Between the frigid temps of the past week and the upcoming rain and wintry mix, Rutland County Audubon managed to squeeze in its monthly walk around West Rutland Marsh this morning.
Nine participants tallied 20 species, two over our January average and two less than seen one year ago.
A small flock of red-winged blackbirds, reported since the first of the year, was taking advantage of the feeders near the boardwalk. Thirty-five American robins were observed at various points along the walk.
sun dogLower numbers of American tree sparrows were seen with only three along the route. Several dark-eyed juncos, being reported in higher numbers this winter throughout the state (over 1,300 on the recent Rutland Christmas Bird Count) were seen. A single white-throated sparrow was spotted.
The lone raptor of the day was a red-tailed hawk sitting in a distant tree. And the highest number of any species reported was mourning dove with 72 of those, for the most part in flocks of a dozen or more.
A bright spot, literally, in the sky this morning was not avian. A sun dog, a refraction of light caused by ice crystals appeared as we walked south along Whipple Hollow Road.
The next marsh walk is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, at 8 a.m.
Today’s list: