Autumn in Vermont

Many activities have prevented regular blog updates, but those are past and I have retreated to the quiet of our Philadelphia retreat.

Here's a catch-up on the last month.
 

Autumn in Vermont was the best in many years. Last winter was a throw back to pre-climate change conditions, aligning all the elements needed for a brilliant foliage season. The first half of October was one awed gasp after another.

along the Augur Hole Road

The Autumn of Spark's Barn

Most of the drive up Putney Mountain one early morning was through valley fog. Near the crest of the ridge, the fog was thinning as the autumn sun slowly warmed the air, creating a fantasy of light.

Dawn's Early Light

The mid-September Broad-winged Hawk season on Putney Mountain was dismal.Weak weather seasons did nothing to concentrate the flight along the ridge. The count was the lowest in years. The "second season" in early October when the accipters, falcons, and other buteos finally get themselves going, has been much better.

Birds often move quickly over the ridge without giving clear ID indicators. That was the case for this accipiter. The Cooper's Hawk seemed to have a "small" head. The photo shows a very full crop, disguising the size of its head.

Cooper's Hawk with full crop

 Hawk watchers on Putney Mountain also count Monarch Butterflies. In 2012, the count was about 1500 for the season. Last year, the crash in Monarch numbers noted by so many was reflected in the count: 19. This year the Monarch numbers are rebounding, with the count by mid-October being around 250. The photo below was taken in my yard on October 14; the Monarch Butterfly is sharing the marigold with a bumblebee ...

Monarch Butterly - mid-October, South Newfane

On Columbus Weekend, the Newfane Common is transformed for the Newfane Heritage Festival. 90+ artists and craftpersons create a tent city to display the creations. As chair of the Exhibitor's Committee, the organization and smooth set-up and clean-up occupies much time and energy. But the people are fun and friendly, and the event highlights the best of the Vermont life.

Newfane Heritage Festival

20 minutes from my Philadelphia retreat is the Heinz NWR. Made my first Autumn trip to the refuge yesterday.

The "wader gathering" I saw in mid-September was still going on, with dozens of egrets and Great Blues in attendance ...

Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets

Active flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers were everywhere, joined by what seemed like an unusually large number of Palm Warblers ...

Palm Warbler

Waterfowl were congregating all about the impoundment, including dozens of Wood Ducks. In the vicinity of these three woodies were another three dozen ...

Wood Ducks

Now it is time to go watch a grandson play soccer!

Early Autumn on Putney Mountain

Last Saturday, the Putney Mountain Hawk Watch counted almost 1800 migrating hawks, a very high count for this site. In the conservative counting done by these watcher, 875 hawks were counted in a mega-multi-kettle during a ten minute period in the early afternoon, the largest and most concentrated flight of Broad-winged Hawks recorded in the history of the site. Unfortunately, I was not present; I can only report second hand on the awe experienced by those who were present for the northern mini river of raptors.

Smaller numbers of Broad-winged Hawks (a few hundred) were reported on Sunday and Monday. Yesterday, Tuesday, my count day, the broadies were down to a hand-full. However, this adult flew relatively low and was beautifully back lit by the blue sky. It had a very full crop, evidence that during this early part of the migration, they do eat (apparently a matter of debate among some). Passing directly overhead, the bird offered an editorial comment on the voyeurs seated on the ground - note the trailing white streak. Or perhaps it was just getting rid of excess baggage.

Blue Jays also migrate over the ridge. I counted 200 hundred yesterday, mostly during the quiet early morning hours.

This caterpillar of the Cecropia Moth has provided diversion during quiet hours this week.

Finally, just a couple of brief samples of the emerging autumn colors which transform the Green Mountains into a palate of bright, bold yellow, orange, and red from late September to late October.

Good birding!