*Vermont *Statewide 2.25.08 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for February 25, 2008 covering the period February 18 - 24, 2008. Highlights this week include 5 COMMON LOONS at Charlotte Town Beach on 2/17; a GREAT BLUE HERON at Demming Pond in East Dorset; 5 MUTE SWANS off Grand Isle; one TUFTED DUCK, one CANVASBACK drake and two REDHEAD drakes off South Hero Causeway on 2/20. The first TURKEY VULTURE of the season was sighted soaring northward over New Haven on 2/19. RING-NECKED DUCKS were seen 2/17 at Meach Cove (9), off the South Hero Causeway 2/20 (6) and 2/23 at Charlotte Town Beach (1). LESSER and GREATER SCAUP were also observed off the South Hero Causeway on 2/20. A male AMERICAN KESTREL was spotted in Ferrisburg on 2/18. A NORTHERN FLICKER was seen at Meach Cove (2/17), Panton (2/19) and Brandon (2/20). Several flocks of 50 - 100 AMERICAN ROBINS were sighted this week. BOHEMIAN and CEDAR WAXWINGS continue to be observed throughout the state. Two more sightings of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS occurred this week, including 20 in Vernon (2/23) and 1 in Waitsfield (2/24). Two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen in East Dorset on 2/17. PINE GROSBEAKS and COMMON REDPOLL sightings continue to be numerous 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. 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 ****************************************************************