West Rutland Marsh - July 2021

July was the first open to the public marsh walk since covid protocols were instituted.

The day began comfortably cool but warmed as the tour progressed. Our group of 13 birders were happy to see each other after such a long hiatus.

Virginia rails were heard, both young and adults, near the boardwalk when I first arrived. Of course, they were silent when our group assembled.

Others birds were actively singing their songs or carrying food to waiting beaks.

An immature and unkempt American redstart sat on a branch hoping for breakfast while a nearby common yellowthroat had beaks full for their young.

A northern waterthrush was heard singing as well as the diminutive marsh wren.

Raptors noted included a pair of American kestrels, a Cooper’s hawk, one red tail hawk, a northern harrier, and one UFH, and one unidentified hawk.

While nothing out of the ordinary was seen, the group tallied a respectable 53 species.

West Rutland Marsh - April 2021

The April morning greeted us with overcast skies and a temperature of 37 degrees making it a chilly start for the monthly marsh monitoring. Snow dusted the nearby mountains with what is hopefully winter’s last hurrah. Forty-two species were tallied.

In spite of this, some migrants have returned to the marsh. Along the boardwalk a Virginia rail was calling. An American bittern was heard then seen as it took flight north.

Eastern PhoebeNumerous swamp sparrows were singing as was one marsh wren.

Several woodpecker species were noted with some couples getting down to the business of guaranteeing a new generation.

Male red-winged blackbirds proclaimed territorial rights, while a cold looking Eastern phoebe hunted for insects.

Bloodroot, early saxifrage, and marsh marigold were wildflowers seen along the road on the west side.

A Cooper’s hawk glided silently and low near the tree line setting off alarm calls from blue jays and chickadees. The raptor disappeared into the trees without snatching any prey.

The lovely golden-green hue on the trees that is ephemeral is aptly written by Robert Frost:

Nature’s First Green is Gold,

Her Hardest Hue to Hold.

Time to enjoy this season and the coming wave of more migrants.

The list:

Canada Goose  14

Wood Duck  2

Mallard  5

Hooded Merganser  1

Ruffed Grouse  3

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  2

Mourning Dove  7

Virginia Rail  1    

Wilson's Snipe  3

American Bittern  1

Turkey Vulture  5

Cooper's Hawk  1

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  4

Red-bellied Woodpecker  2

Downy Woodpecker  5

Hairy Woodpecker  2

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  7   

Eastern Phoebe  4

Blue Jay  6

American Crow  10

Common Raven  2

Black-capped Chickadee  16

Tufted Titmouse  3

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  5

Red-breasted Nuthatch  3

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

Marsh Wren  1

Carolina Wren  2

European Starling  8

Eastern Bluebird  1

American Robin  16

House Finch  2

American Goldfinch  2

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  4

Song Sparrow  14

Swamp Sparrow  24

Red-winged Blackbird  28

Brown-headed Cowbird  1

Common Grackle  9

Northern Cardinal  5

West Rutland Marsh - February 2021

The February sun did little to warm the two of us as we made our way around West Rutland Marsh on our monthly survey.

Feeders at the boardwalk were busy with a gang of chickadees, some titmice and tree sparrows. A downy woodpecker vied with a Carolina wren for the suet. The boardwalk was snow covered but manageable, however, no bird was seen. The recent pruning back of the vegetation will allow easier views of the marsh. The bush was encroaching onto the boardwalk making it difficult to view the marsh.

Heading north on Pleasant Street a brisk breeze made for a cold start. However, the sight of five eastern bluebirds checking out sumac berries was a treat. The flock also was singing their plaintive song. A murder of crows was heard harassing something far up on the powerline, but we never could see the source of their displeasure.

Eastern Bluebird on Staghorn SumacMourning doves, blue jays and starlings were seen as we headed south on Whipple Hollow Road.

The wind was now at our backs making walking more pleasant. Feeders provided a junco and the ever cute red-breasted nuthatch as well as a small flock of chickadees.

A total of 15 species were tallied.

The list: 

Mourning Dove  12

Downy Woodpecker  2

Blue Jay  16

American Crow  5

Common Raven  1

Black-capped Chickadee  21

Tufted Titmouse  5

Red-breasted Nuthatch  2

White-breasted Nuthatch  4

Carolina Wren  1

European Starling  24

Eastern Bluebird  5

American Goldfinch  1

American Tree Sparrow  2

Northern Cardinal  7

West Rutland Marsh - November 2020

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.

The list: 

Ruffed Grouse  1

Mourning Dove  6

Downy Woodpecker  1

Blue Jay  16

American Crow  6

Black-capped Chickadee  17

Tufted Titmouse  2

Red-breasted Nuthatch  2

White-breasted Nuthatch  6

European Starling  8

American Robin  1

American Goldfinch  1

American Tree Sparrow  3

Dark-eyed Junco  1

Northern Cardinal  5

passerine sp.  2

Book Review: What It's Like to Be a Bird by David Sibley

David Sibley just released his latest work entitled What It's Like To Be A Bird. This volume contains short essays on the various aspects of what makes up birds’ lives. In his own words, "it is a selective and incomplete review of bird science."

