Local Birding – Page 15 – Vermont Birder

Flashes of Red

For the last several weeks, we have had dozens of Purple Finches coming to the feeder and just hanging out in the trees around the house. They remind us of the influx of Common Redpolls we got last winter. Like them, finches chow down on sunflower seeds big time. It’s wonderful to hear them sing each morning as I walk the dog — they seem to go on forever and their melodies are delightful. They have gotten more red in their appearance and are parading in full breeding plumage these days. Here’s one on our apple tree last evening.

Purple Finches not only sing like angels but are beautiful this time of year.

Today, I birded early with the dog and got an email from Mary with a subject: “At The Feeder.” Because of poor reception on the iPhone, the message did not download — but I suspected what she was writing about. When I got home, I got cell coverage off our home system and read as I sat in the truck in the garage: “Rose-breasted Grosbeak!!!”

We’ve been hoping for some orioles because birders in the area have been seeing a few. Of course, the bird never showed again as I prepared for a doctor’s appointment in Hanover.

Several hours later, after successful lab test results, I got a text from Mary: “He’s back again.” Of course, I was an hour and a half away in another state.

Arriving home in the afternoon, I hoped our friend was not just passing by. Sure enough, about a half hour after I got home, I saw him in the apple tree. What a handsome addition to a tree already laden with Purple Finches (and a few apple blossoms.) So, he’s County Bird 95 and we are hopeful that he’ll stick around and nest in the neighborhood.

"Hey, are you pointing that camera at me?" — “Hey, are you pointing that camera at me?”

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Savannah Sparrows

Yesterday morning, I went up to the aptly-named Sparrow Farm in East Montpelier for a repeat visit to a spot where I picked up five new County birds yesterday. The area is a fine combination of wetland, farm fields, and forest and has a nice variety. It’s a favorite mountain biking trail but early in the morning, no one is around. I got another FOY as I ended the outing by crossing a large hayfield. Perched on a clump of last fall’s hay was a small brown bird, indistinguishable through the binoculars. It let the dog and I get closer and I could hear and see it singing — sort of a buzzy call. It was a pretty Savannah Sparrow.

Later, I went up to the airport to do a little work on my plane and then took a walk with the dog to check out grassland birds there. A sparrow came flying across the runway and perched on the perimeter fence not far from our position. It was my second SASP of the day.

At the E.F. Knapp airport in Berlin, VT.

So, now I am looking for White-crowned Sparrows which have been reported in the County. There’ll likely be a few other species, like Vesper, that I will watch for as we head toward summer. It really helps, this time of year, when the sparrows sing, to help me sort out those little brown jobs.

Springtime Yellows

I went up to Berlin Pond yesterday morning looking for what many of us consider the true sign of spring — the arrival of Yellow Warblers. I had the truck windows down and could hear them singing before we even parked. These are the kind of warblers I like — they are at eye level and are little yellow beacons in the shrubbery.

Yellow warblers, even females, are easy to spot and delightful to hear. They bring a smile to birders.

I saw several other FOY birds (Barn Swallows, Purple Martins) as well as a great selection of birds. I then went over to the airport looking for new arrivals and way out in a field, I saw and heard my first Eastern Meadowlark.

The meadowlark was way out there and I shot from the truck window -- pushing the camera system big time. They are a beautiful bird -- even at a distance. — The meadowlark was way out there and I shot from the truck window — pushing the camera system big time. They are a beautiful bird — even at a distance.

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County List Update

Four months gone and in spite of pinched neck nerves and out-of-state travel, my list is doing pretty well. I’m at 79 species and most of those seen with my Vizsla alongside. I’ve missed some birds early (like Pine Grosbeak) that hopefully I can pick up at the end of the year. No big deal — this has been an interesting low key effort. I suspect that my target of 170 is about ten too high but we’ll see as we proceed. Here’s a couple of local birds I got this week:

I saw this FOY Spotted Sandpiper yesterday at Wrightsville Reservoir wet lands, along with four others. — I saw this FOY Solitary Sandpiper yesterday at Wrightsville Reservoir wetlands, along with three others.

This Warbling Vireo was singing up a storm the other morning at Berlin Pond. It's nice to have buds instead of leaves on the trees. — This Warbling Vireo was singing up a storm the other morning at Berlin Pond. It’s nice to have buds instead of leaves on the trees.

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Looking for Mr. Bluebird

One of the birds I’ve missed seeing for my County bird list is European Bluebird so yesterday morning, I took the dog for a Saturday morning bird walk at the North Branch Nature Center. I knew that they had been seeing a couple there but I’d missed them each visit. This time, I saw one before I even got the truck parked.

