Christmas Bird Count 2012

Once again the Green Mountain Audubon Society conducted the annual Christmas Bird Count in the Burlington circle. This year represented the 65th annual count in Burlington. Sixty-four participants scoured 13 sectors within the circle in this day-long extravaganza under the capable leadership of GMAS Board member Shirley Johnson. Enthusiasm was high, the weather was fine, and the camaraderie was palpable. Here are some of the highlights.

A total of 17,991 birds were counted representing 69 species, not far from our record species count of 73 set in 2005. Records were set for Red-bellied Woodpecker (12), Tufted Titmouse (155), Northern Cardinal (269), Carolina Wren (14), Downy Woodpecker (106), Barred Owl (7), and Red-breasted Merganser (54). Look at this list. Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, and Carolina Wren are all "southern" species that have expanded their range northward in recent years. Interestingly, the first Northern Cardinal in the Burlington area CBC was reported in 1958, the first Tufted Titmouse in 1968 (and then not again until 1977), the first Carolina Wren in 1974, and the first Red-bellied woodpecker in 1999. There is a message about climate change in this data.

At the other end of the spectrum irruptive species from the north-Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin, and Bohemian Waxwing-were well-represented in the count. In particular, Pine Grosbeaks (193) were seen in 10/13 sectors after not being counted at all in our circle since 2007. This photograph of a Pine Grosbeak was taken at Technology Park in South Burlington. Likewise, Common Redpolls (633) were numerous with nomadic flocks encountered in 10/13 sectors as they foraged voraciously on weed seeds and birch catkins. 

The first Burlington area CBC occurred in 1948. That year four participants recorded 18 species and 1297 individual birds. How our Circle has grown since that time!

The day ended with the usual potluck dinner hosted by the Johnsons. Jim Osborn led the always-entertaining round up of bird counts from each sector. Truly this was the highlight of the GMAS birding year.

Where There’s a Willet, There’s a Way

by Bruce MacPherson

Shorebirds in Vermont are a sometimes thing. Not so much our resident shorebirds-Wilson’s Snipe, American Woodcock, and the hard-to-find Upland Sandpiper-but rather the migratory shorebirds that breed in the Arctic tundra and migrate to and from the Gulf coast, Central America, and South America. Migrating shorebirds do stopover in Vermont, but their numbers vary from year to year. In the fall Dead Creek WMA in Addison is one of the more reliable locations in Vermont for shorebirds, especially in those years when the water levels at Dead Creek are drawn down to allow vegetation to regenerate. This year was different. Although the water levels at Dead Creek were drawn down early in the summer, river bottom plants regenerated quickly, covering the mud flats and producing less than ideal habitat for shorebirds. Fortunately, the dry summer of 2012 also produced very low water levels on Lake Champlain, resulting in welcoming mud flats at Delta Park, Shelburne Bay, and Button Bay among others. A bonanza of shorebirds resulted.

Which brings up the problem of shorebird identification. The good news is that shorebirds often stay put in one area while feeding, allowing birders to examine them closely. The bad news is that different shorebirds often look very much alike. Unlike warblers, for example, plumage differences between species are often not as helpful in shorebird identification. The ”peeps” (small shorebirds) are especially difficult to distinguish from one another. In the case of shorebird identification the concept of GISS (general impression of size and shape) becomes useful. The relative size and shape of the birds, subtle differences in bill length and shape, the extension of primary wing tips beyond the tail or not, provide important clues to identification. Without going into detail, the excellent book by O’Brien, Crossley, and Karlson, The Shorebird Guide, provides specific information about species identification with abundant illustrative photographs. Another source offering a concise guide to shorebird identification appeared recently on Bryan Pfeiffer’s informative blog, the Daily Wing, which can be accessed from the GMAS website or with a Google search.

Which brings me to the subject of Willets. This large, stocky shorebird with a stout black bill, long black legs, and striking black wing tips highlighted by a bold white stripe in flight is relatively easy to identify. Even in good shorebird years Willets in Vermont are uncommon. In fact, VT eBird, lists this species as “rare”. And so it came as a surprise in late August when a Willet was reported first at Delta Park and a few days later at Shelburne Bay. Whether these were two separate birds or the same bird is conjectural. Fortunately, a number of birders were able to observe and photograph these birds. But a question arose, which subspecies? Willets come in two varieties-Eastern and Western. After some chatter on the VTBird list Eric Hynes set the record straight in an informative post. Eric pointed out that the bird in question was larger and paler than the usual Eastern subspecies. Most tellingly, Western Willets breed in the prairies of the western United States and Canada, but migrate to the Atlantic coast and Gulf coast in late summer. Eastern Willets breed on the Atlantic coast, but migrate in late July and early August to Central and South America, hugging the coast all the way. By late August their migration is complete. In contrast, Western Willets migrate in late August and early September and may appear inland. End of story. Western!

Shorebird identification is challenging, but fun. As the story of these Willets illustrates, with good observations and photographs, a few reliable sources of information, and informed discussions among birders at all skill levels, we can all learn to identify most shorebirds. As the saying goes, where there’s a Willet, there’s a way.

Willet photo by Bob Dill used by permission

Galapagos-The Enchanted Isles

Far off the coast of Ecuador, straddling the equator, lies an archipelago of storied islands-the Galapagos. In 1835 Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos during his historic voyage on the HMS Beagle. In 1859 Darwin published his theory of natural selection based on his observations in the Galapagos more than twenty years earlier. Since then, the Galapagos Islands have attracted naturalists, scientists, writers, and the just plain curious (also known as tourists), drawn to the archipelago by its unique, diverse species.

The Galapagos Islands (literally the Islands of the Tortoises) are especially attractive to birders visiting the archipelago partly for historical reasons, but especially to view the unique diversity of birds and other creatures produced by natural selection on isolated islands as reported by Charles Darwin over a century ago.

Recently, our own Shirley Johnson presented a program entitled Galapagos-the Enchanted Isles based on her own voyage to the Galapagos. In her presentation Shirley showed photographs of the plants, animals, scenery, and, naturally, birds that inhabit the Galapagos, accompanied by lively commentary. She and her husband Bob photographed many of the fabled Galapagos birds-albatrosses, boobies, frigatebirds, penguins, and, of course, the Galapagos finches made famous by Darwin's journals. She discussed the symbiotic relationship between certain birds, like ground finches and Galapagos tortoises. These birds remove ticks and other annoying ectoparasites from the tortoise's skin with the full cooperation of the reptile. Similarly, she described the close link between the habitat of the Galapagos and the birds that live there. The nesting and feeding habits of the Cactus Finch and the prickly pear cactus, Opuntia, provided but one example. Finally, Shirley demonstrated the diversity that exists from island to island that Darwin recorded so long ago. The four species of endemic mockingbirds served as a fascinating example. Unlike the finches, Darwin had the foresight to label each of the mockingbird species he collected according to its island of residence. Later, Darwin recognized that speciation of these mockers correlated with the fact that they were able to breed in isolation, allowing their unique characteristics to emerge. 

Most of us will never visit the Galapagos Islands, except vicariously. This program reminded us of the singular importance of the Galapagos in the history of science, evolution, and conservation.

Magnificent Frigatebird photo by Bob Johnson.

Saving Bolton Valley Nordic

In February, 2011, the public learned that most of the land encompassed by the Bolton Valley Nordic Center would be sold to a private investor and that public access to the extensive trail system would be lost. In less than two months a group of community members formed the Friends of Bolton Valley Nordic and Backcountry to protect this resource and maintain public access to it. This group of over 200 concerned citizens reached out to the Vermont Land Trust, which, in February, 2012, signed a contract to purchase this 1161 acre tract for $1.85 million. A grant of $800,000 from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board was obtained, leaving $1,050,000 to be raised from local fundraising. This fundraising campaign is in progress.

Ovenbird

What's at risk? With over 90 kilometers of groomed and backcountry trails, the Bolton Valley Nordic Center is one of the three largest trail systems in Vermont. In fact, it's base elevation is the highest in Vermont. The Catamount Trail runs through the property and the trail system connects with many other routes, including those at the Trapp Family Lodge, Mount Mansfield State Forest, Underhill State Park, and Little River State Park. These trails are used throughout the year by colleges, universities, and public schools for outdoors events. Furthermore, the land and trails are heavily used by community groups as well as individuals, providing recreational access for people of all ages and ability levels. It is noteworthy that nearly half of Vermont's population lives within 30 miles of this property. The outpouring of enthusiasm for the Save Bolton Nordic project is a testimony to the widespread support for public access to this land.

