Date: 9/2/25 5:47 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 9/2 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
And they continue to come with 831 this evening. A little more subdued than the last two nights but still a good flight. This puts our seasonal total at 12,505 which is 154 more than last years' final total. Numbers will probably start to drop off but we'll stick it out for another week or two. Stop by if you’re in the area. we'll be there from 4:30-7:30. Fresh eyes are always welcome.
Date: 9/2/25 5:03 pm From: Tom slayton <slayton.tom...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] 9/2 East Montpelier Nighthawk Count
Nick,
What time were you watching? When did you see nighthawks?
Tom Slayton
Sent from my iPad
> On Sep 2, 2025, at 7:59 PM, Nicholas Parker <parkernick802...> wrote:
>
> A whopping 267 nighthawks were counted by myself and Betsy Z this evening
> near Fox Market/the park and ride in East Montpelier. There were additional
> area eBird reports totaling 63 nighthawks around Washington
> County including downtown Montpelier. A truly exciting evening!
>
> Nick Parker
> Montpelier, VT
Date: 9/2/25 4:59 pm From: Nicholas Parker <parkernick802...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 9/2 East Montpelier Nighthawk Count
A whopping 267 nighthawks were counted by myself and Betsy Z this evening near Fox Market/the park and ride in East Montpelier. There were additional area eBird reports totaling 63 nighthawks around Washington County including downtown Montpelier. A truly exciting evening!
Date: 9/2/25 2:58 am From: <porterburk...> <00000c23d97e6ff9-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] 9/1 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
just so you won't be worrying about the nighthawk migration On Monday, September 1, 2025 at 08:30:46 PM EDT, Donald Clark <sapsbks...> wrote:
Another good evening here with 1827 nighthawks. A big flying ant hatch again tonight produced many large feeding groups of a few hundred birds which after counting we would have to wait till they dispersed before counting again. The seasonal total is now 11,674 which brings us up to the usual numbers which is encouraging.
Date: 9/1/25 5:30 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 9/1 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Another good evening here with 1827 nighthawks. A big flying ant hatch again tonight produced many large feeding groups of a few hundred birds which after counting we would have to wait till they dispersed before counting again. The seasonal total is now 11,674 which brings us up to the usual numbers which is encouraging.
Date: 8/31/25 6:00 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 8/31 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Tonight was a show and a half with birds everywhere. When all was done we had set a new one day high record for this site with 4,069 nighthawks and pushed our season total to 9,847. A major ant hatch this evening contributed to the large number with many feeding groups in the hundreds.
Thanks go out to the nine observers who did their best to keep up with the numerous groups going by in all directions.
Date: 8/31/25 6:30 am From: R Stewart <2cnewbirds...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] 8/30 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Don, Thanks for the comparative numbers from the past. I was wondering...
Ruth
On Sat, Aug 30, 2025 at 9:21 PM Donald Clark <sapsbks...> wrote:
> Tonight we ended up with 463 Nighthawks bringing our seasonal total to
> 5,778. At this time last year we had 10,649 and the year before 10,643. NH
> counts are also showing lower numbers which is not encouraging. Hopefully
> they are just running later this year. I still have a couple more weeks to
> go so we will see.
>
> A good mix of other species today with Gt Egret 2, Turkey Vulture 13,
> Black Vulture 2, Sharpie 4, Broadwing 2, Redtail 3, Eagle, and Peregrine.
>
> Don Clark
> Grafton, VT
Date: 8/31/25 5:34 am From: Diane Brown <deejbrown...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] 8/30 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
A lone nighthawk flew over my condo in Middlebury last night.
Diane Brown
Middlebury
On Sat, Aug 30, 2025 at 9:21 PM Donald Clark <sapsbks...> wrote:
> Tonight we ended up with 463 Nighthawks bringing our seasonal total to
> 5,778. At this time last year we had 10,649 and the year before 10,643. NH
> counts are also showing lower numbers which is not encouraging. Hopefully
> they are just running later this year. I still have a couple more weeks to
> go so we will see.
>
> A good mix of other species today with Gt Egret 2, Turkey Vulture 13,
> Black Vulture 2, Sharpie 4, Broadwing 2, Redtail 3, Eagle, and Peregrine.
>
> Don Clark
> Grafton, VT
Date: 8/30/25 6:21 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 8/30 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Tonight we ended up with 463 Nighthawks bringing our seasonal total to 5,778. At this time last year we had 10,649 and the year before 10,643. NH counts are also showing lower numbers which is not encouraging. Hopefully they are just running later this year. I still have a couple more weeks to go so we will see.
A good mix of other species today with Gt Egret 2, Turkey Vulture 13, Black Vulture 2, Sharpie 4, Broadwing 2, Redtail 3, Eagle, and Peregrine.
Date: 8/30/25 2:05 pm From: Walter Medwid <wmedwid...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Lead, loons and VT FW Dept rolling over and playing dead
Thank you Brenna for sharing this important post from VT Ecostudies...fishing license revenues trumps the department's mission once again. Where is VT Audubon?
Date: 8/29/25 5:42 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 8/29 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
We were shooting for our first thousand bird night of the season but came up a tad short with 969.Unfortunately a half hour rain storm that went through in the middle shut us down for a bit and may have made the difference.A great night none the less with many groups of 40-50 birds. Season total now stands at 5,315.
Date: 8/29/25 1:56 pm From: Jeanne Elias <moosewoman...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Newly designated Ebird Hot Spot: https://www.cemetery.eco/
Hi Diane: I share Ali Wagner’s enthusiasm. The Mad Birders have already begun to explore this location! The Vermont Forest Cemetery is within our Audubon Winter Bird Count circle. For the past two years our Roxbury Sector Team has visited the property in December and inventoried the birds found there. It would be great to have a Mad Birder Walk there in the Spring. I suspect it will be filled with Warblers in May!
Jeannie Elias
> On Aug 29, 2025, at 6:05 AM, Diane Brown <deejbrown...> wrote:
>
> I am posting this on behalf of Michelle Acciavatti, MS:
>
> Come visit Vermont Forest Cemetery, nestled in the Green Mountains above
> Roxbury, to walk the grounds and observe this year's migration!
>
> VFC is the state's first natural burial cemetery and there are 10 acres of
> mixed hardwood forest with trails currently open to the public. Part of our
> mission is conservation, and we are eager to learn about our bird
> population and how we can best support it.
>
> The White River Natural Resources Conservation District also supports the
> cemetery, and the forest is being stewarded in part by a Cooperator from VT
> Woodlands for Wildlife. We encourage visitors to continue to add their
> birding findings on iNaturalist and Merlin to help us develop our species
> index for this beautiful forest.
>
> VFC is open every day from dawn to dusk.
> Diane Brown
> Middlebury
>
>
>
> *And this, your life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees,
> books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.*
> William Shakespeare
Date: 8/29/25 1:38 pm From: Diane Brown <deejbrown...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Newly designated Ebird Hot Spot: https://www.cemetery.eco/
Just an FYI: For a group of 5 or more, Michelle would be happy to give you
a tour through the forest! It is quite a wonderful experience!
Have a great holiday weekend, and good birding!
Diane
On Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 1:12 PM Diane Brown <deejbrown...> wrote:
> Me too, Evergreen!
>
> On Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM Evergreen Erb <
> <00000f44f2f666d1-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>> I will echo Diane….it is a lovely place to be….and I will be planted
>> there myself someday. I was one of the first people to buy a plot.
>> Evergreen
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Aug 29, 2025, at 8:38 AM, Chad Witko <chadjwitko...> wrote:
>> >
>> > Hi Diane,
>> >
>> > Thanks for passing this along!
>> >
>> >
>> > *Chad Witko*Birding University
>> > Join our community!
>> > https://birdinguniversity.substack.com/ >> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 6:05 AM Diane Brown <deejbrown...>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> >> I am posting this on behalf of Michelle Acciavatti, MS:
>> >>
>> >> Come visit Vermont Forest Cemetery, nestled in the Green Mountains
>> above
>> >> Roxbury, to walk the grounds and observe this year's migration!
>> >>
>> >> VFC is the state's first natural burial cemetery and there are 10
>> acres of
>> >> mixed hardwood forest with trails currently open to the public. Part
>> of our
>> >> mission is conservation, and we are eager to learn about our bird
>> >> population and how we can best support it.
>> >>
>> >> The White River Natural Resources Conservation District also supports
>> the
>> >> cemetery, and the forest is being stewarded in part by a Cooperator
>> from VT
>> >> Woodlands for Wildlife. We encourage visitors to continue to add their
>> >> birding findings on iNaturalist and Merlin to help us develop our
>> species
>> >> index for this beautiful forest.
>> >>
>> >> VFC is open every day from dawn to dusk.
>> >> Diane Brown
>> >> Middlebury
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> *And this, your life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees,
>> >> books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in
>> everything.*
>> >> William Shakespeare
>> >>
>>
>
Date: 8/29/25 10:13 am From: Diane Brown <deejbrown...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Newly designated Ebird Hot Spot: https://www.cemetery.eco/
Me too, Evergreen!
On Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM Evergreen Erb <
<00000f44f2f666d1-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> I will echo Diane….it is a lovely place to be….and I will be planted there
> myself someday. I was one of the first people to buy a plot. Evergreen
>
>
>
> > On Aug 29, 2025, at 8:38 AM, Chad Witko <chadjwitko...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Diane,
> >
> > Thanks for passing this along!
> >
> >
> > *Chad Witko*Birding University
> > Join our community!
> > https://birdinguniversity.substack.com/ > >
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 6:05 AM Diane Brown <deejbrown...> wrote:
> >
> >> I am posting this on behalf of Michelle Acciavatti, MS:
> >>
> >> Come visit Vermont Forest Cemetery, nestled in the Green Mountains above
> >> Roxbury, to walk the grounds and observe this year's migration!
> >>
> >> VFC is the state's first natural burial cemetery and there are 10 acres
> of
> >> mixed hardwood forest with trails currently open to the public. Part of
> our
> >> mission is conservation, and we are eager to learn about our bird
> >> population and how we can best support it.
> >>
> >> The White River Natural Resources Conservation District also supports
> the
> >> cemetery, and the forest is being stewarded in part by a Cooperator
> from VT
> >> Woodlands for Wildlife. We encourage visitors to continue to add their
> >> birding findings on iNaturalist and Merlin to help us develop our
> species
> >> index for this beautiful forest.
> >>
> >> VFC is open every day from dawn to dusk.
> >> Diane Brown
> >> Middlebury
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> *And this, your life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees,
> >> books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything> >> William Shakespeare
> >>
>
Date: 8/29/25 8:12 am From: David Guertin <00000d40dcd17dfd-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Ibis Addison County?
They were reported yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, and they've been there all week, so chances are good today. Hawkins Road where it crosses the slang.
Dave G.
On August 29, 2025 9:34:23 AM EDT, Eugenia Cooke <euge24241...> wrote:
>Have there been any sightings of the ibis in Addison County in recent days?
