Lots of goings-on at the West Rutland Marsh today
for Rutland County Audubon's monthly monitoring.
14 observers experienced the marsh at its best
with lots of bird song and evidence of nesting.
69 species were counted.

2 American bitterns, 1 great blue heron, 2
Virginia rails, 3 soras, 15 swamp sparrows, and 7
marsh wrens were tallied.

Warblers were much in evidence: 5 Nashville, 32
yellow, 2 chestnut-sided, 4 black-throated green,
1 yellow-rumped, 9 ovenbird, 22 common
yellowthroat, and 1 Cannada warbler (in its
assigned spot).

Flycatchers made a good showing with 1 alder, 1
willow, 4 least (one carrying nesting material),
3 eastern phoebes, 2 great crested flycatchers
and 9 eastern kingbirds (including a pair
nest-building).

1 blue-headed vireo, 6 warbling vireos and 2
red-eyed vireos were present.

We also had a great listen and look at a scarlet
tanager (who should have no trouble finding a
mate).

Also, black-billed cuckoo, veery, hermit thrush,
white-crowned sparrow, savannah sparrow, field
sparrow were seen and/or heard as well as 8
Baltimore orioles (including a pair
nest-building). 16 gray catbirds were counted and
1 brown thrasher.

Raptors were somewhat under-represented with 1
northern harrier (male). Also, 1 lone turkey
vulture.

And one skunk.

Sue Elliott
http://www.rutlandcountyaudubon.org





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