*Vermont

 

*Statewide

3.24.08

 

*VT0403.06

 

This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for March 24, 2008 covering the period
March 17 - 23, 2008.

 

The highlights of the week were a TUFTED DUCK at the Colchester Railroad
Causeway on 3/18 and a third winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL seen between
Kellogg Bay near the mouth of Otter Creek and Basin Harbor on 3/22.

 

Large flocks of SNOW GEESE passed through this week, including 100 at the
mouth of Otter Creek, 515 at Cornwall Swamp WMA and 500 off Grand Isle.
Locations of CANVASBACK sightings include the Colchester RR Causeway (10 on
3/18, 23 on 3/20), the North Hero/Grand Isle bridge (1 on 3/18), Shelburne
shipyard (1 on 3/18), Charlotte Ferry Landing (16 on 3/18, 20 on 3/19, 7 on
3/22), Converse Bay (20 on 3/20) and Allen Point in South Hero (several on
3/22).  A REDHEAD was spotted from the Colchester RR Causeway on 3/18 and
from Allen Point on 3/22.  Two RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were seen at the
Grand Isle Ferry Landing on 3/18.

 

There were several BALD EAGLE sightings this week, the largest being 25 on
the ice and in trees between Kellogg Bay and Basin Harbor, on Lake
Champlain.  A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen in Centennial Woods in Burlington on
3/17 and at Rattlesnake Point above Lake Dunmore on 3/18.  

 

One ICELAND GULL was observed in McNeil Cove on 3/18 and 7 were seen on 3/22
between Kellogg Bay and Basin Harbor along with two GLAUCOUS GULLS. 

 

AMERICAN WOODCOCKS are not only back, but are actively engaged in courtship
display in Shelburne.

 

BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS remain in the state, with sightings this week in
Waitsfield (10 on 3/17, 20 on 3/18), West Brattleboro (235 on 3/18),
Middlebury (181 on 3/19) and Montpelier (100-200 on 3/23).

 

The season's first two EASTERN PHOEBES appeared in Starksboro on 3/18.

 

AMERICAN CROWS were observed building a nest in Hinesburg this week.

 

Four FOX SPARROWS were seen in Rutland on 3/22.

 

The number of PINE GROSBEAK sightings dropped down to 3 this week.

 

Three RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were spotted in Rutland on 3/18. 

 

COMMON REDPOLL sightings continue to occur throughout the state. 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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