A Green Heron, flying below the level of the tops of tallest trees  
passed over the backyard here in Norwich village this afternoon (July  
21). I had previously momentarily glimpsed a bird which I thought was  
a Green Heron flying past the yard on July 14. Before that, my next  
previous record here at the house was back on August 5 in 1999. I'd  
not seen this species in Norwich village during the years 2000 through  
2007.

	Also this afternoon and also here in the backyard, a male Ruby- 
throated Hummingbird was repeatedly flying in swoops and other  
gyrations close above an apparent female Ruby-throat which was feeding  
in a patch of red bee balm flowers. It's nice to see display behavior  
continuing this far through the month of July.

	Carolina Wrens have now reappeared in this part of Norwich village  
after an apparent absence for a number of months. I had heard one  
calling along Hopson Road near the intersection with Beaver Meadow  
Road back on January 8, 2008. Despite repeatedly walking through that  
vicinity, I did not find another Carolina Wren there until May 4, when  
one was calling. Subsequently, the species has been regular in that  
vicinity, and a home owner on Hopson Road reported a nest this year.

	Along Elm Street in the village portion of Norwich, I heard a  
Carolina Wren singing on September 1, 2007. Despite regular birding  
coverage of the area, my next record of one of these wrens in this  
vicinity was not until July 17, 2008, followed by additional records  
on July 19 and again this morning. An apparent absence of Carolina  
Wren along Elm Street thus lasted over 10 months.

	In earlier winters when Carolina Wrens were clearly present in this  
part of Norwich village, their presence was quite conspicuous and  
included loud songs and calls. Failure to find the species over an  
extended period of time suggests a genuine local absence. Reappearance  
of birds after such an absence would then seem to indicate that wrens  
are moving about.

George


George Clark
Norwich, VT

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