October 2006 newsletter

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OUR WEB SITE
UP AND RUNNING !!

Geoff Burgess

The Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society has revived its website to serve its membership and interested parties. And it has a new webmaster – Geoff Burgess. The site can be reached at http://www.sevtaudubon.org/

The updated site has much of the “look” of the previous one, but with emphasis on remaining current and relevant for members needs. In addition to the introductory homepage, the site includes sections about upcoming Events hosted by SVAS, including details about the monthly meetings, Membership options, and local and national resources. By using blogs (web logs), the quarterly Newsletter will be on line. Frequent updates will be characterize the Sightings page.(Al Merritt’s Bird Notes mailings).

The site is not only intended for our local birding community, but for possible visitors to our area seeking to learn more about its natural resources. Some nearby favorite birding sites are presented. For those who seek more information about birding in general, we have links to, among others, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Recent Bird Sightings from Plum Island.

Please check out the revived website and refer others to it. Feedback is always welcome at gburgess@landmark.edu.

BIRDING THE RETREAT MEADOWS
by
Hector Galbraith & Whitney Nichols

Introduction

The Brattleboro Retreat Meadows lie between Vt. Rt. 30 and US Rt.5 near the confluence of the West River with the Connecticut Over the years, the area has consistently produced as many unusual and interesting birds as anywhere else in Southern Vermont. To take a few examples: there was a Green-tailed Towhee that wintered in 1989/90, a Pacific Loon in 1993, Tundra Swans in 2003 and 2004, and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow and Cackling Goose in 2004.

The Meadows are named for the Brattleboro Retreat, a psychiatric facility founded in 1832. Prior to 1909, the Retreat Meadows were just that – fields where hay was grown and cattle were grazed. They must have been largely dry at that time because local fairs and other events were regularly held there. With the construction of the dam on the Connecticut River at Vernon to generate electricity for local industry, the water levels in the West and Connecticut rivers were raised high enough at Brattleboro to inundate the lower-lying pastures. For a time, the local townspeople and farmers fought against the rising water and attempted to reclaim the flooded land, but they soon gave up and let nature take its course. Vestiges of concrete retaining walls that were built to keep the river out (unsuccessfully) can still be seen. The flooding has resulted in an ecologically rich area of shrub, cattail, and sedge wetlands, riparian woodland, and open shallow water.

Access

There are three main access points to the Retreat Meadows. 1) to scan the most productive areas of open water, marsh fringe, and mudflats (exposed in the fall and at other times of low water and during draw-downs), the access points at the boat launch area on Rt. 30 and the Marina are best. 2) To gain access to the shrub and sedge meadows a surfaced single lane road, becoming a trail, leads along the southern perimeter of the Water Filtration Plant (WFP). If you plan to walk this trail you better have good waterproof footwear since the first few yards of it often floods after rains, and is usually very muddy. Caution, the gate to this lane is often closed, and the fence is electrified. If the gate is closed, stay out. 3) On the Marina side, you can drive down the lane that runs north from the Marina and park at the gravel parking area 100 yards further. This allows you to walk along the continuation of the lane scanning the fields to your right (often good for sparrows, shorebirds, and geese) and the open water, marsh, and mudflats to your left.

Birding in the migration seasons

For us, the wonderful thing about birding on the Retreat Meadows is the sense of uncertainty. Stepping out of your car during the migration seasons, you can never be sure just what you are about to see; if the birding history of the area over the last few decades teaches us anything it is that the wetlands of the Meadows are often a migrant hotspot. Of course, you can go there on any one day and see little; however, those days are more than made up for when something exciting and unexpected pops up.

Fall is often the best of the two migration seasons, especially during inclement weather when it is foggy, or when rain-bearing fronts are moving through. At such times, the diversity of species is much higher than in more settled or clearer conditions when the birds fly right over on their ways north or south

During the migration seasons it is best to scan the open water for waterfowl and shorebirds from the Rt. 30 or the Marina access points. These areas are where Tundra Swans, Pacific Loon, Cackling Goose, Mute Swans (rare in southern Vermont, believe it or not), and Lesser Black-backed Gull have been seen. During both migration seasons many waterfowl species use the Meadows. In the spring these are mainly dabbling ducks such as Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal. In the fall diving ducks, such as Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead, occur, together with Brant, and (occasionally) Black Scoter and Long-tailed Duck. Also in fall, up to 50 or more Hooded Mergansers have been recorded. Red-necked, Pied-billed and Horned Grebes and Common Loons have also been seen during migration, as have Glaucous, Iceland and Bonaparte’s Gull. If the water level is low enough to expose mudflats, Wilson’s Snipe, Least Sandpiper and Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs may occur in numbers, together with the occasional Pectoral Sandpiper. One tip that is worth bearing in mind is that combining kayaking with birding can be very productive and may allow a close approach to many of these species.

Don’t neglect the area that you can access via the WFP: you might only get your lower half soaked in the long wet vegetation; on the other hand, if you get lucky and are patient and observant enough, you might hit the jackpot. This is where the Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow turned up in October, 2004. Also during passage seasons Peregrine Falcon, Merlin and Northern Harrier occur in the WFP area.

If you like being confused by little brown jobs, the sedge and scrub area beyond the WFP is the place! During fall it is possible to see up to 9 or 10 sparrow species over a day or two (more, if you sneakily include English Sparrow). Lincoln’s Sparrow are fairly common in the fall and two or three individuals in a day are not unusual. Field and Savanna Sparrows are quite common, with Vesper Sparrow an occasional visitor. Later in the fall the area is inundated with White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows. Swamp and Song Sparrows are abundant throughout the migration and breeding seasons. During migration, the scrub and sedge areas beyond the WFP can also be good for warblers: Wilson’s Warbler and Palm Warbler are regular in small numbers and all the other common warblers occur, as does Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Yellow-throated Vireo is occasional on migration. It is also worth checking out some of the damp muddy pools in the grass meadows at the WFP as up to six Solitary Sandpipers have been seen in a single day in the fall, and Pectoral Sandpipers show up from time to time.

