2011 quest wrap-up

DunlinOn January 22, birders from across the state gathered at the Montshire Museum in Norwich to celebrate the successful conclusion of the first Vermont Quest and to toast the winners. Awards were given to the winning county based on a par system, the top birder in each county, and the top eBirder in each count, among other categories. Windham and Windsor counties took top honors  - congratulations to birders there! Click here to see how Rutland County stacked up (pretty much in the middle).

From all the chatter at the gathering, birders seem eager to continue the competition in 2012. Stay tuned to see how we are faring this year compared to last. In the meantime, here is a summary of highlights, first through fifth sightings of the 'unusual' birds seen in Rutland County in 2011:

Tundra Swan	4/13/85 11/30/90 4/9/98 4/11/11	Lake Bomoseen Shrewsbury Brandon Rutland
Red-throated Loon	11/27//97 10/28/11	Lake Bomoseen Lake Bomoseen
American White Pelican	5/31/11 11/17/11	Kent Pond, Killington Kent Pond, Killington
Sandhill Crane	10/4/92 8/26/95 4/7/09 4/11/11 9/29/11	Lake Hortonia Brandon Clarendon “flats” Mt. Tabor – Otter Creek wetlands Lefferts Pond, Chittenden
Dunlin	11/5/88 6/4/08 10/29/11	Lake Bomoseen/Hubbardton IBA Lefferts Pond, Chittenden Lefferts Pond, Chittenden
Red-necked Phalarope	10/5/11	Lake Bomoseen
Laughing Gull	9/20/11	Lake Bomoseen
Black Tern	5/29/89 6/15/04 5/4/11 5/16/11	Rutland Lake Bomoseen/Hubbardton IBA Kent Pond, Killington Kent Pond, Killington
Common Tern	5/20/89 5/4/11 8/27/11 10/3/11	Lake Bomoseen Kent Pond, Killington Chittenden Reservoir Lake Bomoseen
Snowy Owl	11/15/91 1/25/01 11/27/11	Shrewsbury Chittenden Mt. Tabor
Connecticut Warbler	9/5/81 10/2/11	Rutland Town

feathers - a book review

Surprisingly, Thor Hanson begins his treatise on feathers with a titillating introduction that describes the role of birds in shamanism and ancient mythologies, and he goes on to speculate why most religions share a belief in angels as intermediaries on a flight path toward unity with God. But from there on, the reader encounters a definite shift of tone. The remainder of the book follows three themes: the evolution of feathers, their biological utility to flight and life functions, and the commercial use of feathers.

As someone who has persistently bypassed the dinosaur articles in National Geographic as being the epitome of ennui, I was totally engulfed by Hanson’s lucid discussion of Archaeopteryx studies in unraveling the evolution of feathers. (Archaeopteryx was a pre-historic linchpin having physical properties of reptiles and birds.) Traditional theories argue that feathers evolved for the purpose of flight. Others proposed non-aerodynamic proto-feather structures that facilitated the insulation, waterproofing and display and courtship colors, were the first to appear.

But more recent studies jettison origin from reptile scales or the multiple potential uses of the emerging new feather form. Instead, they focus on a how a feather grows, as the key to answering questions as to how feathers evolved. Hanson very carefully, with precise diagrams, details the five states of feather development. This theory attempts to overcome the confounding discordance of the structural difference between flat scales and tubular feathers. Though initially speculative, this theory has received profound support from numerous fossils exemplifying the five stages, unearthed by paleontological studies in northeast China in the 1900s.

Secondly, Hanson discusses the physiological properties of feathers, and their numerous survival functions. Although feathers are composed of keratin, as are our hair, nails and skin, it is a chemically unique keratin providing the molecular basis for particular characteristics: strong yet light, firm yet flexible, durable and elastic. Each individual skin follicle can produce all the feather types and colors over a lifetime, from natal down to juvenile, adult, and breeding plumages. Each follicle is modulated by muscles and nerves that give a finely tuned agility to individual feathers. Likewise, molting is more than a random, diffuse shedding. It occurs in a staggered pattern from innermost primaries out to wing-tips, although in ducks the molt can take place more precipitously, leaving them rather helpless in hunting season, giving rise to the phrase “sitting duck.”

Besides physiological molting, birds can release a mass of feathers in a moment of stress or fright, leaving a predator with a feathery mouthful. Although feathers also provide insulation, they are positioned in clusters or tracks with in-between bare patches, providing for cool drafts and evaporation.

The third major theme is man’s commercial use of feathers. Of course, the author is obliged to briefly cover the pre-World War I global “plume-boom” (which gave rise to the Audubon Society), but Hanson has also dug up tales of ostrich magnates and African ostrich espionage! He also points out that although women were the feather industry’s principle market, women founded nearly every local Audubon chapter and made up most of the early membership.