>Birding there today.
>
Date: 8/29/25 6:58 am From: Brenna <dbgaldenzi...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Loons dying from lead
Hi all,
Not sure if you’ve seen this article yet, but I disagree with F&W’s voluntary approach to this. Regulations are needed to prohibit all lead sinkers as well as shooting into the water.
Date: 8/29/25 6:15 am From: Evergreen Erb <00000f44f2f666d1-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Newly designated Ebird Hot Spot: https://www.cemetery.eco/
I will echo Diane….it is a lovely place to be….and I will be planted there myself someday. I was one of the first people to buy a plot. Evergreen
> On Aug 29, 2025, at 8:38 AM, Chad Witko <chadjwitko...> wrote:
>
> Hi Diane,
>
> Thanks for passing this along!
>
>
> *Chad Witko*Birding University
> Join our community!
> https://birdinguniversity.substack.com/ >
>
>
> On Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 6:05 AM Diane Brown <deejbrown...> wrote:
>
>> I am posting this on behalf of Michelle Acciavatti, MS:
>>
>> Come visit Vermont Forest Cemetery, nestled in the Green Mountains above
>> Roxbury, to walk the grounds and observe this year's migration!
>>
>> VFC is the state's first natural burial cemetery and there are 10 acres of
>> mixed hardwood forest with trails currently open to the public. Part of our
>> mission is conservation, and we are eager to learn about our bird
>> population and how we can best support it.
>>
>> The White River Natural Resources Conservation District also supports the
>> cemetery, and the forest is being stewarded in part by a Cooperator from VT
>> Woodlands for Wildlife. We encourage visitors to continue to add their
>> birding findings on iNaturalist and Merlin to help us develop our species
>> index for this beautiful forest.
>>
>> VFC is open every day from dawn to dusk.
>> Diane Brown
>> Middlebury
>>
>>
>>
>> *And this, your life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees,
>> books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.*
>> William Shakespeare
>>
On Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 6:05 AM Diane Brown <deejbrown...> wrote:
> I am posting this on behalf of Michelle Acciavatti, MS:
>
> Come visit Vermont Forest Cemetery, nestled in the Green Mountains above
> Roxbury, to walk the grounds and observe this year's migration!
>
> VFC is the state's first natural burial cemetery and there are 10 acres of
> mixed hardwood forest with trails currently open to the public. Part of our
> mission is conservation, and we are eager to learn about our bird
> population and how we can best support it.
>
> The White River Natural Resources Conservation District also supports the
> cemetery, and the forest is being stewarded in part by a Cooperator from VT
> Woodlands for Wildlife. We encourage visitors to continue to add their
> birding findings on iNaturalist and Merlin to help us develop our species
> index for this beautiful forest.
>
> VFC is open every day from dawn to dusk.
> Diane Brown
> Middlebury
>
>
>
> *And this, your life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees,
> books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.*
> William Shakespeare
>
Date: 8/29/25 3:05 am From: Diane Brown <deejbrown...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Newly designated Ebird Hot Spot: https://www.cemetery.eco/
I am posting this on behalf of Michelle Acciavatti, MS:
Come visit Vermont Forest Cemetery, nestled in the Green Mountains above Roxbury, to walk the grounds and observe this year's migration!
VFC is the state's first natural burial cemetery and there are 10 acres of mixed hardwood forest with trails currently open to the public. Part of our mission is conservation, and we are eager to learn about our bird population and how we can best support it.
The White River Natural Resources Conservation District also supports the cemetery, and the forest is being stewarded in part by a Cooperator from VT Woodlands for Wildlife. We encourage visitors to continue to add their birding findings on iNaturalist and Merlin to help us develop our species index for this beautiful forest.
VFC is open every day from dawn to dusk. Diane Brown Middlebury
*And this, your life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.* William Shakespeare
Date: 8/28/25 6:05 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 8/28 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
A better flight this evening with 270 birds moving north with some larger groups of 25, 23,45 & 31. Raptors making a showing were Sharpie, Coop's, Eagle & Kestrel.
Tomorrow's rain will hopefully be over by count time.
Date: 8/28/25 10:52 am From: Walter Medwid <wmedwid...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Help with nocturnal call?
Would anyone be willing to listen to an audio recording of an evening sound
captured at Green River Reservoir recently? Please email me at
<wmedwid...> and I’ll forward the recording. Thanks.
Date: 8/28/25 6:09 am From: Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 28 August 2025: Hurricane Hill (1,100 feet), WRJ
5:55 a.m. (fourteen minutes before sunrise). Forty-one degrees, wind South two miles per hour, gusting to four. A few wispy clouds, shredded and frayed. Hints of pink and peach. Jupiter and Venus, still low in the east, although more separated than yesterday, fade. Then, vanish in the gathering daylight. River fog from both the White and the Connecticut, thick as whipped cream, north to Mount Cube and west toward Quechee. Across the White River, fog peels off, filling the creases on Dothan Hill, rendering the Hill into an atmospheric sandwich: one stroke low, the other above the beltline, with visible forest in between. Dothan's pine summit pokes through the fog like a bad hair day.
Sunshine in the meadow. Goldenrods and Jerusalem artichokes glow. Voice of finches and sparrows, sharper in cold air. Butterflies and grasshoppers, motionless, in their vegetative hangars. Crickets, mute as mud. Yellow jackets in an aerial nest hanging from the porch roof are still asleep.
*Department of Splendid Wayfarers:* Two Cape May and one black-throated green warbler in the front yard crabapple (more birds than fruit). Red-eyed vireos in the hardwoods, not as loud, not as determined, a goodbye song. Yellow-billed cuckoo calling (FOY). Ovenbird. Yellow warbler. Myrtle warbler. Common yellowthroat. Overhead, a great blue heron. Least flycatcher; eastern phoebe, on an electric line, tail pumping; northern cardinal, color of October, calling in the withered lilacs. The squeaky *lik, lik, lik *of a rose-breasted grosbeak.
*Usual Suspects: *black-capped chickadee; red- and white-breasted nuthatches; tufted titmouse; common crow, perched on the uppermost pine branch ... sunbathing. Blue jay and raven, locquacious, voices fill the hillside; brown creeper, one, and cedar waxwing, a small flock hunting autumn fruit; gray catbird; song and swamp sparrows; chipping and white-throated sparrows; purple finch; American goldfinch; downy woodpecker.
Hummingbirds, up and about by 7:30, visiting vine honeysuckle and feeders and dreaming of jungle warmth. Mid-air contortionists. Little streams of pee.
Date: 8/27/25 5:37 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 8/27 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Tonight the observers outnumbered the birds. The first nighthawk wasn’t seen until just before 7:00 and in the end we only had a dozen. Hopefully we’ll get some weather soon more to their liking.
Date: 8/26/25 5:37 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 8/26 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Something about tonight’s conditions was not to the liking of nighthawks. Possibly the wind directly out of the West was a factor. We ended up with only 50 birds with the first
showing up at 6:00 followed by mostly singles till 7:30. It was more of a raptor night with 6 Turkey Vultures, 8 Broadwings, 3 Redtails, a Bald Eagle,2 Sharpies, a Kestrel & a Peregrine.
Tomorrow the wind is predicted to shift from W to NW which hopefully stimulate a flight.
I know it was a personal message but somehow I think it was meant to be sent. We all know you from the Vermont Bird List as well as birding with you. Please accept my condolences for your loss and my thoughts and prayers going forward for healing for you and your family.
Sincerely
Barbara Powers
Manchester Center
Sent from my iPad
> On Aug 26, 2025, at 4:46 PM, Marsha Booker <mbooker105...> wrote:
>
> Hi, Sue,
>
> Very sorry to hear about all your misfortunes. Hope
> you and George are doing as well as can be expected.
>
> Would you accept a Roman Catholic Mass Card for
> your son? We would have the Mass said at the Catholic
> Church in Brandon.
>
> Best wishes.
>
> Larry
>
> ________________________________
> From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> on behalf of Sue Wetmore <000006207b3956ac-dmarc-request...>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 3:50 PM
> To: <VTBIRD...> <VTBIRD...>
> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Nighthawks
>
> Hi;
> I would think Nate Dansereau our president for those items .
> If not I could take them.
> Last year was the worst. Our younger son died from cancer, I was in a horrible car accident and George had 2 heart attacks!
> So considering were are doing well.
> Miss you both,
> Sue W
>
> Sent from my iPod
>
>> On Aug 26, 2025, at 10:25 AM, Marsha Booker <mbooker105...> wrote:
>>
>> Morning, Sue,
>>
>> Long time, no chat. This is Larry, not Marsha. We use the
>> Same email account.
>>
>> I have this question: we have a large blue box with a number of
>> "Bridge to Bridge" catalogs in it for which we have no use and
>> which we would like to get back to RCAS.
>>
>> The question is, who should we contact to give these catalogs
>> back to? Any thoughts?
>>
>> Trust you and George are doing well. Marsha and I are tacking on
>> the years with all the associated ailments included.
>>
>> Let us know about the catalogs.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Larry Booker
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> on behalf of Sue Wetmore <000006207b3956ac-dmarc-request...>
>> Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2025 11:21 PM
>> To: <VTBIRD...> <VTBIRD...>
>> Subject: [VTBIRD] Nighthawks
>>
>> Just counted 131 nighthawks over our house in Brandon!
>> Sue Wetmore
>>
>> Sent from my iPod
Not a problem, Please see our reply. Marsha may be in touch soon.
Larry
________________________________
From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> on behalf of Sue Wetmore <000006207b3956ac-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 6:19 PM
To: <VTBIRD...> <VTBIRD...>
Subject: [VTBIRD] Oops
My apologies for the personal letter . I thought I had put in the correct address.
Sue W
Very sorry to hear about all your misfortunes. Hope
you and George are doing as well as can be expected.
Would you accept a Roman Catholic Mass Card for
your son? We would have the Mass said at the Catholic
Church in Brandon.
Best wishes.
Larry
________________________________
From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> on behalf of Sue Wetmore <000006207b3956ac-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 3:50 PM
To: <VTBIRD...> <VTBIRD...>
Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Nighthawks
Hi;
I would think Nate Dansereau our president for those items .
If not I could take them.
Last year was the worst. Our younger son died from cancer, I was in a horrible car accident and George had 2 heart attacks!
So considering were are doing well.
Miss you both,
Sue W
Sent from my iPod
> On Aug 26, 2025, at 10:25 AM, Marsha Booker <mbooker105...> wrote:
>
> Morning, Sue,
>
> Long time, no chat. This is Larry, not Marsha. We use the
> Same email account.
>
> I have this question: we have a large blue box with a number of
> "Bridge to Bridge" catalogs in it for which we have no use and
> which we would like to get back to RCAS.
>
> The question is, who should we contact to give these catalogs
> back to? Any thoughts?
>
> Trust you and George are doing well. Marsha and I are tacking on
> the years with all the associated ailments included.
>
> Let us know about the catalogs.
