This morning we had some visitors from the north at the marsh. Not birds this time, but our friends from the Otter Creek Audubon Society in Addison County. Fourteen people got together this morning and made it to West Rutland by 7 a.m. Our Audubon chapter, under the trip leadership of Sue Wetmore, spent the morning taking them through the paces of what we now consider a routine outing. Lucky us to have had them because it was a reminder of the great resource we have here in Rutland County. Over and over we heard what a terrific place it is and how special it is to have the marsh in our backyard.
The walk began on the boardwalk. RCAS members, Connie and Brad Coolidge were already there and had been watching a pair of Virginia Rails with chicks. When we walked on the boardwalk part of the family was under it and soon left for a more solitary location.
Tree Swallow bringing food to youngAs we walked along watching and listening for birds it became apparent that a few of members were new to birding or just returning to it after several years. That made it fun for the more experienced birders because they had the chance to explain their birding techniques. Being a new birder can be an intimidating experience with so many sounds and sights to remember. We helped allay that fear by sharing our experience and telling them how we had learned the birds by sight and sound.
Our walk included sightings of many birds with young. There was a female Mallard with six ducklings on the river, immature Hairy Woodpeckers calling from a nest hole, a Tree Swallow feeding young in a nest box and an Eastern Kingbird sitting on a nest near the boardwalk. Walking around the marsh is always rewarding, but it is the best in the spring!
Thank you, Otter Creek Audubon, for visiting today and reminding us of the importance of West Rutland Marsh. It is this kind of event that reminds us of why we must continue to protect this valuable resource.