Fall Birding Weekend Results

Dickcissel93 species! Rutland County Audubon did very well for its first ever Socially Distanced Fall Birding Weekend! Considering that several species have moved on for the year and our winter visitors have not yet arrived, this is an impressive number. Eleven participants submitted 32 checklists for spots around the county.

Some highlights: First, a Dickcissel was found at the Fair Haven Municipal Airport! Dickcissels are usually found in the central part of the U.S. Click here to see how many times they have been recorded in Vermont. Interestingly, dickcissels have been reported elsewhere in Vermont this month (Addison County on September 9 and Woodstock on September16).

Raptors were well-represented and included osprey, bald eagle, merlin, peregrine falcon and barred owl among others.

Several warbler species are still around including blackpoll warbler, ovenbird and Canada warbler.

Palm WarblerA Philadelphia vireo was reported at West Rutland Marsh and warbling vireos are still present at Bomoseen State Park. A ruby-throated hummingbird was still present near Lake Bomoseen.

Four species passing through Vermont now, ruby-crowned kinglet, Lincoln’s sparrow, white-crowned sparrow and palm warbler, were all recorded.

By comparison 126 species were counted during our spring event this past May, the time of year when migrants are pouring into our area.

Thank you to the participants! Happy birding!

The list: 

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Wild Turkey

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Killdeer

American Woodcock

Spotted Sandpiper

Solitary Sandpiper

Great Yellowlegs

Ring-billed Gull

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Green Heron

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Northern Harrier

Cooper's Hawk

Bald Eagle

Red-shouldered Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Barred Owl

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

American Kestrel

Merlin

Peregrine Falcon

Eastern Phoebe

Blue-headed Vireo

Philadelphia Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Common Raven

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Red-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

House Wren

Winter Wren

Marsh Wren

Carolina Wren

European Starling

Gray Catbird

Eastern Bluebird

Swainson's Thrush

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

House Sparrow

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

White-crowned Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Ovenbird

Common Yellowthroat

American Redstart

Magnolia Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Palm Warbler

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Canada Warbler

Scarlet Tanager

Northern Cardinal

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Dickcissel

West Rutland Marsh - September 2020

Heavy morning fog over West Rutland Marsh quickly evaporated, turning the September walk into a hot, sunny one. Four board members tallied 39 species. This is one more than our September average of 38, but two less than one year ago. Our high count was 51 species in 2008.

Highlights were two Philadelphia vireos and an olive-sided fycatcher, two species that are being seen somewhat regularly this fall in Rutland County.

Olive-sided FlycatcherRaptor numbers were higher than they have been for the past couple of walks. One Cooper’s hawk, an immature, one northern harrier, two red-tailed hawks, one American kestrel and two immature bald eagles were among the day’s numbers.

With birds becoming quieter, it was hard to detect many in the marsh itself. The calls of a marsh wren and a swamp sparrow were heard. Three belted kingfishers were observed including two interacting rather vociferously – perhaps an adult and an immature. Several warbling vireos are still singing in the trees along the marsh.

Purple finch numbers were high as they have been over the state this season. Two red-breasted nuthatches, another species reported regularly recently, were heard along Whipple Hollow Road. Also, along Whipple Hollow we flushed four ruffed grouse when we stopped for a minute to enjoy some shade.

Warbler species were limited to common yellowthroats and one magnolia warbler. One scarlet tanager was seen.

Ruffed Grouse  4

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3

Mourning Dove  6

Northern Harrier  1

Cooper's Hawk  1

Bald Eagle  2

Red-tailed Hawk  2

Belted Kingfisher  3

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1

Downy Woodpecker  6

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2

American Kestrel  1

Olive-sided Flycatcher  1    

Least Flycatcher  2

Philadelphia Vireo  2    

Warbling Vireo  4

Red-eyed Vireo  4

Blue Jay  21

American Crow  7

Common Raven  1

Black-capped Chickadee  19

Red-breasted Nuthatch  2

White-breasted Nuthatch  6

House Wren  1

Marsh Wren  1

European Starling  6

Gray Catbird  22    

Veery  1

Cedar Waxwing  38

Purple Finch  18    

American Goldfinch  29

Song Sparrow  8

Swamp Sparrow  1

Red-winged Blackbird  7

Common Yellowthroat  8

Magnolia Warbler  1

Scarlet Tanager  1

Northern Cardinal  3

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  9

West Rutland Marsh - August 2020

Six socially-distanced RCAS board members conducted the monthly walk around West Rutland Marsh this morning, marking the start of our 20^th year of monitoring. Forty-three species were tallied. This compares to 48 species one year ago and our August average of 45 species. Our first walk in 2001 tallied 45 species and featured a least bittern and a brown thrasher.

As summer progresses and with bird song diminishing, we needed to be extra alert for the presence of birds. Young of the year are growing rapidly with some still chasing parents for food. A group of yellow-bellied sapsuckers, probably a family, was seen along Whipple Hollow Road. Ten sapsuckers were seen in total for the morning. 

Virginia RailA highlight of the morning was two Virginia rails along the boardwalk, one appearing to be an immature. A couple of swamp sparrows were also seen along that spot, but no marsh wrens were heard or seen during the walk.

Several red-eyed vireos, with a few warbling vireos thrown in, were seen along the route, especially along Marble Street. Among the vireos there was at least one Philadelphia vireo. Gray catbird and American goldfinch numbers were also high.

A daring ruby-throated hummingbird chased a belted kingfisher for quite a distance at a high altitude. And at a feeder along Whipple Hollow Road, three, maybe four hummingbirds were chasing each other.

