*Vermont *Statewide 10.17.08 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for October 17, covering the period October 10 - 16, 2008. The birding highlights of the week include a BLACK VULTURE seen in Brattleboro on 10/14 and a ROSS'S GOOSE spotted at the Goose Viewing Area at Dead Creek WMA on 10/11. A number of stragglers were observed this week, including an AMERICAN BITTERN observed in Manchester on 10/11 and GREAT EGRETS (1 in Cornwall where the Lemon Fair River crosses Rte. 125; 15 migrating over the Goose Viewing Area at Dead Creek on 10/16). As of 10/17/08 there were 3,000 SNOW GEESE and 500 CANADA GEESE at Dead Creek WMA. A lingering BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was sighted in Waitsfield on 10/17. The first AMERICAN TREE SPARROW of the season was spotted in Middlebury on 10/16. 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 ****************************************************************