Marsh WrenIt was a spectacular almost fall morning at West Rutland Marsh as 10 birders gathered to tally 40 species. This is above last year’s mark of 38 as well as our 13-year average of 38.
As the fog over the marsh began to lift and the sky turned a cloudless blue, the birds became more active. There is plenty of fruit to help the migrants on their way and those that will remain for the winter. Temperatures started in the mid-40s, but rose to around 70 at the mid-point of the walk.
As always there were several highlights. A very obliging Tennessee Warbler was a first for at least two participants. Other warblers included Common Yellowthroat and Yellow-rumped and Black-throated Green warblers.
Tennessee WarblerTwo Marsh Wrens came in for close observation, one an adult and the other an immature. Swamp Sparrows were numerous and one Lincoln’s Sparrow was in a weedy field singing a weak song. A Blue-headed Vireo, on the other hand, was singing robustly.
A Ruby-crowned Kinglet was seen. Raptor numbers were low – one Sharp-shined Hawk and one Northern Harrier.
The next marsh walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, starting at 8 AM.
The complete list:
Wood Duck 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon 7
Mourning Dove 11
Belted Kingfisher 2
Downy Woodpecker 10
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 7
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 6
Common Raven 1
Black-capped Chickadee 18
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Marsh Wren 2
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 4
Gray Catbird 17
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 4
Tennessee Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln's Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 13
Northern Cardinal 2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Red-winged Blackbird 129
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 18