West Rutland Marsh - January 2023

No snow and mild temperatures! Today’s walk around West Rutland Marsh seemed more like a day in November rather than mid-January. Seven participants tallied 21 species, none of them a surprise and none of the winter irruptives being seen sporadically elsewhere in the state.

The feeders on Marble Street (next to the newly refurbished boardwalk) were busy with a Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadees, a Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatches, American Tree Sparrows and a Northern Cardinal. An American Robin was heard across the way.

The birds were more vocal than they were a month ago and woodpeckers were heard drumming, not a surprise with the lengthening days.

Further down the road we heard a Carolina Wren calling.

The Whipple Hollow Trail was very quiet with only a chickadee and a Ruffed Grouse flushed.

Our next walk is Saturday, February 18, 8 a.m., scheduled to coincide with the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Click here for a full list of today's birds.

West Rutland Marsh - December 2022

Six birders tallied 27 species during the December 2022 walk around West Rutland Marsh. No snow, no ice and a higher than normal temperature made the walk a bit un-Decemberlike.

Waterfowl consisted of Canada Goose, American Black Duck and one Common Merganser.

Two raptor species were seen: Bald Eagle, an immature circling over the ridge, and a Cooper’s Hawk over the meadow along the Whipple Hollow Trail.

The walk opened with two Carolina Wrens singing along Marble Street. Further down the road a small flock of Eastern Bluebirds was seen and a flock of American Robins flew overhead.

A late Swamp Sparrow was observed at the end of the Marble Street boardwalk. That, along with American Tree Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco, represented the sparrows.

A full list of the species seen can be found here.

Our next walk is scheduled for Thursday, January 19, 8 a.m.

West Rutland Marsh - November 2022

Five people made the trek around West Rutland Marsh this morning with the results about what you would expect for mid-November. A total of 20 species was observed. Snow flurries accompanied us for the first half the trip, but fortunately there was no wind. 

Two female Common Mergansers were floating in the open portion of water (yes, ice is forming).

Four woodpecker species were tallied: Red Bellied, Downy, Hairy woodpecker as well as two Northern Flickers.

A dozen American Robins were seen on Marble Street.

Two Golden-crowned Kinglets were observed flitting in the hemlocks along Whipple Hollow Road.

Sparrows consisted of two Dark-eyed Juncos and one White-throated Sparrow.

Our next walk is scheduled for Thursday, December 8 at 8 a.m.

A complete list of what we saw can be found here. 

West Rutland Marsh - October 2022

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. 

West Rutland Marsh - July 2022

Swamp SparrowRCAS completed 21 years of monitoring West Rutland Marsh on July 21. Despite the increasing heat of the day and the promise of threatening weather, six participants observed 47 species.

Swamp Sparrows and Marsh Wrens are still very vocal while both Alder and Willow flycatchers have resumed singing after going silent for much of July.

A Barred Owl was heard in the far distance. No other raptors or any vultures were seen.

Several young birds were observed, many with adults near. These included Northern Rough-winged Swallow, American Redstart and Swamp Sparrow. An Eastern Phoebe was seen carrying food.

American RedstartThe cuckoos, heard everywhere earlier this year, were silent. One cuckoo, not identified to species, was seen briefly as it flew across the road.

Numerous Red-eyed Vireos were heard, but no Warbling Vireos. A Yellow-throated Vireo, a species not often reported on this walk, was heard along Whipple Hollow Road near the intersection with Water Street.

It was a relief to get on to the new Whipple Hollow Trail, into the woods on the first half at least, and out of the sun and heat. It was somewhat quiet, however. Only one Northern Waterthrush sang compared to the six or so heard earlier in the season. A Pine Warbler was singing in the white pines in the stretch between boardwalks. The Sedge Wren seen in the meadow since late May was not observed although there have been several reports this week.

Other warbler species than mentioned above included Ovenbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler and a good number of Common Yellowthroat (24!)

A trip report of all the species seen can be found here. 

The next walk is scheduled for Saturday, August 13, 7 a.m.

West Rutland Marsh - June 2022

Eastern KingbirdFourteen participants joined RCAS’s June walk around West Rutland Marsh. As expected, the birds were busy with nesting activities with several species seen carrying food and young making their first public appearances. Some species were in full song, but others are quieter than the previous month.

A Wilson’s Snipe was heard winnowing above Pleasant Street, somewhat surprising in the bright sun. Two Green Herons and one Great Blue Heron were seen while some of the other marsh residents such as Virginia Rail and American Bittern were not noted.

A high number of cuckoos, both Black-billed and Yellow-billed seen or heard and two more brief flyovers not identified to species.

Raptors included Osprey, Broad-winged Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk.

Woodpeckers were well represented with all the expected species: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker and Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy and Pileated woodpeckers.

Aside from several Eastern Kingbirds, flycatcher numbers were rather low although all the expected species were noted: Alder, Willow, and Least Flycatchers along with only one Eastern Phoebe.

The Whipple Hollow Trail produced several warbler species, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Nashville Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Pine Warbler and Canada Warbler.

Elsewhere on the trip Yellow Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler and more Ovenbirds, Common Yellowthroats, American Redstarts and Chestnut-sided Warblers rounded out the warbler contingent.

Also along the Whipple Hollow Trail, Sedge Wrens, a rare Vermont bird, were heard calling and singing and also seen briefly.

Marsh Wrens and Swamp Sparrows are still singing away. Several Veerys were heard along the route as well. A Field Sparrow as singing up in the meadows east of Marble Street.

A full list of the birds seen can be found here.

Our next marsh walk is scheduled for Thursday, July 21, at 7 a.m.

Century Count XVII

How many species can you find in Rutland County in one day? If it’s May, the weather is good and you have teams out scouring a good portion of the county, at least 120!

On May 21 RCAS held annual Century Count XXVII. With the Covid pandemic still with us, we again divided into teams. This allowed us to cover a wide variety of habitats from marsh to forest to lakeshores to fields and power lines.

Each team had highlights and also found species other teams missed. The big find of the day was a yellow-breasted chat at the Buckner Preserve in West Haven.

A flock of 55 pine siskins, a species we associate with winter, were at a feeder in Shrewsbury.

It’s shaping up to be a big cuckoo year – both black-billed and yellow-billed cuckoos were seen at quite a few locations.

With warbler migration winding down, most warbler species were seen with the exception of Cape May warbler and bay-breasted warbler, which may be at the tail end of their migration through our area. The ‘winged’ warblers, golden-winged and blue-winged and their hybrids including the ‘Lawrence’s’ hybrid were seen.

Some of the birding hotspots covered included the Buckner Preserve, Cogman/Ghost Hollow Roads in West Haven, West Rutland Marsh (including the new Whipple Hollow Trail), the Pleasant Street power line, Bomoseen State Park and the lake, Lefferts Pond and Kent Pond among others.

Many thanks to all who participated and submitted all their sightings to eBird!

Link to the eBird trip report, click here.

The List:

Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Wild Turkey Ruffed Grouse Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird Virginia Rail Common Gallinule Killdeer American Woodcock Wilson's Snipe Spotted Sandpiper Ring-billed Gull Common Loon Great Blue Heron Green Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Broad-winged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Belted Kingfisher Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Northern Flicker

Peregrine Falcon Eastern Wood-Pewee Alder Flycatcher Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Common Raven Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Northern Rough-winged Swallow Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper House Wren Winter Wren Marsh Wren Carolina Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Eastern Bluebird Veery Swainson's Thrush Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing

House Sparrow House Finch Purple Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Yellow-breasted Chat Bobolink Eastern Meadowlark Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Louisiana Waterthrush Northern Waterthrush Golden-winged Warbler Blue-winged Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Tennessee Warbler Nashville Warbler Mourning Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Prairie Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Canada Warbler Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Indigo Bunting

West Rutland Marsh - February 2022

Five participants joined RCAS’s monthly walk around West Rutland Marsh, the walk scheduled to coincide with the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Snow fell non-stop throughout the walk, somewhat limiting visibility, but overall, the weather was not bad for February with little wind and the temperature in the mid-20s.

