Brooks to Bays Nature Tours llc RECENT WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS - 2008 May 30th - A great late spring tour on the Winooski River. Lots of woodland songbirds including Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, Northern (Baltimore) Orioles, Warbling Vireos, Swamp Sparrows, and many many more. The highlight of the tour was watching a pair of Northern Rough-Winged Swallows feed in Half-Moon Cove, a species that's not very common. Northern Rough-Winged Swallow This swallow looks very much like a Tree Swallow in both size and shape, but the coloration is different with buffy gray head, chest, and back. They prefer to be around water and feed on insects (pic: www.paulnoll.com) June 5th - After a previous outing by myself on Lake Champlain, near Colchester, Peregrine Falcon specialist for the National Wildlife Federation, Margaret Fowle, and I investigated a new Peregrine nest I had discovered on my earlier outing. I had seen both adults, up close and personal, and heard a chick. We found the nest, spotted the fluffy white chick, and again had some up close and personal looks at the adults...very cool! Any time you come upon a predatory bird nest...please be aware that they will defend their nest, and if disturbed regularly, may abandon their nest. It's best for you and them to stay at distance (100ft or more). Binoculars are our friends when viewing wildlife, especially with species that have recently been endangered and are reestablishing themselves...such as Peregrine Falcons and Osprey! Peregrine Falcon A medium-sized predatory bird, smaller than a Red-tailed Hawk. Nests on cliffs. Excellent at hunting other birds. Built for speed and has been clocked at around 250mph on a stoop (dive). (pics: www.flikr.com) June 14th - A trip to the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is always an adventure in birding, and today's trip was no different. Besides countless species of woodland songbirds, from Wood Thrushes to Least Flycatchers (upwards of 30 songbird species today), we saw 16 Osprey adults (and I know there at least double that), an immature Bald Eagle (often mistaken for Golden Eagles as they are all brown and don't get the white head and tail until 5 yrs. of age), and one of my favorites...Black Terns. The refuge is the only place in Vermont where Black Terns nest...very special. Black Tern A small tern species that nests on inland lakes and large ponds. They nest on floating vegetation, so conditions have to be just right for them to be successful. They are threatened in Vermont. Very floppy and delicate wing beat. They will scold and dive on intruders in their nesting area. (pic: www.paulnoll.com) June 15th - A paddle down Dead Creek in Addison offered up some of the seasons best sightings so far. We watched an Osprey defend its area from not one but two Bald Eagles (one mature, one immature). We also discovered a few great nests...one Long-Billed Marsh Wren nest and one Northern (Baltimore) Oriole nest. Both nests were active and we watched the adults bring nest materials and food in and out. We also were lucky enough to watch a female Snapping Turtle dig her nest to lay eggs...very cool. Northern (Baltimore) Oriole A medium sized songbird, smaller than an American Robin. Male has very bright orange coloration mixed with black on the wings and back and a black head. Song is a loud and clear series of whistles, no pattern common to all Orioles. Females will also sing, and are a buffy orange color. Nest is a teardrop shape and hangs from branches usually above water. (pic: www.ronausting.com) |