>
> Regards,
>
> Larry Booker
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> on behalf of Sue Wetmore <000006207b3956ac-dmarc-request...>
> Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2025 11:21 PM
> To: <VTBIRD...> <VTBIRD...>
> Subject: [VTBIRD] Nighthawks
>
> Just counted 131 nighthawks over our house in Brandon!
> Sue Wetmore
>
> Sent from my iPod
Date: 8/26/25 11:48 am From: Maeve Kim <maevekim7...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Oops
Your message was meant for one person, but there are so many birders in the state who respect and like you, Sue. I’m sure many of us have heavy hearts after reading your note. I’m so sorry!
Maeve
> On Aug 26, 2025, at 2:19 PM, Sue Wetmore <000006207b3956ac-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> My apologies for the personal letter . I thought I had put in the correct address.
> Sue W
Date: 8/26/25 9:03 am From: Sue Wetmore <000006207b3956ac-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Nighthawks
Hi;
I would think Nate Dansereau our president for those items .
If not I could take them.
Last year was the worst. Our younger son died from cancer, I was in a horrible car accident and George had 2 heart attacks!
So considering were are doing well.
Miss you both,
Sue W
Sent from my iPod
> On Aug 26, 2025, at 10:25 AM, Marsha Booker <mbooker105...> wrote:
>
> Morning, Sue,
>
> Long time, no chat. This is Larry, not Marsha. We use the
> Same email account.
>
> I have this question: we have a large blue box with a number of
> "Bridge to Bridge" catalogs in it for which we have no use and
> which we would like to get back to RCAS.
>
> The question is, who should we contact to give these catalogs
> back to? Any thoughts?
>
> Trust you and George are doing well. Marsha and I are tacking on
> the years with all the associated ailments included.
>
> Let us know about the catalogs.
>
> Regards,
>
> Larry Booker
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> on behalf of Sue Wetmore <000006207b3956ac-dmarc-request...>
> Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2025 11:21 PM
> To: <VTBIRD...> <VTBIRD...>
> Subject: [VTBIRD] Nighthawks
>
> Just counted 131 nighthawks over our house in Brandon!
> Sue Wetmore
>
> Sent from my iPod
Long time, no chat. This is Larry, not Marsha. We use the
Same email account.
I have this question: we have a large blue box with a number of
"Bridge to Bridge" catalogs in it for which we have no use and
which we would like to get back to RCAS.
The question is, who should we contact to give these catalogs
back to? Any thoughts?
Trust you and George are doing well. Marsha and I are tacking on
the years with all the associated ailments included.
Let us know about the catalogs.
Regards,
Larry Booker
________________________________
From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> on behalf of Sue Wetmore <000006207b3956ac-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2025 11:21 PM
To: <VTBIRD...> <VTBIRD...>
Subject: [VTBIRD] Nighthawks
Just counted 131 nighthawks over our house in Brandon!
Sue Wetmore
Date: 8/25/25 5:58 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 8/25 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
A very good flight tonight with light winds out of the SSW. The seven observers were able to tally 743 by the end including a couple of feeding groups of 280 & 142. The season total now stands at 4,014.
Date: 8/25/25 4:38 am From: Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Costa Rica 2026: only a few spots left
*Costa Rica Natural History and Birding Adventure:*
* April 13 – 23, 2026*
*Arenal Extension April 23 - 26, 2026*
*Costa Rica Natural History and Birding Adventure:*
* April 13 – 23, 2026*
*Arenal Extension April 23 - 26, 2026*
*Away from tourist centers: 300 species of birds in thirteen days,
crocodiles, red-eyed tree frogs, toads the size of shoeboxes, tapirs,
anteaters, and four species of monkeys in thirteen days. Cloud forests,
old-growth jungles, timberline, both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, boat
rides down remote rivers, and along the southern Pacific coast.*
*Leaders:*
*1) Ted Levin—*Ted is a lifelong naturalist whose work has appeared in *The
New York Times*, *The *Guardian, *Audubon Magazine*, *Sports Illustrated*, *The
Boston Globe Magazine*, *National Geographic Traveler*, and *OnEarth,* among
many other publications. He is the author of eleven books, including *Liquid
Land: A Journey Through the Florida Everglades*, the 2024 Burroughs Medal
winner, the highest honor given to an American nature writer. *Forbes*
chose *America’s Snake: The Rise and Fall of the Timber *Rattlesnake, one
of the ten finest conservation books of 2016. His most recent book, *The
Promise of Sunrise: Finding Solace in a Broken World*, was published this
past March. 2026 will be Ted’s ninth trip to Costa Rica, including hosting
Vermont Public’s Citizens of the World Tour in 2010.
*Email: **<tedlevin1966...>* <tedlevin1966...>
*cellphone: 802 399 9398*
*2) Gil Calvo— *A naturalist and Neotropical birder extraordinaire, Gil has
created & led custom natural-history tours throughout Costa Rica for 30
years, including four for Hanover High School, Hanover, NH. In 2000,
inspired by a lifelong passion for his native country, Gil created Tropical
Advisors Costa Rica, Inc. (formerly Tropical Angel Travel). Today, Tropic
Advisors has evolved into one of Mesoamerica’s premier natural history tour
companies.
For our itinerary and cost, please get in touch with Ted.
Spotted 3 Common Nighthawks wheeling over the Waterbury roundabout area at 7:20 PM this evening. Watched them from the Waterbury USPS parking lot for a few minutes until they disappeared. White patches on the undersides of their wings was visible with the naked eye.
Date: 8/24/25 5:18 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 8/23 Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
After a slow start with stiff SSW wind things picked up and the 9 observers were able to tally 586 birds which brings our total for the season to 3,150.
Here too! 5 groups (totalling 31 nighthawks) flying south from Putney Mountain headed towards the West River between 6:00 and 6:50. All eye birds flying low beneath the clouds.
Cat Abbott
Dummerston, VT
> On Aug 24, 2025, at 6:56 PM, Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> wrote:
>
> A pulse of 63 nighthawks between 6:00 and 615 tonight, Hurricane Hill, WRJ, directly above my deck
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Aug 23, 2025, at 8:50 PM, Donald Clark <sapsbks...> wrote:
>>
>> After a slow start with stiff SSW wind things picked up and the 9 observers we were able to tally 586 birds which brings our total for the season to 3,150.
>>
>> Don Clark
>> Grafton, VT
A pulse of 63 nighthawks between 6:00 and 615 tonight, Hurricane Hill, WRJ, directly above my deck
Sent from my iPhone
> On Aug 23, 2025, at 8:50 PM, Donald Clark <sapsbks...> wrote:
>
> After a slow start with stiff SSW wind things picked up and the 9 observers we were able to tally 586 birds which brings our total for the season to 3,150.
>
> Don Clark
> Grafton, VT
Date: 8/24/25 11:15 am From: Jo Ann Lafayette <000003290ae4017f-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Good and sad news from our loon families. Pix on my blog.
thanks for sharing those pics. Enjoyed them. Jo
Jo Lafayette <jolafayett...>
On Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 12:43:28 PM EDT, Ian Clark <ian...> wrote:
There's good news and sad news from the loon families I follow. Lots of pix
of them and some cute deer up on my blog: https://tinyurl.com/5ddma7x3
Date: 8/23/25 5:51 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
After a slow start with stiff SSW wind things picked up and the 9 observers we were able to tally 586 birds which brings our total for the season to 3,150.
Date: 8/23/25 5:07 pm From: Info FiRN <info...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Red Crossbill Request for Information
Pretty typical for type 12. They have been feasting the last two months on
the big white spruce crop, and to a lesser degree the good red spruce
across the northeast. They are super common in coastal areas of Maine in
white spruce right now. They were commonly nesting in red spruce across the
Adirondacks this past Jan-April.
Matt
On Sat, Aug 23, 2025 at 9:44 AM Mark Goodrich <mgoodrich149...>
wrote:
> A pair of Eastern Red Crossbills (male and female) were seen feeding
> in a Northern White Cedar tree on the morning of August 21 in Fair
> Haven,VT.
> A rare treat for me! I did not record any vocalizations.
>
> Mark Goodrich
>
> On Fri, Aug 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM C <empidonaxdvg...> wrote:
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I’m writing to follow up on my previous requests for observations of
> > eastern red crossbills feeding on conifers. Late summer-early fall is a
> > great time to look for crossbills, as conifer cone crops are mature and
> > food availability for crossbills is at an all time high.
> >
> > As a reminder, I’m looking for recordings of crossbill calls from the
> > eastern US/Great Lakes with information on the conifers the birds are
> > feeding on. The recordings do not have to be made with any advanced
> > equipment – phone recordings are often sufficient. Pictures of the
> conifer
> > cones the birds are feeding on are most helpful. However, if you are
> > comfortable with conifer identification, notes on which conifers birds
> are
> > feeding on are also valuable.
> >
> > Based on contributions from several folks across the eastern US, I’ve
> > accumulated nearly 1,000 records of eastern red crossbills and the
> conifers
> > they’re feeding on. If you’re interested, I’ve posted a little blurb on
> my
> > website (https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science) illustrating and
> > describing the preliminary data for type 12, the crossbill I have the
> most
> > data for and am most interested in for this project.
> >
> > Although there are some intriguing patterns in the data so far,
> describing
> > the feeding ecology of type 12 and other eastern call types will require
> > *much* more data across many seasons and years. So, if you have
> crossbills
> > in your area, please consider uploading recordings and conifer
> information
> > to eBird. I’ve also created an iNaturalist project (link below) where
> > observations can be uploaded. If you don’t use eBird or iNaturalist,
> please
> > feel free to send me any observations directly.
> >
> > Thanks a ton for considering my request. Please feel free to reach out
> with
> > any questions! Also, please pass this onto anyone you think might be
> > interested in participating.
> >
> > Good birding,
> >
> > Dr. Cody Porter
> >
> > Holland, MI
> >
> > *iNaturalist project link: *
> >
> >
> https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/feeding-ecology-of-eastern-red-crossbills > >
> > *Project description link:*
> https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science > >
>
Date: 8/23/25 12:21 pm From: Cherrie Corey <cherrie.corey62...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Red Crossbill Request for Information
Hi Cody,
Unlike the red crossbill bonanza of 2023, not much evidence of them in town over the past ten months or so until this month. I heard several flyovers in recent weeks, none of which I was able to record or photograph. All were the distinctive call pattern for type 12 that had become so familiar in 2023. There was one that I heard on two ends of the day at Hogback Mtn. in Marlboro. I heard another solo visitor on our land earlier in the month. And our neighbors, experienced birders, have heard several passes of a pair over their home (all their soundings are on ebird/Tognan).
While at our cabin in Surry, ME (near Acadia) I heard daily red crossbill calls (again, I think, type 12). Not unusual for that area, lots of spruce and pine.
There’s been a devastating drought in both Marlboro, VT and Downeast Maine this summer, so not sure how abundant the cone crops will be. All of our big pines in VT appear pretty barren. I’ll look more closely at the spruces next time I’m in those stands.
