Eastern KingbirdFourteen participants joined RCAS’s June walk around West Rutland Marsh. As expected, the birds were busy with nesting activities with several species seen carrying food and young making their first public appearances. Some species were in full song, but others are quieter than the previous month.
A Wilson’s Snipe was heard winnowing above Pleasant Street, somewhat surprising in the bright sun. Two Green Herons and one Great Blue Heron were seen while some of the other marsh residents such as Virginia Rail and American Bittern were not noted.
A high number of cuckoos, both Black-billed and Yellow-billed seen or heard and two more brief flyovers not identified to species.
Raptors included Osprey, Broad-winged Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk.
Woodpeckers were well represented with all the expected species: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker and Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy and Pileated woodpeckers.
Aside from several Eastern Kingbirds, flycatcher numbers were rather low although all the expected species were noted: Alder, Willow, and Least Flycatchers along with only one Eastern Phoebe.
The Whipple Hollow Trail produced several warbler species, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Nashville Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Pine Warbler and Canada Warbler.
Elsewhere on the trip Yellow Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler and more Ovenbirds, Common Yellowthroats, American Redstarts and Chestnut-sided Warblers rounded out the warbler contingent.
Also along the Whipple Hollow Trail, Sedge Wrens, a rare Vermont bird, were heard calling and singing and also seen briefly.
Marsh Wrens and Swamp Sparrows are still singing away. Several Veerys were heard along the route as well. A Field Sparrow as singing up in the meadows east of Marble Street.
A full list of the birds seen can be found here.
Our next marsh walk is scheduled for Thursday, July 21, at 7 a.m.