Today, on a sunny, pleasantly cool, morning, 26 participants found a total of 46 bird species during a walk on the Windsor (VT) state prison farm as arranged by Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon.
Highlights included 2 Northern Harriers, an exceptional species in the Upper Valley during the summer months and one ranked as of statewide Special Concern for conservation in the 2015 Vermont state listing. We urge anyone going to view and/or photograph these birds to do so from a road and not to enter vegetated areas where these birds might possibly nest so as to avoid human disturbance which might result in a nesting failure.
Other noteworthy birds were an American Kestrel, a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird which provided spectacular views, and 8 species of warblers including a Blue-winged Warbler and a hybrid Brewster’s Warbler. Field, Savannah, and Swamp Sparrows, as well as Eastern Towhee, were present. Bobolinks, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Baltimore Oriole added to the enjoyment of the morning.
George Clark
Norwich, VT