The large format allows for life-sized portraits of the selected species. The introduction is filled with a myriad of interesting details of a bird's life. Following this are the stunning portraits with the essays illustrating some aspect of that bird.

This is a book to savor and learn about these creatures that bring so much to our lives.

West Rutland Marsh - July 2018

Black-billed CuckooOvercast skies were a welcome relief from the relentless sun for the 14 participants of Rutland County Audubon's monthly marsh walk on July 14th.

The day began with juvenile Virginia rails scooting about among the cattails by the boardwalk. Squeaking was what alerted us to their presence. An adult rail was also present keeping an eye on the youngsters.

As we made our way from there a second surprise was a black-billed cuckoo heard calling. It finally flew by and perched for all to see. This was a life bird for one of our group. During the walk a total of four black-billed cuckoos were heard plus one potential yellow-billed cuckoo. However the song was strange sounding as it had elements of the correct call for that species but then adding other notes. So it was noted as a cuckoo species.

Rose-breasted GrosbeakAlder flycatchers were singing their "free beer" song while warbling vireos indeed were warbling. An American redstart was well seen as was a male rose-breasted grosbeak. A chorus of 14 veeries along the route were singing their lovely descending songs.

As we neared the end of the walk another exciting occurrence was a pair of scarlet tanagers flying right by us in hot pursuit. So close did they pass that we could hear the noise of their wings!

The sought after least bittern was seen briefly by one member of the group. We did try to find this secretive bird but no luck for the rest of us.

The tour returned to the boardwalk and we found that 64 species has been seen or heard. A very great outing was had by all.

The next walk is scheduled for Thursday, August 16, 7 a.m., meeting at the boardwalk.

The day's list:

Mallard  4

Least Bittern  1    

Great Blue Heron  4

Turkey Vulture  1

Broad-winged Hawk  1

Virginia Rail  5

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  3

Mourning Dove  11

Black-billed Cuckoo  4    

Yellow-billed/Black-billed Cuckoo  1    

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

Belted Kingfisher  1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  5

Downy Woodpecker  4

Hairy Woodpecker  3

Northern Flicker  1

Eastern Wood-Pewee  2

Alder Flycatcher  5

Willow Flycatcher  4

Eastern Phoebe  3

Eastern Kingbird  7

Warbling Vireo  3

Red-eyed Vireo  8

Blue Jay  3

American Crow  4

Common Raven  6    

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1

Tree Swallow  9

Bank Swallow  3

Barn Swallow  9

Cliff Swallow  1

Black-capped Chickadee  4

Tufted Titmouse  2

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

House Wren  1

Marsh Wren  2

Eastern Bluebird  2

Veery  14

Wood Thrush  1

American Robin  17

Gray Catbird  14

European Starling  37

Cedar Waxwing  17

Ovenbird  2

Northern Waterthrush  1

Black-and-white Warbler  2

Common Yellowthroat  14

American Redstart  4

Yellow Warbler  4

Chipping Sparrow  2

Field Sparrow  1    

Song Sparrow  6

Swamp Sparrow  10

Eastern Towhee  1

Scarlet Tanager  3    

Northern Cardinal  6

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  3

Indigo Bunting  1

Red-winged Blackbird  23

Brown-headed Cowbird  3

Common Grackle  86    

House Finch  2

Purple Finch  7

American Goldfinch  20

House Sparrow  1

West Rutland Marsh - May 2018

The May 12 West Rutland Marsh walk started off with a remarkable display of American bitterns. Ordinarily a shy bird of the cattails, two pairs flew repeatedly up and down the marsh. We wondered if this was a territorial display or a mating ritual. After that exciting spectacle we continued along and spring was evident with other birds that have returned and were singing. Marsh wrens, swamp and song sparrows were noted.

Golden-winged WarblerThe big excitement of the morning was the number of warbler species seen. A stunning Blackburnian warbler was seen high in a hemlock while a black-throated blue warbler foraged low near the ground. Ovenbirds called their song of "teacher, teacher" while warbling vireos did indeed warble. A real prize was a golden-winged warbler seen by all and for one participant it was a life bird!

Great-crested flycatchers were heard and seen, but we noted the absence of willow and alder flycatchers. Four species of swallows coursed over the marsh as did a lone chimney swift catching insects. Canada geese had five goslings in tow. Other waterfowl included the beautiful wood duck and mallards.

A merlin flew by seemingly on a mission while other raptors were soaring overhead. The nesting ravens have fledged their young while other birds are just beginning the nesting season. The marsh has come alive not only with birds but amphibians which were calling as well.

By the time we had completed the loop we had tallied 68 species of birds. This month’s walk attracted 15 participants.

Join us for our next trip around the marsh on Thursday, June 21, at 7:00 a.m. Our new meeting place is at the boardwalk in the marsh.