Bolton Valley Nordic provides critical wildlife habitat, as well, connecting two large blocks of state land, Mount Mansfield State Park and Camel's Hump State Park. The land also includes the headwaters and much of the watershed of Joiner Brook, which feeds into the Winooski River. As a result, the Chittenden County Uplands Conservation Project has designated this property as their highest priority for conservation. 

What about the bird life at Bolton Valley Nordic? The birds inhabiting Bolton Valley have not been formally identified, though the habitat likely provides breeding territory for a variety of thrushes, vireos, flycatchers, and warblers among others. To address this issue, the Green Mountain Audubon Society, lead by Board member Liz Lee, conducted monthly bird walks on the Broadway Trail through August and created a preliminary species list for Bolton Valley Nordic. We hope that this effort will increase public awareness of the value of this land and will support the VLT fundraising campaign. For more information about the Save Bolton Valley Nordic project consult the Vermont Land Trust website at http://www.vlt.org/bolton or call 802-262-1241.

Bolton Valley Bird List

American Woodcock	Brown Creeper	Yellow-Warbler
Ruffed Grouse	Winter Wren	Yellow-rumped Warbler
Broad-winged Hawk	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Louisiana Waterthrush
Red-tailed Hawk	American Robin	Cedar Waxwing
Mourning Dove	Hermit Thrush	Scarlet Tanager
Northern Flicker	Swainson's Thrush	Indigo Bunting
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Wood Thrush	Northern Cardinal
Downy Woodpecker	Veery	Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Hairy Woodpecker	Red-eyed Vireo	Purple Finch
Eastern Wood-Pewee	Blue-headed Vireo	American Goldfinch
Least Flycatcher	American Redstart	Pine Siskin
Great-crested Flycatcher	Blackburnian Warbler	Chipping Sparrow
Olive-sided Flycatcher	Blackpoll Warbler	Song Sparrow
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Black-throated Blue Warbler	White-throated Sparrow
Eastern Phoebe	Black-throated Green Warbler	Dark-eyed Junco
American Crow	Black-and-white Warbler	Red-winged Blackbird
Blue Jay	Canada Warbler	Common Grackle
Common Raven	Magnolia Warbler	Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Black-capped Chickadee	Mourning Warbler
Tufted Titmouse	Nashville Warbler
White-breasted Nuthatch	Ovenbird
Red-breasted Nuthatch	Chestnut-sided Warbler

Bird Habitat and Invasive Plants: A Morning at Geprags Park

Geprags Park is a well-known birding spot in Hinesburg. People are drawn to the park for the variety of species that can be found there, including rarities such as Golden Winged Warblers. What is less noticed by many birders is the slow and steady progress of invasive plant species altering this important habitat.

On June 11, 2011 the Hinesburg Conservation Commission and Hinesburg Land Trust hosted a workshop at Geprags Park to highlight the importance of managing the habitat for birds and the negative impact of invasive species on critical habitat. Sharon Plumb Invasive Species Coordinator for the Vermont Nature Conservancy and Mark LaBarr from Audubon Vermont lead 27 participants into the field on a rainy Saturday morning. Mark set up mist nets and banded several birds that he caught. He explained the importance of the early successional shrubland habitat for many of the priority species that nest at Geprags. In addition to Golden-winged Warblers and Blue-winged Warblers, these include Eastern Towhees and Brown Thrashers. Mark works to protect these species and the shrubland habitat that supports them as part of Audubon’s Champlain Valley Bird Initiative. Audubon is partnering with the Hinesburg Conservation Commission,  Hinesburg Land Trust, and the Vermont Nature Conservancy to maintain the shrubland habitat at Geprags by managing against invasives and for native shrub species.

Mark’s banding demonstration was followed by a presentation by Sharon Plumb that highlighted the problems that invasive plant species pose for bird habitat. Many birders are unaware of the habitat loss that birds face due to invasive plants. Invasive plants also decrease the available food supply for birds. The buckthorn at Geprags, the predominant invasive species in the park, is an example of what can happen to bird habitat if invasive plants are not controlled.

Invasive plants outcompete native plants and in the worst case, can become a monoculture.  Many invasive plants bloom earlier and retain their leaves longer than native plants. Some are favored in landscaping because deer do not browse them. These plants then spread out from landscaped yards. Conversely, native plants tend to be overbrowsed, thus giving the invasives a larger foothold. 

