Mascomabirds.org        

A summary of 2013 bird walks sponsored by the

Mascoma Chapter of the NH Audubon Society.

Windsor County 2013 Birding Quest

Lake Runnemede - Windsor, VT

Saturday,  November 16

On a relatively mild and sunny day, 18 participants took part in a Windsor County Quest Trip.  The first half of this trip was spent at Lake Runnemede in Windsor.  A total of 29 different species were recorded, with highlights including:  a juvenile Northern Shrike seen at the south end of the lake near the spillway, a very large count of American Tree Sparrows and seven Eastern Bluebirds perching upon nest boxes, giving great views for all.  Waterfowl seen on the lake were few, but included:  American Black Ducks, Common Mergansers, one Hooded Merganser, and several Canada Geese.

Fifteen participants departed from Lake Runnemede and continued on to Mill Pond (located off of RT 44 West - roughly 1.5 miles from Runnemede).  Even fewer waterfowl were spotted at the north end of Mill Pond (only Canada Geese), but a Double-crested Cormorant still remained at this location.  From that brief stop we ventured to the south end of Mill Pond, which is accessible via hiking trails that begin at the Windsor Recreational Fields.  The hiking trails allow access to the wetland located at the southern end of Mill Pond.  It was hoped more waterfowl would be found, but some of the wetland areas were frozen, and the open areas were not productive, although a Winter Wren began scolded the party as it ventured farther onto the trail.

It was great Quest Trip overall, and the weather was splendid for mid-November! A big thank you to co-leaders George Clark, Ed Hack, Sara Eisenhauer, Chris Rimmer, and Kyle Kittelberger for making this trip possible, and thanks to Sara for compiling the counts.


Lake Runnemede

Canada Goose 19

American Black Duck 7

Hooded Merganser 1

Common Merganser 5

Mourning Dove  5

Downy Woodpecker 4

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker 1

Pileated Woodpecker 1

Northern Shrike 1 -- juvenile - seen well via scope

Blue Jay 6

American Crow 8

Common Raven 1

Black-capped Chickadee 6

Tufted Titmouse 2

White-breasted Nuthatch 2

Carolina Wren 1

Eastern Bluebird 7

American Robin 32

European Starling 4

Cedar Waxwing 2

American Tree Sparrow 2 -- conservative count - several flying to and from central pumpkin field and along field edges

Savannah Sparrow 5

Song Sparrow 6

White-throated Sparrow 1

Dark-eyed Junco 2

Northern Cardinal 4

House Finch 2

American Goldfinch 10

Mill Pond

Canada Goose 20

Double-crested Cormorant 1

Blue Jay 2

American Crow 3

Black-capped Chickadee 2

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Winter Wren 1

Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area

Addison, VT

Saturday, November 2nd

On a blustery, chilly, mostly cloudy day, ten birders hosted by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon had a productive outing in the Dead Creek Area of the Champlain Valley. A total of 39 species were tallied from six different locations.

Arriving at the goose viewing area just before 9:30 a.m., an estimated 4,000 Snow Geese swirled upward in front of viewers. A single, dark bird held the attention of the entire flock, and quickly grabbed the viewing party's -- a Golden Eagle. Distant, but diagnostic and satisfying views were made through the scopes as it floated north into the wind. Likely a 3rd year bird as the tail had white, but not the wings.

Elsewhere in Paton and Addison, a remarkable 49 shorebirds of at least 5 species were counted. No sign of the Long-billed Dowitchers that were at Brilyea for the last month. Some highlights --

Champlain Bridge -- One Greater Yellowlegs

Whitney Creek -- 18 Pectoral Sandpipers, 2 Dunlin, 1 White-rumped Sandpiper

McCuen Slang -- 3 Greater Yellowlegs

Stone Bridge Dam -- 2 Wilson's Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 3 Peeps--originally identified as juvenile Semipalmated Sandpipers, but possibly juvenile White-rumped

Paton Road --19 Dunlin, 1 adult White-rumped Sandpiper

Other birds of note included one dark-morph Rough-legged Hawk in West Addison, a female Black Scoter and 9 White-winged Scoters at the Champlain Bridge.


