*Vermont *Statewide 4.24.09 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for April 24, covering the period April 17-23, 2009. The birding highlights of the week include a BAR-HEADED GOOSE seen near the Brattleboro water treatment plant on 4/18 - 4/20, a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER at Delta Park in Colchester on 4/22, two CASPIAN TERNS at Little Otter Creek on 4/18 and 8 at Delta Park on 4/22. The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW in Orwell was last reported as present on 4/22. A LONG-TAILED DUCK was spotted on Lake Pauline in Ludlow on 4/23. A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen at Lake Paran, near Cornwall, on 4/19. The first LEAST FLYCATCHER of the season was spotted at Saxton's River this week and the first BLUE-HEADED VIREOS were seen Middlebury (4/21) and Hartland (4/22). BANK SWALLOWS were first seen and reported this year at Otter View Park on 4/18. The first MARSH WRENS of the season were sighted at Brilyea Access, Dead Creek WMA (2 on 4/20). A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, the first of the season, was spotted at Allen Brothers Marsh in Westminster on 4/22 The first BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER reported this spring was seen in Putney on 4/19. A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, first of the season, was spotted in Huntington on 4/17. The season's first INDIGO BUNTING was seen in Brandon on 4/22. This being the final Vermont Rare Bird Alert, at least for the time being, I want to thank all of the birders who have contributed sightings over the years to the VT Bird Listserv, the Upper Valley Listserv, Vermont eBird, to VINS and to VCE. Your quick reporting, detailed directions and clarifying photographs and videos have allowed many readers to share your birding experiences. The Listservs and Vermont eBird will continue to provide this essential service. Vermont eBird can do amazing things with these records, but in order to do so, they need to receive your sightings, so please continue to submit them. I have gotten to know many of you by name through my weekly compilations and my hope is that I'll be able to put a face to your name one day when we meet in the field. Good birding to you all! Mary Holland 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 ****************************************************************