Autumn Outings
By Patrick Phillips
Catamount Community Forest
October 18, 2026
The coldest morning of the season to date greeted birders for a fall outing at the Catamount Community Forest in Williston. Commencing the walk under cloud-covered skies, the group heard the calls of Eastern Bluebirds, observed skeins of Canada Geese overhead, and listened to European Starlings and American Robins high in a stand of black locusts. Moving out into the open fields on the southern side of the property, participants had the opportunity to observe and hear the chattering of a large flock of Pine Siskins at close range. These largely boreal migrants actively flew over the landscape in an extended “mini-murmuration”, truely a high point of the morning. As the birding excursion neared its end clouds gave way to sun, rewarding all with a spectacular view of the mountains lit with the peak colors of autumn foliage. A total of twenty one species were observed by the group composed of nineteen birders.
eBird Report: https://ebird.org/checklist/S403790327
Autumn Birding at the Cold Hollow Sculpture Park
September 26, 2026
Hillsides painted with the emerging fall colors of red, yellow, and orange provided the setting for a leisurely September bird outing at the Cold Hollow Sculpture Park. Eighteen birders took in the extraordinary sculptures created by David Stromeyer while looking and listening for birds present in this beautiful setting. The cool, somewhat cloudy conditions made for challenging birding, but participants got views of Yellow-rumped warblers, Red-breasted nuthatches, and numerous Blue Jays. Other species, including Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Common Ravens, and others could be heard calling. In all, fourteen species were recorded. While not a particularly “birdy” day, the experience, combining art and nature made for a wonderful fall morning.
eBird report: https://ebird.org/checklist/S396530472