*Vermont *Statewide 2.6.09 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for February 6, covering the period January 30 - February 6, 2009. The birding highlights of the week include the continued presence of the NORTHERN HAWK OWL in Eden, last observed 2/3, and a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER seen in Bellows Falls on 2/1. Two HOODED MERGANSERS were spotted near Ripley Bridge in Rutland on 2/5. Three juvenile ICELAND GULLS were seen at the Burlington Intervale on 2/1 and one was seen there on 2/3. A GLAUCOUS GULL was also observed at the Intervale on 2/3. The SNOWY OWL that has been in Whiting this winter was last seen and reported on 2/4. A BELTED KINGFISHER was sighted in Guilford on 2/1. NORTHERN FLICKERS were seen on 2/2 in Addison (1) and Brandon (1). There were many reports of both BOHEMIAN and CEDAR WAXWINGS this week, with one flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in Rutland on 1/31 estimated at 400+ birds. A male RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD was spotted in Rutland Town on 2/6. PINE GROSBEAKS were seen in Waitsfield, Whiting, Woodstock and Hartland this week. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were sighted in Pittsford (3 on 1/31), Shelburne Town Beach (5 on 2/1) and Brattleboro (2 on 2/1) as well as in the Sharon/Royalton area. COMMON REDPOLLS were spotted throughout the state, as well as 2 HOARY REDPOLLS that were in Waitsfield most of this week and one HOARY REDPOLL in Danby on 1/30 and 1/31. PINE SISKIN sightings were numerous. Sixty EVENING GROSBEAKS were seen in South Starksboro from 1/31 to 2/1 and 52 were seen in East Barnard on 2/5. 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 **************************************************************** 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 ****************************************************************