On 9/23/2025 2:58 PM, Richard Littauer wrote: > There are no records in Vermont, but it's not totally out of the question. > Frigatebirds have been seen in every surrounding state. > > https://ebird.org/map/magfri?neg=true&env.minX=&env.minY=&env.maxX=&env.maxY=&zh=false&gp=false&ev=Z&excludeExX=false&excludeExAll=false&mr=1-12&bmo=1&emo=12&yr=all&byr=1900&eyr=2025 > > Good sighting! Wish you had a photo. Don't forget to submit to eBird and > the VBRChttps://vtecostudies.org/wildlife/wildlife-watching/vbrc/report/ > > R > > On Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 6:30 AM Peterson, Bruce < > <00000eb693714f81-dmarc-request...> wrote: > >> 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. >> >> Bruce Peterson >> >
