*Vermont *Statewide 10.31.08 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for October 31, covering the period October 24 -30, 2008. The birding highlights of the week include two BLACK VULTURES seen in Bristol on 10/24 and 10/26. A total of 130 COMMON LOONS were sighted off Grand Isle on 10/26, and 50 were seen on 10/27. There were 3,000 SNOW GEESE at Dead Creek as of 10/31. The season's first NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen in Waitsfield on 10/30. A late-migrating TREE SWALLOW was spotted at Dead Creek on 10/25. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was observed in Dorset on 10/26. The first COMMON REDPOLLS of the season were seen at a Pownal feeder on 10/30. 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 ****************************************************************