The List:

Canada Goose  14    

Wood Duck  3

Mallard  4

American Bittern  4    

Great Blue Heron  1

Turkey Vulture  5

Cooper's Hawk  1

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Virginia Rail  3

Mourning Dove  7

Chimney Swift  1

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3

Belted Kingfisher  3

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1

Downy Woodpecker  4

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker  2

Pileated Woodpecker  2

Merlin  1

Least Flycatcher  3

Eastern Phoebe  1

Great Crested Flycatcher  2

Eastern Kingbird  8

Warbling Vireo  7

Red-eyed Vireo  3

Blue Jay  13

American Crow  3

Common Raven  8    

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1

Tree Swallow  4

Barn Swallow  7

Cliff Swallow  1

Black-capped Chickadee  12

Tufted Titmouse  2

House Wren  1

Winter Wren  1

Marsh Wren  2    

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2

Veery  5

Wood Thrush  3

American Robin  13

Gray Catbird  14    feeding on sumac fruit

European Starling  18

Ovenbird  7

Northern Waterthrush  1

Golden-winged Warbler  1    

Golden-winged/Blue-winged Warbler  1    

Black-and-white Warbler  7

Nashville Warbler  2

Common Yellowthroat  15

American Redstart  4

Magnolia Warbler  2

Blackburnian Warbler  1

Yellow Warbler  12

Chestnut-sided Warbler  2

Black-throated Blue Warbler  2

Black-throated Green Warbler  3

White-throated Sparrow  2

Savannah Sparrow  1

Song Sparrow  9

Swamp Sparrow  16

Northern Cardinal  3

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  4

Baltimore Oriole  4

Red-winged Blackbird  26

Brown-headed Cowbird  2

Common Grackle  13

Purple Finch  2

American Goldfinch  12

West Rutland Marsh - May 2018

The May 12 West Rutland Marsh walk started off with a remarkable display of American bitterns. Ordinarily a shy bird of the cattails, two pairs flew repeatedly up and down the marsh. We wondered if this was a territorial display or a mating ritual. After that exciting spectacle we continued along and spring was evident with other birds that have returned and were singing. Marsh wrens, swamp and song sparrows were noted.

Golden-winged WarblerThe big excitement of the morning was the number of warbler species seen. A stunning Blackburnian warbler was seen high in a hemlock while a black-throated blue warbler foraged low near the ground. Ovenbirds called their song of "teacher, teacher" while warbling vireos did indeed warble. A real prize was a golden-winged warbler seen by all and for one participant it was a life bird!

Great-crested flycatchers were heard and seen, but we noted the absence of willow and alder flycatchers. Four species of swallows coursed over the marsh as did a lone chimney swift catching insects. Canada geese had five goslings in tow. Other waterfowl included the beautiful wood duck and mallards.

A merlin flew by seemingly on a mission while other raptors were soaring overhead. The nesting ravens have fledged their young while other birds are just beginning the nesting season. The marsh has come alive not only with birds but amphibians which were calling as well.

By the time we had completed the loop we had tallied 68 species of birds. This month’s walk attracted 15 participants.

Join us for our next trip around the marsh on Thursday, June 21, at 7:00 a.m. Our new meeting place is at the boardwalk in the marsh.

The list:

Canada Goose  14    

Wood Duck  3

Mallard  4

American Bittern  4    

Great Blue Heron  1

Turkey Vulture  5

Cooper's Hawk  1

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Virginia Rail  3

Mourning Dove  7

Chimney Swift  1

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3

Belted Kingfisher  3

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1

Downy Woodpecker  4

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker  2

Pileated Woodpecker  2

Merlin  1

Least Flycatcher  3

Eastern Phoebe  1

Great Crested Flycatcher  2

Eastern Kingbird  8

Warbling Vireo  7

Red-eyed Vireo  3

Blue Jay  13

American Crow  3

Common Raven  8   

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1

Tree Swallow  4

Barn Swallow  7

Cliff Swallow  1

Black-capped Chickadee  12

Tufted Titmouse  2

House Wren  1

Winter Wren  1

Marsh Wren  2    

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2

Veery  5

Wood Thrush  3

American Robin  13

Gray Catbird  14    

European Starling  18

Ovenbird  7

Northern Waterthrush  1

Golden-winged Warbler  1    

Golden-winged/Blue-winged Warbler  1    

Black-and-white Warbler  7

Nashville Warbler  2

Common Yellowthroat  15

American Redstart  4

Magnolia Warbler  2

Blackburnian Warbler  1

Yellow Warbler  12

Chestnut-sided Warbler  2

Black-throated Blue Warbler  2

Black-throated Green Warbler  3

White-throated Sparrow  2

Savannah Sparrow  1

Song Sparrow  9

Swamp Sparrow  16

Northern Cardinal  3

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  4

Baltimore Oriole  4

Red-winged Blackbird  26

Brown-headed Cowbird  2

Common Grackle  13

Purple Finch  2

American Goldfinch  12

West Rutland Marsh - April 2018

American BitternClear blue skies and sunshine greeted the 35 participants for the West Rutland Marsh walk on April 21. The birds were as happy as the birders with the promising spring-like day. The feeders by the boardwalk were still busy with chickadees and American tree sparrows. Out on the boardwalk swamp sparrows were singing and seen as they proclaimed their territories. A Virginia rail was heard but remained hidden in the cattails. Red-winged blackbirds sang their rusty hinge sounding song and some displayed their red epaulets.

