Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas: 2003-2005
Birds of Montgomery, Vermont

VBBA 2003

The first season of the five-year project to gather data on the breeding status of birds in Vermont has come to a close. Statewide, 300 birders have volunteered their time to monitor blocks that were established in the late 1970's to gather information for the first edition of the Breeding Bird Atlas of Vermont which was published in 1985.

In 2003, 219 blocks of the possible total of 368 have been assigned. A block is a five kilometer square that is approximately 1/6th of a USGS topographical map. The Hazen's Notch Association is helping to gather data. Staff Naturalist, Debbie Benjamin, has volunteered to cover the Hazen's Notch priority block # 1. The survey area is as follows: in the northwest from the junction of the north end of the Regan Road and Rt. 58; to the northeast at Rt. 58 just before the junction with the Amidon Road; to the southeast at Rt. 118 just south of the Regan Road; and to the west about 1 mile west from Rt. 118 on the Gibou Road.

During the first survey period from 1976 to 1981, 75 species were observed in the Hazen's Notch block. Of those, 42 species were confirmed as breeding birds by observing either adults feeding their young, eggs in nests, or newly fledged birds and other signs of breeding activity. 14 species were classified as probable breeders and another 19 species were considered possible breeders.

In the 2003 survey, 79 species were observed. Of those, 18 species were confirmed as breeding species; 41 species were classified as probable breeders and 19 species as possible breeders; 1 species was observed although it was not in habitat suitable for breeding. In the next four years, we will seek to upgrade probable breeding species to confirmed status and to look for additional species. The goal is to confirm 50% of the observed species as being confirmed breeding birds, at which time the block is considered to be completed.

The confirmed species in the Hazen's Notch priority block in 2003 are:

• Eastern Bluebird
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• American Crow
• Rock Dove
• Common Grackle
• Ruffed Grouse
• Blue Jay
• Eastern Phoebe
• Chipping Sparrow
• House Sparrow
• Song Sparrow
• European Starling
• Barn Swallow
• Tree Swallow
• Wild Turkey
• Red-eyed Vireo
• American Woodcock

Two species that were confirmed as breeding birds in 2003 and that were not even observed in the first atlas endeavor are Wild Turkey and Eastern Bluebird. Populations of both species have increased in the past few decades. In the case of the Wild Turkey, limited hunting and possibly milder winters have allowed them to expand their range. Eastern Bluebirds have increased in numbers possibly due to the placement of nest boxes in suitable habitat.

We look forward to continuing this important research that promotes the protection of breeding bird habitat in Vermont.