For birds this altered habitat has several consequences. Many of our native plants evolved as hosts to native insect species. When invasive plants overrun an ecosystem, they disrupt an entire food chain. Native insects are less common in a habitat that is overrun by invasive plant species, having evolved with the native plants for food, egg laying and shelter.

Likewise, birds may eat the seeds and berries from invasive plants, but these plants have less nutrition than the native fruits and seeds. Unfortunately, birds also carry seeds of invasive plants to new locations.

At Geprags Park, the invasive species were mapped this past summer with the help of the Vermont Nature Conservancy and volunteers. A management plan will be written. From there, on-the-ground control of invasive plants and habitat restoration will begin.  When an infestation of an invasive plant reaches the level of the buckthorn at Geprags, complete eradication of a species is very difficult. Eliminating manyof the plants and staying on top of the infestation is often the best course of action. 

Birder’s can help stop the spread of invasive plants by looking at the landscaping on their property as well as identifying invasive plants in their fields and forests.  A small infestation is much easier to eradicate than waiting until the plant is out of control.  An excellent resource is the gallery of invaders illustrated at http://www.vtinvasives.org/, which helps to identify invasive plants and explains the best ways to eliminate them.  This website also offers native alternatives for landscaping. 

The invasive plant issue at Geprags Park illustrates the importance of not just conserving land for birds, but also keeping native ecosystems intact for nesting and feeding.

Photos of Mark LaBarr banding birds and Sharon Plumb with the workshop participants courtesy of Melissa Levy.  Thanks to Mark LaBarr for input on this article.

Restoring Endangered Species: Lessons From Puffins and Terns

Humans have devastated seabird colonies in many parts of the world by excessive hunting for food and feathers and introducing mammals such as cats and rats to othrwise secure nesting sites.

Worldwide, 23% of all seabird species are now globally threatened as marine pollution, coastal development, and rising sea levels due to climate change take their toll. Although seabird nesting islands seem safe due to their remoteness, they are intimately connected to human activities. For example, Maine's seabird nesting islands are affected by large populations of Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls that benefit from garbage and fishing waste hundreds of miles away. As populations of these scavengers increase, they deter smaller migratory seabirds such as puffins and terns from nesting on many of their historic nesting sites. Ironically, Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons, the products of other successful wildlife restoration programs, now threaten rare Maine seabirds such as Great Cormorants and Roseate Terns.

Dr. Stephen Kress

Last November, Dr. Stephen Kress, the Director of the National Audubon Society's Seabird Restoration Program and the founder of Project Puffin in 1973, reviewed the techniques that he and others have developed on Maine's coastal islands that have lead to the restoration of puffins and terns on their historic nesting sites. Techniques developed in Maine have been adopted worldwide. For example, in Vermont, social attraction and the use of tern decoys, techniques developed in Maine, have been critical to the success of Audubon Vermont's Common Tern Restoration Project on Lake Champlain.

Dr. Kress entertained a large audience at the Billings Center on the UVM campus, describing the evolution of Project Puffin and the many obstacles he encountered in the process of re-introducing puffins to Maine. Despite the success of the program on East Egg Island and Seal Island, Dr. Kress emphasized that many challenges to the puffin population persist and that without human intervention these colonies would in all likelihood fail. The audience applauded his commitment to the seabird restoration program and responded enthusiastically to his plea for continued support of Project Puffin

To Catch a Loon

In late May Audubon member Jim Morris reported that a Common Loon had appeared on a tiny stormwater retention pond located between capturing a loonShaw's supermarket and Friendly's restaurant at Tafts Corner in Williston. For the next few months this loon attracted the attention of hundreds of observers, including representatives of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The hope was that the bird would be able to leave the pond on its own; but no, it seemed to be perfectly content to stay put, subsisting on the healthy goldfish population swimming in the pond. Unfortunately, this loon was stuck.

Enter Eric Hanson, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies expert on Vermont's loons and the leader of the Loon Recovery Project in Vermont. On a warm July evening Eric, his summer intern Shannon Maes, and five volunteers (Jim Wallace, Carl Runge, Jim Morris (Yes, that Jim Morris), Maeve Kim, and Bruce MacPherson) gathered to plot the capture and release of this imprisoned creature. This proved to be no easy task. The loon was skittish, diving at every opportunity, and not necessarily a willing participant in this caper. But Eric had a plan-in fact, two plans. Plan A involved launching a 12 foot aluminum boat on this little pond, powered by a small electric motor. Using a one million candlepower spotlight to "freeze" the bird and a taped loon call to attract her attention, Eric planned to approach the loon carefully and scoop her up in an oversized fish net. Easier said than done. Plan B involved stretching a gill net, provided by VT F&W across the pond, trapping the bird in the folds of the net. Really!

