Records of Vermont Birds Volume 19, Number 1 - Winter 1990-1991
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·VERMONT INSTITUTE OF NATURAL SCIENCE Records of Vermont Birds Volume 19, Number 1 - Winter 1990-1991 This past winter can perhaps best be described as the Year of the Missing Finches, for rarely have such species as Common Redpoll and White-winged Crossbill, NORTHERN HAWK OWL Pine Grosbeak and Purple Finch, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin collectively been so scarce. Joining the boycott were other northern species such as Boreal Chickadee and Gray Jay - but certainly not Northern Shrike, which irrupted in numbers not seen since 1977-78. In contrast to the finches, both waterfowl and sparrows had a good year, in part no doubt the result of a mild December. Among the better ducks were a Blue winged Teal on the Ferrisburgh CBC, two Green-winged Teal, several Barrow's Goldeneye and surprising numbers· of such species as Northern Pintail and Wood Duck. More memorable, however, was an extraordinary early winter build-up of Snow Geese on Lake Champlain and the fIJ.IAf\.I/N presence of TUNDRA SWANS on both the Saxtons River and ~tte-r photo by Hanover/Norwich CBC's. The sparrows were represented by a similar mix: To"" Rivt5t less common species such as Savannah and White-crowned and unlikely ones such as a Lincoln's in North Springfield and a GRASSHOPPER on the Springfield CBC. Just plain rare were such outstanding finds as an EARED GREBE on the Ferrisburgh CBC, a NORTHERN GANNET WINTER SEASON 1990-1991 off Grand Isle, an unfortunate GOLDEN EAGLE in North Hero, a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on the frozen 1 December - 28 February Connecticut River between Vernon, VT and Hinsdale, NH, , a VARIED THRUSH in Williston and everyone's favorite, &rederick A. Pratt, Seasonal Editor the NORTHERN HAWK OWL in North Springfield. with birds such as these, Vermont's birders had little reason to The safe generalizations about winter in Vermont complain. don't, as a rule, prove very helpful in predicting or The season's totals were also impressive. The explaining our bird populations and their behavior. We CBC's, despite such misses as Gray Jay, Spruce Grouse know there will be periods of frigid temperatures and and Gray Partridge, still managed 112 species (third of thaw, that snowstorms will occur, that days are highest ever) and 104,743 individuals (second only to longer in February than in December. We know, too, that last year's 112,809). For the season as a whole, 131 some birds will linger if food is available and species were recorded, a number comparing quite temperatures are reasonable - and that boreal species favorably with the high of 137 set six years ago. In periodically invade and periodically stay in their short, it was a successful season for Vermont's birders, northern forests. Nonetheless, each winter seems to notwithstanding the frustrating absence of so many of offer its own peculiar combination of conditions - and our northern favorites. its own version of avian excitement (or lack thereof). And so it was with the winter of 1990-91. LOONS THROUGH HERONS December and February were distinctly on the warm side, There were no reports of the Red-throated Loon, while January did its best to keep us realistic. making this the fourth winter in the past five that this Overall, it was the warmest winter since 1983, as uncommon species has escaped detection. The Common temperatures averaged about 3 0 above normal. In Loon, on the other hand, recovered after an off year in addition, the season was marked by significantly less 1989-90, as 16 CBC birds were tallied, Lno Lud Lnq an precipitation than usual - and also by generally poor unexpected individual at Saxtons River. other reports cone and berry crops. were limited to single birds at L. Morey on 12/2 still, none of the above observations quite (FAP,EBP) and at Chimney Point on 12/7 (WGE,DHC) as well account for the birds that came and those that didn't. as 5 at L. Dunmore on 12/23 (CMO). The Pied-billed In the end, the winter was like every other Vermont Grebe went unreported for the third year running, but winter: unique in its own particular combination of numbers of Horned Grebes were about on target with a weather condftions and avian surprises. respectable CBC tally of 121. Late-season reports were Recent winter seasons have been de~cribed by this scarce, however, with just 2 birds at Long Point, editor, certainly not as a result of any scientific Ferrisburgh on 1/25 (JID,MCD) and a single at Meach analysis, as the Year of the Bohemian Waxwing, or the