For the Birds

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 Flicker, another type of Woodpecker.

Anson spotted some bluebirds around this week and got a great recording of their song. Bluebirds prefer open areas for foraging and a perch to stand on. It's not too late to get your bluebird nest box out and catch some around your house. Chip has been seeing lots more phoebes lately and even spots a Fox Sparrow during the show.

Anson and Chip talk about the migrating waterfowl that you can sometimes catch at your local pond or lake. Chip has been stopping by a flooded field between Middlesex and Moretown and seeing a variety of ducks such as Wood Ducks and Northern Pintails.