Hanson undertook several excursions to investigate the current feather market. He visited the only remaining New York City milliner, who handcrafts here artisan ally designed hats. After several reassurances of his purely academic interest, he is finally given a tour of the “The Rainbow Feather Company” where feathers are dyed in a secretive industrial process. He also inveigles an interview with the producers of “Jubilee!,” the most extravagant show in Las Vegas, followed by a visit to backstage storage replete with elaborate feathers costumes.

However, present uses of feathers go beyond the commercial uses that serve our vanity. “Biomimetics” is a recent approach to scientific innovation whereby researchers go back to nature, now with very high powered microscopes and digital instruments, to look for high-tech ways to mimic what nature has accomplished superbly on its own. As I alluded to previously, birds can instinctively, independently, move individual feathers in a much nuanced response to wind conditions in order to manipulate speed, orientation, etc. A specific example is soaring birds’ adjusting their wing-tip “fingers” as needed. Engineers have closely studied birds and devised artificial “winglets” that have been added to the tips of plane wings to increase flight efficiency. They have been found to decrease fuel use by 6%.

This just skims the surface of the revelations in Feathers. The evolution research chapters are clear and accompanied by explanatory diagrams. Hanson’s junkets exploring commercial uses of feathers are lighter reading, with a sprinkling of humorous anecdotes.

Check out this month's issue of National Audubon for an article on feathers by author Thor Hanson and beautiful photos of feathers by Robert Clark. Click here to read the article.

For a great winter read, you can check this book out from the Rutland Free Library and the Brandon Library.

winter regulars and rarities in the champlain valley

Sixteen participants rose to the challenge of temps in the low teens and a brisk wind for Rutland County Audubon’s annual winter visit to the Champlain Valley. Starting north at Shelburne Bay and ending on Gage Road in Addison, 39 species plus one hybrid were tallied and entered on 17 eBird checklists. Thanks to Roy Pilcher’s advance scouting and careful planning, the day was a great success despite the weather.

a frosty morning along Lake ChamplainShelburne Bay brought the first Bald Eagle of the trip, an adult, and one of nine eagles, seen throughout the day. Mallard, American Black Duck, Bufflehead, and Common Goldeneye were also observed here as they were at most of our other shoreline stops which included Shelburne Point, Shelburne Farms, Charlotte Town Beach and the ferry landing as well as Fort Cassin Point.

Along Harbor Road at Shelburne Point, a Merlin was seen at fairly close range, dining on a chickadee. A Pileated Woodpecker flew about the woods nearby. Four Red-breasted Mergansers were out on the bay. A Northern Flicker, one of three for the day, was also seen in the area.

Two more Bald Eagles were seen at Shelburne Farms, both immatures. Other raptors at this location included Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk and Rough-legged Hawk. At nearby Meach Cove (Shelburne Beach), an American Black Duck x Mallard hybrid was spotted among a group of other members of its gene pool. Four Horned Grebes were also present.

Fort Cassin produced four Gadwall among a group of Mallard and American Black Duck plus four more eagles, two adult and two immature.

Other sightings of the day included two Red-winged Blackbirds in a lilac bush near a feeder, a single Snow Goose among a large flock of Canadas, and a good number of American Robins. Large flocks of Snow Buntings were observed swirling over frozen farm fields in Charlotte and Gage Road in Addison. Small groups of Horned Larks were also seen as well as Wild Turkeys.

Three members of the group visited the Champlain Bridge at the end of the day and added Redhead, Ring-necked Duck and Greater Scaup to the list.

The day's list:

Canada Goose

Snow Goose

Gadwall

American Black Duck

American Black Duck x Mallard

Mallard

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Greater Scaup

scaup sp.

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser

Common Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Wild Turkey

Horned Grebe

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Red-tailed Hawk

Rough-legged Hawk

Merlin

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Mourning Dove

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Horned Lark

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Eastern Bluebird

American Robin

European Starling

Snow Bunting

American Tree Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Red-winged Blackbird

House Sparrow

rcas 38th christmas bird count results

Why, you ask, give up eight or nine hours of your time to participate in an annual count of the birds?

Tufted TitmouseCould it be because there are birds out there to be counted and birds are part of our natural world? And the more one knows about them the more one appreciates them and the greater the wonderment? Or is it because there are those fellow enthusiasts whose addiction and concentration may rival your own and whose company is to be enjoyed?

However, striking a more rational stance, don’t forget there is a tradition now stretching back one hundred and eleven years of generations of birders who were similarly motivated to record and to contribute their time and their efforts to an ever expanding database of information of which the local contribution is a mere miniscule, nevertheless essential part! With the enormous capabilities of computers to store data, Christmas Bird Counts have now gone global expanding beyond the U.S.A and Canada to many countries of the Western Hemisphere. 

