West Rutland Marsh - June 2017

Cedar WaxwingJust when you think you couldn’t possibly add new species for our monthly monitoring walks around West Rutland Marsh, now in our 16^th year, two more show up!

Seventeen participants, on one of the all too few beautiful weather days this season, tallied 61 species. This equals our average for June, but is not the highest number recorded for this month of the year. That record stands at 66 species in both 2013 and 2015.

Except for the chatter of marsh wrens, the morning started somewhat quietly on the boardwalk. A single Virginia rail was heard (although two more were heard later in the morning). Both alder and willow flycatchers were nearby so it was a good opportunity to compare their vocalizations.

Ruby-throated HummingbirdA short distance down Marble Street, on the east side of the road, and before the power line crossing, the low chuckling of a least bittern was heard. No American bitterns were observed, but one green heron and one great blue heron were seen in flight as we returned to the boardwalk later in the morning.

The raptor count was low – one red-tailed hawk. Several common ravens were seen. No doubt the young are off the nest. A single turkey vulture was observed.

Cedar waxwings were found in several places along the route.

The warbler count was high – 12 species in all. Common yellowthroats and yellow warblers led the way of course with 19 and 16, respectively. Eleven American redstarts were counted. Canada warbler and northern waterthrush were each singing at their usual spots on Whipple Hollow Road. A golden-winged warbler/blue-winged warbler was heard, but not seen on the east side of Marble Street, with the song coming from suitable brushy habitat.

And the two, new species? Mourning warbler and Louisiana waterthrush! The first was heard on the west side of Whipple Hollow Road just after we turned the corner from Pleasant Street. The song of a Louisiana waterthrush was coming from a stream that runs behind a house further south on Whipple Hollow.

Our next walk is scheduled for Thursday, July 20, at 7 a.m.

Today’s list: 

Mallard  4

Least Bittern  1 

Great Blue Heron  1

Green Heron  1

Turkey Vulture  1

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Virginia Rail  3

Mourning Dove  14

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  3

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Downy Woodpecker  2

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker  1

Eastern Wood-Pewee  1

Alder Flycatcher  5

Willow Flycatcher  6

Least Flycatcher  2

Eastern Phoebe  4

Eastern Kingbird  5

Warbling Vireo  2

Red-eyed Vireo  17

Blue Jay  6

American Crow  3

Common Raven  6

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1

Tree Swallow  6

Barn Swallow  9

Black-capped Chickadee  9

House Wren  6

Marsh Wren  8

Veery  5

Wood Thrush  2

American Robin  5

Gray Catbird  8

European Starling  4

Cedar Waxwing  20

Ovenbird  5

Louisiana Waterthrush  1    

Northern Waterthrush  1

Golden-winged/Blue-winged Warbler  1    

Black-and-white Warbler  4

Mourning Warbler  1

Common Yellowthroat  19

American Redstart  11

Yellow Warbler  16

Chestnut-sided Warbler  3

Black-throated Green Warbler  1

Canada Warbler  1

Chipping Sparrow  2

Song Sparrow  9

Swamp Sparrow  17

Northern Cardinal  4

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2

Indigo Bunting  1

Red-winged Blackbird  17

Common Grackle  8

Brown-headed Cowbird  2

Baltimore Oriole  3

House Finch  1

American Goldfinch  9

House Sparrow  1

Our Natural World in Art

Rutland County Audubon's first-ever art show “Our Natural World in Art” opened with a reception last Friday night. We had a great turnout, with several of the artists in attendance, as well as Audubon members and art lovers. Many thanks to Stone Valley Arts and their talented volunteers who put together a beautiful and professional looking display.

Along with refreshments and wonderful classical music by guitarist Dave Burns, several items were sold in a silent auction to benefit RCAS.

Here is our favorite story of the evening: When the call for artists went out two months ago, we received a response from Erin Hanrahan. She had several pieces she offered for show, but they were not her own. Instead she wanted to display the art as a surprise to the artist, her mother-in-law, Sharon Hunt McCormick. Sharon had taken up painting at retirement and used her work for gifts and cards. Erin thought it was worthy of display (and so do we!).

Shortly after the show opened, Sharon arrived with her family. They made their way slowly around the gallery examining all the pieces done by other artists. As she turned the corner there on display was her own work. We don't know which delighted us more - Sharon's beautiful work or the surprised smile on her face when she discovered it!

It’s not too late to see Sharon's work or any of the other art at Stone Valley Arts at Fox Hill at 145 E. Main Street, Poultney. The gallery will be open June 3-4 and June 10-11, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

If you were there Friday night, thank you for joining us. If you haven't seen the show yet, please stop by. And bring a friend!.

Our Natural World in Art: Opening May 26

Painted Bunting by Marv ElliottRCAS’s show Our Natural World in Art opens this Friday, May 26, with an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be light refreshments, a classical guitarist and several of the artists.

The show is being held at Stone Valley Arts at Fox Hill at 145 E. Main Street Poultney. The art includes many beautiful photos and paintings of birds as well as other wildlife and botanicals.

