The number of participants was almost more than the number of birds at today’s walk around West Rutland Marsh, our 172nd monthly walk. The species count came in at 21, four less than a year ago, but one more than our December average.
The balmy weather was the highlight of the day and was perhaps the cause of the low count. There are plenty of fruits and seeds available and, of course, there is no snow cover yet.
American Tree Sparrows, along with chickadees, can be found in good numbers near the feeders by the boardwalk.
Two House Finches were seen, but there was no sign of the Purple Finches what have been widely reported around the state this past week. A Red-bellied Woodpecker was heard, a species only being reported at the marsh in the past couple of years.
The large flock of Wild Turkeys, counted today at 29, continues in the fields near the corner of Pleasant Street and Whipple Hollow Road.
The next count is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, at 8 a.m. Perhaps by then we will have more wintry conditions.
Today’s count:
Wild Turkey 29
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
Mourning Dove 12
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 6
Common Raven 3
Black-capped Chickadee 31
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
European Starling 1
American Tree Sparrow 11
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3
Northern Cardinal 3
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 31
House Sparrow 3