Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Vermont Birds > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, February 9 at 01:45 PM EST The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Lesser Roadrunner,©Dan Lane

9 Feb Robin Story held for next week... [Bridget Butler ] 9 Feb Williston bluebirds [Allaire Diamond ] 9 Feb Re: bat ["Mayer, Maria" ] 9 Feb Last Call for American Robin Photos! [Bridget Butler ] 9 Feb Snow Geese, Peregrine [Thomas Berriman ] 9 Feb Re: Tundra Swans [Aran Voss-Hutchins ] 9 Feb Re: Tundra Swans [Aran Voss-Hutchins ] 8 Feb Tundra Swans [Mary & Paul ] 8 Feb Runnemede redhead this afternoon [david merker ] 8 Feb american black/mallard hybrid Saxtons River [suki russo ] 8 Feb Re: Sparrows, at last! [Mark Szantyr ] 8 Feb Snow Buntings answer [Eric Hynes ] 8 Feb Re: Sparrows, at last! [Lisa Timbers ] 8 Feb Re: Sparrows, at last! [Patti Haynes ] 8 Feb Re: Sorry [Scott Sainsbury ] 8 Feb Sorry ["paulagills tds.net" ] 8 Feb Re: Sparrows, at last! ["paulagills tds.net" ] 8 Feb Sparrows, at last! [Janet Watton ] 8 Feb Photo request: American Robin [Bridget Butler ] 7 Feb Re: Number dropoff, Brattleboro [Patricia Jaquith ] 7 Feb Re: Number dropoff, Brattleboro [Hilke Breder ] 7 Feb NAmerican raptor population [Jane Stein ] 7 Feb Re: Number dropoff, Brattleboro [suki russo ] 7 Feb Number dropoff, Brattleboro [Ralph Palmer ] 6 Feb Counting Snow Buntings [Eric Hynes ] 6 Feb Re: Lake Runnemede Redhead [Ezekiel Jakub ] 6 Feb good night for owling [Eric Hynes ] 6 Feb Lake Runnemede Redhead [Ken Cox ] 6 Feb Northern Pintail and cooper's Hawk [Roy Pilcher ] 6 Feb bat [Ruth Stewart ] 6 Feb saw-whet in Windham Cty [Hector Galbraith ] 6 Feb Fwd: eBird Report - Diamond Run Mall Nature Trail, Feb 5, 2012 [Fred Bates ] 6 Feb Fwd: eBird Report - Rutland Community Garden, Feb 5, 2012 [Fred Bates ] 5 Feb Re: siskin [carolyn boardman ] 5 Feb Re: siskin [Scott Sainsbury ] 5 Feb Re: siskin [Tom Jiamachello ] 5 Feb Re: siskin [Tom Jiamachello ] 5 Feb Re: siskin [Tom Jiamachello ] 5 Feb siskin [Maeve Kim ] 5 Feb Four owl morning ["Ian A. Worley" ] 4 Feb Re: VT eBird recognized [Ruth Stewart ] 4 Feb This is NY so ignore if you don't care eBird Report - Blackhouse Rd., Feb 4, 2012 [MARIE HEMEON ] 4 Feb Re: FL trip ["Fernando B.Corrada" ] 4 Feb Re: FL trip [Linda V Becker ] 4 Feb Re: Bohemian Waxwings and White-winged Crossbills ... Ripton [Ronald Payne ] 4 Feb FL trip [Mitchell Harrison ] 4 Feb Re: VT eBird recognized ... Way to go Kent!! ["Ian A. Worley" ] 3 Feb snow buntings [Sally and Terry ] 3 Feb Bohemian Waxwings and White-winged Crossbills ... Ripton ["Ian A. Worley" ] 3 Feb Lake Champlain. Ice margin to Button Bay ["Ian A. Worley" ] 3 Feb West Haven and Benson, towns in Rutland County [Roy Pilcher ] 3 Feb Bohemian Waxwings in Duxbury [Eric Hynes ] 3 Feb NEK Report: Moose Bog, W.W. Crossbills, Boreal chickadee [Thomas Berriman ] 3 Feb Better Birding Continues Monday (and Snow Buntings in Plainfield) [Bryan Pfeiffer ] 3 Feb VT eBird recognized [Kent McFarland ] 3 Feb South Burlington wren and bluebird [UVM ] 2 Feb Bald Eagles [eve ticknor ] 2 Feb American Coot & Hooded Mergansers [Jo Ann ] 2 Feb Strange and wonderful sightings [Robert Dudley ] 2 Feb Catbird [Elizabeth Alton ] 2 Feb E. Screech-Owl in South Burlington [Eric Hynes ] 2 Feb Re: shrike at North Branch Nature Center [Scott Sainsbury ] 2 Feb shrike at North Branch Nature Center [Chip Darmstadt ] 2 Feb Eagle bird bath [cynthia crawford ] 2 Feb Uganda birds & gorillas [Ruth Stewart ] 2 Feb RW Blackbird and many Goldfinches [Barbara Brosnan ] 2 Feb albino RT Hummingbird [Walter Medwid ] 2 Feb Short-eared Owls [MARIE HEMEON ] 2 Feb Possible Snowy Owl north of Middlbury ["Ian A. Worley" ] 1 Feb seal, not bird [Ruth Stewart ] 1 Feb Fwd: [VTBIRD] Robbins and Waxwings [Charles Gangas ] 1 Feb Re: Robbins and Waxwings [Charles Gangas ] 1 Feb Re: Snowy owls .... [Jane Stein ] 1 Feb Great Horned Owl [Ruth Stewart ] 1 Feb Re: Robbins and Waxwings [Richard Enser ] 1 Feb Re: Snowy owls .... [david merker ] Subject: Robin Story held for next week... From: Bridget Butler <birddiva AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:34:42 -0500 Hi all, Just wanted to give you a heads up that my story is being held until next Thursday. We got it all pulled together and even got some live shots of robins (hooray!) but because there's so much happening when it comes to "news" today it's being held until next week. Didn't want anyone to be disappointed to not see it tonight, it'll still happen and be a great precursor to the Great Backyard Bird Count! Cheers and thanks again to everyone who helped out with photos! Bridget -- Bridget Butler www.birddiva.com Twitter: AT BirdDiva Subject: Williston bluebirds From: Allaire Diamond <allaire.diamond AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:47:04 -0500 5 Eastern Bluebirds foraging in frozen cattails and cornfields along Chapman Lane in Williston, 10 am Allaire Diamond Subject: Re: bat From: "Mayer, Maria" <Maria.Mayer AT STATE.VT.US> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:37:17 -0500 Hi, I was quite interested by the bat observation and told my coworker Alyssa. She requested that I forward the following to you all. Many thanks! Maria Mayer Parks Regional Manager Vermont State Parks 271 North Main Street Suite 215 Rutland, VT 05701 802 786-3852 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greetings, I was recently made aware of this wonderful list through a bat sighting post that was forwarded to me. As we continue to monitor the ongoing effects of White-Nose Syndrome, we are very interested in reports on abnormal winter bat sightings (bats flying out in the middle of the day, for example) and we are collecting these reports through our website at this link: http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/Sick_Acting_Bat_Citizen_Reporting_Form.cfm In addition, we are trying to locate summer maternity colonies of house bats (little brown bats and big brown bats) throughout the state. These two species commonly congregate in large numbers in the summer to raise their young in warm spaces like attics and barns. That form is here: http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/Bats_Colony_Reporting_Form.cfm You can learn more about Vermont's bats and White-Nose Syndrome on our website: http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/wildlife_bats.cfm Thank you so much for your help and powers of observation! Alyssa Alyssa B. Bennett Wildlife Technician Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. 271 North Main Street, Suite 215 Rutland, VT 05701 Tel: 802-786-0098 e-mail: alyssa.bennett AT state.vt.us Help Vermont's Bats at http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/wildlife_bats.cfm -----Original Message----- From: Vermont Birds [mailto:VTBIRD AT list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Ruth Stewart Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 9:55 AM To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [VTBIRD] bat One of the warm days last week, Feb 1, I saw one bat flying around about 4:30 p.m. I have to hope it was because of the unusually warm weather and not because this is a 'survivor' who has succumbed to white nose fungus. Slow feeder activity but highlighted by a Brown Creeper Feb1, and occasional visits (today) by the Red- Bellied WP - never daily - yet. All WILL BE reported in ebird! Ruth Stewart E. Dorset, VT Subject: Last Call for American Robin Photos! From: Bridget Butler <birddiva AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:13:12 -0500 Thank you to everyone who has sent me photos of robins from this winter! If you'd still like to send your photo, I would need it by 2pm today. My story will air tonight on NewsChannel 5, so we need to get the photos in by 2pm to give us enough time to edit it all together. Jpegs are preferred, 100dpi or better and please include your name and where you took your picture. And alas, I spent the end of my day with a video camera trying to chase down some of the large flocks I have been seeing up in Georgia...with no luck! So I thank you in advance for helping provide some great visuals for the story. Cheers! Bridget -- Bridget Butler www.birddiva.com Twitter: AT BirdDiva Subject: Snow Geese, Peregrine From: Thomas Berriman <blackpoll AT MYFAIRPOINT.NET> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 08:01:06 -0500 I had a chance to do some birding in the Champlaing Valley the last 2 days where it is even less of a winter than in the Kingdom: 11 Snow Geese on Orchard rd. sleeping 6 Northern Harriers Panton area 7 Red Tails Panton area Red-winged Blackbirds Panton area Am. Robins (tons everywhere) 150 Horned Larks Up at Rouses Point A Pererine Falcon sitting on the ice south of the bridge. Snow Buntings (200?) on Giroux rd in Swanton 2 Rough legged Hawks Giroux Rd and Dunsmore rd. Song Sparrow (here and there) Subject: Re: Tundra Swans From: Aran Voss-Hutchins <asont AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 06:48:41 -0500 Sorry the attachment was not working for the picture of the Tundra Swans here it is again Aran & Stuart http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds/photos/album/1535661436/pic/ 554656076/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc -----Original Message----- From: Vermont Birds [mailto:VTBIRD AT list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Aran Voss-Hutchins Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2012 6:44 AM To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Tundra Swans Hi I know they were observed yesterday at the AuSable Point Campground and have been there consistently for a few weeks now. I attached a link to a picture my husband took on