such as Rudbeckias (Coneflowers), Coreopsis, Sunflowers, Asters and others.

3. There are tons of tasty weed seeds available, such as smartweeds, pigweeds, goldenrod, etc. Sparrows love all these seeds.

4. It is a bumper year for berries — Holly, Chokeberry, Dogwood, Pokeberry, raspberries, etc.

5. Crabapple trees are heavy with fruits.

6. The cone and seed crop on many trees has done well. Here, in NH, we have many Hemlock cones, acorns, birch seeds, Spruce cones, etc.

7. The weather has been warm and birds do not need to eat as much as they do when the weather is colder and they need to keep warm.

8. Because of warm weather some insects are still available and have not gone into dormancy.

9. Fall is migration time for many raptors, some of them hunt birds at your feeders. This morning we had a Cooper's Hawk, juv., sitting in a tree in our yard. The wise feeder birds had sought cover and were nowhere to been seen. In general, these hawks move on.

10. It is a self-fulfilling prophesy of "there are no birds at my feeders so I do not have to fill the feeders." An empty feeder will not attract birds, especially any of the ones that are still around.

Birds like chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, are permanent residents in an area and, even though they are not at your feeders now, come colder weather they will return, but not if the feeder is empty. So Keep those feeders full !

--- Lillian and Don Stokes

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website: http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

{BIRD NOTES} ~ October 20, 2011

2011-10-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

American Coot

Bird Notes

Allen Brothers Marsh (10/19)

A bit more activity at the marsh this afternoon.
1 American Coot
1 Greater Yellowlegs
1 Belted Kingfisher
14 Wood ducks
---JoAnne Russo, Saxtons River, VT

Saturday morning in Vernon...(10/15)
15 American Pipits. Going south on Rt 142 into Vernon, take a left on the unpaved road leading to the river just past the railroad tracks. The Pipits were in the fields on the left (north)
2 Greater Yellowlegs in 2 pools on the right side of the same road.

The stump dump off of Stebbins Rd...(10/15)
1 Vesper Sparrow perched on a stump
1 Field Sparrow
2 White-crowned Sp.
1 Lincoln's Sp. Along with uncounted Song, Savannah, Swamp, Chipping, & White-throated Sp.
6 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
1 Nashville Warbler
---Dave Johnston, W Brattleboro, VT

Lake Champlain King Eiders? (10/20)

Watch for four eiders -- initially identified as King Eiders from head and bill detail -- for a match, see flight images of female King Eiders in the Sibley Guide to Birds.

The eiders drifted into view from behind cedars to my left at 7:55, along with two White-winged Scoters and three Goldeneyes. Eiders must have been present for the entire half-hour that I scanned the lake; and have been the "decoys" that drew in the scoters which had flown in 15-20 minutes earlier. Both the scoters and goldeneyes swam and flew north some more, then flew south. The four eiders, still glued closely together, soon flew a bit farther out into the lake, but were gone (south?) by the time I got back from the house with a camera and lens extension.

---Dave Hoag, Grand Isle, VT

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website: http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

{BIRD NOTES} ~ Oct. 2, 2011

2011-10-01T21:17:00.001-07:00

Bird Notes

Re: Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Funny you should mention it . . . I just enjoyed a lovely little Hummingbird who perched on a rose bush this afternoon (9/30 Friday) in Wilmington. My feeder is still up and I still have honeysuckle vines in bloom, which they love.

---Mary Ann McLeod, Wilmington, VT

Retreat Meadow (10/1)

For those of you that haven’t been there yet, there are still Great Egrets to be seen at the Retreat Meadows. The Turkey Vulture roost near the Veterans Memorial Bridge seems to be growing larger by the day. There was an enormous kettle circling over that area today in the rain.

Migration Continues (10/1)

Reports from Sullivan County in New York State indicate large flocks of wood warblers and thrushes moving south through the Bashakill Wildlife Management area today despite very wet conditions.

North American Raptors by the Numbers

Smallest: American Kestrel (9" long, 22" wingspan)
Broadest wingspan: Bald Eagle (80")
Heaviest: Golden Eagle (10 pounds)
Longest distance migrant: Peregrine Falcon from Arctic slope to Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago off the southernmost tip of the South American mainland, across the Strait of Magellan.
Biggest comeback: Bald Eagle removed from the endangered species list in 2007.

---Courtesy of Audubon Magazine

Buying Binoculars?
Following birds in flight requires a good pair of binoculars. Picking among the sizes, optics, prices, and brands is crazy-making. Luckily, Audubon Magazine has great recommendations. Find the best binocs for you.

Taking a Time Out

Barb and yours truly are taking a break and heading for our Catskill Mountain retreat for a few days. We have no access to computers there, so we’ll be in touch when we return.

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website: http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

{BIRD NOTES} ~ September 30, 2011

2011-10-01T10:58:00.001-07:00

Bird Notes

My Last Hummer? (9/26)

Hummingbirds disappeared from this area about September 10 - until today.

This afternoon, I had a brief visit by (probably) one immature hummer.

Now I'm glad I kept the feeder up.

