A perfect fall day at West Rutland Marsh! Eight participants tallied 42 species, five more than last year at this time, but by no means our highest for September (51 was the count in 2008). Our average for this month is 36.
There is still a bit of marsh sound – both Swamp Sparrows and Marsh Wrens are singing bits of songs and a Virginia Rail was heard as well. But birds are definitely on the move. Many Blue Jays were observed, most in loose flocks, and a single Broad-winged Hawk was clearly on a mission. A Sharp-shined Hawk and a Red-tailed Hawk completed the raptor numbers.
Migrating warblers were represented by Blackpoll, Palm, Yellow-rumped and Black-throated Green warblers. Common Yellowthroats are hanging on to their usual spots, but are diminished in number.
a Meadowhawk dragonflyA single Indigo Bunting, with only remnants of blue, was observed.
As is typical of fall, sparrows are much in evidence. White-throated Sparrows have returned to the marsh. Lincoln’s Sparrows and Eastern Towhees were also counted.
Our next marsh walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 17.
Today’s list:
Canada Goose 6
Wood Duck 3
Mallard 7
Great Blue Heron 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Virginia Rail 1
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 3
Eastern Phoebe 9
Blue Jay 63
American Crow 26
Common Raven 2
Black-capped Chickadee 12
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Marsh Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 13
Cedar Waxwing 13
Common Yellowthroat 3
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln's Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 18
Eastern Towhee 3
Northern Cardinal 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 24
Common Grackle 2
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow 10