Notable were several raptor species overhead. No doubt glad for a day for hunting after so many gloomy ones.

As we proceeded around the route both ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets were seen flitting among tree branches seeking a meal. The unseasonably cool weather has made insects hard to find for some of our early migrants. The importance of the marsh with insects rising from the waters make it a haven for these birds.

Swamp SparrowOne sharp-eyed observer found a chickadee excavating a nest hole in a broken stub of a rotten tree.

A yellow-bellied sapsucker was observed attending the wells it had drilled, while other woodpecker species were heard drumming. A winter wren, only 4 inches long, joyously sang its complicated song and a yellow-rumped warbler was seen high in the treetops. A total of 40 species was tallied for the morning. Our next walk takes place May 12th at 7:00 a.m. Many returning migrants should be present!

The list:

Canada Goose  11

Wood Duck  3

Mallard  4

American Bittern  1

Great Blue Heron  2

Turkey Vulture  7

Northern Harrier  1

Sharp-shinned Hawk  1

Cooper's Hawk  1

Red-tailed Hawk  2

Wilson's Snipe  1

Mourning Dove  3

Belted Kingfisher  3

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Downy Woodpecker  6

Northern Flicker  1

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Eastern Phoebe  3

Blue Jay  6

American Crow  2

Common Raven  2

Tree Swallow  5

Black-capped Chickadee  13

Tufted Titmouse  1

Winter Wren  2

Golden-crowned Kinglet  3

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  7

American Robin  17

European Starling  1

Yellow-rumped Warbler  1

American Tree Sparrow  3

Dark-eyed Junco  13

White-throated Sparrow  1

Song Sparrow  18

Swamp Sparrow  6

Northern Cardinal  4

Red-winged Blackbird  14

Common Grackle  12

American Goldfinch  17

coastal adventure

SanderlingsMid-November is one of the best times to head to the New England coast in search of winter migrants. Cape Ann, Plum Island and the nearby beaches are areas that migrants frequent in their flight south. Other species will find these areas perfect for a wintering spot. I recently visited there with friends.

Cape Ann juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, giving the birder an opportunity to view a variety of ocean birds. Halibut Point is a high bluff that has a dramatic view of the ocean below which gives the observer a great chance of seeing these migrants as they pass by.

Our group had hoped for some alcids to be moving through, but it was not to be. However, the appearance of a flock of harlequin ducks made up for that. We watched as these sturdy creatures dove into the surf right by the granite rocks. We also saw gulls and gannets as well as other waterfowl.

After spending an hour and a half there we packed up and headed to Gloucester Harbor. There we saw common eider, red-breasted merganser, bufflehead and a common loon. A flock of snow buntings circled over us several times before landing on some rocks just feet away from us! Their soft calls and beautiful plumage made for a magical close-up view.

The next day we traveled to Plum Island and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. This area provides 4,700 acres of pristine coastal habitat. This includes 3,000 acres of salt marshes that has seen 300 plus species of birds that are either residents or migratory. In addition, this refuge has critical nesting habitat for the endangered piping plover. With six miles of beach there are many chances to observe a nice variety of ocean and coastal birds. There are hiking trails that travel through dunes, marshes and coastal scrub allowing the birder to find inland birds in proper season.

Long-tailed DuckDriving down the park road offers easy access to the salt marshes and ample opportunity to observe shorebirds and waterfowl. Our plan was to start at the north end of this island. As we drove along, there on a fence sat a Cooper's hawk, intently watching some terrified house sparrows.

Continuing on we arrived at the parking area and made our way to the beach. Here we had a great view of the channel with a strong tide running. Harbor seals were popping up and looking around as red-throated and common loons dove for a meal.

One surfaced with a wiggly silver fish for its effort. An eBird notice told of a Pacific loon there and, in no time, one of our group spotted this bird. It was in transitional plumage, but the distinctive head shape was the clincher.

We returned to the park road and headed south along the salt marshes where black-bellied plovers and dunlin were resting. American black ducks were the most abundant waterfowl. Others there included hooded merganser and bufflehead. And, of course, mallards. A sharp-shinned hawk rocketed by in front of our car in pursuit of something as we made our way along the road.

We stopped at a view point overlooking a pond where three gadwall sedately paddled about the water. Off in the distance a bald eagle sat on a rise of land while overhead a rough-legged hawk hovered in search of food.

Continuing on I spied a northern shrike perched atop a distant tree.

We then parked at one of the beach access paths and scanned the ocean finding more loons, red-necked grebes, a variety of gulls and a lovely flock of sanderlings that twittered as they probed the sand. Northern gannets were seen gliding over the ocean with their startling white plumage.

