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Updated on Sunday, May 11 at 06:04 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Scarlet Tanager,©Julie Zickefoose

11 May Orchard Oriole [Craig Provost ]
11 May Re: Mystery song [Gregory Askew ]
11 May Catbirds in Pownal [Mundi Smithers ]
11 May Western Palm Warblers, Pied-billed Grebe in Norwich [Doug Hardy ]
11 May Orange-crowned warbler [Bill & Jeanne Prue ]
11 May Ring-Necked Pheasant [Bill Martin ]
11 May Golden winged warbler Brandon Pearl St , 5/11/08 []
11 May Prairie Warbler & Blue-winged Warbler West Rutland Power Line ["Nancy A. Brown" ]
10 May Golden Eagle Flying over Danby FOur Corners ["Nancy A. Brown" ]
10 May Keene & Hinsdale (NH) and Brattleboro & Westminster (VT) birds today + 3 mystery birds [Julie Waters ]
10 May South Stream WMA, Pownal today [Hope Batcheller ]
10 May West Rutland Marsh - May 15 [Susan Elliott ]
10 May Rutland County Audubon Trip to Birdseye/Davis property, Ira/Castleton , 5/10/08 [Susan Elliott ]
10 May INDIGO BUNTING FOY [Deborah Lyter ]
10 May Chukar [Evergreen Erb ]
10 May Re: Bluebirds and Purple Martins [Evergreen Erb ]
10 May FW: eBird Report - Hildene - Lincoln Family Home , 5/10/08 [Randy Schmidt ]
10 May Bluebirds and Purple Martins [Janet Watton ]
9 May Coopers Hawk [Deborah Lyter ]
9 May 5/9 Birds [David Johnston ]
9 May May 9 sightings [Bruce and Mary Lou ]
9 May Re: Mystery song (oops) [Jane Schlossberg ]
9 May R-T Hummingbird in Jericho [June Schulte ]
9 May Yellow-thraoted vireo.... [Stephen Antell ]
9 May Shorebirds at Dead Creek [Allan Strong ]
9 May Herrick's Cove 5/9 [Julie Waters ]
9 May Re: Mystery song [Jane Schlossberg ]
9 May Re: Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet? [Jane Stein ]
9 May Lefferts Pond - May 9 [Susan Elliott ]
9 May Re: Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet? [Gregory Askew ]
9 May Re: 2008 Whip-poor-will survey [Richard Harlow ]
9 May Sherman Rd , Waitsfield 5/9/08 [Patricia Folsom ]
9 May Re: Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet? [Jane Stein ]
9 May Re: Mystery song [Jane Stein ]
9 May 2008 Whip-poor-will survey [Rosalind Renfrew ]
9 May Mystery song [Gregory Askew ]
9 May White crowned sparrows in Brownington [carolyn boardman ]
9 May directions to Chukar [Evergreen Erb ]
9 May Pine siskins [Ernie Buford ]
9 May Carolina wren Pittsford , 5/8/08 []
9 May warbler []
9 May Chimney Swifts have returned to Waterbury [Graham Bates ]
9 May Bristol Waterworks [Gregory Askew ]
8 May Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet? [June Schulte ]
8 May Looking for plants [Deborah Lyter ]
8 May Yardbirds today + Sora calling at Allen Bros. Marsh [Julie Waters ]
8 May 5/8 at Herricks [Don Clark ]
8 May Pine Hill Park, Rutland VT. [TRACEY BUSONY ]
8 May Interspecies behavior [Jane Stein ]
8 May Re: chukar [Bruce ]
8 May Warblers in NEK [Bill & Jeanne Prue ]
8 May Chimney Swifts in Proctor [Roy Pilcher ]

Subject: Orchard Oriole
From: Craig Provost <cprovost88 AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 19:04:13 -0400
At Farrell Access for Dead Creek, I ran into 2 male and 1 female Orchard 
Orioles. These birds were in the area around what looks like a marble 
headstone about a half mile or so in. There is a gully on either side of the 
road 

with lots of honeysuckle thickets. The 2 males were acting territorial chasing 
each other. A Baltimore Oriole was there as well. 

Later at Brilyea I found a modest warbler flock near the first parking lot. 
Mostly Yellow-Rumped but did have a male Cape May. These birds were being 
fairly quiet feeding in the treetops.
Subject: Re: Mystery song
From: Gregory Askew <gregory.askew AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 18:07:25 -0400
Thanks for the link, Jane.
G

On Fri, May 9, 2008 at 6:41 PM, Jane Schlossberg  wrote:

> Greg, I agree with Jane, and if it is the white-crowned sparrow, you've
> done a great job "translating" its song. Here is a good website with an
> audio journal devoted to this species' song. Let us know if
> that sounds right!
>
>
>
> Jane
>
> Saint George
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jane Stein 
> To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU
> Sent: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:17 am
> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Mystery song
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I always have a very hard time "hearing" song in human text
> transliterations, but there's a White-Crowned Sparrow singing
> away right outside my window as I sit at the computer, and the
> general form of its song would seem to fit, particularly that
> insitial firm "sure" note followed by a quicker, slightly more
> vague pattern.  Have you tried listening to examples of that?
> They actually do vary quite a bit, so examples you find on the
> Web may not match note for note what you've heard, so listen more
> for the tonal quality and the general shape of the song.
>
>
> Jane
>
> Shoreham
>
>
> Gregory Askew wrote:
>
> > Here at Northlands Job Corps in Vergennes there are two birds singing a
> song
>
> > I can't quite place. We have a pretty open campus with scattered trees.
> The
>
> > birds in question must be a passerine and one was singing fairly high in
> a
>
> > maple.
>
> > The song went like this...
>
> > Sure te-o te-o too too sure
>
> > The first note was the longest, the second and third were quicker and
>
> > identical, and the last three had a buzzy quality.
>
> > Any thoughts?
>
> >
> > Greg
>
> > Vergennes
>
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
Subject: Catbirds in Pownal
From: Mundi Smithers <amenfarm AT WILDBLUE.NET>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 18:03:43 -0400
FOY Catbirds here in Pownal.  Also think we may well have a Savannah Sparrow
pair here ...... guess I'll have to wait and see if they stick around. 
 
Our Kildeer eggs have hatched and the kids are fledged ... all in one day.
There is one egg left in the 'nest' but assume that she has decided to feed
the three live chicks and sacrifice the fourth egg.
 
Mundi
Pownal
 
Mundi Smithers
 
Subject: Western Palm Warblers, Pied-billed Grebe in Norwich
From: Doug Hardy <doug.hardy AT VALLEY.NET>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 13:53:48 -0400
A productive morning at Ledyard Bridge in Norwich, despite relatively 
low numbers.  Last week, we had 4 Eastern/yellow Palms in almost the 
exact same spot (cf. Hector Galbraith msg. of 5/21/2007).
Spencer & Doug Hardy

This morning's highlights, Ledyard Bridge Area- CT River, Norwich

Observation date:     5/11/08
Number of species:     34

Wood Duck     3
Common Merganser     1
**Pied-billed Grebe *    1
Broad-winged Hawk     1
Spotted Sandpiper     2
Least Flycatcher     3
Eastern Kingbird     1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow     3
Yellow Warbler     5     singing enthusiastically
Chestnut-sided Warbler     3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     3
Black-throated Green Warbler     1
**Palm Warbler*     3     All "Western" (brown)
Black-and-white Warbler     1
Common Yellowthroat     1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/vt)
Subject: Orange-crowned warbler
From: Bill & Jeanne Prue <wjprue AT JEANNERAECRAFTS.COM>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 11:19:52 -0400
5/9 - Newport, in our yard
Gray Catbird     1
Brown Thrasher     1

5/10 - Railroad tracks south from Coventry Station Rd., Coventry
Orange-crowned Warbler     1
Baltimore Oriole     2
Solitary Sandpiper     3

Bill & Jeanne Prue, Newport
Subject: Ring-Necked Pheasant
From: Bill Martin <billm10173 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 11:13:15 -0400
We had an unusual visitor under the bird feeder Saturday.? He seemed to be 
enjoying his tour of Bakersfield!? I was lucky enough to get some quick 
pictures, from which Dorothy published a shot on 
http://dorothy.allard.googlepages.com/billspheasant?. 


