Category Archives: County Big Year

Birds: Making Ends Meet with a Crossed Bill

One of the birds I have yet to see in Washington County, or anywhere, is a crossbill – either a Red Crossbill or a White-winged Crossbill.  This week’s Adirondack Almanac has a nice article on them by Steven Faccio of … Continue reading

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Red Birds at the Red Hen Bakery

The Red Hen Bakery here in Middlesex is known for its bread, pastries, coffee, and ambiance.  What I found today is that they can also be sort of a birding hotspot. It was another cold, barren Vermont winter day but … Continue reading

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BIG YEAR COUNTING IN A COUNTY

This article struck home as I go through a period of no new birds in my searches.  It’s mid-February, what do I expect in Vermont?  Hey, at least a Northern Hawk Owl, or a Snowy, or a Varied Thrush — … Continue reading

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County Big Year Goals – February

January was a good birding month for me in Washington County.  I missed by monthly goal of 35 by one but also picked up several birds I didn’t expect: a Bald Eagle and a Barred Owl, and saw my nemesis … Continue reading

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You Lookin’ At Me?

Today was the first day above freezing we’ve had in several weeks and with all the melting, I figured that there might be some critters stirring, and perhaps I could see a Red-tailed or Cooper’s hawk.  So, after a morning … Continue reading

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Brown Creeper for the County Big Year List

As I noted in a blog post in October, I love Brown Creepers.  However, I haven’t seen any since that day in October and while I know they are in our woods, I’ve dipped on them. They were one of … Continue reading

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A Snowy but Birdy Day

Last night, I was at a meeting when a non-birding friend of mine said, “Dick, I saw a beautiful Bald Eagle today down on the Dog River.”  He went on to briefly describe the location and then the meeting started. … Continue reading

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Nemesis Bird – Northern Shrike – Yes!

This is my fourth year of birding and for the last two of them, I’ve been whining about not finding a Northern Shrike.  I’ve sort of whined in posts here and here.  A couple of days ago, I saw Chip … Continue reading

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County Big Year – Good First Day

We awoke to more new snow and a stiff Northwest wind, and a forecast for even colder temperatures.  It stays dark until about 7:00 AM but sure enough, at 7:05 the first Black-capped Chickadee visited with window feeder.  Right after … Continue reading

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County Big Year – Goal Setting

As I plan for a Big Year for the county, I’ve been looking over the data on eBird for Washington County for counts of birds for the last few years.  This year’s reports have new records — 196 for the … Continue reading

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