Several mediums are represented and many of the works are for sale. The work is by local artists as well as RCAS members.

Additional hours for the show are as follows:

• Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, June 10 and 11, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

century count XXII

102! We broke a ‘century’ again for RCAS’s annual attempt to tally 100 species or more in Rutland County. The dawn light was beautiful, but quite chilly. Extra layers and gloves were appreciated until late in the morning.

We started the count, as we always do, at West Rutland Marsh. As the sun rose, the morning chorus increased. Willow and alder flycatchers returned this week, adding their voices to the marsh wrens, yellow warblers, common yellowthroats and swamp sparrows that have already returned and claimed their territories. Virginia rails were heard and an American bittern flew across the marsh. Two green herons were seen in flight and then perched, giving us good views.

The Pleasant Street power line was still in the shade when we arrived. The rising song of the two prairie warblers was heard (with a few of us catching glimpses of this beautiful bird). However, we did not hear the downward bouncing ball song of the field sparrow. A wood thrush sang in the nearby woods while eastern towhees invited us to ‘drink our tea’ (a warm cup would have been nice at that point). Over the breeze, we managed to pick out the songs of Nashville warbler, chestnut-sided warbler and blackpoll. A single eastern bluebird was perched on the wire.

Great Blue Heron at Bomoseen State ParkThe Canada warbler singing on Thursday’s marsh monitoring walk was still singing along Whipple Hollow Road. Another blackpoll was heard as well as a northern waterthrush and another wood thrush.

The Route 4 rest area and Blueberry Hill WMA was a bonanza of warblers. Adding ticks, both to checklists and pant legs, was the theme here as this spot is probably the ‘tickiest,’ as in insect spot in the state. But the birds more than make up for it. An unexpected highlight was a bay-breasted warbler near the start. A Tennessee warbler attracted us with its three-part ‘typewriter’ song and a magnolia warbler was also singing.

Walking east on the trail, we encountered a high number of American redstarts and ovenbirds as well as three Blackburnian warblers and a black-and-white warbler. Two cerulean warblers were heard along the way with one seen by two birders. An overgrown field on the eastern side of the rest area had Canada, blackpoll, northern parula, chestnut-sided and yellow warblers. Thank goodness for bird song as the trees leaf out! Other birds encountered were Baltimore oriole, scarlet tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, wood thrush and yellow-throated vireo.

Moving on to Crystal Beach on Lake Bomoseen, we picked up ring-billed and herring gulls, a common merganser, two common loons and three double-crested cormorants. An adult bald eagle sat at its usual spot on the tallest white pine on Neshobe Island. Had this been a warmer day or Memorial Day weekend, boat traffic probably would have made seeing these species more difficult.At nearby Love’s Marsh, we added a singing brown creeper and two yellow-rumped warblers. A pair of wood ducks flew across the marsh.

Along Black Pond and Moscow roads in Hubbardton and Castleton we saw or rather mostly heard black-throated blue and black-throated green warblers along with more yellow-throated vireos, ovenbirds and redstarts. We finally saw a ruby-throated hummingbird!

At a stop at Bomoseen State Park, we finally heard an eastern wood-pewee and added a chipping sparrow and purple finch. A pair of Canada geese guarded eight young.

A last pass along Lake Bomoseen yielded us a Louisiana waterthrush at the Kehoe Fishing Access. Unfortunately, the blue-gray gnatcatcher was a no-show.

Moving west in the county we picked up some grassland species. Bobolinks were bubbling and three killdeer were spotted at Fair Haven Airport. Along Main Road in West Haven more bobolinks were singing as well as eastern meadowlarks. An American kestrel and a dust-bathing wild turkey were also seen.

Two silent savannah sparrows were seen along Ghost Hollow Road. We heard the wheezy song of a blue-gray gnatcatcher along Cogman Road in West Haven and finally spotted the small bird.

We moved on to the Buckner Preserve which entailed a brief trip through New York State. At last we saw an osprey, but couldn’t count it! Fortunately, we saw two at Buckner. More prairie warblers, counted during the start of our day, were heard again. Other highlights at this spot were a nesting red-tailed hawk and another Louisiana waterthrush. We heard the ‘bees buzz’ of a winged warbler so that one went on the list as “golden-winged warbler/blue-winged warbler.”

Odd misses or low numbers today: No downy woodpeckers, no pine warblers, no ruffed grouse, one indigo bunting and that one only giving its ‘spit’ call, two white-breasted nuthatches and few raptors. The hits, however, more than made up for it!

It was a great day to be out and about in Rutland County. Many thanks to all the eyes and ears that made 102 species possible!

