Enosburg Falls - The Enosburg Conservation Commission hosted a talk by Charlotte Bill on Monday evening, January 28, 2008 at the Enosburgh Emergency Services Building about the Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas. The Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas is a statewide survey of birds which live and raise their young in Vermont. The first Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas, based on data collected by over 200 volunteers and published in 1985, was the first breeding bird atlas in the United States. It helped to pave the way for similar atlases in 30 other states and has been an important tool for management plans and conservation projects for use by wildlife biologists.

“I am not an expert on birds,” said Charlotte. “In 2003, I was able to recognize ten to fifteen birds by their song and somewhat more by sight. The Bakersfield priority block was my first block and May 17, 2003 was my first day looking for birds for the survey. I soon discovered that it is more productive to just sit down and listen rather then hike around a lot. Sibley's Guide to Birds and the first edition of the Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas were my bibles in the field. I love the original Atlas for its detailed species information and arrival dates of migrating birds.”

The survey is not intended to count birds which are simply passing though Vermont on their way north to breeding areas in Canada. The goal is to get at least 75 species of birds that breed in Vermont onto the block list and to confirm half of that number or 38 species for each priority block by observing birds' behavior. Several types of behavior can confirm breeding including: carrying nest building material, defensive display by adults in proximity to a possible nest site, carrying food for hatchlings and feeding young.

Charlotte said that “as part of the survey, we were supposed to record our data onto a field form at home. It's a good thing that I did that because once I went canoeing on the Missisquoi River and capsized and my data card got so wet that I had to hang it on the clothes line to dry it out.”

The results of the survey include changes in the ranges and locations of native bird species. For example, Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse and Mockingbird are all expanding their ranges northward.

One part of the survey was to look for breeding evidence of owls during evening hours. The survey issued a tape recording of owl vocalizations to all participants. The three owls that we looked for in this area are from smallest to largest: Northern Saw-whet Owl, Barred Owl and Great Horned Owl. The recording is played in a sequence from smallest to largest species. In order not to disturb the birds, the tape recording is stopped as soon as an owl hoots back. When an owl hears the recorded sound of an owl of its own species it will respond either to claim its territory or to initiate mating.

“I am going though withdrawal now that the survey is over,” said Charlotte. Once the results have been tabulated and analyzed, the information will be published for use online and in book format. The audience expressed their appreciation for the evening's speaker.

- Vermont Outside Staff

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86 Route 118 - Main Street
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