There were a lot of new faces among the 16 participants in today’s walk around West Rutland Marsh, which made it a lot of fun. Temperatures in the mid-30s and a light breeze made it a pleasant walk. Bird numbers were on target for December with 20 species tallied. This compares to 22 last year and is above our average of 19 for this month of the year.
Two large flocks of American robins in flight put that species in the lead for the most counted bird today.
A murder of crows was dive-bombing an unseen enemy along the tree tops. A common raven appeared in the fray and may have been the foe.
Three red-tailed hawks were circling high in the clouds and were our only raptors of the day.
Fourteen wild turkeys were seen along the edge of the woods on Whipple Hollow Road and a golden-crowned kinglet was heard in the white cedars a little further along that section. A small flock of cedar waxwings flew over our heads as well.
We reached a new high for red-bellied woodpeckers today – three! This species has only recently appeared during our marsh walks. The only other woodpecker was a downy. Heavy tapping may have been from a pileated, but that was not confirmed.
Our next walk is scheduled for Saturday, January 28, at 8 a.m.
Today’s list:
Wild Turkey 14
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 11
Mourning Dove 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 11
American Crow 19
Common Raven 1
Black-capped Chickadee 26
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 76
European Starling 13
Cedar Waxwing 7
American Tree Sparrow 8
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 5
Northern Cardinal 4
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 6