Nineteen species were tallied in all. This compares to 15 one year ago and 18 for our February average.

Not surprisingly, many of the species were seen near the feeders by the Marble Street boardwalk. Several American tree sparrows and black-capped chickadees were joined by a blue jay, a purple finch, mourning doves and a downy woodpecker among others.

A flock of American robins, a species being seen in good numbers throughout the state this winter, was flying back and forth over Marble Street

The only raptor for the day was a red-tailed hawk and, while crows were numerous, only one common raven was heard.

The walk along the new Whipple Hollow Trail was pretty in the snow, but otherwise quiet except for a chickadee and a few goldfinches.

Upon our return to the feeders, a single common redpoll was feasting on seed. Redpolls made a sudden appearance in the state the day before so it was good to have one included on our walk.

Our next walk is scheduled for Saturday, March 19, at 8 a.m.

The list: 

Mourning Dove  8

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Downy Woodpecker  3

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  14

American Crow  15

Common Raven  1

Black-capped Chickadee  26

Tufted Titmouse  3

White-breasted Nuthatch  6

Eastern Bluebird  1

American Robin  16

Purple Finch  1

Common Redpoll  1

American Goldfinch  38

American Tree Sparrow  7

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  17

White-throated Sparrow  1

Northern Cardinal  10

West Rutland Marsh - January 2022

Robin was the word of the day for January’s monitoring of West Rutland Marsh! Of the 20 species tallied, American robins were the most abundant with about 130 in all, some in sizable flocks. But, no, it did not feel, like spring was in the air.

The day started at minus 8 degrees, but sunshine and no wind, made it almost bearable. The eight participants managed to keep warm by being bundled up in everything they own and walking briskly in spots where no birds were to be seen.

Twenty species is the same number we saw a year ago and one less than our average for the month of January.

No raptors were seen, but one red-tailed hawk was heard. Three woodpeckers, either downy or hairy, were drumming. Though not in full song, birds were more vocal than they were on our December walk no doubt in response to the longer days (though certainly not the temperature!).

Our next walk is scheduled for Saturday, February 19, at 8 a.m. That count is scheduled to coincide with the Great Backyard Bird Count.

The list: 

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3

Mourning Dove  7

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Downy/Hairy Woodpecker  3    drumming

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  12

American Crow  12

Common Raven  1

Black-capped Chickadee  18

Tufted Titmouse  8

White-breasted Nuthatch  3

Carolina Wren  1

European Starling  10

American Robin  130

Cedar Waxwing  10

House Finch  1

American Goldfinch  3

American Tree Sparrow  7

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  9

White-throated Sparrow  4

Northern Cardinal  4

Winter Regulars & Rarities

Horned LarkAfter a week's delay due to extreme cold and winter, RCAS’s annual Winter Regulars and Rarities field trip was off and running. We still had frigid weather, but sunshine and no wind made being outdoors almost bearable.

Our first stop, after traveling through Brandon and Sudbury where we spotted a handful of horned larks and a couple rough-legged hawks, we made a stop in Orwell, where 24 bald eagles were feasting on the remains of turkey processing. Another visitor from the north the northern red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis abieticola) was spotted in the same area as well as numerous common ravens.

Lake Champlain being mostly frozen over, our primary destination for the day was Nortontown Road in Addison where a Harris’s sparrow had been seen for several days. After waiting in the cold, we were treated to a brief, but clear look – a life bird for some. A small flock of snow buntings entertained us while we waited for the sparrow to appear.

Several trip participants departed for the day, but later on two savannah sparrows were spotted at the Dead Creek WMA and an American Pipit not far from Nortontown Road.

An eBird Trip Report can be found here where you can see all our stops and what species we saw.

2021 Christmas Bird Count Results

For the second year in a row, bad weather and the pandemic played a part in the 2021 Rutland Christmas Bird Count held on January 2, 2022. Despite adversity, there were quite a few highlights. Two new species were added to our running species total, 105 in all now for the history of the Rutland count. This was National Audubon’s 122^nd count and Rutland’s 48^th.

