VCE hit the weather jackpot on our long-term Mt. Mansfield ridgeline study site earlier this week. Skies were clearing as we arrived on Tuesday evening, temperatures were pleasantly cool, and not a breath of wind stirred the fir trees. We and our several visitors were treated to a spectacular sunset, which more than made up for a nearly non-existent dusk chorus. Morning brought more of the same, with the all-too-rare calm providing excellent netting conditions. By morning's end, we had captured a total of 57 birds, the great majority of which were free-flying birds in either full juvenal plumage or transitioning from juvenal to first basic (winter) plumage. A number of adults were in early stages of flight feather molt, a sure sign that the breeding season is winding down. As usual in late July, a few non-local birds appeared from lower-elevation habitats. Our capture totals: Black-capped Chickadee 1 adult female Golden-crowned Kinglet 6 all free-flying birds in juvenal plumage Bicknell's Thrush 9 2 free-flying juveniles, 2 new yearling females, 5 recaptures (3 males, 2 females) Swainson's Thrush 2 free-flying birds in juvenal plumage (1 new, 1 recapture) Hermit Thrush 1 free-flying juvenile American Robin 1 adult male Black-and-white Warbler 1 immature male Blackpoll Warbler 10 5 free-flying juveniles, 2 new males, 2 new females, 1 recaptured female Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 7 6 free-flying juveniles, 1 recaptured male Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 15 13 free-flying juveniles, 2 recaptured males White-throated Sparrow 3 free-flying juveniles Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 immature male View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/ch ecklist/S38359275 We'll likely make a final summer field trip next week, then one more in mid-September. Chris ________________________ Chris Rimmer Vermont Center for Ecostudies PO Box 420 | Norwich, Vermont 05055 802.649.1431 x202 http://vtecostudies.org/ <http://vtecostudies.org/> 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] To unsubscribe: E-mail this command to [log in to unmask] UNSUBSCRIBE UV-Birders To change your e-mail address: E-mail this command from your old address to: [log in to unmask] CHANGE UV-Birders [new e-mail address] Web based archives and subscription management are available at: http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html