All the best,
Cherrie
Cherrie Corey | Marlboro, VT
> On Aug 22, 2025, at 3:35 PM, C <empidonaxdvg...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> I’m writing to follow up on my previous requests for observations of eastern red crossbills feeding on conifers. Late summer-early fall is a great time to look for crossbills, as conifer cone crops are mature and food availability for crossbills is at an all time high.
>
> As a reminder, I’m looking for recordings of crossbill calls from the eastern US/Great Lakes with information on the conifers the birds are feeding on. The recordings do not have to be made with any advanced equipment – phone recordings are often sufficient. Pictures of the conifer cones the birds are feeding on are most helpful. However, if you are comfortable with conifer identification, notes on which conifers birds are feeding on are also valuable.
>
> Based on contributions from several folks across the eastern US, I’ve accumulated nearly 1,000 records of eastern red crossbills and the conifers they’re feeding on. If you’re interested, I’ve posted a little blurb on my website (https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science) illustrating and describing the preliminary data for type 12, the crossbill I have the most data for and am most interested in for this project.
>
> Although there are some intriguing patterns in the data so far, describing the feeding ecology of type 12 and other eastern call types will require much more data across many seasons and years. So, if you have crossbills in your area, please consider uploading recordings and conifer information to eBird. I’ve also created an iNaturalist project (link below) where observations can be uploaded. If you don’t use eBird or iNaturalist, please feel free to send me any observations directly.
>
> Thanks a ton for considering my request. Please feel free to reach out with any questions! Also, please pass this onto anyone you think might be interested in participating.
>
> Good birding,
>
> Dr. Cody Porter
>
> Holland, MI
>
> iNaturalist project link: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/feeding-ecology-of-eastern-red-crossbills >
> Project description link: https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science >
>
Date: 8/23/25 11:18 am From: Jill Vickers <jvickers...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Red Crossbill Request for Information
Got it thanks
Sent from my iPhone
> On Aug 23, 2025, at 12:41 PM, Nita <nita.hwf...> wrote:
>
> I had a pair of red Crossbills feeding on cones at the top of a balsam fir
> in Waterbury Center yesterday. I didn't hear any vocalizations.
>
> Nita Hultstrom
>
>> On Fri, Aug 22, 2025, 3:35 PM C <empidonaxdvg...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I’m writing to follow up on my previous requests for observations of
>> eastern red crossbills feeding on conifers. Late summer-early fall is a
>> great time to look for crossbills, as conifer cone crops are mature and
>> food availability for crossbills is at an all time high.
>>
>> As a reminder, I’m looking for recordings of crossbill calls from the
>> eastern US/Great Lakes with information on the conifers the birds are
>> feeding on. The recordings do not have to be made with any advanced
>> equipment – phone recordings are often sufficient. Pictures of the conifer
>> cones the birds are feeding on are most helpful. However, if you are
>> comfortable with conifer identification, notes on which conifers birds are
>> feeding on are also valuable.
>>
>> Based on contributions from several folks across the eastern US, I’ve
>> accumulated nearly 1,000 records of eastern red crossbills and the conifers
>> they’re feeding on. If you’re interested, I’ve posted a little blurb on my
>> website (https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science) illustrating and
>> describing the preliminary data for type 12, the crossbill I have the most
>> data for and am most interested in for this project.
>>
>> Although there are some intriguing patterns in the data so far, describing
>> the feeding ecology of type 12 and other eastern call types will require
>> *much* more data across many seasons and years. So, if you have crossbills
>> in your area, please consider uploading recordings and conifer information
>> to eBird. I’ve also created an iNaturalist project (link below) where
>> observations can be uploaded. If you don’t use eBird or iNaturalist, please
>> feel free to send me any observations directly.
>>
>> Thanks a ton for considering my request. Please feel free to reach out with
>> any questions! Also, please pass this onto anyone you think might be
>> interested in participating.
>>
>> Good birding,
>>
>> Dr. Cody Porter
>>
>> Holland, MI
>>
>> *iNaturalist project link: *
>>
>> https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/feeding-ecology-of-eastern-red-crossbills >>
>> *Project description link:* https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science >>
Date: 8/23/25 9:41 am From: Nita <nita.hwf...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Red Crossbill Request for Information
I had a pair of red Crossbills feeding on cones at the top of a balsam fir
in Waterbury Center yesterday. I didn't hear any vocalizations.
Nita Hultstrom
On Fri, Aug 22, 2025, 3:35 PM C <empidonaxdvg...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I’m writing to follow up on my previous requests for observations of
> eastern red crossbills feeding on conifers. Late summer-early fall is a
> great time to look for crossbills, as conifer cone crops are mature and
> food availability for crossbills is at an all time high.
>
> As a reminder, I’m looking for recordings of crossbill calls from the
> eastern US/Great Lakes with information on the conifers the birds are
> feeding on. The recordings do not have to be made with any advanced
> equipment – phone recordings are often sufficient. Pictures of the conifer
> cones the birds are feeding on are most helpful. However, if you are
> comfortable with conifer identification, notes on which conifers birds are
> feeding on are also valuable.
>
> Based on contributions from several folks across the eastern US, I’ve
> accumulated nearly 1,000 records of eastern red crossbills and the conifers
> they’re feeding on. If you’re interested, I’ve posted a little blurb on my
> website (https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science) illustrating and
> describing the preliminary data for type 12, the crossbill I have the most
> data for and am most interested in for this project.
>
> Although there are some intriguing patterns in the data so far, describing
> the feeding ecology of type 12 and other eastern call types will require
> *much* more data across many seasons and years. So, if you have crossbills
> in your area, please consider uploading recordings and conifer information
> to eBird. I’ve also created an iNaturalist project (link below) where
> observations can be uploaded. If you don’t use eBird or iNaturalist, please
> feel free to send me any observations directly.
>
> Thanks a ton for considering my request. Please feel free to reach out with
> any questions! Also, please pass this onto anyone you think might be
> interested in participating.
>
> Good birding,
>
> Dr. Cody Porter
>
> Holland, MI
>
> *iNaturalist project link: *
>
> https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/feeding-ecology-of-eastern-red-crossbills >
> *Project description link:* https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science >
Date: 8/23/25 6:44 am From: Mark Goodrich <mgoodrich149...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Red Crossbill Request for Information
A pair of Eastern Red Crossbills (male and female) were seen feeding
in a Northern White Cedar tree on the morning of August 21 in Fair Haven,VT.
A rare treat for me! I did not record any vocalizations.
Mark Goodrich
On Fri, Aug 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM C <empidonaxdvg...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I’m writing to follow up on my previous requests for observations of
> eastern red crossbills feeding on conifers. Late summer-early fall is a
> great time to look for crossbills, as conifer cone crops are mature and
> food availability for crossbills is at an all time high.
>
> As a reminder, I’m looking for recordings of crossbill calls from the
> eastern US/Great Lakes with information on the conifers the birds are
> feeding on. The recordings do not have to be made with any advanced
> equipment – phone recordings are often sufficient. Pictures of the conifer
> cones the birds are feeding on are most helpful. However, if you are
> comfortable with conifer identification, notes on which conifers birds are
> feeding on are also valuable.
>
> Based on contributions from several folks across the eastern US, I’ve
> accumulated nearly 1,000 records of eastern red crossbills and the conifers
> they’re feeding on. If you’re interested, I’ve posted a little blurb on my
> website (https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science) illustrating and
> describing the preliminary data for type 12, the crossbill I have the most
> data for and am most interested in for this project.
>
> Although there are some intriguing patterns in the data so far, describing
> the feeding ecology of type 12 and other eastern call types will require
> *much* more data across many seasons and years. So, if you have crossbills
> in your area, please consider uploading recordings and conifer information
> to eBird. I’ve also created an iNaturalist project (link below) where
> observations can be uploaded. If you don’t use eBird or iNaturalist, please
> feel free to send me any observations directly.
>
> Thanks a ton for considering my request. Please feel free to reach out with
> any questions! Also, please pass this onto anyone you think might be
> interested in participating.
>
> Good birding,
>
> Dr. Cody Porter
>
> Holland, MI
>
> *iNaturalist project link: *
>
> https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/feeding-ecology-of-eastern-red-crossbills >
> *Project description link:* https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science >
Date: 8/22/25 5:56 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Great numbers tonight with flying ant hatches and a lot of feeding groups. The largest being 380 which spanned across the southern horizon. In the end we had tallied 969 total.
Tomorrow is looking good weather wise (winds out of the south) for another big night. Fingers crossed.
Admittedly a bit off topic here, but in case anyone is interested, I'll be
guiding a birding trip to Cape Cod, October 4-7. The trip includes van
transportation from Vermont.
Feel free to contact me at <Chip...> for more information or
to get on the FlyAway Birding email list.
Lots of great trips coming up - Cuba, Costa Rica, Michigan (Kirtland's
Warbler!), Montana, Brazil! A couple of these are trips I'll be leading for
North Branch Nature Center.
Here's a short description of the October trip to the Cape...
Cape Cod is a wonderful place to explore after the busy summer season, with
plenty of shorebirds, seabirds, songbirds, and raptors, as well as pleasant
weather and fewer crowds. We’ll explore Race Point, Wellfleet Bay and other
hotspots on the Cape, which should feature coastal regulars such as
Northern Gannet, Marbled Godwit, Forster’s Tern, American Oystercatcher,
and Lesser Black-backed Gull.
On a morning boat excursion from Provincetown, we can see up to 4 species
of shearwater (Great, Sooty, Manx and Cory’s), Northern Fulmar, Parasitic
Jaeger, Red-necked Phalarope, Black-legged Kittiwake and Wilson’s
Storm-Petrel (and whales too, of course!). And with the Cape, surprises are
always a possibility, like Little or Sabine’s Gull, Pomarine Jaeger,
Connecticut Warbler, Dickcissel, or Western Kingbird.
Date: 8/21/25 5:30 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
A good flight this evening with 386 and many passing directly overhead. Pretty steady movement after 5:30. Raptors observed were Eagle, Redtail, Cooper’s and T Vulture. One Monarch passed by.
Date: 8/21/25 5:28 am From: Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 21 August 2025: Hurricane Hill, WRJ
5:47 a.m. (fourteen minutes before sunrise). Forty-six degrees, wind North two miles per hour, gusting to four. A world encased in river fog, thin and spreading up and over Hurricane Hill. Much to hear. Little to see, visibility a hundred yards. The sun sneaks up, lightens fog from the inside out, (literally) a dampened glow. Doesn't stop goldfinches and crows, the latter above the trees, the former above the meadow.
Crows constantly call (the only way to keep track of each other). Seven pass overhead, spread out, a downpour of discordant screeches and barks. Otherwise, for the moment, everything else is silent ... even the crickets.
AOR: three red efts in transition. I ferry all three across the road. A quick flip. All land rightside-up. Gone in no particular hurry. A junco prospecting for seeds. DOR: three red efts in transition, amphibious pancakes just short of their destinations.