The day's counts:

Snow Goose              4,000

American Black Duck             75

Mallard             200

Northern Pintail             4

Green-winged Teal             25

White-winged Scoter             9

Black Scoter             1

Common Merganser             44

duck sp.             10

Common Loon             3

Great Blue Heron             2

Golden Eagle             1

Northern Harrier             1

hawk sp.             1

Greater Yellowlegs             3

White-rumped Sandpiper             1

Pectoral Sandpiper             18

peep sp.             3

Wilson's Snipe             2

Bonaparte's Gull             25

Ring-billed Gull             10

Great Black-backed Gull             1

gull sp.             7

Peregrine Falcon             2

Blue Jay             1

American Crow             400

Common Raven             1

Horned Lark             6

Black-capped Chickadee             2

White-breasted Nuthatch             2

Ruby-crowned Kinglet             1

Eastern Bluebird             2

European Starling             1

American Tree Sparrow             5

Dark-eyed Junco             1

Red-winged Blackbird             50

American Goldfinch             1

Windsor County 2013 Birding Quest

Lake Runnemede - Windsor, VT

Saturday,  October 19th

Early morning fog lifted in time to allow 21 observers on a Windsor County 2013 Birding Quest walk to find 45 species the morning of the 19th in the vicinity of Lake Runnemede in the town of Windsor, VT. Highlights included a flying Northern Goshawk (seen by 2 observers), an adult Bald Eagle well seen in flight, 6 Northern Flickers and a Merlin perched so as to provide great views. 

Special thanks to co-leaders Sarah Eisenhauer, Ed Hack, Spencer Hardy, and Kyle Kittelberger. Spencer generously volunteered to compile the eBird report.

Canada Goose 25

Wood Duck 4

American Black Duck 5

Great Blue Heron 1

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1

Accipiter sp. - Coopers/goshawk moving south 1

Bald Eagle 1

Northern Goshawk 1 (independent sightings)

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3

Downy Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 6

Pileated Woodpecker 1

Merlin 1

Eastern Phoebe 3

Northern Shrike 1

Blue Jay 5

American Crow 20

Black-capped Chickadee 3

Tufted Titmouse 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Carolina Wren 1

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2

Hermit Thrush 5

American Robin 30

Gray Catbird 1

European Starling 45

American Pipit 1

Cedar Waxwing 20

Nashville Warbler 1 (independent sightings)

Common Yellowthroat 2

Yellow-rumped Warbler 15

Chipping Sparrow 3

Field Sparrow 1

Savannah Sparrow 5

Song Sparrow 40

Lincoln's Sparrow 1

Swamp Sparrow 25

White-throated Sparrow 25

White-crowned Sparrow 6

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 2

sparrow sp. 20

Northern Cardinal 3

Red-winged Blackbird 250

Rusty Blackbird 9

Common Grackle 4

blackbird sp. 10

House Finch 7

Purple Finch 5

American Goldfinch 7

Lake Runnemede -- Windsor, VT

Friday, October 11th

Following are observations made by George Clark and Chris Rimmer from a non-Mascoma Chapter outing. We thought they were worth publishing, because of the snapshot they provided of fall passerine migration at its busiest time.

Canada Goose 70

Wood Duck 10

American Black Duck 3

Double-crested Cormorant 1

Mourning Dove 6

Belted Kingfisher 1

Pileated Woodpecker 2

Blue Jay 15

American Crow 8

Black-capped Chickadee 8

Tufted Titmouse 2

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Carolina Wren 1

American Robin 4

Gray Catbird 2

European Starling 10

American Pipit 7

Cedar Waxwing 4

Common Yellowthroat 1

Palm Warbler 2

Yellow-rumped Warbler 20

Field Sparrow 2

Savannah Sparrow 9

Song Sparrow 26

Swamp Sparrow 17

White-throated Sparrow 24

White-crowned Sparrow 8

Dark-eyed Junco 3

Northern Cardinal 1

Red-winged Blackbird 6

House Finch 1

Purple Finch 1

American Goldfinch 2

 Simon Pearce Flood Plain

Windsor, VT

Saturday, September 28

7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

This was one of several walks sponsored by the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon in conjunction with the parent organization's annual meeting that took place the same day at The Montshire Museum in Norwich.

Led by George Clark and Ed Hack, the outing took place under cool, damp and misty conditions. Twenty-six species were seen including nearly 165 yellow-rumped (Myrtle) warblers!

