Category Archives: Local Birding

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 … Continue reading

Posted in County Big Year, Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Washington County, Yard birds | Comments Off on Flashes of Red

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 … Continue reading

Posted in County Big Year, Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Washington County | Tagged | Comments Off on Savannah Sparrows

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Big Year, County Big Year, Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Washington County | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Big Year, County Big Year, Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Washington County | 2 Comments

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Big Year, County Big Year, Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Washington County | 1 Comment

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Bird Behavior, Birds, Local Birding, Vermont Birding | Tagged , | Comments Off on It’s 8 PM, Cue the Timberdoodle

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Washington County | 1 Comment

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. … Continue reading

Posted in Backyard birds, Birding With Penny, Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Yard birds | Comments Off on Birding on the First Day of Spring

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Bird walks, Local Birding, Vermont Birding | 1 Comment

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 … Continue reading

Posted in County Big Year, Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Washington County | Tagged , | Comments Off on A Low Expectation Saturday Outing