Gray squirrels in the maples, leaping and racing, branch to branch. I plot their path by a wake of conversing leaves, never actually seeing the squirrels.
*Annals of Auditory Amusement*: raven to the south; green heron (somewhere overhead); blue jays in the woods barking and honking (much gossip now that summer drains away); northern cardinal; black-capper chickadee; tufted titmouse; red-bellied woodpecker (loud); downy woodpecker (soft); two pileated, one parent and one juvenile (educated guess) chasing and screaming, back and forth across the road, the bond of dependancy fracturing with the season; hermit thrush and red-eyed vireo calling; cedar waxwing whispering. Gray catbird meowing (no jazz riffs this morning); song sparrow. Two warblers, common yellowthroat and American redstart. Red-breasted nuthatch. House finch. Twenty-two species in all.
8:16 a.m. First hummingbird (female) visits the feeder and the red, tubular flowers that entwine the pergola, hours later than last week ... the irons of torpor slowly crumble.
8:25 a.m. Fog dispersing. A slow, methodical morning. A day not quite awake.
Date: 8/20/25 5:42 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
A slower night but ended with 125 birds. Also good numbers of feeding swallows, with a few swifts and a number of raptors including eagle, redtail, sharpie, tv & kestrel.
Date: 8/19/25 5:36 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Westminster Station Nighthawk Count. The 5 observers were treated to a great flight this evening with 933 Nighthawks passing through in the 3 hours of watching. Our biggest night so far this season.
Date: 8/18/25 5:57 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Rain came in last night and shut us down before we saw any nighthawks. The highlight was 5 RB Gulls.
Tonight with the wind out of the NW we were able to get 130 birds all heading North. There was also a good number of Barn Swallows feeding with a couple of Chimney Swifts mixed in. Two Monarchs also passed by.
Date: 8/18/25 12:56 pm From: Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] 18 August 2025: Hurricane Hill (1,100 feet), WRJ
DeKay's snakes are very rare on this side of the Greens. Watersnakes are
non-existent. Mostly we have garter, milk, red-bellied, and ring-necked. I
haven't seen a smooth green snake in the Upper Valley in twenty-five years.
It's been very, very dry on Hurricane Hill this summer. The last rain of
any significance was early June (maybe earlier). Seeing just two garters
and no milks is surprising for me. Frogs have been low-key, too.
On Mon, Aug 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM Sue Wetmore <
<000006207b3956ac-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Brandon has snakes, northern watersnake, DeKay’s brown snake and garter
> snakes.
> Sue Wetmore
>
> Sent from my iPod
>
> > On Aug 18, 2025, at 3:00 PM, Charlie Teske <cteske140...>
> wrote:
> >
> > I've heard others say they've seen no snakes this summer; any theories
> out there?
> >
> >
> >
> > On Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:06:31 -0400, Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...>
> wrote:
> >
> > 5:38 a.m. (nineteen minutes before sunrise). Forty-six degrees (jacket
> on,
> > hands in pockets), wind North five miles per hour, gusting to twelve.
> Trees
> > moan and creak. An October morning in August ... a preview. Crescent moon
> > overhead, horns pointed west. In the East, Jupiter and Venus, the only
> > other bright spots in an otherwise clear sky, trail the moon, a great
> > celestial arc slowly dissolving into daylight.
> >
> > An altogether refreshing and indelible sunrise. Orange blooms across the
> > East, glazes the brooding hills of New Hampshire. One linear cloud below
> > the crown of Smarts Mountain. No oppressive humidity. No Canadian
> wildfire
> > smoke. The careless breath on the Arctic crosses Vermont. A passage into
> > autumn. A world awash in transition.
> >
> > Crickets and grasshoppers numbed to silence by the cold. Dragonfly
> > migration on hold. No bats this morning. No bees on the hummingbird
> > feeders. No hummingbirds, either.
> >
> > *DOR: *garter snake, a yearling, about a foot long. Only the second I've
> > seen all summer.
> >
> > *Drought Department: *lilac leaves, brittle and blackened. Gray birch
> > leaves, yellowing. The first maple leaves blush. Every morning, hose in
> > hand, I visit the raised beds and soak the strawberries. I haven't mowed
> > the side yard since mid-July. Newly minted wood frog, less than an inch
> > long, loiters in the flower bed, where it gets watered every morning.
> >
> > 5:46 a.m.: gray squirrel skips across Kings Highway. Doesn't look left or
> > right, mammal on a mission ... to my sunflower feeders. Great blue heron,
> > high over the hill, passing from one river to another, head on shoulders,
> > long wings, bowed, voice belches out of the folded pipe of a neck.
> >
> > A scattered flock of ravens above the treetops, fifteen plus. Birds
> forged
> > in the furnace of early morning: sunlight kindles black feathers, turns
> > undersides molten copper. Ravens crabby and conversive—dyspeptic rain
> falls
> > uncontested. Even chickadees remain silent.
> >
> > 6:25 a.m.: first red-eyed vireo sings, a hesitant rendition of an all
> > too familiar song. Longer than usual pauses between phrases. Soon,
> there'll
> > be no phrases, no daylight sonatas. No dueling vireos, voices filling
> every
> > space in the hardwoods.
> >
> > American goldfinches over a field of goldenrod, yellow above yellow.
> >
> > *Among the Other Birds: *blue jays harvest green acorns, managing to call
> > with mouths full. Black-capped chickadees and tufted titmice. Red and
> > white-breasted nuthatches. Dark-eyed juncos flitting everywhere—in the
> > woods; across the dirt road; up and down, branch to road ... eye-catching
> > tail feathers, bone white. American robins are calling, not singing.
> Purple
> > finch. Northern flicker, a disturbing laugh. Whispering black-and-white
> > warbler. Northern cardinal.
> >
> > 8:43 a.m.: Fifty-four degrees. Torpor over, ruby-throated hummingbird
> > visits feeder. Then, another and another, wavelet after wavelet. Half an
> > hour later, an upsurge of activity. Chaos at the feeder. The Gulf of
> Mexico
> > looms.
> >
>
Date: 8/18/25 12:02 pm From: Sue Wetmore <000006207b3956ac-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] 18 August 2025: Hurricane Hill (1,100 feet), WRJ
Brandon has snakes, northern watersnake, DeKay’s brown snake and garter snakes.
Sue Wetmore
Sent from my iPod
> On Aug 18, 2025, at 3:00 PM, Charlie Teske <cteske140...> wrote:
>
> I've heard others say they've seen no snakes this summer; any theories out there?
>
>
>
> On Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:06:31 -0400, Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> wrote:
>
> 5:38 a.m. (nineteen minutes before sunrise). Forty-six degrees (jacket on,
> hands in pockets), wind North five miles per hour, gusting to twelve. Trees
> moan and creak. An October morning in August ... a preview. Crescent moon
> overhead, horns pointed west. In the East, Jupiter and Venus, the only
> other bright spots in an otherwise clear sky, trail the moon, a great
> celestial arc slowly dissolving into daylight.
>
> An altogether refreshing and indelible sunrise. Orange blooms across the
> East, glazes the brooding hills of New Hampshire. One linear cloud below
> the crown of Smarts Mountain. No oppressive humidity. No Canadian wildfire
> smoke. The careless breath on the Arctic crosses Vermont. A passage into
> autumn. A world awash in transition.
>
> Crickets and grasshoppers numbed to silence by the cold. Dragonfly
> migration on hold. No bats this morning. No bees on the hummingbird
> feeders. No hummingbirds, either.
>
> *DOR: *garter snake, a yearling, about a foot long. Only the second I've
> seen all summer.
>
> *Drought Department: *lilac leaves, brittle and blackened. Gray birch
> leaves, yellowing. The first maple leaves blush. Every morning, hose in
> hand, I visit the raised beds and soak the strawberries. I haven't mowed
> the side yard since mid-July. Newly minted wood frog, less than an inch
> long, loiters in the flower bed, where it gets watered every morning.
>
> 5:46 a.m.: gray squirrel skips across Kings Highway. Doesn't look left or
> right, mammal on a mission ... to my sunflower feeders. Great blue heron,
> high over the hill, passing from one river to another, head on shoulders,
> long wings, bowed, voice belches out of the folded pipe of a neck.
>
> A scattered flock of ravens above the treetops, fifteen plus. Birds forged
> in the furnace of early morning: sunlight kindles black feathers, turns
> undersides molten copper. Ravens crabby and conversive—dyspeptic rain falls
> uncontested. Even chickadees remain silent.
>
> 6:25 a.m.: first red-eyed vireo sings, a hesitant rendition of an all
> too familiar song. Longer than usual pauses between phrases. Soon, there'll
> be no phrases, no daylight sonatas. No dueling vireos, voices filling every
> space in the hardwoods.
>
> American goldfinches over a field of goldenrod, yellow above yellow.
>
> *Among the Other Birds: *blue jays harvest green acorns, managing to call
> with mouths full. Black-capped chickadees and tufted titmice. Red and
> white-breasted nuthatches. Dark-eyed juncos flitting everywhere—in the
> woods; across the dirt road; up and down, branch to road ... eye-catching
> tail feathers, bone white. American robins are calling, not singing. Purple
> finch. Northern flicker, a disturbing laugh. Whispering black-and-white
> warbler. Northern cardinal.
>
> 8:43 a.m.: Fifty-four degrees. Torpor over, ruby-throated hummingbird
> visits feeder. Then, another and another, wavelet after wavelet. Half an
> hour later, an upsurge of activity. Chaos at the feeder. The Gulf of Mexico
> looms.
>
Date: 8/18/25 12:00 pm From: Charlie Teske <cteske140...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] 18 August 2025: Hurricane Hill (1,100 feet), WRJ
I've heard others say they've seen no snakes this summer; any theories out there?
On Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:06:31 -0400, Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> wrote:
5:38 a.m. (nineteen minutes before sunrise). Forty-six degrees (jacket on,
hands in pockets), wind North five miles per hour, gusting to twelve. Trees
moan and creak. An October morning in August ... a preview. Crescent moon
overhead, horns pointed west. In the East, Jupiter and Venus, the only
other bright spots in an otherwise clear sky, trail the moon, a great
celestial arc slowly dissolving into daylight.
An altogether refreshing and indelible sunrise. Orange blooms across the
East, glazes the brooding hills of New Hampshire. One linear cloud below
the crown of Smarts Mountain. No oppressive humidity. No Canadian wildfire
smoke. The careless breath on the Arctic crosses Vermont. A passage into
autumn. A world awash in transition.
Crickets and grasshoppers numbed to silence by the cold. Dragonfly
migration on hold. No bats this morning. No bees on the hummingbird
feeders. No hummingbirds, either.
*DOR: *garter snake, a yearling, about a foot long. Only the second I've
seen all summer.
*Drought Department: *lilac leaves, brittle and blackened. Gray birch
leaves, yellowing. The first maple leaves blush. Every morning, hose in
hand, I visit the raised beds and soak the strawberries. I haven't mowed
the side yard since mid-July. Newly minted wood frog, less than an inch
long, loiters in the flower bed, where it gets watered every morning.
