VTBIRD List

June bird walks at the Birds of Vermont Museum

E Talmage — 2026-06-05T10:54:54-04:00

Hello,

The Museum’s weekly bird walks continue through June. As the season changes, we see fewer migrants but are more likely to see and hear the birds that are breeding here in the mountains of Vermont.

Pre-registration is appreciated. Please call 802-434-2167 or email museum@birdsofvermont.org to sign up. People can also sign up for the walks here: https://birdsofvermont.org/special-upcoming/ [...]

03 June 2026: Hurricane Hill (1,100 feet), WRJ

Ted Levin — 2026-06-03T09:06:56-04:00

4:48 a.m. Twenty-one minutes before sunrise. Forty-three degrees. A
northwest wind at two miles per hour, gusting now and then to three.
Fragmented coral clouds gather in the east; elsewhere, the sky is clear and
bright. Pale lavender seeps westward, then the east turns molten as the sun
lifts over the New Hampshire hills, an epochal flare that lasts only a
moment. [...]

Costa Rica 2027

Ted Levin — 2026-06-02T06:22:59-04:00

*Costa Rica Natural History and Birding Adventure:*

* April 10 – 19, 2027*

*Arenal Volcano Extension April 19 - 22, 2027*

*Away from tourist centers: 321 species of birds in twelve days,
crocodiles, red-eyed tree frogs, toads the size of sneakers, tapirs,
anteaters, and four species of monkeys. Neotropical otters. Coatimundis.
Tayra. Kinkajou. We’ll visit cloud forests, old-growth jungles, the
timberline, both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, and take boat rides down
remote rivers along the southern Pacific coast.* [...]

Ruddy Turnstones Green River Reservoir

Russ Ford — 2026-05-27T21:38:45-04:00

Unexpected sighting while I was paddling on Green River Reservoir in Hyde
Park this weekend: a tight flock of Ruddy Turnstones in flight over the
water.

Re: Lagoon Road?

kj813@aol.com — 2026-05-27T20:54:20+00:00

I heard from someone who works there that is it informally open.Not quite the same as open. Kay in Hinesburg
On Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 05:22:03 PM EDT, Maeve Kim <maevekim7@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello, fellow birders - Several people have reported shorebirds on Lagoon Road in Hinesburg. The last few times I’ve driven by, the road is marked Closed. Is it open again?
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

27 May 2026: Hurricane Hill (1,100 feet), WRJ

Ted Levin — 2026-05-27T08:18:53-04:00

4:42 a.m. (thirty-two minutes before sunrise). Fifty-nine degrees, wind
west-southwest three miles per hour, gusting to seven. An altogether
delightful morning, cool enough to keep mosquitoes at bay. The sky is
lightly textured, a loose assemblage of thin, orange-grey clouds, open and
airy, a heavenly pastel wash. Windrows and patches drift overhead like a
favorite pair of worn jeans on the line. Smarts Mountain, Mount Cube, and
Mount Moosilaukee stand out in sharp relief, dark blue islands on the
paling horizon, moored in a brightening sea of sky. [...]

Re: Lagoon Road?

Tom Jiamachello — 2026-05-26T21:35:27+00:00

Maeve,
Permission has been received that it is ok to bird there again.
On Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 05:22:01 PM EDT, Maeve Kim <maevekim7@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello, fellow birders - Several people have reported shorebirds on Lagoon Road in Hinesburg. The last few times I’ve driven by, the road is marked Closed. Is it open again?
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

Lagoon Road?

Maeve Kim — 2026-05-26T16:33:22-04:00

Hello, fellow birders - Several people have reported shorebirds on Lagoon Road in Hinesburg. The last few times I’ve driven by, the road is marked Closed. Is it open again?
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

Re: Whip-poor-wills singing?

Brennan Michaels — 2026-05-26T14:30:14-04:00

yes 2 nights recently very exciting
brennan micheals

On Tue, May 26, 2026 at 1:50 PM Ron Wild <ronhwmail@gmail.com> wrote:

> Its getting late in the season,
> but is anyone still reliably hearing whip-poor-whills at night? Thanks for
> your guidance.
>

Whip-poor-wills singing?

Ron Wild — 2026-05-26T13:49:50-04:00

Its getting late in the season,
but is anyone still reliably hearing whip-poor-whills at night? Thanks for
your guidance.

Experienced birder needed for VT Forest Bird Monitoring Program

Dana Williams — 2026-05-25T14:18:42-04:00

Hi Everyone,

The Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) is seeking a volunteer to conduct point count
surveys at one of our long-term forested study sites. Initiated in 1989, the Vermont Forest Bird Monitoring Program
<https://vtecostudies.org/what-we-do/projects/forest-bird-monitoring-program/> (FBMP) is one of the continent’s longest-running studies of interior forest bird populations.

Currently we have a vacancy at *Sandbar Wildlife Management Area in Milton, VT.* This site will require someone who is comfortable working around poison ivy and using a GPS as some of the site markers need to be replaced. [...]

New blog post with wildlife photos

Ian Clark — 2026-05-24T15:26:27-04:00

The critters have had a busy week; I've got their pix up on my blog. The
Middletons and Westons have news, there was a fight on the Middleton's pond,
there's an update on the heron rookery and lots of cute fox kits. Check them
out at:

https://tinyurl.com/38hz2re9

And you've got two chances to see my nature slideshow of my favorite images
from 2025 this next week. The first show will be at the Bugbee Center in
White River Jct. Wednesday May 27 at 1:30 pm. The second presentation will
be at the Blake Memorial Library in Corinth, VT Friday May [...]