Bill Martin
Bakersfield
Subject: Golden winged warbler Brandon Pearl St , 5/11/08
From: 2birdvt AT COMCAST.NET
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 13:01:38 +0000
The bird song this morning was wonderful----Golden Winged Warbler by plumage and song at the powerlines---which make as much noise with the stray electricity as the warbler.

Sue Wetmore
-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org
To: 2birdvt AT comcast.net
Subject: eBird Report - Brandon Pearl St , 5/11/08
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 12:58:59 +0000
> 
> 
> Location:     Brandon Pearl St
> Observation date:     5/11/08
> Notes:     Chickadee with nesting material
> Number of species:     52
> 
> Canada Goose     2
> Mallard     2
> Ruffed Grouse     1
> Green Heron     2
> Virginia Rail     1
> Killdeer     2
> Wilson's Snipe     1
> Mourning Dove     4
> Belted Kingfisher     1
> Red-bellied Woodpecker     1
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker     1
> Downy Woodpecker     2
> Hairy Woodpecker     1
> Pileated Woodpecker     1
> Eastern Phoebe     1
> Great Crested Flycatcher     1
> Eastern Kingbird     2
> Yellow-throated Vireo     1
> Warbling Vireo     3
> Red-eyed Vireo     1
> Blue Jay     2
> American Crow     3
> Tree Swallow     4
> Barn Swallow     1
> Black-capped Chickadee     4
> Tufted Titmouse     1
> House Wren     2
> Wood Thrush     1
> American Robin     3
> Gray Catbird     2
> Brown Thrasher     1
> European Starling     X
> Golden-winged Warbler     1
> Yellow Warbler     4
> Chestnut-sided Warbler     2
> Magnolia Warbler     1
> Yellow-rumped Warbler     1
> Black-and-white Warbler     2
> American Redstart     2
> Northern Waterthrush     1
> Common Yellowthroat     4
> Canada Warbler     1
> Eastern Towhee     1
> Chipping Sparrow     1
> Song Sparrow     3
> Swamp Sparrow     2
> Northern Cardinal     1
> Rose-breasted Grosbeak     1
> Red-winged Blackbird     8
> Common Grackle     4
> Baltimore Oriole     2
> House Sparrow     X
> 
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/vt)

Subject: Prairie Warbler & Blue-winged Warbler West Rutland Power Line
From: "Nancy A. Brown" <whites AT VERMONTEL.NET>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 06:40:30 -0400
----- Original Message ----- 
From: 
To: 
Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 5:02 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Pleasant St. Powerline-West Rutland , 5/10/08


>
>
> Location:     Pleasant St. Powerline-West Rutland
> Observation date:     5/10/08
> Notes:     Prairie Wablers are back, all singing.  Saw Blue-wing Wabler it 
> only vocalized twice.
> Number of species:     19
>
> Least Flycatcher     1
> Blue Jay     1
> Common Raven     2
> Black-capped Chickadee     X
> House Wren     1
> American Robin     X
> Gray Catbird     4
> Blue-winged Warbler     3
> Nashville Warbler     1
> Yellow Warbler     2
> Prairie Warbler     6
> American Redstart     1
> Common Yellowthroat     2
> Eastern Towhee     2
> Chipping Sparrow     1
> Field Sparrow     7
> Song Sparrow     X
> Northern Cardinal     1
> American Goldfinch     X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/vt)
> 
Subject: Golden Eagle Flying over Danby FOur Corners
From: "Nancy A. Brown" <whites AT VERMONTEL.NET>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 20:33:26 -0400
> Location:     Danby Pond- Danby, VT
> Observation date:     5/10/08
> Notes:     This is the second Golden Eagle I have seen in 6 days in the 
> same area? Last summer or summer before Golden Eagles were seen for 
> several weeks near Butternut Bend on Route 30 in Pawlet.  That is about 8 
> miles as an Eagle flies from where I am seeing them, are they back? has 
> anyone else seen them?
> Number of species:     30
>
> Canada Goose     X
> Ruffed Grouse     X
> Wild Turkey     1
> American Bittern     1
> Great Blue Heron     1
> Golden Eagle     1
> Spotted Sandpiper     1
> Mourning Dove     X
> Barred Owl     1
> Belted Kingfisher     1
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker     1
> Downy Woodpecker     1
> Hairy Woodpecker     2
> Northern Flicker     2
> Blue Jay     2
> Tree Swallow     X
> Black-capped Chickadee     X
> Tufted Titmouse     1
> White-breasted Nuthatch     1
> Veery     2
> Hermit Thrush     1
> Wood Thrush     2
> American Robin     X
> Gray Catbird     1
> Brown Thrasher     1
> Nashville Warbler     1
> Yellow Warbler     1
> Bobolink     4
> Red-winged Blackbird     X
> Common Grackle     X
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/vt)
> 
Subject: Keene & Hinsdale (NH) and Brattleboro & Westminster (VT) birds today + 3 mystery birds
From: Julie Waters <julie AT RIVERARTSPROJECT.COM>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 19:50:47 -0400
Photos for many of the birds listed below at:

	http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/_2008-05-10.php

This morning, I birded the Hinsdale setback and had some nice 
sightings: two kinds of flycatchers (not sure which kind yet, but I 
got photos) blue-gray gnatcatchers, a scarlet tanager, common 
yellowthroats, yellow warblers, yellow-rumped warblers, one great 
blue heron, many red-winged blackbirds and grackles, multiple 
orioles, several canada geese and one eastern kingbird.  The kingbird 
photo, by the way, is a real treat: I got it just as it was 
swallowing a bug:

	http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/3357.php

Later, in Brattleboro, there were -many- chipping sparrows chasing 
one another around, as well as a savannah sparrow and FOY bobolinks. 
Again, multiple grackles & red-winged blackbirds, plus many starlings 
and house sparrows.  In that group, I got a very nice photo of one 
chipping sparrow flying towards another:

	http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/3359.php

We then checked out Krif Road in Keene in search of pipits.  No luck 
with the pipits but we got a sparrow I can't seem to figure out. 
White eye ring and pink legs, streaking on chest and sides under 
wings, (but not stomach), mostly white throat with two dark streaks 
coming from the beak down and outwards.  Got two very clear photos of 
the bird, and after looking through my books, I decided it was best 
to consult a panel of experts (that's where all of you come in):

	http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/3363.php
	http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/3362.php

Finally, at home, some nice feeder birds.  Orioles, pine siskins, 
american goldfinches, hairy woodpecker, a -huge- flock of tree 
sparrows flying all over the neighborhood, a red-tailed hawk flyover, 
a cooper's hawk flyover, grackles, red-winged blackbirds, mourning 
doves, cardinals, rose-breasted grosbeaks, a ruby-throated 
hummingbird, black-capped chickadees, blue jays.