A male bluebird was staking out a nesting box but being hassled by Tree Swallows. I watched a dozen swallows chasing each other, harassing the bluebird — just doing their thing. Now the center has a “leash your dog” policy and since I’m a board member, I adhere to that — so the first thing I did was to hitch Penny’s leash to my belt. Nothing like having a 60 pound lunger, explorer tied to you while trying to focus on birds. Even more challenging taking photos but I got a few.

Tree Swallows were competing big time for the nesting boxes.

Here a male bluebird watches while a swallow races by.

Meanwhile, Mrs Bluebird was watching it all far away in the community garden.

Penny and I had a good outing, hearing and seeing a number of birds. It was a certain amount of tangled leash, stopping to sniff clumps of grass (her, not me), but a beautiful morning to be out. Toward the end of the walk, I heard and then saw a Ruby-crowned Kinglet working it’s way around some leafless trees. I had never heard, knowingly, the wonderful vocalization these tiny guys and gals have. Here’s a photo I took as it landed or departed — you’ll have to take my word that it’s a kinglet.

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet comes in for a landing.

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It’s 8 PM, Cue the Timberdoodle

Early last evening, I went for a Woodcock Walk sponsored by the North Branch Nature Center. We were there to observe the aerial displays of the American Wood cock, and our leader, Larry, told us — “They’ll start about ten of eight so we can go over and visit the pond where all the Spring Peepers are first.” I must say I did not share his certainty but I also had never been on a walk like this before.

In true naturalist fashion, he introduced our small group to some caterpillars, a non-lightning bug, several types of spring ephemeral flowers, and hundreds of randy frogs. As one who tends to move too fast in the woods, it always amazes me at the sharp-eyed observation of people who notice insects, plants, as well as birds.

Woodcocks are usually very hard to spot on the ground. Our guy was right out in the open. Photo by aecole2010

We ambled up into the large field as it darkened and just about 8 PM, we heard the first “pent” call. The bird makes this call on the ground, and rotates between calls, to send it in different directions. We heard two males calling and waited to see if they would fly. They are normally well-hidden in the brush and grass but we noted a dark shape up ahead on the mowed path and through the binoculars, saw a Woodcock. About then, he took off, climbing crazily in a circular pattern above us, sending out a whistling/twittering call, until he was out of sight, and then came spiraling back down, landing right on the spot he started from. It reminded me of a slightly out-of-control model airplane with furious flapping wings, and a deft pilot at the controls. It killed by pinched nerve neck to watch but was worth it.

The other guy seemed to fly less but our Timberdoodle flew about every five minutes for about a half hour. It was getting very dark and we quit before he did.

It was a wonderful outing — and I learned that this goes on for weeks during the spring, even after the females have started nesting. We were really impressed with the display of our little flyer. I hope the females waiting in the wings were as well.

Songs of Spring

As the days get into the 40’s and the snow slowly melts, it’s great for Vermont’s maple syrup producers but also a spring tonic for birds and birders. Suddenly, there’s a lot more avian vocal activity in our woods and it is heartening. Yesterday morning on an early walk, I noticed all the different calls and songs coming from the ubiquitous Black-capped Chickadees who have toughed it out all winter and ready to celebrate.

Then, further up in our woods, I heard the distinctive call of a Red-shouldered Hawk off in the trees. I listened for five or ten minutes but when I tried to get a little closer, either the dog or I may have spooked it. Mary thinks she saw it later in the day. We’ve had a family or two of RSHA’s in the area for the last few years and it’s nice to have them back.

I heard some tentative singing from what sounded like a Golden-crowned Kinglet mixed in with chickadee calls. I had my iPhone and played a recording briefly, and that kinglet just let it fly. It sang for five or ten minutes but other than a brief glimpse, I never did get a good look. I moved on as it merrily kept cranking out it’s territorial song.

This Common Merganser was one of the quiet birds I saw yesterday.

It was only a week or so ago when I was searching for Red-winged Blackbirds and excited to see my first of the year. Now, they are everywhere. At Berlin Pond yesterday, dozens sang from trees and cattail stalks in a wonderful chorus of Konk-kor-ree’s. I even saw a dozen or more fly over this morning on their way further north. They are truly a sound of spring.

One of the many RWBBs that I saw, and heard, yesterday.

This morning, out again early with the dog, I heard, over the tin horn tooting of a Red-breasted Nuthatch, some Canada Geese. Sure enough, a small skein of honkers noisily flew over on their way north. It’s a little unusual — we are not on a normal flight path for them so it was fun to watch them, and hear them, drown out the other birds as they motored north. Now, to hear some Eastern Bluebirds, White-throated Sparrows, and the first warblers.

