Sampling ...

The first Vermont breeding record for the Red-bellied Woodpecker was in Brattleboro in 2001. Nine years later, it is being reported throughout Vermont, and is common in Windham County. On Monday, I returned to Phyllis' marsh in Dummerston and found this pair at their nest near the road ...

My return to the marsh was specifically to observe the nest of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The female returns with food for her young ...

In Brattleboro, the Prairie Warbler is still singing on territory, although this pose resulted from his curiosity about my presence ...

Atop Newfane Hill this morning, the colorful birds were high in the canopy, or silent. Not to worry. It was a good morning.

Dark-eyed Juncos breed in this forest. So common around the bird feeders during the winter, it is a very different experience to encounter them singing in deep woods during the spring and summer ...

In a patch of open forest, I found this Eastern Wood-Pewee vocalizing enthusiastically between short flights for food ...

... and finally, another nondescript flycatcher went from forest edge to apple tree top, barely interrupting his enthusiastic, if unmusical, vocalization: che-bek, che-bek, che-bek, che-bek. Least Flycatcher ...

Good birding!

Warbler Walk

We returned home from Philly & southern New Jersey late Friday to be greeted by additional summer residents who arrived while we were away. The House Wren was checking apartments for rent; the Ruby-throated Hummingbird was getting a fast food drink, and the Gray Catbird was singing in the bushes. While away, we also had a visit from a bear who trashed the old sunflower feeder that he trashed last Spring. Fortunately, I had put most feeders out of his reach before leaving.


The trouble with this time of year is that there is so much good birding to be had. Saturday morning I joined my neighbor for his Audubon Warbler Walk in the woods above the retreat farm. The morning yielded fourteen warbler species, including Tennessee Warbler which passes through the area and is seen for only a couple of days. (see list at end.)


Many were in the canopy, but most gave good, or reasonably good looks. Chestnut-sided Warbler was very cooperative for me ...

I have to include this photo of the American Robin carrying nesting material. Reminds me of the question I used to ask my kids: Wouldn't it be easier if you made two trips?

Finally, this Least Flycatcher, after confirming his identity with repeated "che-bek", posed briefly ...

Warblers seen (or heard): Tennessee, Black-and-White, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Pine, Yellow-rumped, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Yellow, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Overnbird, Louisiana Waterthrush


Good birding!