*Vermont *Statewide 4.14.08 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for April 14, 2008 covering the period April 7-13, 2008. Highlights of the week include the first SNOWY EGRET sighting of the season at Bristol Pond (Winona Lake), a BLACK VULTURE at the Bennington dump on 4/8, four SCOTERS (species undetermined) off Grand Isle on 4/11, a SANDHILL CRANE seen the morning of 4/12 flying over Beaver Creek in Shelburne and in the afternoon near the Shelburne/South Burlington line and two pairs of FISH CROWS calling in full view at Red Rocks Park in Burlington. Seasonal first sightings include 4 RED-NECKED GREBES on Grand Isle on 4/12, an AMERICAN BITTERN in Springfield on 4/7, a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET in Manchester on 4/12 and in Allen Brothers Marsh on 4/13, a HERMIT THRUSH in Huntington on 4/9, WINTER WRENS on Durway Island (4/7), Fayston (4/8), Waitsfield (2 on 4/12) and in Burlington on 4/13, three GRAY CATBIRDS in Burlington on 4/7, an EASTERN KINGBIRD at the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier on 4/14, a BARN SWALLOW at Berlin Pond on 4/11 and on Grand Isle on 4/12, four AMERICAN PIPITS in Fairfax on 4/10, a PINE WARBLER in Rutland on 4/11 and in West Brattleboro on 4/13 (2), a SWAMP SPARROW at Bristol Pond (Lake Winona) on 4/11 and in Manchester on 4/12, a VESPER SPARROW at Franklin County airport and a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW in Bristol on 4/7. BONAPARTE'S GULLS were seen in Grand Isle on 4/10, 4/11 (2) and 4/12 (2), in Manchester on 4/12 (1) and on Lake Bomoseen on 4/12. The following sightings of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS took place this week: Poultney (9), Eden (30), Technology Park, South Burlington (270+, 160) and West Brattleboro (150, 100). A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was spotted in Waitsfield on 4/12. There were only two reported sightings of PINE GROSBEAKS this week, both from Eden (7 on 4/7 and 3 on 4/11). COMMON REDPOLLS are still being seen throughout the state although in much smaller numbers than previous months. 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 **************************************************************** 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 ****************************************************************