MadBirders

Hi Mad Birders –
Twenty Mad Birders and birder visitors to the Valley were very happy to find lots of birds singing and moving around this morning on the Greenway, west side.  Some of us were quite surprised at the level of bird activity in high summer.  Thanks to Patti Haynes for being the lister and posting to ebird.

Mad River Greenway, Washington, US-VT
Jul 7, 2011 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Comments:     A beautiful July morning for a Mad Birder walk led by Pat
Folsom and Jeannie Elias along the west side of the river.
30 species

Broad-winged Hawk  1     Heard it first, and it flew right over our heads.
American Kestrel  1     A very fast flyover.
Rock Pigeon  1
Mourning Dove  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  4
Hairy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker  1
Least Flycatcher  4
Eastern Kingbird  5
Warbling Vireo  5
Red-eyed Vireo  2
American Crow  2
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  1
Black-capped Chickadee  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Veery  5
American Robin  7
Gray Catbird  5
European Starling  20
Cedar Waxwing  30
Yellow Warbler  6
American Redstart  3
Common Yellowthroat  4
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  8
Red-winged Blackbird  6
Common Grackle  6
American Goldfinch  3

Fred and Chris Pratt (Team Pipit) often make a trip to beautiful Monhegan Island off of the coast of Maine in late September.   This year they are again extending an invitation for Mad Birders to join them. The island is a stopping point for migrants heading south; many warblers are typically seen. The island is a charming place with a small, nearly carless town at one end, and lots of forest accessible only by footpath. Those who are interested will need to make their own reservations at the island.   The Pratts are staying at Island Inn, will be taking the ferry to arrive mid-morning on the 24th, leaving on the 27th.   This is a fantastic trip to a magical place and you never know what unusual birds will show up.   Fred and Chris are always energized by fall warbler challenges.

Here’s the description in Fred’s words:

Many Mad Birders have already visited Monhegan and know what a beautiful and charming island it is, whether or not it is overrun with birds, as is often the case in late September. So any of you who would enjoy a lovely, charming, quiet island get-away, while hoping for a fallout of warblers, vireos, and flycatchers, is invited to join us. This would not
be an organized trip, and hotel reservations etc. would be up to you.  However, we would enjoy some company and would be happy to help out with the identification of those tricky fall warblers.  If tempted, give us a call at 496-3802.  Leave a message, we’ll get back to you.

The Mad Birders are very grateful to Professor Bernd Heinrich who came to Warren, VT to give a talk titled “Bernd on Birds” last Saturday afternoon.  Apologies to all for the delay in starting the program.  The talk focused on the nesting habits of many common North American songbirds and Professor Heinrich provided some fascinating insights into the biological mechanisms and reasons for egg coloration and egg marking.  For more information on this topic, birders can read Bernd’s 2010 book on the subject:  The Nesting Season: Cuckoos, Cuckolds, and the Invention of Monogamy.  Pictured above is a nest of Common Mallard eggs taken by Mad Birder Barb Ellis in East Warren on 6/15/11.  The duck had done such a good job of camouflaging the nest last week that Barb thought the nest had failed.  However as of yesterday ten baby Mallards were still on their way into this world.

Meet at Shaws in Waitsfield at 7:30 AM to carpool to Granville Gulf to do a second 2011 bird survey at the Parker property.  This will be a  3-4  hour trip.  Wear long pants and waterproof footwear, bring water and insect repellent.   This is the fourth year we’ve birded this beautiful wooded area.  Remy Lary from Hancock will join Peter and Julie Parker as guides.  Note:  This is a change of date, it was originally scheduled for Saturday, June 25.

The Mad Birders are very pleased to invite the Mad River Valley community to join us for a talk by UVM Biology Professor Emeritus and renowned author Bernd Heinrich.  Professor Heinrich will speak at the Warren Library on Saturday, June 11 at 4 PM.  The title of the program is “Bernd on Birds”.

Author of over fifteen books on diverse subjects including bird behavior; Mind of the Raven, The Geese of Beaver Bog, One Man’s Owl; and long distance running: Why We Run and Racing the Antelope: What Animals Can Teach Us about Running and Life; Professor Heinrich has made and continues to make major contributions to our understanding of biology and natural systems.

Plainfield, Vermont film maker Jan Cannon recently completed a delightful documentary about Professor Heinrich entitled:  An Uncommon Curiosity, which premiered this past March at the Green Mountain Film Festival in Montpelier.   This talk is free and open to the public.  Refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there.

The Warren Library is in the Warren Town Hall, on 413 Main Street in Warren, Vermont.

For more detail email info@madbirders.org

Mad Birders will meet at Shaw’s in Waitsfield at 7 PM to carpool to the top of Rte 17.  We will walk around the pond just west of the summit to look for nesting species, then explore the area near the summit for Swainson’s Thrush and other evening songsters.  Wear your muck boots, be prepared to bushwhack around the pond.

Mad Birders will do a walk on  the West Greenway section of the Mad River Path.  Meet at the  Meadow Rd parking lot (north of Waitsfield Village near Small Dog Electronics)  at 8:00 AM .  This is part of Vermont Festival of Great Outdoors (http://www.vtoutdoorsfest.com/events/).  Birders of all abilities are welcome.

What is a Big Sit?  It is a 17 foot circle – birders sit and keep track of birds seen or heard for a period of time.  Come, meet Mad Birders at Big Picture parking lot any time from  7:00 AM until 5 :00 PM.   This is part of the Vermont Festival of Great Outdoors (http://www.vtoutdoorsfest.com/events/), everyone welcome.

The Reilly's found this Oriole nest at their home in Waitsfield this week.

For every Bird a Nest --
Wherefore in timid quest
Some little Wren goes seeking round --

Wherefore when boughs are free --
Households in every tree --
Pilgrim be found?

Perhaps a home too high --
Ah Aristocracy!
The little Wren desires --

Perhaps of twig so fine --
Of twine e'en superfine,
Her pride aspires --

The Lark is not ashamed
To build upon the ground
Her modest house --

Yet who of all the throng
Dancing around the sun
Does so rejoice?

Emily Dickinson

Bernd Heinrich, a UVM researcher and author of many books on crows and ravens, will speak at Warren Library on Saturday, June 11 at 4 PM.  The event is free, open to the public.  Refreshments will be served.  Hope to see you there.