cove, Shelburne on 1/26 (WGE,NLM). The Ferrisburgh CBC ""ar of the Towhee, or the Year of the Great Gray OwL produced the only Red-necked Grebe of the winter - as well as a startling EARED GREBE, carefully identified as it was paddling the waters of Kellogg Bay (AP). EDITOR'S NOTE: The Winter 1990-91 issue of Records of Almost as surprising was a well-described imm. NORTHERN Vermont Birds (Vol. 19, No.1) is being published out ~, observed at close range off Ladd Point, Grand of sequenoe. Fall 1990 (Vol. 18/ No.4) is ourrently Isle on 12/17 (RBL). ·Both grebe and gannet were just being edited and should be published early next year. the third of their respective species to appear in these -2- Burlington area on 1/26 (WGE,NLM). Northern Pintail were present in near-record numbers for the CBC season EARED GREBE with 9 at Champlain Islands and one at Rutland. Late winter reports were of single drakes at Spaulding Bay, Panton on 2/10 (WGE,NLM,DHC) and at Vernon on 2/2~ (WGE,NLM,DHC). One of the season's better finds was « male Blue-winged Teal on the Ferrisburgh CBC, the first winter record for this species since 1983. Interestingly, other blue-wings were reported in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, establishing, one might surmise, a mini-trend. Two late Gadwall were off Nichols point, Grand Isle on 12/22 and again on 12/29 (DJH) - and were nicely photographed as well. About 10 American Wigeon were reported at Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge (hereafter MNWR) in early December (JBG), but later reports were altogether lacking. A Canvasback on the Champlain Islands CBC was noteworthy, as were a pair on L. Bomoseen on 12/29-31 (RWP,SSW). ~., None were observed on the Aerial Waterfowl Census \ . conducted on 1/3 (WJC). Ring-necked Ducks lingered at MNWR in good numbers with 35 reported on 12/2 (JBG). Other sightings included 10 CBC birds, with 8 at Champlain Islands and 2 at Burlington, 3 indo at L. winter Records. Meanwhile, Great Blue Herons lingered Morey on 12/2 (FAP,EBP), 2 at Vernon on 1/13 (JJC) and into winter in near abundance as 14 reports from singles at Bellows Falls (REG), Grand Isle (DJH), the contributors complemented a CBC tally of 11 ind•• Charlotte ferry dock (PCR) and Converse Bay (MBN). January records included single birds on New Year's Day Greater Scaup settled back after a strong showing a year in Calais (CSS) and West Brattleboro (JJC), a bird ago: 53 CBC birds and about 20 at MNWR in early photographed at Nichols Point, Grand Isle on 1/6 (DJH), December (JBG). The only other reports were single hens another at Ferrisburgh on 1/7 (WGE,DHC) and one unlucky at Converse Bay on 12/27 (FAP,EBP) and at L. Bomoseen indo found frozen in Brookfield on 1/24 (fide FK). WATERFOWL One of the more extraordinary events of the winter was the appearance of the rare TUNDRA SWAN in two CBC circles Saxtons River and Hanover-Norwich. The TUNDRA SWAN Norwich birds, 2 ad. and 4 imm., were happily ensconced on the Connecticut R. near the mouth of the ompompanoosuc for about a month, with the last known sighting on New Year's Day. The single imm. at Bellows Falls was equally cooperative, lingering for several weeks before' heading south on 1/2. Even more extraordinary was the build-up of Snow Geese near Point au ROche on L. Champlain, put at 11,676 indo by counters on the Champlain Islands CBC. Included in this number were 9 blue-morph ind., no doubt a winter record for this uncommon form in Vermont. Other reports of snows would normally have been considered memorable: 800 in Addison on 12/7 (JAP) and 200 off Long Point, Ferrisburgh on 2/12 (JID,MCD). Canada Geese were also abundant through December with a record CBC total of 5145 ind•• Numbers quickly declined, however, although 932 were below the dam at Vernon on 1/13 (JJC) and another 850 were at Spaulding Bay, Panton on 2/10 (WGE,NLM). Several duck species were also beneficiaries on 1/1 (CJF,WGE,NLM,JPM,JBM). Not surprisingly, Lesser of the mild December weather, starting with the Scaup followed suit, as just 10 were noted at MNWR (JBG) uncommonly handsome Wood Duck. An unprecedented 7 indo and only one CBC bird was uncovered. Additionally, a were located on the Champlain Islands CBC, while singles group of 5 was spotted at Button Bay on 1/7 (WGE,DHC). were found at Burlington and Hanover-Norwich. The Never common, the Oldsguaw provided just two records latter bird was still present at Wilder Dam on 1/5 for the winter: single CBC birds at Burlington and (BLR, RHH), while 2 drakes and a hen were on the Ferrisburgh. Scoters were nearly as elusive with Black Connecticut R.