*Vermont *Statewide 3.27.09 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for March 27, covering the period March 20 - 26, 2009. The birding highlights of the week include three ROSS'S GEESE in a flooded field in Pittsford on 3/20, two TUFTED DUCKS at the South Hero end of the Colchester Causeway on 3/21 plus one seen on 3/22 and 3/25, a EURASIAN WIGEON on 3/21 also at the South Hero end of the Colchester Causeway, a GOLDEN EAGLE over Ferrisburg on 3/25 and a MERLIN in Burlington on 3/26. The season's first PIED-BILLED GREBE was spotted in Converse Bay, Charlotte on 3/20. The first DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT sightings (3) took place off the Colchester Causeway on 3/24. The first GREEN HERON of the year was seen at Shelburne Bay on 3/25. The season's first AMERICAN COOT sighting occurred in Shaftsbury on 3/25. An EASTERN PHOEBE was first seen in Norwich on 3/22 followed by a sighting in Bennington on 3/26. There was a sprinkling of both BOHEMIAN and CEDAR WAXWING sightings throughout the state this week. A first-of-the-year EASTERN TOWHEE was heard singing near Lake Hortonia last week, and one was spotted on Grand Isle on 3/25. A handful of COMMON REDPOLL sightings occurred this week, while there were over 40 reports of PINE SISKINS, including one in Lyndonville collecting a mouthful of grass. 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 ****************************************************************