*Vermont *Statewide 4.21.08 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for April 21, 2008 covering the period April 14-21, 2008. The highlights of the week were two SANDHILL CRANES seen at Bristol Pond on 4/15 and first sightings of many species, indicated by an asterisk in the text. A GREAT EGRET* was observed in Shelburne on 4/20. Three BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS* returned to Delta Park on 4/16. Four SCOTERS (species unknown, 4/18) and two LONG-TAILED DUCKS (4/16) were seen off Grand Isle this week. BROAD-WINGED HAWK* sightings were numerous all over the state. A MERLIN was spotted in Proctor on 4/15. A VIRGINIA RAIL* was seen at the West Rutland Marsh on 4/19. Shorebird sightings include: GREATER YELLOWLEGS* (Missisquoi NWR (2 on 4/17; Lewis Creek, 2 on 4/17), Laplatte River Marsh Natural Area (2 on 4/17), Addison (1 on 4/19) and at the Cornwall Swamp WMA (7 on 4/20); LESSER YELLOWLEGS* (Brattleboro Retreat Meadows, 1 on 4/19); a SPOTTED SANDPIPER* at Lake Pauline in Ludlow on 4/20 and an UPLAND SANDPIPER* in West Brattleboro on 4/20. CASPIAN TERNS* were seen in Shelburne Bay at the mouth of the LaPlatte River (1 on 4/19) and along Lewis Creek (2 on 4/17). A COMMON NIGHTHAWK* was observed at Brattleboro Retreat Meadows on 4/19. There was a report of a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in Castleton on 4/16. Many sightings of NORTHERN FLICKERS * occurred this week all over Vermont. An EASTERN KINGBIRD* was sighted at North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier on 4/14. Lingering NORTHERN SHRIKES were spotted in Essex Junction on 4/14 and in Windsor on 4/15. BLUE-HEADED VIREOS* returned this week and were sighted in Ripton, South Starksboro, Norwich, Richmond, West Brattleboro and Quechee. PURPLE MARTINS* were observed in Grand Isle on 4/17, Addison (3 on 4/17) and Chimney Point (3 on 4/20). NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS* were spotted in Grand Isle, West Rutland, Potash Bay and Arnold Bay this week. A BANK SWALLOW* was spotted at the West Rutland Marsh on 4/19. A VEERY* was heard in Shelburne at the LaPlatte River Marsh on 4/18. BROWN THRASHERS* returned to West Rutland, Grand Isle, Bennington, Ferrisburg Town Beach and Berlin Pond this week. An AMERICAN PIPIT was seen in Vergennes on 4/19. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were lingering in South Burlington, Williston and Essex Junction this week. PALM WARBLERS* were spotted in Montpelier (1), Herrick's Cove (7), Bennington (1), West Brattleboro (2), Dead Creek WMA (1) and Allen Brothers Marsh this week. A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH* was observed in Norwich and Danby on 4/20. A COMMON YELLOWTHROAT* was seen in Richmond on 4/18. EASTERN TOWHEES* were back in West Rutland, Saxton's River, South Starksboro, Waitsfield, Rupert and South Newfane this week. A lingering SNOW BUNTING was seen in Berlin on 4/16. An early INDIGO BUNTING was observed in West Rutland on 4/16. COMMON REDPOLLS are still around, with sightings in East Hardwick (40, 75), Johnson (14), Westmore (1), Waterbury (15-20), Brattleboro (1), Warren (50-100) and Bakersfield this week. 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 ****************************************************************