Also, at Allen Brothers Marsh, there was an Eastern Kingbird which 
couldn't be budged standing in the same tree where they nested last 
year, so I suspect there will be another nest, plus the Sora is still 
calling, though from further away than yesterday and still not 
visible.

If anyone can help me out with the mystery flycatchers and sparrow, 
I'd appreciate it.  The sparrow did not vocalize.

--julie
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
julie AT riverartsproject.com                    http://juliewaters.com/

	We've heard that a million monkeys at a million
	keyboards could produce the Complete Works of
	Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know
	this is not true.

			--Robert Wilensky
Subject: South Stream WMA, Pownal today
From: Hope Batcheller <hope.batcheller AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 18:44:37 -0400
Hello all,

I and several folks from Williamstown, MA birded South Stream WMA in Pownal
this morning (May 10th). The highlights were the 15 species of warblers, 3
Virginia Rails, and an American Bittern. The full list is below.

Gooood birding!
--Hope Batcheller


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: 
Date: Sat, May 10, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Subject: eBird Report - South Stream Wildlife Management Area , 5/10/08
To: hope.batcheller AT gmail.com


Location:     South Stream Wildlife Management Area
Observation date:     5/10/08
Number of species:     62

Canada Goose     6
Wood Duck     3
Mallard     3
Hooded Merganser     3
Ruffed Grouse     1
American Bittern     1
Great Blue Heron     3
Turkey Vulture     1
Virginia Rail     3
Spotted Sandpiper     2
Mourning Dove     2
Great Horned Owl     1
Chimney Swift     14
Belted Kingfisher     1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker     2
Downy Woodpecker     2
Hairy Woodpecker     1
Northern Flicker     2
Pileated Woodpecker     1
Eastern Phoebe     2
Eastern Kingbird     3
Blue-headed Vireo     1
Warbling Vireo     1
Red-eyed Vireo     1
Blue Jay     6
American Crow     3
Tree Swallow     4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow     3
Black-capped Chickadee     6
Tufted Titmouse     1
Red-breasted Nuthatch     2
Brown Creeper     3
Eastern Bluebird     1
Veery     3
Wood Thrush     2
American Robin     10
Gray Catbird     1
Nashville Warbler     2
Northern Parula     2
Yellow Warbler     8
Magnolia Warbler     2
Black-throated Blue Warbler     5
Yellow-rumped Warbler     16
Black-throated Green Warbler     2
Blackburnian Warbler     2
Pine Warbler     1
Black-and-white Warbler     2
American Redstart     3
Ovenbird     7
Northern Waterthrush     1
Common Yellowthroat     10
Canada Warbler     1
Chipping Sparrow     1
Song Sparrow     8
Swamp Sparrow     11
Northern Cardinal     1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak     1
Red-winged Blackbird     16
Common Grackle     10
Brown-headed Cowbird     3
Baltimore Oriole     7
American Goldfinch     5

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Subject: West Rutland Marsh - May 15
From: Susan Elliott <ovenbird14 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 13:19:39 -0700
On Thursday, May 15, Rutland County Audubon will
hold its monthly monitoring walk of West Rutland
Marsh. 

Come see the marsh at its best! Meet at 7 a.m. at
the West Rutland Price Chopper parking lot.

Sue Elliott
http:www.rutlandcountyaudubon.org


 
____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Be a better friend, newshound, and 
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. 
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Subject: Rutland County Audubon Trip to Birdseye/Davis property, Ira/Castleton , 5/10/08
From: Susan Elliott <ovenbird14 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 13:17:46 -0700
Twenty-two(!) people turned out for today's trip
to Birdseye Mountain in Castleton/Ira. 51 species
were recorded and included great looks at a
solitary sandpiper and great blue heron.

In addition to the following list, osprey,
peregrine falcon, yellow-bellied sapsucker,
American crow, and Nasvhille warbler were
observed at adjacent Bird Mountain WMA. All
observations reported to eBird!
 
Canada Goose   2
Wood Duck   1
Mallard   10
Common Merganser   1
Ruffed Grouse  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  2
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  1
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Wilson's Snipe  1
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  2  excavating cavity
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Phoebe 2  gathering nesting material
Eastern Kingbird  2
Warbling Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  1
Blue Jay  2
Common Raven  2
Tree Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  4
Black-capped Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Brown Creeper  1
House Wren  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2
Wood Thrush  2
American Robin  10
Gray Catbird  5
Yellow Warbler  5
Chestnut-sided Warbler  7
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  3
American Redstart  1
Ovenbird  3
Northern Waterthrush  2
Common Yellowthroat  7
Scarlet Tanager  1
Song Sparrow  3  carrying nesting material
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
Red-winged Blackbird  7
Common Grackle  4
Baltimore Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  5

Sue Elliott
http://www.rutlandcountyaudubon.org


 
____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Be a better friend, newshound, and 
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. 
http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ 

Subject: INDIGO BUNTING FOY
From: Deborah Lyter <mndlyter AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 15:42:45 -0400
I am so very excite!! We just had our first of the year male Indigo Bunting 
stop by our feeders. We were sitting outside enjoying the beautiful day and 
listening to all of the bird songs in the air, when he flew in and landed. He 
stayed several minutes which I was surprised as we were maybe 6 feet away 
from the feeders that he landed on. What a splendid site. The sun is shining 
bright so he showed off as such a rich deep blue. I look forward to many 
returns of him as well as the female as I am sure she is not far behind him.
Debbie Lyter
Bristol, VT
Subject: Chukar
From: Evergreen Erb <evergreenerb AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 14:59:49 -0400
The Chukar was seen again early this morning, but when I went up to  
look I didn't see it, but could hear it's gutteral call.  Evergreen in  
Jericho
Subject: Re: Bluebirds and Purple Martins
From: Evergreen Erb <evergreenerb AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 14:58:54 -0400
Dear Janet,

The only real populations I have seen of Purple Martins in Vermont  
have been near the large bodies of water.  So, I have seen them in the  
Champlain Valley near Lake Champlain, and also near Lake  
Memphramagog.  I have occasionally seen them in other places,  
including our property in Jericho.  Back thirty years ago, we also put  
up a martin box, and even had some look at it once.  Now it is a  
monstrous, heavy bulky thing (I think my husband built it out of iron)  
that took us forever to get up, and will only come down now if chopped  
or blown.  It has only attracted starlings I am afraid after the first  
few years of having some Tree Sparrows in it. So, I wish you better  
luck.  Evergreen in Jericho
Subject: FW: eBird Report - Hildene - Lincoln Family Home , 5/10/08
From: Randy Schmidt <randy AT THEVERMONTBIRDPLACE.COM>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 14:23:08 -0400
It was a great morning for our first of three May bird walks on the grounds
of Hildene in Manchester. 17 people attended, 3 groups were made and the
habitats covered included meadows, forest and wetlands. 

Blue Jays in large flocks seen at several times during our walk, with a
large group of 22 just as the meadows group was leaving. 

Best viewings of the morning: 

One of the Great Crested Flycatchers was putting on a great lesson of how to
ID it by giving clear views, several poses, front and back along with calls
to boot!

