Along Marble St. Photo by Sue Elliott.
Despite the snow, which fell for a good portion of our walk around West Rutland Marsh on February 17, we tallied 56 American Robins and 65 Red-winged Blackbirds They are not really predictions of spring as both species can be found in Vermont in winter if there is a food supply.
The feeders at the Marble Street boardwalk were busy with a high number of Mourning Doves sheltering in the old cellar hole. Black-capped Chickadees, American Tree Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows were taking advantage of the feeders.
The Whipple Hollow Trail was fairly quiet except for a small flock of chickadees, both Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches and a Dark-eyed Junco feeding along the ‘pine island’ section.
A single Pine Siskin was heard along Whipple Hollow Road.
The next marsh walk is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, at 8 a.m.
Today’s species:
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
American Tree Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Cardinal
There is much less snow on the ground under the dense Eastern Hemlock canopy on “Pine Island.” Photo by Sue Elliott.