All too soon our coastal adventure was coming to an end. However, before departing I checked eBird once again and saw that a king eider was being seen at Crane Beach. Fortunately, this spot was on my way home and only half an hour from Rockport.

I soon arrived there and set up my scope to scan over 1,000 white-winged scoters in hopes of finding this beautiful duck. Luck was with me and in less than five minutes I was watching the bird.

As I walked down the beach semipalmated plovers scurried along. I then met two young women, birders and photographers, who told me they had just seen a snowy owl about a half mile down the beach. Wasting no time I quickly made my way there following their footsteps in hopes of finding the bird. As I got nearer I saw a person staring intently through binoculars. I set up my scope and scanned that area and there it was. I made my way closer to this bird which seemed totally unconcerned with the people that were delighted to have this visitor from the north. The owl sat and posed for numerous photos putting a perfect end to the coastal birding trip.

extreme spring birding

Cape May Warbler at Magee MarshPart 1:

May is the month that birders lose all common sense and want to be everywhere at dawn to find the arriving migrants. We certainly enjoy birding our local hotspots, but there are places in the country that concentrate these migrants as they make their way north to their breeding grounds.

In mid-winter a friend emailed me about an upcoming trip in May to Magee Marsh in Ohio with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and did I want to go? After a day of dithering and then reading an article about birding trips in our senior years, I signed up for the tour.

This area is on the south shore of Lake Erie and is a stopover for birds to feed in anticipation the flight across the lake as they head to the north woods. We met the tour group in Ithaca, New York at the Cornell Lab's Sapsucker Woods where the bus awaited eager birders. One of our leaders was none other than Stephen Kress of Project Puffin. Departing Ithaca we were off like migrating birds.

Our first stop was in Erie, Pennnsylvania where we birded Presque Isle State Park, a 3200-acre peninsula that arches out into Lake Erie. This area also gives birds a chance to refuel before continuing on. We stayed overnight and returned in the morning to bird the various habitats there. A nice variety of warblers plus other migrants was tallied. One exciting occurrence was a David Sibley sighting as he led a group for a birding festival.

After lunch it was back on the bus and off to Ohio where we birded the afternoon at the Ottawa NWR, a 6704-acre preserve for migrating birds. Touring the refuge we saw a nice variety of waterfowl and shorebirds.

Sunday morning dawned and with it the much anticipated boardwalk at Magee Marsh. We arrived early before the hordes of other birders. Sun on the trees had the insects in abundance and so too the birds. Standing in one spot we watched the warblers busily feeding: Blackburnian, Cape May, Bay-breasted, Prothonotary and more! We were nearly breathless as we searched the trees and seeing so many birds at once. As the morning wore on the boardwalk became packed, but many eyes found the birds and information was happily shared. As impossible as it seemed in this crowd I met Pat Folsom of the Mad Birders in Waitsfield!

All too soon this time of great birding came to an end. We had our lunch on the shore of the lake and then it was on the bus back to Ithaca.

Part 2:

Red Knot in Cape MayAs if that trip wasn't enough, I met my birding pals in Cape May two weeks later for several days there. Cape May is another important staging area for migrants, both spring and fall. Luckily the moon was full and the horsehoe crabs were laying their eggs. On a tip from a Vermont birder we headed to Reed's Beach and were stunned by the uncountable numbers of birds feasting on the crab eggs. Red Knots, Sanderlings, Willets, Least Sandpipers and more Laughing Gulls than any of us had ever seen!

This was a first for me, seeing shorebirds in breeding plumage as we usually only see them in basic plumage in Vermont on their return trip in the fall. We all agreed that if we saw nothing else on this trip it was worth the effort just to see this spectacle of nature.

Of course we checked out all the other hotspots and saw American Oystercatchers and Black Skimmers tending their nests. The fields and woods had a nice variety of passerines, but that scene on the beach was by far the most exciting.

How fortunate to have witnessed two wonderful nature events in one month and grateful for the Birdwatcher's Digest article on birding in your senior years. Do it now it said while you stil can!

flight of the snowbird

Ring-billed GullMention the term "snowbird" and what comes to mind? If you are a birder you are hoping for an influx of birds from Canada to our area. However if you are of a certain age you think of leaving the cold for warmer climes. My story involves both of these migrants.

In late December we headed south to Titusville, Florida which is on the east coast right across from the Kennedy Space Center. Just minutes away is the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge offers a wide variety of winter migrants as well as endemics. A tour through the Black Point Drive is always filled with great flocks of waders, coots, ducks and other species that can be observed fairly close up.

Playalinda Beach is a short ride from this drive and offers a chance of seeing Northern Gannets as well as shorebirds such as Ruddy Turnstones and the ever cute Sanderlings. As I made my way down this beautiful beach I came upon a small group of Royal Terns and Laughing and Ring-billed gulls.

Close inspection of the group revealed that one of the Ring-billed Gulls was banded, both with the standard aluminum band plus a blue tag on the other leg. I quickly got out my camera and took some photos of the gull. Upon returning to our campground I reviewed the photos and found that the band had the alpha-numeric code of 3AF. Thanks to technology I went online and googled "ring-billed gulls with bands." The site came up immediately and I filled out the form with all the details of where and when as well as the identification tag. The next morning my email had been answered. Professor Jean-Francois Giroux, a professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal, is part of a study of these gulls and how they disperse.