Two Ovenbirds were showing aggressive displays as the group approached on
one of the trails, offering great views and their classic call. 

Common Yellowthroat also gave great views, just 4-5 feet from the group, as
it gathered bugs. 

Our next walk will be two Saturdays from today, on May 24th at 7a.m. 

Randy Schmidt
The Vermont Bird Place & Sky Watch
Manchester Center, VT 


-----Original Message-----
From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org [mailto:do-not-reply AT ebird.org] 
Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 2:08 PM
To: randy AT thevermontbirdplace.com
Subject: eBird Report - Hildene - Lincoln Family Home , 5/10/08



Location:     Hildene - Lincoln Family Home
Observation date:     5/10/08
Notes:     A mink also swam in front of the group down by the wetlands area.

Number of species:     43

Canada Goose     6
Wood Duck     5
American Black Duck     2
Mallard     5
Common Merganser     2
Ruffed Grouse     4
Pied-billed Grebe     1
Great Blue Heron     3
Mourning Dove     3
Belted Kingfisher     2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker     2
Downy Woodpecker     2
Northern Flicker     1
Eastern Phoebe     2
Great Crested Flycatcher     2
Eastern Kingbird     1
Blue-headed Vireo     2
Red-eyed Vireo     2
Blue Jay     35
American Crow     3
Tree Swallow     3
Black-capped Chickadee     4
Tufted Titmouse     2
White-breasted Nuthatch     1
Wood Thrush     2
American Robin     6
Gray Catbird     6
European Starling     3
Yellow Warbler     2
Black-throated Blue Warbler     2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     1
Blackburnian Warbler     1
Pine Warbler     1
Black-and-white Warbler     2
Ovenbird     3
Common Yellowthroat     1
Chipping Sparrow     2
Swamp Sparrow     4
Northern Cardinal     2
Red-winged Blackbird     28
Common Grackle     1
Brown-headed Cowbird     1
American Goldfinch     7

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Subject: Bluebirds and Purple Martins
From: Janet Watton <musbird AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 09:26:56 -0400
Hi, all,
As we continue our annual tally here (up to 48 species) we notice a  
glaring omission for this time of year.  Our bluebirds have not  
returned.  We have had at least one nesting pair ever since we moved  
here in 1993, sharing (grudgingly) our 12 boxes with the tree  
sparrows.  The Trees have been back for weeks, but no sign of the  
bluebirds.  Anyone else notice a reduction?

Also, we put up a very fine (and expensive!) martin condo many years  
ago, still with no takers.  I know it's a stretch to expect them  
here, but the Martin Society assured us that they were in the  
Northeast Kingdom.  Can you all tell me where you have them?  Thanks.

Rose-breasted grosbeaks and a hummer arrived yesterday.  Thrashers  
and field sparrows giving wondrous daily concerts.  It ain't all bad  
here!
Janet Watton
Randolph Center
Subject: Coopers Hawk
From: Deborah Lyter <mndlyter AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 22:56:30 -0400
The Coopers Hawk has taken up residency in the tall Jack Pines in our front 
yard again this year. I would imagine they are nesting as they usually do each 
year. It appears to be the male that is quickly thinning out our big flock of 
Blue Jays that have been visiting in larger amounts then usual. On Tuesday, 
13 came in at once to our back yard. In 2 days the Cooper has taken 4 of 
them. I know they have to do this to survive but it saddens me to see it. It is 

a beautiful hawk though. 
Before long, they usually have about 3 fledglings that they will bring to our 
back yard to teach them how to hunt, etc. 
Debbie Lyter
Bristol, VT
Subject: 5/9 Birds
From: David Johnston <dakk AT SOVER.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 22:31:34 -0400
At the Retreat Meadows, Brattleboro, this evening- 4 Least Sandpipers, 3 
Spotted Sandpipers,1 Killdeer, 2 GBH's, 1 second yr Bald Eagle, several yellow 
warblers. Around home on Bonnyvale Rd.- 8 Myrtle Warblers, 2 B&W Warblers, 
2 Redstarts, 2 C. Yellowthroats, 2 Yellow Warblers, 1 Chestnut -Sided Warbler, 
2 R-T Hummingbirds, 6+ Balt. Orioles, 4 R-B Grosbeaks, 2 House Wrens, 4 
Least Flycatchers, 2 Catbirds, 2 R-C Kinglets, 2 E. Towhees, a pair of Y-B 
Sapsuckers, 1 Pileated Wp., 1 Veery, 2 Hermit Thrush, 1 White- Crowned Sp., 
and an abundance of White Throated and Chipping Sparrows.
Subject: May 9 sightings
From: Bruce and Mary Lou <webson2 AT VERIZON.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 21:59:55 -0400
Today, first one male Rose-breasted Grosbeck showed up at my north feeder as a 
FOY bird, followed by another male and female RB Grosbeck later in the day. 
Male E. Kingbirds were sparring off in the trees across the road and a 
Baltimore Oriole was feeding there in the crabapples for two more first 
sightings. The north feeder also had a second White-crowned Sparrow join the 
other WCS who has been feeding here all week. Ovenbird has been singing out in 
our woods for days now, but no Wood Thrush has taken up their usual residence 
yet. 


Mary Lou Webster
Brandon
Subject: Re: Mystery song (oops)
From: Jane Schlossberg <avesong AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 21:40:21 -0400
OOps, Here's the URL for the white-crowned sparrow audio story I mentioned 
before: 





http://www.birdnote.org/birdnote.cfm?id=189



Hope you can get it.




Jane

Saint Geogre


-----Original Message-----
From: Jane Stein 
To: avesong AT AOL.COM
Sent: Fri, 9 May 2008 8:27 pm
Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Mystery song


[off-list] 
 
Hi, Jane-- 
 
I don't believe the URL you mean to post actually got into your message. Could 
you try it again? I'd be very interested in having a listen. I love the way 
these guys sing, and I know just enough to know that there are quite a few 
dialects and I'd be very interested to hear some of them, if that's what's on 
the site you mentioned.  

 
Thanks! 
 
The Other Jane 
 
Jane Schlossberg wrote: 
 
> Greg, I agree with Jane, and if it is the white-crowned sparrow, you've done 
a great job "translating" its song. Here is a good website with an audio 
journal devoted to this species' song. Let us know if that sounds right!  

> > > > Jane 
> > Saint George 
> > > -----Original Message----- 
> From: Jane Stein  
> To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU 




-----Original Message-----
From: Jane Schlossberg 
To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU
Sent: Fri, 9 May 2008 6:41 pm
Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Mystery song








Greg, I agree with Jane, and if it is the white-crowned sparrow, you've done a 
great job "translating" its song. Here is a good website with an audio journal 
devoted to this species' song. Let us know if that sounds right!



Jane

Saint George


-----Original Message-----
From: Jane Stein 
To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU
Sent: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:17 am
Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Mystery song







I always have a very hard time "hearing" song in human text 
transliterations, but there's a White-Crowned Sparrow singing 
away right outside my window as I sit at the computer, and the 
general form of its song would seem to fit, particularly that 
insitial firm "sure" note followed by a quicker, slightly more 
vague pattern.  Have you tried listening to examples of that? 
They actually do vary quite a bit, so examples you find on the 
Web may not match note for note what you've heard, so listen more 
for the tonal quality and the general shape of the song. 
 