Monday. They are gorgeous! Aran Voss-Hutchins Stuart Hutchins Westport, NY http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds/photos/album/1535661436/pic/ 554656076/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc -----Original Message----- From: Vermont Birds [mailto:VTBIRD AT list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Mary & Paul Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 8:15 PM To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [VTBIRD] Tundra Swans We are interested in going to see the Tundra Swans on Lake Champlain in Peru NY. Has anyone made the trip and seen them? We don't want to make the drive if they aren't there anymore. Any info on them would be greatly appreciated. Mary Crane Sent from my iPad > Subject: Re: Tundra Swans From: Aran Voss-Hutchins <asont AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 06:44:14 -0500 Hi I know they were observed yesterday at the AuSable Point Campground and have been there consistently for a few weeks now. I attached a link to a picture my husband took on Monday. They are gorgeous! Aran Voss-Hutchins Stuart Hutchins Westport, NY http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds/photos/album/1535661436/pic/ 554656076/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc -----Original Message----- From: Vermont Birds [mailto:VTBIRD AT list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Mary & Paul Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 8:15 PM To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [VTBIRD] Tundra Swans We are interested in going to see the Tundra Swans on Lake Champlain in Peru NY. Has anyone made the trip and seen them? We don't want to make the drive if they aren't there anymore. Any info on them would be greatly appreciated. Mary Crane Sent from my iPad > Subject: Tundra Swans From: Mary & Paul <mgcpw AT GMAVT.NET> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 20:15:27 -0500 We are interested in going to see the Tundra Swans on Lake Champlain in Peru NY. Has anyone made the trip and seen them? We don't want to make the drive if they aren't there anymore. Any info on them would be greatly appreciated. Mary Crane Sent from my iPad > Subject: Runnemede redhead this afternoon From: david merker <buteojamaica AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 16:53:42 -0500 What a beauty, haven't seen one in 30 years or so. A lifer for son Sam. A mellow duck pigging out on vegetation, coming up with mouthfuls and chowing it down. pair of eagles and a comm merg. A muskrat too. Busy place on a nice February afternoon. Dave Merker Etna, New Hampshire Subject: american black/mallard hybrid Saxtons River From: suki russo <sukirusso AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 13:44:50 -0800 At a small,unfrozen pond on the road to Putney from Saxtons River, there has been a small mixed flock of mallards and American black ducks early morning and late afternoon. This afternoon, I checked them out more closely and found a male American Black/Mallard hybrid. He has the tail curls of the mallard with the body coloring of the Black. His head has the mallard green on the back of his head. I posted a not-so-good pic on VT eBird flickr site.   JoAnne Russo Saxtons River, VT Subject: Re: Sparrows, at last! From: Mark Szantyr <birddog55 AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 14:22:51 -0500 28 years. 1984 in Connecticut. Mark On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 9:04 AM, paulagills tds.net wrote: > They have all been at our house! We have had more Juncos and Tree Sparrows > than ever this year. It's interesting how they choose where to hang out. > Still waiting to hear about something exciting to chase on the > list--dullsville in VT for vagrants so far this winter except for that > brief incursion of Snowys--I was hoping for a Ross's Gull--do every year. > It's been 36 years since the last one in NE... > > On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 8:55 AM, Janet Watton wrote: > > > Two tree sparrows showed up this morning under my feeders at 8º. First > > sparrows here in 2012. > > Janet Watton > > Randolph Center > > > > > -- > *Birds were the earth's first musicians.* > *Olivier Messiaen* > -- Mark S. Szantyr 80 Bicknell Road #9 Ashford, CT 06278 1-860-487-9766 Subject: Snow Buntings answer From: Eric Hynes <erichynes28 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:11:56 -0500 Hello Vermont Birders: For those of you who are curious about the number of Snow Buntings in the image I posted on Monday, the total is 1,041. Among the many guesses I received, only two people overestimated and one of those guesses was the closest at 1,071. Many people were low which is the nature of the human brain it seems in these situations. Considering the entire flock was not flying in a perfect rectangle and so a number of the individuals were excluded from the image, I am estimating there were ~1,300 birds (but again, I am probably low). Good birding, Eric Hynes South Burlington Subject: Re: Sparrows, at last! From: Lisa Timbers <timbers662 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:49:37 -0500 For the past week I've been watching HUGE flocks of juncos flying around the fields surrounding my house. They look almost pure white as they fly with the sun on them. Tree sparrow just showed up at my feeder yesterday! On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 8:55 AM, Janet Watton wrote: > Two tree sparrows showed up this morning under my feeders at 8º. First > sparrows here in 2012. > Janet Watton > Randolph Center Subject: Re: Sparrows, at last! From: Patti Haynes <patti.haynes AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:39:48 -0500 No vagrants?! What about the Varied Thrush in Waitsfield? She's still hanging around Mountain Valley Farm if you're interested. As for sparrows, there are none at my house in Moretown this year so they must all be at Paula's. Patti Haynes, sent from my iPod On Feb 8, 2012, at 9:04 AM, "paulagills tds.net" wrote: > They have all been at our house! We have had more Juncos and Tree Sparrows > than ever this year. It's interesting how they choose where to hang out. > Still waiting to hear about something exciting to chase on the > list--dullsville in VT for vagrants so far this winter except for that > brief incursion of Snowys--I was hoping for a Ross's Gull--do every year. > It's been 36 years since the last one in NE... > > On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 8:55 AM, Janet Watton wrote: > >> Two tree sparrows showed up this morning under my feeders at 8º. First >> sparrows here in 2012. >> Janet Watton >> Randolph Center > > > > > -- > *Birds were the earth's first musicians.* > *Olivier Messiaen* Subject: Re: Sorry From: Scott Sainsbury <scott AT BEACONASSOCIATES.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:16:56 -0500 No apology needed. I'm sure many agree! Scott Moretown On Feb 8, 2012, at 9:06 AM, paulagills tds.net wrote: > Meant to change the address in my post before sending but my trigger finger > was too fast! > > -- > *Birds were the earth's first musicians.* > *Olivier Messiaen* > Scott Sainsbury Beacon Associates P.O. 1660 Waitsfield, Vt. 05673 802-496-9393 ext 13 802-249-0525 (mobile) www.beaconassociates.com Subject: Sorry From: "paulagills tds.net" <paulagills AT TDS.NET> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:06:17 -0500 Meant to change the address in my post before sending but my trigger finger was too fast! -- *Birds were the earth's first musicians.* *Olivier Messiaen* Subject: Re: Sparrows, at last! From: "paulagills tds.net" <paulagills AT TDS.NET> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:04:38 -0500 They have all been at our house! We have had more Juncos and Tree Sparrows than ever this year. It's interesting how they choose where to hang out. Still waiting to hear about something exciting to chase on the list--dullsville in VT for vagrants so far this winter except for that brief incursion of Snowys--I was hoping for a Ross's Gull--do every year. It's been 36 years since the last one in NE... On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 8:55 AM, Janet Watton wrote: > Two tree sparrows showed up this morning under my feeders at 8º. First > sparrows here in 2012. > Janet Watton > Randolph Center -- *Birds were the earth's first musicians.