A cool and cloudy morning at West Rutland Marsh yielded 37 species this morning. The walk, our 158th, attracted eight participants. The results are three less than last October and two less than our average for the month.
Two Virginia Rails were vocalizing near the boardwalk. Several Swamp Sparrows were calling or singing.
As expected there were large numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds. Fortunately they took off from their roosting spots in the reeds and phragmites in a fairly orderly manner so we could get an accurate count. Only one grackle was heard, but it is likely there were more.
Woodpeckers were also well-represented with only sapsuckers missing from the list. Gray Catbirds were also abundant with 15 seen and/or heard.
Black-throated Green WarblerWe caught a fleeting look at a single Ruby-crowned Kinglet and two Golden-crowned Kinglets.
Warbler numbers were low and no mixed migratory flocks were found, but four Black-throated Green Warblers near the intersection of Water Street and Whipple Hollow Road were a nice treat.
The next marsh walk is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, at 8 a.m.
Today's list:
Canada Goose 2
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 6
Ruffed Grouse 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Virginia Rail 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 4
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 3
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 5
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 16
American Crow 4
Common Raven 1
Black-capped Chickadee 14
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 2
Gray Catbird 15
European Starling 7
Cedar Waxwing 11
Common Yellowthroat 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 4
Chipping Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 4
Swamp Sparrow 11
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 520
Common Grackle 1
American Goldfinch 8
House Sparrow 3