Red shouldered hawk and snake

Walter Medwid — 2026-05-21T11:36:35-04:00

Several days ago I reported that crows were vocally attacking an adult bald
eagle as it was flying low over my house with a squirrel in its talons. On
this chilly morning, no eagle and no crows cawing, however a red shouldered
hawk flew low over my house with a 12-14 inch limp snake in its talons. I
do all that I can to protect the resident garter snakes that have found
refuge here, perhaps one of "my own" was taken. Because of the cold temps
today, I suspect the snake was sunning and thus exposed more than it might
[...]

Re: Red-headed Woodpecker in Norwich May 12 -- PHOTOS

Eugenia Cooke — 2026-05-20T06:48:51-04:00

Magnificent bird, exquisite photographs. Thank you for sharing.
Eugenia
Rutland

On Sun, May 17, 2026, 5:14 PM jim@jimblockphoto.com <jim@jimblockphoto.com>
wrote:

> I posted a dozen photos of the red-headed woodpecker that visited Norwich,
> VT last week. If you are interested, you can see them here:
>
> https://jimblockphoto.com/2026/05/red-headed-woodpecker-in-norwich/
>
> Jim Block
>

Costa Rica 2027

Ted Levin — 2026-05-19T12:24:51-04:00

*Costa Rica Natural History and Birding Adventure:*

* April 10 – 19, 2027*

*Arenal Volcano Extension April 19 - 22, 2027*

*Away from tourist centers: 300 species of birds in twelve days,
crocodiles, red-eyed tree frogs, toads the size of sneakers, tapirs,
anteaters, and four species of monkeys. Neotropical otters. Coatimundis.
Tayra. Kinkajou. We’ll visit cloud forests, old-growth jungles, timberline,
both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, boat rides down remote rivers, and
along the southern Pacific coast.* [...]

Fw: eBird -- Red Pine Rd, Hinesburg -- May 18, 2026

kj813@aol.com — 2026-05-18T12:58:14+00:00

As usual in mid-May, the warblers have been heard in my neighborhood as they migrate north. Typically, about 8-10 species of warblers heard along my road by me, neighbors who are proficient birders, and/or by Merlin.
This morning in a short 15 minute walk down my driveway with my dog before the rain, I heard 16 species on Merlin plus saw a FOY Ruby-throated Hummingbird sipping at the remains of my Rhododendron bushes.
FOY sounds of annual visitors the Veery, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Common Yellowthroat this morning. The Black-and-white warbler and Red-eyed Vireo are an annual visitors and have [...]

Re: Red-headed Woodpecker in Norwich May 12 -- PHOTOS

Veer Frost — 2026-05-18T07:42:31-04:00

Such a striking bird! Thank you for sharing the thrill of this
visitor, Jim...will never forget the no doubt storm-blown one that
turned up a few years ago at my water tray, it was winter and that
glorious plumage against the snow seemed make-believe.
Veer, Bellows Falls

On 5/17/2026 at 5:14 PM, "jim@jimblockphoto.com" wrote:I posted a
dozen photos of the red-headed woodpecker that visited Norwich, VT
last week. If you are interested, you can see them here: [...]

Female RTHB In Randolph Center

Kathy Leonard — 2026-05-17T20:47:49-04:00

We’ve had two male hummingbirds here for a while, and today (Sunday) the first female arrived.

I was alerted to her arrival by the sound of one of the males “arcking” her as she sat in the bush by the feeder.
If she stays around, the pace is about to pick up! [...]

Red-headed Woodpecker in Norwich May 12 -- PHOTOS

jim@jimblockphoto.com — 2026-05-17T21:14:37+00:00

I posted a dozen photos of the red-headed woodpecker that visited Norwich, VT last week. If you are interested, you can see them here:

https://jimblockphoto.com/2026/05/red-headed-woodpecker-in-norwich/

Jim Block

Re: Grateful for the birds

Pamela Coleman — 2026-05-16T21:27:10+00:00

That's awesome Jared, and Happy Healing! :-)
On Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 11:19:06 AM EDT, Jared Katz <000003825c43bc1a-dmarc-request@list.uvm.edu> wrote:

They heard me :)

This morning outside my living room warren, as my wife now calls my convalescent accommodations, I swore I heard a Parula Warbler. I managed to open the sliding door with my crutch and, yes! NOPA, then Great Crested Flycatcher, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackburnian! It few past the window as if to say, Yes! It’s really me. Oven bird, Black-throated Green Warbler, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse (have you seen the New Yorker cartoon? “Come up here [...]

Re: 16 May 2026: Hartford Conservation Commission Annual Spring Bird Walk

kfinch — 2026-05-16T14:14:46-04:00

-------- Original message --------From: Ted Levin Date: 5/16/26 12:11 PM (GMT-05:00) To: VTBIRD@LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [VTBIRD] 16 May 2026: Hartford Conservation Commission Annual Spring Bird Walk 5:00 a.m., Hartford Town Forest. Leaders Tom Sherry and Ted LevinNumber of participants: 7 (not counting us)Number of species: 51, which includes 15 species of warblers, 2 vireos, 5thrushes, 4 flycatchers, and 5 woodpeckers.*Best looks:* magnolia warbler, scarlet tanager (bathed in early morningsunlight), Swainson's thrush*Best voice:* hermit thrush, winter wren*Loudest bird:* pileated woodpecker, overbird*Quietest bird:* blackburnian warbler, black-and-white warbler, browncreeper, golden-crowned kinglet*Most persistent bird:* red-eyed vireo (no contest)*Second most persistent:* ovenbird*One and done:* [...]