* *Olivier Messiaen* Subject: Sparrows, at last! From: Janet Watton <musbird AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:55:47 -0500 Two tree sparrows showed up this morning under my feeders at 8º. First sparrows here in 2012. Janet Watton Randolph Center Subject: Photo request: American Robin From: Bridget Butler <birddiva AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:02:24 -0500 Greetings Everyone! I'm working on a story this week for NewsChannel 5 on American Robins. You were all so very helpful with sharing your snowy owl photos for a story I did...thank you!...that I thought I'd invite you to be a part of a story again. We will be trying to catch up with a flock or two tomorrow to get them on film, but you just never know so still images would really help. So...if you have a fabulous robin photo from this year, please get in touch with me through email. Jpegs are best, the higher the quality the better, minimum for television is around 100 dpi. ...I have to chuckle because as I type this I'm listening to Ted Levine's commentary on VPR about winter robins! Thank you all! Bridget -- Bridget Butler www.birddiva.com Twitter: AT BirdDiva Subject: Re: Number dropoff, Brattleboro From: Patricia Jaquith <pjaquith07 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 18:46:46 -0500 In Dummerston, I had 20+ juncos, numerous Gold Finches, 2 Mourning Doves; Pair of Red Bellied Woodpeckers; Downies and Hairies, numerous Blue Jays, Titmice, and Chickadees. I feed black sunflower mixed with cracked corn; and supermarket suet. I rarely have nuthatches at the feeder, but see them almost daily in the woods. On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 5:12 PM, Hilke Breder wrote: > No problems at my feeder. I continue to have a large flock of Gold > Finches, also House > Finches, Chickadees, Juncos, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves.... In addition to > suet I am feeding > black oil sunflower seeds exclusively. Nyer seeds got to be too expensive. > > Hilke Breder > Brattleboro > Subject: Re: Number dropoff, Brattleboro From: Hilke Breder <hbreder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 17:12:30 -0500 No problems at my feeder. I continue to have a large flock of Gold Finches, also House Finches, Chickadees, Juncos, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves.... In addition to suet I am feeding black oil sunflower seeds exclusively. Nyer seeds got to be too expensive. Hilke Breder Brattleboro Subject: NAmerican raptor population From: Jane Stein <jeshawks AT SHOREHAM.NET> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:47:30 -0500 Mostly good news here, except for the Kestrel, which is continuing a long steady decline nobody seems to know the reason for. Jane (Shoreham) -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [BIRDHAWK] HMANA News: Data Release from the Raptor Population Index Project Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:31:17 -0500 From: brown AT hmana.org Reply-To: brown AT hmana.org To: BIRDHAWK AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU *Good news for birds of prey: most North American populations are stable or increasing:* *New Continent-wide Assessment of Population Trends * *A new report by the Raptor Population Index (RPI) Project shows that the majority of the 26 species of migratory raptors across North America are either recovering or in stable condition. *RPI is a cooperative partnership among four leading raptor and conservation organizations: Bird Studies Canada, Hawk Migration Association of North America, HawkWatch International, and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Migratory raptors include hawks, falcons, kites, ospreys, harriers, eagles and vultures. The latest analysis examined datasets from 48 raptor migration watchsites from across North America. Results published at *www.rpi-project.org* include conservation status reports and an online resource for scientists, educators and wildlife enthusiasts featuring easy-to-read maps of population trends for each species. *How are raptors doing? * Most No**rth American species are doing well. A stark exception is the tiny American Kestrel. Unfortunately this colorful falcon continues to raise alarm among conservationists. The new RPI analysis shows kestrels continuing the long-term decline reported in previous RPI analyses.“Conservation concern remains high for this species” says Laurie Goodrich, Senior Monitoring Biologist at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary,“and warrants increased efforts to monitor populations and identify causes of the decline.” The good news is that the majority of raptor populations are stable or increasing. Bald Eagle numbers are stabilizing following long-term and widespread increases in populations documented by previous RPI analyses. Peregrine Falcon populations, once threatened with extinction, may also be stabilizing after a long period of steady growth. Likewise, the long-term upward trend for Merlin suggests their steady increase since the 1980s may have stabilized as well. Many species show similar regional results. In the West, Swainson’s Hawks increased during the 1980s and 1990s and in the most recent decade shows stable levels. In the East, Broad-winged Hawk, whose spectacular, massive September flights attract large crowds of hawkwatchers, also shows stable numbers at most sites throughout the east. Uniformity across the continent is, however, more the exception than the rule. Some species, such as the Golden Eagle show trends that differ regionally. During the past decade numbers seem to be stable or increasing in eastern and central regions, but show evidence of widespread declines at western monitoring sites. *Maintaining a continent-wide tracking system* *T*he RPI system includes over 200 independent raptor migration sites across North America forming the world’s largest bird migration monitoring network. These sites are operated by highly skilled, mainly volunteer citizen scientists who use standardized protocols and submit their migration count data through an electronic database, HawkCount.org. Launched in 2004 to mobilize the observations of thousands of hawkwatchers, RPI’s central aim is to produce and regularly update continental-scale assessments of the population trends and the conservation status of migratory raptors. RPI’s first publication,*The State of North America’s Birds of Prey*, a 466-page book released in 2008, is regarded as a keystone in our understanding of migratory raptor populations and their conservation in North America. To increase accessibility, RPI will now deliver results online and update them annually. Once again, RPI has shown that the dedicated efforts of hawkwatchers across Canada, United States and Mexico can make an important contribution to raptor conservation. Raptors are recovering from historic lows in their populations in the 1950s and 1960s (likely a combination of the post World War II “DDT era,” and increased pressures due to habitat lost and direct persecution). Does this mean we no longer need to be concerned about these birds? Definitely not. As Rosalie Edge, founder of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania said in 1934 “the time to protect a species is while it is still common.” *More Information* For more information on recent RPI results and regional population status updates for each raptor species, trend graphs and maps, visit the RPI website:*http://www.rpi-project.org/*. Julie Brown Monitoring Site Coordinator Hawk Migration Association of North America 151 Antrim Rd Hancock, NH 03449 home office: (603) 525-3499 cell: (781) 264-0778 brown AT hmana.org BIRDHAWK is sponsored by HMANA. Info, list guidelines: http://www.hmana.org/ List archives,subscription options: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdhawk.html To contact a list owner, email to: birdhawk-request AT listserv.arizona.edu ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2112/4794 - Release Date: 02/07/12 Subject: Re: Number dropoff, Brattleboro From: suki russo <sukirusso AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:37:23 -0800 no, I've had good numbers of purple finch, juncoes, goldfinch, titmice, chickadees and today had a small flock of siskins. I feed black oil sunflower seeds and have suet up.   JoAnne Russo Saxtons River, VT >________________________________ > From: Ralph Palmer >To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU >Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 2:21 PM >Subject: [VTBIRD] Number dropoff, Brattleboro > >Greetings, list members - > >All of a sudden, I'm getting almost no birds at my feeders. I have a hopper >feeder with mixed seed and a suet feeder. I was getting up to a dozen >juncos, three chickadees, three mourning doves, and a couple of nuthatches >regularly. This last weekend I only posted two chickadees on my feeder >count. Today I've had just one chickadee. Is anyone else seeing this kind >of drop in numbers? > >Ralph > >-- >Ralph Palmer >Brattleboro, VT >USA >palmer.r.violin AT gmail.com > > > Subject: Number dropoff, Brattleboro From: Ralph Palmer <palmer.r.violin AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 14:21:43 -0500 Greetings, list members - All of a sudden, I'm getting almost no birds at my feeders. I have a hopper feeder with mixed seed and a suet feeder. I was getting up to a dozen juncos, three chickadees, three mourning doves, and a couple of nuthatches regularly. This last weekend I only posted two chickadees on my feeder count. Today I've had just one chickadee. Is anyone else seeing this kind of drop in numbers? Ralph -- Ralph Palmer Brattleboro, VT USA palmer.r.violin AT gmail.com Subject: Counting Snow Buntings From: Eric Hynes <erichynes28 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 22:51:36 -0500 Hello Vermont Birders: Flavio Sutti and I were lucky enough to come across an impressive flock of Snow Buntings on Sunday along Long Point Road in Ferrisburg. I am in awe every time I encounter a significant flock of Snow Buntings. Their flock dynamics in air blow me away. I consistently struggle to count them accurately. I have given up trying to count them in the field. Instead, I take a photo of as much of the flock as I can and count them from the image when I get home. Typically, I print off a copy and sit down with the image holding a clicker in one hand and a Sharpie (marker) in the other - blot out and click, blot out and click, blot out and click.... you get the idea. The resulting tally is rarely close to what I had estimated in the field. If you are interested in testing your quick estimating skills, check out the image from the link below. I have made a careful count already. I will post again in a day or two with the precise number. http://www.flickr.com/photos/emhimages/6833603411/in/set-72157627782175313 Good luck, Eric Hynes Subject: Re: Lake Runnemede Redhead From: Ezekiel Jakub <ejakub AT ANTIOCH.EDU> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 21:38:04 -0500 Unsubrcibe temporarily? z Subject: good