I've anticipated birding in Buel's Gore since I started this project. It's one of 4 gores (land grants that are not part of any chartered town) in Vermont, and sits astride the spine of the Green Mountains. VT Highway 17 winds its way up one side of the ridge to Appalachian Gap (mountain pass), then winds its way down the other. You must go slow in order to negotiate the hairpin turns and the steep slopes. If you have car troubles and you're traveling west, you can have your car serviced at Buel's Garage; if you're traveling east, you need to descend all the way down to Waitsfield, about a dozen miles away.

Buel's Gore is a gem of a spot. The Long Trail crosses the highway here, and there are lovely views to the east and west. Nestled just below the pass is a secluded beaver pond.

On my hike down from the pass to the pond, I observed a female Magnolia Warbler, and a pair of Common Raven flying overhead. All of the other birds were heard from the nearby woodlands. I plan to return and hike on the trails up to the rocky summit.

My checklist:
Warblers: Common Yellowthroat, Magnolia, Black-throated Green.
Misc: American Robin, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, White-throated Sparrow,
Common Raven, Brown Creeper.

Attached Thumbnails