*Vermont *Statewide 10.29.07 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for October 29, 2007 covering the period October 22-28, 2007. Highlights this week include the following sightings: 4 BLACK VULTURES in Brattleboro on 10/22, 3 on 10/25 & 10/26 and 10/28. ( The most recent sighting took place from the "Curves" parking lot just north of the bridge on Rte. 5 as the birds flew in to roost at 5:15 p.m.) ; a very late-departing WILSON'S WARBLER in South Newfane on 10/23 and two pairs of PINE GROSBEAKS , one on Snake Mountain on 10/25 and one in South Royalton on 10/26. Between 4,000 and 5,000 SNOW GEESE were at Dead Creek on 10/25. 14 BRANT were spotted on Grand Isle and 1 in Shelburne Bay on 10/25. A BLUE-WINGED TEAL was seen at the mouth of the Ompompanoosuc River on 10/23 and a pair was spotted at Miners Pond in Bellows Falls on 10/26. A pair of PEREGRINES was seen sitting on the steeple of Grace Church in Rutland on 10/22. A late-departing VIRGINIA RAIL was spotted at Tinmouth Channel on 10/25. Two EASTERN PHOEBES were sighted this week, one on 10/22 in Essex Junction and one on 1/25 at Herrick's Cove. NORTHERN SHRIKES returned to South Starksboro, Brattleboro Retreat Meadows and Lyndonville this week.. High numbers of AMERICAN PIPITS were seen this week, with the largest sightings at Herrick's Cove (150-200 birds on 10/24 and 110 on 10/28). Seventy-five CEDAR WAXWINGS were observed at Herrick's Cove on 10/28. Sightings of lingering warblers this week included a PALM WARBLER at Woodside Park in Essex Junction on 10/22, 2 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS at Herrick's Cove on 10/24 and a very late WILSON'S WARBLER in South Newfane on 10/23. A LINCOLN'S SPARROW was seen at Herrick's Cove on 10/24. Large numbers of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS were reported throughout the state. FOX SPARROW numbers were also high. Three SNOW BUNTINGS, the first of the season, were seen at the Colchester Causeway on 10/23. Large number of PURPLE FINCHES, PINE SISKINS and AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES were reported this week. EVENING GROSBEAKS were observed in Jericho, Herrick's Cove, South Starksboro, Shelburne, Waitsfield and Lyndonville. 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. Founded in 2007 as an outgrowth of VINS, 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 **************************************************************** 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 ****************************************************************