night for owling From: Eric Hynes <erichynes28 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 21:29:49 -0500 Hello Vermont Birders: It's not too late to get out there if you are into owls. The warm weather and calm wind makes for pretty ideal conditions. The full moon makes walking around easy but I give it mixed reviews for owl activity. I had a pair of Great Horned Owls dueting in Shelburne at my first stop at 8 p.m. and I could still hear them when I left at 8:45 p.m. They were most easily heard from the south gate of Shelburne Farms along Harbor Road. A chorus of coyotes was a treat as well. Cheers, Eric Hynes South Burlington Subject: Lake Runnemede Redhead From: Ken Cox <kencox5 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 20:09:40 -0500 Around noon today I dropped in at Lake Runnemede in Windsor for a quick walk around the inner horseshoe. The male Readhead reported recently is still present. Other sightings included: Common Merganser 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 flyover Bald Eagle 1 adult Downy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 1 American Crow X American Robin 3 American Tree Sparrow 5 American Goldfinch X -- Kenneth Cox South Reading, VT http://northernwingsbirder.blogspot.com/ Subject: Northern Pintail and cooper's Hawk From: Roy Pilcher <ShamwariVT AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 16:38:30 -0500 A Cooper's Hawk was observed entering an opening in the dome of a silo, [Pomainville WMA], only to emerge 5-10 seconds later apparently without an intended prey. Also observed in the Otter Creek in Proctor, that is completely open, among a number of Canada Geese and Mallard were 5 Northern Pintail. Dates for Northern Pintail are 3A-12C. The question arises as to whether these birds over wintered or are early arrivals! This morning at Pomainville, I observed a Hemlock approximately 4 feet in diameter with a strand of barbed wire emerging from its center. Would that put the original fence post back 150 years or more? Cheers, Roy Pilcher The Gables at East Mountain, Rutland, Vermont Speaking the same language. Subject: bat From: Ruth Stewart <birder_rws AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 09:54:42 -0500 One of the warm days last week, Feb 1, I saw one bat flying around about 4:30 p.m. I have to hope it was because of the unusually warm weather and not because this is a 'survivor' who has succumbed to white nose fungus. Slow feeder activity but highlighted by a Brown Creeper Feb1, and occasional visits (today) by the Red- Bellied WP - never daily - yet. All WILL BE reported in ebird! Ruth Stewart E. Dorset, VT Subject: saw-whet in Windham Cty From: Hector Galbraith <hg2 AT MYFAIRPOINT.NET> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 06:05:07 -0500 About midnight last night a saw-whet was calling outside my house in Dummerstone. Hector Galbraith Climate Change and Energy Initiative Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences p: 802 258 4836 c: 802 222 1916 Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Diamond Run Mall Nature Trail, Feb 5, 2012 From: Fred Bates <batesx2 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 01:24:42 +0000 ----- Forwarded Message ----- Not much moving behind the Mall.  Did get to clean out 2 bird houses.  Had a great walk with Lana. Diamond Run Mall Nature Trail, Rutland, US-VT Feb 5, 2012 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.5 mile(s) Comments:     Fred and Lana 1 species American Crow  4 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/vt) Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Rutland Community Garden, Feb 5, 2012 From: Fred Bates <batesx2 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 01:19:39 +0000 ----- Forwarded Message ----- Great day for a walk in the woods. Rutland Community Garden, Rutland, US-VT Feb 5, 2012 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.5 mile(s) Comments:     Fred and Lana 8 species Mourning Dove  15 American Crow  4 Black-capped Chickadee  6 Tufted Titmouse  4 White-breasted Nuthatch  4 American Robin  25 European Starling  12 Northern Cardinal  1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/vt) Subject: Re: siskin From: carolyn boardman <carolyn.boardman AT HUGHES.NET> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 11:30:50 -0500 One lone siskin in NEK this am Brownington carolyn boardman ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott Sainsbury" To: Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 9:54 AM Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] siskin Same at our farm. No Siskins all winter until Friday. Two visited with an expanded Goldfinch gang. Not seen since. Our first Purple Finch of the year was with them too. And, sadly, the two Titmouses that have visited us several times a day from the start of our feeder watch effort in November, became one Titmouse a few days ago. Scott Sainsbury CrossHaven Farm Moretown On Feb 5, 2012, at 9:29 AM, Maeve Kim wrote: > FINALLY - one lone Pine Siskin among the huge (up to 57) of goldfinches > that has been at my feeders for weeks now! > > Maeve Kim > Jericho Center > Subject: Re: siskin From: Scott Sainsbury <scott AT BEACONASSOCIATES.COM> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 09:54:38 -0500 Same at our farm. No Siskins all winter until Friday. Two visited with an expanded Goldfinch gang. Not seen since. Our first Purple Finch of the year was with them too. And, sadly, the two Titmouses that have visited us several times a day from the start of our feeder watch effort in November, became one Titmouse a few days ago. Scott Sainsbury CrossHaven Farm Moretown On Feb 5, 2012, at 9:29 AM, Maeve Kim wrote: > FINALLY - one lone Pine Siskin among the huge (up to 57) of goldfinches that has been at my feeders for weeks now! > > Maeve Kim > Jericho Center > Subject: Re: siskin From: Tom Jiamachello <topofvt AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 09:46:26 -0500 Mea culpa! And no, there aren't enough scones in the oven for all of you on the list! -----Original Message----- From: Maeve Kim To: VTBIRD Sent: Sun, Feb 5, 2012 9:29 am Subject: siskin FINALLY - one lone Pine Siskin among the huge (up to 57) of goldfinches that has been at my feeders for weeks now!Maeve KimJericho Center Subject: Re: siskin From: Tom Jiamachello <topofvt AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 09:45:42 -0500 -----Original Message----- From: Maeve Kim To: VTBIRD Sent: Sun, Feb 5, 2012 9:29 am Subject: siskin FINALLY - one lone Pine Siskin among the huge (up to 57) of goldfinches that has been at my feeders for weeks now!Maeve KimJericho Center Subject: Re: siskin From: Tom Jiamachello <topofvt AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 09:44:34 -0500 Well now! I just put some scones in the oven. Maybe if that little bugger stays around, I will drive up with a hot scone for your hard work! What are your plans today? Want to do some birding? I just have to choose the 20 some pieces of Ballard pottery for my talk Wednesday night. I DID see (finally) a male and female red-bellied woodpecker yesterday down on Stage Road. Tom -----Original Message----- From: Maeve Kim To: VTBIRD Sent: Sun, Feb 5, 2012 9:29 am Subject: siskin FINALLY - one lone Pine Siskin among the huge (up to 57) of goldfinches that has been at my feeders for weeks now!Maeve KimJericho Center Subject: siskin From: Maeve Kim <maevulus AT SURFGLOBAL.NET> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 09:29:53 -0500 FINALLY - one lone Pine Siskin among the huge (up to 57) of goldfinches that has been at my feeders for weeks now! Maeve Kim Jericho Center Subject: Four owl morning From: "Ian A. Worley" <iworley AT UVM.EDU> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 08:17:28 -0500 February 5th, Sunday. Calm, moonlit, 6 degrees. Northern Saw-whet Owl, Snake Mountain Road, Weybridge. 3:31 am Eastern Screech Owl, Hawkin's Slang, Ferrisburg. 4:16 am Barred Owl, Fort Cassin Road, Ferrisburg. 4:32 am Great Horned Owl, Gage Road, Addison. 6:03 am Sought Shore-eared Owls at locations in Panton and Addison, but none observed. Ian Subject: Re: VT eBird recognized From: Ruth Stewart <birder_rws AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 20:32:11 -0500 Well deserved kudos, Kent, our mastermind, VTebird manager and one man cheerleader for celebrating the birds of VT. Here's to a better 2012. Ruth Stewart E. Dorset, VT > Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:25:46 -0500 > From: kmcfarland AT VTECOSTUDIES.ORG > Subject: [VTBIRD] VT eBird recognized > To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU > > Way to go Vermont eBirders! The guys at eBird central sure noticed all our > great work and whipped up a nice paragraph and posted our results on the > main eBird site. > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/county-quest-vermont. Enjoy those birds! > Kent > ____________________________ > > Kent McFarland > Vermont Center for Ecostudies > PO Box 420 | Norwich, Vermont 05055 > > [image: VCE Logo] > Visit Our Pages: [image: > Facebook] > [image: > YouTube] [image: > Blogger] Subject: This is NY so ignore if you don't care eBird Report - Blackhouse Rd., Feb 4, 2012 From: MARIE HEMEON <mariekevinhemeon AT MSN.COM> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 13:33:28 -0500 Didn't get the Short-eareds (wrong time of day) but, the hawks were worth the trip, as well as, the Shrike. It was also photographed by a Ft. Edward birder who did a much better job than I. Sorry not in Vt but, as some expressed interest and the list was so hawkilicous, I couldn't resist. Kevin, not Marie. Blackhouse Rd., Washington, US-NY Feb 4, 2012 8:33 AM - 9:57 