Yesterday, Spencer and I concluded our 24-hour Birdathon for VCE (our locally-based Vermont Center for Ecostudies). This is an event we look forward to doing each year, as we are incredibly fortunate to have such an organization in the Upper Valley. We again focused our efforts close to home (Norwich), and this year traveled only by bikes (~50 miles) and on foot (~4 miles). Our 2010 findings are especially interesting because a group of us is undertaking a Quest to identify as many species within the town as possible; setting out on the Birdathon, we had a clear picture of what species have been around, and where: <http://www.vtecostudies.org/quest/>. Yesterday's howling wind certainly reduced afternoon bird activity, as expected. Less anticipated was that virtually no migrant species were to be found within Norwich yesterday. It was a fascinating lesson in how migration is not a uniform, steady phenomenon, sometimes spatially variable and sometimes more synchronous. Birding might be less exciting if sightings were more predictable! At any rate, our total of 90 species is less than we hoped for, but probably not bad considering the high wind and lack of migrants. Here are a few noteworthy observations: + only 14 warbler species, less than we've found some years on our road alone + very fine looks at some warblers not often observed well (esp. good this year: Blackburnian, La waterthrush) + All Canada geese observed were still on eggs (not often the case here in mid-May) + brief sighting by Spencer of a likely Golden Eagle (see note below) + Black-billed Cuckoo, first for the area in 2010 + apparent nest building by Cliff Swallows, in 2 locations. Great to see, after no known Norwich breeding in the past few years! Lastly, a quick note on the big eagle. Spencer has seen this species elsewhere, and was mostly comfortable with his quick ID. One tool he later used to help convince himself was viewing YouTube videos. This allowed him to look only at views showing the same perspective that he saw, which was streaming overhead and then away. Doug & Spencer Hardy **************************************************************** 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 ****************************************************************