The only raptor of the day was an American kestrel sitting on a snag out in the marsh off Pleasant street.

Warblers included black-and-white warbler, yellow warbler, American redstart, chestnut-sided warbler and common yellowthroat.

The list:

Mallard  3

Common Merganser  3

Mourning Dove  12

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  5

Virginia Rail  2

American Bittern  2

Belted Kingfisher  2

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  10   

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Downy Woodpecker  6

American Kestrel  1

Eastern Wood-Pewee  2

Alder Flycatcher  1

Eastern Phoebe  4

Eastern Kingbird  3

Philadelphia Vireo  1    

Warbling Vireo  4

Red-eyed Vireo  13

Blue Jay  12

American Crow  2

Common Raven  2

Black-capped Chickadee  10

Tree Swallow  1

Red-breasted Nuthatch  3

White-breasted Nuthatch  7

House Wren  2

Carolina Wren  1

Gray Catbird  18    

Veery  2

American Robin  10

Cedar Waxwing  11

House Sparrow  4

Purple Finch  2

American Goldfinch  54    

Song Sparrow  2

Swamp Sparrow  5

Red-winged Blackbird  2

Black-and-white Warbler  3

Common Yellowthroat  6

American Redstart  1

Yellow Warbler  2

Chestnut-sided Warbler  3

Northern Cardinal  4

West Rutland Marsh: March-June 2020

Least BitternWhile much of what RCAS does has been upended, along with almost everything else in the world, we’re happy to say that our monitoring of West Rutland Marsh has not been interrupted. While we can’t open our walks to the public yet, a handful of socially distanced board members have carried on the monitoring and will continue to do so until we can all bird together again.

With some early migrants back, the species count for March 21 was 27. Red-winged blackbirds, common grackles, song sparrows and two turkey vultures were spotted. Purple finches seemed to be more abundant in the past few months than in some years. Three were counted on the walk. Green-winged teal and ring-billed gulls were observed, two species that we don’t see at the marsh that often. A falcon-shaped bird with high-pitched vocalizations was determined to be a merlin and a highlight of the walk. A complete checklist of the walk can be found here.

As expected, the April 18 walk recorded a higher number of species, 33, and the expected migrants. An American bittern was heard ‘thunder-pumping’ and an osprey was seen. Red-winged blackbird and song sparrow numbers were higher. Swamp sparrows were back and singing. Our state bird, the hermit thrush, was observed. A complete checklist of the walk can be found here.

On May 16 the species count jumped to 51. Two marsh specialties, American bittern and Virginia rail, were observed as well as marsh wrens.  Other wren species were house wren and Carolina wren. Four thrushes were counted – veery, hermit thrush, wood thrush and American robin. And warblers! Ovenbird, northern waterthrush, black-and-white warbler, common yellowthroat, Blackburnian warbler, yellow warbler, chestnut-sided warbler and yellow-rumped warbler were all noted. Needless to say, the bird song increased substantially over the prior month! A complete checklist of the walk can be found here.

Eastern KingbirdWith all the nesting activity at the marsh in June, we managed to tally 62 species on the June 20 walk. That compares with last year’s count of 52 and an average June species count of 60. Our high was 69 species in 2009.

While we missed the Virginia Rail on the June walk, we more than made up for it with a great look at a Least Bittern, a species that has not been reported at this location this year until the day prior. Three American bitterns were seen including one practically flying over our heads on Pleasant Street. A green heron and a great blue heron were also seen.

The nesting activity really made the day. We watched a yellow-bellied sapsucker bringing food to a nest cavity and a downy woodpecker feeding junior while a cedar waxwing was robbing an unused eastern kingbird nest for material. Other species were busy carrying food for young. An active Baltimore oriole nest now stands empty.

In addition to the usual common yellowthroat, yellow warbler and American redstart along Marble Street, several other warbler species were added along Whipple Hollow Road. This was the first time this year we have heard Canada warbler along the route. Ovenbirds and a northern waterthrush are still singing. A winter wren is still singing along this section. Other wren species included marsh, house and one Carolina.

Only two wood thrushes were heard, but the number of veeries was quite high – 23 in all. The June checklist can be found here.

August will mark the beginning of our 20^th year of monitoring, making it one of the longest running, citizen science monitoring projects in Vermont. And while we can’t say when yet, we can say we can’t wait to bird with all of you again!

Century Count XXV - Socially Distanced - Results

The 2020 Century Count was notable in several ways. First, it marked our 25th annual count, a milestone in itself.

Second, we tallied a new record – 126 species!!!  Rutland County was covered in many directions – from Tinmouth Channel to Kent Pond in Killington to the Poultney area to the Buckner Preserve in West Haven to the bird productive roads of Brandon and many points in between, comprising a wide variety of habitats. This widespread effort no doubt led the high species total as were able to visit spots that time does not allow us when we travel in a group. In all 67 checklists were submitted to eBird.

Both Virginia Rail and Sora were reported, nine raptors including a Barred Owl, all four expected wren species, seven flycatchers, 22 warbler species and many more (full list below).

Lastly, and perhaps not as satisfactory to many of us, it was our first socially distanced count. Birding by one or in small groups of two and three, we fanned out over the county to our favorite hotspots. While we may have gained more species, we missed the camaraderie of birding with friends, sharing a picnic lunch, trading bird stories and more. However, I think we were all aware of  how fortunate we are to have so many beautiful places in Rutland County to safely escape the daily barrage of Covid-19 news and focus on the birds.