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.5 mile(s) Comments: includes dead end side streets (Fitzpatrick and Llamos) 21 species Canada Goose 100 flyovers Northern Harrier 2 one feeding on ground, one chasing a Red-tailed Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 3 Rough-legged Hawk 1 light phase on Fitzpatrick Rd Rock Pigeon 2 Northern Shrike 1 Blue Jay 4 American Crow 73 Common Raven 2 Black-capped Chickadee 5 Tufted Titmouse 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Eastern Bluebird 4 European Starling 250 Snow Bunting 16 American Tree Sparrow 5 Northern Cardinal 1 Eastern Meadowlark 1 singing American Goldfinch 3 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/ny) Subject: Re: FL trip From: "Fernando B.Corrada" <fcorrada AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 11:23:59 -0500 Mitchell, this past Fall I was in Clearwater and found a beautiful park right next to my hotel (Sheraton Sand Key Resort). The name of the park is Sand Key Park. It is comprises of a pond, beach and an estuary. It is a small park but it is loaded with all kinds of birds, butterflies and dragonflies. The beach is very clean and not crowded ( at least not in October). Here is a link to the park: http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/15_sand_key.htm We took a 1.5 hr drive to Homasassa Springs State Park and really enjoyed this FL state park. You will take a wonderful boat ride thru the Crystal River and see lots of waterbirds and many native species. Some birds are inside enclosures but many are free to fly all over the area. Guarenteed to see Manatees. Here is a link to the park located in Homasassa (less than 2 hrs North of Clearwater, take the Suncoast Parkway #589 and not coastal roads). http://www.floridastateparks.org/homosassasprings/default.cfm Here are some photos from Homasassa: http://www.flickr.com/photos/febco1/6316924259/in/set-72157623412718513/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/febco1/6307568202/in/set-72157623412718513/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/febco1/6316924327/in/set-72157623412718513/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/febco1/6320790233/in/set-72157623412718513/ Pictures from Sand Key Park: http://www.flickr.com/photos/febco1/6319182227/in/set-72157623412718513/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/febco1/6321313840/in/set-72157623412718513/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/febco1/6321313164/in/set-72157623412718513/ Birds are very approachable in FL. You can routinely move within 20-30 feet most of the time. Have a great time in Florida. Fernando B. Corrada South Burlington Subject: Re: FL trip From: Linda V Becker <daylilies56 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 09:28:29 -0500 -----Original Message----- From: Mitchell Harrison Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 8:31 AM To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [VTBIRD] FL trip I will be taking an early spring trip to Clearwater FL. If anyone has birding suggestions within a couple hours drive from Clearwater it would be appreciated. Subject: Re: Bohemian Waxwings and White-winged Crossbills ... Ripton From: Ronald Payne <vzeo04l4 AT MYFAIRPOINT.NET> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 08:54:11 -0500 It sure was convenient finding them both in the same tree! -- Ron Payne Middlebury, VT On Fri, 3 Feb 2012 21:48:40 -0500, "Ian A. Worley" wrote: This morning Ron Payne and I were on a quest in Ripton to find Bohemian > Waxwings and White-winged Crossbills. Thanks to Ron's eagle eye in > noticing some bird activity in a tall pine at the edge of a clearing, > the first birds of the day we saw were the two species together > flitting about. > > Ian > ============ > North Branch Road, Ripton, Addison, US-VT > Feb 3, 2012 10:28 AM - 10:48 AM > Protocol: Traveling > 5.0 mile(s) > Comments: Ron Payne, Ian Worley > 6 species > > Blue Jay 2 > Black-capped Chickadee 1 > Bohemian Waxwing 54 > White-winged Crossbill 2 > Pine Siskin 1 > American Goldfinch 2 > > Subject: FL trip From: Mitchell Harrison <mhsierra AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 05:31:19 -0800 I will be taking an early spring trip to Clearwater FL.  If anyone has birding suggestions within a couple hours drive from Clearwater it would be  appreciated. Subject: Re: VT eBird recognized ... Way to go Kent!! From: "Ian A. Worley" <iworley AT UVM.EDU> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 04:19:35 -0500 Way to go Kent!! You made it all happen. Ian =================== On 2/3/2012 11:25 AM, Kent McFarland wrote: > Way to go Vermont eBirders! The guys at eBird central sure noticed all our > great work and whipped up a nice paragraph and posted our results on the > main eBird site. > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/county-quest-vermont. Enjoy those birds! > Kent > ____________________________ > > Kent McFarland > Vermont Center for Ecostudies > PO Box 420 | Norwich, Vermont 05055 > > [image: VCE Logo] > Visit Our Pages: [image: > Facebook] > [image: > YouTube] [image: > Blogger] Subject: snow buntings From: Sally and Terry <towanda2 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 22:32:48 -0500 In Richmond , in the corn fields close to the Winooski ,on the right as you head out of town towards Hinesburg, there was a flurry of at least 1000 snow buntings, murmurizing and falling down like flakes of snow into the field,and then blown back up into the air to be sucked back down to the ground again. When do they have time to eat in order to maintain such a hectic schedule? The Farr farm folks were just as agog as I was ,watching this mezmerizing scene and had been watching them all day. Sally Fellows Williston Subject: Bohemian Waxwings and White-winged Crossbills ... Ripton From: "Ian A. Worley" <iworley AT UVM.EDU> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 21:48:40 -0500 This morning Ron Payne and I were on a quest in Ripton to find Bohemian Waxwings and White-winged Crossbills. Thanks to Ron's eagle eye in noticing some bird activity in a tall pine at the edge of a clearing, the first birds of the day we saw were the two species together flitting about. Ian ============ North Branch Road, Ripton, Addison, US-VT Feb 3, 2012 10:28 AM - 10:48 AM Protocol: Traveling 5.0 mile(s) Comments: Ron Payne, Ian Worley 6 species Blue Jay 2 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Bohemian Waxwing 54 White-winged Crossbill 2 Pine Siskin 1 American Goldfinch 2 Subject: Lake Champlain. Ice margin to Button Bay From: "Ian A. Worley" <iworley AT UVM.EDU> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 21:40:20 -0500 Ron Payne and I tallied birds on Lake Champlain from the edge of ice (just south of Tri-Town Water facility) to Button Bay today. Many Scaup and Goldeneyes were at the southern end of open water; many Mallards and Canada Geese at Button Bay. Highlights were an adult male American Wigeon at Arnold Bay, and a pair of Long-tailed Ducks plus 16 Ring-necked Ducks at Tri-Town. Four Common Loons and one Horned Grebe were also seen. While traveling in that part of western Addison County we saw 7 Red-tailed Hawks to add to the 3 that were my house in Cornwall earlier in the day. We saw only one Rough-legged Hawk. Complete lists are below. Ian ------------------------ Tri-Town Water District Plant, Addison, US-VT Feb 3, 2012 12:26 PM - 1:39 PM Protocol: Stationary Comments: Ron Payne, Ian Worley 16 species American Black Duck 11 Mallard 6 Ring-necked Duck 16 Greater Scaup 423 Total Scaup careful count by clicker was 846. Lesser/Greater ratio estimated at 50/50. Lesser Scaup 423 Total Scaup careful count by clicker was 846. Lesser/Greater ratio estimated at 50/50. Long-tailed Duck 2 Common Goldeneye 629 Careful county by clicker Common Merganser 13 Horned Grebe 1 Ring-billed Gull 3 Great Black-backed Gull 1 Mourning Dove 12 Downy Woodpecker 1 American Crow 4 Northern Cardinal 1 American Goldfinch 2 ================================= Staton Drive, Addison, US-VT Feb 3, 2012 1:44 PM - 2:10 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.3 mile(s) Comments: Ron Payne, Ian Worley 16 species Mallard 16 Hooded Merganser 3 Common Merganser 81 Common Loon 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Great Black-backed Gull 2 Mourning Dove 3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 3 Black-capped Chickadee 3 American Robin 9 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Northern Cardinal 4 American Goldfinch 4 ============================ Arnold Bay, Addison, US-VT Feb 3, 2012 2:19 PM - 2:41 PM Protocol: Stationary Comments: Ron Payne, Ian Worley 6 species American Wigeon 1 American Black Duck 19 Mallard 62 Hooded Merganser 2 Common Merganser 12 American Crow 2 =============================== Button Bay State Park, Addison, US-VT Feb 3, 2012 2:56 PM - 3:28 PM Protocol: Stationary Comments: Ron Payne, Ian Worley 10 species Canada Goose 450 Difficult to estimate numbers. Lots of skeins moving about; some birds hidden by islands. American Black Duck 58 careful count by clicker Mallard 404 careful count by clicker Common Goldeneye 46 Common Merganser 35 Common Loon 2 Bald Eagle 2 Ring-billed Gull 9 Herring Gull 14 Great Black-backed Gull Subject: West Haven and Benson, towns in Rutland County From: Roy Pilcher <ShamwariVT AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:20:33 -0500 I birded the above two Rutland County towns this morning. Temperature hovered around 18 degrees F with no snow on the ground. Birds of interest included a male Northern Harrier, 2 American Kestrel, a Northern Flicker, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, 11 Eastern Bluebird in three groups, 2 American Tree Sparrow, 2 male Red-winged Blackbird and a small flock of 5 Pine Siskin. Cheers, Roy Pilcher The Gables at East Mountain, Rutland, Vermont Speaking the same language. Subject: Bohemian Waxwings in Duxbury From: Eric Hynes <erichynes28 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:23:52 -0500 Hello Vermont Birders: I was driving through Duxbury (from Waterbury toward Waitsfield) along Route 100 this afternoon and lucked into a mixed flock of frugivores attacking some crab apple trees at #2928. It is NOT a safe place to pull over but I noticed most of the ~75 birds were Bohemian Waxwings. There were a few Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, and European Starlings mixed in. Cheers, Eric Hynes South Burlington Subject: NEK Report: Moose Bog, W.W. Crossbills, Boreal chickadee From: Thomas Berriman <blackpoll AT MYFAIRPOINT.NET> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 15:15:46 -0500 I didn't have to go any further than the parking lot at South America Pond Rd, Moose Bog this morning as all of the following birds were seen or heard standing by my vehicle. I walked out to rte. 105 for better views of Crossbills, Gray Jays and Sisikins but never even walked down the Moose Bog Trail. Thses birds are anxious for some visitors. Get on up there while the snow level is a foot or less. Moose Bog, Wenlock WMA, Ferdinand, Essex, US-VT Feb 3, 2012 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) 13 species Hairy Woodpecker 1 Black-backed Woodpecker 1 Gray Jay 3 Blue Jay 4 American Crow 1 Common Raven 1 Black-capped Chickadee 3 Boreal Chickadee 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 3 Brown Creeper 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 White-winged Crossbill 7 Pine Siskin 35 Subject: Better Birding Continues Monday (and Snow Buntings in Plainfield) From: Bryan Pfeiffer <Bryan AT VERMONTBIRDTOURS.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 13:04:15 -0500 Greetings, VTBIRDers: My Better Birding Lecture Series continues on Monday in Montpelier with a session on Tools and Toys for Naturalists. Bring yours for show and tell. We'll cover binoculars, scopes, field guides, apps and other gadgets for enjoying life outside. I'll also offer suggestions on purchasing a digital camera. With so many choices out there, I've been putting a lot of thought into how to find the right camera for your own photographic aspirations. As usual, we'll meet at 6:30pm on Monday at the First Baptist Church of Montpelier (one block down School Street from the Kellogg-Hubbard Library). Bring your binos and other toys! The fee for the session is $10. The Better Birding lectures are co-sponsored by North Branch Nature Center and the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. Details on Monday's workshop are at: http://www.dailywing.net/2012/02/02/tools-and-toys/ In other matters avian, I overheard Snow Buntings calling at the summit of Spruce Mountain in Plainfield at dawn this morning, not the first time I've encountered them up there. Best, Bryan Pfeiffer -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bryan Pfeiffer Birding: http://www.VermontBirdTours.com Blogging: http://www.DailyWing.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Subject: VT eBird recognized From: Kent McFarland <kmcfarland AT VTECOSTUDIES.ORG> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:25:46 -0500 Way to go Vermont eBirders! The guys at eBird central sure noticed all our great work and whipped up a nice paragraph and posted our results on the main eBird site. http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/county-quest-vermont. Enjoy those birds! Kent ____________________________ Kent McFarland Vermont Center for Ecostudies PO Box 420 | Norwich, Vermont 05055 [image: VCE Logo] Visit Our Pages: [image: Facebook] [image: YouTube] [image: Blogger] Subject: South Burlington wren and bluebird From: UVM <smorrica AT UVM.EDU> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 08:35:02 -0500 One Carolina Wren singing along Baycrest Drive this morning One Eastern Bluebird perched in tree along Nowlamd Farm Road this morning Scott Sent from my iPhone On Feb 2, 2012, at 4:36 PM, Jo Ann wrote: > This a.m. an American Coot was just off the dock in Lake CHamplain in N. > Ferrisburgh (got picture), and yesterday 2/1/12 five Hooded Mergansers on > the other side of the road in the bay, 2 male, 3 female. Saturday 1/28/12 a > Great Blue Heron at Button Bay. Sunday 1/29/12 two large flock of Robins > eating Mountain Ash red berries at Mad River Glen ski area, not at the bottom > but near the top off the single chair and just below the top of the double. A > first that i have ever seen! Subject: Bald Eagles From: eve ticknor <edticknor AT SYMPATICO.CA> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 21:02:22 -0500 Ft Casin Rd around noon, 21 adult and sub-adult Bald Eagles in various trees. Charlotte Ferry Dock around 3pm, 3 Hooded Mergansers, 7 Common Mergansers. Eve Ticknor Box 2206 Prescott, On K0E 1T0 res: 613-925-5528 cell: 613-859-9545 Box 122, 35 Elm St Essex, NY 12936 "All nature is but art, unknown to thee" Subject: American Coot & Hooded Mergansers From: Jo Ann <kittiwake_3 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:36:12 -0500 This a.m. an American Coot was just off the dock in Lake CHamplain in N. Ferrisburgh (got picture), and yesterday 2/1/12 five Hooded Mergansers on the other side of the road in the bay, 2 male, 3 female. Saturday 1/28/12 a Great Blue Heron at Button Bay. Sunday 1/29/12 two large flock of Robins eating Mountain Ash red berries at Mad River Glen ski area, not at the bottom but near the top off the single chair and just below the top of the double. A first that i have ever seen! Subject: Strange and wonderful sightings From: Robert Dudley <greyowlvermont AT LIVE.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:54:01 -0500 Good Afternoon All, I have not had anytime to do any serious birding, but I thought that I would pass on a few interesting sighting. Two days ago I spotted two large redtail hawks sitting in a tree that is behind my property. There were 5 crows also in the tree nervously keeping an eye on the hawks. They eventually flew away one by one and finally the hawks left. The same day a Carolina Wren visited my suet feeder. Yesterday I heard a robin sing and then two! Did not spot them. Then today I spied a female mallard in north Bennington. Life is Good. Cheers, Bob in West Arlington. Subject: Catbird From: Elizabeth Alton <redbnuthatch AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:54:32 -0500 Hi All, Just found a catbird calling and eating berries in the side yard of the Green Mt Animal Hospital, Williston Rd in South Burlington. When I heard it, I had to do a double take, as it just did not fit this time of year. Seemed happy with the berries he found. Liz Alton -- Liz Alton: "Keep a green tree in your heart; perhaps a singing bird will come." [image: mail.gif] Subject: E. Screech-Owl in South Burlington From: Eric Hynes <erichynes28 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:03:50 -0500 Hello Vermont Birders: I was pleasantly surprised to find myself practically face-to-face with a gray morph Eastern Screech-Owl in my backyard last night. I had stepped out with the dog one last time for the night and I unknowingly walked right up to the owl which was perched about 10' up a tree. The owl seemed indifferent to my presence but was very intently watching the two flying squirrels which were gliding down to my platform feeder for peanuts. I didn't stay out to see how that drama unfolded. Good birding, Eric Hynes South Burlington Subject: Re: shrike at North Branch Nature Center From: Scott Sainsbury <scott AT BEACONASSOCIATES.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:48:56 -0500 Yay! Up with Shrikes! On Feb 2, 2012, at 10:34 AM, Chip Darmstadt wrote: > Hello Birders, > > A beautiful adult Northern Shrike struck a pose on the top of a cedar tree > here at the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier this morning. Also a > flock a 50 Snow Buntings and a flock of 85 Cedar Waxwings (no Bohemians). > > > > I also saw a shrike up near the Berlin Airport yesterday, as well as a flock > of 12 Red-winged Blackbirds and 4 Brown-headed Cowbirds. I was excited to > witness one of the cowbirds (a male) soliciting preening by a female > Red-winged > > Blackbird. The cowbird kept its beak down, while presenting its crown to the > blackbird, which probed and gaped the feathers of the cowbirds head! Doing a > little research, I learned that cowbirds are known for this interspecific > behavior, for which there are a number of possible explanations - mostly > having to do with maintaining/determining social hierarchy within the flock. > > > > Cheers, Chip > > > > > > Chip Darmstadt > > Executive Director > > North Branch Nature Center > > 713 Elm Street > > Montpelier, VT 05602 > > 802-229-6206 > > chip AT NorthBranchNatureCenter.org > > www.NorthBranchNatureCenter.org > > > Subject: shrike at North Branch Nature Center From: Chip Darmstadt <Chip AT NORTHBRANCHNATURECENTER.ORG> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:34:31 -0500 Hello Birders, A beautiful adult Northern Shrike struck a pose on the top of a cedar tree here at the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier this morning. Also a flock a 50 Snow Buntings and a flock of 85 Cedar Waxwings (no Bohemians). I also saw a shrike up near the Berlin Airport yesterday, as well as a flock of 12 Red-winged Blackbirds and 4 Brown-headed Cowbirds. I was excited to witness one of the cowbirds (a male) soliciting preening by a female Red-winged Blackbird. The cowbird kept its beak down, while presenting