The morning began with freezing rain so some teams had a late start and two teams did not go out at all. The temperature dropped throughout the morning causing the rain to turn to snow. Fortunately, road conditions improved as the day went on.

Forty participants, 21 in the field and 19 at feeders, tallied 52 species, not including Count Week species (species seen three days before or three days after, but not on the day of the count).

MerlinTwo teams covering the Otter Creek area in Clarendon by foot were especially productive. After a slow start, the birding became very exciting. A Wilson’s snipe, a CBC repeat in that area, horned larks, two snow geese and, a Rutland CBC first, a green-winged teal were among the highlights there.

A golden eagle, another Rutland CBC first and an uncommon species in Vermont especially in winter was spotted in Hubbardton!

Two of three possible falcon species, Peregrine Falcon, atop of its usual perch on the steeple of the Grace Congregational Church in Rutland, and a Merlin, also in Rutland, were spotted.

Other raptors included 13 red-tailed hawks, one barred owl and four Cooper’s hawks.

Other out-of-season species included great blue heron, northern flicker, belted kingfisher, song sparrow, common grackle and red-winged blackbird.

Feeder watchers throughout the circle area were especially helpful in adding to the numbers this year. The count’s only, and not recorded every year, yellow-bellied sapsucker was found at a feeder. Another feeder watcher reported evening grosbeaks, less common throughout Vermont this winter so far than last.

Three species not seen during the actual count, but during Count Week were hooded merganser, bald eagle and winter wren.

The day ended with a Zoom get-together to share some of the highlights and get a preliminary idea of the results.

Thanks to RCAS president Kathleen Guinness for putting together the Rutland CBC once again and all the participants for participating in community science!

For those interested in digging deeper into CBC data, whether Rutland’s or elsewhere, click here for a link to the information (the current count will not be available until later in the year). Rutland’s CBC code is VTRU.

Click here for a link to National Audubon’s CBC Summaries through from 1901 through last year.

West Rutland Marsh - October 2021

Once again, the weather was summer-like for the walk around West Rutland Marsh. Rather than crisp fall weather, there was high humidity and a wind that grew steadily stronger as the morning went on. Eight participants tallied 30 species, two fewer than our October average. Last year’s species count was 34.

The number of marsh ‘regulars’ is dwindling for the year. One swamp sparrow (the call notes of two others were heard elsewhere on the way) sang near the boardwalk as did a marsh wren that sang its rattling song several times. The only waterfowl seen was one Canada goose that came in for a landing. A gray catbird was also near the boardwalk on Marble Street.

Raptors for the day included on accipiter species and one red-tailed hawk.

Canada GeeseOne ruby-crowned kinglet and four yellow-rumped warblers, two species being reported around the state right now, were seen.

Both black-capped chickadees and American robins were seen in good numbers. Blue jays and American crows were also in good numbers, but only one common raven was heard.

A ruffed grouse was on the boardwalk at the new Whipple Hollow Trail.

Seventy-two red-winged blackbirds and a dozen common grackles were observed.  

Our next marsh walk is scheduled for Thursday, November 4, at 8 a.m.

The list:

Canada Goose  15

Ruffed Grouse  1

Great Blue Heron  1

Accipiter sp.  1

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Belted Kingfisher  1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1

Downy Woodpecker  4

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2

Eastern Phoebe  1

Blue Jay  12

American Crow  17

Common Raven  1

Black-capped Chickadee  24

Tufted Titmouse  1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

Marsh Wren  1

European Starling  1

Gray Catbird  1

American Robin  19

American Goldfinch  6

White-throated Sparrow  2

Song Sparrow  4

Swamp Sparrow  3

Red-winged Blackbird  72

Common Grackle  12

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  4

Northern Cardinal  3

West Rutland Marsh - September 2021

Was it summer or was it fall? Today’s walk around West Rutland Marsh was a toss-up between warm temperatures and red maples turning red. It was great to have a full complement of birders on today’s walk – 14 in all. Thanks to the new folks that joined us as well as those who traveled a bit to join us!