Jane 

Shoreham 
 

Gregory Askew wrote: 

> Here at Northlands Job Corps in Vergennes there are two birds singing a 
song  


> I can't quite place. We have a pretty open campus with scattered trees. The 

> birds in question must be a passerine and one was singing fairly high in a 

> maple. 

> The song went like this... 

> Sure te-o te-o too too sure 

> The first note was the longest, the second and third were quicker and 

> identical, and the last three had a buzzy quality. 

> Any thoughts? 

> 
> Greg 

> Vergennes 

> 
> 


 



 
Subject: R-T Hummingbird in Jericho
From: June Schulte <jschulte AT TOGETHER.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 21:08:40 -0400
The first female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird was seen at our porch 
feeder yesterday.  :-)

Today four crows were cawing and doing air aerobics over the back yard.
Could that be mating ritual or reaction to fox kits in the area?

~ June in Jericho
Subject: Yellow-thraoted vireo....
From: Stephen Antell <leafan AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 20:35:21 -0400
singing at noon at Woodside Park in Essex Jct today by the bench overlooking
the water.

 

Steve Antell
Subject: Shorebirds at Dead Creek
From: Allan Strong <allan.strong AT UVM.EDU>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 19:48:14 -0400
Today (Friday 9 May) there was a sizable concentration of shorebirds at the 
goose viewing area at Dead Creek WMA.  The birds were in the (rapidly 
drying) puddle at the west end of the road.  Ted Murin and I counted:
~100 Least Sandpipers
47 Lesser Yellowlegs
8 Semipalmated Plovers
1 Pectoral Sandpiper

Unfortunately there isn't much water remaining in the pool, so this habitat 
probably won't last much longer.

Allan



*******************************************************************
Allan M. Strong
University of Vermont
The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources
347 Aiken Center
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-2910
*******************************************************************
Subject: Herrick's Cove 5/9
From: Julie Waters <julie AT RIVERARTSPROJECT.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 18:47:13 -0400
Common Yellowthroats were out in force today and the Blue-Gray 
Gnatcatcher pair was quite visible at one point.  The highlight of 
the day for me was a Great Crested Flycatcher, which is a life bird 
for me.  Also got a really nice photo of a feeding oriole this 
morning.

Photos at:

http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/_2008-05-09.php

--julie
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
julie AT riverartsproject.com                    http://juliewaters.com/

	We've heard that a million monkeys at a million
	keyboards could produce the Complete Works of
	Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know
	this is not true.

			--Robert Wilensky
Subject: Re: Mystery song
From: Jane Schlossberg <avesong AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 18:41:07 -0400
Greg, I agree with Jane, and if it is the white-crowned sparrow, you've done a 
great job "translating" its song. Here is a good website with an audio journal 
devoted to this species' song. Let us know if that sounds right! 




Jane

Saint George


-----Original Message-----
From: Jane Stein 
To: VTBIRD AT LIST.UVM.EDU
Sent: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:17 am
Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Mystery song







I always have a very hard time "hearing" song in human text 
transliterations, but there's a White-Crowned Sparrow singing 
away right outside my window as I sit at the computer, and the 
general form of its song would seem to fit, particularly that 
insitial firm "sure" note followed by a quicker, slightly more 
vague pattern.  Have you tried listening to examples of that? 
They actually do vary quite a bit, so examples you find on the 
Web may not match note for note what you've heard, so listen more 
for the tonal quality and the general shape of the song. 
 

Jane 

Shoreham 
 

Gregory Askew wrote: 

> Here at Northlands Job Corps in Vergennes there are two birds singing a 
song  


> I can't quite place. We have a pretty open campus with scattered trees. The 

> birds in question must be a passerine and one was singing fairly high in a 

> maple. 

> The song went like this... 

> Sure te-o te-o too too sure 

> The first note was the longest, the second and third were quicker and 

> identical, and the last three had a buzzy quality. 

> Any thoughts? 

> 
> Greg 

> Vergennes 

> 
> 


 
Subject: Re: Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet?
From: Jane Stein <jeshawks AT SHOREHAM.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 13:11:22 -0400
Very interesting thought.  It's a little confusing, though, to 
figure out in this circumstance who's doing the dominating and 
who's doing the submission.

Since food begging is only done by juveniles and females, 
wouldn't that be more likely to be the submissive behavior? 
Making yourself look smaller and weaker-- in this case by 
hunching down and letting your wings droop-- is the way 
submissive critters demonstrate to potential aggressors of the 
same species that they are no threat.

Your implication is surely right that it's the Bluejay's behavior 
that is, um, inventive, where the WP is pretty much responding 
automatically.

Jane


Gregory Askew wrote:

> What if King Jay was simply exacting tribute from his minion, woodpecker,
> with the promise not to eat her eggs this season?
> On a serious note, I wonder if there's evidence of interspecific
> relationships of domination and submission, especially given the
> intelligence and well-documented sociality of the corvids.
> Greg
> Vergennes
> 
> 
> On 5/9/08, Jane Stein  wrote:
> 
>>I've not seen any newly fledged birds yet, including Bluejays, and they're
>>pretty hard to miss, especially the food begging noise!
>>
>>In the case of my two confused birds, misplaced courtship seems to me more
>>likely what was going on with the Bluejay, and one can't blame the Bluejay
>>for not recognizing that the woodpecker it was displaying to was a female,
>>nor the woodpecker for mistaking courtship begging for fledgling begging, I
>>guess.
>>
>>Still, very peculiar.
>>
>>Jane
>>Shoreham
>>
>>
>>
>>June Schulte wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet?
>>>
>>>I sent Jane's question about the Bluejay being fed suet by a Downy
>>>Woodpecker to
>>>my son who is a wildlife biologist, and below is his take on it.   ~ June
>>>in Jericho
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>My guess is that this is a recently fledged blue jay and the downy
>>>woodpecker has young back in the nest. The blue jay is begging to anything
>>>it sees that has food and the downy woodpecker's feeding response is
>>>triggered by the behavior since it is geared up to feed babies at the
>>>moment. Birds are usually triggered to feed their young by the begging sound
>>>and the sight of the bright yellow/orange/red lining of the mouth of young
>>>birds. I guess this is just one overstimulated woodpecker. Pretty funny.
>>> The only other option is that female blue jays will display like that to
>>>males as part of the courtship display, but I doubt one would do that to a
>>>woodpecker!
>>>
>>>
>>>
> 
> 
> 
Subject: Lefferts Pond - May 9
From: Susan Elliott <ovenbird14 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 09:48:33 -0700
We observed a good number of species and plenty
of bird song around Lefferts Pond this morning.
Also, a common loon was calling on Chittenden
Reservoir.