Canada Goose 2

Double-crested Cormorant 1

Mourning Dove 3

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Downy Woodpecker 2

Hairy Woodpecker 4

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 6

Pileated Woodpecker 2

Blue Jay 9

American Crow 10

Common Raven 1

Black-capped Chickadee 5

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

American Robin 22

Gray Catbird 2

American Pipit 10

Cedar Waxwing 55

Common Yellowthroat 3

Palm Warbler (Yellow) 3

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 165

Chipping Sparrow 3

Savannah Sparrow 1

Song Sparrow 24

Swamp Sparrow 1

White-throated Sparrow 17

White-crowned Sparrow (Eastern) 2

Bedell Bridge State Historic Site

   Haverhill, NH

Saturday, September 28

This was another of the walks the Mascoma Chapter sponsored for participants in NH Audunon's Annual Meeting at The Montshire Museum.

The event took place under dark, damp  and dreary conditions. Some of the adjacent cornfields had not been cut which may have accounted for the reduced number of ground birds seen compared to other visits.

A total of 28 species were seen with an American Bittern, a Bald Eagle, a Pileated Woodpecker and a late season Gray Catbird ranking among some of the more notable sightings.

Thanks to Chapter Steering Committee Chair Blake Allison for hosting the event and keeping the count.

Canada Goose  31
Mallard  2
American Bittern  1
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Bald Eagle  1
Mourning Dove  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  4
Pileated Woodpecker  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  5
Common Raven  1
Black-capped Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
House Wren  1
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler  10
Chipping Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  3
Lincoln's Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  8
American Goldfinch  1

Annual Hawk Watch

Saturday, September 14

10:00 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m.

Lebanon Airport -- W. Lebanon, NH

About 25 participants came to today's hawk watch arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon and held for about 2.5 hours at the Lebanon Airport in West Lebanon, NH. Cloudy skies prevailed, but small patches of blue sky were occasionally in view. Dozens of raptors were seen with most flying relatively high. Much of this flight would likely have gone unnoticed without a deliberate effort to look for hawks. An annotated species list follows; numbers of individuals per species are estimates. Thanks to many who spotted and identified birds. Photos helped to verify identifications of some of 
the high flying birds.

Canada Goose  25 -- Seen at times flying and also on the airport grassland. At one point a flock of Canada Geese walked across a runway from the grass on one side to the grass on the other.

Turkey Vulture  20 -- Generally no more than 7 birds in sight at any  one time. The vultures were flying usually lower than the eagles or hawks. The vultures seen today may well have originated from the birds  which have been roosting in West Lebanon.

Bald Eagle  at least 3 -- One was clearly an adult with white head and tail.

Broad-winged Hawk  75 -- This estimated total included one group in which 42 individuals were counted, all visible in the air at the sametime. Many of these birds were quite distant overhead.

Red-tailed Hawk  2  -- At least 2 distant individuals were Red-tails.

Blue Jay  4 -- This number might be low. Jay calls were the most commonly heard bird vocalizations today.

American Crow  10 -- Birds seen in flight and at least two on a runway for a time.

Common Raven  7 -- Flying past and sometimes soaring with raptors.

Cedar Waxwing  3  -- In brush on the north side of the parking area.

European Starling  4  -- Seen both flying and in brush on the north side of the parking area.

Savannah Sparrow  1  -- Along the perimeter fence, sometimes perched  on the fence and sometimes foraging on the ground below.

Song Sparrow    2 -- In brush on the north side of the parking area.

House Sparrow  8  --  Seen at close range near the perimeter fence as well as elsewhere.


Male Cardinal at Lake Runnemede/Wayne Benoit. Hanover, NH

River Rd. -- Hanover to Lyme

Saturday, July 27

On a cool morning starting with fog which gradually gave way to  largely sunny skies, 11 observers participated in a birding trip  northward along the eastern shoreline of the Connecticut River  starting at Wilson's Landing in Hanover and continuing along River  Road to its intersection with North Thetford Road in Lyme. The event was sponsored by the Mascoma Chapter of the New Hampshire Audubon, the Hanover Conservancy, and the Upper Valley Land Trust.

Special  thanks go to Cathy Hybels for compiling records, to Cynthia Crawford  and Wayne Cripps for sharing photos, and to Jack Elliott and Dartmouth  Printing for enabling use of their parking lot.

