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*Vermont
*Statewide
*08/01/03
*VTVT0308.01
This is a summary of the bird sightings in Vermont for the second half
of July. An informal summary of birders from both Vermont and New Hampshire
suggested much reduced EASTERN PHOEBE numbers in the region this spring and
early summer. So it is reassuring to hear about mid summer nesting attempts.
Many bird species, having already produced one clutch, are working on a
second. Reports of territorial WARBLER species on the slopes of Camelšs Hump
in Duxbury include BLACK-THROATED BLUE, CANADA, MAGNOLIA, BLACKPOLL, and
NASHVILLE. With all the tent caterpillars around, it seems to be a good year
for CUCKOOS. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS, not an easy species to find in the
state, were seen or heard in Norwich and in Springfield. Finally, I hear
through the grapevine that the water levels at Dead Creek in Addison are
being lowered, good news for you wader enthusiasts.
The Monroe, NH Barnet, VT SANDHILL CRANE was reported on the New
Hampshire side of the river, now in its fifth year roosting at night on the
large sandbar in the middle of the Connecticut River between the two towns.
A LEAST BITTERN was seen at the Black Creek marsh in St. Albans.
At least 50 immature BONAPARTEšS GULLS have been lingering off
Popasquash Island north of St. Albans.
One or two RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were found at Mud Creek in the large
forest on the right as one enters the recreation trail from Route 78.
An adult male ORCHARD ORIOLE was seen near the intersection of Lake
Road and Route 125 in Bridport on the 14th.
At the Brilyea Access of Dead Creek off Route 17, 3 SANDERLINGS and a
SORA were reported on the 19th.
At Lake Bomoseen on the 14th, the following were among the birds
seen: 6 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 1 GREEN HERON, 44 WOOD DUCKS, 1 BROAD-WINGED
HAWK, 3 MARSH WRENS, and 6 SWAMP SPARROWS.
The following were reported from the Northeast Kingdom on the 12th:
NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, about 4 miles in on the Stone Dam Road off Route 105,
BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS, a female and immature near the west end of the
Moose Bog Trail, BOREAL CHICKADEE, PALM WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, RUSTY
BLACKBIRD, and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL.
At the Union Village dam in Thetford, 47 species were tallied during a
regular census on the 24th including the following WARBLER species: 2
BLACK-AND-WHITE, 1 YELLOW-RUMPED, 2 BBLACK-THROATED GREENS, 12 COMMON
YELLOWTHROATS, 4 CHESTNUT-SIDED, and 3 OVENBIRDS.
On the 25th, 2 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, 2 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, and more
than 12 LEAST SANDPIPERS were found at the Ompompanoosuc River Flats in
Norwich.
News from Atlas includes the following: COMMON RAVENS apparently nested
successfully at Shelburne Farms this year. OSPREYS at Sandbar have fledged.
MERLINS nested successfully in at least two locations statewide. Be on the
lookout for this species as it is expanding its range southward in the
Northeast. Three young PIED-BILLED GREBES were seen at West Mountain Pond
in the town of Maidstone.
As of August 1, Chris Rimmer, Roz Renfrew and Kent McFarland, all
scientists and staff members at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science,
will be assuming responsibility for the Vermont RBA. My family and I are
moving overseas for a period of two to five years at the beginning of
September. Both my wife and I have a great fondness for Vermont and I will
continue to monitor via the Internet the bird activity here in the state.
All the best and good birding!
Thanks to the following contributors whose observations were cited
above for the period: Brian Aust, Michael Cosgrove, John Harbison, David
Hoag, Matthew Kemp, Tom Kemp, Ted Murin, Noah Perlut, Roy Pilcher, Barbara
Powers, Bill and Jeanne Prue, Chris Rimmer, Dana Rohleder, Bill Shepherd,
Andrew Stowe, John Sutton, and Sandy Turner.
__________________________________
Wayne Scott
Compiler, VT Rare Bird Alert
416 Hanover Center Road
Etna, NH 03750
(603) 643-0179
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