Location:     Lefferts Pond
Observation date:     5/9/08
Number of species:     47
 
Canada Goose 14
Wood Duck  4
American Black Duck  1
Mallard  9
Ring-necked Duck  2
Hooded Merganser  2
Common Merganser  2
Ruffed Grouse  6  all drumming
Osprey  1  sitting on nest on platform
Wilson's Snipe   2
Chimney Swift  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  3
Least Flycatcher     1
Blue-headed Vireo  5  one gathering nesting
material
Blue Jay 6
American Crow  2
Common Raven  1
Tree Swallow  1
Black-capped Chickadee  10
Red-breasted Nuthatch  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Brown Creeper  3
Winter Wren  5
Golden-crowned Kinglet  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  4
American Robin  7
Nashville Warbler     1
Northern Parula  1
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  8
Yellow-rumped Warbler  11
Black-throated Green Warbler  8
Blackburnian Warbler  4
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Ovenbird  7
Northern Waterthrush 7
Common Yellowthroat  3
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  6
Dark-eyed Junco  4 one gathering nesting
material
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Common Grackle  5
Purple Finch  3
American Goldfinch  4

Sue and Marv Elliott



 
____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Be a better friend, newshound, and 
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. 
http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ 

Subject: Re: Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet?
From: Gregory Askew <gregory.askew AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 12:01:51 -0400
What if King Jay was simply exacting tribute from his minion, woodpecker,
with the promise not to eat her eggs this season?
On a serious note, I wonder if there's evidence of interspecific
relationships of domination and submission, especially given the
intelligence and well-documented sociality of the corvids.
Greg
Vergennes


On 5/9/08, Jane Stein  wrote:
>
> I've not seen any newly fledged birds yet, including Bluejays, and they're
> pretty hard to miss, especially the food begging noise!
>
> In the case of my two confused birds, misplaced courtship seems to me more
> likely what was going on with the Bluejay, and one can't blame the Bluejay
> for not recognizing that the woodpecker it was displaying to was a female,
> nor the woodpecker for mistaking courtship begging for fledgling begging, I
> guess.
>
> Still, very peculiar.
>
> Jane
> Shoreham
>
>
>
> June Schulte wrote:
>
>> Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet?
>>
>> I sent Jane's question about the Bluejay being fed suet by a Downy
>> Woodpecker to
>> my son who is a wildlife biologist, and below is his take on it.   ~ June
>> in Jericho
>>
>>
>>
>> My guess is that this is a recently fledged blue jay and the downy
>> woodpecker has young back in the nest. The blue jay is begging to anything
>> it sees that has food and the downy woodpecker's feeding response is
>> triggered by the behavior since it is geared up to feed babies at the
>> moment. Birds are usually triggered to feed their young by the begging sound
>> and the sight of the bright yellow/orange/red lining of the mouth of young
>> birds. I guess this is just one overstimulated woodpecker. Pretty funny.
>>  The only other option is that female blue jays will display like that to
>> males as part of the courtship display, but I doubt one would do that to a
>> woodpecker!
>>
>>
>>
Subject: Re: 2008 Whip-poor-will survey
From: Richard Harlow <raharlow AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 12:00:18 -0400
Rosalind,

I will be delighted to help with Hinesburg.

Richard

Richard Harlow
WANAKA Field Station
Arrowhead Lake
Milton, VT



Rosalind Renfrew wrote:
> For those of you who are in withdrawals and looking for something fun 
> to do this summer:
> Night birding!
>
> It's time for the Whip-poor-will survey, and there are survey routes 
> that need volunteers. Anyone can participate; the call of the 
> Whip-poor-will is easily recognized!
>
> Vermont takes part in this standardized survey effort each year to 
> count Nightjars from Maine to Florida. Now in its third year, the 
> Nightjar survey project is mapping and monitoring the distribution of 
> Whip-poor-wills (in Vermont) and other Nightjars. These species are 
> declining throughout some or all of their range. The surveys collect 
> baseline information about the distribution and abundance of these 
> species - the first important step towards establishing a conservation 
> strategy.
>
> The survey consists of stops along a road route, and it will require 
> two of your evenings, about 2 hours per evening. The first survey 
> window is coming up, 15-28 May. The second survey window is 11-26 
> June. The routes that need coverage are in:
>
> Vernon
> Guilford
> Salisbury
> Peacham
> Bennington
> Hinesburg
> Rutland
>
> If you're interested in helping out, please let me know what route you 
> can help with, and I'll send details right away.
>
> Cheers,
> Rosalind
>
Subject: Sherman Rd , Waitsfield 5/9/08
From: Patricia Folsom <pfols AT GMAVT.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:29:52 -0400
> Hi Birders,
> Great Sherman Rd walk this morning with friends.  Blackburnians were 
> singing and low, outstanding looks and none of us with a camera! 
> Bobolinks back in the area, more Hermit Thrushes than I've ever seen in 
> one day (more abundant than Robins!).  Good looks at Broadwing and 
> Cooper's, circling overhead.  We kept hunting until we located an 
> Ovenbird - very exciting morning.
>
> Happy birding,
> Pat
>
>
> - > Observation date:     5/9/08
>> Number of species:     39
>>
>> Canada Goose     2
>> Common Merganser     1
>> Cooper's Hawk     1
>> Broad-winged Hawk     1
>> Mourning Dove     2
>> Ruby-throated Hummingbird     1
>> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker     2
>> Downy Woodpecker     1
>> Hairy Woodpecker     2
>> Northern Flicker     1
>> Pileated Woodpecker     1
>> Eastern Phoebe     2
>> Blue-headed Vireo     2
>> Blue Jay     20
>> American Crow     3
>> Tree Swallow     X
>> Barn Swallow     4
>> Black-capped Chickadee     6
>> White-breasted Nuthatch     1
>> Hermit Thrush     X
>> American Robin     4
>> European Starling     1
>> Chestnut-sided Warbler     2
>> Black-throated Blue Warbler     2
>> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     4
>> Black-throated Green Warbler     2
>> Blackburnian Warbler     X
>> Ovenbird     4
>> Chipping Sparrow     X
>> Savannah Sparrow     1
>> Song Sparrow     X
>> White-throated Sparrow     5
>> White-crowned Sparrow     4
>> Dark-eyed Junco     6
>> Bobolink     1
>> Red-winged Blackbird     X
>> Common Grackle     2
>> Purple Finch     2
>> American Goldfinch     2
>>
>> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/vt)
>>
> 
Subject: Re: Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet?
From: Jane Stein <jeshawks AT SHOREHAM.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:25:39 -0400
I've not seen any newly fledged birds yet, including Bluejays, 
and they're pretty hard to miss, especially the food begging noise!

In the case of my two confused birds, misplaced courtship seems 
to me more likely what was going on with the Bluejay, and one 
can't blame the Bluejay for not recognizing that the woodpecker 
it was displaying to was a female, nor the woodpecker for 
mistaking courtship begging for fledgling begging, I guess.

Still, very peculiar.

Jane
Shoreham



June Schulte wrote:
> Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet?
> 
> I sent Jane's question about the Bluejay being fed suet by a Downy 
> Woodpecker to
> my son who is a wildlife biologist, and below is his take on it.   ~ 
> June in Jericho
> 
> 
> 
> My guess is that this is a recently fledged blue jay and the downy 
> woodpecker has young back in the nest. The blue jay is begging to 
> anything it sees that has food and the downy woodpecker's feeding 
> response is triggered by the behavior since it is geared up to feed 
> babies at the moment. Birds are usually triggered to feed their young by 
> the begging sound and the sight of the bright yellow/orange/red lining 
> of the mouth of young birds. I guess this is just one overstimulated 
> woodpecker. Pretty funny.  The only other option is that female blue 
> jays will display like that to males as part of the courtship display, 
> but I doubt one would do that to a woodpecker!
> 
> 
Subject: Re: Mystery song
From: Jane Stein <jeshawks AT SHOREHAM.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:17:48 -0400
I always have a very hard time "hearing" song in human text 
transliterations, but there's a White-Crowned Sparrow singing 
away right outside my window as I sit at the computer, and the 
general form of its song would seem to fit, particularly that 
insitial firm "sure" note followed by a quicker, slightly more 
vague pattern.  Have you tried listening to examples of that? 
They actually do vary quite a bit, so examples you find on the 
Web may not match note for note what you've heard, so listen more 
for the tonal quality and the general shape of the song.

