*Vermont

 

*Statewide

4.3.09

 

*VT0403.06

 

This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for April 3, covering the period March
27- April 2, 2009.  

 

The birding highlights of the week were the unusually high number of BLACK
VULTURE sightings (Brattleboro, 1 on 3/31 and 3 on 4/1; Waterbury, 6 on 4/3,
2+ on 4/1; Moretown, 5 on 4/1; Shelburne, 5 on 4/3) and a pair of RUDDY
DUCKS seen on a pond along Coon Hill Road, off of Route 2 in Colchester on
3/28.

 

Three REDHEADS, 2 drakes and a female, were spotted at Brattleboro Retreat
Meadows on 3/29.  

 

A pair of OSPREYS, the first of the year, was spotted on a nest at Sandbar
WMA.  A MERLIN was seen at Dead Creek WMA and in Burlington and Middlebury
this week.

 

The first COMMON MOORHEN of the season was seen at Delta Park on 4/2.

 

The season's first GREATER YELLOWLEGS was spotted at Herrick's Cove on 3/28.

 

The first WILSON'S SNIPE of the season were displaying in Moretown on 3/28
and in Fairfield and Calais on 4/2.

 

The season's first YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was spotted at Berlin Pond on
4/2.

 

A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen in East Montpelier on 3/30.

 

TREE SWALLOWS returned to Dead Creek WMA, Lake Bomoseen, West Rutland Marsh,
Danby, Bristol Pond, Monkton and Rutland this week.

 

An AMERICAN PIPIT was spotted in Rutland on 3/27.

 

There were many BOHEMIAN WAXWING sightings, with the largest flocks seen in
Shelburne (350-400) and Shelburne (250-300).  CEDAR WAXWING sightings were
not quite as numerous.

 

The first CHIPPING SPARROW of the season was heard in Rutland on 3/28 as
well as in Burlington, Grand Isle, Shelburne and Shoreham later in the week.
The season's first FIELD SPARROW was seen in Danby on 4/1.

 

Two ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS were observed in Bristol and 1 in Hinesburg on
3/30.

 

The first EASTERN MEADOWLARK of the year was seen at Herrick's Cove on 3/28.

 

A WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL was spotted in South Burlington on 4/1 and in
Montpelier on 4/2.

 

COMMON REDPOLLS were seen in Waitsfield Common, Westmore, Canaan and
Woodbury this week.  PINE SISKIN sightings were plentiful and occurred
throughout the state.

 

This weekly Vermont birding report is a service of the Vermont Center for
Ecostudies (VCE).  VCE is a non-profit organization dedicated to the
understanding and conservation of birds and other wildlife.  With a reach
extending from northern New England through the Caribbean to South America,
our work in wildlife research and population monitoring unites people and
science for conservation.  Our offices are located in White River Junction.
Please visit VCE's web site at www.vtecostudies.org . 

 

Please report your sightings of rare or unusual birds to VCE, or email
reports to [log in to unmask]  Better yet, enter your sightings on
Vermont eBird at http://ebird.org/content/vt/.

 

Mary Holland

Chris Rimmer

Kent McFarland

Roz Renfrew

Vermont RBA Compilers,

Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE)

802-649-1431

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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