16 May 2026: Hartford Conservation Commission Annual Spring Bird Walk

Ted Levin — 2026-05-16T12:10:36-04:00

5:00 a.m., Hartford Town Forest. Leaders Tom Sherry and Ted Levin

Number of participants: 7 (not counting us)
Number of species: 51, which includes 15 species of warblers, 2 vireos, 5
thrushes, 4 flycatchers, and 5 woodpeckers.

*Best looks:* magnolia warbler, scarlet tanager (bathed in early morning
sunlight), Swainson's thrush
*Best voice:* hermit thrush, winter wren
*Loudest bird:* pileated woodpecker, overbird
*Quietest bird:* blackburnian warbler, black-and-white warbler, brown
creeper, golden-crowned kinglet
*Most persistent bird:* red-eyed vireo (no contest)
*Second most persistent:* ovenbird
*One and done:* barred owl
*Oddest occurrence: *fly-by mallard at 4:30 a.m.

Grateful for the birds

Jared Katz — 2026-05-16T11:09:39-04:00

They heard me :)

This morning outside my living room warren, as my wife now calls my convalescent accommodations, I swore I heard a Parula Warbler. I managed to open the sliding door with my crutch and, yes! NOPA, then Great Crested Flycatcher, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackburnian! It few past the window as if to say, Yes! It’s really me. Oven bird, Black-throated Green Warbler, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse (have you seen the New Yorker cartoon? “Come up here and call me Titmouse to my face!” I think is the caption), American Robin, Bluejay. Only the Robin. Titmouse, Ovenbird, [...]

New post on my wildlife blog, lot of photos

Ian Clark — 2026-05-15T17:27:50-04:00

Take a look at the latest post on my blog at <https://tinyurl.com/ye2xyhvm>
https://tinyurl.com/ye2xyhvm. There are lots of photos of local wildlife
from over the past couple weeks.

Common Yellowthroat on my landing this morning.

Jared Katz — 2026-05-14T08:17:36-04:00

Spring, my well upholstered black Labrador, went on point as I was about to let her out this morning. There on the landing outside the mudroom door was my Foy COYE. FOY because mostly housebound at the moment and they tend to be more common, if you will, in the riparian buffer along our brook. We flushed it from inside before the potential could be actualized. Silly bird dog :-) [...]

14 May 2026: Hurricane Hill (1,100 feet), WRJ

Ted Levin — 2026-05-14T07:03:01-04:00

4:57 a.m., twenty-eight minutes before sunrise. Forty-six degrees, with an
east-southeast wind at five miles per hour, gusting to thirteen. No fog
below; only gray striations above. Drizzle softens into rain. Across the
White River, near the summit of Dothan Hill, the lights of a farmhouse glow
through the gloom. The sun eases above the New Hampshire skyline, noticed
only by creatures attuned to the finer gradations of daybreak. [...]

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

BRUCE FLEWELLING — 2026-05-12T16:58:02-04:00

After living here 39 years, I finally was able to positively identify a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. I know they have been here in the past by the telltale holes they have left on my Mountain Ash and Apple trees.

Bruce Flewelling

RT. 73, Rochester

100+ Bonaparte's Gulls—North Hero

Gretchen Nareff — 2026-05-12T09:13:23-04:00

I had 131 Bonaparte's Gulls in one flock on the water off the south end of
Lakeview Dr. in North Hero yesterday (private property). There were a few
Brant with them earlier in the morning, but they were gone when I got there
mid-afternoon.

Gretchen Nareff
Burlington, VT

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher

Veer Frost — 2026-05-11T17:09:57-04:00

Along the footpath beside the railway tracks and canal in Bellows
Falls, a Blue-gray gnatcatcher an hour ago stepped out in front of me
with tail raised as it trod up and down in plain view, which I recall
is a territorial thing though not sure. There were very pretty
complaints from inside the brush too. ...have only ever encountered
them before in Champlain valley, poss migration? Time to brush up on
ebird. Self pity over no garden for a year went poof : ). Happy
birding, Veer

Warblers

Sue Wetmore — 2026-05-10T12:26:43-04:00

Warblers are arriving here . I’ve had 2 hummingbirds for several days.
Sue Wetmore
Brandon

Sent from my iPod

Re: full yard this morning!

kj813@aol.com — 2026-05-10T11:34:35+00:00

Marge- Wow 27 species in your yard in 30 moof observation, and so much detail in report. Thanks for inspiring me to get out and listen. Warmly, Kay

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, 8:12 AM, Maeve Kim <maevekim7@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

Frost on several plants, but several FOYs - Here’s the list:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S335153377
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

08 May 2026: Hurricane Hill (1,100 feet), WRJ

Ted Levin — 2026-05-09T17:38:45-04:00

4:52 a.m., from deep in the hemlock shade, a hermit thrush duets with
himself forty minutes before sunrise. Moments later, as night draws to a
close, a barred owl, wings slightly bowed, glides silently over the meadow
and into the evergreens. Thirty-two degrees, wind south-southwest at three
miles per hour, gusting to five. Half moon in the west, bright for the
moment, already beginning to fade. Everywhere else in the heavens, a dull,
mottled blue-gray. The cold buttoned up last night's chorus of spring
peepers. [...]

