*Vermont *Statewide 10.15.07 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for October 15, 2007 covering the period October 8-14, 2007. Highlights this week include the following sightings: several ROSS'S GEESE at Dead Creek WMA (1 immature on 10/11, 6 on 10/13 and 4 on 10/14); LONG-TAILED DUCK (number unspecified) at Charlotte Town Beach, 10/14; an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a NORTHERN PARULA in Mount Holly, 10/13; a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at Dead Creek 10/7 and at Brattleboro Retreat Meadows on 10/11 and a NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW at Brattleboro Retreat Meadows on 10/11. Several sightings of COMMON LOONS were reported, the largest number being 25 off Grand Isle on 10/11. A late-departing GREAT EGRET was spotted in Rutland on 10/13. Seasonally late BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON sightings include 1 in South Hero along the Marsh Trail on 10/8 and 6 at Dead Creek on 10/14. On 10/14 there were a reported 2,000 SNOW GEESE at Dead Creek and 125 in Lake Champlain's Brown Bay, near Benson. Roughly 2,500 CANADA GEESE were reported at Dead Creek on 10/12 and 75 in Brown Bay on 10/14, along with 50 WOOD DUCKS and 110 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS. A MERLIN was observed at Dead Creek on 10/11 and at Allen Brothers Marsh on 10/12. In addition to the three SANDHILL CRANES seen regularly in Bristol, one was spotted in Burlington on 10/11. A straggler TREE SWALLOW was observed at Dead Creek on 10/13. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a NORTHERN PARULA were sighted in Mount Holly on 10/13. Reports of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS have been numerous and widely scattered throughout the state this week. PURPLE FINCH reports have also been plentiful, and sightings of relatively large numbers of PINE SISKINS are being reported, including 12 in Woodstock on 10/15 and 20-30 in South Newfane this week. 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. Founded in 2007 as an outgrowth of VINS, 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 ****************************************************************