Vermont Birding – Page 3

Some Winter Photos

I want to share some shots of winter birds and other items we’ve seen on our daily outings. I’ll start with a quiet and beautiful spot we found the other day.

In the neighborhood, there’s a nice variety of birds – yesterday there was a Northern Cardinal, a Carolina Wren, and a Tufted Titmouse singing away on a section of one street.

This guy was pretty quiet.

Whenever there’s open water, there’s often a merganser or two.

American Crows are out and about every day.

Most of our recent storms have had snow perfect for many outdoor activities.

As we get ready to “Spring Forward” this weekend it’s fun to think about the array of birds getting ready to head northward.

A week and a half ago, we were walking on the river while dozens of skaters came and went as we watched. A few days later, things thawed and now the ducks are back, enjoying some early spring-like weather. Sunday, I came upon this couple tucked into the back just upstream from the house.

A week earlier, this couple was foraging downtown in the main Winooski River.

Mergansers are here – not sure where they retreat to during earlier “below zero” weather. This pair of Hoodies are hanging out – I see them nearly every day.

And we don’t forget the faithful few who hang in here all winter, singing every chance they get. I hear cardinals, titmice, nuthatches, crows, and now and then, a raven on most of our walks.

Curiosities

Now that birding has slowed, with many of the winter denizens still delighting us, it’s a chance to think about past adventures. Most of us, when we bird, love to observe other things — for some it’s plants or butterflies, for me it’s unusual stuff along the trail. Here are some items from this Fall.

Beavers worked hard night after night to plug this culvert. Town employees removed the branches and next day, replaced.

Cellar hole of first homesite on this trail.

Ginger checking out a historic marker on a East Montpelier trail.

Trees sometimes have a challenge to set out roots in rocky Vermont.

This shack reminded me of some of the mysteries stories we watch. Turns out to be an old hunting camp.

I guess I should include a bird photo so here’s one from a cantina in Columbus, New Mexico — one of dozen on a “pollo” theme.

See You Next Spring

In spite of wintry weather in December, our visiting Great Blue Heron hung in there until mid-month. Here are the last photos I got before it departed just before Christmas.

I Brake For Birds

This popular birder bumper sticker seems especially appropriate at this time of year when I’m looking for winter birds that can be elusive – Grosbeaks, Buntings, Horned Larks, Bohemian Waxwings, Snowy Owls.

I had some extra time this morning and took the long way on back roads to my appointment. Coming around the corner of a narrow road, I came upon a flock of about a dozen Evening Grosbeaks feeding on sumac. It was a tangle of camera, binos, labradoodle, and caution lights as I rolled the window down and shot. The birds were busy, no traffic passed, and it was a nice little moment.

Now to find some Snow Buntings. Happy Solstice.

Pre-storm Birds

We’ve had a Nor’easter forecast for a week and it’s hitting today. Yesterday Ginger and I took several outings and found a number of interesting birds along the river.

In an early walk, I surprised a few Mallards, only to notice that one was a diving duck. It was a first sighting for this spot, a Ring-necked Duck who was actively feeding for about an hour.

The Mallards were busy in the icy water as well. The second photo is some of them just ten days ago.

We’ve been seeing a Great Blue Heron nearly every day in December but yesterday, he was situated on our path blocked by brush. So you’ll have to believe me but you can see part of his beak and coloration, and his back.

This pair of Hooded Mergansers has delighted us — they don’t breed for a few months but they look ready to rock and roll. Enjoy

November Hangers-On

We’ve had a warm fall, as witnessed by the number of ticks on Ginger and the number of birds hanging around. Most migrating birds have left but I still hear a Carolina Wren every morning. Several days ago, I was on an early walk with the dog and saw a bird upstream, and returning a bit later with my camera, found this pretty male Hooded Merganser, hiding amongst the branches of a fallen tree. I suspect he’s headed out.

Today, I saw this Great Blue Heron right out back of the house. He was wary and flushed right after a few shots.

Camera auto-focus thrown off by the reeds — but you get the picture.

Later, on another dog walk, three Common Mergansers were hanging out just upstream from the house. Access because of brush was challenging but here they are.

It’s nice to use binoculars and the camera without gloves but I’m ready for some change. Snow tires are going on tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Hangars-On–Part B

As we transition to Fall with hints of color in the foliage, there are fewer birds and most are silent. There are migrants moving through and some locals who have yet to leave. Here’s a few shots from the last couple of days.

A few Mallards hang around, but most will leave soon.

I got to finish molting before I’m going out in public.

Hawks have been on the move for a while but I came upon a pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks yesterday. They had a major hassle going on with six or seven Northern Flickers, which I watched for about ten minutes. The lighting was poor but the action was cool.

The flycatchers are gone but some Eastern Phoebes are still here, wearing their yellowish fall plumage.

These young European Starlings will head out soon.

One of the fun parts of this season is to watch the youngsters grow up, learning their calls and songs, how to forage, and in general, how to be noisy teenagers. Gray Catbirds have been prime examples the last few days and this one just dared me to take his photo.

Hangers-On — Part A

As most of the warblers, hummers, and flycatchers have left for warmer climes, I’ve been looking for birds that are packed but not quite ready to go. Here are some from last week.

Note the leg band on this Veery. Aside from a few chirps, they are pretty silent now.

Ducks, except for a few hardy Mallards, will likely be migrating next month, just in time for hunting season. There are a lot of young Common Mergansers still around.

Likewise, Wood Ducks are out and about.

Most flycatchers are gone but the ones remaining are silent and still confusing.

To me, it’s a Least Flycatcher, or an Alder

Belted Kingfishers are still cruising the river but will soon depart.

While the avian departure is bittersweet, it’s time to recall past winter birding and the prospect of Hawk Owls, Snowy Owls, finches, grosbeaks, crossbills ……