Undeterred by the fog and rain, but enjoying the
warmer temperatures, 13 participants in Rutland
County Audubon's annual "Winter Regulars and
Rarities in the Champlain Valley" turned up more
regulars than rarities. Nevertheless, a good time
was had by all.

Two horned grebes were seen at Meach Cove at
mid-afternoon. One black duck was spotted at
Charlotte Town Beach and 16 more as well as a
group of mallards at Shelburne Bay.

11 common goldeneyes were at Tri-Town. Bufflehead
were spotted at Tri-town (3) as well as at
Charlotte Ferry (15) and Meach Cove (26). A large
number of common mergansers were at the Champlain
Bridge (170+ seen in the fog). Two red-breasted
mergansers were spotted as well.

21 Canada geese flew over Shelburne Bay.

Two bald eagles were seen by the Champlain
Bridge. A sorry-looking Cooper's hawk with
drooping wet wings and tail was seen near
Tri-Town. American kestrels were seen in Rutland
Town and Shoreham. Red-tailed hawks were sighted
in Addison, Panton, Vergennes, Charlotte and
Shelburne. Two rough-legged hawks were seen in
Ferrisburg.

Flocks of wild turkeys of 15 to 20 each were
spotted in Brandon, Leicester, Ferrisburg and
Shelburne.

Black-backed gulls were seen at the Champlain
Bridge, Charlotte Ferry and Meach Cove along with
a herring gull also at Meach Cove.

One pileated was spotted in Shelburne.

A mixed flock of Bohemian and cedar waxwings
(approximate 50 in number, was enjoying juniper
berries in Charlotte. Another small flock of 12
was near the ferry landing.

A lone savannah sparrow on East Road in Panton.

Thanks again to Sue Wetmore for leading the trip!
All sightings reported to eBird!

Sue Elliott
http://www.rutlandcountyaudubon.org

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