Summer and Winter

Given the habitats that are available, you might expect the Retreat Meadows to support a richer breeding bird community than they actually do. Unfortunately, however, levels of human disturbance are high during the summer months. Numbers of fisherman, canoists and kayakers are usually present from dawn till dusk. This may be the reason that typical reed-bed breeders like the bitterns and rails are not usually present, although Marsh Wrens, Swamp Sparrows, and Wood Ducks do breed, and Great Egrets occur in late summer.

The scrub and sedge areas are, however, good during the breeding season for some species that are not too common in Vermont. Carolina Wren, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Northern Mockingbird (attracted by lush multiflora roses), all southern species, are as abundant here as anywhere in Vermont. Other breeders and summer visitors include Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose,, Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Belted Kingfisher, and hordes of Red-winged Blackbirds.

Most winters, the open water and wetlands freeze over from about late December until March. Then they are frequented only by Ringed-billed Gulls or Great Black-backed Gulls (scavenging from the ice fisherman) and a few lingering Song and Swamp Sparrows, Northern Cardinals and Mockingbirds. At this season, you might want to watch out for Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and American Pipits in the open fields close to the marina. There is almost always a Red-tailed Hawk or Cooper’s Hawk wintering in the area and feeding on Brattleboro’s abundant pigeon population.

BOOK NOTES

Susan James

Scott Weidensaul, one of the finest writers on natural history and birds, undertook a very ambitious project when he decided to write his last book: Return to the Wild: a Yearlong Search for the Continent’s Natural Soul. Weidensaul emulated the legendary journey of Roger Tory Peterson and James Fisher. In 1953 Peterson and Fisher made a 30,000 mile trip around North America visiting ecologically significant sites. Their book, Wild America, has become a classic and has inspired many people, including Scott Weidensaul.

Weidensaul’s book will likely become a classic in its own right. The journey began in Newfoundland and ended in the Pribilof Islands. Between these two remote locations he visited sites down the Atlantic coast, in Mexico, in the southwest U.S., and along the Pacific coast. Weidensaul frequently cited the findings of Peterson and Fisher and compared it to what he found. He researched each location extensively and reviewed current conditions and issues. He met with scientists, naturalists, and volunteers in each location.

While he honestly discussed disturbing ecological concerns, he also expressed optimism over successful protection and restoration projects in many sites. Weidensaul’s book, Return to the Wild, is a captivating mixture of clearly presented factual information and wonderfully written descriptions from the heart.

(Return to Wild America, by Scott Weidensaul is published by North Point Books, 2005)

Have you read a good book on birds, birding, nature, the environment?

Please contribute to

BOOK NOTES.

BRATTLEBORO AREA
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

December 16, 2006

To participate on one of the seven teams which will count birds in defined areas, contact Chris Petrak:

Phone:348-6301

E-mail: chrsptrk@svcable.net

To take part as a “Feeder Counter,” watch you feeder off and on during the day. Record the number of each species which you see each time to watch. At the end of the day, report the highest number you saw at one time. For example, suppose you count the birds at your feeder four times during the day. The number of chickadees you see is 2, 7, 4, 3. The number you report is “7.” Call Hollie Bowen, 254-9087, with your results or E-mail Chris Petrak.

After the Count:

Compilation Pot Luck at

Hollie Bowen’s home,
19 Whipple Street.
Good Food. Good Fun.
Good Stories. Good People.

SURPRISE!
Some good news from the EPA

There has been little good news on the environment from the current administration, so we should note it when it does occur. The EPA has decided to ban carbofuran, a heavily used insecticide. Carbofuran’s extreme toxicity to birds, other wildlife, and people make it a severe environmental hazard.

BirdWire News Bulletin from the American Bird Conservancy reported that the EPA resisted the manufacturers pressure after it received thousands of comments supporting the ban in little more than 24 hours.

“The cancellation will also likely have a broader effect internationally, as other countries frequently follow EPA’s lead ... This is a victory for science and the environment.”

Connecticut River Birding Trail
Southern Section

Maps are free. Send a self-addressed stamped business envelope ($0.63 for 1 map, $1.11 for 2 maps) to Bill Shepard, Project Coordinator, 104 Railroad Row, White River Junction, VT 05001. (Donations to support this project are welcomed!)

AUDUBON PROGRAMS
Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro

Tuesday, October 17, 7pm

“Learning from Loons”

Dr. Mark Pokras, is Director of the Wildlife Clinic & Center for Conservation Medicine at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine.

In 1987 a biologist brought a dead common loon to the Clinic asking if it could figure out why the loon died. This program will explain how the question was answered, and the major study which resulted, assisted by dozens of students, scientists and members of the public. After nearly 20 years several thousand loons have been examined, investigating diseases, parasites, pollution and impacts from fishing gear. The program will also address loons as sentinel species which can alert us to the health threats associated with many environmental problems.

Tuesday, November 21, 7pm

“Olympic National Park”

Jeff Nugent will do a slide show highlighting the glaciers, coastline, and magnificent trees and old growth forests of this park in the northwestern corner of Washington State. The talk will also feature a hike on the Bailey Range, a backcountry trip crossing the Olympic Mountains.