5:46 a.m.: gray squirrel skips across Kings Highway. Doesn't look left or
right, mammal on a mission ... to my sunflower feeders. Great blue heron,
high over the hill, passing from one river to another, head on shoulders,
long wings, bowed, voice belches out of the folded pipe of a neck.
A scattered flock of ravens above the treetops, fifteen plus. Birds forged
in the furnace of early morning: sunlight kindles black feathers, turns
undersides molten copper. Ravens crabby and conversive—dyspeptic rain falls
uncontested. Even chickadees remain silent.
6:25 a.m.: first red-eyed vireo sings, a hesitant rendition of an all
too familiar song. Longer than usual pauses between phrases. Soon, there'll
be no phrases, no daylight sonatas. No dueling vireos, voices filling every
space in the hardwoods.
American goldfinches over a field of goldenrod, yellow above yellow.
*Among the Other Birds: *blue jays harvest green acorns, managing to call
with mouths full. Black-capped chickadees and tufted titmice. Red and
white-breasted nuthatches. Dark-eyed juncos flitting everywhere—in the
woods; across the dirt road; up and down, branch to road ... eye-catching
tail feathers, bone white. American robins are calling, not singing. Purple
finch. Northern flicker, a disturbing laugh. Whispering black-and-white
warbler. Northern cardinal.
8:43 a.m.: Fifty-four degrees. Torpor over, ruby-throated hummingbird
visits feeder. Then, another and another, wavelet after wavelet. Half an
hour later, an upsurge of activity. Chaos at the feeder. The Gulf of Mexico
looms.
Date: 8/18/25 6:06 am From: Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 18 August 2025: Hurricane Hill (1,100 feet), WRJ
5:38 a.m. (nineteen minutes before sunrise). Forty-six degrees (jacket on,
hands in pockets), wind North five miles per hour, gusting to twelve. Trees
moan and creak. An October morning in August ... a preview. Crescent moon
overhead, horns pointed west. In the East, Jupiter and Venus, the only
other bright spots in an otherwise clear sky, trail the moon, a great
celestial arc slowly dissolving into daylight.
An altogether refreshing and indelible sunrise. Orange blooms across the
East, glazes the brooding hills of New Hampshire. One linear cloud below
the crown of Smarts Mountain. No oppressive humidity. No Canadian wildfire
smoke. The careless breath on the Arctic crosses Vermont. A passage into
autumn. A world awash in transition.
Crickets and grasshoppers numbed to silence by the cold. Dragonfly
migration on hold. No bats this morning. No bees on the hummingbird
feeders. No hummingbirds, either.
*DOR: *garter snake, a yearling, about a foot long. Only the second I've
seen all summer.
*Drought Department: *lilac leaves, brittle and blackened. Gray birch
leaves, yellowing. The first maple leaves blush. Every morning, hose in
hand, I visit the raised beds and soak the strawberries. I haven't mowed
the side yard since mid-July. Newly minted wood frog, less than an inch
long, loiters in the flower bed, where it gets watered every morning.
5:46 a.m.: gray squirrel skips across Kings Highway. Doesn't look left or
right, mammal on a mission ... to my sunflower feeders. Great blue heron,
high over the hill, passing from one river to another, head on shoulders,
long wings, bowed, voice belches out of the folded pipe of a neck.
A scattered flock of ravens above the treetops, fifteen plus. Birds forged
in the furnace of early morning: sunlight kindles black feathers, turns
undersides molten copper. Ravens crabby and conversive—dyspeptic rain falls
uncontested. Even chickadees remain silent.
6:25 a.m.: first red-eyed vireo sings, a hesitant rendition of an all
too familiar song. Longer than usual pauses between phrases. Soon, there'll
be no phrases, no daylight sonatas. No dueling vireos, voices filling every
space in the hardwoods.
American goldfinches over a field of goldenrod, yellow above yellow.
*Among the Other Birds: *blue jays harvest green acorns, managing to call
with mouths full. Black-capped chickadees and tufted titmice. Red and
white-breasted nuthatches. Dark-eyed juncos flitting everywhere—in the
woods; across the dirt road; up and down, branch to road ... eye-catching
tail feathers, bone white. American robins are calling, not singing. Purple
finch. Northern flicker, a disturbing laugh. Whispering black-and-white
warbler. Northern cardinal.
8:43 a.m.: Fifty-four degrees. Torpor over, ruby-throated hummingbird
visits feeder. Then, another and another, wavelet after wavelet. Half an
hour later, an upsurge of activity. Chaos at the feeder. The Gulf of Mexico
looms.
Date: 8/17/25 6:56 am From: Ian Clark <ian...> Subject: [VTBIRD] A busy time for the loon families - pix on my blog
I got back out on the water this week to check in with all three loon families. They've had a busy time with lots of excitement. There are lots of photos of the loons and a few of their neighbors up on my blog:
Date: 8/16/25 6:36 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
David,
I do it by the car wash on Rt123 in Westminster Station. Pull in and stay right (don’t go left into the car wash).
Don
> On Aug 16, 2025, at 9:15 PM, David L. Webb <David.L.Webb...> wrote:
>
> Where do you watch from? I drove down there last year hoping to show them to my wife, and we only saw two birds on an evening when you reported a large number, so you must have been watching from a different vantage point.
>
> Thanks,
> David Webb
> Hanover, NH
>
> From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> on behalf of Donald Clark <sapsbks...>
> Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
> To: <VTBIRD...> <VTBIRD...>
> Subject: [VTBIRD] Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
>
> Started the Westminster Station Nighthawk Count this evening with 21 birds. Other species of note; cormorant 5, bald eagle 2, Redtail 2, Broadwing 2, and 400 barn swallows.
>
> Don Clark
> Grafton, VT
Date: 8/16/25 6:15 pm From: David L. Webb <David.L.Webb...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Where do you watch from? I drove down there last year hoping to show them to my wife, and we only saw two birds on an evening when you reported a large number, so you must have been watching from a different vantage point.
Thanks,
David Webb
Hanover, NH
From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> on behalf of Donald Clark <sapsbks...>
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
To: <VTBIRD...> <VTBIRD...>
Subject: [VTBIRD] Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Started the Westminster Station Nighthawk Count this evening with 21 birds. Other species of note; cormorant 5, bald eagle 2, Redtail 2, Broadwing 2, and 400 barn swallows.
Date: 8/16/25 5:39 pm From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
Started the Westminster Station Nighthawk Count this evening with 21 birds. Other species of note; cormorant 5, bald eagle 2, Redtail 2, Broadwing 2, and 400 barn swallows.
Date: 8/16/25 5:24 pm From: David Gusakov <dgusakov...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Costa Rica 2026
Hello Ted,
I’m writing to inquire as to details and cost of the 10-day birding trip
next April.
Thank you!
David Gusakov
On Aug 16, 2025, at 9:03 AM, Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> wrote:
*Costa Rica Natural History and Birding Adventure:*
* April 13 – 23, 2026*
*Arenal Extension April 23 - 26, 2026*
*Away from tourist centers: 300 species of birds in thirteen days,
crocodiles, red-eyed tree frogs, toads the size of shoeboxes, tapirs,
anteaters, and four species of monkeys in thirteen days. Cloud forests,
old-growth jungles, timberline, both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, boat
rides down remote rivers, and along the southern Pacific coast.*
*Leaders:*
*1) Ted Levin—*Ted is a lifelong naturalist, whose work has appeared in *The
New York Times*, *The *Guardian, *Audubon Magazine*, *Sports Illustrated*, *The
Boston Globe Magazine*, *National Geographic Traveler*, and *OnEarth,* among
many other publications. He is the author of eleven books, including *Liquid
Land: A Journey Through the Florida Everglades*, the 2024 Burroughs Medal
winner, the highest honor given to an American nature writer. *Forbes*
chose *America’s Snake: The Rise and Fall of the Timber *Rattlesnake, one
of the ten finest conservation books of 2016. His most recent book, *The
Promise of Sunrise: Finding Solace in a Broken World*, was published this
past March. 2026 will be Ted’s ninth trip to Costa Rica, including hosting
Vermont Public’s Citizens of the World Tour in 2010.
*Email: **<tedlevin1966...>* <tedlevin1966...>
*cellphone: 802 399 9398*
*2) Gil Calvo— *A naturalist and Neotropical birder extraordinaire, Gil has
created & led custom natural-history tours throughout Costa Rica for 30
years, including four for Hanover High School, Hanover, NH. In 2000,
inspired by a lifelong passion for his native country, Gil created Tropical
Advisors Costa Rica, Inc. (formerly Tropical Angel Travel). Today, Tropic
Advisors has evolved into one of Mesoamerica’s premier natural history tour
companies.
For our itinerary and cost, please get in touch with Ted.
Date: 8/16/25 6:04 am From: Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Costa Rica 2026
*Costa Rica Natural History and Birding Adventure:*
* April 13 – 23, 2026*
*Arenal Extension April 23 - 26, 2026*
*Away from tourist centers: 300 species of birds in thirteen days,
crocodiles, red-eyed tree frogs, toads the size of shoeboxes, tapirs,
anteaters, and four species of monkeys in thirteen days. Cloud forests,
old-growth jungles, timberline, both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, boat
rides down remote rivers, and along the southern Pacific coast.*
*Leaders:*
*1) Ted Levin—*Ted is a lifelong naturalist, whose work has appeared in *The
New York Times*, *The *Guardian, *Audubon Magazine*, *Sports Illustrated*, *The
Boston Globe Magazine*, *National Geographic Traveler*, and *OnEarth,* among
many other publications. He is the author of eleven books, including *Liquid
Land: A Journey Through the Florida Everglades*, the 2024 Burroughs Medal
winner, the highest honor given to an American nature writer. *Forbes*
chose *America’s Snake: The Rise and Fall of the Timber *Rattlesnake, one
of the ten finest conservation books of 2016. His most recent book, *The
Promise of Sunrise: Finding Solace in a Broken World*, was published this
past March. 2026 will be Ted’s ninth trip to Costa Rica, including hosting
Vermont Public’s Citizens of the World Tour in 2010.
*Email: **<tedlevin1966...>* <tedlevin1966...>
*cellphone: 802 399 9398*
*2) Gil Calvo— *A naturalist and Neotropical birder extraordinaire, Gil has
created & led custom natural-history tours throughout Costa Rica for 30
years, including four for Hanover High School, Hanover, NH. In 2000,
inspired by a lifelong passion for his native country, Gil created Tropical
Advisors Costa Rica, Inc. (formerly Tropical Angel Travel). Today, Tropic
Advisors has evolved into one of Mesoamerica’s premier natural history tour
companies.
For our itinerary and cost, please get in touch with Ted.
Date: 8/15/25 5:03 pm From: John Snell <jrsnelljr...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Nighthawks in Montpelier
We enjoyed watching about two dozen on the Green of Vermont College right at sunset. Not sure what they were eating but 30 minutes later they were gone.
