Fourteen participants in yesterday's Rutland County Audubon's field trip enjoyed a cool, but sunny day in the Champlain Valley. Although the numbers of birds seemed low, 46 species were observed. Highlights included red-bellied woodpecker (a first for some particpants) at the Dead Creek Brilyea access along with two American tree sparrows. Several harriers were observed throughout the valley.

We also enjoyed visiting with Otter Valley Audubon at the goose-viewing area. Thanks for all the information and refreshments!

Snow Goose ~3,000 
Canada Goose 438 (mostly at Button Bay)
Wood Duck 2 
American Black Duck 9 
Mallard 66 
Greater Scaup 2 (south of Champlain Bridge)
Bufflehead 16 (Button Bay and south of Champlain Bridge) 
Hooded Merganser 2 (Button Bay)
Red-breasted Merganser 7 (Tri-town and Button Bay)
Common Loon 1 (Tri-town)
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 6
Turkey Vulture 13 
Bald Eagle 1 (Brilyea, immature)
Northern Harrier 9 
Red-tailed Hawk 6
Peregrine Falcon 1 (Dead Creek WMA goose-viewing area)
Killdeer 1 (Brandon)
Bonaparte's Gull 9 (Tri-town)
Ring-billed Gull 10 
Herring Gull 1 
Great Black-backed Gull 1 
Mourning Dove 1 
Belted Kingfisher 1 
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 (Dead Creek, Brilyea)
Downy Woodpecker 4 
Pileated Woodpecker 1 
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 4 
Black-capped Chickadee 13 
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Carolina Wren 1 (singing in Brandon)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 
American Robin 68  
European Starling 14 
American Pipit 1 (Dead Creek WMA goose-view area)
Cedar Waxwing 3 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8 
American Tree Sparrow 2 (Dead Creek WMA, Brilyea)
Song Sparrow 10 
White-throated Sparrow 10 
Northern Cardinal 1 
Red-winged Blackbird 23
Purple Finch 2 
American Goldfinch 4 
House Sparrow 7 

Sue Elliott
http://www.rutlandcountyaudubon.org
 



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