As expected for stick season, the birding was a bit slow for our November walk around West Rutland Marsh. The weather was not unpleasant, however, with little wind and temperatures in the mid-30s.
The tally for the day was 21 species, about on target for this time of year. In 2001, our first year of marsh monitoring, we counted 20 species in November.
The morning started with a flyover of Mallards. At the end of the Marble Street boardwalk we saw 8 male Common Mergansers floating in the open water. Shortly after they disappeared into the cattails, four female mergansers flew in and landed.
Just off the Marbles St boardwalk, the beavers have stashed some branches for their winter food supply. Photo by Sue Elliott.
A large flock of American Robins flew over Whipple Hollow Road with the total number of robins seen for the walk at 35.
The Whipple Hollow Trail was fairly quiet, but we did hear three Red-breasted Nuthatches, one White-breasted Nuthatch, and a Brown Creeper.
Stick season on the Whipple Hollow Trail. Photo by Sue Elliott.
Sparrow species observed were 12 Dark-eyed Juncos and 2 White-throated Sparrows. Although they have been reported recently in Vermont, American Tree Sparrows have apparently not returned to the feeders on Marble Street. We should see them next month.
Among the species on that 2001 trip that we did not see today were Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and Song Sparrow.
A list of the day’s sightings can be found here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/432138
Our next walk is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, at 8 a.m.