Good news re that amazing parcel, thank you Allan for this clarification!Veer Frost
On 7/9/2025 at 1:29 PM, "Allan Strong" wrote:Hi Fred,
Thanks for the report. The parcel at 475 Pond Rd. has been purchased by UVM. I'm not sure what the long-term plans are, but folks in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences do know that the field supports grassland birds, including the (state threatened) Eastern Meadowlark.
All the best, Allan -----Original Message----- From: Vermont Birds On Behalf Of Fred Nelson Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 3:04 PM To: <VTBIRD...> Subject: [VTBIRD] Grassland birds, Pond Rd Shelburne
Shelburne Pond, including all of Pond Rd which bisects the extensive marsh to the south of the pond, is undoubtedly one of Chittenden County's ecological gems. The hayfields along Pond Rd also have abundant grassland birds such as bobolinks and savannah sparrows, and smaller number of eastern meadowlarks, though as elsewhere this partially depends on year-to-year mowing patterns and whether or not these birds can reproduce and return. For the past few years, the farm at 475 Pond Rd has been 'dormant'- Zillow shows it was sold last November- and the extensive fields there unmowed or late-mowed. This year this farm has been a center of grassland bird activity with many bobolinks (at least 20 flying around the fields today- some of which appear to be this year's fledglings) and several eastern meadowlarks. There is a family (3 today, also suggesting successful fledging this year) of kestrel that like to perch on the barn or several dead trees on this farm.
This morning eastern towhee and black-billed cuckoo were calling from nearby successional habitat as well.
A great area to enjoy some successfully breeding grassland birds near Burlington.