Re: FOY Baltimore Oriole in Milton

Jared Katz — 2026-05-09T17:19:58-04:00

I love it when Merlin identifies my BOTD and it turns out that I see my FOY (most recently BAOR). I’m hung up from birding for a bit, except out my window. If was a pleasure to see the Orioles, Chestnut-sided, Butter Butts, Warbling Vireo, American Redstart, Chickadees, A Robins, spotted sandpiper, belted kingfisher, A Crow, Raven, TVs, N Cardinals, N Yellow warblers, on my “last walk” along the Rivershore Trail in Richmond last week. Grateful for the RTHU at my feeder and soon at the azalea. [...]

Re: full yard this morning!

Jared Katz — 2026-05-09T08:21:49-04:00

Wow!

Sent from my irresistible flat thing.

> On May 9, 2026, at 08:12, Maeve Kim <maevekim7@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Frost on several plants, but several FOYs - Here’s the list:
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S335153377
> Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

full yard this morning!

Maeve Kim — 2026-05-09T08:12:13-04:00

Frost on several plants, but several FOYs - Here’s the list:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S335153377
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

Re: Almost a rainbow

Elizabeth Alton — 2026-05-09T07:03:28-04:00

RT Hummers are here in MIlton for 2 days. They are on their way!

On Fri, May 8, 2026 at 2:28 PM Sara Clark <estrellaphim@gmail.com> wrote:

> That is wonderful Barclay! Had one 2 days in a row over in Hyde Park. First
> time for me. Amazingly awesome.
>
> Sara Clark
>
> On Fri, May 8, 2026 at 1:32 PM Barclay Ellen Morris <bemorris@gmavt.net>
> wrote:
>
> > A rare treat to have an Indigo Bunting in the yard. Alongside the
> > Cardinals and Goldfinches a wonderful palette . Just need the
> > Ruby-throat to complete [...]

Ruby throated et al., FOY in the NEK

Katie DeSanto — 2026-05-08T20:58:28-04:00

Week of 5/7/26 in East Hardwick
Blackburnian Warbler
Ruby throated hummingbird
Black throated greens
Northern Waterthrush

Re: Almost a rainbow

Sara Clark — 2026-05-08T14:28:03-04:00

That is wonderful Barclay! Had one 2 days in a row over in Hyde Park. First
time for me. Amazingly awesome.

Sara Clark

On Fri, May 8, 2026 at 1:32 PM Barclay Ellen Morris <bemorris@gmavt.net>
wrote:

> A rare treat to have an Indigo Bunting in the yard. Alongside the
> Cardinals and Goldfinches a wonderful palette . Just need the
> Ruby-throat to complete the rainbow. The feeder is out but so far it seems
> I'm being boycotted for now.
>
> Barclay
> East Shore Grand Isle
>

VCE needs whippoorwill volunteers

Toni Mikula — 2026-05-08T13:53:20-04:00

The VCE is urgently looking for volunteers to conduct nighttime
whippoorwill surveys in the following towns this summer.

Pawlet

Salisbury

South Tunbridge (this one might be filled)

Vernon

Orwell

Averill

Surveys consist of 10 6-minute stops 1 mile apart on assigned routes. They
are done on clear moonlit nights when whips are most likely to be singing.

If interested, contact [...]

Almost a rainbow

Barclay Ellen Morris — 2026-05-08T13:32:35-04:00

A rare treat to have an Indigo Bunting in the yard. Alongside the Cardinals and Goldfinches a wonderful palette . Just need the
Ruby-throat to complete the rainbow. The feeder is out but so far it seems I'm being boycotted for now.

Barclay
East Shore Grand Isle

Re: FOY catbird in Montpelier

Maeve Kim — 2026-05-08T09:32:51-04:00

This morning, at 7:50, we watched three catbirds in one of our aronia berry bushes, each one hopping from branch to branch, staring fixedly at each other, occasionally lifting w head and/or lowering a tail. It appeared to be either three males working out who would remain in control of a valuable territory (aronias, wild grapes, honeyberries, blueberries, nannyberries, serviceberries and more) or two males sparring over a female. It was, I believe, the first time I’ve ever seen three adult catbirds at one time!
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center [...]

FOY catbird in Montpelier

John Snell — 2026-05-08T09:09:38-04:00

So good to see a catbird back this morning and look forward to hearing it sing later today!
John Snell
Montpelier

FOY Bobolinks

Barry Conolly — 2026-05-08T07:22:17-04:00

FOY Bobolinks in my field Cambridge Road, Westford, Vt. Barry C.

Re: Winged-warblers - observing, documenting, and submitting to eBird

Eric Seyferth — 2026-05-08T07:11:27-04:00

That works, thank you.
Sent from my iPhone

> On May 8, 2026, at 5:58 AM, Richard Littauer <richard.littauer@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> The PDF may not work. Try this link:
> https://www.birdobserver.org/Portals/0/LiveArticles/1017/winged-warblers._how_to_tell_a_pure_species_from_a_hybrid._7-10-19e.pdf?ver=vWgQtr5ghsIq4jns6eLD4A%3d%3d
>
> Best,
> R
>
>> On Fri, May 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM Richard Littauer <richard.littauer@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hello all spring birders!
>>
>> With the warblers returning, it's time for this little annual note on how
>> to observe, document, and submit observations of the "winged-warblers":
>> Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, and their hybrids.
>>
>> It takes work to observe critical features when viewing [...]

Rthu

Carol Yarnell — 2026-05-08T06:00:39-04:00

FOY at feeder on 5/7 which is the day i usually first see them. Today when
hanging the sugar feeder, the hummer was buzzing my head.