We tallied 33 species, five fewer than our September average and two few than last year this time. The south wind, which picked up as the walk progressed, which may have kept numbers low.

Raptors are on the move. Two red-tailed hawks, one sharp-shinned hawk and one osprey. Six turkey vultures were seen.

Sparrow-wise, a few swamp sparrows were still singing while the white-throated sparrows have arrived. Several song sparrows and a chipping sparrow were also counted.

Our next walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 16, 8 a.m. 

The list: 

Mallard  4

Mourning Dove  8

Turkey Vulture  6

Osprey  1

Sharp-shinned Hawk  1

Red-tailed Hawk  2

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Downy Woodpecker  5

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  4

Eastern Phoebe  7

Warbling Vireo  1

Red-eyed Vireo  3

Blue Jay  8

American Crow  2

Common Raven  5

Black-capped Chickadee  13

Tufted Titmouse  2

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1

Red-breasted Nuthatch  1

House Wren  1    Heard only.

Carolina Wren  3

European Starling  1

Gray Catbird  11

American Robin  3

Cedar Waxwing  20

American Goldfinch  27

Chipping Sparrow  1

White-throated Sparrow  6

Song Sparrow  8

Swamp Sparrow  4

Red-winged Blackbird  28

Common Grackle  1

Northern Cardinal  4

Three Carolina wrens were singing as well as a warbling vireo.

Ruby-crowned kinglets are now passing through.

Part of the group split off to explore the new Whipple Hollow Trail and saw some additional species including a Cooper’s hawk and a yellow-rumped warbler.

West Rutland Marsh - August 2021

Year #21 of RCAS’s monthly monitoring of West Rutland Marsh kicked off in the rain. Undeterred by a mist that started the walk (but changed to a steadier rain as the morning went on), three participants tallied 32 species. This is quite a bit lower than our August average of 44, with a high of 58 (wow!) species occurring in 2015.

Despite it being a good day for ducks, only one duck was counted – a wood duck. There was, however, a good-sized flock of Canada geese in the open water off the boardwalk.

Flycatchers were by far the most numerous with several eastern kingbirds tallied and a notable olive-sided flycatcher.

Gray catbirds and cedar waxwings were numerous, while thrushes were limited to American robin and two veeries.

No red-winged blackbirds were seen or heard, but eight grackles were feeding on a lawn.

With bird song now diminished, not to mention the rain, only two warbler species were counted: one black-and-white warbler and a few of the expected common yellowthroats.

Our next walk is scheduled for Thursday, September 23, at 8 a.m.

The list: 

Canada Goose  37

Wood Duck  1

Mourning Dove  12

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

Belted Kingfisher  1

Downy Woodpecker  2

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1

Olive-sided Flycatcher  1    

Willow Flycatcher  1

Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher)  1

Eastern Phoebe  4

Eastern Kingbird  6

Red-eyed Vireo  12

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  4

Common Raven  1

Black-capped Chickadee  12

Tree Swallow  1

Barn Swallow  27

White-breasted Nuthatch  2

Carolina Wren  1

Gray Catbird  14

Veery  2

American Robin  6

Cedar Waxwing  28

American Goldfinch  16

Song Sparrow  6

Swamp Sparrow  5

Common Grackle  8

Black-and-white Warbler  1

Common Yellowthroat  4

Northern Cardinal  3

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1

West Rutland Marsh - May 2021

There’s no doubt it’s spring when you visit West Rutland Marsh in May. Seven RCAS board members conducted our monthly monitoring, tallying 65 species. This compares to our May average of 67 species and 51 species one year ago.

With many new arrivals within the past two weeks bird song has increased dramatically. For some species nesting is already underway. An American robin was seen carrying food for young and a gray catbird was carrying nesting material.

Marsh wrens, swamp sparrows, yellow warblers and common yellowthroats have claimed their territories with much singing and chasing of rivals.

