Sue Wetmore led a flock of 27 birders through the
Champlain Valley today for Rutland County
Audubon's "Winter Regulars and Rarities" field
trip. Some highlights:

The day started with 18 wild turkeys in Brandon,
followed by 2 red-tailed hawks, 20 horned larks
and some tree sparrows in Whiting.

3 rough-legged hawks and 1 red-tailed hawk were
observed in Bridport.

The Champlain Bridge was productive with 4 bald
eagles (all adult), several common mergansers,
approximately 1,500 common goldeneyes, 1 great
black-backed gull and 1 ring-billed gull. 1
red-tailed hawk was seen nearby.

Tri-Town brought 2 more bald eagles (both adult),
61 common goldeneyes, 2 common mergansers and 1
belted kingfisher.

2 more bald eagles (both adult), 2 common
goldenyes, 4 mallards and 15 common mergansers
were seen at Potash Bay. 1 red-tailed hawk was
seen in Addison.

In Panton we observed 2 common loons, 4 horned
grebes, 75 common mergansers, 4 hooded
mergansers, 5 mallards and 9 American black ducks
as well as 1 red-tailed hawk and 8 cedar
waxwings.

At Button Bay 300 more common goldeneyes were
added to the day's list along with more mallards,
common mergansers, and American black ducks. 8
long-tailed ducks were the highlight here. (Ted
Murin, who we ran into earlier in the day,
reported 2 ring-necked ducks there).

Cedar Beach brought 2 buffleheads, more mallards,
American black ducks, 1 herring gull and 1
red-tailed hawk.

26 more buffleheads were observed at Charlotte
Ferry as well as 5 common mergansers, 6 mallards,
2 great black-backed gulls and 1 herring gull.

Yet another bald eagle (this one about a 1-2 year
bird) was seen at Charlotte Town Beach along with
3 more common loons, 17 common goldeneyes, 1
bufflehad, 8 American black ducks and another
herring gull.

Finally, in Weybridge a flock of 300+ Canada
geese, 1 red-tailed hawk and 20 wild turkeys.

It was a beautiful day in the Champlain Valley
and thanks once again to Sue Wetmore for a great
outing.

Sue Elliott
http://www.rutlandcountyaudubon.org



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