On Sun, Aug 16, 2026 at 12:00 AM VTBIRD automatic digest system <
<LISTSERV...> wrote:
> There are 4 messages totaling 152 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. Warbler and vireo frenzy (2)
> 2. Lake Champlain pelagic birding trips
> 3. Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2026 08:00:30 -0400
> From: Veer Frost <veer.frost...>
> Subject: Re: Warbler and vireo frenzy
>
> Vivid imagery, thank you Walter!Veer Frost
>
> On 8/14/2026 at 7:41 PM, "Walter Medwid" wrote:For about 10 to 12
> minutes at 6:15 pm tonight there was a warbler feeding
> frenzy at the edge of my yard. Lots of indistinct calls, seemingly
> young
> food-begging. I saw one adult REV feed a dollop of a caterpillar to a
> young
> one with wings in flutter and a wide open bill. Most of the birds were
> chestnut sided warblers in an array of plumages; some redstarts and a
> few
> chickadees. My guess is that there were 15 to 20 birds. I also suspect
> that
> this burst of activity might be evidence of migration restlessness on
> an
> evening that looks ideal for nocturnal flights. It was intense
> activity and
> then they were all gone.
>
> Derby
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2026 09:40:57 -0400
> From: Rita Pitkin <ritapitkin15...>
> Subject: Re: Warbler and vireo frenzy
>
> Awesome!
>
> On Sat, Aug 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM Veer Frost <
> <0000038039fb4cf6-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> > Vivid imagery, thank you Walter!Veer Frost
> >
> > On 8/14/2026 at 7:41 PM, "Walter Medwid" wrote:For about 10 to 12
> > minutes at 6:15 pm tonight there was a warbler feeding
> > frenzy at the edge of my yard. Lots of indistinct calls, seemingly
> > young
> > food-begging. I saw one adult REV feed a dollop of a caterpillar to a
> > young
> > one with wings in flutter and a wide open bill. Most of the birds were
> > chestnut sided warblers in an array of plumages; some redstarts and a
> > few
> > chickadees. My guess is that there were 15 to 20 birds. I also suspect
> > that
> > this burst of activity might be evidence of migration restlessness on
> > an
> > evening that looks ideal for nocturnal flights. It was intense
> > activity and
> > then they were all gone.
> >
> > Derby
> >
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2026 18:22:09 +0000
> From: Allan Strong <Allan.Strong...>
> Subject: Lake Champlain pelagic birding trips
>
> Hi VT Birders,
>
> I’ve got another round of pelagic birding trips scheduled on UVM's
> research vessel, the Marcelle Melosira.
>
> There will be three available trips:
> 8/31 (Monday) - 8:00-12:00
> 9/18 (Friday) - 8:00-12:00
> 9/21 (Monday) - 8:00-12:00
>
> These trips are an opportunity to look for some of the more unusual
> species of birds on Lake Champlain that are difficult to see from shore. It
> is hard to predict what we will see on the trips. In past years we have
> found jaegers (Parasitic and Long-tailed), some interesting gulls (Sabine's
> and Little), and shorebirds (Red-necked Phalarope, Ruddy Turnstone). We've
> been able to make a couple passes around the Four Brothers Islands as well,
> which is always a treat. I'll be leading each of the trips and we'll have
> some UVM students that will be in charge of "chumming," which will increase
> our chances of bringing unusual birds closer to the boat. Regardless of the
> sightings, a day out on Lake Champlain with fellow birders is always a good
> time!
>
> Registration will be through UVM's ticketing website:
> https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=891043& >
> The cost is $51.75 per person and payment is by credit card online. Once
> on the registration site, you can pay for more than one person.
>
> I don't think the site has the capacity to keep track of a waiting list,
> so if the date/time you want is full, let me know and I can keep track of
> cancellations.
>
> Feel free to reach out to me with any questions (try to avoid replying to
> the whole list). <astrong...>
>
> I hope you can make it!
> Allan
>
> A few more details about the Research Vessel and the trips:
> The boat itself has a hybrid electric/diesel engine, so it is
> significantly quieter than the old research vessel. She is also fully ADA
> compliant, so we can accommodate wheelchairs on the vessel. There is a full
> bathroom on board and significant covered space if there is rain. The R/V
> also has a catamaran hull, which makes her much more stable than the old
> vessel. It is always cooler on the water, so bring some warm clothes (and
> no open-toed shoes). Water, sunscreen, some light snacks, and a camera are
> all helpful. If you need binoculars, please contact me <astrong...>
> <mailto:<astrong...>.
>
> The boat will leave from the UVM slip on the south side of the Leahy ECHO
> Center/Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Lab building at 1 College Street.
> Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure. Unfortunately, there are no
> options for free parking, so you will need to find parking nearby. The best
> options are the Pease Lot on the north side of College St (west of Battery
> St.), the ECHO Center parking lot, or the brown meters at the west end of
> College and Main St.
>
> Hope you can make it!
> Allan
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2026 20:44:59 -0400
> From: Donald Clark <sapsbks...>
> Subject: Westminster Station Nighthawk Count
>
> The first night of the 16th year of doing nighthawk counts in Westminster
> Station produced 135 birds. A good start. Tomorrow’s weather looks much the
> same so should be some movement.
>
> If you’re planning a visit this year would appreciate a heads up.
>
> Don Clark
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of VTBIRD Digest - 14 Aug 2026 to 15 Aug 2026 (#2026-139)
> *************************************************************
>
