Shirley Johnson and Alison Wagner have been leading the Early Morning Birds Walks this spring. (Haven’t been on one yet? Come on Sundays at 7:00 a.m.; we will be doing these through June). They post the birds the group observes on a white board here at the museum, and report some of the highlights to us over coffee.
Last week, Alison lead a group despite the snowy weather. Yes, they were successful, observing some dozen or so species.
Blackburnian Warbler (carved by Bob Spear). One of the species identified on today's Early Morning Bird Walk.
Today, Shirley reported hearing two barred owls having a “party”, cackling and laughing back and forth to each other. She also said they’d heard a Louisiana Waterthrush, and compared the sounds of that species as recorded by the iFlyer and the Birding by Ear CDs.
from Sally Laughlin, via e-mail
The Woodstock Count was held on the coldest day of the count period no doubt, Tuesday 12/29….wind-chill to 30 below. Both numbers of individuals and of species suffered (as did us birders!). We had only 32 species and 2227 individuals. But we had some firsts for our 35 year old count!
from Thomas Berriman, via e-mail Barnet CBC, New Year’s Day: A record high 23 participants helped count the birds of the Northeast Kingdom on New Year’s day. Absolutely gorgeous weather, 25 degrees [F] with light snow falling and no winds throughout the day, aided the counters to find 41 species with an additional 2 species during count week. 338 miles of roads in the NEK were traveled with another 13 ¾ miles on foot.
from Roy Pilcher, via e-mail
RUTLAND COUNTY AUDUBON COUNT # 110/36
Boxing Day proved to be an unfortunate choice of date for our 36th annual Christmas Bird Count. Observer participation was negatively impacted. The traditional 8 field teams was reduced to 7, and their own. The anticipated sleet and rain did not materialize but winds of from 10-15 mph with gusts of 30-35 mph appeared to depress avian activity.
6333 individual birds were recorded, considerably less than the ten year running average of 9103. The species count of 43 (with 5 on Count Week) was well below the ten year running average of 49.5. Mallard and Common Merganser numbers set new highs.
Huntington, Hinesburg and Starksboro, Vermont (preliminary)
Red-breasted Nuthatch, turning to look at photographer
from Erin Talmage (Museum Executive Director) and Alison Wagner, via e-mail. Our group was in parts of Huntington, Hinesburg and Starksboro, and we conducted our count on Saturday, January 2, 2010.
from Ken Copenhaver, via e-mail
Here are preliminary results from the Lake Champlain/St. Albans CBC held on Dec. 20. Counts from several groups, including feeder-watchers, are not yet available. The VTCS count circle includes North Hero, Isle La Motte, and parts of Alburgh, Swanton, St. Albans, Georgia, Grand Isle, and Point Au Roche (NY).
from Kevin, via e-mail December 28, 2009
With only one or two possible counters left to give results[, we saw] 55 spp. yesterday, 12/27/09. Winter finches have yet to get down here but, a few “shoulda-been-gones” made up for them. Over all numbers down due to a wet morning.
from Jim Andrews, via e-mail December 21, 2009
As a group, our species numbers were on the low end (58 so far), primarily as a result of the loss of our open water. A Savannah Sparrow was one of the best birds of the count.
Note from Erin:
Parts of Lake Champlain (shores of Shoreham and Bridport ) are part of the [Middlebury] circle. When the lake isn’t frozen we get many more species of ducks, gulls, etc. That is why Ferrisburgh and Burlington almost always have a higher species count because they get those species!
The third Randolph CBC was conducted on Dec. 19, tallying 34 species/2094 individuals. Temperature at sunrise was -12[°F], only warming to -7 by 10:30 AM on Braintree Hill, eventually rising to a balmy +17. Numbers would have likely been lower this year without the addition of several new feeder watchers. The single new species for the count was a Carolina Wren which showed up at my feeder 3 days before the count, and is still present. (Luckily I [the poster] have the bird on video, negating the need for me to ask myself for a rare bird documentation form). Continue reading “Christmas Bird Count: Randolph, Vermont (preliminary)”