Thank you to the sixteen participants, some using eBird for the first time (and hopefully not the last)! Here’s to next year, hopefully together again as a group! 

The list:

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

American Black Duck

Hooded Merganser

Common Merganser

Ruffed Grouse

Wild Turkey

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Black-billed Cuckoo

Eastern Whip-poor-will

Chimney Swift

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Virginia Rail

Sora

Killdeer

American Woodcock

Wilson's Snipe

Spotted Sandpiper

Herring Gull

Common Loon

American Bittern

Great Blue heron

Green Heron

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Northern Harrier

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Bald Eagle

Broad-winged Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Barred Owl

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-belled Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

American Kesrel

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

Bank Swallow

Barn Swallow

Cliff Swallow

Red-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

House Wren

Winter Wren

Marsh Wren

Carolina Wren

European Starling

Gray Catbird

Brown Thrasher

Eastern Bluebird

Veery

Hermit Thrush

Wood Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

House Sparrow

House Finch

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

White-throated Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee

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 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

Great Backyard Bird Count Results

Dark-eyed JuncoThis past weekend’s Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was a big success, both worldwide and here in Rutland County.

To date, 207,546 checklists, representing 6,540 species and 33,482,850 individual birds have been submitted from around the world! Pretty amazing, isn’t it? The deadline for submission for the four-day period is March 1 so it's not too late to add your sightings. 

Here at home, 170 checklists and 47 species were reported. Seventeen of the county’s towns were represented and we had many first-time GBBCers. Two great horned owls, a barred owl, evening grosbeaks and snow buntings made the list as did our first turkey vulture of the season.

Congratulations to our first-time participants! Each of you is now a citizen scientist. That means you can submit any of your bird sightings anytime from anywhere to eBird here. Just use the user name and password you created for the GBBC.

And did you snap a picture of a chipmunk under your feeder? You can submit that to the Vermont Atlas of Life at iNaturalist. Click here for that.

You can explore all the data at the GBBC, by clicking here. 

West Rutland Marsh - February 2020

Minus 5 degrees! We were pretty sure no one would show up for the February West Rutland Marsh walk, but we were wrong. Nine, well-bundled people counted 16 species. Fortunately, it was clear and, with no wind, the sun actually felt warm on our backs.

The number of species was one less than a year ago and two less than our February average. Many of the irruptive species that we see in some years are not present this year.

A good number of the species counted were found near the feeders by the boardwalk including American tree sparrows, white-throated sparrows and a number of American goldfinches, a species being seen in high numbers throughout the state this winter.

No, it’s not spring, not even close, but we counted four American robins and two eastern bluebirds. When fruit is plentiful, those species will stay around. A black-capped chickadee was seen feeding on sumac. With that, highbush cranberry and apples among others, there is plenty available at the marsh. The two bluebirds were beautiful with the bright blue sky.

Black-capped Chickadee feeding on sumacNorthern cardinals were singing, although we couldn’t be sure if they were male or female as both sexes of that species sing. Tufted titmice were singing and white-breasted nuthatches were making their laughing sound.

The next walk is scheduled for Saturday, March 25. Meet at the boardwalk on Marble Street at 8 a.m.

Today's list:

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2

Mourning Dove  1

Downy Woodpecker  4

Blue Jay  19

American Crow  6

Black-capped Chickadee  27

Tufted Titmouse  3

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

Eastern Bluebird  2

American Robin  4

House Sparrow  3

American Goldfinch  21

American Tree Sparrow  4

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  1

White-throated Sparrow  2

Northern Cardinal  6

West Rutland Marsh - January 2020

Clear and cold – that is how the January marsh walk started. Eight participants, well bundled, set out on our first walk of the new year. There was no wind and it warmed, ever so slightly, as the morning progressed. Eighteen species were tallied, none a big surprise, but any bird in winter is a welcome sight or sound!

A Carolina wren, one of two for the day, greeted us at the start with its ‘teakettle teakettle’ song. Six cedar waxwings were sitting high in the trees nearby and the feeders were busy with chickadees and American tree sparrows.

Our lone raptor of the day almost wasn’t. We spotted what we thought was a red-tailed hawk sitting in a tree in the distance, but it was too far to make out any detail. Fortunately, a photo cropped and on a computer screen later proved it WAS a red-tailed hawk.

Twenty-eight blue jays were counted with large flock vocalizing flying around not too far from the hawk.

As we returned to our starting point at the boardwalk, eight white-throated sparrows flew up into the brush from the cellar hole.

Our next walk is scheduled for Saturday, February 15, at 8 a.m. The walk will be held in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count which starts on Friday, February 14.

The day's list:

Mourning Dove  3

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Downy Woodpecker  5

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  28

American Crow  7

Common Raven  2

Black-capped Chickadee  27

Tufted Titmouse  2

Carolina Wren  2

European Starling  3

Cedar Waxwing  6

House Sparrow  3

American Goldfinch  14

American Tree Sparrow  3

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  2

White-throated Sparrow  8

Northern Cardinal  4

Field Trip: Winter Regulars & Rarities

After a few milder days for our past annual Winter Regulars & Rarities field trips, this year’s trip was definitely NOT. The day started at about four degrees. Despite the chill, 12 participants showed up, bundled up beyond recognition.

Our first stop was a farm in Orwell where bald eagles are known to congregate. We were not disappointed with the nine adult and four immature eagles perched in trees and interacting with the ravens on occasion.

Waterfowl were in somewhat short supply except for two stops. The Tri-Town Water Plant had a plethora of ducks. Most prominent were large rafts of scaup, too distant to distinguish whether they were greater or lesser scaup, and a high number of common goldeneye. The highlight here was a male tufted duck, its tuft prominent in profile. Two more eagles were spotted across the lake on the New York side. A lone cormorant was seen flying south low along the water.

Arnold Bay, Lake ChamplainCharlotte Town Beach, one of our last stops, had a lesser number of waterfowl. We picked up our only Canada geese of the trip. A small group of bufflehead were fairly near shore. We were also able to spot a horned grebe, the only one of the day, before the promised snow moved in.

A good number of rough-legged hawks were spotted along our route as well as red-tailed hawks. Among the redtails, were several were the northern red-tailed hawk subspecies, which are only seen in Vermont in winter. You can read more about distinguishing this subspecies here.

We spotted flocks of snow buntings and horned larks here and there in the farm fields. At one spot, along Greenbush Road in Charlotte, there was a mixed flock which we could observe from the comfort of our cars. The snow buntings clung to swinging weed heads while the horned larks seemed to dig themselves into the snow.

A northern flicker, a pileated woodpecker and American robins were seen at various points along the route.

Thirty-three species were tallied.

Many thanks to C. J. Frankiewicz for leading a fun field trip.

The day's list:

Canada Goose

Mallard

American Black Duck

Tufted Duck

Greater Scaup

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Common Merganser

Horned Grebe

Rock Piegon

Mourning Dove

Ring-billed Gull

Double-crested Cormorant

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed hawk

Rough-legged hawk

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Common Raven

Black-capped Chickadee

Horned Lark

European Starling

American Robin

American Goldfinch

Snow Bunting

American Tree Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown-headed Cowbird

Northern Cardinal

Christmas Bird Count Results

Patch Pond, RutlandAnother Rutland Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is in the books. Our count took place on December 28, a mild and practically snowless day, comfortable for the participants, but perhaps affecting our numbers.

The count was Rutland’s 46^th and National Audubon’s 120^th. The history of the CBC is an interesting one and worth a read if you aren’t familiar with it. Click here to learn more.

Thirty-seven field team participants and five feeder watchers contributed to tally 49 species this year, the same number as in 2018. A ‘count week’ bird, ruffed grouse, was observed thanks to the Pine Hill Park team who saw fresh tracks.

Both the ruffed grouse and wild turkey numbers were low, with zero and two respectively. Our high numbers on those species in prior years were 20 and 338. Perhaps the lack of snow along with abundant acorns and beechnuts kept these species hidden in the woods.

Red-tailed hawks numbered 24, a species recorded in all of our 46 years, but with quite a variation in numbers, the high being 43. No barred owls were reported this year. Both sharp-shinned (2) and Cooper’s hawks (4) were reported, along with one peregrine falcon atop its usual perch on the steeple of Grace Congregational Church and one bald eagle.

With plenty of open water, two belted kingfishers and three great blue herons were reported. A Wilson’s snipe was seen near Otter Creek, an expected report from the team that walks that route along the river. Waterfowl numbers overall, however, were low with 54 Canada geese (high of 1444 several years ago). American black duck and mallard numbers were low with 24 and 198 reported respectively.

A yellow-bellied sapsucker, becoming a more common occurrence in winter in Vermont, was reported (although no more than one has been recorded on any of our CBCs). Seven northern flickers were, a new record. Although red-bellied woodpeckers have been increasing in numbers in the state, only ten were seen this year as opposed to 17 last year.

Some species are quite cyclical. As expected, no redpolls, pine grosbeaks or Bohemian waxwings were seen. Red-breasted nuthatches were low (25), our high being 112. Golden-crowned kinglets at 20 were half our high. Only one purple finch was seen. Two red crossbills were seen in Mendon.

Two gray catbirds were seen, not an expected species, and are new to our CBC.

American tree sparrow numbers were low, with some teams reporting none, and the total coming to 32. Our highest number was 362. Song sparrows, high while not a record, came in a 16. One chipping sparrow was observed.

The CBC concluded with our traditional potluck supper at the Proctor Library (with many delicious dishes as usual) and a countdown of the day’s numbers.

Christmas Bird Count data is important! If you are interested in learning more about how the data is used and what it is telling us, click here.

West Rutland Marsh - December 2019

Brrrrrr! A temperature of 13 degrees greeted the six participants in the December 7 walk around West Rutland Marsh. Fortunately, there was sunshine and zero wind so it became quite pleasant as the morning progressed.

A total of 15 species was tallied. This is four fewer than our December average and two fewer than one year ago. Our highest tally was 25 species in December 2014 and our lowest was 13 in 2003.

Chickadees and American tree sparrows were working the feeders near the boardwalk. One white-throated sparrow was also present there.

The only other sparrow species recorded was dark-eyed junco. No raptors were seen. The highest number of one species was 37 mourning doves.

A brown creeper and a pileated woodpecker were identified by sound.

The next walk is scheduled for Thursday, January 23, at 8 a.m.

The list:

Mourning Dove  37

Downy Woodpecker  3

Hairy Woodpecker  2

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  13

American Crow  7

Black-capped Chickadee  21

Tufted Titmouse  5

White-breasted Nuthatch  2

Brown Creeper  1

American Goldfinch  10

American Tree Sparrow  4

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  3

White-throated Sparrow  1

Northern Cardinal  1

West Rutland Marsh - November 2019

Today’s chilly temperature seemed to correspond with the low number of species observed during the West Rutland Marsh walk. Fortunately, there was no wind and, with a clear blue sky, it was relatively comfortable walking for the eight participants.

