*Vermont *Statewide 3.3.08 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for March 3, 2008 covering the period February 25 - March 2, 2008. Highlights include a TUFTED DUCK drake and a female CANVASBACK at the South Hero Causeway on 3/1and 3/2, and 2 REDHEAD drakes at the Charlotte Town Beach 2/29 and 3/2. A DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT was seen at Shelburne Point on 3/1 and 3/2. A TURKEY VULTURE was observed in North Westminster on 2/25. A second-hand report of 5 MUTE SWANS at the Charlotte Town Beach this week was received. Seventy-five RING-NECKED DUCKS were spotted at Charlotte Town Beach on 2/29. Two BARROW'S GOLDENEYES were seen at Charlotte Town Beach this week, as well as a pair near the South Hero Causeway. Two HOODED MERGANSERS were sighted on Lake Pauline on 2/28. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen near the Mt. Horrid cliffs. A first winter ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULL were seen on Lake Champlain just south Thompkin's Point in Charlotte on 3/1. Five BARRED OWLS were seen along a 5-mile stretch of road between Danby and Danby Four Corners on 2/28. A NORTHERN FLICKER was seen in Brandon on 2/28 and 3/1. Five early FOX SPARROWS were sighted in Rutland on 3/1. The season's first COMMON GRACKLE was observed in Waitsfield Common on 2/27. PINE GROSBEAKS, COMMON REDPOLLS, CEDAR AND BOHEMIAN WAXWING (including flocks of 125 in Norwich and 200 in Rutland) sightings continue to be reported 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. 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 ****************************************************************