RCAS’s October monitoring walk around West Rutland Marsh started on a cold note – one of the few chilly mornings we’ve had despite being well into October. Clear skies, low wind and the rising sun made the morning more pleasant as we went on.
Eleven participants tallied 27 species, about normal for this time of year. The first half of the walk was fairly quiet as was the Whipple Hollow Trail, but, overall, the second half of the walk was the ‘birdiest’ no doubt due to the sun and warming temperature.
Most of the observations on the walk were of the ‘usual suspects’ including Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-throated 
Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. One Song Sparrow and three Swamp Sparrows were seen or heard.
Two Gray Catbirds were spotted along Whipple Hollow Road.
While nowhere near as large as in past years, a large number of Red-winged Blackbirds and, to a lesser extent, Common Grackles, flew over.
No raptors or Turkey Vultures were seen.
A full tally of what we saw can be found here.
Our next marsh walk is scheduled for Thursday, November 17, at 8 a.m.