Saturday, December 31, was the appointed day for Rutland County’s thirty-eighth annual count.  The weatherman’s prediction was for sleet and rain after midnight but we were spared! Intermittent light rain and a generally cloudy day were as favorable conditions as could be expected for this season of the year. Our standard 15-mile diameter circle was divided as usual into eight sectors. It was covered by eight designated teams of three to seven members each with the mandate and responsibility to record with due diligence the numbers and species of birds present. These teams totalling 38 individuals traveled 289 miles by car and another 38 miles on foot. While at home six households within the count circle maintained a watchful eye on their feeders over a combined period of 48 hours.

Following the day's efforts, and despite it being New Year's Eve, over two dozen participants gathered at the Proctor Library to enoy a bountiful potluck and to count down the day's birds.

With the last list submitted and a final tally made, the data for the local Rutland Count is ready to be transmitted electronically and gathered with between two to three thousand similar counts from across the hemisphere.

Roy tallies the day's resultsFor our Rutland County count, 58 bird species were observed on count day with two additional species not seen on count day but during count week (three days prior and three days following the actual CBC day), yielding a grand total of 60 species. As to individual birds, a total of 8,744 was tallied on count day. By way of comparison the running ten year average of species for the Rutland count is 52.3, an increase this year of 15%, and 9,200 individual birds, a decrease this year of 5%.

This year’s list:

Great Blue Heron (1), Canada Goose (819*), American Black Duck (14), Mallard (329), Hooded Merganser (1), Common Merganser (7), Northern Harrier (2), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), Cooper’s Hawk (2), Red-tailed Hawk (24), American Kestrel (1), Merlin (CW), Peregrine Falcon (1), Ruffed Grouse (2), Wild Turkey (74), Wilson’s Snipe (3), Rock Pigeon (581), Mourning Dove (603), Eastern Screech Owl (1**), Barred Owl (3), Belted Kingfisher (2), Red-bellied Woodpecker (6*), Downy Woodpecker (65), Hairy Woodpecker (43), Northern Flicker (1), Pileated Woodpecker (10), Horned Lark (CW), Blue Jay (302), American Crow (794), Common Raven (19), Black-capped Chickadee (873), Tufted Titmouse (44), Red-breasted Nuthatch (14), White-breasted Nuthatch (97), Brown Creeper (20), Carolina Wren (8), Golden-crowned Kinglet (10), Eastern Bluebird (30), American Robin (136*), Northern Mockingbird (1), Gray Catbird (1), Cedar Waxwing (244), Northern Shrike (2), European Starling (2276), Yellow-rumped Warbler (3**), Northern Cardinal (79), American Tree Sparrow (91), Chipping Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (3), White-throated Sparrow (7), Dark-eyed Junco (221), Snow Bunting (13), Red-winged Blackbird (73), Brown-headed Cowbird (5), Purple Finch (11), House Finch (149), Common Redpoll (29), Pine Siskin (15), American Goldfinch (195), House Sparrow (382).

BOLD       Equal to previous Numerical Record.

BOLD*     New Numerical Record.

BOLD**   New Species to the Count.

The thirty-eight local Rutland counts have now tallied 100 species!

Historical information on Rutland's counts and CBCs across the hemisphere, click here.

county quest update

2011 has ended and with it the first County Quest, a yearlong friendly competition among Vermont’s 14 counties to count the most species in a year.

searching high and low for birdsRutland County tallied an astounding 216 species! While not the most (Addison County holds that honor at 249), we have much of which to be proud. An amazing 2,247 checklists were submitted to eBird for our county alone by a small, but dedicated and hardy, group of birders. 

2012 marks ten years since eBird, a real time, online checklist program, was first launched. And we’ve come a long way! In 2001 188 species were observed in Rutland County and reported on 449 checklists. This year represents a new high in both categories. Our previous highs were 202 species in 2009 and 1,652 checklists in 2010. In that light this year's results are remarkable.

We are very fortunate in Vermont to have our own portal into eBird. We are grateful to the Vermont Center for Ecostudies for maintaining this valuable resource. If you haven’t done so already, plan to check it out soon for the latest in Vermont birding news. We also hope that if you haven’t used eBird in the past, you submit your first checklist in 2012. Click here to get started.

Some of this year’s highlights include:

• 26 species of waterfowl including all three scoters
• Red-throated Loon at Lake Bomoseen
• Golden Eagle, three reports, in Hubbardton, Rutland and Chittenden
• American White Pelican, a county first, at Kent Pond in Killington in May and again in November
• 12 species of shorebird including Dunlin and Red-necked Phalarope
• Laughing Gull, another first, at Lake Bomoseen
• Black Tern at Chittenden Reservoir and Kent Pond and Common Tern at Lake Bomoseen
• 29 species of warbler including Cerulean, Bay-breasted and Cape May plus both Blue-winged x Golden-winged hybrids (Brewster's and Lawrence's)        

 Click here to see the full list for Rutland County.