Irene

Irene has been called the best Tropicbird hurricane ever. And yet we got nothing. Well, a little more than nothing. The entire state of Vermont has come up with a dead storm petrel and a Gannet. Exciting, but not quite up to expectations. Quabbin Reseavoir in western Massachusetts had a White-Tailed Tropicbird, a Sooty Tern, and a Leach's Storm-petrel all in one day.
For me, a full day of birding on Sunday was great, and turned up some exciting shorebirds, but storm blown birds were non-existent. 6 of use spent most of Sunday getting soaked, we birded up and down the Connecticut river in northern Windsor County. Shorebirds were everywhere.
Until this year, birds like Semipalmated Sandpiper or Lesser Yellowlegs would be seen here once every few years. In a good year I might find 5 species (including Woodcock and Snipe). Yesterday I had 11. White-rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper and Sanderling were all first for me in eastern Vermont. The first Sanderling (of 4) was only the second record for the entire county (in ebird).

Today was far less productive. A single Sanderling above the Wilder Dam was nice, and an Olive-sided Flycatcher was a surprise. Both of the small Accipiters put up an nice show. Other raptors seen in the past two days include: Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Bald Eagle, and Osprey.


Although the storm has moved past and mostly dissipated, there is still a chance for some excitement. Frigatebirds take some time to wander back south and other species may stay put for a few days.