Carol Yarnell
South Alburgh

Re: Winged-warblers - observing, documenting, and submitting to eBird

Richard Littauer — 2026-05-08T21:57:12+12:00

The PDF may not work. Try this link:
https://www.birdobserver.org/Portals/0/LiveArticles/1017/winged-warblers._how_to_tell_a_pure_species_from_a_hybrid._7-10-19e.pdf?ver=vWgQtr5ghsIq4jns6eLD4A%3d%3d

Best,
R

On Fri, May 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM Richard Littauer <richard.littauer@gmail.com>
wrote:

> Hello all spring birders!
>
> With the warblers returning, it's time for this little annual note on how
> to observe, document, and submit observations of the "winged-warblers":
> Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, and their hybrids.
>
> It takes work to observe critical features when viewing and photographing
> (submit several photos per bird if possible) these birds. Understanding how
> to recognize a hybrid is critical. It helps to recognize females, which are
> [...]

Winged-warblers - observing, documenting, and submitting to eBird

Richard Littauer — 2026-05-08T14:00:27+12:00

Hello all spring birders!

With the warblers returning, it's time for this little annual note on how
to observe, document, and submit observations of the "winged-warblers":
Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, and their hybrids.

It takes work to observe critical features when viewing and photographing
(submit several photos per bird if possible) these birds. Understanding how
to recognize a hybrid is critical. It helps to recognize females, which are
often elusive. Audio recordings are very welcome. They, however, are of
little help in differentiating the two species, since the songs can come
from either species or a hybrid! [...]

FOY Hummingbird in Williston

Terry Marron — 2026-05-07T17:22:38-04:00

We put out the feeder a few days ago seeing all the reports. A little male was feeding at around 5pm tonight.

The Indigo Bunting is back for a second day in a row and lots of White-throated Sparrows too!

I was at Catamount Community Forest this morning doing Bobolink monitoring with our group. We heard and saw the male Bobolink in the hedgerow, singing his R2D2! We ended up with 32 species at the end of our walk. [...]

FOY Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Montpelier

John Snell — 2026-05-07T17:00:33-04:00

Many of the pulmonaria flowers opened yesterday and right on cue the hummers showed up today!

John Snell
Montpelier

Re: FOY BTGW

Robert Provost — 2026-05-07T11:22:17-04:00

Yes they are! Got my first Chestnut-sideds of the year this morning as well. Another early Warbler migrant. Still waiting on my Hummingbirds in Ludlow

> On May 7, 2026, at 9:55 AM, Maeve Kim <maevekim7@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Every spring, I have to relearn some of the warbler songs - but the zee-zee-zee-zoo-ZEEE this morning was unforgettable. Black-throated Greens are back!
> Maeve Kim, jericho Center

FOY BTGW

Maeve Kim — 2026-05-07T09:55:31-04:00

Every spring, I have to relearn some of the warbler songs - but the zee-zee-zee-zoo-ZEEE this morning was unforgettable. Black-throated Greens are back!
Maeve Kim, jericho Center

FOY American Redstart

Jared Katz — 2026-05-07T09:52:32-04:00

My first of year American red start on the River shore Trail in Richmond this morning

Jared
Richmond, Vermont

Sent from my irresistible flat thing.

The Vermont Bird Records Committee 2025 Annual Report

Kent McFarland — 2026-05-06T17:25:57-04:00

The 45th annual report of the VBRC covers the evaluation of 36 records
involving 22 species and one subspecies. Ninety-four percent of the records
were accepted with the majority decided unanimously. A highlight of 2025
was Vermont’s first state record of Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio
martinicus), found under unlikely circumstances — a homeowner in Lincoln,
roused by his barking dog around 4 a.m. on January 2, discovered the bird
walking along a snow-covered deck railing. The year also produced the
state’s first accepted record of the Ipswich subspecies of Savannah Sparrow
(Passerculus sandwichensis princeps). [...]

Re: Agonistic behavior in purple finches

Maeve Kim — 2026-05-06T17:14:06-04:00

Thanks, Allan! It’s always good to get a new word.
Maeve

> On May 6, 2026, at 11:54 AM, Allan Strong <Allan.Strong@uvm.edu> wrote:
>
> Hi Maeve,
>
> Try "agonistic behavior birds"
>
> Allan
>
> ________________________________
> From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD@list.uvm.edu> on behalf of Maeve Kim <maevekim7@GMAIL.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 11:47 AM
> To: VTBIRD@LIST.UVM.EDU <VTBIRD@LIST.UVM.EDU>
> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Agonistic behavior in purple finches
>
> I have to ask, Google having failed me. I can find a definition of agonistic in pharmacology, and examples of agonistic vs. antagonistic in pharmacology, but nothing about [...]

Re: Protecting nesting Bald Eagles

Linda MCELVANY — 2026-05-06T16:57:28+00:00

Hi Margaret - Heading back to Whitcomb Quarry, Colchester, this week. Have two PEFA on and near nest. But - would you like me to put your email ALERT about BAEA nestings on VT Rare Bird listserv or did you do that. Linda McElvany
On Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 12:41:07 PM EDT, Fowle, Margaret <00000db05131094d-dmarc-request@list.uvm.edu> wrote: [...]

Protecting nesting Bald Eagles

Fowle, Margaret — 2026-05-06T16:37:25+00:00

Hi VT Birding -

This is a friendly reminder that this is an especially critical time during Bald Eagle nesting season. Most of the pairs are feeding small young, and it is essential that these birds are given the space they need feed and protect the young from the weather and potential predators. Disturbing these birds is against the law - disturbance is defined as anything that changes the eagle's behavior. For example, if an eagle stops preening to look at you, then you have disturbed it. Disturbances range from minor (above example) to major (flushing from the nest). The [...]