Among the highlights, an American Bittern seen flying southward long the river in Lyme was  photographed. At the conserved area of Grant Brook in Lyme, a Cooper's  Hawk was photographed with vigorous pursuit by a couple of Eastern  Kingbirds. In accord with the season, flocks of Bank and Barn  Swallows, with totals numbering in the dozens, were present,  presumably gathering before their southward departure. About a dozen  Bobolinks were present in an unmowed portion of a field in Lyme. Bird  song was, as expected, much reduced relative to earlier in the summer  along this morning's route.

Species list with additional annotations:

Canada Goose    10 in a flock
Mallard -- small numbers seen
American Bittern
Cooper's Hawk
Rock Pigeon  -- about 30 seen flying at Wilson's Landing
Mourning Dove  -- calling
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  -- at Wilson's Landing
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker -- at 2 locations
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher  -- identified by song
unidentified Empidonax
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird -- widespread along the river
Warbling Vireo  -- song heard and seen
Red-eyed Vireo -- numerous, singing
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Veery  -- call notes heard, but no song
American Robin -- numerous
Gray Catbird  -- numerous
Cedar Waxwing  -- widespread along the route
Ovenbird  -- song heard
Yellow Warbler -- seen but no song detected
Black-and-white Warbler -- singing
Common Yellowthroat -- singing
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting  -- bright blue male singing in a treetop
Song Sparrow  -- plentiful and singing
Swamp Sparrow  -- singing
Bobolink    -- well seen; call notes but no song
Red-winged Blackbird -- some males still singing
American Goldfinches -- widespread and vocal


Specific counts for the above species list can be found by clicking on the links below. The four lists cover specific locations and times. Additional  species were found along River Road between these four stops. 

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S14823957

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S14824130

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S14824035

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S14824077
 

Windsor County 2013 Birding Quest Walk

North Springfield Reservoir -- Springfield, VT

Saturday, July 13

7:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

The latest installment of the Windsor County 2013 Birding Quest brought out 21 participants who explored the waters and woods of the North Springfield Reservoir in the  towns of Springfield and Weathersfield, VT. Cloudy skies kept air  temperatures at pleasant levels while two sites were visited, the first  in the area of the west end of the dike forming the North Springfield  Dam and the second on the southern side of the Maple Street access  east of Perkinsville.

More than 40 bird species were found. Excellent views were obtained of  one of the singing Prairie Warblers, and numerous Field Sparrows were  present. Among other highlights were 4 Common Mergansers, 2 Great Blue  Herons,  2 Bald Eagle fledglings by their nest, a Killdeer at the  airport, Belted Kingfishers on patrol, a few Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, a few Eastern Kingbirds, chickadees caring for their  young, several Veeries vocalizing with song and call notes, numerous  Gray Catbirds, 2 Brown Thrashers, an Indigo Bunting, and a Bobolink.

Thanks to Sara Eisenhauer and George Clark for leading the event and compiling these notes and observations.

Seen at the North Springfield Dam

Great Blue Heron  1
Killdeer  1
Rock Pigeon  1
Mourning Dove  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Hairy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
Alder Flycatcher  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Red-eyed Vireo  2
American Crow  4
Black-capped Chickadee  4
Brown Creeper  1
House Wren  1
Veery  4
American Robin  3
Gray Catbird  2
Brown Thrasher  2
Cedar Waxwing  4
Ovenbird  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
Chestnut-sided Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  2
Chipping Sparrow  2
Field Sparrow  4
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  10
Northern Cardinal  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  1    female
American Goldfinch  8

Additional species seen at the Maple Street access

Ccommon Merganser  4

Bald Eagle  2   

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2

Willow Flycatcher  1

Warbling Vireo  3

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

Hermit Thrush  1

Yellow Warbler  1

Swamp Sparrow  1

Red-winged Blackbird  3

Common Grackle  4

Baltimore Oriole  1

Windsor County 2013 Birding Quest Walk

Windsor State Farm Correctional Facility

Saturday, June 22

On a somewhat cloudy, cooler than exected morning, eighteen people gathered at the Windsor State Farm Correctional Facility hoping to observe some of the avian diversity for which the area is renowned. They were not disappointed. The morning's tally included Wilson's Snipe obligingly perched on utility poles and dead stumps, Black-billed Cuckoos, Field, Savannah, Swamp and Song Sparrows as well as a Brewster's Warbler. One of the hoped for species, a Prairie Warbler that had been reported on at least two occasions, eluded the party.

