Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!ohstpy!miavx1!miamiu!jahayes From: JAHAYES@MIAMIU.BITNET Newsgroups: rec.birds Subject: Back from Vermont Message-ID: <90226.182022JAHAYES@MIAMIU.BITNET> Date: 14 Aug 90 23:20:22 GMT Organization: Miami University - Academic Computer Service Lines: 54 And this will be a bit scatter-brained, I fear.... Strangely, the best bird of the trip we saw the day before we left; as we walked down High Street in Oxford, Ohio, a large plank glided overhead. Perfectly flat wing position. Dark brown, a bit lighter on the head; eagle-sized. LARGE eagle-sized. My second golden eagle. Way out here? How strange...but the weather was pretty freaky, a big front was coming through...it's not surprising that the birding on the trip was only so-so after that. Still, we saw some interesting birds. Along eastern highways through Ohio, New York, and Vermont, perching hawks were abundant, especially Red-Tails and Red-Shoulders, with two Broad-Wings for spice. In Massachusetts we saw a Marsh Hawk about ten miles west of Worcester along the Mass Pike. Turkey Vultures, of course, were abundant darn near everywhere. Great Blue Herons seem to be common along the highways of the area, and also in the numerous little ponds that exist in Vermont. We also saw a lovely Little Blue in Brookfield Pond (Brookfield, VT), about a quarter-mile south of the floating bridge -- we were swimming at the time and were able to get quite close before it stalked off to higher ground; it returned before we were out of the water. Belted Kingfishers also were rattling and chasing each other about at the same pond; barn swallows were common as well as a few tree swallows. Warblers were very disappointing. We saw only a few Yellow-Rumps and a Kentucky. Also spotted were Red-Eyed and Warbling Vireos, and I was fortunate enough to have an excellent sighting of a Philadelphia vireo amid a flock of Black-Capped Chickadees. Goldfinches were noisy and lovely. Eastern Wood-Pewees, Eastern Kingbirds, several Least Flycatchers, and a few obstinately silent Empidonaxes were also seen in the Brookfield area. Wood thrushes seem to be common but were only heard and not seen. One Hermit Thrush was seen but not heard... Flickers, Red Headed and Red Bellied Woodpeckers were commmon, and one very quiet Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker was spotted at Owl's Head. Screech Owls called on two different nights, but no Horned Owls which is mildly surprising as they have been resident near our cabin in years past. Two disappointments (aside from the dearth of warblers): No woodcock, which would be a lifer for Alice, and no Pileated Woodpeckers -- we've both seen them, but they're such impressive birds and have only recently moved into the area. But we're back in Ohio now and getting ready for the flood of little green birds in the fall....good birding, folks! -------- Josh Hayes, Zoology Department, Miami University, Oxford OH 45056 voice: 513-529-1679 fax: 513-529-6900 jahayes@miamiu.bitnet, or jahayes@miamiu.acs.muohio.edu And Welcome, dear friends, to the wonderful world of snails and adventure, as we board the Golden Hind.