Just a footnote to the Mt Ellen trip...Sunday, while climbing the Long Trail
North out of Smugglers' Notch (formerly Elephant's Head Trail) to Sterling
Pond, I saw a magnolia warbler and heard at least two others, saw
black-throated blue warbler (halfway down Sterling Pond Trail) and heard but
did not see: Swainson's Thrush and unmistakeable Bicknell's Thrush -- right
at jct of LT and Sterling Pond Trail. Lots of other birds, several winter
wrens (all heard, none seen) blackpoll warblers, one downy woodpecker, and
two white-throated sparrows.
        Wildflowers, especially painted trillium, hobblebush, and false
miterwort profuse and beautiful.
        All in all, a very satisfactory trip.

        Tom Slayton


> ----------
> From:         Pat Folsom
> Reply To:     Vermont Birds
> Sent:         Saturday, June 4, 2005 7:39 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      [VTBIRD] Mt. Ellen
>
> Today 10 Mad Birders ventured to the top of Mt. Ellen, thanks to the
> generosity of Sugarbush Ski Resort.  After a bumpy ride up the mainentance
> road, we were treated to some great looks at some mountain species.  We
> saw or heard all of the species being monitored by Mountain Birdwatch:
>
> Bicknell's Thrush, White-throated Sparrow, Winter Wren, Blackpoll Warbler,
> Swainson's Thrush.  We had great looks at the Bicknell's Thrush 3
> different times - what a wonderful experience.
>
> Other birds seen or heard included: Cliff Swallows at Base Lodge, Purple
> Finch, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, Blue Jay, American Robin,
> Cedar Waxwings, Magnolia Warbler, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Ruby-crowned
> Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Blackburnian Warbler, Canada Warbler, Song
> Sparrow, Common Ravens - pair, Red-tailed Hawk.
>
>
> Mammal of interest - Snowshoe hare on the side of the trail having
> breakfast.
>
> We're already hoping to make this an annual event!
>
> Pat Folsom
> Waitsfield
>
>