FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Woodstock, VT

January 22, 2006
VINS reports results from the Woodstock Area Christmas Bird Count

The annual Woodstock Area Christmas Bird Count, a yearly census conducted for the National Audubon Society and hosted by the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS), was held on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 and located 4340 birds of 43 species plus one exotic, a probable escaped cage bird.

A Northern Pintail duck found with some Mallards was a first of the species for this count. Other good finds were Cooper's Hawk, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Bohemian Waxwing, Cedar Waxwing, Chipping Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird. As usual Black-capped Chickadee made the best showing with 1480 individuals.

For the second consecutive year no Evening Grosbeaks were found. Purple Finch also was missing and only 3 House Finches were located. The warm winter and ample food in the wild was evidently having an effect on these erratic species.

Eighteen field workers in 7 parties and 14 feeder watchers participated in the survey, and this year Bryan Pfeiffer and the Vermont Public Television crew were with us for the whole day, filming a special program about Birding that will be aired next August.

The results are now posted on the National Audubon web site http://www.audubon.org/birds/cbc

Our next count will be on Thursday, December 28, 2006. Anyone interested in participating should contact one of the coordinators: Sally Laughlin at 802-644-5651, laughlin@sover.net or Julie Nicholson at 802-457-1594, julinich@valley.net)

Founded in 1972, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) is a non-profit 501(c)3, member-supported organization headquartered in Woodstock, Vermont, with locations in Montpelier, Manchester, and Quechee.

Its mission is to protect our natural heritage through education and research designed to engage individuals in the active care of their environment. VINS accomplishes its mission through a 4-pronged approach: by providing comprehensive education programs, wildlife services, leading conservation science, and by managing a network of nature centers throughout the state.