- RBA
*Vermont
*Statewide
*02/06/03
*VTVT0302.06

    A BARN OWL was reportedly seen at the intersection of Main Street and
Route 140 in Poultney on 2/1. Attempts to relocate the bird have so far been
unsuccessful.
    A PINE WARBLER visited a feeder in Proctor. An AMERICAN KESTREL and a
NORTHERN SHRIKE were also seen in the same backyard.
    Most of the lake is frozen, except for isolated leads well off shore and
open water maintained by the Charlotte-Essex ferry where 2 MUTE SWANS were
seen on the 2nd. Open stretches of the Connecticut River may harbor the
widest variety of waterfowl. Two GREATER SCAUP were seen off White River
Junction, and a male BARROW¹S GOLDENEYE and a female LONG-TAILED DUCK
continued to be found below the Vernon Dam south of Brattleboro. Two adult
and 1 immature BALD EAGLES were also seen there.
    Four adult BALD EAGLES were present at the Grand Isle ferry docks. Three
NORTHERN PINTAILS, two males and a female, were found among BLACKS and
MALLARDS at the pond by the Ed Weed Fish Hatchery.
    Substantial numbers of AMERICAN ROBINS continue to be reported. Over 200
were in Dorset, 50 in Burlington, ³a large flock² at St. Albans, as well as
lesser numbers in Whiting, Shelburne and Charlotte. BLUEBIRDS were reported
in Charlotte, and 60 CEDAR WAXWINGS were seen in Weathersfield.
    PILEATED WOODPECKERS were seen in Weathersfield, Shelburne and Pawlet.
    A backcountry skier reported a SNOWY OWL in Jericho this week. Details
suggest the bird was in a wooded area, a very unlikely spot for this open
country species. What is intriguing, however, relates to an earlier report
from the same area. On December 21st, one was reported from Lower English
Settlement Road in Underhill, about a mile from where this bird was
reported.
__________________________________
Wayne Scott
Compiler, VT Rare Bird Alert

416 Hanover Center Road
Etna, NH 03750
(603) 643-0179
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