| Common Name | Eastern Phoebe |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | sayornis phoebe |
| Type of Report | Out-of-Season |
| Date of Observation | 02/05/2024 |
| Number Observed | 1 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | Penelope Doherty |
| Mailing Address | 335 VT Rt 14 PO Box 38 Craftsbury, Vermont 05826 United States Map It |
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| Date Completed | 02/11/2024 |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 0 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 0 |
| Place Name | 335 VT RT 14 |
| Township | Craftsbury |
| County | Orleans |
| Time of Day | 08:00 AM |
| Length of Time Observed | heard it call twice from my driveway wood |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 70 |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 40 |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | Only noteworthy for the unseasonable warmth. |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | Have not seen it yet. I've heard it calling twice from the wood - once on 2/5, again on 2/8 - both times in the morning around 8am. The first time I was skeptical because it's so early - but Thurs 2/8 was unmistakable. I have not as yet heard a second bird reply to the first call. |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | At least one pair returns here every year and makes a nest in the overhang above my heat pump compressor. I sometimes have a second pair that nests somewhere behind my back building - have not yet found that exact spot. It's unusual for my Phoebe to be back this early so I'm a little concerned about that. Have not seen it at any of my feeders. |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | I live on VT RT 14 at the north end of Lake Eligo in Craftsbury, directly across from the lake. My 2-acre parcel includes a ridge behind with dense woods, a Class II wetlands with woods, and a +/- 200' wooded brook that runs from the wetlands to the culvert at Rt 14, emptying into Eligo across the road. My driveway runs alongside the brook and my house and back building have a cleared courtyard behind with a pollinator garden and several tall garden accessories (shepherd's hooks, bean tee-pee) that the phoebes really like. There's a ledge with a couple good cover trees on the opposite side of the courtyard from the drive and brook, so they like flying back and forth fly-catching. |
| Behaviors Observed | Audio observation only. "Fee-bee" calling from the woods next to my drive. |
| Description of Vocalizations | Classic "fee-bee" call from the woods next to my drive. Fee-bee x 2 each time. Did not hear a reply from another bird. |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | no visual observation. on 2/5 I was walking into my carport to get in my car and heard it call. I thought it was a mistake because too early. On morning of 2/8 I heard it call again while filling the feeders, and there was no mistaking. I was due at an online meeting so wasn't able to stay outside later. |
| Relative Size & Shape | no visual observation. |
| Head | no visual observation |
| Feet & Bill | no visual observation |
| Upper Back | no visual observation |
| Lower Back & Rump | no visual observation |
| Wings | no visual observation |
| Breast, Belly, Flanks, Under Tail Coverts | no visual observation |
| Tail | no visual observation |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | the vocalization was unmistakably the eastern phoebe. It was amongst chatter from other birds who were watching me refill their feeders. |
| This report was written from notes taken: | Immediately After |
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