Today's list (20 checklists submitted to eBird):

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Common Merganser

Wild Turkey

Common Loon

Double-crested Cormorant

American Bittern

Great Blue Heron

Green Heron

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Virginia Rail

Killdeer

Spotted Sandpiper

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove

Barred Owl

Chimney Swift

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

American Kestrel

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Alder Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher

Eastern Phoebe

Great-crested Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

Yellow-throated Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Common Raven

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

House Wren

Marsh Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Eastern Bluebird

Veery

Hermit Thrush

Wood Thrush

American Robin

Gray Catbird

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Ovenbird

Louisiana Waterthrush

Northern Waterthrush

Golden-winged/Blue-winged Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Nashville Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

American Redstart

Cerulean Warbler

Northern Parula

Magnolia Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Canada Warbler

Chipping Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee

Scarlet Tanager

Northern Cardinal

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Indigo Bunting

Bobolink

Red-winged Blackbird

Eastern Meadowlark

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Baltimore Oriole

Purple Finch

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

West Rutland Marsh - May Monitoring Report

how many birders can you fit in a car?We always say nothing beats the West Rutland Marsh in May (well, June is good too!). Today 26 participants, enjoying a taste of summer, tallied 68 species.  

Although neither American nor least bittern was observed (least bittern was reported earlier in the week), both Virginia rail and sora were among today’s numbers. Marsh wrens, swamp sparrows, yellow warblers and common yellowthroat were in full voice.

Both alder and willow flycatchers have returned and a high number of eastern kingbirds – twelve – were busy defending territories. One great crested flycatcher was heard briefly along Whipple Hollow Road and the ‘che-bek’ of four least flycatchers was heard.

Hawks were in low numbers with only two red-tailed hawks and three raptor wannabes - turkey vultures.

Red Columbine along Whipple Hollow RoadA brown thrasher was observed along Marble Street (north of the green house). At least three Baltimore orioles were seen along this area where they have nested in the past.

Warblers, the joy of the season, were seen and/or heard in good number with 11 of those species. A ‘winged warbler’ sang ‘bees buzz’ from the east side of Marble street indicating the presence of a blue-winged or golden-winged warbler or a hybrid of the two. Two northern waterthrush were heard, one along Pleasant street and one along Whipple Hollow and two Canada warblers have returned to Whipple Hollow Road this year. Other warblers were black-and-white, Nashville, common yellowthroat, American redstart, yellow, chestnut-sided and black-throated green warbler.

The next marsh walk is scheduled for Saturday, June 10, at 7 a.m.

Today’s list:  

Canada Goose  9

Wood Duck  2

Mallard  1

Great Blue Heron  1

Turkey Vulture  3

Red-tailed Hawk  2

Virginia Rail  3

Sora  1

Wilson's Snipe  1

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1

Mourning Dove  8

Chimney Swift  4

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  6

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1

Downy Woodpecker  4

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1

Pileated Woodpecker  1

Peregrine Falcon  1

Alder Flycatcher  9

Willow Flycatcher  3

Least Flycatcher  4

Eastern Phoebe  3

Great Crested Flycatcher  1

Eastern Kingbird  12    

Warbling Vireo  10

Red-eyed Vireo  7

Blue Jay  11

American Crow  2

Common Raven  4

Tree Swallow  8

Barn Swallow  8

Black-capped Chickadee  8

Tufted Titmouse  2

Brown Creeper  1

House Wren  5

Marsh Wren  10

Eastern Bluebird  2

Veery  8

Wood Thrush  1

American Robin  5

Gray Catbird  9

Brown Thrasher  1

European Starling  4

Cedar Waxwing  8

Ovenbird  7

Northern Waterthrush  2

Golden-winged/Blue-winged Warbler  1    

Black-and-white Warbler  7

Nashville Warbler  1

Common Yellowthroat  22

American Redstart  10

Yellow Warbler  22

Chestnut-sided Warbler  3

Black-throated Green Warbler  2

Canada Warbler  2

Song Sparrow  7

Swamp Sparrow  16

Scarlet Tanager  1

Northern Cardinal  3

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1

Red-winged Blackbird  19

Common Grackle  12

Brown-headed Cowbird  1

Baltimore Oriole  5

House Finch  1

American Goldfinch  19

House Sparrow  2

Green-Up Day at West Rutland Marsh - Thank You!

Fred Bates picks up litter along Marble StreetOnce again RCAS members joined with other community volunteers to help clean up West Rutland Marsh, our county’s premier birding hotspot, on Vermont’s 47^th annual Green Up Day. Thank you to everyone who participated!

While some the trash picked up is a bit humorous (odd pieces of clothing) or more run-of-the-mill litter such as fast food containers and beer cans, sometimes the trash is very harmful to the environment. During the day’s work, two large containers of hydraulic oil and two bottles of windshield wiper fluid with antifreeze. 

Spring birdsong provided a cheerful background during the work. Common Yellowthroats are back in force as are Yellow Warblers. A Black-and-white Warbler, a Northern Waterthrush and a Blue-headed Vireo were also heard. A Wilson's Snipe was calling from one of the fields.

West Rutland Marsh - April Monitoring Report

It’s hard to say which was more amazing – the number of species or the number of birders – at today’s walk around West Rutland Marsh!

