*Vermont *Statewide 2.27.09 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for February 27, covering the period February 20-26, 2009. The birding highlights of the week include an unconfirmed sighting of a 1st winter THAYER’S GULL at McNeil’s Cove in Charlotte on 2/21 and a report of three very early YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS in Vergennes on 2/22. Twenty-one RING-NECKED DUCKS were observed off Shelburne Town Beach on 2/26 and a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was spotted at the Grand Isle ferry dock on 2/25. On 2/26 two SNOWY OWLS were seen along Route 30 in Whiting. One was east of the red barn that sits north of the 4 corners and the other was in a tree about ½ mile north of the other owl on the east side of Route 30. A SNOWY OWL was most recently sighted in South Burlington on Royal Drive on 2/26. The NORTHERN HAWK OWL was last seen in Eden, along Belvedere Road, on 2/26. Many BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were spotted this week, including those in Burlington (50), West Brattleboro (275, 80), Berkshire (4), Montpelier (9), Woodstock (200), Waitsfield (8), Grand Isle (20), Saxton’s River (100), Thetford Center (80) and Rutland (325). CEDAR WAXWING sightings were less common: Grand Isle (8, 10), Rutland (1), Woodstock (6) and Brattleboro (75). Twelve PINE GROSBEAKS were seen in Woodstock on 2/21. A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD was observed in Brattleboro on 2/22. A RED CROSSBILL was spotted in South Burlington on 2/25. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen this week in Brattleboro (2), Mendon (14), Rutland (6), Fairlee (1) and Burlington (16). 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 ****************************************************************