Outings Report
By Pat Phillips
Shelburne Farms
Birders pause to scan the pond’s perimeter for signs of life.
A full complement of birders participated in this fall outing in the beautiful setting of Shelburne Farms on the first Saturday in September. Birds were somewhat quiet and less active given the cool, cloudy morning, but the perseverance of the group yielded a fairly diverse set of observations. Birders divided into two groups and traversed somewhat different terrain during the course of this walk. One group traveled along the road and along the edge of the woods, while the other group moved through mostly forested areas.
The first group observed a Merlin, a Red-tailed Hawk, a Turkey Vulture, Eastern Phoebes, and others, for a total of 23 species. https://ebird.org/checklist/S273111488
The second group saw Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, White-throated Sparrows, a Common Yellowthroat, an American Redstart, and others for a total of 20 species. https://ebird.org/checklist/S273352132 . Groups ended the morning with tours of the Farm Barn clock tower, fresh-baked goods from the Shelburne Farms bakery, or with more birding by the waterfront. All agreed that it was a splendid way to start the day!
Cold Hollow Sculpture Park
The group poses in front of one of the sculptures.
A group of eleven birders participated in a walk at the Cold Hollow Sculpture Park in Enosburg Falls on a cool Sunday morning. Fields were wet, as the walk had been rescheduled due to heavy rainfall the day before. In a truly immersive experience, birders strolled across beautiful open fields between amazing works of art, looking and listening for birds. Initially, the birds were fairly quiet, given the cloudy, wet, cool conditions. As temperatures began to rise with the emergence of the sun, insects became more abundant, resulting in increased bird feeding activity. As the group moved into a wooded area, a fallout of warblers and others was observed. Seven warbler species were spotted (including eight Magnolia Warblers) as well as numerous other birds. The walk ended with the high-pitched call of a Broad-winged Hawk flying overhead.
Missisquoi Wildlife Fair Morning Bird Walk
Board President Pat Phillips and Will Custer at GMAS’s table.
An early morning frost scattered throughout the area did not deter a group of over twenty birders from participating in a bird walk through the floodplain forest along Black and Maquam Creeks at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. Although bird activity was initially reduced due to the cool conditions, the warming rays of the sun on this beautiful morning livened things up. Sapsuckers, Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, along with a Northern Flicker, provided birders with an almost complete family portrait. Wood Ducks flushed at the first sight of the group, as did a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds. Other species were more elusive, only emitting calls as evidence of their presence, including White-Throated Sparrows, a Belted Kingfisher, and a Pied-billed Grebe. After the walk, members of the group ventured to the refuge headquarters to enjoy wildlife presenters and to visit the booths of representatives from a variety of nature-related organizations. In all, participants could not have asked for a nicer day to enjoy this event.
eBird Report: https://ebird.org/checklist/S274617691
Saxon Hill
Outing participants stroll up the trail.
The lands of Saxon Hill Recreation Area were the setting for a bird walk on the first Saturday of the fall season. A group of twenty birders traveled the sand roads of this birding hotspot in the hope of seeing a few late-migrating fall warblers, as well as the Vesper Sparrows that Saxon Hill has become famous for among area birders. Cool, wet conditions resulted in the forest area being fairly quiet. Still, as the group emerged in the open area near the solar array, a pair of quite accommodating Merlins put on a flight display, with one flying right over the birders. Throughout the walk, Red-breasted Nuthatches could be heard emitting their nasal vocalizations, and Blue Jays noisily announced their presence in numbers. Hidden White-throated Sparrows called chip notes at various locations, as did Song Sparrows. A real highlight was two Eastern Towhees calling and counter-calling near the end of the outing. While the walk traversed the scenic terrain, most "left the table a little hungry" to return to see more species in the spring.
eBird Report: https://ebird.org/checklist/S27581605
Fall Birding at St. Michael's College Natural Area
Birders gaze across the water.
A beautiful October morning provided a wonderful opportunity for a group of more than twenty birders to traverse the diverse habitats of this site in search of resident and migrating avian species. More than fifteen different types of birds were seen and heard before the birders even left the parking area. A weedy sand pit near the start of this walk was almost overflowing with White-throated, White-Crowned, and Song Sparrows, along with Dark-eyed Juncos, Goldfinches, and other species. Further along, near the compost piles, birders could clearly observe the contrast between the many raucous American Crows and Common Ravens. Woodpeckers were well-represented with Flickers, and several Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied specimens calling out. Participants also had a great look at a pair of Hermit Thrush not exhibiting their usual shyness. Overall, twenty-eight species were observed, making for an enjoyable start to the day.
eBird Report: https://ebird.org/checklist/S279163470