Re: [External] Re: [VTBIRD] Agonistic behavior in purple finches

Neil Buckley — 2026-05-06T12:02:57-04:00

HI Kim:

Essentially, yes. Agonistic refers to social interactions between animals
that are related to conflict. Hope this helps.

All the best,

Neil

Re: Agonistic behavior in purple finches

Allan Strong — 2026-05-06T15:54:15+00:00

Hi Maeve,

Try "agonistic behavior birds"

Allan

Re: Agonistic behavior in purple finches

Maeve Kim — 2026-05-06T11:47:35-04:00

I have to ask, Google having failed me. I can find a definition of agonistic in pharmacology, and examples of agonistic vs. antagonistic in pharmacology, but nothing about the word agonistic in other contexts. Is it used as a synonym for antagonistic?
Maeve Kim, baffled in Jericho

> On May 6, 2026, at 8:08 AM, Michael Haas <ihateokra88@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> Yesterday, while seated on the deck of my cabin at the border of meadow and
> woodland, I observed two female purple finches displaying agonistic
> behavior. They faced off among the low branches of red maples just above a
[...]

Re: Agonistic behavior in purple finches

anneboby — 2026-05-06T15:31:26+00:00

Perhaps the combatants you observed were second-year males, not females. Purple Finch males do not acquiretheir "purple" (if one can call it that) plumage until their molt in Jul-Oct of their second year. Prior to that molt, a brown Purple Finch at this time of year can be either a female of any age or a second-year male. Oddly, this plumage sequence does not occur in the closely related House Finch where males turn red during their first-year molt.
Bob Yunick
Schenectady, NY On Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 08:09:09 AM EDT, Michael Haas <ihateokra88@gmail.com> wrote: [...]

Re: Agonistic behavior in purple finches

Richard Guthrie — 2026-05-06T11:19:31-04:00

Perhaps they were 2nd year males? At that age, males still have their juvenile, female like, plumage.

Rich Guthrie

> On May 6, 2026, at 8:09 AM, Michael Haas <ihateokra88@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Yesterday, while seated on the deck of my cabin at the border of meadow and
> woodland, I observed two female purple finches displaying agonistic
> behavior. They faced off among the low branches of red maples just above a
> feeder that was situated below. Both had visited the feeder, separately,
> prior to their interaction, but then, over the course of 10 to 15 minutes,
> [...]

Re: FOY Baltimore Oriole in Milton

Victoria Arthur — 2026-05-06T09:16:56-04:00

FOY here in Shrewsbury, VT...Finally a hummer at about 7 pm, doing a hover
around the feeder and the fuchsia hanging next to it.
Also FOY a male Rose Breasted Grosbeak at our suet feeder.
Still waiting on an Oriole.
Happy Spring!
Victoria

On Wed, May 6, 2026 at 8:43 AM Elizabeth Alton <redbnuthatch@gmail.com>
wrote:

> Arrived and fed from hummer feeder this AM. I still have not seen a hummer
> yet....
> Liz in Milton, VT
>
> --
> Liz Alton:
> "Keep a green tree in your heart; perhaps a singing bird will come."
>

FOY Baltimore Oriole in Milton

Elizabeth Alton — 2026-05-06T08:43:30-04:00

Arrived and fed from hummer feeder this AM. I still have not seen a hummer
yet....
Liz in Milton, VT

Agonistic behavior in purple finches

Michael Haas — 2026-05-06T08:08:54-04:00

Yesterday, while seated on the deck of my cabin at the border of meadow and
woodland, I observed two female purple finches displaying agonistic
behavior. They faced off among the low branches of red maples just above a
feeder that was situated below. Both had visited the feeder, separately,
prior to their interaction, but then, over the course of 10 to 15 minutes,
they confronted one another on the branches above. Each displayed
agonistic postures well-described in Cornell's "Birds of the World."
Intermittently, one assumed a head high, pecking down posture, her opponent
took a squatting stance, tail splayed, head [...]

Female Redwings

Michael Haas — 2026-05-06T07:53:18-04:00

I have occasionally seen individual female redwings for the last two weeks,
but this morning is the first that I have seen them en masse. At least
five female redwings were foraging beneath our feeder in northern Vermont
this morning.

Michael R. Haas, VMD, MS
1286 Hazen Notch Rd
Lowell, VT 05847
ihateokra88@gmail.com
Talking In My Sleep <https://sleeptalkingguy.blogspot.com/> [...]

Re: Hummingbird

Jared Katz — 2026-05-05T21:16:12-04:00

FOY Ruby Throat in Richmond today as well! (TIA, we just returned from 3 days away and saw it this evening).

Jared Katz

Richmond, VT 05477

> On May 5, 2026, at 2:42 PM, Jim Morris <0000019b462d357c-dmarc-request@list.uvm.edu> wrote:
>
> FOY in Jericho today too
> On Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 02:37:30 PM EDT, Betsy Jaffe <bfjaffe@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> In North Hero this am, FOY Hummingbird.
>

Re: FOYs in Jericho

Pat Folsom — 2026-05-05T19:19:42-04:00

FOY Hummer in Waitsfield yard this evening.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Charlie Teske" <cteske140@MYFAIRPOINT.NET>
To: "VT Bird" <VTBIRD@LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 5:49:10 PM
Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] FOYs in Jericho

Hummers in Hyde Park today also.

