Dire predictions of bad weather were greatly exaggerated. Sixteen(!) participants, including some new faces, turned out for the 171st monitoring walk around West Rutland Marsh. The weather turned out to be quite pleasant and of course the Vermont foliage spectacular.
Thirty-four species turned out as well, quite a bit more than last year’s 23 species, and just above our October average of 32. Waterfowl was in short supply, no doubt due to the presence of hunters in the area.
Raptor numbers were good with Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrel seen. Turkey Vultures and Common Ravens were also soaring high above the marsh. The ravens seemed to be winning the ‘who can fly highest’ contest.
White-throated SparrowTwo Ruffed Grouse were observed, one flushed from the side of the road and a second drumming in the woods along Whipple Hollow Road.
Six sparrow species were seen including one White-crowned Sparrow. White-throated Sparrows were singing bits of their song. The juncos are back!
American Robins were in good numbers with 49 observed. Yellow-rumped Warblers, widely reported throughout Vermont last week, were low in number with only two seen.
A highlight of the walk was a male Purple Finch sitting high in a bare tree in the bright light and singing his heart out as if it was the first day of spring.
The next marsh walk is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, at 8 a.m.
Today’s list:
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 11
Ruffed Grouse 2
Wild Turkey 9
Turkey Vulture 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
American Kestrel 2
Blue Jay 16
American Crow 7
Common Raven 4
Black-capped Chickadee 13
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
American Robin 49
European Starling 12
Cedar Waxwing 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 4
White-crowned Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 11
Swamp Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 22
House Finch 5
Purple Finch 1
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 2