Posted on Tuesday 10 November 2009

A Winter Visitor to the Valley
Posted on Tuesday 10 November 2009

A Winter Visitor to the Valley
Posted on Tuesday 13 October 2009
White Crowned Sparrow
White Throated Sparrow
White Breasted Nuthatch
Dark Eyed Junco
Mad Birder Bill Martin got these great shots in Warren, Vermont as the first snow of the season blanketed the Mad River Valley on this mid October morning. We will see the Juncos and Nuthatches all winter long, but these may be our last glimpses of the sparrows until the Spring. The White Crowned sparrows normally leave in late October, and the White Throated sparrows fly the coop in late November.
Posted on Monday 7 September 2009

This shot of a Warbling Vireo was taken by Mad Birder Scott Sainsbury this week in Moretown. Warbling Vireos typically leave Vermont around the fourth week in September to head for their winter homes, typically located anywhere from Mexico south to El Salvador.
Posted on Sunday 19 July 2009

The sighting of this owl caused a fair amount of excitement here on East Road among our extended family. It was sitting at the side of the house and was seemingly unafraid as it was approached. It looks just like the Juvenile Saw-whet Owl in Peterson’s guide book; the book also implies that this owl is “tame”.
Posted on Friday 3 July 2009

A Red Eyed Vireo was discovered nesting on Two Dog Mountain in Fayston. This nest was discovered on a small maple tree very close to a second story porch. We will keep an eye on the nest, with hopes of capturing some photos of hatchlings before they fledge. Craig Goss got this great photo on 7/3/09.
Posted on Saturday 27 June 2009

Mad Birder Mary Spencer got this terrific shot of a Young Pileated Woodpecker peeking out of its nest in a poplar tree on Center Fayston Road in Fayston. Surprisingly the nest was in the middle of a yard where there was frequent human activity. Mary saw an adult Pileated feed breakfast to the young ones on Wednesday morning June 24th and reported that the nestlings made an amazing amount of noise. She also noted that this particular ”baby” was quite large. The next day, with no witnesses, the young birds fledged!

Posted on Sunday 21 June 2009

Unidentified bird chatter led Mad Birder Jeannie Elias to look about 15-20 feet up in a small maple on Two Dog Mountain in Fayston, Vermont, revealing this wondrous nest filled with loud, insistent baby birds. When an adult bird returned on numerous occasions to feed the occupants it became clear that this was a nest of Blue Headed Vireos. Craig Goss got this great photo.
Posted on Sunday 14 June 2009

Tina Valentinetti got these great shots of a clutch of young robins in a nest built on the side of her Moretown home. She noticed the nest being built in mid May. Robins are born altricial, but according to the Birder’s Handbook (and Tina) they fledge within 14 days of birth.



This is the last shot Tina got before these birds fledged sometime between June 8th and June 9th. Tina is hoping that the female will return to lay a second clutch and take more advantage of that great Valentinetti hospitality.
Posted on Saturday 6 June 2009

Perfect weather and good birding karma gave a troupe of Mad Birders the prize they’d hoped for following an ascent of Mt. Ellen in Fayston on Saturday June 6th… a terrific look at the Bicknell’s Thrush. Scott Saintsbury took these shots…a great view in every direction. What a day!