 A total of 41 species plus two taxa were counted. Thanks to Spencer and Doug Hardy and George Clark for leading the outing and helping to compile this list.

Canada Goose  1
Killdeer  2
Wilson's Snipe  3
Mourning Dove  12
Black-billed Cuckoo  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
American Kestrel  1
Alder Flycatcher  1
Willow Flycatcher  2
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's Flycatcher)  1    Seen only
Eastern Kingbird  1
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  1
Common Raven  1
Tree Swallow  4
Barn Swallow  2
Black-capped Chickadee  3
Tufted Titmouse  1
House Wren  1
Veery  2
Wood Thrush  1
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  4
Cedar Waxwing  16
Ovenbird  1
Brewster's Warbler (hybrid)  1
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  4
American Redstart  2
Yellow Warbler  4
Chestnut-sided Warbler  5
Field Sparrow  5
Savannah Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  6
Swamp Sparrow  2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  1
Bobolink  2
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Common Grackle  4
Baltimore Oriole  2
American Goldfinch  15

 Bedell Bridge State Historic Site

Haverhill, NH

Saturday, June 1st

Under partly cloudy and somewhat humid conditions six birders joined Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee members Arthur Mudge and George Clark for a survey of the wetlands, woods and agricultural fields to be found at the Bedell Bridge site. A total of 41 species was recorded. Among the highlights were an abundance warbling vireos (7) and Baltimore orioles (7).  A back-billed cuckoo was heard and a pair of great-crested flycatchers were seen in plain view. The tally was kept by Blake Allison and Arthur Mudge.

Canada Goose  2
Wood Duck  1
Mallard  2
Great Blue Heron  2
Mourning Dove  3
Black-billed Cuckoo  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Alder Flycatcher  2
Willow Flycatcher  1
Empidonax sp.  1
Eastern Phoebe  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Eastern Kingbird  2
Warbling Vireo  7
Red-eyed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  3
Common Raven  1
Tree Swallow  1
Black-capped Chickadee  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Veery  3
American Robin  2
Gray Catbird  5
Cedar Waxwing  12
Ovenbird  1
Common Yellowthroat  2
American Redstart  2
Northern Parula  1
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Wilson's Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  3
Swamp Sparrow  2
Scarlet Tanager  1
Red-winged Blackbird  11
Common Grackle  9
Baltimore Oriole  7
American Goldfinch  2




Waterfowl and Early Migrant Trip

River Rd. -- Hanover to Lyme

Saturday, April 20th

Saturday morning after cessation of overnight showers, a birding trip with twenty-one participants made several stops from Dartmouth Printing in Hanover northward along the New Hampshire side of Connecticut River to Grant Brook in Lyme. A good variety of  bird species were seen during this event arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon, the Hanover Conservancy, and the Upper Valley Land Trust.

Among highlights were extended soaring by a Double-crested Cormorant, good views of an adult Bald Eagle, a Spotted Sandpiper in its nice-looking spring garb, several Ruby-crowned Kinglets singing loudly, an even louder Louisiana Waterthrush singing at Grant Brook, and a Field Sparrow at Grant Brook. Non-avian bonus finds included a spotted salamander and a red eft.

We appreciate the parking access provided by Dartmouth Printing. Thanks go to Gail McPeek, Blake Allison, and Art Mudge for helping to compile the following list of bird species encountered.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Common Merganser
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle (adult)
Killdeer  (vocalizing by Dartmouth Printing at the end of the trip)
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Pine Warbler  (singing by Dartmouth Printing)
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Cardinal
American Tree Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch

Windsor County 2013 Birding Quest 

Lake Runnemede - Windsor, VT

Saturday, April 13th

 A birding trip to Lake Runnemede in Windsor, VT, co-sponsored by Windsor County 2013 Birding Quest and NH Audubon’s Mascoma Chapter, produced a satisfying array of waterfowl and landbirds with a species count reaching 43. Conditions were mostly cloudy with temperatures at the outset registering in the low 30s. The previous day’s early spring snowstorm left the paths and fields covered with crunchy mix of ice and snow. 