Turkey VultureIn addition to yellow warbler and common yellowthroat, warbler species included ovenbird, northern waterthrush (one singing high from a bare tree top), several black-and-white warblers, a Nashville warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, yellow-rumped warbler and a black-throated green warbler. We also heard the ‘bees buzz’ of a winged warbler, but without a visual confirmation we couldn’t determine if it was a golden-winged warbler, a blue-winged warbler or a hybrid.

Virginia rails were heard near the boardwalk and one along Water Street. After the walk ended one of the departing participants spotted a common gallinule.

The beautiful song of wood thrush was heard in a few places, while the newly-arrived veeries were only making their ‘veer’ call.

Raptors included two broad-winged hawks, a red-tailed hawk, a Cooper’s hawk and one falcon species, either a kestrel or a merlin.

A parting gift from this winter’s amazing irruption – a single pine siskin at a feeder and a lone female evening grosbeak calling from a tree in the same yard.

The list:

Canada Goose  12

Mallard  5

Ruffed Grouse  3

Mourning Dove  11

Chimney Swift  3

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5

Virginia Rail  2

Wilson's Snipe  1

American Bittern  1

Turkey Vulture  6

Cooper's Hawk  1

Broad-winged Hawk  2

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1

Red-bellied Woodpecker  2

Downy Woodpecker  6

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2

falcon sp.  1

Least Flycatcher  3

Eastern Phoebe  3

Blue-headed Vireo  1

Warbling Vireo  4

Blue Jay  10

American Crow  8

Common Raven  2

Black-capped Chickadee  18

Tufted Titmouse  8

Tree Swallow  19

Barn Swallow  4

swallow sp.  13

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1

Red-breasted Nuthatch  1

House Wren  4

Marsh Wren  9

European Starling  10

Gray Catbird  19

Eastern Bluebird  3

Veery  7

Wood Thrush  3

American Robin  20

House Sparrow  2

Evening Grosbeak  1

House Finch  1

Purple Finch  3

Pine Siskin  1

American Goldfinch  23

Chipping Sparrow  3

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  2

White-throated Sparrow  1

Song Sparrow  13

Swamp Sparrow  19

Eastern Towhee  1

Baltimore Oriole  1

Red-winged Blackbird  18

Brown-headed Cowbird  1

Common Grackle  12

Ovenbird  10

Northern Waterthrush  4

Golden-winged/Blue-winged Warbler  1   

Black-and-white Warbler  9

Nashville Warbler  1

Common Yellowthroat  24

Yellow Warbler  24

Chestnut-sided Warbler  2

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  1

Black-throated Green Warbler  1

Northern Cardinal  10

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1

West Rutland Marsh - March 2021

Only a couple of days into the new season and West Rutland Marsh is alive with the sounds of spring. Thirty-one species were observed during this month’s monitoring walk (still in pandemic mode with two observers). This compares to 27 species one year ago and our March average of 24. The high occurred in 2009 with 32 species.

Turkey VultureMale Red-winged blackbirds have claimed their territories, singing out ‘konk-er-eee’ and displaying their epaulets and awaiting the arrival of the females. Canada geese are standing in pairs on the ice, honking and awaiting the final thaw. A pair of whining wood ducks flew up from a small patch of open water.  

One letter can make the difference between winter and spring – American tree sParrows are still visiting the feeding station at the kiosk while a single tree sWallow flew over. The tree sparrows will be gone by mid-April while the swallow numbers will steadily increase.

Two turkey vultures were perched along Water Street no doubt attracted by eau d' dead skunk.

Red-winged BlackbirdSixteen American robins were spotted, the majority foraging for food in the field on Pleasant Street. A male eastern bluebird was perched on one of the new birdhouses along our new trail off of Whipple Hollow Road!

A Carolina wren sang near the boardwalk while two brown creepers were counter-singing along Whipple Hollow Road.

Another sign of spring – song sparrows singing everywhere!