Our average for November is 19 species with 22 observed one year ago. In 2011 we saw 27 species; it must have an exceptionally mild day as we also recorded two snakes on that date. While we have observed lower species counts in past years, today may have been one of our lowest temperature in November.

Black-capped ChickadeeAmerican tree sparrows have returned to the feeders at the boardwalk, joining the usual gang of chickadees. Eastern bluebirds were heard and seen in a couple areas along with two robins.

A highlight of the walk was a flock of snow buntings. We could hear their chittering call notes as they flew from the corn field across Pleasant Street.

A ruffed grouse was heard drumming and seen by two members of the group.

No raptors were seen on the walk. Nor were any Canada geese seen flying south or in any direction for that matter. With the water now frozen, no other waterfowl were observed.

Our next walk is scheduled for Saturday, December 7, at 8 a.m., meeting at the boardwalk on Marble Street.

Today's list: 

Ruffed Grouse  1

Mourning Dove  3

Downy Woodpecker  3

Pileated Woodpecker  2

Blue Jay  15

American Crow  5

Black-capped Chickadee  24

Tufted Titmouse  2

Eastern Bluebird  4

American Robin  2

American Goldfinch  11

Snow Bunting  30

American Tree Sparrow  8

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  6

White-throated Sparrow  2

Northern Cardinal  1

West Rutland Marsh - October 2019

Everyone driving to the marsh walk today must have wondered if we would see anything in the low-lying fog blanketing the area. It quickly cleared, however, to reveal still vibrant fall foliage. Twelve participants tallied 33 species, five more than a year ago and more than our October average of 31.

One of the early sightings of the morning and one of the most striking, was a belted kingfisher. It appeared white and ghost-like in the fog as it hovered over the marsh.

Numerous American robins were in the trees near the boardwalk along with one hermit thrush. A swamp sparrow sang briefly from the cattails. In a shrub nearby we spotted a Lincoln’s sparrow. A few cedar waxings were also spotted.

We glimpsed an eastern towhee along Marble Street, but we were soon distracted by a palm warbler. It was feeding in a bare tree so everyone could get a good look.

Palm WarblerA group of turkey vultures was flying over Marble Street. Interestingly they were flying in a straight line rather than their usual spiral. Also, over Marble Street was a very vocal family of common ravens, which kept us entertained for several minutes as they swooped and soared overhead.

Numerous ruby-crowned kinglets were seen and a few were singing. Yellow-rumped warblers were spotted here and there.

Our only raptor of the day and the last bird of the day was a red-tailed hawk.

The next marsh walk is scheduled for Saturday, November 16.

Today's list: 

Canada Goose  29

Mourning Dove  17

Turkey Vulture  14

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Belted Kingfisher  2

Downy Woodpecker  5

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  3

Blue Jay  8

American Crow  10

Common Raven  5

Black-capped Chickadee  25

Tufted Titmouse  2

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  8

White-breasted Nuthatch  3

European Starling  3

Gray Catbird  2

Eastern Bluebird  1

Hermit Thrush  1

American Robin  33

Cedar Waxwing  3

American Goldfinch  15

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  1

White-throated Sparrow  3

Song Sparrow  5

Lincoln's Sparrow  1

Swamp Sparrow  3

Eastern Towhee  1

Red-winged Blackbird  102

Common Grackle  91

Palm Warbler (Western)  2

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  6

Northern Cardinal  1

West Rutland Marsh - September 2019

It was a spectacular day at West Rutland Marsh with bright sunshine, warm temperatures and foliage turning on the hillsides. Fourteen observers turned out for the walk. Forty-one species were tallied, quite a bit more than last year’s 28 and our average of 36 for the month of September.

Waterfowl species included Canada goose, mallard and wood duck.

A few raptor species were seen with the highlight being an immature bald eagle soaring over the ridge accompanied by turkey vultures. An American kestrel and a broad-winged hawk were also observed.

exploring the new trailNine northern flickers were seen with several on the road on Marble Street. Other woodpecker species included hairy and downy and one yellow-bellied sapsucker.

Gray catbirds were numerous and two brown thrashers were a treat along Marble Street.

Warblers were scattered here and there and included common yellowthroat, magnolia chestnut-sided, palm, yellow-rumped, and black-throated green warblers. 

A Lincoln's sparrow was seen as well as several swamp sparrows and four song sparrows.  A lone purple finch was singing atop a tree on Pleasant Street.

Another highlight was the opportunity to explore Phase I of the new trail off of Whipple Hollow Road. 

The next walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, at 8 a.m.

The list: 

Canada Goose  13

Wood Duck  3

Mallard  5

Wild Turkey  5

Mourning Dove  2

Turkey Vulture  4

Bald Eagle  1

Broad-winged Hawk  1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1

Downy Woodpecker  3

Hairy Woodpecker  4

Pileated Woodpecker  2

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  9

American Kestrel  2

Eastern Phoebe  7

Blue Jay  10

American Crow  11

Common Raven  1

Black-capped Chickadee  19

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

Brown Creeper  1

Marsh Wren  2

Carolina Wren  1

European Starling  1

Gray Catbird  14

Brown Thrasher  2

American Robin  1

Cedar Waxwing  15

Purple Finch  1

American Goldfinch  12

Song Sparrow  4

Swamp Sparrow  8

Red-winged Blackbird  13

Common Yellowthroat  7

Magnolia Warbler  3

Chestnut-sided Warbler  1

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  1

Black-throated Green Warbler  4

Northern Cardinal  4

West Rutland Marsh - August 2019

Thirteen birders, including visitors from Oregon and California, set out on RCAS’s monthly walk around West Rutland Marsh this morning. Today’s walk marks the beginning of our 19^th year of monthly monitoring!

