VCE hit the weather jackpot on our long-term Mt. Mansfield ridgeline study site earlier this week. Skies were clearing as we arrived on Tuesday evening, temperatures were pleasantly cool, and not a breath of wind stirred the fir trees. We and our several visitors were treated to a spectacular sunset, which more than made up for a nearly non-existent dusk chorus. Morning brought more of the same, with the all-too-rare calm providing excellent netting conditions. By morning's end, we had captured a total of 57 birds, the great majority of which were free-flying birds in either full juvenal plumage or transitioning from juvenal to first basic (winter) plumage. A number of adults were in early stages of flight feather molt, a sure sign that the breeding season is winding down. As usual in late July, a few non-local birds appeared from lower-elevation habitats.

Black-capped Chickadee  1     adult female
Golden-crowned Kinglet  6     all free-flying birds in juvenal plumage
Bicknell's Thrush  9     2 free-flying juveniles, 2 new yearling females, 5 recaptures (3 males, 2 females)
Swainson's Thrush  2     free-flying birds in juvenal plumage (1 new, 1 recapture)
Hermit Thrush  1     free-flying juvenile
American Robin  1     adult male
Black-and-white Warbler  1     immature male
Blackpoll Warbler  10     5 free-flying juveniles, 2 new males, 2 new females, 1 recaptured female
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  7     6 free-flying juveniles, 1 recaptured male
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  15     13 free-flying juveniles, 2 recaptured males
White-throated Sparrow  3     free-flying juveniles
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1     immature male

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S38359275

We'll likely make a final summer field trip next week, then one more in mid-September.