Birds On The Battenkill
Field notes from the feathered side of the Battenkill.
Nashville Warbler | Photo by Andrew Walker
Updated Thursday May 7, 8:15am
By Andrew Walker
Man, spring is alive right now, and the birds are firing.
Everyone seems busy with spring bird duties, from nesting activity to singing, chasing, and filling the mornings with noise. Around the yard and along the river, I’ve been seeing the usual suspects: cardinals, chickadees, song sparrows, house finches, blue jays, robins, eastern bluebirds, red-winged blackbirds, and eastern phoebes.
On the river, the belted kingfisher has been active, and the yellow warbler has recently shown up, which is one of my favorite birds to see along the Battenkill. They almost feel like little fairies moving through the branches and brush along the water.
This morning brought a couple of first-of-the-season sightings for me, including a Baltimore oriole and a Nashville warbler. I also recently saw my first rose-breasted grosbeak of the season, which is always a welcome sign that spring migration is really underway.
If you’re interested in what you’re hearing, I highly recommend using the Merlin Bird ID app. Just be ready for it to fill up fast during your morning coffee.
It is a birdy time out there, and I love it.
Cheers
Current Bird List
Birds on the Battenkill, Arlington, Vermont
A running list of birds I’ve been seeing, hearing, or watching for along the Battenkill in Arlington, Vermont.
Birds of Prey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Cooper’s Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Waterfowl & River Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
Wood Duck
Common Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Belted Kingfisher
Woodpeckers
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Songbirds & Backyard Birds
Northern Cardinal
Black-capped Chickadee
American Robin
Eastern Bluebird
Song Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
European Starling
Mourning Dove
Wild Turkey
Flycatchers
Eastern Phoebe
Warblers
Yellow Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Black-and-white Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Vireos
Warbling Vireo
Sparrows, Towhees & Field Birds
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Swallows
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Thrushes
Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Veery
Seasonal Standouts
Baltimore Oriole
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Scarlet Tanager
Indigo Bunting
Cedar Waxwing
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
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REVIEWS
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Deirdre James
“Best fly fishing experience hands down. Andrew gave us lots of pointers to improve our skill and made it the best few hours anyone could ask for.”
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Jerry Butwid
“Andrew was incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. Absolute highest recommendation for anglers of any level.”
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Valerie Lanza
“Booking with Andrew/Battenkill Outfitters is simply a must. Andrew’s approachable teaching style really encouraged me to develop confidence on the river.”
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Ellie Bold
“Andrew supported each person at just the right level. It was a highlight of the trip.”
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Jacob Liro
“Andrew was fantastic and delivered an unforgettable experience for our family.”
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Jeremy Smith
“Andrew basically said show up and I’ll take care of the rest, and he wasn’t lying.”
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Rob Mallozzi
“Andrew provided so much more than a guided trip. His guidance left me a more confident angler.”
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Rick Poluch
“Great morning on the Battenkill with Andrew. He taught us a lot and I would highly recommend him.”
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Charles Whittingham
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John Divenere
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![A man wearing sunglasses, a cap, a green long sleeve shirt, and waders, standing in a shallow river, holding a small yellow fish with orange spots in his right hand, and a fishing net in his left hand, with a background of green trees and water.]()
Ryan Authier
“Andrew knows his fish, knows the water, knows the bugs, and knows the birds.”
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![Two men standing in a river, holding fishing rods, surrounded by green trees under a partly cloudy sky.]()
Jason Young
“Andrew tailored his instruction to each of us and we both improved our skills.”
CONTACT
Battenkill Outfitters is proudly located in West Arlington, Vermont, near Manchester, on the banks of the Battenkill River. Whether you have questions, need assistance planning your adventure, or want to learn more about our offerings, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Andrew - Phone -802-379-9887
Address: 3587 River Rd Arlington VT 05250
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