Jane
Shoreham

Gregory Askew wrote:
> Here at Northlands Job Corps in Vergennes there are two birds singing a song
> I can't quite place. We have a pretty open campus with scattered trees. The
> birds in question must be a passerine and one was singing fairly high in a
> maple.
> The song went like this...
> Sure te-o te-o too too sure
> The first note was the longest, the second and third were quicker and
> identical, and the last three had a buzzy quality.
> Any thoughts?
> 
> Greg
> Vergennes
> 
> 
Subject: 2008 Whip-poor-will survey
From: Rosalind Renfrew <rrenfrew AT VTECOSTUDIES.ORG>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:09:20 -0400
For those of you who are in withdrawals and looking for something fun to 
do this summer:
Night birding!

It's time for the Whip-poor-will survey, and there are survey routes 
that need volunteers. Anyone can participate; the call of the 
Whip-poor-will is easily recognized!

Vermont takes part in this standardized survey effort each year to count 
Nightjars from Maine to Florida. Now in its third year, the Nightjar 
survey project is mapping and monitoring the distribution of 
Whip-poor-wills (in Vermont) and other Nightjars. These species are 
declining throughout some or all of their range. The surveys collect 
baseline information about the distribution and abundance of these 
species - the first important step towards establishing a conservation 
strategy.

The survey consists of stops along a road route, and it will require two 
of your evenings, about 2 hours per evening. The first survey window is 
coming up, 15-28 May. The second survey window is 11-26 June. The routes 
that need coverage are in:

Vernon
Guilford
Salisbury
Peacham
Bennington
Hinesburg
Rutland

If you're interested in helping out, please let me know what route you 
can help with, and I'll send details right away.

Cheers,
Rosalind

-- 
Rosalind Renfrew, PhD
Vermont Center for Ecostudies
PO Box 420
Norwich, VT 05055
802-649-1431 X 5
rrenfrew AT vtecostudies.org
www.vtecostudies.org
Subject: Mystery song
From: Gregory Askew <gregory.askew AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 10:17:44 -0400
Here at Northlands Job Corps in Vergennes there are two birds singing a song
I can't quite place. We have a pretty open campus with scattered trees. The
birds in question must be a passerine and one was singing fairly high in a
maple.
The song went like this...
Sure te-o te-o too too sure
The first note was the longest, the second and third were quicker and
identical, and the last three had a buzzy quality.
Any thoughts?

Greg
Vergennes
Subject: White crowned sparrows in Brownington
From: carolyn boardman <carolyn.boardman AT HUGHES.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 09:28:21 -0400
5 White crowned sparrows were feeding madly on the ground under the feeder 
this morning
Brownington


carolyn boardman
Subject: directions to Chukar
From: Evergreen Erb <evergreenerb AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 08:52:21 -0400
Hi All,

Wendy Kent, whose house the Chukar is located at, said that it is  
still there this morning, and that she doesn't mind anyone coming to  
see it.  I would ask people to respect the neighbors there and to stay  
in the street.  It was very visible in the lawns of the houses when I  
saw him there yesterday.

If you are coming from Burlington on rt. fifteen, come into Jericho  
past Joe's Snack Bar and the curve (staying on 15) go up the hill and  
you will pass the post office, J. Elementary School, and a big horse  
farm.  About 1/2 mile more or less past that is a street called  
Raceway on the left.  It is right before the Merchants Bank.  Turn  
left there and follow the road for about a mile, or less, and then  
turn left up into a development with a big brown colonial on the  
corner.  The road goes up a fairly steep hill.  At the top, curve to  
the right, and then a few hundred feet later, curve to the left, still  
going up hill.  The Kent's house is about six or seven houses up on  
the right.  It is a yellow colonial with a flag pole, and is directly  
across from a street going to the left.  She said the bird is still  
hanging out in her yard and in the yard of the people in the house to  
the right of hers.  Again, please stay off people's property unless  
invited on. The name of the neighborhood is called "The Foothills" in  
case you have to ask anyone.

I realize, and realized then, that this is probably an escapee from  
somewhere, but it really is so pretty and fun to see.  I guess they  
can survive in our area during the winter.  Who knows how this bird  
found a suburban neighborhood to hang out in for awhile?  Happy  
Birding! Evergreen on Old Pump Rd. in Jericho
Subject: Pine siskins
From: Ernie Buford <ebuford AT UVM.EDU>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 08:11:54 -0400
Nine siskins hanging around my yard this morning in Richmond....

Ernie
Subject: Carolina wren Pittsford , 5/8/08
From: 2birdvt AT COMCAST.NET
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:31:16 +0000
Yesterday at the recreation field the following was observed.

Sue Wetmore
-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org
To: 2birdvt AT comcast.net
Subject: eBird Report - Pittsford , 5/8/08
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:23:40 +0000
> 
> 
> Location:     Pittsford
> Observation date:     5/8/08
> Notes:     Carolina Wren was feeding nestlings.
> Number of species:     20
> 
> Downy Woodpecker     1
> Northern Flicker     1
> Eastern Phoebe     2
> Blue-headed Vireo     1
> Blue Jay     3
> American Crow     1
> Northern Rough-winged Swallow     2
> Black-capped Chickadee     1
> Tufted Titmouse     1
> White-breasted Nuthatch     1
> Carolina Wren     1
> Wood Thrush     1
> American Robin     2
> Yellow-rumped Warbler     2
> Ovenbird     2
> Scarlet Tanager     1
> Chipping Sparrow     1
> Song Sparrow     2
> Brown-headed Cowbird     X
> American Goldfinch     1
> 
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/vt)

Subject: warbler
From: 2birdvt AT COMCAST.NET
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:17:25 +0000
A YELLOW WARBLER singing this morning along with a WARBLING VIREO. Two MEADOWLARKS at the old training school property north of Brandon.

Sue Wetmore

Subject: Chimney Swifts have returned to Waterbury
From: Graham Bates <batesg AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 07:08:10 -0400
Yesterday afternoon the chimney swifts were a-twittering away over
Waterbury...first time I have seen (or heard) them this year.  A great
sound...

Graham Bates
Waterbury
-- 
http://teamrunswithscissors.blogspot.com/
Subject: Bristol Waterworks
From: Gregory Askew <gregory.askew AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 06:02:38 -0400
Yesterday:
Least Flycatchers
Great-crested Flycatchers
No. Oriole
...among others.

Warbler species:
Ovenbird
Yellow
Yellow-rumped
Pine
Blackburnian
Subject: Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet?
From: June Schulte <jschulte AT TOGETHER.NET>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 22:31:07 -0400
Has anyone seen newly fledged birds yet?

