MadBirders

This is one of our most popular walks.  Join Ann Day, Mad River’s longtime naturalist, and Nancy Turner  for a walk on this beautiful property overlooking the valley.  Meet at Knoll Farm on Bragg Hill Rd at 8 AM.  Carpool if possible. 

Following are Patti Haynes’ comments from 2010 walk:  This is one of my favorite walks in the spring…no matter the weather. Last year we began with a rainbow! Early birds of the day were Bobolinks and Indigo Bunting. We ended the walk with Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush and Veery for a total of 31 species.

Mad Birder Teams will be checking feeders and hotspots around the Valley and Northfield areas for this annual event.   A potluck follows.

Join Mad Birders for our annual trip to find Bicknell’s Thrush and other  alpine birds on Mt. Ellen.  You must preregister (pfols@gmavt.net or 496-3663) for this trip (limit – 15).  It involves a rough truck ride to the Glen House and then a half hour hike up ski trails to the top of the lift.  It will be cancelled if weather is poor.  Meet at Sugarbush North parking lot at 7:15 AM.   We will sign Sugarbush release forms, climb in the back of the truck, depart at 7:30 AM.  You might bring a cushion to sit on, insect repellent.   Bring water and snacks.  Dress in layers and wear sturdy hiking boots.  Donation – $5 for non Mad Birder members.

Sunday, March 27, 2011 – NEK field trip to Victory Wildlife Management Area: Meet at Damon’s Crossing at 8 a.m. We’ll look for black-backed woodpeckers and gray jays. Snow-shoe/ hike the Damon’s Crossing Trail.   For more information or to register, email or call Tom at (802)626-9071.  Note that the walk starts at 8 AM, Mad Birders will leave the Valley by 5:45 AM.  Bring snowshoes, lunch, water, winter layers.

This is the first in the  2011 Naturalist Journeys Lecture & Slideshow Series, sponsored by North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier.  

Donations Accepted
On January 14, North Branch Nature Center begins their  winter series with Grassland Bird Conservation in Vermont. Our state is home to a suite of 9 species of birds that nest in our hayfields, pastures, and recently abandoned agricultural land. These species have shown steep, long-term population declines as a result of changes in land use practices. In 2002, Allan Strong and Noah Perlut began a study to examine the effects of agricultural management practices on grassland birds.  Their research into the breeding biology of these species has led to a suite of management practices that are designed to simultaneously maintain grassland bird populations without affecting the farmer’s bottom line.

Sponsored by the National Audubon Society, the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, and Bird Studies Canada. Join birdwatchers across the country to count the birds in our backyards and neighborhoods. Participate in as many of the four days as you wish. Visit www.birdsource.org and click on Great Backyard Bird Count for details.

 Mad Birders will explore winter birds by joining Rutland Audubon (http://www.rutlandcountyaudubon.org/) on their annual January trek through the Champlain Valley.  Group meets in Brandon behind the Mobil Station at 8 AM, but Mad Birders may meet them further north.  Dress warmly, bring a lunch.  This is typically an all day trip, but can be shorter.   Contact Patti Haynes (496-2220) if interested .

Covey of Northern Bobwhite Quail delights viewers.

Ms. Bobwhite - one of the original dozen?

Early in the summer, three Bobwhite were seen at a feeder on East Warren Rd.  As of  late August, one female was still visiting the feeder, but has not been seen recently.  In the CBC publication for 2009, these Bobwhite were featured in the “Nice Try” category.  The only other Bobwhite seen in New England’s CBC were single birds seen on Cape Cod.