The list:

Canada Goose  31    

Wood Duck  2

Mallard  6

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3

Mourning Dove  12

Turkey Vulture  2

Red-bellied Woodpecker  2

Downy Woodpecker  6

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  15

American Crow  8

Common Raven  3

Black-capped Chickadee  26

Tufted Titmouse  7

Tree Swallow  1

Red-breasted Nuthatch  4

White-breasted Nuthatch  9

Brown Creeper  2    counter singing

Carolina Wren  1

European Starling  19

Eastern Bluebird  3

American Robin  16

House Sparrow  2

American Goldfinch  4

American Tree Sparrow  3

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  3

White-throated Sparrow  1

Song Sparrow  14

Red-winged Blackbird  33

Common Grackle  15

Northern Cardinal  13

Reporting Rare Birds

We are well into a new year for Vermont birds and birders! Hopefully there will be many sightings of rare birds, rare nesting records or out-of-season reports!

The Vermont Bird Records Committee encourages everyone to submit sightings of interest which will be reviewed at its annual meeting in November or at interim meetings during the year as volume requires. The deadline for submissions for this year is October 10. Any 2021 submissions received after October 10 will be considered in early 2022.  

What do you do if you think you've seen something unusual?

1. Check the Vermont Bird Checklist to find out which species require a report, whether out-of-range, out-of-season or a rare nesting record.   https://vtecostudies.org/wildlife/wildlife-watching/vbrc/bird-checklists/. Pro Tip: Keep a copy of the checklist in your car or  bookmark the link on your phone so you can check if you think you've found something unusual - the fresher the details the better!

2. eBird your sighting! This isn't required in order to submit rare species documentation, but it helps build the database of all the birds seen in the Vermont. Local eBird reviewers can also help you determine if rare species documentation is needed: https://ebird.org/vt/home.

3. Complete a Rare Species Documentation form. You can find a link to the form here as well as a couple of articles on how to thoroughly document your sighting: https://vtecostudies.org/wildlife/wildlife-watching/vbrc/report/.

The 2020 Vermont Bird Records Committee Report will be available in March. Past annual reports can be found here: 

https://vtecostudies.org/wildlife/wildlife-watching/vbrc/annual-reports/

The Vermont Bird Records Committee looks forward to seeing your reports! Get out there and enjoy birding! 

Ken Cox, Co-Chair

Sue Elliott, Co-Chair

Vermont Bird Records Committee

Christmas Bird Count Results

Northwood Park Walking LoopWhen we set the date a year ago for this year's Christmas Bird Count, little did we know the challenges we would face. It may not have been exactly as we planned, but, despite adversity, Rutland County Audubon completed its 47th (National Audubon's 121st) annual CBC on January 2.

Planning was hampered by the uncertainty around the pandemic and the state’s Covid guidelines. A few regular participants could not join us due to quarantine requirements. Fortunately, volunteers stepped up to fill in the void. Past team leaders were up to the task of dividing their count areas to meet the changing Covid guidelines. All our sections were completed to varying degree. Twelve feeder watchers around the count circle, a 15-mile diameter circle centered in Center Rutland, also contributed to the effort. 

Common RedpollCount day began with inclement weather. With morning snow, sleet and rain, many participants were delayed starting the count. The roads cleared, but then fog set in around mid-day.

So how did we do? The species total was 48. This compares to 49 species in the prior two years and 52 and 53 for 2017 and 2016 respectively. Individual numbers were down with 4,335 birds counted, but not too badly compared to 4390 one year ago. CBC numbers have shown a decline in bird populations. You can track those changes in bird populations here.

This is an irruption year so fortunately all but bohemian waxwings were noted. These irruptive species included common redpoll, pine siskin, red crossbill and pine grosbeak. Fortunately, evening grosbeaks were reported as a Count Week bird (a species seen either the three days prior to count day or three days following, but not on count day itself).

Two great blue herons and one belted kingfisher, two species, sometimes gone for the season were observed.

Raptors included six Cooper’s hawks, one bald eagle, 25 red-tailed hawks, one peregrine falcon (on its usual perch on the Grace Congregational Church steeple), and one merlin in a Rutland City neighborhood.

A northern mockingbird rounded out the count as a Count Week bird seen the day following. 