I have recently updated the Vermont section of the Birding Hotspots website. https://birdinghotspots.org/region/US-VT All of the eBird hotspots have information in three categories: Plan Your Visit, How to Bird Here, and About this Place.
Since moving to Vermont two and a half years ago, I have visited many nearby hotspots, but there are many I have not visited for which I have collected information from other sources. Many local birders have contributed information. Please feel free to help make these descriptions even better. On every page, there is a link to "Contribute content". You may suggest additions and offer adjustments to the descriptions. Is the information correct?
We are working on the website in cooperation with eBird. Birding Hotspots now uses photos of birding habitats that birders submit with eBird checklists. If there are no photos on a hotspot page, you may submit photos via an eBird checklist, and they will be added to the page in Birding Hotspots. Check the link to "Upload Photos" on any hotspot page for information about how to do this.
Thanks to the many birders in Vermont who have added information and photos!
Ken Ostermiller
Shelburne, Vermont
birdinghotspots.org
Birding Hotspots is a non-commercial, open-source project of two birders. Ken Ostermiller is a volunteer eBird hotspot reviewer and started the website in cooperation with the Ohio Ornithological Society. Adam Jackson is a software developer and has done the coding for the project.
OK, trying one more time! Apparently the images are not acceptable. Contact
me off-line if you want images of the bird.
Thank you!
Lynette
On Fri, Aug 15, 2025 at 9:24 AM Lynette Reep <lynettereep...> wrote:
> This warbler struck a window and fell to the top of the heat pump. One
> wing slid between the slats, trapping her(?) on top. I was able to gently
> extricate her but she seems to be either injured or at least in shock. I
> was able to reach “Ellen” (a name left on a local rehabber’s voicemail) who
> helpfully told me to put her in a covered shoebox for half an hour to
> better assess her status (hoping it might be a mild concussion that would
> wear off in that time).
> It’s been about 3/4 of an hour. Ellen is not picking up at the moment.
> The bird is still resting in the shoebox, alert, but not interested (or
> able) in going anywhere.
> Help?
> (Posted 9:23 am)
> Lynette, Burlington
>
Date: 8/11/25 3:59 am From: Jim Block <jim...> Subject: [VTBIRD] First Half of Summer -- PHOTOS
I published a new blog, the first two thirds of which is filled with bird photos taken in VT and NH in the Upper Valley during the first half of summer. If you are only interested in birds, you can skip the last third. The blog post is here: https://jimblockphoto.com/2025/08/summer-2025-first-half/
Date: 8/10/25 4:16 pm From: Ken Copenhaver <copenhvr...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Missisquoi NWR Bird Monitoring Walk
Please join us for our monthly bird monitoring walks on the refuge. Ken
Copenhaver and Julie Filiberti lead the walks on various refuge trails on
the 3rd Saturday of each month (except December when it is on the 2nd
Saturday). The purpose of the walks is to gather long-term data on the
presence of birds, their abundance, and changes in populations.
Observations are entered into the Vermont eBird database where the Cornell
Lab of Ornithology stores the data. These walks are appropriate for birders
of all skill levels and provide a wonderful opportunity to learn about
birds throughout the seasons. After 184 months of walks, we have recorded
166 species of birds.
This month's walk will be on *Saturday, August 16, from 8:00 to 10:00 AM a**t
the Jeep Trail*. Meet at the Louie's Landing parking lot on Rt 78, about 3
miles west of Swanton village. We will open the gate and drive to Mac's
Bend where we will start the walk.
*Trail Description**:* The walk starts at a gravel parking lot at Mac’s
Bend. The trail follows the river and thus is level. The trail is very
close to the riverbank edge in one section. The trail surface is uneven,
with many roots, rocks, and ruts. There are no benches. We usually walk
about a mile and turn around, making it approximately a 2-mile walk.
*Trail Conditions:* While there shouldn't be any standing water on the
trail, there could be wet grass, so waterproof shoes are recommended.
If you have any questions, contact me at <copenhvr...>
*Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if
we help shall they be saved.*
~Jane Goodall
On Sun, Aug 10, 2025 at 4:53 PM Brenna <dbgaldenzi...> wrote:
> Hi all,
> Please disregard this petition. New link coming. Thanks!
>
> Brenna Galdenzi
> *President*
> *Protect Our Wildlife **POW *
>
> *A Vermont Non Profit Organization*
>
> *www.ProtectOurWildlifeVT.org <http://www.ProtectOurWildlifeVT.org>* >
>
> *Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if
> we help shall they be saved.*
> ~Jane Goodall
>
>
>
> On Sun, Aug 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM Brenna <dbgaldenzi...> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>> Please consider signing & sharing. Vote is likely happening early
>> September.
>> Let Senator Bernie Sanders Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint know that we
>> are counting on them to lend their support to stop the barred owl massacre.
>> https://chng.it/ptF4hcKWdy >>
>> Brenna Galdenzi
>> *President*
>> *Protect Our Wildlife **POW *
>>
>> *A Vermont Non Profit Organization*
>>
>> *www.ProtectOurWildlifeVT.org <http://www.ProtectOurWildlifeVT.org>* >>
>>
>> *Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if
>> we help shall they be saved.*
>> ~Jane Goodall
>>
>>
*Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if
we help shall they be saved.*
~Jane Goodall
On Sun, Aug 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM Brenna <dbgaldenzi...> wrote:
> Hi all,
> Please consider signing & sharing. Vote is likely happening early
> September.
> Let Senator Bernie Sanders Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint know that we
> are counting on them to lend their support to stop the barred owl massacre.
> https://chng.it/ptF4hcKWdy >
> Brenna Galdenzi
> *President*
> *Protect Our Wildlife **POW *
>
> *A Vermont Non Profit Organization*
>
> *www.ProtectOurWildlifeVT.org <http://www.ProtectOurWildlifeVT.org>* >
>
> *Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if
> we help shall they be saved.*
> ~Jane Goodall
>
>
Hi all, Please consider signing & sharing. Vote is likely happening early September. Let Senator Bernie Sanders Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint know that we are counting on them to lend their support to stop the barred owl massacre. https://chng.it/ptF4hcKWdy
Date: 8/8/25 5:22 am From: Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 08 August 2025: Hurricane Hill (1,100 feet), WRJ
5:33 a.m. (thirteen minutes before sunrise). Fifty-nine degrees, wind South
one mile per hour, gusting to two (aspen leaves dangle, have no idea what
to do). A bathroom-countertop sky, a swirl of feathery clouds that hint at
pink, against the borderline of blue and white ... in photographic terms:
sky blue, two F-stops overexposed. A shroud of moisture below the marbling
rises from the White River, tissue-thin mist, emaciated fog—what Scots call
dragon's breath. All contours softened.
*In the Meadow: *yellow sprays of goldenrod, everywhere. A few monarchs.
The last of the tiger swallowtails wafts above grasses heavy with seed. The
din of field crickets. A stand of Jerusalem artichoke, yellow as a
goldfinch.
*Along the roadside:* red-flowering raspberry, fruits developing, and the
last flowers fading ... pink-purple petals browning. Blackberries are also
ripening. Lilac leaves blackening, still a fortress for a bossy northern
house wren. The chatter of tree crickets.
Three ruby-throated hummingbirds, one of whom spent the night in a hanging
plant above my bedroom window, feeding and chasing and twittering before
sunrise—swirl around the feeders, the climbing honeysuckles, the fuchsias,
the begonias. Never a dull moment. Even the honeybees and bumblebees are
still in bed. Four more hummingbirds arrive from the edge of the
woods—mayhem on wings.
Red-eyed vireos are full-throated, ad nauseam (by mid-September, I'll miss
them). Dark-eyed juncos, picking seeds or grit (hard to tell what) off the
road, are reluctant to flush as I walk by.
Twenty species of birds, among them: northern flicker, mourning dove (also
on the road picking seeds or grit); ruby-crowned kinglet; black-capped
chickadee (of course); red- and white-breasted nuthatches; blue jay,
experimenting with sound; three warblers (black and white, yellow, and
American redstart); hermit thrush (singing); rose-breasted grosbeak
(singing); gray catbirds (complaining); and tufted titmouse. No tanagers
this morning.
As August moves ineluctably toward September, goldfinches remind me that
summer isn't over. They carry sunshine on their backs (is there a more
brilliant yellow?) and the meadow in their voices. While swallows gather to
leave, goldfinches prepare to breed. Undulating over the grasses, errant as
the breeze.
Date: 8/6/25 11:31 am From: Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> Subject: [VTBIRD] into the wilds of Costa Rica
*Costa Rica Natural History and Birding Adventure:*
* April 13 – 23, 2026*
*Arenal Extension April 23 - 26, 2026*
*Away from tourist centers: 300 species **of birds in thirteen days**,
crocodiles, red-eyed tree frogs, toads the size of a shoebox, tapirs,
anteaters, and four species of monkeys in thirteen days, cloud forests,
old-growth jungles, timberline, both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, boat
rides down remote rivers, and along the southern Pacific coast.*
*Leaders:*
*1) Ted Levin—*Ted is a lifelong naturalist, whose work has appeared in *The
New York Times*, *The *Guardian, *Audubon Magazine*, *Sports Illustrated*, *The
Boston Globe Magazine*, *National Geographic Traveler*, and *OnEarth,* among
many other publications. He is the author of six books and five for
children, including *Liquid Land: A Journey Through the Florida Everglades*,
which was awarded the Burroughs Medal, the highest honor given to an
American nature writer. *Forbes* chose *America’s Snake: The Rise and Fall
of the Timber *Rattlesnake, one of the ten finest conservation books of
2016. His most recent book, *The Promise of Sunrise: Finding Solace in a
Broken World*, was published this past March. This will be Ted’s ninth trip
to Costa Rica, including hosting Vermont Public’s Citizens of the World
Tour in 2010.
*Email: <tedlevin1966...> <tedlevin1966...>*
*cellphone: 802 399 9398*
*2) Gil Calvo— *A naturalist and Neotropical birder extraordinaire, Gil has
created & led custom natural-history tours throughout Costa Rica for 30
years, including four for Hanover High School, Hanover, NH. In 2000,
inspired by a lifelong passion for his native country, Gil created Tropical
Advisors Costa Rica, Inc. (formerly Tropical Angel Travel). Today, Tropic
Advisors has evolved into one of Mesoamerica’s premier natural history tour
companies.
For our itinerary and cost, please get in touch with Ted.
Date: 8/6/25 7:43 am From: Ted Levin <tedlevin1966...> Subject: [VTBIRD] 06 August 2025: Deweys Pond (530 feet) and the Ottauquechee River
4:54 a.m. (fifty minutes before sunrise). Sixty-one degrees, wind East,
less than one mile per hour. Sky, lightly clouded. Haze and wildfire smoke
mask the sun, which sneaks into the sky almost unnoticed—the world awakens
in baby steps. Except for occasional bubbles rising and bursting,
Ottauquechee River is flat, a clear, reflective surface. A pair of wood
ducks rises out of Deweys Pond and passes above the lily pads.