Thirty-six birders, from age 7 to 89, showed up despite the somewhat gloomy weather (the rain held off until the very end). Fortunately, there was no wind and, as the bird song has noticeably increased since last month, it turned out to be a very pleasant morning. There were plenty of new faces as well as a contingent from Otter Creek Audubon. 

Fifty-three species were tallied, a new April high, well above our average of 42 for this month of the year. It is also eight more than observed a year ago this month.

Two of the marsh’s signature species, Virginia rail and American bittern, were heard immediately from the boardwalk. We later saw a bittern in flight near the intersection of Whipple Hollow and Water streets.

Raptors were well-represented with two northern harriers, one sharp-shinned hawk, one red-shouldered hawk (not commonly observed on this walk), one red-tailed hawk and one American kestrel.

Tree SwallowsOne of the highlights of the walk was a flock of 63 tree swallows, accompanied by a handful of barn swallows and northern rough-winged swallows, swirling over Water Street, and occasionally landing in a tree.

Ruby-crowned kinglets were everywhere along the route as they have been throughout Vermont this week. One golden-crowned kinglet was also heard. Two marsh wrens were singing as well as three winter wrens and a blue-headed vireo. A brown creeper was singing as well.

A pair of eastern bluebirds was investigating a bird house, a spot where they have nested in previous years. A hermit thrush, our state bird, has also returned.

The advance front of warblers is in - yellow-rumped warblers with three seen along the route.

Twenty-six swamp sparrows were counted, all in enthusiastic song, so no doubt some females were missed. Song sparrows were heard or spotted along the route, while a couple of American tree sparrows are still hanging around the feeders near the boardwalk.

Another sign of spring was bloodroot in bloom and the budding marsh marigolds.

The next walk is scheduled for Thursday, May 18, at 7 a.m.

Today’s list:

Canada Goose  32

Wood Duck  4

Mallard  4

Ruffed Grouse  2

American Bittern  3

Great Blue Heron  1

Turkey Vulture  3

Northern Harrier  2

Sharp-shinned Hawk  1

Red-shouldered Hawk  1

Red-tailed Hawk  1

Virginia Rail  4

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4

Mourning Dove  10

Belted Kingfisher  2

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  4

Downy Woodpecker  6

Northern Flicker  3

American Kestrel  1

Eastern Phoebe  5

Blue-headed Vireo  1

Blue Jay  6

American Crow  9

Common Raven  1

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  6

Tree Swallow  86    

Barn Swallow  10

Black-capped Chickadee  17

Tufted Titmouse  7

White-breasted Nuthatch  2

Brown Creeper  1

Winter Wren  3

Marsh Wren  2

Golden-crowned Kinglet  1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  21    

Eastern Bluebird  3

Hermit Thrush  1

American Robin  17

Brown Thrasher  1

European Starling  7

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)  4

American Tree Sparrow  2

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  7

White-throated Sparrow  5

Song Sparrow  17

Swamp Sparrow  26    

Northern Cardinal  9

Red-winged Blackbird  41

Common Grackle  8

Brown-headed Cowbird  5

Purple Finch  2

American Goldfinch  14

House Sparrow  1

art show: our natural world in art

Rutland County Audubon will be holding its own wildlife art show Our Natural World in Art this coming May!

Visual artists, professional and non-professional, in any medium, including photography, painting and sculpture, are invited to submit up to three works to be included in an open art show featuring nature and wildlife at Stone Valley Arts at Fox Hill in Poultney, Vermont from May 26 through June 11, sponsored by RCAS. Solely scenic landscapes are excluded. Works need not be for sale. Those offered for sale are subject to a 40% gallery commission (split between RCAS and Stone Valley Arts) or donated proceeds if sold (80% to RCAS and 20% to Stone Valley Arts. Delivery of works will be May 21 and May 22. For details please contact us by May 1 at birding@rutlandcountyaudubon.org.

The show will open with a reception on Friday, May 26, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hours that weekend (coinciding with Open Studio Weekend) will be Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show will also be open the following two weekends, June 3 and 4, and June 10 and 11, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Stone Valley Arts at Fox Hill is located at 145 E. Main Street, Poultney.

Whether you are an artists or an art lover, we hope to see you at Stone Valley Arts later this spring!

west rutland marsh - march monitoring report

American Tree SparrowIt was a bit hard to tell we are the third day of spring during today’s monitoring walk around West Rutland Marsh. The morning started at 9 degrees and the ground is mostly snow-covered. Fortunately, no wind and a bright sun helped mitigate the wintry feeling.

Twenty-five species were tallied, six less than last year’s March walk, but two above our average of 23.

American tree sparrows are still around, enjoying the various feeders along the route. A quick look at eBird shows we will be graced by their presence well into April. Listen for their song which they will start singing here before heading north. You can listen to their song here. One tree sparrow was on the ice apparently eating snow as there is no open water.

On the summer side of sparrows, three song sparrows were seen, but none were heard singing. Northern cardinals and tufted titmice, however, were singing vigorously.

We counted 26 chickadees including one eating the tiny seeds of a cattail. Six white-breasted nuthatches were seen, mostly in pairs.

Seven wild turkeys were observed marching in a straight line across a field and into the woods.Red-winged Blackbird

Red-bellied woodpeckers have been a regular species at the marsh now. Two were seen today. Other woodpeckers were heard drumming Hairy? Downy? Something to relearn every year!

No raptors were seen, but their absence was filled by six common ravens soaring over the marsh.

Red-winged blackbirds are already staking out their territories in the cattails. A few females were seen and are no doubt looking over their options. Brown-headed cowbirds were seen elbowing their way into the seed at feeder on Whipple Hollow Road.

The next marsh walk is scheduled for Saturday, April 22, at 8 a.m.

Today’s list: 

Ruffed Grouse  1

Wild Turkey  7

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  4

Mourning Dove  11

Red-bellied Woodpecker  2

Downy Woodpecker  5

Hairy Woodpecker  2

Blue Jay  16

American Crow  8

Common Raven  6

Black-capped Chickadee  26

Tufted Titmouse  6

White-breasted Nuthatch  6

Brown Creeper  1

American Robin  3

European Starling  7

American Tree Sparrow  7

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  3

Song Sparrow  3

Northern Cardinal  6

Red-winged Blackbird  31

Common Grackle  8

Brown-headed Cowbird  5

American Goldfinch  11

House Sparrow  5

patagonia picnic table effect

What do picnic tables have to do with birds? The Patagonia Picnic Table Effect is an expression that longtime birders know as the phenomenon of one ‘good’ bird attracting more birds. What it really means is the ‘good,’ or rare bird, will attract more birders who will in turn find more birds. It has its roots with a sighting of a black-capped gnatcatcher at a rest area in Patagonia, Arizona. It was an unusual sighting even for that very birdy area. Subsequent visitors to the rest area found more and more species as word of the gnatcatcher spread.

Rutland County recently had its own version of the Patagonia Picnic Table Effect. In the second week of March an alert observer noticed a swan in a flooded area off Route 73 in Brandon. Mute swans occur occasionally in Vermont, but they are not a native species and are often unwanted because of the habitat destruction they can cause. Tundra swans pass through the state on migration, infrequently, but not unexpectedly.

This swan was a bit different and expert birders, aided by today’s digital photography, determined that the Brandon swan was a trumpeter swan. Trumpeter swans are the largest of our North American swans and the shape of its beak is different, longer and straighter than a tundra swan’s beak. Further, if accepted by the Vermont Bird Records Committee, this will be only the second state record of trumpeter swan in Vermont, the other seen in Addison County on Lake Champlain in May 2014.

Kent McFarland of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies noted that reintroduction efforts in Ontario and the Great Lakes may mean that more trumpeter swans could be seen in Vermont in the future if reintroduction efforts ares successful.

As of March 20, 37 other species have been observed at the site of the trumpeter swan in Brandon. Many are the expected species such as nuthatches, woodpeckers and chickadees. Others reflect the changing season and consist of returning waterfowl, including wood duck, northern pintail, green-winged teal, bufflehead and both hooded and common merganser. Not to mention a good number of mallards, American black ducks and Canada geese!

Robins, a northern harrier and an American kestrel were seen. Red-winged blackbirds and common grackles were reported in high numbers. Most unusual was a golden eagle spotted at the site on the 9^th and again on the 12^th.

Just as impressive though, and maybe more important, is the fact that 65 eBird checklists were submitted, checklists that contain not only the swan, but the other species noted at the time.

Trumpeter swans may be expanding their range. We hope they do. We would love to see more of them. But if the occurrence of a rare species means more reports of the species we expect in Vermont so much the better.

Note: the swan was still present as of March 20. 

rcas wildlife art show - call to artists

Rutland County Audubon will be holding its own wildlife art show this coming May!

Visual artists, professional and amateur, in any medium, including photography, painting and sculpture, are invited to submit up to three works to be included in an open art show featuring nature and wildlife at Stone Valley Arts in Poultney, Vermont from May 26 through June 11, sponsored by RCAS. Solely scenic landscapes are excluded. Works need not be for sale. Those offered for sale are subject to a 40% gallery commission. Delivery of works will be May 21 and May 22. For details contact birding@rutlandcountyaudubon.org.

The show will be held on weekends with an opening reception on Friday, May, 26. Details on hours to follow.

west rutland marsh - january monitoring report

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 16^th 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

winter regulars & rarities field trip

Barred OwlMaybe standing on the shores of Lake Champlain in mid-January when the temperature is in the 20s is not everyone’s idea of a good time. But it was for sixteen participants in Rutland County Audubon’s annual Winter Regulars & Rarities field trip held on January 14^th.

Fourteen stops at key birding hotspots yielded 29 species. The day's count of bald eagles was six with four of them, three adults and one immature, at Shelburne Bay.

Most of the day was concentrated on winter ducks and other water birds. Numerous horned grebes were tallied, 13 in all, at Shelburne Point, Shelburne Beach, Charlotte Town Beach and at the Charlotte Ferry Landing. And five common loons were seen at these locations.

Waterfowl consisted of common goldeneye, throwing their heads back in courtship display, bufflehead and common merganser. One female red-breasted merganser was seen on the lake off Shelburne Point and four hooded mergansers, three males and female, were diving in the bay.

A single snow goose was among the thirty-one wild turkeys, 150 American crows, and 300 Canada geese frantically feeding in a cornfield on Greenbush Road in Charlotte. The geese included one leucistic goose, its head partially white and its neck a speckled black and white. This group of geese had flown from McNeil Bay at the Charlotte Town Beach while we were at that previous stop.

The highlight of the day turned out not to be ducks, but owls! A barred owl was spotted along the road to Kellogg Bay in Ferrisburgh. An eastern screech-owl was enjoying the view from the entrance hole of a wood duck box on Basin Harbor Road. And the final stop yielded a short-eared owl on Gage Road while a great horned owl hooted in the distance.

Thanks to Nate Dansereau for organizing and leading the trip and to C. J. Frankiewicz for assisting.

The full list for the day (14 eBird checklists submitted): 

Canada Goose

American Black Duck

Mallard

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Wild Turkey

Common Loon

Horned Grebe

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Rock Pigeon

Eastern Screech-Owl

Barred Owl 

Short-eared Owl

Great Horned Owl

Belted Kingfisher

American Crow

Common Raven

Black-capped Chickadee

White-breasted Nuthatch

American Robin

Dark-eyed Junco

better birding in 2017

Happy New Year from RCAS! Want to see more birds in 2017 or know more about them? Here are some resolutions you can make for better birding and a better birding world this year.

Pileated WoodpeckereBird! Make it a regular part of your birding experience. Your sightings really DO matter – to scientists, conservationists and fellow birders, but ONLY if you submit them to eBird. Checklists can be from your backyard, a lunch break walk, one of our RCAS hotspots or your favorite vacation spot. Birds are everywhere and the more we know about them, the more we can help them. Click here to learn about eBird’s Checklist A Day Challenge.

Bird local! There are plenty of places to see birds right here in Rutland County. To get started, check out our list of birding hotspots here. Spots such as the Cadwell Loop or the Split Rock Trail in Pittsford or Aitken State Forest in Mendon are great in for snowshoeing and birding. No need to wait for spring!

Give to the birds! Donate to a conservation organization (we can think of one!). Drink shade-grown coffee. Take a kid birding. Write to your representatives about issues that concern the environment. Find one more thing that can be recycled. Plant a native shrub or build a brush pile. The list is endless if you think about it.

Keep learning! RCAS has a list of books if you need suggestions. Have you read The Genius if Birds by Jennifer Ackerman?  Click here to find out more about it and other books we recommend. And if you know of a good book, let us know!

Sing! Sing! Sing! Learn ten new bird songs this year. Birding by ear greatly enhances your birding experience. With all the resources available now, it’s easy. Download a birding app, buy a CD or listen to birds at the National Audubon or Cornell Lab of Ornithology online bird guides. Then go out and practice what you’ve learned. Nothing helps you remember a bird song than watching one sing. Really.

Bird with friends!. Don’t have any birding buddies? Join RCAS on a West Rutland Marsh walk or other field trips. Check out our list of upcoming events. Our next events are Winter Regulars and Rarities in the Champlain Valley on January 14 and our monthly West Rutland Marsh Walk on January 28. Click here for details.

Learn more! What’s your favorite bird? Resolve to know more about it – what does it eat, what does its nest look like, where does it go when it migrates, what is its current conservation status? Between the library and all the resources on the internet, it’s easy to find out. 

Volunteer! RCAS can always use more help. Contact us at birding@rutlandcountyaudubon.org or join us at one of our events. We promise it will be a lot of fun.

fight the invaders

Japanese KnotweedAnyone who has travelled around the marsh has seen an invader - the common reed also known as phragmites. A species like this takes over the growing space where all kinds of native plants previously grew and, as the invaders take over, wildlife, including birds, lose their food and shelter. Without that we know they will be gone or populations diminished at the least. The common reed is a plant that has so established itself that we are not sure what to do about it.

Unfortunately, there are many other nuisance species at the marsh and surrounding area so we would rather direct our efforts to another invader. Japanese knotweed has started colonizing along Whipple Hollow Road. So far, it has only started to spread, but like other invasive plants, we believe it will take over if nothing is done to prevent it.

Now we see a way of stopping the outbreak and combining the effort with a general invasive training and educational effort. The State of Vermont is offering grants to pay 75% of the cost of controlling problems like this one.  Check this link for details http://vtinvasives.org/news/vermont-aquatic-nuisance-control-grants-program.

Here at Rutland County Audubon we are seeking people interested in helping to organize the effort, apply for the grant and do some positive good for bird habitat. If this sparks your interest please contact us at birding@rutlandcountyaudubon.org.

west rutland marsh - december monitoring report

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

coastal adventure

SanderlingsMid-November is one of the best times to head to the New England coast in search of winter migrants. Cape Ann, Plum Island and the nearby beaches are areas that migrants frequent in their flight south. Other species will find these areas perfect for a wintering spot. I recently visited there with friends.

Cape Ann juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, giving the birder an opportunity to view a variety of ocean birds. Halibut Point is a high bluff that has a dramatic view of the ocean below which gives the observer a great chance of seeing these migrants as they pass by.

Our group had hoped for some alcids to be moving through, but it was not to be. However, the appearance of a flock of harlequin ducks made up for that. We watched as these sturdy creatures dove into the surf right by the granite rocks. We also saw gulls and gannets as well as other waterfowl.

After spending an hour and a half there we packed up and headed to Gloucester Harbor. There we saw common eider, red-breasted merganser, bufflehead and a common loon. A flock of snow buntings circled over us several times before landing on some rocks just feet away from us! Their soft calls and beautiful plumage made for a magical close-up view.

The next day we traveled to Plum Island and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. This area provides 4,700 acres of pristine coastal habitat. This includes 3,000 acres of salt marshes that has seen 300 plus species of birds that are either residents or migratory. In addition, this refuge has critical nesting habitat for the endangered piping plover. With six miles of beach there are many chances to observe a nice variety of ocean and coastal birds. There are hiking trails that travel through dunes, marshes and coastal scrub allowing the birder to find inland birds in proper season.

Long-tailed DuckDriving down the park road offers easy access to the salt marshes and ample opportunity to observe shorebirds and waterfowl. Our plan was to start at the north end of this island. As we drove along, there on a fence sat a Cooper's hawk, intently watching some terrified house sparrows.

Continuing on we arrived at the parking area and made our way to the beach. Here we had a great view of the channel with a strong tide running. Harbor seals were popping up and looking around as red-throated and common loons dove for a meal.

One surfaced with a wiggly silver fish for its effort. An eBird notice told of a Pacific loon there and, in no time, one of our group spotted this bird. It was in transitional plumage, but the distinctive head shape was the clincher.

We returned to the park road and headed south along the salt marshes where black-bellied plovers and dunlin were resting. American black ducks were the most abundant waterfowl. Others there included hooded merganser and bufflehead. And, of course, mallards. A sharp-shinned hawk rocketed by in front of our car in pursuit of something as we made our way along the road.

We stopped at a view point overlooking a pond where three gadwall sedately paddled about the water. Off in the distance a bald eagle sat on a rise of land while overhead a rough-legged hawk hovered in search of food.

Continuing on I spied a northern shrike perched atop a distant tree.

We then parked at one of the beach access paths and scanned the ocean finding more loons, red-necked grebes, a variety of gulls and a lovely flock of sanderlings that twittered as they probed the sand. Northern gannets were seen gliding over the ocean with their startling white plumage.

All too soon our coastal adventure was coming to an end. However, before departing I checked eBird once again and saw that a king eider was being seen at Crane Beach. Fortunately, this spot was on my way home and only half an hour from Rockport.

I soon arrived there and set up my scope to scan over 1,000 white-winged scoters in hopes of finding this beautiful duck. Luck was with me and in less than five minutes I was watching the bird.

As I walked down the beach semipalmated plovers scurried along. I then met two young women, birders and photographers, who told me they had just seen a snowy owl about a half mile down the beach. Wasting no time I quickly made my way there following their footsteps in hopes of finding the bird. As I got nearer I saw a person staring intently through binoculars. I set up my scope and scanned that area and there it was. I made my way closer to this bird which seemed totally unconcerned with the people that were delighted to have this visitor from the north. The owl sat and posed for numerous photos putting a perfect end to the coastal birding trip.

west rutland marsh - november monitoring report

Birders almost equaled bird species for RCAS’s monthly monitoring walk around West Rutland Marsh this morning. With clear skies and the forecast promising temperatures in the 60s, no one minded much.

Nineteen observers counted 21 species. Although this seems low it still beats last year’s 19 which is also our 16-year average. Past November walks have yielded anywhere from 11 to 27 species.

There were no real surprises. Raptors consisted of five red-tailed hawks and one Cooper’s hawk.

A belted kingfisher was seen from the boardwalk as it flew from Water Street to the power lines. A northern flicker was heard and a red-bellied woodpecker was seen.

Eastern bluebirds were heard singing, but not seen.  Sparrows were represented by three American tree sparrows and a lone junco.

The next walk is scheduled for Thursday, December 8.

Today’s list:

Mallard  4
Cooper's Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6
Mourning Dove  4
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker  1
Blue Jay  23
American Crow  9
Common Raven  2
Black-capped Chickadee  43
Tufted Titmouse  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Eastern Bluebird  2
European Starling  20
American Tree Sparrow  3
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  1
Northern Cardinal  4
American Goldfinch  20

seed sale and membership drive - november 5

White-breasted NuthatchIt’s time to stock up on birdseed! Join RCAS on Saturday, November 5, for birding banter and an opportunity to purchase birdseed at a great price and without sales tax. And if you haven't joined RCAS, we'd love have you be a part of us.