On Tue, 5 May 2026 17:35:50 -0400, Jeannie Killam <pods.jeannie@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

FOY Hummingbird in Barnard!

> On May 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM, Maeve Kim wrote:
>
> No hummingbirds at our place yet, but at the Jericho Research Forest a singing Ovenbird greeted us and an American Redstart flitted by our faces. Ah, spring!!!
> Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

FOY Hummingbird

Victoria Arthur — 2026-05-05T18:11:16-04:00

Shrewsbury, VT: Came in right after the gusty storm went by....buzzing by
the fuchsia and the nectar feeder! Yippee!

Re: FOYs in Jericho

Charlie Teske — 2026-05-05T17:49:10-04:00

Hummers in Hyde Park today also.

On Tue, 5 May 2026 17:35:50 -0400, Jeannie Killam <pods.jeannie@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

FOY Hummingbird in Barnard!

> On May 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM, Maeve Kim wrote:
>
> No hummingbirds at our place yet, but at the Jericho Research Forest a singing Ovenbird greeted us and an American Redstart flitted by our faces. Ah, spring!!!
> Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

Re: FOYs in Jericho

Jeannie Killam — 2026-05-05T17:35:50-04:00

FOY Hummingbird in Barnard!

> On May 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM, Maeve Kim <maevekim7@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> No hummingbirds at our place yet, but at the Jericho Research Forest a singing Ovenbird greeted us and an American Redstart flitted by our faces. Ah, spring!!!
> Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

FOYs in Jericho

Maeve Kim — 2026-05-05T17:00:07-04:00

No hummingbirds at our place yet, but at the Jericho Research Forest a singing Ovenbird greeted us and an American Redstart flitted by our faces. Ah, spring!!!
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

Re: Hummingbird

Patricia Porter — 2026-05-05T16:37:07-04:00

Jealous
Sent from my iPhone

> On May 5, 2026, at 2:37 PM, Betsy Jaffe <bfjaffe@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> In North Hero this am, FOY Hummingbird.

Re: Hummingbird

Jim Morris — 2026-05-05T18:42:01+00:00

FOY in Jericho today too
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 02:37:30 PM EDT, Betsy Jaffe <bfjaffe@gmail.com> wrote:

In North Hero this am, FOY Hummingbird.

Hummingbird

Betsy Jaffe — 2026-05-05T13:18:59-04:00

In North Hero this am, FOY Hummingbird.

FOY Oriole

Peter Pappas — 2026-05-05T14:26:00+00:00

In Readsboro VT on the Hummingbird feeder a bright male Baltimore Oriole.I'm still waiting to see a Hummingbird though.

FOY

BRUCE FLEWELLING — 2026-05-05T10:21:25-04:00

FOY Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male) showed up at my house this morning.

Bruce Flewelling

RT. 73, Rochester

Re: Peterson’s recordings?

Diane Brown — 2026-05-05T08:41:22-04:00

I tried this but found it too distracting. So far, I have not come up with
anything better though.

On Mon, May 4, 2026 at 11:14 AM Nita <nita.hwf@gmail.com> wrote:

> A Google search yielded this.
>
> *USB CD Players:* These are portable, dedicated CD players that connect
> directly to your car's USB data port, allowing you to use steering wheel
> controls to manage playback.
> Maybe this is the solution to listening to Peterson's Birding by Ear in the
> car?
>
> On Tue, Apr 28, 2026 at 6:37 AM Lynette Reep <lynettereep@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> [...]

Re: Looking for help surveying Meadowlarks on Isle La Motte

Alan Schned — 2026-05-04T20:00:51-04:00

Hi Kevin and Ryan -

I dropped into the VCE offices this morning to inquire about the survey on Isle La Motte, and I spoke to Ryan about that. I had initially thought it was for Whippoorwills, but Ryan corrected me that it is for Meadowlarks. My daughter has a house on South Hero, so I can take advantage of staying there, and I would very much like to participate in the survey. I hope I’m not too late to get involved. [...]

The Golden-chain Collaborative

LaBarr, Mark — 2026-05-04T17:20:15+00:00

Greetings fellow birders and eBirders,
Mark LaBarr here from Audubon Vermont looking for sightings of Golden-winged and Blue-winged warblers and their hybrids. This is part of an expanding effort to work with land trusts and the Cornell Land Trust Bird Initiative, The Golden-chain Collaborative https://www.birds.cornell.edu/landtrust/golden-chain-collaborative-2025/ . I am reaching out to inform folks that I have created a new eBird Group account for folks to share their eBird checklists, Golden-Chain. By sharing your checklists you will help us monitor winged-warbler use of these sites, identify locations to focus potential future projects and learn more about the dynamics of Golden-wings, Blue-wings [...]

Re: Peterson’s recordings?

Nita — 2026-05-04T11:14:01-04:00

A Google search yielded this.

*USB CD Players:* These are portable, dedicated CD players that connect
directly to your car's USB data port, allowing you to use steering wheel
controls to manage playback.
Maybe this is the solution to listening to Peterson's Birding by Ear in the
car?

On Tue, Apr 28, 2026 at 6:37 AM Lynette Reep <lynettereep@gmail.com> wrote: [...]

