*Vermont *Statewide 2.26.07 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for February 26, 2007 covering the period February 19-26, 2007. Highlights this week include a male TUFTED DUCK, 3 CANVASBACKS, 2 REDHEADS and 28 RING-NECKED DUCKS spotted off the Colchester Railroad Causeway from the South Hero side on 2/25, 3 HOODED MERGANSERS seen at the Charlotte ferry dock (10 on 2/22), Charlotte Town Beach (2 on 2/22) and an unreported number in Hartland on 2/22, the Westminster RED-SHOULDERED HAWK seen on 2/22 and a NORTHERN FLICKER in Addison on 2/25. A gathering of 2,000 - 3,000 waterfowl, 2/3's of which were COMMON GOLDENEYE and 1/3 mostly GREATER SCAUP, were observed off the Colchester Causeway on 2/25. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was observed in Pownal on 2/20 and in North Pomfret on 2/22. A BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was spotted at Victory Bog on 2/24. NORTHERN SHRIKES were seen in Lowell and Waitsfield this week, and a male was observed singing in Montgomery Center on 2/24. Three GRAY JAYS were observed at Moose Bog on 2/24. A large flock of HORNED LARKS was spotted in Middlebury on 2/21 and 3 were seen on Grand Isle 2/22 and 2/23. A CAROLINA WREN was seen repeatedly in Brattleboro this week. SNOW BUNTINGS were spotted in Richmond (20), Middlebury (100), Rutland Town (150) as well as in Hartland, Rutland, Shelburne Farms and Grand Isle this week. Three RED CROSSBILLS, one female and two males, were spotted at Victory Bog on 2/24. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were present at Moose Bog (3 on 2/21 and 10 on 2/24) and Victory Bog (20 on 2/24) this week. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science offers natural history trips, lectures and programs. To receive a copy of our program calendar, stop at one of our centers, call the office during business hours at 802-359-5000 or visit the VINS' web site at http://www.vinsweb.org <http://www.vinsweb.org/>. This Vermont birding report is a service of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. VINS is a non-profit, membership organization located in Quechee with a regional center in Manchester. Founded in 1972, VINS' mission is to protect our natural heritage through education and research. Your membership supports these goals and this reporting service. Updates are typically made on Fridays. Please report your sightings of rare or unusual birds to VINS, or email reports to [log in to unmask] If you have any interesting birds to report, you can send your sightings to the RBA via e-mail at: [log in to unmask] Or enter your sightings on Vermont eBird at http://www.ebird.org/VINS/. Mary Holland Chris Rimmer Kent McFarland Roz Renfrew Vermont RBA Compilers Conservation Biology Department Vermont Institute of Natural Science 6565 Woodstock Road PO Box 1281 Quechee, VT 05059 802-359-5001 **************************************************************** 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 ****************************************************************