We have two locations: Garland’s Farm and Garden on Park Street in Rutland (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Blue Seal Feeds on Route 7 in Brandon (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Cash or checks only please!

And since it’s that time of year, it’s worth re-printing our recommendations for keeping a healthy bird feeding area:

Salmonellosis, trichomoniasis, avian pox, aspergillosis, and conjunctivitis are diseases that commonly affect birds that visit backyard bird feeders. Sick birds are less alert and less active. They feed less and often cower on a feeder, reluctant to fly. Their feathers look ill-kept. Sick birds are more vulnerable to starvation, predation, dehydration, and severe weather. Eventually, these diseases are fatal.

Dark-eyed JuncoDisease is one of the many natural processes affecting wild species. You can minimize the risks and spread of avian diseases at your bird feeders by taking the following precautions:

1.       GIVE THEM SPACE. Avoid crowding by providing ample feeder space. Lots of birds using a single feeder looks wonderful, but crowding is a key factor in spreading disease. Crowding also creates stress that may make birds more vulnerable to disease. Several feeders at wide intervals help disperse the visitors.

2.       CLEAN UP WASTES. Keep the feeder area clean of waste food and droppings. A Broom and shovel can accomplish a lot of good, but a vacuum such as you might use in your garage or workshop will help even more.

3.       MAKE FEEDERS SAFE. Provide safe feeders without sharp points or edges. Even small scratches and cuts will allow bacteria and viruses to enter otherwise healthy birds.

4.       KEEP FEEDERS CLEAN. Use feeders that are made of a material that can be sterilized (e.g., polycarbonate). Clean and disinfect feeders by fully immersing them in a 10% bleach solution (one part household bleach: 9 parts water) for 2-3 minutes. Allow to air dry. Once or twice a month should do, weekly could help more if you notice sick birds at your feeders.

5.       USE GOOD FOOD. Discard any food that smells musty, is wet, looks moldy or has fungus growing on it. Disinfect any storage container that holds spoiled food and the scoop used to fill feeders from it.

6.       PREVENT CONTAMINATION. Keep rodents out of stored food. Mice can carry and spread some bird diseases without being affected themselves.

7.       ACT EARLY. Don’t wait to act until you see sick or dead birds. With good prevention you’ll seldom find sick or dead birds at your feeders.

8.       SPREAD THE WORD. Encourage your neighbors who feed birds to follow the same precautions. Birds normally move among feeders and can spread diseases as they go. The safest birdfeeders will be those in communities where neighbors cooperate with equal concern for the birds.

9.       BEARS. Also, be sure to delay setting up feeders until the possibility of bears has passed for the year. And if you do have a beer in your neighborhood, take your feeders down immediately (as well as removing any outdoor pet food, garbage and anything that smells intriguing to a bear). And let your neighbors know so they can do the same.

west rutland marsh - october monitoring report

The fall foliage is still brilliant on the hillsides, but the crystal coating on the cattails and other marsh vegetation this morning was a reminder of what is to come. Eighteen participants, sporting wool caps and warm gloves for the first time this season, joined together for our monthly monitoring of West Rutland Marsh.

Today’s tally was 37, three more than one year ago, and five more than our average for October (the high was 39 in October 2007).

Many species have departed or are at least packing their bags. In sharp contrast with September, only one gray catbird was recorded. No common yellowthroats or marsh wrens were observed, but a swamp sparrow sang weakly in the cattails.

Several ruby-crowned kinglets were flitting in the trees and goldenrod seedheads along with a few golden-crowned kinglets. Their contrasting call notes were quite obvious.

White-throated sparrows and dark-eyed juncos were seen in several spots along the route as well as song sparrows. Our first vesper sparrow for this walk was seen briefly along Marble Street. This is the third month in a row we have added a new species to our monitoring list.

Three purple finches, the two males looking particularly bright in the morning sun, sat in a bare tree. One was heard singing.

Three red-tailed hawks were noted, but no turkey vultures.

Our next walk: November 19 (Saturday) at 8 a.m.

Today’s list:

Canada Goose  2
Wood Duck  2
Mallard  2
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  6
Mourning Dove  6
Belted Kingfisher  2
Downy Woodpecker  6
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  1
Pileated Woodpecker  1
Peregrine Falcon  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Blue Jay  19
American Crow  45
Common Raven  4
Black-capped Chickadee  25
Tufted Titmouse  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
Brown Creeper  1
Carolina Wren  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet  4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  5
American Robin  65
Gray Catbird  1
European Starling  3
Chipping Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)  17
White-crowned Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  10
Vesper Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  9
Swamp Sparrow  2
Northern Cardinal  5
Red-winged Blackbird  49
Purple Finch  4
American Goldfinch  17