Author Archives: Richard
Wastewater Birding
Some of the best places to visit for birds around the world are wastewater treatment facilities. The lagoons and wetlands provide a rich environment and in arid areas, a handy source of water. While security issues have restricted access to … Continue reading
March Backyard Birds – 2
As the snow slowly recedes, it’s fun to recall the birds who rode out the last big storm. Mourning Doves are here every day regardless of weather. We have had many more American Tree Sparrow than we normally do. This, … Continue reading
Posted in Local Birding, U.S. Birding, Vermont Birding
Tagged Backyard birds, local birding, migration, Vermont Birding, Winooski River North Branch
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March Backyard Birds – 1
Less than a week ago, we waded through a foot of new powder snow to get out to the river. Lots of melting and new arrivals on the river this week – and it’s a great time to anticipate warmer … Continue reading
Posted in Backyard birds, Local Birding, migration, Vermont Birding, Winooski River North Branch
Tagged Backyard birds
Comments Off on March Backyard Birds – 1
Hoodies in the sun
After a foot or more of new snow, the Hooded Mergansers, that were in the midst of the storm last post, were cruising under blue skies the next day, right at the end of our path. Looks like they’re in … Continue reading
Posted in Local Birding, migration, Vermont Birding
4 Comments
Hoodies in the Snow
Midst a major snowstorm, hopefully the last of the season, we’ve had a lot of activity in the backyard including the resident Carolina Wren, dozens of goldfinches, and even a mink and a beaver. Today, a pair of Hooded Mergansers … Continue reading
Vitamin C
We still have some fruit left on trees around town and in the last few weeks, large flocks of birds have hit them. Perhaps the best are the Cedar Waxwings, which are beautiful, if not noisy with the high-pitched calls. … Continue reading
Posted in Birding With Ginger, Local Birding, Winter Birds
2 Comments
February Swimming Hole
We have had a pretty rugged winter, with lots of subzero temperatures and several significant snowstorms. Most ponds and our river out back froze quite solid. Only in the last few days, have we had temperatures in the forties to … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Winooski River North Branch, Winter Birds, Winter Birds
1 Comment
An Early Arctic Visitor
Last week a friend contacted me to let me know that a Snowy Owl had shown up on his patch. I was out birding with my gear and within a half-hour, was looking at the wayward bird from up north. … Continue reading
Posted in Irruptive migrant, Local Birding, Owls, Vermont Birding
1 Comment
Backyard Birds 2
Some of the visual treats for us are the mergansers, both hooded and common, who motor past our spot on the river. The last few days, between snow squalls, some handsome Hoodies have been out and about. They’ll head south … Continue reading
Backyard Birds 1
Living next to a river is great — we paddle on it, ski on it some winters, and have an ever-delightful array of wildlife to watch. On perhaps my last paddle of the year, I flushed these mallards just upstream … Continue reading
Posted in Backyard birds, Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Winooski River North Branch
Tagged Backyard birds
1 Comment