Category Archives: Vermont Birding
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
Posted in Big Year, County Big Year, Vermont Birding
Tagged Northern Shrike, Snow Buntings
3 Comments
Birding on Backcountry Skis
We’ve had some wonderful powder snow and I’ve been able to break some trails in our woods and adjacent forest with snowshoes. I carry binoculars on every outing but with some sub-zero days and brisk winds, the birds have been … Continue reading
Common Pochard — Yes!
On New Year’s Day, a very rare duck – a Common Pochard — was identified by Vermont birders with help from others. It was seen on the second and not seen for two days, until today, January 5th. Here is … Continue reading
Posted in Rare birds, Vermont Birding
Tagged Common Pochard, rare birds
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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
Posted in Big Year, County Big Year, Vermont Birding, Winter Birds, Yard birds
Tagged big year, Washington County
1 Comment
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
Posted in Backyard birds, Big Year, County Big Year, Vermont Birding
Tagged back, big year, county bird, Washington County
2 Comments
Redpolls — Where Have You Been?
Common Redpolls arrived at our feeders in late November and ate us out of house and home for about a week — and vanished until today. I’ve not seen any Redpolls in the woods or anywhere around central Vermont but … Continue reading
Planning for a Washington County Big Year
Previously, I wrote that I was looking into doing a big year in 2013 since we are staying in Vermont this winter. I was considering a state-wide effort but after giving it more thought, felt that it would be a … Continue reading
Posted in Big Year, County Big Year, Vermont Birding
Tagged big year, Vermont Birding
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Christmas Bird Count Coming in Two Weeks
With this winter’s influx of winter finches and other northern visitors, birders throughout the Northeast have been saying, “I hope that bird stays around for the Christmas Bird Count!” You never know what you are going to find in late … Continue reading
Posted in Birding Records, Vermont Birding
Tagged CBC, Christmas Bird Count
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Another Pine Grosbeak Encounter
As I wrote last week, we are experiencing an irruption of winter finches here in central Vermont and I saw my first Pine Grosbeaks, finally. Here’s a recent eBird map showing sightings near here: Pine Grosbeaks seem to be a … Continue reading
Posted in Local Birding, Vermont Birding
Tagged Pine Grosbeak
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Birding With Mac
Being a grandfather who got into birding late in life, it’s a treat to see at least two of my grandchildren become fledgling birders. Our oldest, Mac, was up from Massachusetts with his mom for Thanksgiving. He caught the birding … Continue reading
Posted in Local Birding, Vermont Birding, Youth Birding
Tagged American Black Duck, digiscoping, Hooded Mergansers, youth_birding
3 Comments