Coming and going, two kingfishers just above the water and rattling (four
kingfishers if I count their pristine reflections). Whenever one dives,
bird and image merge, then separate—one dripping and shaking; the other, a
roiled and undulating impression—a momentary Monet.
Bumblebees work morning glories, which are wide open, flowers jiggling
under the weight of bees. Goldenrod and Joe-Pye-weed bloom, yellow and pink
in fields of green. Jewelweed is in flower. Milkweed in seed, pods dangling.
Kingfisher lands in the crown of a fallen and barkless black ash. An
interlocking web of reflections. Calls. Looks at me and leaves. Returns
with a friend. Two birds. Two echoes. Birds rattle, then bolt. Echoes keep
pace out over the river.
An eastern kingbird and a willow flycatcher, picture-perfect poster on the
top of nearby shrubs, chase moths over the pond, and then return to the
same perch. Chomp and swallow. Four cedar waxwings fly across the river and
vanish. American goldfinches, everywhere and calling. A chevron of Canada
geese (eleven, I think) over the far treeline, honking.
*Addendum:* American crow (constantly complaining), blue jay, song sparrow,
eastern towhee, gray catbird, northern cardinal, warbling vireo (no
red-eyes), and a solitary sandpiper, solitarily wandering along the far
shore. A silence of warblers ... first morning in more than three months.
Juvenile eagle calls in the dark, hunched over, details obscured in dim
light.
5:38 a.m. Adult eagles fly to the nest tree. One carries food. Juvenile
straightens up. Everyone calls and poses for a family portrait, but I have
no camera—just notes.
*Department of Disassembly: *5:41 a.m. One parent leaves. Then, two minutes
later, the other. Both flew across the Ottauquechee. One eagle calls from
the far side of Deweys Pond: juvenile answers, an embarrassment of sound.
*Department of Idioms: *5:48 a.m. Juvenile stands on the rim of the nest
and whines. Then, flaps its wings and hops and flutters to the end of one
of the branches that support the nest, as far away as it can be and remain
in the same tree. The eaglet is out on a limb.
Twenty minutes later, from somewhere upriver, a parent calls. The juvenile
answers. A falsetto chat.
6:38 a.m. Motivated by either hunger or boredom, the eagle returns to the
nest, wings stirring air, and picks at breakfast.
The parents fall silent ... there's only so far you can push your
offspring.
Date: 8/5/25 6:42 am From: Brenna <dbgaldenzi...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Loon in distress
Protect Our Wildlife just received a report of a loon in distress at Lake Willoughby, possibly entangled. Vermont Fish & Wildlife & Eric Hansen from VCE have been notified.
Not sure if others have ideas.
Brenna
www.ProtectOurWildlifeVT.org
Sent from my iPhone, which has been known to mess with me.
Date: 8/4/25 10:33 am From: Richard Guthrie <richardpguthrie...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] so much bird song, so late
I’ve been thinking about this and wondering if the change in daylight hours stimulates a hormonal response in the males causing them to sing as if it were spring. Seems nonproductive and probably has a more logical explanation. But what the heck.
Rich Guthrie
> On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:53 AM, <00000f44f2f666d1-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> I also have been thrilled to hear so many birds singing this late, but I have had a special bonus this summer. Besides the beautiful songs of wood thrushes and hermit thrushes, I've had several evenings with Swainson's thrushes singing, most recently the other evening with two singing and very, very close to me. It was magical. I guess because I live at 1000 feet, I am getting towards mid-elevation. Whatever the reason, it has been so special. Also singing are Chickadees, Titmice, Song Sparrow, and of course Red-Eyed Vireos, which always sing through August here.
>
> Evergreen in Huntington
> ________________________________
> From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> on behalf of Bobbie Jean Booth <00000db331f50729-dmarc-request...>
> Sent: Monday, August 4, 2025 9:34 AM
> To: <VTBIRD...> <VTBIRD...>
> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] so much bird song, so late
>
> Wood Thrush and Bobolink singing until very last days of July. And still singing are Chicadee, Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Red-Eyed Vireo and Song Sparrow.
>
> Bobbie Jean Booth, Manchester
>
>> On Aug 4, 2025, at 06:22, Maeve Kim <maevekim7...> wrote:
>>
>> I used to think AM bird noise pretty much stopped by late July, but for the past several years it seems to last longer in the summer and longer in the day. Cardinals keep singing; titmice keep singing; yesterday a chickadee was doing its “spring song” of hey-birdie. It’s very possible that I'm mistaken in being surprised by this. Has anyone else noticed increased bird song late in the summer and late in the day?
>> Maeve Kim, Jericho Center
Date: 8/4/25 6:53 am From: <evergreenerb...> <00000f44f2f666d1-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] so much bird song, so late
I also have been thrilled to hear so many birds singing this late, but I have had a special bonus this summer. Besides the beautiful songs of wood thrushes and hermit thrushes, I've had several evenings with Swainson's thrushes singing, most recently the other evening with two singing and very, very close to me. It was magical. I guess because I live at 1000 feet, I am getting towards mid-elevation. Whatever the reason, it has been so special. Also singing are Chickadees, Titmice, Song Sparrow, and of course Red-Eyed Vireos, which always sing through August here.
Evergreen in Huntington
________________________________
From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> on behalf of Bobbie Jean Booth <00000db331f50729-dmarc-request...>
Sent: Monday, August 4, 2025 9:34 AM
To: <VTBIRD...> <VTBIRD...>
Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] so much bird song, so late
Wood Thrush and Bobolink singing until very last days of July. And still singing are Chicadee, Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Red-Eyed Vireo and Song Sparrow.
Bobbie Jean Booth, Manchester
> On Aug 4, 2025, at 06:22, Maeve Kim <maevekim7...> wrote:
>
> I used to think AM bird noise pretty much stopped by late July, but for the past several years it seems to last longer in the summer and longer in the day. Cardinals keep singing; titmice keep singing; yesterday a chickadee was doing its “spring song” of hey-birdie. It’s very possible that I'm mistaken in being surprised by this. Has anyone else noticed increased bird song late in the summer and late in the day?
> Maeve Kim, Jericho Center
Date: 8/4/25 6:35 am From: Bobbie Jean Booth <00000db331f50729-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] so much bird song, so late
Wood Thrush and Bobolink singing until very last days of July. And still singing are Chicadee, Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Red-Eyed Vireo and Song Sparrow.
Bobbie Jean Booth, Manchester
> On Aug 4, 2025, at 06:22, Maeve Kim <maevekim7...> wrote:
>
> I used to think AM bird noise pretty much stopped by late July, but for the past several years it seems to last longer in the summer and longer in the day. Cardinals keep singing; titmice keep singing; yesterday a chickadee was doing its “spring song” of hey-birdie. It’s very possible that I'm mistaken in being surprised by this. Has anyone else noticed increased bird song late in the summer and late in the day?
> Maeve Kim, Jericho Center
Date: 8/4/25 5:55 am From: Ed Green <00000f4263ac6dce-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] so much bird song, so late
I am hearing Trushes in the later afternoon deep in the woods around my house.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vermont Birds <VTBIRD...> On Behalf Of Maeve Kim
Sent: Monday, August 4, 2025 6:22 AM
To: <VTBIRD...>
Subject: [VTBIRD] so much bird song, so late
I used to think AM bird noise pretty much stopped by late July, but for the past several years it seems to last longer in the summer and longer in the day. Cardinals keep singing; titmice keep singing; yesterday a chickadee was doing its “spring song” of hey-birdie. It’s very possible that I'm mistaken in being surprised by this. Has anyone else noticed increased bird song late in the summer and late in the day?
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center
Date: 8/4/25 4:43 am From: Maeve Kim <maevekim7...> Subject: [VTBIRD] PS re so much bird song, so late
I was just outdoors, listening to a Carolina Wren, chickadees, redstarts, goldfinches, song sparrows, House Wrens and a Red-eyed Vireo (always a late sleeper), when I thought of a possible explanation why I’m noticing more and later bird noise. For the past eight years, we’ve been increasing the percentage of native plants, which has greatly increased the number of insects - and where there are insects, there are birds! If anyone is interested, I’d love to send you a link to my article in the sadly-defunct BirdWatching magazine about making our yard a sanctuary for bugs, birds, critters and us.
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center
> On Aug 4, 2025, at 7:13 AM, Jared Katz <000003825c43bc1a-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> We’ve had marvelous choruses of wood thrush, house wrens, some winter wrens, chickadees, and red eyed vireo in particular. I don’t know if it’s more than in the past but it’s noticeable. We’ve had the house closed up with heat pump a/c running so much this summer that it’s mostly when I’m outside after dawn that hear it in Richmond. Now we get to have the windows open and there it is.
>
> In South Hero it’s mostly house wrens (and loons) we hear.
>
> Jared
>
> Sent from my irresistible flat thing.
>
>> On Aug 4, 2025, at 06:22, Maeve Kim <maevekim7...> wrote:
>>
>> I used to think AM bird noise pretty much stopped by late July, but for the past several years it seems to last longer in the summer and longer in the day. Cardinals keep singing; titmice keep singing; yesterday a chickadee was doing its “spring song” of hey-birdie. It’s very possible that I'm mistaken in being surprised by this. Has anyone else noticed increased bird song late in the summer and late in the day?
>> Maeve Kim, Jericho Center
Date: 8/4/25 4:13 am From: Jared Katz <000003825c43bc1a-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] so much bird song, so late
We’ve had marvelous choruses of wood thrush, house wrens, some winter wrens, chickadees, and red eyed vireo in particular. I don’t know if it’s more than in the past but it’s noticeable. We’ve had the house closed up with heat pump a/c running so much this summer that it’s mostly when I’m outside after dawn that hear it in Richmond. Now we get to have the windows open and there it is.
In South Hero it’s mostly house wrens (and loons) we hear.
Jared
Sent from my irresistible flat thing.
> On Aug 4, 2025, at 06:22, Maeve Kim <maevekim7...> wrote:
>
> I used to think AM bird noise pretty much stopped by late July, but for the past several years it seems to last longer in the summer and longer in the day. Cardinals keep singing; titmice keep singing; yesterday a chickadee was doing its “spring song” of hey-birdie. It’s very possible that I'm mistaken in being surprised by this. Has anyone else noticed increased bird song late in the summer and late in the day?
> Maeve Kim, Jericho Center
Date: 8/4/25 3:22 am From: Maeve Kim <maevekim7...> Subject: [VTBIRD] so much bird song, so late
I used to think AM bird noise pretty much stopped by late July, but for the past several years it seems to last longer in the summer and longer in the day. Cardinals keep singing; titmice keep singing; yesterday a chickadee was doing its “spring song” of hey-birdie. It’s very possible that I'm mistaken in being surprised by this. Has anyone else noticed increased bird song late in the summer and late in the day?
Maeve Kim, Jericho Center
