Did You Know…..?

about the birds oN Stark Mountain

Mad River Glen is known for its natural terrain and beautiful winding trails. But Stark Mountain isn’t just for skiers and hikers. It is also home to a wide variety of animals and birds, many of whom have the honor of having trails named after them.

The Birdland area of the mountain has five trails named after birds- Loon, Lark, Wren, Duck, and Robin. All of these birds can be found in the area on or around Stark Mountain. Through the sharing of information on the Birds of Birdland, we want to instill a desire to look for these birds and care for their natural habitats as they enjoy the beauty of Stark Mountain.

The American Robin is a year round resident of Stark Mountain. This is one bird that does not migrate. They are harder to find in winter, however, because they are in trees and not yards. 

• Once chicks hatch, the mama bird immediately removes the shells of the hatched eggs from the nest.

• Robin eggs are a beautiful blue color. Brighter, more colorful shades of blue are often a sign of a strong and healthy bird! They can have up to three broods per year.

• “The early bird gets the worm” is about the Robin, a testament to both their being one of the earliest birds out in spring, but also to their habit of picking earthworms from the ground. American Robins also eat insects, snails, fruit, and birdseed from feeders.

• They are the largest North American thrush, and can be found roosting in huge groups. Scientists have recorded winter roosts of up to a quarter million birds! 

Length: 7.9-11.0 in (20-28 cm)

Weight: 2.7-3.0 oz (77-85 g)

Wingspan: 12.2-15.8 in (31-40 cm)

link to the American Robin Call; The Cornell Lab - All About Birds

Common Loons migrate from lakes and streams to near shore in open coastal ocean waters in winter, eating fresh and saltwater fish as well as crustaceans such as crayfish. Loons can be found on Lake Champlain and other large lakes and deep ponds in Vermont. 

• Loons are excellent divers, disappearing under the water without a splash and traveling underwater like a torpedo to catch their prey. 

• Loons nest very close to the shore as their legs are far back on their bodies, making them great swimmers, but very awkward walkers. Their nests are at risk from rising water, predators, and human activity near shorelines. 

• Loons call to each other with an eerie loud beautiful trilling yodel that’s used as an alarm call or to announce itself. They can also make soft hooting noises to stay in contact with one another or with their chicks.

• Their population was once threatened, but their numbers are on the rise now thanks to limiting human disturbance of nesting sites, reducing the use of lead in fishing tackle, and public education. 

 Length: 26.0-35.8 in (66-91 cm)

Weight: 88.2-215.2 oz (2500-6100 g)

Wingspan: 40.9-51.6 in (104-131 cm)

LINK TO the Common Loon Call; THE CORNELL LAB - ALL ABOUT BIRDS

The American Horned Lark is the only native lark species in North America, but there are 42 subspecies of horned lark in our world. On Stark Mountain, we are at the southern range of its habitat.  

• Horned larks are secretive birds, but in the winter, you may find them in fields and open areas or along roadsides eating seeds and insects.

• Horned larks are named for little black horn-like tufts of feathers on the male birds during breeding season.

• They build their basket-like nests of grass on bare ground, and can start building in February - while there’s still snow on the ground!

• They can live from sea level to 13,000 feet, and spend most of their lives on or near the ground.

Length: 6.3-7.9 in (16-20 cm)

Weight: 1.0-1.7 oz (28-48 g)

Wingspan: 11.8-13.4 in (30-34 cm)

LINK TO the horned Lark Call; THE CORNELL LAB - ALL ABOUT BIRDS

There are 10 species of Wren in North America, including the Winter Wren that we find here at Stark Mountain. There are over 80 species of Wren in North and South America..

• Winter Wrens are weak fliers, and are often found hopping on the ground, mouselike through leaves. They often bob their body up and down like a weightlifter doing squats.

• Winter Wrens eat beetles, ants, flies, mites, caterpillars, millipedes, spiders and more, preferring vegetated areas with dead and downed trees, shrubs and trees, often near streams.

• Male winter wrens build more than one globe shaped nest each year. Look closely and you may find them in the roots of fallen trees, under creek banks, in decaying logs, and in other natural cavities.

• What pipes! The Winter Wren is a very strong singer, delivering its tune with 10 times more power than a crowing rooster (per unit weight).

Length: 3.1-4.7 in (8-12 cm)

Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-12 g)

Wingspan: 4.7-6.3 in (12-16 cm)

Link to the winter Wren Call; THE CORNELL LAB - ALL ABOUT BIRDS

Wood ducks live in wooded swamps, freshwater marshes, and beaver ponds. Near Stark Mountain, you  may find them in our winding  streams and wooded ponds. 

• Wood ducks are shy, hiding in thick vegetation and staying in small groups. If you surprise one, you’ll often hear it calling as it flies away.

• They nest in natural cavities in trees or in nest boxes that people have put up around the edges of lakes. A day after hatching, the chicks drop safely out of their nest - which can be up to 60’ above the ground - and make their way to the water.

• Wood ducks are unique because their strong claws help them perch on trees, which many other ducks cannot do.

• Wood ducks eat insects, fruits, and seeds, and will even eat acorns and other nuts from fields and forests if they are limited on food in their wetlands.

 Length: 18.5-21.3 in (47-54 cm)

Weight: 16.0-30.4 oz (454-862 g)

Wingspan: 26.0-28.7 in (66-73 cm)

link to the wood Duck Call; THE CORNELL LAB - ALL ABOUT BIRDS