---John MacArthur, Marlboro, VT

This morning I counted about 22 Palm Warblers feeding on the stubble field behind the
Marina in Brattleboro. They were flying back and forth between the field and the hedge along
the West River trail. I scrutinized only a small portion of the field - so there could have been
many more.
---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

Mornings have been very active here this past week with MANY robins and lots of flickers, those usually a bit later in the day. Unfortunately, I have not done an ernest count lately, but birds are definitely on the move.
---Ruth Stewart, E. Dorset, VT

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website: http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

{BIRD NOTES} ~ September 26, 2011

2011-09-26T16:50:00.001-07:00

Bird Notes

Migrating Warblers (9/24)

This afternoon about 100-150 warblers in my yard. Mainly yellow-rumps, but many Pine, a few Parula, Blackburnian, and 2 Prairies (not common in these
parts).
---Hector Galbraith, Dummerston, VT

West B. Birds (9/24)

A good day for birds at home in West Brattleboro on Bonnyvale Rd. highlighted
by great looks at a Philadelphia Vireo. One Blue-headed Vireo and 4 Red-eyed
Vireos were present at the same time. Warblers included 4 Yellow-rumped, 2
Magnolias, 2 Redstarts, 1 N. Parula, 1 Blackpoll, 1 Chestnut-sided, and 2
Black-throated Greens.

---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

Spring Tree Road (9/24)
The area around the cornfield behind the Marina Restaurant and the West
River (AKA Spring Tree Rd.) was productive this morning with 2 Lincoln Sparrows, 1 Field Sparrow, as well as several Swamp, Song, and Savannah Sparrows, 6 Indigo Buntings, 1 N. Parula, 1 Wilson's Warbler, 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 Sharpie, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Osprey, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, and 3 Great Egrets.
---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

Winter Finch Forecast 2011-2012 (9/23)

This winter’s theme is that cone crops are excellent and extensive across much of the boreal forest and the Northeast. It will not be a flight year. Finches will be spread thinly over a vast area from western Canada east across the Hudson Bay Lowlands into Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces, New York and New England States. White-winged and Red Crossbills and Pine Siskins should be widespread in low numbers. A small movement of Pine Grosbeaks is probable because mountain-ash berry crops are variable and some are of poor quality in the boreal forest. Evening Grosbeak numbers are increasing as spruce budworm outbreaks expand in the boreal forest so some may show up at feeders in southern Ontario and the Northeast. Redpolls are unlikely to come south because the dwarf birch crop is bumper in the Hudson Bay Lowlands.

For details see: www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/winterfinches.php

---Ron Pittaway, Ontario Field Ornithologists, Minden, Ontario, Canada

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website: http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

{BIRD NOTES} ~ September 22, 2011

2011-09-22T19:07:00.001-07:00

Bird Notes

Scarboro Marsh, ME

Yesterday, September 16th, Carol and Orion Barber and I saw 2 Tri-colored Herons while walking at the Scarboro Marsh at Pine Point, Maine.

The lifer we saw there said that they are the first we've had in Maine. Speculation is that they were blown in by Irene.

---Sandie Page, Brattleboro, VT

Gibson Road, Brattleboro (9/16)

Wild Turkeys (2 Hens & 8 Poults )

Retreat Meadow (Friday 9/16)

We found that the “low tide” at the Meadow has been restored to its normal depth, and the numbers of birds enjoying the lower water level has been diminished. Yesterday (9/16) we counted the following:

100+ Canada Geese

2 Great Blue Herons

1 Great Egret

1 Killdeer

1 Red-tailed Hawk

! Coopers Hawk

1 Sharp-shinned Hawk

2 Turkey Vultures

1 Mockingbird

a male and female Belted Kingfisher

Retreat Meadow update (Wed. 9/21)

3 Great Egrets

1 Great Blue Heron

4 Mallard Ducks

200+ Canada Geese

a female Belted Kingfisher

1 Eastern Phoebe

Attention SVAS Board Members

There will be a meeting of the Board at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27 at the home of Hollie & Paul, 19 Whipple Street, Brattleboro, VT

Putney Mountain Hawk Watch Update

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
2011-09-17	8.75			2	2		13	2			462			1	1	1							484
2011-09-18	9			7	7	1	48				815				4	1							883
2011-09-19	10.5			1	1		15	2			362			1	2								384
2011-09-21	8.25			1	1		6	1			13				1								23
Total: Sep 2011	141.75 hours	0	0	74	29	11	302	15	0	2	3731	0	0	3	64	8	4	0	0	0	0	0	4243
Total: Fall 2011	159.25 hours	0	0	74	34	12	302	15	0	2	3747	0	0	3	64	8	4	0	0	0	0	0	4265

____________________________________________________________

BV=Black Vulture

TV=Turkey Vulture

OS=Osprey

BE=Bald Eagle

NH=Northern Harrier

SS=Sharp-shinned Hawk

CH=Coopers Hawk

NG=Northern Goshawk

RS=Red-shouldered Hawk

BW=Broad-winged Hawk

RT=Red-tailed Hawk

RL=Rough-legged Hawk

GE=Golden Eagle

AK=American Kestrel

ML=Merlin

PG=Peregrine Falcon

Chipmunk Crossing, West Brattleboro

Black-throated Green Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Pileated Woodpecker

Great Blue Heron (flyover)

Red-tailed Hawk (flyover)

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Please share your birding news with us. Were there any birds nesting in your yard? What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net