With a bit a of a nip in the air, 12 participants bundled up and set out for this morning's 125th West Rutland Marsh monitoring walk. Twenty-two species were tallied, two more than last year and higher than our 11-year average of 18.
Highlights included an immature Bald Eagle. This is the second time this species has been observed, the other being in January of 2008. A Ring-billed Gull was flying over the marsh, another species not frequently seen.
A record high of 107 Mallards was observed (along with a single American Black Duck). Most of the water at the marsh remains open.
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 107
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 8
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 8
Common Raven 1
Black-capped Chickadee 30
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
European Starling 8
American Tree Sparrow 7
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 5
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 14
http://www.rutlandcountyaudubon.org/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rutlandcountyaudubon/sets/72157627648401907/
and on Facebook
Next marsh walk: Thursday, January 19, 8 a.m.
Sue Elliott