My bird, I was told, is a male, banded on May 17, 2012 on Ile Delauriers, Varennes, Quebec. Subsequently it has traveled from there to Playalinda Beach and has been seen most winters. Come late March this snowbird makes his way back to Canada.

A couple of years ago I had seen a Ring-billed Gull on the very same stretch of beach with the same tag! The odds of seeing a tagged bird more than once is rather remote, but here was my bird loafing in the sunshine once again!

Finding birds with this type of banding and reporting the information to the proper study groups gives the researchers valuable data. So be on the lookout for any tagged birds, get a photo or write down the tag information. This is just another venue for the citizen scientist to add to the knowledge of migratory birds.

adirondack birding festival

Bicknell's ThrushThis past June I, along with good birding friends, attended the 13th Annual Adirondack Birding Festival held at Paul Smith’ s College in New York. Why attend a birding festival you may ask?

These festivals offer opportunities to bird in unfamiliar territories and to socialize with birders from far and wide. Workshops are generally part of the experience and provide the opportunity to learn something new about birds. All skill levels of birding will be present in the field trips but that is part of the fun, witnessing a birder finding a life bird.

Our first field trip on Friday was an all-day excursion starting in the Adirondacks and ending on the western shores of Lake Champlain. A nice variety of birds was seen. Saturday we had a half-day trip to Bloomingdale Bog in search of boreal species. The birding was a little slow, but a nice selection of warblers was present. We were nearing the end of the tour when a group of juvenile Gray Jays descended near us. They are quite unafraid of people and were eating bird snacks from the hand of our leader. It was very exciting to observe this species up close.

That evening the keynote speaker was none other than the Vermont Center for Ecostudies’ Chris Rimmer. Of course his subject was the Bicknell's Thrush! We learned a great deal about this rare bird's ecology. The species faces threats here on its breeding grounds as well as on its wintering sites. One aspect of breeding was very interesting: The research that has been done in Vermont shows that the females will mate with several males who will in turn feed whatever chicks are in the nests!

Gray JayChris’s information only whetted our appetite for our trip up Whiteface Mountain the following day. A van picked us up early and we rode up the newly-paved access road up the mountain. Our first stop had a couple of Bick's calling. Finally I had a brief look at one, but it quickly flew into the thick trees. Frustrating!  A pair of Boreal Chickadees and a Blackpoll Warbler were more cooperative. We continued up where some of us took the elevator to the summit and walked back down to the lower lot. A lone Common Raven gave a couple of guttural comments as we passed by.

Our next stop on the way down found a photographer set up and he said Bick's were present. Shortly they returned and were nearly at our feet running on the ground. One then perched nearby and sang! To add to the thrill a Black-backed Woodpecker swooped in briefly and checked out a tree.

Our last stop was brief due to blackflies that swarmed when the wind died.

While the Adirondack Birding Festival is small compared to others it delivers some great birding and a good time with fellow birders. The easy access for those of us living nearby makes attending this something to consider for next summer.

far afield

Hear the word snowbird and what comes to mind? Perhaps juncos at your feeder or irruptive northern finches from Canada? Of course then there is the other snowbird, those of us that flee the cold of Vermont to warmer climes.

This month of January I am in Titusville, Florida. The locale is adjacent to Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge and the Kennedy Space Center. The refuge offers a variety of habitats that attract numerous species of wintering waterfowl as well as egrets and herons skulking in the shallows.

In addition, huge rafts of coots are tightly clustered, no doubt in a protective ploy to avoid the Bald Eagles. Impossibly pink Roseate Spoonbills sieve the water with their incredible bill that is so perfectly adapted to finding its prey. I even had a Florida Scrub Jay land on my head and proceed to try to crack open the button on the top of my RCAS hat. Ouch!

The day we decided to visit Playalinda Beach was cool and very windy. The brisk north wind had numerous species sitting tight on the sand. Royal Terns, Willets, Ring-billed and Laughing gulls were among the beach goers. Surveying the group I noticed one Ring-billed Gull had tags on both legs. One was the typical aluminum band that you report to Laurel, Maryland. The other was different, a plastic tag with an alphanumeric code. I quickly took several photos with my digital superzoom camera of the bands.

Returning to our campground I googled "Ring-billed Gulls with bands." The site for this was found and I was directed to report all pertinent information on the online form. I dutifully noted the location, date, the color of the band, and the alphanumeric  code.

The following day I received an email from Professor Jean-Francois Giroux in Quebec. “My” gull was banded in Ile Deslauries, Varennes, Quebec on May 17, 2012. It has flown to Playalinda Beach for the winters of 2013 and 2015. Evidently the winter of 2014 the bird managed to escape notice. It then returns in summer to Quebec making it a true snow bird!

Professor Giroux is working with University of Quebec, MIT, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation as part of a study on movements and population dynamics of these gulls in eastern North America.

