November has come to the West Rutland Marsh with its palette of rusts, browns, and grays across the remaining vegetation. The morning had the sun struggling to rise above the low clouds which kept the temperature in the cool range. Happily, little wind was present but the lack of birds for the first part of the walk was evident. For a time only blue jays and crows were making themselves know.
Finally, some of the other regulars began to become active and the feeders we watch along the way in fall and winter were busy. Red-breasted nuthatches were very vocal with their tooting calls high in the evergreens on the west side with white-breasted nuthatches joining in the chorus.
Cardinals dashed through the trees and a surprised grouse flushed from the roadside. The only woodpecker seen was a downy woodpecker.
The wind began to blow briskly on the last part of the tour sending any remaining birds into cover.
Chickadees edged out blue jays for the top spot in the count that had a total of 15 species.
It will be interesting to see what the winter months bring to the marsh.