its crown to the blackbird, which probed and gaped the feathers of the cowbirds head! Doing a little research, I learned that cowbirds are known for this interspecific behavior, for which there are a number of possible explanations - mostly having to do with maintaining/determining social hierarchy within the flock. Cheers, Chip Chip Darmstadt Executive Director North Branch Nature Center 713 Elm Street Montpelier, VT 05602 802-229-6206 chip AT NorthBranchNatureCenter.org www.NorthBranchNatureCenter.org Subject: Eagle bird bath From: cynthia crawford <cynthia.crawford AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:24:57 -0500 I stopped by Wilder dam outflow (Hartford) yesterday-saw 6 Common Mergansers fairly far out (3m,3f). Then I spotted something on the gravel outcropping close to the middle of the river, even further in the distance. It seemed to be moving-splashing. Turned out to be 2 adult Bald Eagles taking a bath -first one would splash and preen, then the other. What a sight! I got a movie of it but need to process it for the web before I can share it. Hopefully I'll get it on to Flickr some time soon. Meanwhile, at home, 4 Evening Grosbeaks made a brief visit, and have regular mixed flocks of Goldfinches, Pine Siskins and Purple Finches. Titmice and Chickadees are singing. Cynthia Crawford -- Cindy Creature Kinships and Natural Affinities Animal and Nature Paintings, Portraits and Prints www.creaturekinships.com Photos: http://pbase.com/creaturekinships BLOG: http://creature-kinships.blogspot.com/ Subject: Uganda birds & gorillas From: Ruth Stewart <birder_rws AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:38:04 -0500 I am planning a 22 day birding trip to Uganda in Nov. This trip is just being promoted by the company, Africa Adventure Safaris, so I am passing along info to 'my' birding world. Feel free to contact me off line for what I have found out so far. http://www.birdinginuganda.com/birdwatching/birding-uganda-rwanda.html Ruth Stewart E. Dorset, VT Subject: RW Blackbird and many Goldfinches From: Barbara Brosnan <bbrosnan AT GMAVT.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 08:55:03 -0500 Hi Folks, Yesterday and today a Red-winged Blackbird was calling from the banks of Otter Creek just across from our house. Must be February. I scrambled to get a close to accurate count of our Am Goldfinches and arrived at 58 individuals, all the while knowing that there were more in the surrounding trees. It is difficult to count in all four directions simultaneously. Alas, nary a Siskin among them. Barbara Brosnan Weybridge (Snake Mt. north area) -----Original Message----- From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org [mailto:do-not-reply AT ebird.org] Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 8:47 AM To: bbrosnan AT gmavt.net Subject: eBird Report - Lutra Farm, Feb 2, 2012 Lutra Farm, Addison, US-VT Feb 2, 2012 8:30 AM Protocol: Incidental Comments: Red-wing Blackbird was calling from across the street near Otter Creek. My count of 58 Am Goldfinches is conservative. 2 species Red-winged Blackbird 1 American Goldfinch 58 AM Goldfinches at all four sunflower and finch seed feeders and in surrounding trees. They have been here all winter with the numbers steadily climbing. We have had large numbers here for all 27 years that we have lived here. This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) Subject: albino RT Hummingbird From: Walter Medwid <wmedwid AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 08:04:14 -0500 An interesting series of photos taken in VA. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/31/rare-albino-hummingbird_n_1244307.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009 Subject: Short-eared Owls From: MARIE HEMEON <mariekevinhemeon AT MSN.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 07:37:58 -0500 Not in Vt. but, close for those interested. Word has come to me that Short-eared Owls are once again in Argyle (specifically Durkeetown), NY. This area is great for hawks and these owls especially but, has had numerous other great finds over the years. In case there is interest. Kevin (who is interested) not Marie (Who would rather be anywhere else) Subject: Possible Snowy Owl north of Middlbury From: "Ian A. Worley" <iworley AT UVM.EDU> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 07:22:56 -0500 Yesterday (Wednesday) morning a friend saw a possible Snowy Owl being hassled by a hawk in a field beside/behind a barn on the east side of Route 7 about 2 miles north of the center of town. This is a little north of Hendy Brothers tractor sales and service. Ian Subject: seal, not bird From: Ruth Stewart <birder_rws AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:38:00 -0500 This is too extraordinary not to pass it along. A Ribbon Seal has shown up in the waters near Everett, WA where our son and family used to live. Have you ever heard of a Ribbon Seal? Native to AK. Read on... http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120131/NEWS01/701319734#Seal-gets-a-checkup Ruth Stewart E. Dorset, VT Subject: Fwd: [VTBIRD] Robbins and Waxwings From: Charles Gangas <dashlast AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:06:39 -0500 Sorry folks-didn't mean for this to go out to the entire list-a thousand gomens... Begin forwarded message: > From: Charles Gangas > Date: February 1, 2012 3:41:13 PM EST > To: Vermont Birds > Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Robbins and Waxwings > > Kent-thanks for the information, and perhaps the next time you're in town you could give a shout-I'm on the Notch Brook Rd. just up the hill from the Matterhorn-if you're familiar. > > > Best, > Chuck Gangas > > > On Feb 1, 2012, at 12:03 PM, Kent McFarland wrote: > >> Charles, >> We do a lot of bird research on Mt. Mansfield. We see this in most years >> that there is a heavy Mountain Ash crop. It isn't unusual when the berries >> are present. The crop appears to fluctuate on a mostly biennial manner from >> high production to low in most areas. >> Kent >> ____________________________ >> >> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:43:05 -0500 >> From: Charles Gangas >> Subject: Robbins and Waxwings >> >> I was skiing Mt. Mansfield yesterday when my wife and I noticed several = >> small flocks of robins about halfway up the mountain off the FourRunner = >> Quad. Each group consisted of about 6-8 birds. Then as we were coming = >> down the Ridge View Trail as it intersects Upper Lookout just under the = >> Mount Triple Chair, there were scores of Cedar Waxwings feeding of a = >> bountiful crop of berries. At temps at the Octagon of around 18 degrees = >> F the berries were certainly frozen. >> In over twenty years the first I've noticed this kind of activity on = >> Mt. Mansfield when skiing. Can anyone explain this sighting, and is it = >> something that occurs periodically that I've not noticed on the mountain = >> before?= > Subject: Re: Robbins and Waxwings From: Charles Gangas <dashlast AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:41:13 -0500 Kent-thanks for the information, and perhaps the next time you're in town you could give a shout-I'm on the Notch Brook Rd. just up the hill from the Matterhorn-if you're familiar. Best, Chuck Gangas On Feb 1, 2012, at 12:03 PM, Kent McFarland wrote: > Charles, > We do a lot of bird research on Mt. Mansfield. We see this in most years > that there is a heavy Mountain Ash crop. It isn't unusual when the berries > are present. The crop appears to fluctuate on a mostly biennial manner from > high production to low in most areas. > Kent > ____________________________ > > Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:43:05 -0500 > From: Charles Gangas > Subject: Robbins and Waxwings > > I was skiing Mt. Mansfield yesterday when my wife and I noticed several = > small flocks of robins about halfway up the mountain off the FourRunner = > Quad. Each group consisted of about 6-8 birds. Then as we were coming = > down the Ridge View Trail as it intersects Upper Lookout just under the = > Mount Triple Chair, there were scores of Cedar Waxwings feeding of a = > bountiful crop of berries. At temps at the Octagon of around 18 degrees = > F the berries were certainly frozen. > In over twenty years the first I've noticed this kind of activity on = > Mt. Mansfield when skiing. Can anyone explain this sighting, and is it = > something that occurs periodically that I've not noticed on the mountain = > before?= Subject: Re: Snowy owls .... From: Jane Stein <jeshawks AT SHOREHAM.