Walking the rail trail between Poultney and Castleton:

A bluebird (first I've seen in Vermont this spring) and Baltimore Oriole
(first I've seen anywhere this spring)... both near the intersection of
route 30 and Saltis Rd.

Tree swallow flock south of Farnham Rd, including at least one going in and
out of a nesting box along the trail.  One bird sat very close and looked
at my dogs and me in the bright sun.  Easy to forget just how beautiful
they can be.

Towhees calling further south.

Two pileated woodpeckers a mile south of Farnham Rd., one of which was near
the ground and let me get very close.

Nearby a brown thrasher picking at something on the ground by the trail.

A call that was probably a yellow warbler, but the bird flew away an
instant later, without my getting the glasses on him.  Not certain, since I
have not seen or heard any other yellows yet.

Flickers in many locations.  Phoebes seemed to be everywhere.

Dogs found the remains of a raptor just off the trail near Saltis Rd.  One
wing remained intact -- looked like a red-tailed.

Don Bemont