February 25, 2007

February 25, 2007

More reports of amorous owls! A Barred Owl was heard calling in Middlesex (during the day). And in Montpelier a Great-horned Owl was heard in the vicinity of Hubbard Park.

February 24, 2007

Six intrepid souls joined Dr. Bill Barnard over at Victory Basin WMA to search for Gray Jays and other boreal birds. Gray Jays were no where to be seen, but Victory Bog was alive with the sight and sounds of White-winged Crossbills and other winter finches. After lunch our group headed to Moose Bog (Wenlock-Buxton WMA) near Island Pond to search for the Three-toed Woodpecker. No luck finding the woodpecker but we did finally see some Gray Jays. Here's our bird list for the day:

Ruffed Grouse
Wild Turkey - flock flying over Nulhegan River
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker - one male at Victory Bog
Gray Jay - 3 at Moose Bog
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Golden-crowned Kinglet - one at Victory
Dark-eyed Junco - several at Victory
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill - 2 males, 1 female at Victory
White-winged Crossbill - many pairs
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak - flock of 12 at Victory

February 23, 2007

A Northern Saw-whet Owl was vocalizing in Middlesex last night, across the street from Rumney School. Another sign of spring right around the corner?

February 21, 2007

Bird song is in the air! A Tufted Titmouse was heard singing today at the Nature Center and a Northern Cardinal was heard pouring out its heart in Waterbury.

February 19, 2007

Venus and the crescent moon formed a beautiful pair in the evening sky. Look for Venus in the west after sunset now and through March. It's the brightest object in the night sky after the sun and moon. You can't miss it (although you might think it's a UFO)!

February 14, 2007

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Bryan Pfeiffer noticed a Tufted Titmouse singing in downtown Plainfield on Febaruary 13. American Tree Sparrows, regular winter visitors, have been making the rounds at area bird feeders. And Carolina Wren reports from feeders seems to have picked up in the last few weeks. Feeder activity may rise as the winter storm covers natural food supplies birds normally pursue in winter.

But perhaps the biggest birding news comes from the Northeast Kingdom, where a rare Three-toed Woodpecker has been visiting a frozen beaver pond since mid December. This boreal species is one of the rarest woodpeckers in the eastern United States. It wasn't seen over this past weekend, but stay tuned for more reports. And, by the way, yes indeed, unlike other woodpeckers, which have four toes, this species (and its cousin the Black-backed Woodpecker) has only three by design. Go figure.