Belted KingfisherThere is no better place to experience spring than West Rutland Marsh. The honking geese, the rattle of the kingfisher, the strange ‘oong-ka-choonk’ sound of the American Bittern, and the budding willows and alders all proclaim the season. Already Virginia Rails have been sighted this year.
Sadly, this Important Bird Area (IBA) takes a bit of work each year to clean up the trash that is thoughtlessly dumped along our roadsides. However you can help! Green Up Day, an annual event throughout Vermont, is scheduled for Saturday May 3. Volunteers are needed for West Rutland Marsh. All you need is a pair of old shoes (or better yet waterproof boots), a pair of gloves and a few hours to give on that morning. The meeting place is the West Rutland Town Hall at 9 a.m. Hope to see you there!
If you need any added inducement, the sounds of the spring birds make the morning pass quickly. Past Green Up Day volunteers have been treated to the sound of Virginia Rail, Sora and Least Bittern.