*Vermont *Statewide 7/8/05 *VT0403.06 This is the Vermont Rare Bird Alert for Friday, July 8, 2005 covering the period July 1 - 7, 2005. A PIED-BILLED GREBE with young was seen at the Mississquoi NWR on July 3rd. Three GREAT EGRETS were spotted at Shelburne Pond on the 4th of July. Five OSPREYS were sighted at Sand Bar State Park on the 3rd of July. Two separate sightings of immature BALD EAGLES occurred at the Mississquoi NWR on the 3rd of July. A NORTHERN HARRIER was seen soaring over West Rutland Marsh on July 3rd. A NORTHERN BOBWHITE was discovered in Corinth on July 8th. Ten VIRGINIA RAILS, two adults and 8 young, were assisted in crossing the road at Berlin Pond on July 2nd. A COMMON MOORHEN was observed at the Mississquoi NWR on July 3rd. A SANDHILL CRANE has been sighted this week in the larger fields of Peacham. No sightings of the Cornwall WHOOPING CRANE have occurred since June 30th. Two CASPIAN TERNS were feeding in Shelburne Pond on July 4th. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS continue to be heard throughout Vermont, including the towns of Bristol, Brandon, Pittsford and Clarendon this week. A CAROLINA WREN was observed on Grand Isle on the 7th of July. Two BICKNELL'S THRUSHES were seen on Pico Peak on July 3rd, as well 13 SWAINSON'S THRUSHES. A fledgling BLUE-WINGED WARBLER and a PRAIRIE WARBLER were sighted at the Pleasant Street power line in West Rutland on the 3rd of July. Seven BLACKPOLL WARBLERS were observed on Pico Peak on July 3d. A MOURNING WARBLER was seen in Pittsfield on July 1st. Thanks to the following contributors whose observations were cited: Ken Copenhaver, Susan Elliott, Paula Gills, David Hoag, Bruce McPherson, John Sutton, Henry Trombley, Sandy Turner, Henry Wilton and Terry Wright. Birders, Save the Date! Vermont-New Hampshire Birders Conference Saturday, October 15, 2005, 10 am - 5 pm (Optional field trips on Sunday, October 16) At Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT Presented by: The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (www.vinsweb.org) and New Hampshire Audubon (www.nhaudubon.org) Featuring: - Topical bird conservation and research presentations - Keynote speakers - Workshops on bird-related activities - Birding equipment vendor tables - Optional field trips on Sunday Look for full itinerary and registration information soon on what will be a must for all New England birders! The Vermont Institute of Natural Science offers natural history trips, lectures and programs. To receive a copy of our program calendar, stop at one of our centers, call the office during business hours at 802-457-2779 or visit the VINS' web site at http://www.vinsweb.org <http://www.vinsweb.org/>. This Vermont birding report is a service of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. VINS is a non-profit, membership organization located in Woodstock with regional centers in Quechee, Montpelier and Manchester. Founded in 1972, VINS' mission is to protect our natural heritage through education and research. Your membership supports these goals and this reporting service. Updates are typically made on Fridays. Please report your sightings of rare or unusual birds to VINS, or email reports to [log in to unmask] This message is also available by phone recording: call 802-457-1053 and press 3. This will put you into a menu where you will be directed to press 5 to hear the RBA. If you have any interesting birds to report, you can leave a message by pressing 6, or you can send your sightings to the RBA via e-mail at: [log in to unmask] Or enter your sightings on Vermont eBird at http://www.ebird.org/VINS/. Mary Holland Chris Rimmer Kent McFarland Roz Renfrew Vermont RBA Compilers Vermont Institute of Natural Science Conservation Biology Department 27023 Church Hill Road Woodstock, VT 05091 802-457-2779