Missisquoi NWR Bird Monitoring Walk

Ken Copenhaver — 2026-05-03T13:50:09-04:00

Please join us for our monthly bird monitoring walks on the refuge. Ken
Copenhaver and Julie Filiberti lead the walks on various refuge trails on
the 3rd Saturday of each month (except December when it is on the 2nd
Saturday). The purpose of the walks is to gather long-term data on the
presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations.
Observations are entered into the Vermont eBird database where data is
stored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These walks are appropriate for
birders of all skill levels and provide a wonderful opportunity to learn
about birds throughout the [...]

Re: Looking for help surveying Meadowlarks on Isle La Motte

Rebecca Laroche — 2026-05-03T09:13:54-04:00

Hello Kevin,
I I live only 20 minutes from Isle LaMotte so it would be an easy task for me. There’s a nice flock on Alburgh springs road nearby, so I know their songs and calls well. Like others, I’m wondering about the frequency/duration.
Thank you for your work!
Rebecca
Sent from my iPhone [...]

Re: Looking for help surveying Meadowlarks on Isle La Motte

Rich Kelley — 2026-05-03T12:00:25+00:00

I'd like to know the frequency also, and how rigid of a schedule. I like getting out to the rock but have a rotating work schedule.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD@list.uvm.edu> On Behalf Of Patrick Phillips
Sent: Saturday, May 2, 2026 8:45 PM
To: VTBIRD@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Looking for help surveying Meadowlarks on Isle La Motte [...]

Re: Looking for help surveying Meadowlarks on Isle La Motte

Patrick Phillips — 2026-05-02T20:45:17-04:00

Hi Kevin,

I may be interested in helping out with this if you have no luck finding
someone. Can you provide any more details as far as when, how often etc.,
that this needs to be done?

Pat Phillips
Green Mountain Bird Alliance

On Sat, May 2, 2026 at 3:51 PM Kevin Tolan <ktolan@vtecostudies.org> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I coordinate statewide Eastern Meadowlark monitoring and am looking for
> someone to survey a site on Isle La Motte this season. The protocol is very
> straightforward, essentially just spend ~30 minutes birding along New Road
> specifically looking for Meadowlarks. [...]

Re: Looking for help surveying Meadowlarks on Isle La Motte

Scot Williamson — 2026-05-02T20:27:37+00:00

Kevin

I’m in Cabot and am available for meadowlark survey in any of the surrounding towns.

Scot Williamson
Swilliamson@wildlifemgt.org

> On May 2, 2026, at 3:51 PM, Kevin Tolan <ktolan@vtecostudies.org> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I coordinate statewide Eastern Meadowlark monitoring and am looking for
> someone to survey a site on Isle La Motte this season. The protocol is very
> straightforward, essentially just spend ~30 minutes birding along New Road
> specifically looking for Meadowlarks. Please email me if this is something
> you're able to assist with.
>
> Given the distinctive song of Meadowlarks, birders of [...]

Looking for help surveying Meadowlarks on Isle La Motte

Kevin Tolan — 2026-05-02T15:20:44-04:00

Hello,

I coordinate statewide Eastern Meadowlark monitoring and am looking for
someone to survey a site on Isle La Motte this season. The protocol is very
straightforward, essentially just spend ~30 minutes birding along New Road
specifically looking for Meadowlarks. Please email me if this is something
you're able to assist with.

Given the distinctive song of Meadowlarks, birders of all ability levels
are welcomed to participate in the monitoring of this Threatened species.
Also, if you're interested in monitoring in a different area of the state,
please let me know! [...]

Re: FOY Hummingbird

Barclay Ellen Morris — 2026-05-02T13:59:32-04:00

Got the feeder outside my office window up two days ago but no takers so far. Spring comes a little more slowly out here in the middle of lake Champlain, however optimism reigns.
Barclay
East Shore of Grand Isle

----- Original Message -----
From: "Geoff Glaspie" <gglaspie@GMAIL.COM>
To: "VTBIRD" <VTBIRD@LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sent: Saturday, May 2, 2026 8:20:31 AM
Subject: [VTBIRD] FOY Hummingbird [...]

FOY Hummingbird

Geoff Glaspie — 2026-05-02T08:20:31-04:00

Saw first Ruby-throated hummer of the year 8:15am this morning.

Geoff
Essex Junction

Hummingbird

martha pfeiffer — 2026-05-01T17:35:02-04:00

At noon today, first hummingbird of the year. It hovered around the
hanging feeder, didn't drink, then took off. Made me so happy to see a
hummer out my kitchen window. Spring is here!!

Martha Pfeiffer, Dorset

FOYs today

Maeve Kim — 2026-05-01T11:49:32-04:00

There’s been more bird noise in the last half hour than there was during the “dawn chorus”. I guess they all needed time to wake up on this chilly morning! New since a little before eleven: Rose-breasted Grosbeak male and Blue-headed Vireo.
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center

Re: Community Science

Maeve Kim — 2026-05-01T11:18:29-04:00

Hi, Martha - This web page has quite a few: https://vtecostudies.org/what-we-do/community-science
There are also projects at Audubon VT in Huntington and the Birds of VT Museum.
Enjoy!
Maeve Kim, Jericho

> On May 1, 2026, at 11:11 AM, Martha & Bill McClintock <mbmcclintock@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> Happy May to All!
>
> Can anyone direct me to an online site that lists bird related Community
> Science projects in Vermont?
>
> Thanks,
> Martha McClintock
> (usually birding in) Westford

Community Science

Martha & Bill McClintock — 2026-05-01T11:11:33-04:00

Happy May to All!

Can anyone direct me to an online site that lists bird related Community
Science projects in Vermont?

Thanks,
Martha McClintock
(usually birding in) Westford