A big thank you to all who organized and participated! We look forward to seeing you in a healthy and better 2021 Christmas Bird Count!

The list:

Canada Goose 54

Mallard 27

Common Merganser 9

Wild Turkey 50

Ruffed Grouse 1

Rock Pigeon 578

Mourning Dove 252

Great Blue Heron 2

Cooper's Hawk 6

Bald Eagle 1

Red-tailed Hawk 25

Barred Owl 2 

Belted Kingfisher 1

Red-bellied Woodpecker 15

Downy Woodpecker 27

Hairy Woodpecker 16

Pileated Woodpecker 4

Peregrine Falcon 1

Merlin 1

Blue Jay 153

American Crow 463

Common Raven 31

Black-capped Chickadee 386

Tufted Titmouse 123

Golden-crowned Kinglet 1

Red-breasted Nuthatch 37

White-breasted Nuthatch 101

Brown Creeper 7

Carolina Wren 6

European Starling 1360

Northern Mockingbird -count week-

Evening Grosbeak - count week-

Pine Grosbeak 22

Cedar Waxwing 110

House Finch 20

House Sparrow 140

Common Redpoll 4

Red Crossbill 28

Pine Siskin 2

American Goldfinch 56

Snow Bunting 18

American Tree Sparrow 12

Dark-eyed Junco 65

White-throated Sparrow 1

Song Sparrow 3

Northern Cardinal 76

West Rutland Marsh - January 2021

The pandemic continues, but so does Rutland County Audubon! Now halfway into our 20th year of consecutive monthly monitoring, two board members conducted the count in lieu of our usual contingent of birders. Twenty species were tallied by both sight and sound. This compares with 18 species one year ago and our January average of 19. 

With temperatures in the 20s and little wind, it was a pleasant day for a walk despite the cloud cover.

Several species are irrupting into the northeast this year. Only one of them, common redpoll, was seen on the walk.

Black-capped ChickadeeSeveral black-capped chickadees were counted, 39 in all. Quite a bit of their activity was centered at the feeders near the boardwalk. Three American tree sparrows, the only ones of the day, were also present here. 

Both red-breasted nuthatch and white-breasted nuthatch numbers were high, 6 and 9, respectively. Red-breasted nuthatches have been particularly abundant this year.

Four woodpecker species were seen: hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker and red-bellied woodpecker. No raptors were observed.

The list:

Mourning Dove  7

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Downy Woodpecker  3

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  17

American Crow  7

Common Raven  1

Black-capped Chickadee  39

Tufted Titmouse  4

Red-breasted Nuthatch  6

White-breasted Nuthatch  9

Carolina Wren  1

European Starling  4

House Finch  2

Common Redpoll  5

American Goldfinch  7

American Tree Sparrow  3

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  2

Northern Cardinal  2

West Rutland Marsh - December 2020

Winter has not quite closed in at West Rutland Marsh. The leaves are gone and there are hints of ice on the water, but there is no snow on the ground yet.

With one pair of eyes and only a chip note here and there as a clue, perhaps more observers would have detected more birds. Nineteen species were noted by one observer in this pandemic world. This compares with 15 species in December 2019. Our December average is 19.

Two of our winter visitors were observed: a flock of common redpolls flying over and three American tree sparrows lurking in the shrubs.

Four woodpecker species were seen including two red-bellied woodpeckers. Four red-breasted nuthatches, a species being seen in Vermont in higher numbers for the past few months, were heard along Whipple Hollow Road.

Black-capped chickadee numbers were high (36) while tufted titmouse numbers were low (1).

Several ravens were heard during the walk and blue jays were everywhere. 

The list:

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3

Red-tailed Hawk  2

Red-bellied Woodpecker  3

Downy Woodpecker  5

Hairy Woodpecker  3

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  16

American Crow  6

Common Raven  3

Black-capped Chickadee  36

Tufted Titmouse  1

Red-breasted Nuthatch  4

White-breasted Nuthatch  5

European Starling  6

Common Redpoll  16

American Goldfinch  10

American Tree Sparrow  3

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  1

Northern Cardinal  4