Forty-eight species were observed plus several alder/willow flycatchers whose true identities were unknown as they were all silent, not surprising at this time of year.  Our average for August is 45 species with our high being 58 in 2015. Last year at this time we saw or heard 45.

Most of the ‘marsh birds’ have gone silent. A few swamp sparrows were seen and one sang briefly. Two yellow warblers, also silent, were seen. One adult male common yellowthroat was still feeding a youngster.

Ruby-throated HummingbirdWarblers included the above mentioned as well as a black-and-white warbler (singing), several American restarts and a chestnut-sided warbler.

A gray catbird was seen carrying food and a house wren was seen carrying food into a nesting cavity (a piece of equipment on a power pole).

Our only raptor was a northern harrier. No vultures were seen, but the morning was quite still and overcast.

Monarch caterpillarCedar waxwings and American goldfinches were everywhere. We also saw and/or heard eight ruby-throated hummingbirds. On past August walks, we have seen as many as 13. Red-eyed vireos were still singing in several spots and we saw one blue-headed vireo.

A black-billed cuckoo was heard in the distance.

On a non-avian note, several Monarch butterfly caterpillars were seen on milkweed. This is shaping up to be a good Monarch year.

Part of the walk was on our new trail, which you can read about here.

Our next walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, at 8 a.m. (note time change!).

Today's List:

Wood Duck  1

Mallard  1

Wild Turkey  2

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4

Mourning Dove  9

Black-billed Cuckoo  1

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  8

Northern Harrier  1

Belted Kingfisher  1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2    1

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1    1

Downy Woodpecker  6

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Eastern Wood-Pewee  2

Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher)  5

Least Flycatcher  1

Eastern Phoebe  1

Eastern Kingbird  8

Blue-headed Vireo  1

Red-eyed Vireo  14

Blue Jay  7

American Crow  8

Common Raven  2

Black-capped Chickadee  9

Tufted Titmouse  2

Barn Swallow  6

White-breasted Nuthatch  3

House Wren  2

Carolina Wren  2

European Starling  6

Gray Catbird  10

Veery  1

American Robin  8

Cedar Waxwing  21

Purple Finch  3

American Goldfinch  27

Song Sparrow  10

Swamp Sparrow  5

Bobolink  2

Red-winged Blackbird  32

Common Grackle  3

Black-and-white Warbler  1

Common Yellowthroat  8

American Redstart  7

Yellow Warbler  2

Chestnut-sided Warbler  1

Northern Cardinal  3

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  3

Indigo Bunting  3

West Rutland Marsh - July 2019

Today marked 18 years of consecutive monthly monitoring at West Rutland Marsh! A slight breeze kept the 10 participants somewhat cool despite the sun and high humidity. We totaled 43 species, seven less than our average for July and quite a bit lower than the 64 species observed one year ago.

The bird of the day was veery with nine heard along the route, many of them singing It was a new bird song for several in the group. Wood thrush were also singing in two spots.

Marsh WrenDespite the high vegetation, we had good luck along the boardwalk. An American bittern flew as well as a green heron. We had great looks at several marsh wrens and swamp sparrows. The swamp sparrows were particularly vocal. 

Five warbler species were seen and/or heard. An American redstart was carrying food for young. Common yellowthroats are still singing enthusiastically. A northern waterthrush and three ovenbirds were heard along Whipple Hollow Road. 

Five empidonax species were seen, but only three, all alder flycatchers, could identified to species.

 Raptor numbers were low – one broad-winged hawk! Another raptor flew high over the marsh, but none of us could provide any clue as to its identity. 

The last addition to the list was a Wilson’s Snipe which flushed as we crossed the Water Street bridge.

The next marsh is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, 7 a.m.

Today's list:

Mourning Dove  10

Wilson's Snipe  1

American Bittern  1

Great Blue Heron  1

Green Heron  1

Turkey Vulture  2

Broad-winged Hawk  1

Belted Kingfisher  1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Downy Woodpecker  5

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  4

Alder Flycatcher  3

Empidonax sp.  2

Eastern Phoebe  2

Eastern Kingbird  5

Warbling Vireo  1

Red-eyed Vireo  11

Blue Jay  4

American Crow  4

Common Raven  1

Tree Swallow  4

Barn Swallow  8

Black-capped Chickadee  11

Tufted Titmouse  1

Marsh Wren  8

Veery  9

Wood Thrush  3

American Robin  9

Gray Catbird  13

European Starling  15

Cedar Waxwing  14

American Goldfinch  24

Chipping Sparrow  1

Song Sparrow  15

Swamp Sparrow  23

Red-winged Blackbird  9

Common Grackle  2

Ovenbird  3

Northern Waterthrush  1

Common Yellowthroat  23

American Redstart  2

Yellow Warbler  1

Northern Cardinal  4

West Rutland Marsh - June 2019

Seventeen participants joined Rutland County Audubon for our monthly walk around West Rutland Marsh, a glorious morning on June 22. While the weather, sunny with a light breeze, couldn’t have been to blame, we had one of our lowest number of species for June - 52. This compares to 61 species one year ago and our June average of 60.

However, there was still plenty to see with nesting season in full swing. A downy woodpecker was feeding a youngster. Two eastern kingbirds were bringing food to a nest. And a pair of yellow-bellied sapsuckers took turns bringing bugs to a nest hole in a poplar where a noisy brood could be heard.