As darkness fell, we gathered the equipment for this improbable adventure at the edge of the pond. After launching the boat, Jim Wallace steered toward the loon, Shannon held the spotlight, and Eric turned on a recording of a yodeling loon, the male territorial call. The rest of us held our collective breath. At first the loon was leery, but in a few minutes she became interested in the intruder's call and allowed the boat to approach her. In a moment-swoosh-it was over. The loon was engulfed in the net and was swiftly transferred to a padded cardboard box for safekeeping.

Onshore, Eric carefully collected basic data about the bird, determining that she was somewhat smaller than most Lake Champlain loons. Shannon held the bird's beak, while Maeve held the rest of the bird securely. Eric surmised that she might be a vagrant headed for Quebec based on her small size. While all this activity was taking place Gail Osherenko filmed the action. Gail's video now appears on her blog at http://www.vermontloonblog.wordpress.com. The rest of us looked on in awe.

In a few minutes this operation was over. The loon was placed securely back in her box for transport to Lake Champlain. Later that night she was released safely and successfully at the Burlington waterfront.

You can learn more about this adventure by visiting the Vermont Center for Ecostudies website at http://www.vtecostudies.org/. Thanks to Carl Runge for providing a photo of the captured loon.

A Bird in the Hand

One of Vermont's iconic summer birds is the elusive Bicknell's Thrush. A resident of the spruce-fir forests found on the mountaintops of the northeastern United States and Canada, Bicknell's Thrush is a species of conservation concern as climate change slowly strangles its breeding habitat. On June 22 and 23 members of the GMAS and invited guests journeyed to the top of Mount Mansfield to meet one of the world's experts on Bicknell's ThrushBird in the hand, Chris Rimmer, founder and Director of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. For nearly 20 years Chris and his coworkers have studied Bicknell's Thrush on its breeding ground at the top of Mount Mansfield and other Vermont mountains and on its wintering range in Hispaniola. No one is better equipped to educate us about Bicknell's Thrush than Chris Rimmer.

Even in late June the weather at the top of Mount Mansfield is unpredictable and often forbidding. Perhaps, then, it should not have been surprising to encounter dense fog, driving rain, and gusty winds when we arrived at the parking lot at the end of the Toll Road the first evening. No "dusk chorus" for us. Still, Chris was undeterred as he calmly described his research and the history and biology of Bicknell's Thrush in the montane forest. One has to admire this tough liittle bird that survives, indeed thrives, under such adverse weather conditions.

The next morning was better-a literal window of opportunity as the harsh weather temporarily subsided. At 5 A.M. we gathered in the parking lot again to learn more about Bicknell's Thrush. Chris reached into his magic bird bag and retrieved a first year, banded thrush that he had captured in a mist net earlier that morning. Patiently, Chris pointed out that these tiny thrushes travel thousands of miles in migration between Vermont and Hispaniola. One 11 year old bird that he captured on several occasions had traveled an estimated 49,000 miles in his lifetime. Incredible. After recording basic anatomical measurements from this bird (weight, length, wing length, etc.) and allowing a few minutes for photographs, Chris handed the thrush to Jo Wright. After a moment to gain his (and her) composure, the thrush zipped off into the tangle of spruce and fir trees nearby.

A few minutes later Chris released another captive bird from a mist net, a handsome, male Blackpoll Warbler. Chris went through his data gathering routine again, then handed the bird to Jo's husband Chip. The warbler seemed to be quite content resting in Chip's open palm for a few minutes, but finally was induced to return to the forest.

It was a privilege to experience the unique montane habitat at the top of Mount Mansfield, even, or perhaps especially in such inclement weather. Bicknell''s Thrush, Blackpoll Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Swainson's Thrush, and Winter Wren live and breed in these mountains. We were fortunate to spend a few hours walking the narrow trails and inspecting the mist nets to learn more about these special birds and the efforts of investigators like Chris Rimmer to conserve them.

Thanks to Shirley Zundell for her photo of Chris Rimmer holding a Bicknell's Thrush.