*Vermont *Statewide 2.19.07 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for February 19, 2007 covering the period February 12-18, 2007. Highlights this week include a MERLIN seen taking down a DOWNY WOODPECKER at a feeder near Lake Bomoseen, continued sightings of a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK in Westminster and a BELTED KINGFISHER in Rutland town. There were several HOODED MERGANSER sightings this week including 2 in Button Bay on 2/11, 1 at Charlotte Town Beach on 2/12 and 4 at the Vernon Dam on 2/17. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were sighted in Brattleboro, Townshend, Sunderland and Bennington. CAROLINA WRENS were spotted in Wilmington, Brattleboro, Bennington, Proctor, South Burlington, Middlebury and Rutland this week. Seven BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were observed in Rutland on 2/16. AMERICAN TREE SPARROW and DARK-EYED JUNCO numbers were particularly high this week. Thanks to the following contributors whose observations were cited: Abigail Abel, Paul Andriscin, Lynn Bevis, Ingrid Boette, Dierdre Donaldson, Bonnie Dundas, Susan Elliott, Pat Folsom, Patti Haynes, David Hoag, Mary Holland, Scott Johnson, Pam Kerstner, Janine Lomina, Bruce MacPherson, Kent McFarland, Mary Ann McLeod, Lucy Marsh, Roger Masse, Robert McMullin, Al Merritt, Ron Payne, Chris Petrak, Roy Pilcher, JoAnne Russo, Randy Schmidt, Amy Sherburn, Justin Slade, Lane Vargas, Julie Waters, Matt Weiner and the Winslows. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science offers natural history trips, lectures and programs. To receive a copy of our program calendar, stop at one of our centers, call the office during business hours at 802-359-5000 or visit the VINS' web site at http://www.vinsweb.org <http://www.vinsweb.org/>. This Vermont birding report is a service of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. VINS is a non-profit, membership organization located in Quechee with a regional center in Manchester. Founded in 1972, VINS' mission is to protect our natural heritage through education and research. Your membership supports these goals and this reporting service. Updates are typically made on Fridays. Please report your sightings of rare or unusual birds to VINS, or email reports to [log in to unmask] If you have any interesting birds to report, you can send your sightings to the RBA via e-mail at: [log in to unmask] Or enter your sightings on Vermont eBird at http://www.ebird.org/VINS/. Mary Holland Chris Rimmer Kent McFarland Roz Renfrew Vermont RBA Compilers Conservation Biology Department Vermont Institute of Natural Science 6565 Woodstock Road PO Box 1281 Quechee, VT 05059 802-359-5001 **************************************************************** To post messages, send e-mail to: [log in to unmask] Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages. To contact the list owner: [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Web based archives and subscription management are available at: http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html ****************************************************************