Date: 9/23/25 11:30 am From: Peterson, Bruce <00000eb693714f81-dmarc-request...> Subject: [VTBIRD] You won't believe this and a question
Yesterday, Monday, as I was driving north on US7, about 9 AM, on the long open stretch between New Haven Junction and Vergennes, approached by a very large, totally black-plumaged bird flying due south. Long pointed wings, occasional deep slow wing beats, otherwise soaring. The bird flew straight at me, probably 10 to 20 feet above power lines. Underwings all black also. I did not note the throat color. Head looked longer than any Vermont raptor I know.
If you’re still with me you’ll share the astonishment. I am convinced this was a frigatebird. My question is whether there are any frigatebird records for the state. I know pelagic birds sometimes occur on Lake Champlain, and this encounter was, by my rough estimate, about a mile from the lake.
For the record, I lived on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica for ten years. Frigatebirds are common – even pests when you’re trying to clean fish on the beach.
Any info or speculation would be more than welcome.
