a Red-tailed Hawk soars over the marshIt’s hard to beat West Rutland Marsh in June. (Did we say that about May?) Twenty birders gathered to tally 58 species on our 155th marsh monitoring walk. This is a bit below last year’s June walk total of 66 species, but only two below our average of 60 for this month of the year.
As always there were many highlights as this season produces a lot of bird song and activity. With the nesting season in full swing, several species were seen with mouths full of food intended for young. Of great interest was a pair of Northern Harriers seen circling against the mountain. As they descended, we could see there was food in the talons of the female, who eventually dropped down and out of our sight.
The group had good looks at an American Bittern and a Green Heron as they flew a long distance across the marsh. Two Virginia Rails were heard, one along the boardwalk and the other along Water Street. Marsh Wrens and Swamp Sparrows seemed to be singing everywhere.
It took a bit of effort, but we finally spied two Killdeer in the plowed field on Pleasant Street after hearing one fly over.
Veerys were singing their ethereal song in several places along the route while a Wood Thrush was singing in the woods across from the boardwalk.
Warblers today included Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush (being heard regularly along Whipple Hollow Road), Black-and-white Warbler (several), American Redstart, and Chestnut-sided Warbler. Common Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers were, of course, numerous.
Four-spotted Skimmer - not a bird!Next month’s walk, which will complete 13 years of consecutive monthly monitoring, is scheduled for Saturday, July 12 at 7 a.m.
Today’s list:
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 9
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Northern Harrier 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Virginia Rail 2
Killdeer 2
Mourning Dove 8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 3
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Alder Flycatcher 2
Willow Flycatcher 3
Least Flycatcher 3
Eastern Phoebe 4
Eastern Kingbird 6
Warbling Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 8
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 12
Common Raven 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Tree Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 6
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 1
House Wren 2
Marsh Wren 7
Veery 6
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 6
European Starling 1
Cedar Waxwing 13
Ovenbird 4
Northern Waterthrush 1
Black-and-white Warbler 5
Common Yellowthroat 10
American Redstart 2
Yellow Warbler 10
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 9
Swamp Sparrow 11
Northern Cardinal 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 9
Baltimore Oriole 3
American Goldfinch 14
House Sparrow 8