Each year Rutland County Audubon members venture north to Mt. Philo State Park in Charlotte to look for southbound Broad-winged Hawks. Migrating birds are picky about weather conditions none more so than raptors. Knowing Broad-wings travel within a three-week window in September, the date is set well in advance so the annual trips meet with varying degrees of success.
After a refresher in hawk profiles and migration behavior by Roy Pilcher, 16 RCAS participants set off to Mt. Philo. There an auto road delivers hawk watchers to the top of the mountain. From a rocky outcrop viewers can scan for hawks from a 180-degree viewpoint as they travel southwest across Lake Champlain before disappearing from view. The lake, with the Adirondacks as a backdrop, and the convivial atmosphere always make for a pleasant morning no matter the results.
This year the weather was fair – cool and mostly cloudy with an unmaterilized threat of showers so the results were also fair. A few groups of Broad-winged Hawks came directly overhead allowing for a good look at their profile (see photo). Also observed were two Sharp-shinned Hawks, several Osprey and Turkey Vultures. As the RCAS group left a mature Bald Eagle soared over, a good end to the morning.
Least Sandpiper at Meach CoveFollowing a picnic lunch, the group traveled home making stops along Lake Champlain. At Shelburne Bay several ducks were present including many Mallards, a couple American Black Ducks, three Wood Ducks and one mystery duck. After much discussion, it was determined to be a Northern Pintail, possibly a hybrid. A juvenile Pied-billed Grebe and three Greater Yellowlegs were also present. At Meach Cove in Shelburne, a small group of Least Sandpipers was close enough for good viewing. A Common Loon was also present.