3.13.09 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for March 13, covering the period March 6-12, 2009. The birding highlight of the week was a GOLDEN EAGLE seen in Williston on 3/12. Waterfowl migration began in earnest this week, and included the following first-sightings-of-the-season species: 4 WOOD DUCKS at Meach Cove in Shelburne on 3/7 and 2 at Muddy Brook Marsh in South Burlington on 3/10; 4 NORTHERN PINTAILS in Charlotte on 3/7; 8 GADWALLS in Converse Bay in Charlotte on 3/7, 5 on 3/8 and a drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL at Dead Creek on 3/7 and 2 CANVASBACKS on Mad River in Waitsfield on 3/9. On 3/7 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were sighted in Cornwall (2), Bridport (1) and Addison (1). An AMERICAN KESTREL was spotted in Calais on 3/7, the first sighting since one was seen in Highgate on 3/11. KILLDEER returned to Vermont this week and were reported from the following towns: Ferrisburg (1 on 3/7), Pownal (1 on 3/8), New Haven (9 on 3/9) and Brandon (several on 3/11). Two ICELAND GULLS were observed at Converse Bay in Charlotte on 3/7. The SNOWY OWL on Cider Mill Drive in South Burlington was last seen and reported on 3/11. The NORTHERN HAWK OWL in Eden was last seen on 3/7. The season's first NORTHERN FLICKER was observed on 3/8 in Pittsford. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were spotted in Waitsfield, Calais, Rutland, South Burlington, Montpelier and at Charlotte Town Beach this week. CEDAR WAXWINGS were seen in Shoreham, Converse Bay, Rutland and Monkton. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were sighted in Proctor (2 on 3/7), Northfield (2 on 3/12) and in Mendon (1 on 3/8). COMMON REDPOLL and PINE SISKINS are still present in large numbers throughout Vermont. 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 ****************************************************************