The 2023 Bird Count took place under unseasonably warm and dry weather. Birders were treated to mild temperatures and easy travel throughout the count circle. Rivers and ponds were free from ice, which presented good opportunities for viewing waterbirds. In all, 37 participants took part in one of our seven area field counts, with an additional 11 birders conducted feeder counts from their homes. Participants drove nearly 250 miles and walked 34 miles to cover our annual survey routes. Our teams found a total of 4,027 individual birds, up roughly 2% from last year. We observed 57 total species this year, the same total as in 2022. This was consistent with our average over the past 20 years. 

Interesting finds included 2 Great Blue Herons along the West River, 3 Black Vultures soaring over West Brattleboro (only the second time this species has been found) and 2 Red-shouldered hawks. An American Pipit observed in Brattleboro was a new addition to our count circle list (the 126th species observed in the history of the count). The 27 Red Crossbills found on the count was a new high total for this species on the Brattleboro count. Finally, a screech owl heard during early morning owling represented only the 3rd detection of this species in count history. 

Notable absences included Ruffed Grouse, Snow Bunting, and Evening Grosbeak. Wild turkey was absent on count day but found during the count week. 

The full results and comparisons to recent years can be viewed by clicking on the spreadsheet bleow: