Sometimes the best comes last. A surprising 17 people showed up for today’s monitoring walk around West Rutland Marsh. We are now halfway through our 16th year! Twenty-two species were tallied, one more than last year and four more than our January average.
Many of the ‘usual suspects’ were seen or heard including singing tufted titmice and 31 very active chickadees. American tree sparrows were also singing parts of their song. Eastern bluebirds were heard and seen briefly in flight.
Our only raptor of the day was a red-tailed hawk, but a pair of ravens was engaged in synchronized aerobatics.
The woodpeckers were represented by hairy, downy and red-bellied woodpecker, the last a species we are seeing more of at the marsh.
A ruffed grouse was surprised by the side of Whipple Hollow Road. So were the birders.
And the best and last bird of the day? An adult bald eagle soaring in lazy circles over the marsh.
Next month’s walk is scheduled for Saturday, February 18, at 8 a.m. The walk will be held in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count.
Today’s list:
Mallard 2
Ruffed Grouse 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
Mourning Dove 9
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 13
Common Raven 3
Black-capped Chickadee 31
Tufted Titmouse 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Eastern Bluebird 7
American Robin 1
American Tree Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3
Northern Cardinal 3
American Goldfinch 21
House Sparrow 4