It was a bit humid and warm for our walk around West Rutland Marsh on July 17. Fortunately, the forecast for thunderstorms was delayed. Six birders tallied 44 species.
Looking north from the Water St bridge. Photo by Sara Sheehy.
A lone Wood Duck was seen preening on the shore of the Castleton River.
Bird sound is more muted now. Although some species are still singing enthusiastically (Song Sparrows and Common Yellowthroats, for example), we heard fewer Marsh Wrens, Yellow Warblers, and Swamp Sparrows.
We observed a high number of Eastern Kingbirds and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, no doubt family groups.
The Whipple Hollow Trail portion of the walk was fairly quiet, but we did hear one Canada Warbler and one Pine Warbler singing. No Northern Waterthrush, so abundant weeks earlier, were seen or heard.
The only other warbler species seen were two Black-and-White Warblers along the route.
A trip report of all we saw and heard can be found here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/395263
Our next walk is scheduled for August 23, starting at 7 a.m.
The last quarter mile. Photo by Sara Sheehy.