Eastern Kingbird with nest on leftWe observed 18 veeries, most of them singing, and saw one carrying food for young. Also carrying food were common yellowthroat and yellow warbler.

The swamp sparrows and marsh wrens were still pretty vocal while some of the flycatchers have gone silent. Fortunately, some sang so we could identify both alder and willow flycatchers. The quiet ones, however, went on our list as alder/willow flycatcher (or Traill’s flycatcher as these two were once considered one species).

Yellow-bellied SapsuckerNumerous black-and-white warblers were heard singing along the route, mostly along Whipple Hollow Road and lots of American redstarts were observed here and there. Overall, warbler activities, except for the expected ones in the marsh, were down. However, a Canada warbler was heard in its usual spot along Whipple Hollow Road.

The morning ended with a belted kingfisher carrying a fish across the marsh and into the woods, possibly to a nest hole in a bank nearby.

Our next walk is scheduled for Thursday, July 18, 7 a.m.

The list:

Mallard  2

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1

Mourning Dove  7

Chimney Swift  1

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2

Virginia Rail  2

American Bittern  3

Turkey Vulture  5

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Belted Kingfisher  2    

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2

Downy Woodpecker  5

Pileated Woodpecker  2

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2

Eastern Wood-Pewee  2

Alder Flycatcher  4

Willow Flycatcher  4

Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher)  3

Eastern Phoebe  5

Eastern Kingbird  5

Yellow-throated Vireo  1    

Warbling Vireo  3

Red-eyed Vireo  8

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  7

Common Raven  1

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2

Tree Swallow  6

Barn Swallow  2

Black-capped Chickadee  4

Tufted Titmouse  1

Marsh Wren  12

Veery  18

Wood Thrush  2

American Robin  8

Gray Catbird  11

Brown Thrasher  1

European Starling  15

Cedar Waxwing  15

American Goldfinch  11

Song Sparrow  16

Swamp Sparrow  18

Red-winged Blackbird  15

Common Grackle  4

Ovenbird  5

Black-and-white Warbler  7

Common Yellowthroat  19

American Redstart  8

Yellow Warbler  15

Canada Warbler  1

Northern Cardinal  6

Indigo Bunting  1

House Sparrow  4

West Rutland Marsh - May 2019

If you could choose one word to describe birding in Vermont this past week or so, it would have to be WOW!

That was certainly our reaction today. Twenty-one participants gathered to see what West Rutland Marsh had to offer on a beautiful spring day. The weather was sunny with a light breeze, perfect for birding. We recorded our highest number ever for May with 78 species seen and/or heard. This is 10 more than a year ago May and 10 more than our average for this month of the year.

It was a day for warblers! Twenty species were observed. The yellow warblers and common yellowthroats were busy as this is breeding habitat for them. Two female yellow warblers were seen building nests at different spots along the boardwalk.

Bay-breasted WarblerAlong Marble street, we saw the warbler species that have been thrilling Vermont birders all week – bay-breasted warbler and Cape May warbler. Tennessee warblers were tapping out their songs and several blackpoll warblers were seen and heard. Canada warbler and magnolia warblers were also counted among the warbler species here. A single female black-throated blue warbler was seen foraging among the trees.

The ‘bees buzz’ song of a blue-winged warbler that has been observed along Marble Street over the past couple weeks was heard and then briefly seen. A mourning warbler, a species we have observed only once before on our monthly marsh walks, was also along Marble Street. Perhaps the habitat in this area has grown more suitable for blue-winged warblers and mourning warblers.  

One Nashville warbler was heard singing and then seen along Whipple Hollow Road, where we also heard black-throated green warblers, Blackburnian warblers, and more Canada warblers.

Philadelphia VireoIn the midst of the many red-eyed vireos and warbling vireos, a Philadelphia vireo was spotted. Two yellow-throated vireos were heard. At first we thought one was a blue-headed vireo, but when seen it turned out to be one of the yellow-throated, singing an oddly sweet song.

Two yellow-billed cuckoos were heard at two different spots along Marble Street.

The flycatchers are all in. Both willow and alder flycatchers were heard at their usual spots throughout the walk. Eastern kingbirds are back, busy defending their territories. The ‘reep reep’ of the great crested flycatcher was heard as well as the ‘peeeo-weeee of the eastern wood-pewee. Eastern phoebes were present near the homes along Whipple Hollow Road. Our bonus flycatcher was a yellow-bellied flycatcher seen in some cedars along Marble Street.  

Oddly, many of the ‘marsh’ birds were absent from our list. Although both marsh wrens and swamp sparrows were very vocal, we neither saw nor heard any sign of American bittern, least bittern, sora or great blue heron. We did see a green heron fly over and a belted kingfisher rattled over.

What a morning!

Our next walk is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, at 7 a.m.

The list:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Mourning Dove

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Chimney Swift

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Virginia Rail

Green Heron

Turkey Vulture

Broad-winged Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Alder Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher

Eastern Phoebe

Great Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

Yellow-throated Vireo

Philadelphia Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Common Raven

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

House Wren

Marsh Wren

Eastern Bluebird

Veery

Wood Thrush

American Robin

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

White-crowned Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Bobolink

Baltimore Oriole

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Common Grackle

Ovenbird

Northern Waterthrush

Blue-winged Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Nashville Warbler

Mourning Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

American Redstart

Cape May Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Canada Warbler

Northern Cardinal

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

House Sparrow

Trip Report: Century Count XXIV - May 18

Prairie WarblerBy all accounts, it was the best of all spring days in Vermont. The internet birding world was buzzing with reports of warblers and other migrants on Saturday night.