This chance encounter has significant data to aid the study and submitting it was a way to participate as a citizen scientist.

So keep your eagle eyes open when viewing birds and perhaps you will also find a banded bird. It is very easy to locate the appropriate site to report any findings. Simply google the species seen and include in your search the word "banded" and you will have an opportunity to add your data to a study.

a lucky turn of events

Western KingbirdFinding a new species here in Vermont, for those of us who have birded a long time, is a rare event. This past Sunday I was scheduled to lead a marsh walk for Otter Creek Audubon (click here to find out how that turned out). I attribute my good luck in finding a rare bird to that event. On Saturday I went to our local ATM to procure lunch money for the following day. There, on a bulletin board, was an ad for a program at Mt. Independence that afternoon. The subject matter was of interest to me so I proceeded over to Orwell.

Driving along the Mt. Independence Road, I was watching for whatever birds are usual there, knowing I would see and hear Purple Martins by the farm. Just about a half mile from Mt. Independence, there sat a bird on the wire. I immediately thought Stop and look at this. Something is different. As soon as I got the bird in my binoculars I knew I really had something special – a Western Kingbird! Putting the four-way flashers on, I jumped out of the car with a camera in hand and took two photos before it flew off across the field.

Had it not been for the pending field trip, I would not have gone to the ATM, learned about the program, made my way to Orwell, and found the kingbird. So thank you OCAS for this most exciting find!

[What to do if you find a rare bird? Click here.]

in memorium

This past year saw the loss of two longtime supporters and participants of RCAS, Verna Harvey and Betty Barbarise.

When I first became a team member on the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), it was with Verna Harvey. We shared some exciting finds over the years and now I am the team captain of that territory. Verna, always a birder, finally could no longer get into the field, but continued to enjoy watching her feeders. Each time I met her she would ask if I had heard a Winter Wren, a favorite of hers. How I wished I could have found a reliable spot for her to listen to this diminuative songster, but that was not to be!

Betty Barbarise, along with her husband Joe, were two of my first birding pals way back when I was a neophyte. It was with them that I made my first out-of-state birding trip to New Jersey. I had a whole new world of species opened to my wondering eyes. Betty was a veteran birder with a great sense of humor and we shared many exciting moments in the field. Joe was also a good birder and a willing driver. We participated in numerous CBCs as a team. As age took its toll, Bety was happy to watch her feeders and see the variety of species that frequented her yard. I spent many afternoons taking my photos to show her. We would spend the afternoon sharing stories about the many funny things that had occurred during our expeditions into the field.

How fortunate for me to have had these special folks in my life as mentors and friends. They are missed, but fond memories remain.

top of vermont

A trip to the summit of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, is always exciting. On June 22nd I joined the Green Mountain Audubon Society for an early evening tour at the top of the mountain with Chris Rimmer of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) as our guide. Chris as been studying the Bicknell's Thrush for 20 years here in Vermont and on its winter grounds in the Dominican Republic.

We travelled up the auto road in a light rain and were soon enveloped in the cloud bank. We arrived at the parking lot only to find rain, wind and more thick cloudy conditions. Such is Vermont's mountain weather. Undeterred, Chris gave us a tour of the area and announced that no mist nets would be deployed that evening due to the weather. With conditions not fit for birds nor birders, we beat a retreat down the mountain to a nearby restaurant.

Bicknell's ThrushThe next morning, the wake-up call was at 4:15 a.m. We again proceeded up the mountain, listening to the bird songs as we passed through changing habitats. The weather, while still foggy, was much better. Chris met us at the parking lot where we soon heard a Bicknell's Thrush calling. The mist nets were in place and in no time a Bick's was ensnared. To have such an up close look at this rare thrush was a special thrill. The bird was already banded and Chris thought it was last year's young due to the wear on the feathers.

We accompanied Chris on his rounds to check the nets where a Blackpoll Warbler was the next bird captured. Down another path to check a net, I spied a thrush landing on a dead stump. A Bick's! Chris commented that "this never happens." The bird sat long enough for all in the group to have wonderful looks.

We learned that the Bicknell's Thrush has enjoyed three years free from red squirrel predation and, as a result, has had good success in producing young. However, this may change next year as the spruces are producing a bumper crop of cones. This has been a cyclical process observed in the 20 years of research.

The weather didn't dampen our enthusiasm for this trip and all agreed on what a special experience it had been. We saw the type of weather conditions these hardy birds (and researchers) have to endure on their summer grounds, which can change in an instant.

While the Bick's is most vocal at dawn and dusk, I have seen and heard them in later morning hours both a Mansfield and Mt. Ellen. Often it is the call note, a distinctive down-slurred "whee-ah" that is heard.

This special trip was made possible by the Green Mountain Audubon Society in cooperation with the Stowe Resort and Chris Rimmer of VCE.

If you go, the Mt. Mansfield auto road hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the cost is $26.00 for up to five people in a car, June 4th through October 16 (call ahead to be sure the road is open and make sure your brakes are in good order!).

looking for a new field guide?