A small skein of Canada Geese overflying the woods this morning, honking all the way. They are right in the middle of the photo.

Birding on the First Day of Spring

We got about a foot of new snow Monday and all day, the birds hit the feeders pretty hard. It was interesting to see some of them pause under the feeder’s eaves to take a break out of the snowfall. One Red-breasted Nuthatch sat there, nearly motionless, for about 15 minutes before finally flying off with his sunflower seed.

So Tuesday, the first day of spring, was beautiful but not too birdy. Chickadees, like this one, were active as usual and doing all their spring calls as we took our first walk.

Nothing stops chickadees from getting their breakfast.

As the dog and I started out to the drumming of a Hairy Woodpecker, we headed up into the red pine grove. I was on snowshoes and Penny ranged ahead — until some gusts of wind started dumping snow off the trees. Here she is heading back to me all a dither. It only lasted for five minutes.

The Vizsla does not like surprise snow dumps like this one.

We weren’t seeing a lot of birds but it was a good workout in the new snow. We made a long loop and came out on a west-facing slope where I found several birds’ nests that overlook the Shady Rill brook and road. Here’s my favorite with an old barn below.

When we returned to the house, about an hour and a half later, we found the thistle feeder and feeders covered with Common Redpolls.

April Birding Events in Central Vermont

After a morning of 4 degrees and a forecast of a foot or more of snow, it is encouraging to see calendars of birding events popping up on local web sites. I took three local groups and put their outings on a Google Calendar which you can visit here.

The North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier has a wonderful series of bird walks that are free to members ($25 single/$50 family) or for $10 for non-members. Led by expert birders, they are low key and popular with skilled birders and beginners. They are on Fridays and Saturdays in April/May.

The MadBirders club in the Mad River Valley is a collection of avid birders who have a great schedule of events, ranging from the Valley floor to the top of Mount Ellen. The dues are only $15 a year for individuals/$20 for families, and they welcome newcomers.

Over in Huntington is the Birds of Vermont Museum, a must-see venue for any birder. They have a bird monitoring walk on their property the last Saturday of each month. The event is free but they ask that you pre-register by emailing museum@birdsofvermont.org or calling (802) 434-2167.

Are there other bird walks in April in Central Vermont that I’ve missed? Mention them in the comment section and I’ll add them to the calendar. Good birding.

A Low Expectation Saturday Outing

Things are really slow birding-wise right now with some of the winter birds gone (haven’t seen Common Redpolls for a few days) and just a few early arrivals. We’re seeing some Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and a few Killdeer but it will be a few weeks until water opens up more and we get more activity. So, not expecting much this morning, I headed out with the dog in the truck to check out a few of the back roads. We had an inch or two of snow last night and the temperature was in the 20’s — nice morning for January but not as welcome, to some of us, in mid-March.

It was early Saturday morning — things just waking up — when I drove into downtown Montpelier. I noted a swirl of a dozen rock pigeons and then saw a raptor cruising along, having probably made a pass at them. Big, long tail, easy wing-strokes, and a brief look as it headed west. I also had to dodge a sidewalk snowplow and city sand truck but the look and the Jizz* told me — Cooper’s Hawk. I snaked my way up State Street, hoping to see it perched, but no luck. I pulled over, entered it into Birdlog on my iPhone, and had a new County bird for the year.

Encouraged by such a great start, I headed out on some back roads that we often cruise on local bird outings. At one reliable spot, I saw a flash of red and sure enough, a pair of Northern Cardinals brightened the dull morning scene. I saw all the normal suspects (blue jays, titmice, chickadees, nuthatches, and crows) and then moved off to a pull-off along the Winooski River where Canada Geese and four Hooded Mergansers plied the icy waters. Here’s one of the few pictures I took:

Five geese ignore a male Hoodie paddling through the ice flows on the Winooski River. photo dickmfield — Five geese ignore a male Hoodie paddling through the ice flows on the Winooski River. photo by dickmfield

Returning on the rut-frozen River Road, I picked up a couple of Common Grackles – a species that I had yet to see this year — and drove home hoping to spot a Red-tailed Hawk. Stopping to pick up coffee and a killer scone at Birchgrove Baking (to bring home to share with Mary) made a nice end to a nice outing.

*Jizz is a term used by birders to describe the overall impression or appearance of a bird garnered from such features as shape, posture, flying style or other habitual movements, size and colouration combined with voice, habitat and location.

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