Eleven birders gathered at 6 a.m. in West Rutland, the weather chilly and clear, ready for the day’s offerings.

After a brief stop on Sheldon Avenue, near the marsh, we headed to the Pleasant Street power line. As we exited our cars, we could hear the rising song of the prairie warbler followed by the descending song of the field sparrow. Eastern towhees called and sang while the song of the wood thrush floated from the woods. A bay-breasted warbler was spotted in the flowering apple trees. We had good looks at both a blue-winged warbler, the more dominant of the winged warblers at this location, and a prairie warbler as it belted out its song.

Then on to West Rutland Marsh. One of the late-to-arrive this season flycatchers, an alder, was heard along Marble Street. A northern parula was also heard along this stretch. At the end of the boardwalk a sora called and a Virginia rail as well. We also heard a black-billed cuckoo along Marble Street. On Water Street two tree swallows were busy propagating the species.

Several warbler species were singing along Whipple Hollow Road including blackburnian, northern waterthrush and black-throated blue warblers, but the usual Canada warbler was a no-show. We all had good looks at a Swainson’s thrush.

Our first raptor of the day, an American kestrel was spotted along Route 4.

Of the 23 warbler species seen throughout the day, the Route 4 rest area/Blueberry Hill WMA, produced the greatest number including Cape May, magnolia, Tennessee warblers and another northern parula and three more bay-breasted warblers. A brilliant scarlet tanager was seen as well as a glow-in-the dark Baltimore oriole with its less flamboyant mate nearby.

birding is hard workAs the lunch time approached, we headed to Crystal Beach on Lake Bomoseen for a quick picnic. Bonaparte’s gulls had been spotted several times in April and May and two lingered for us to include on our Century Count. We also added solitary sandpiper and double-creasted cormorant at this spot.

Stops at Loves Marsh and the north end of Lake Bomoseen yielded wood ducks, a pair of ring-necked ducks, a pine warbler and a yellow-throated vireo.

We then swung around the north end of Lake Bomoseen and down Black Pond and Moscow roads. We had excellent looks at a pine warbler and finally spotted our first hummingbirds of the day.

A loon was seen at Glen Lake along with an osprey with fish ‘in hand’ and two Canada geese with young. An occupied osprey nest was spotted down the road.

Pine WarblerThe stop at Bomoseen State Park was worthwhile as we picked up a Canada warbler, had good looks at a magnolia warbler and saw one of the few raptors of the day, a broad-winged hawk. We also enjoyed looking at two northern watersnakes near the wetland boardwalk at the park.

There was quite a bit of warbler action at the upper lot of the Kehoe Fishing Access aka the Green Dump. We could hear a Louisiana waterthrush singing and a Tennessee warbler while we saw both a black-and-white warbler and northern parula. One of the most stunning sights of the day was the sun shining on a male Cape May warbler. We also saw two somewhat out of place field sparrows at this spot.

The next stop was the Fair Haven airport where we heard and saw several bobolinks.

The day ended in West Haven. We saw a pair of American kestrels on a wire along with an eastern meadowlark. A golden-winged warbler, true to form, although silent, was seen at its usual spot on Ghost Hollow Road. On Cogman Road we picked up some of the day’s misses – indigo bunting, killdeer and bald eagle. And the very last bird of the day was a handsome male orchard oriole, a perfect end to a perfect day of birding in Rutland County. The total for the day was 106 species!

The list:

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Wild Turkey 

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Black-billed Cuckoo

Chimney Swift

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Virginia Rail

Sora

Killdeer

American Woodcock

Spotted Sandpiper

Solitary Sandpiper

Bonaparte's Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Common Loon

Double-crested Cormorant

American Bittern

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Broad-winged Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpcker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

American Kestrel

Peregrine Falcon

Alder Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Kingbird

Yellow-throated Vireo

Warbler Vireo 

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Common Raven

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow 

Cliff Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Red-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch

House Wren

Marsh Wren

Eastern Bluebird

Veery

Swainson's Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Wood Thrush

American Robin

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee

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

Common Yellowthroat

American Redstart

Cape May Warbler

Northern Parula

Magnolia Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Chestnut-sided 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

House Sparrow

 

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West Rutland Marsh - February 2019

For mid-February it was a pretty nice day to be out birding. Sixteen birders participated in today’s walk around West Rutland Marsh, which coincided with this weekend’s Great Backyard Bird Count.

Despite the mild weather, the number of species was fairly low with 17 species seen and/or heard. This is one less than our February average of 18 and two less than one year ago.

Except for 29 black-capped chickadees, the number of individuals was low as well – one downy woodpecker, two hairy woodpeckers, four tufted titmice, one white-breasted nuthatch. But there was definitely a bit more bird song than in January!

The highlight of the day was an out-of-season gray catbird, lurking in the brush and phragmites along Whipple Hollow Road. We did see pussy willows along the route today so maybe spring is not all that far off!

We heard a Carolina wren singing and the walk ended with four American robins. The feeders near the boardwalk are still busy with American tree sparrows.

The Great Backyard Bird Count runs through Monday, February 18, so there is still time to get out and count birds!

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

Ruffed Grouse  1

Mourning Dove  34

Red-tailed Hawk  3

Downy Woodpecker  1

Hairy Woodpecker  2

Blue Jay  7

American Crow  7

Common Raven  3

Black-capped Chickadee  29

Tufted Titmouse  4

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

Brown Creeper  1

Carolina Wren  1

American Robin  4

Gray Catbird  1   

American Tree Sparrow  4

Northern Cardinal  4