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:21:08 -0500 I don't think Snowy mortality post-fledging is that high, actually. Even the "Birds of North America" monograph Eubanks quoted from says something like 14 percent mortality for those southward irruptions, which sounds about right to me from what I've heard from banders like Norm Smith at Logan Airport in Boston, who generally find these guys to be in pretty good shape when they catch them. Snowies are more powerful and more versatile hunters than most other raptors, so I would expect their mortality once fledged and established on their own to be fairly low, wouldn't you think? I believe Snowy mortality for Snowies is mostly in the egg/nestling stage, since these guys are ground nesters. I welcome correct on that if that's wrong, but that's what I've always understood. Voles, like lemmings, also go through population boom and bust cycles, though perhaps not as dramatic, and clearly we're in a "bust" cycle in the Champlain Valley this year, more's the pity given the Snowy irruption. There are hardly any Rough-Legs around and not even very many Red-Tails, and given the lack of snow cover, they should be having superb hunting if there was anything to hunt. On the opposite end of the scale, I remember vividly a winter some years ago when a prime birding place south of Boston with fairly extensive farm fields hosted an astounding 29-plus Harriers and I think it was 28 Short-Eared Owls, plus assorted Red-Tails, Cooper's Hawks and a handful of Rough-Legs all winter. And that wonderful winter here (maybe 15 yrs or so ago?) of the two Northern Hawk Owls in Cornwall and Bridport also hosted an astounding number of Rough-Legs in Dead Creek and vicinity, almost "dripping off the trees." They were everywhere for a few weeks. Jane (Shoreham) On 2/1/2012 1:11 PM, david merker wrote: > Jane, I think I'm more in your court, maybe "some" won't make it, but > the birds don't seem to hang around where there isn't food, thats why > they are so far south, right? Thats also why they aren't around the > Ct river valley, nothing to eat. We might see some and traditionally > have seen a one or two in the Champlain valley, but not 29. There is > more prey in the CV as compared almost none in the Ct RV, but still > not enough to support large numbers of snowy owls. Certainly studies > have indicated that maybe 75%+ raptors of the year (first year birds) > may perish in that first year, so perhaps he was going with that > statistic, which I think is a well proven one. I think snowy owls > with lots of black flecking are the young birds, so if he is seeing > 90% young owls, than he might be right. I like to take the high road > in giving them a shot at survival, but the science might put his > statement on good ground. > > Dave Merker Etna, New Hampshire > >> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:23:50 -0500 From: jeshawks AT SHOREHAM.NET >> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Snowy owls .... To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU >> >> I would be very curious about others' reaction to this piece and >> his assertion that "most will not make it past the winter." Is >> there any evidence of this? >> >> Some certainly won't make it past the winter, but seems to me the >> very absence of raptors in his patch of Nebraska is evidence that >> birds, Snowies included, aren't hanging around to starve in fields >> barren of prey. Parts of the country had a terrible drought this >> year, and therefore presumably support a lot fewer rodents now, but >> that's certainly not the case in the rest of the country. >> >> It may well be the case that the Snowies that come far inland fare >> less well in general and this year in particular than those that >> head for the coastal areas, but I'm still not aware of any data >> that supports his assertion that "most will not make it past the >> winter." >> >> I'm scratching my head to make sense of Eubanks's doom and gloom. >> Maybe he's just having a bad day. >> >> Jane >> >> (Shoreham) >> >> >> >> On 2/1/2012 11:17 AM, Scott Sainsbury wrote: >>> Also, a more sobering perspective on Snowys from Ted Eubanks >>> http://www.birdspert.com/?p=1883 >>> >>> Scott Sainsbury Moretown >>> >>> On Feb 1, 2012, at 8:22 AM, Ian A. Worley wrote: >>> >>>> Interesting comment this morning from a birder in Regina, >>>> Saskatchewan: >>>> >>>> >>>> "Even for us we are marveling in the huge numbers of Snowy >>>> Owls. We have reports of 29 birds along 3 kilometer stretch. >>>> Daily I see 4 birds in less than 1 kilometer on the way home >>>> each afternoon. .......... Greg Kratzig (Regina)" >>>> >>>> >>>> Ian >>>> >>> > Subject: Great Horned Owl From: Ruth Stewart <birder_rws AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:17:15 -0500 I had a unexpected interchange with a Great Horned Owl last night.. amazingly close to the house. I think I peeked 'his' interest with my vocalizing so that he continued long after me, well into the wee hrs of the morning for at least 1 1/2hrs! Unfortunately, I was awake much longer than I wanted to be! This GHOW is significant since we have had very few sightings in southern VT for several years. I'm thinking we may not even have recorded any in the blocks I coordinated in Benn Co. during the Breeding Bird Atlas. Can someone please tell me how to check sightings for a single specie for a given period in ebird? Ruth Stewart E. Dorset, VT Subject: Re: Robbins and Waxwings From: Richard Enser <rickenser AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:15:33 -0800 Here in the lower elevations along the east/west border of Braintree and Randolph (roughly 900 feet) there has been a sizeable flock of mixed waxwings and robins for about the last month.  I've only seen them a few times during the month as they are continually moving to new food sources.  There is little Mountain Ash here, but these birds seem to be doing well on apples and other fruits (not going to feeders as far as I can tell) and yesterday I found the entire group of about 90 waxwings (about 20% cedar/80% Bohemian) feeding in a large patch of multiflora rose, along with a dozen robins and some starlings.  When I returned to the spot an hour later these birds had completely disappeared, but for the past couple of hours today there have been scattered groups of waxwings in the treetops surrounding my yard (about 1/2 mile from yesterday's feeding spot).  These birds are continually on the move, sitting in the trees a few moments, then flying off in different directions.  I assume they are searching for more food supplies?, although they don't seem to have any interest in the half dozen well laden apple trees that line our property.   Rick Enser, Braintree ________________________________ From: Kent McFarland To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 12:03 PM Subject: [VTBIRD] Robbins and Waxwings Charles, We do a lot of bird research on Mt. Mansfield. We see this in most years that there is a heavy Mountain Ash crop. It isn't unusual when the berries are present. The crop appears to fluctuate on a mostly biennial manner from high production to low in most areas. Kent ____________________________ Date:    Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:43:05 -0500 From:    Charles Gangas Subject: Robbins and Waxwings I was skiing Mt. Mansfield yesterday when my wife and I noticed several = small flocks of robins about halfway up the mountain off the FourRunner = Quad. Each group consisted of about 6-8 birds.  Then as we were coming = down the Ridge View Trail as it intersects Upper Lookout just under the = Mount Triple Chair, there were scores of Cedar Waxwings feeding of a = bountiful crop of berries. At temps at the Octagon of around 18 degrees = F  the berries were certainly frozen. In over twenty years the first I've noticed this kind of activity on = Mt. Mansfield when skiing. Can anyone explain this sighting, and is it = something that occurs periodically that I've not noticed on the mountain = before?= Subject: Re: Snowy owls .... From: david merker <buteojamaica AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 13:11:20 -0500 Jane, I think I'm more in your court, maybe "some" won't make it, but the birds don't seem to hang around where there isn't food, thats why they are so far south, right? Thats also why they aren't around the Ct river valley, nothing to eat. We might see some and traditionally have seen a one or two in the Champlain valley, but not 29. There is more prey in the CV as compared almost none in the Ct RV, but still not enough to support large numbers of snowy owls. Certainly studies have indicated that maybe 75%+ raptors of the year (first year birds) may perish in that first year, so perhaps he was going with that statistic, which I think is a well proven one. I think snowy owls with lots of black flecking are the young birds, so if he is seeing 90% young owls, than he might be right. I like to take the high road in giving them a shot at survival, but the science might put his statement on good ground. Dave Merker Etna, New Hampshire > Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:23:50 -0500 > From: jeshawks AT SHOREHAM.NET > Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Snowy owls .... > To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU > > I would be very curious about others' reaction to this piece and his > assertion that "most will not make it past the winter." Is there any > evidence of this? > > Some certainly won't make it past the winter, but seems to me the very > absence of raptors in his patch of Nebraska is evidence that birds, > Snowies included, aren't hanging around to starve in fields barren of > prey. Parts of the country had a terrible drought this year, and > therefore presumably support a lot fewer rodents now, but that's > certainly not the case in the rest of the country. > > It may well be the case that the Snowies that come far inland fare less > well in general and this year in particular than those that head for the > coastal areas, but I'm still not aware of any data that supports his > assertion that "most will not make it past the winter." > > I'm scratching my head to make sense of Eubanks's doom and gloom. Maybe > he's just having a bad day. > > Jane > > (Shoreham) > > > > On 2/1/2012 11:17 AM, Scott Sainsbury wrote: > > Also, a more sobering perspective on Snowys from Ted Eubanks > > http://www.birdspert.com/?p=1883 > > > > Scott Sainsbury > > Moretown > > > > On Feb 1, 2012, at 8:22 AM, Ian A. Worley wrote: > > > >> Interesting comment this morning from a birder in Regina, Saskatchewan: > >> > >> > >> "Even for us we are marveling in the huge numbers of Snowy Owls. We have reports of 29 birds along 3 kilometer stretch. Daily I see 4 birds in less than 1 kilometer on the way home each afternoon. .......... Greg Kratzig (Regina)" > >> > >> > >> Ian > >> > >