The latest entry into the world of field guides is Don and Lillian Stokes’s The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America. This comprehensive volume may not be one all birders want to carry into the field, as it is just shy of 800 pages. However, many of us didn’t flinch when David Sibley published his massive volume. While it may remain at home for some, others will probably find it useful enough to keep it handy in their cars.

lots of photos in a field guide is helpful when identifying gullsThe guide contains superb photos showing various plumages for each species. Most the photos give additional information such as where it was taken and at what time of year. This is helpful in determining whether feathers are fresh or worn, or if regional variations occur.

Content includes the most up-to-date regional maps, the American Birding Association’s (ABA) rarity rating for each species, and information on wild hybrids. It also includes the most recent additions, deletions, splits and lumps, and changes to common and scientific names. For example, according to Lillian Stokes, the book was updated to include the recent split of Winter Wren (into Pacific Wren and Winter Wren) just before it went to press. 

A bonus of the new field guide is a downloadable CD of 600 calls and songs of 150 common birds, as well as photos.

With the size of the book and all the color photos and the CD, I was surprised that it sells for around $24.99 (less at some online retailers). With the holidays around the corner, this might be something to give to a favorite birder in your life or put on your own wish list. Studying the great photos will be a great way to spend the winter.

rara aves

Rare bird - now what? You’re out enjoying a day of birding when an unfamiliar bird pops into view. You quickly go through your mental files only to find the bird doesn’t fit anything you know. Or you know the bird, but the season is wrong (a Cape May Warbler in January, for example). Click here for the Official Vermont Checklist to find out what birds are expected and when.

a rare Ivory Gull thrilled birders in New York and Vermont last winterIf possible, take a photo. The advent of digital cameras and cell phones with cameras has been a boon to birders in recording both common and rare species. Photos can be deceptive, however, so take notes while watching the bird or immediately after. Don’t trust your memory! Be as detailed as possible, noting the overall size of the bird, shape of the bill, tail, and wings, leg and bill color, and any other prominent field marks, as well as behavior and habitat.

Don’t consult your field guide while watching the bird and note taking. Use the time instead to observe the bird and jot down all the details. If possible, and the bird hangs around, contact a birding friend to meet you for a second opinion (another advantage of cell phones).

Later, if you use eBird, you’ll get message asking you to confirm your observation when you submit your sighting. That will be a clue you might need to submit your documentation. Also, if a bird does not appear on the Vermont Field Card or is out of season, you should probably follow up to see if it should be reported.

As a member of the Records of Vermont Committee, I have reviewed many reports only to find that the person submitting the data did not include sufficient details. That doesn’t mean the bird wasn’t there. It means there wasn’t enough detail to convince the committee that the bird was not mistaken for another species.

It is important to report all potential rare or unusual species so that ornithologists and conservation biologists can track trends in bird populations. It also alerts the birding community to be on the lookout for any species that may be expanding into the area (and the opportunity to add to life lists.)

Reporting detailed documentation, known as a RSD (Rare Species Documentation), can be done online the Vermont Center of Ecostudies. Click here to find compete instructions for reporting your observation, as well as helpful hints on what makes a good report. You will also find a list of the birds that require documentation and under what circumstances. For example, Yellow-breasted Chat always requires documentation in Vermont while it’s only necessary for Pied-billed Grebes if evidence of breeding is observed.

Annually a report of the year’s rare species is published and can be accessed by clicking here. It's interesting reading. And it's a real thrill to have your report accepted.

So the next time an unusual bird comes into view, watch it like a hawk and get the details. 

hummingbirds are back!

One of the waited for migrants from the tropics each spring is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. These living jewels brighten our gardens and delight the eye as they zoom around the yard. Plantings suitable for providing a food source are one way to attract hummers to your yard. Some of the favored varieties include Bee Balm, Trumpet Vine, Lantana, and Cardinal Flower.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (female)In addition to providing natural plantings, feeders are a popular way to get a close look at these mighty mites. The formula for making your own nectar could not be simpler. A ratio of 4 parts water to1 part white sugar is recommended. Just boil the water, add the sugar, stir until dissolved and cool. DO NOT use honey, as it will cause a fungal infection. Be sure to store any extra food in the refrigerator.

You may wonder if adding red coloring will help attract the birds more readily. An article in the May/June Birdwatcher’s Digest discusses this topic. It goes into detail as to facts and figures, but what it boils down to is that, given the body ratio of the little birds, hummingbirds receive a dosage that greatly exceeds the FDA standard for humans. The story tells that that after only two feedings of food with coloring the bird excreted the red dye for 24 hours. So to be on the safe side, do not use the coloring. Most feeders have plenty of red on them to make them attractive to the birds. Just be sure to change the solution every 3 days and clean and rinse the feeders with hot water to avoid any mold that may form. Brushes can be purchased at your local bird emporium to help in getting the grunge out.

Looking at eBird I see the hummers are back in Vermont so get ready, you know impatient these tiny, feathered friends are when you don’t have their food out for them!