I sent Jane's question about the Bluejay being fed suet by a Downy 
Woodpecker to
my son who is a wildlife biologist, and below is his take on it.   ~ 
June in Jericho



My guess is that this is a recently fledged blue jay and the downy 
woodpecker has young back in the nest. The blue jay is begging to 
anything it sees that has food and the downy woodpecker's feeding 
response is triggered by the behavior since it is geared up to feed 
babies at the moment. Birds are usually triggered to feed their young 
by the begging sound and the sight of the bright yellow/orange/red 
lining of the mouth of young birds. I guess this is just one 
overstimulated woodpecker. Pretty funny.  The only other option is 
that female blue jays will display like that to males as part of the 
courtship display, but I doubt one would do that to a woodpecker!
Subject: Looking for plants
From: Deborah Lyter <mndlyter AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 21:54:39 -0400
Hi all,
We have alot of open space in our yard as well as near the wooded areas of 
our home. Our hopes is to make this all more bird and butterfly friendly. Would 

love to get new species of birds coming in. 
If while any of you are thinning out your perrenial gardens including ground 
covers or most any type of perrenial flower, please let me know before tossing 
it away. We would love many kinds to fill in !!
You can send message through here or email us at mndlyter AT comcast.net
Thanks so much!!
Debbie Lyter
Bristol, VT
Subject: Yardbirds today + Sora calling at Allen Bros. Marsh
From: Julie Waters <julie AT RIVERARTSPROJECT.COM>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 21:25:26 -0400
First, a quick pass through Allen Brothers Marsh yielded a calling 
sora, but no visuals on it.

When I got home this evening, the feeders were a bit busy.

After yesterday's Eastern Towhee, the surprises continued.  Under the 
feeders this morning was a Brown Thrasher.  It showed up again when I 
got home and I was able to get a photo of it.

There was also a FOY ruby-throated hummingbird at our feeders today. 
Got photos of that as well.  Also included were gorgeous looks at a 
rose-breasted grosbeak and a tufted titmouse.

A real treat for me this afternoon was an American Redstart which 
just showed up and started bobbing about in the brush near the 
feeders while I was waiting for hummingbirds.  I can not tell you how 
much work I've put into getting not very good photos of redstarts, so 
to be presented with such a solid look at one was a real treat.

Finally, the orioles have been coming in a bit over the last few 
days, but never while I've been in a position to take photos.  So I 
tried something that a friend of mine said has worked for her.  I 
tried calling one in by whistling out my own mimicry of its call.  I 
didn't think it was working but about 90 seconds after I'd stopped, 
one showed up and presented itself in the tree.  Then it landed on 
the feeder pole.  I expected it to go for the suet, which is what 
they ate a lot of last year.

That's not where it was headed.

Several years ago, we had an oriole feeder that the orioles never 
touched.  Hummingbirds were at it a lot, but never an oriole.  We 
eventually replaced it with a hummingbird feeder that worked 
perfectly well.

Today, the oriole landed on the hummingbird feeder.

These birds just don't know how they're supposed to behave.

Photos at http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/_2008-05-08.php

--julie
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
julie AT riverartsproject.com                    http://juliewaters.com/

	We've heard that a million monkeys at a million
	keyboards could produce the Complete Works of
	Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know
	this is not true.

			--Robert Wilensky
Subject: 5/8 at Herricks
From: Don Clark <sapsbks AT SOVER.NET>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 20:29:51 -0400
Some of what was at Herricks this AM
2 Kingbird
3 Least Flycatcher
2 Gt crested Flycatcher
1 Willow Flycatcher
4 Warbling Vireo
9 Yellowthroats
Ovenbird
3 Yellow-rump
5 Yellow W
Osprey
8  B. Oriole
2 Winter Wren
12 Catbird
4 Wt Crowned Sp.
2 Wt Throats
10 Lesser Yellowlegs
3 Gt Yellowlegs
8 Least Sandpipers

5/6 1 Yellow-throated Vireo, 2 B&W Warbler, N Waterthrush, Thrasher,  
Palm Warblers, Savannahs, Bobolink, RB Grosbeak

Don Clark
Grafton
Subject: Pine Hill Park, Rutland VT.
From: TRACEY BUSONY <curtandtracey27 AT VERIZON.NET>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 20:04:32 -0400
Finally things came alive at Pine Hill !



1 Mourning Dove
3 Robins
2 Chickadees
4 American Goldfinch
1 American Redstart
1 Blk. and Wh. Warbler
1 Ovenbird
2 Blue Jays
6 White-throated Sparrows
1 Least Flycatcher


Tracey 
Subject: Interspecies behavior
From: Jane Stein <jeshawks AT SHOREHAM.NET>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 19:10:17 -0400
I just looked out my window and saw the darnedest thing.  I have 
one of those house-shaped hanging feeders with suet cages on 
either end.  Sitting on the ledge of the feeder, with wings 
drooping in a begging posture, was a bluejay -- presumably adult 
this time of year? -- being fed bits of suet by a female Downy 
Woodpecker at the suet feeder.

What the...?

If it had been one of the Hairy WPs--

There, they just did it again!

--at least we'd be talking birds of similar size.  If it was 
post-nesting and the Downy female was in the midst of feeding her 
own young bits at the feeder, at least the behaviors would make 
some sort of sense.

But why in the world is an adult bluejay begging from a downy 
woodpecker this time of year, and why would the woodpecker feed it?

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Jane
Baffled in Shoreham...
Subject: Re: chukar
From: Bruce <mooseberrybush AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 14:03:49 -0700
In case you're interested: Chukars are raised and released by people who train 
dogs for bird hunting,. So the birds you see might not represent established 
populations. (That's important to some listers and not others.) They're still 
pretty cool looking birds! 

   
  Bruce Parfitt
  Johnson, VT

  
Evergreen Erb  wrote:
  A friend of mine here in Jericho called me a few hours ago to report a 
Chukar had been hanging out between her house and a neighbors, in a 
suburban neighborhood. I went up and saw it....what a gorgeous bird. 
I saw Gray Partridge in northern Vermont near Lake Champlain many 
years ago, but this was definitely a first for me. If you are 
interested in taking a look ( who knows how long it will hang around), 
email me off list and I will give you directions there. Evergreen in 
Jericho


       
---------------------------------
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Subject: Warblers in NEK
From: Bill & Jeanne Prue <wjprue AT JEANNERAECRAFTS.COM>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 14:41:11 -0400
The problem with reading this email list for us here in the Northeast 
Kingdom is that we have to be so-o-o patient! Some of you were reporting 
warblers while we still had a foot of snow on the ground. But finally, 
they've returned.
In our yard in Newport:
5/5 - Yellow-rumped warbler, first of the year
Today, they just fell out of the sky!
5/8 - Redstart
Black-throated Blue Warblers
Black-throated Green Warblers
Northern Parula
Black and white Warbler
Pine Warbler

The hummers have traditionally returned to Newport on May 8. Right on 
schedule, a beautiful male Ruby-throated Hummingbird showed up today to 
feast on the daffodils, tulips and hyacinth.

Newport's had it's share of bears in the past week also, two adults and two 
cubs. We've been taking our feeders in at night now. But we heard of one 
resident who left a feeder that was located high on their house, thinking it 
was safe from bear raids. Maybe it was, but now the house has big claw marks 
all down the side.

Bill & Jeanne Prue
Newport 
Subject: Chimney Swifts in Proctor
From: Roy Pilcher <ShamwariVT AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 13:49:56 EDT
Location:     Proctor
Observation date:   5/8/08
Number of species:     7

Turkey  Vulture     2
Merlin     1
Chimney  Swift     5
Tufted Titmouse     X
Carolina  Wren     1
American Robin     X
Northern  Cardinal     X

This report was generated automatically by  eBird v2(http://ebird.org/vt)


Cheers,
Roy Pilcher
The Gables at East Mountain, Rutland,  Vermont

Speaking the same language.



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