- RBA
*Vermont
*Statewide
*04/18/03
*VTVT0304.18
A record-early GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER was heard calling several times
along Quinabeck Road in Thetford Center on the 15th. This species is rare
before May 1.
The seasonšs first GREAT EGRET was spotted in Waterbury also on the
15th.
A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was in Monkton on the 16th. STARLINGS drove off
the pair of RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS that had excavated a nest hole in
Charlotte this week.
Six AMERICAN COOTS at Missisquoi Bay in Highgate on the 11th is probably
a record number for Spring. Also present were 330 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 8
NORTHERN PINTAILS, 2 GADWALL, as well as GREEN-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN WIGEON,
HOODED and COMMON MERGANSERS, WOOD DUCKS, and BUFFLEHEAD. A RED-BREASTED
MERGANSER and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK were in Alburg, while 2 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT
HERONS were at Keeler Bay in South Hero.
Other NORTHERN GOSHAWKS include one seen over Colchester on the 13th and
another was in Essex on the 15th.
A group from Ascutney Audubon found a recently deceased VIRGINIA RAIL at
Herrickšs Cove on the 12th. They also saw RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET AND SAVANNAH
SPARROW, both first reports for the state this season.
Other noteworthy migrants include BLUE-HEADED VIREOS heard near
Shelburne Pond and a WINTER WREN in Corinth on the 12th, and a
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK in Weathersfield on the 13th. A BARN SWALLOW in Grand
Isle on the 14th was only the second report for this species so far. A
GREATER YELLOWLEGS was at Herrickšs Cove on the 15th. 12 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS
were seen at Retreat Meadows in Brattleboro on the 16th. PINE WARBLERS were
seen in Proctor on the 16th and in Norwich on the 17th. YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLERS were reported from PROCTOR on the 16th and from Manchester and West
Rutland Marsh on the 17th. A COMMON LOON was at Retreat Meadows on the 17th.
Two SWAMP SPARROWS at Union Village Dam in Thetford and at West Rutland
Marsh on the 17th are the first to be reported.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS appeared mid-week; FOX SPARROWS continued to be
seen, as did AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS en route north.
An active and visible GREAT HORNED OWL nest was located opposite
Springweather Reserve in Springfield. Another was heard in Orleans.
A PIED-BILLED GREBE at the Coast Guard Station in Burlington is likely
an individual that was treated for injuries and released there in late
winter.
__________________________________
Wayne Scott
Compiler, VT Rare Bird Alert
416 Hanover Center Road
Etna, NH 03750
(603) 643-0179
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