Large numbers of several species at CrossHaven Farm on 100b and Scribner Farm on River Road in Moretown

At and around the feeders at the farm this morning we saw larger groups of White Crowned Sparrows and Pine Siskins for the first time this fall, plus groups of Purple Finches, Juncos, Song Sparrows, Goldfinches and a lone Lincoln's Sparrow.

At Scribner's farm, I scanned the freshly plowed and fertilized fields for Pipits.  There were 16 close at hand, and almost anywhere in the field where I held my glasses still, I saw more birds that were probably the same.  There was a large group (I'd guess 100+) of Robins in the field.  Their presence actually made ID'ing the Pipits easier due to the difference in size and markings.  River Road is the same place where the Northern Hawk Owl was in residence in the winter of '11.  The plowed fields are pretty obvious if you turn onto 100b from route 2 in Middlesex, cross the Winooski, and turn left onto River Road.  There is a field access drive on the left about 1/2 mile down.  I pulled off the road and viewed from there.

Scott Sainsbury
Moretown