On August 27, Allan Strong, ably assisted by Ted Murin, led 26 birders on a beautiful sunny morning field trip to Dead Creek and surrounding Addison County. Over 55 species of birds were seen at various locations on Dead Creek from Panton Rd. to Brilyea Access, and at McCuen Slang. Wetland highlights included over 40 Great Blue Herons, a Great Egret, several Ospreys, an immature Bald Eagle occupying an Osprey nest, a Northern Harrier, a Peregrine Falcon hunting sandpipers, Common Moorhens, Semipalmated Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Common Snipe, and several sandpiper species: Solitary, Spotted, Semipalmated, Least, and Baird’s. Woodland species of note included Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Yellow-throated, Warbling, and Red-eyed Vireos, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Bobolink, and Purple Finch. CR
On September 11, a perfect late summer day, Otter Creek and Green Mountain Audubon Societies jointly hosted a hawkwatch on Buck Mountain in Waltham. It was scheduled to coincide with the flight of broadwings, early in the raptor migration; but if broadwings flew by, they were too high in the cloudless sky to see. The group saw two Red-tailed Hawks, two American Kestrels, a Merlin and a Sharp-shinned Hawk. EL
On October 2, a glorious fall day, a group of 9 people met at the new Headquarters Building, just off Tabor Road at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge with trip leader Michelle Patenaude to look for fall birds. Many goldfinches were enjoying the sunflower seeds in a field close to the building and in brushy habitat close by, there were many species, including Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Eastern Phoebe, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Purple Finch, Catbird, and Cowbird. Our next stop was further south off Tabor Road at a trail in the Stephen J. Young Marsh. The trail skirted a marshy area where we saw both Red-winged and Rusty Blackbirds, and as we quietly approached a little pool, an American Bittern flew out. We heard a Swamp Sparrow and saw lots of Tree Swallows flying over the marsh. The trail progressed into a forested area and there were many species, including Bluejay, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, Black-capped Chickadee, Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red-eyed Vireo, and Brown Creeper. Overhead, we saw Canada Goose, Rock Pigeon, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. A volunteer from MNWR accompanied us on our hike and by clicking two sticks together, she was able to call in a Ruffed Grouse which enjoyed the company of hikers and stayed with us for a half hour, just walking among us as we journeyed down the trail and even letting us pose for pictures next to him! The group next drove to Louie’s Landing on the Missisquoi River and walked to Mac’s Bend, where we added Great Blue Heron and Ring-billed Gull to our trip list. SJ
