For the Birds

This week, Anson and Chip talk about the Bobolink, a bird that tends to live in grasslands, or in Vermonts case, the hayfield! These birds will often winter in South America, but make their way back here during the other seasons. After discussing the Bobolink, they then talk about the Eastern Meadowlark which have a very similar habitat to the Bobolink.

This week, Chip and Anson discuss the Ruby Throated Hummingbird, its nest, and what sort of mixtures and flowers they like to drink from. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is a pretty common hummingbird here in Vermont. With their fast metabolism, they pretty much need to always been looking for the next thing to eat.

Chip details a first ever sighting of a Little Egret in Vermont. This small common egret usually is seen in Europe, Asia, and New Zealand but occasionally is seen in North America. This egret can sometimes be mistaken for a Snowy Egret, but the keen-eyed can spot the subtle differences. Chip and Anson also discuss the Cattle Egret and Great Egret, which are much more common in Vermont.

Chip talks about his drive through the Midwest spotting many bird species we never see here in Vermont.

Someone at the North Branch Nature Center saw a Blue-winged warbler for the first time ever, and only the fifth ever in Washington county. Anson's brother found a Cape May Warbler in the Northeast Kingdom, another very rare bird in Vermont.

We talk a bit more about warblers this week with the Blackburnian Warbler. This black and orange bird is truly a lovely sight to see because we don't have anything quite like it in Vermont. Anson and Chip saw their first hummingbirds of the season. An Eastern Towhee was spotted in Isle La Motte.

Chip has been seeing Tree Swallows at the nature center and we listen to their call. The Tree Swallow is the most common species of swallow we see in Vermont.

While some of the higher elevations got some snow this week, Anson and Chip heard and saw Hermit Thrush all over the sides of roads. And an interesting visitor from the midwest appeared in Fairfield Swamp Wildlife Management Area this week, a Trumpeter Swan.

Chip and Anson discuss the two Waterthrush species, both of which we see here in Vermont. The Northern Waterthrush is fairly common here, but occasionally you can spot a Louisiana Waterthrush near running water like mountain brooks. They also discuss reports of Winter Wren coming back to Vermont.

Chip points out that Redpoll, Pine Grosebeak, Crossbill, and Pine Siskin sightings are on the decline, most likely indicating they have headed north for the year. But Anson notes that the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is back. This woodpecker has a unique drumming pattern that is quite slower than their woodpecker cousins. And they can drum and squeal quite loud. The two also talk about the Northern Fl...