One of the most unusual sightings was an extended southward flight of numerous groups of  many dozens of  American Robins passing over Lake Runnemede. George Clark suggested this might have been an example of the phenomenon of reverse migration in which birds switch from the normal migratory direction and begin moving in the opposite direction upon encountering severely adverse conditions.

Among the water bird highlights was a view of both an adult Bald Eagle and an Osprey perched in trees at the same time providing a fine opportunity for comparison of the two species.

Highlights among land birds included a few Northern Flickers, Eastern Phoebes, and numerous Tree Swallows. One Rough-winged Swallow was sighted. Seven species of sparrows included American Tree Sparrows, a Chipping Sparrow, a Vesper Sparrow, a Savannah Sparrow, a few Fox sparrows, numerous Song Sparrows, and a few White-throated Sparrows.

Special thanks go to co-leaders Doug Hardy, Ed Hack, Kyle Kittelberger, and Chris Rimmer for helping to compile the observation report. A complete count list, plus some imbedded photos of a Hoary Redpoll and Vesper Sparrow can be found via the following eBird link.

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S13729476



Windsor County 2013 Birding Quest

 Migratory Waterfowl - Norwich, VT

 Saturday, March 23rd

On a blustery, brisk Saturday morning marked by winter-like conditions that included some impressive snow showers, crunchy snow underfoot and ample ice covering much of the Connecticut River's bays and feeder streams, about 22 participants enjoyed a birding trip cosponsored by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon and Windsor County 2013 Birding Quest. All sightings were made in Norwich, Windsor County, VT.

Starting from the Ledyard Bridge, the group made stops going northward on US  Route 5 along the Connecticut River, then went through the length of Kendall Station Road, continued on Route 132 past Pompy, turned onto Hogback Road, then to Campbell Flats Road, thereafter returning to Ledyard Bridge. 

Waterfowl seen along the way included small numbers of Canada Geese, Mallards, Hooded and Common Mergansers. More than two dozen Wild Turkeys in a flock along Route 5 were engaged in social activity including chases of one another. Nearby, two adult Red-tailed Hawks appeared to be potential nesters in that vicinity. Good views were obtained of a Killdeer in the fields across Route 132 opposite Pompy. Early returning Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles also were observed.

Afterwards, Chris Rimmer led a small group down to Wilder Dam where Hooded and Common Mergansers were observed along with a dozen American Robins and a solitary Northern Mockingbird.

Thanks to Spencer Hardy, George Clark and Chris Rimmer for compiling the eBird reports. The  species count was as follows:

Mallard 18, Hooded Merganser 9, Common Merganser 10 

Wild Turkey 27, Turkey Vulture 2, Red-tailed Hawk 2

Killdeer 1

Rock Pigeon 14, Mourning Dove 8

Downy Woodpecker 1, Blue Jay 7, American Crow 75, Black-capped Chickadee 4, Tufted Titmouse 1

American Robin 12

Northern Mockingbird 1

American Tree Sparrow 8
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 3

Northern Cardinal 1

ed-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 5

House Finch 2

 Windsor County 2013 Birding Quest

Wilder Village, VT

Saturday, February 23rd

Under overcast skies with temperatures ranging through the mid-30s, ten observers participated in a 2013 Windsor County Birding Quest walk within the village of Wilder, VT. Also included was a visit to Wilder Dam to search the downstream area and open water for bald eagles and waterfowl.

A highlight of the morning was the passing overhead of several large flocks of waterfowl totaling near 240 individuals! Their direction was northward, roughly parallel to the Connecticut River, but it was unknown whether the flocks represented local movements or birds moving longer distances upstream.

Nineteen species were identified over the course of the two hour, two mile walk. Notable was the absence of starlings. Disappointing was the failure to locate any carolina wrens or to catch a glimpse of an early-arriving, red-winged blackbird. However, the singing of cardinals, nuthatches and mourning doves was a harbinger that southern wintering birds will be returning soon.

The species seen were as follows. Thanks to trip leader George Clark and Ed Hack for tallying the count. 

Mallard  4  -  two pairs in the water below Wilder Dam.                                                         

Common Merganser - 105 most seen flying north but several observed in the water below Wilder Dam.                                                                    

Bald Eagle 1 -  an adult perched in a tree on the western (VT) side of the Connecticut River.      

Rock Pigeon  22
Mourning Dove  16
Downy Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Blue Jay  8
American Crow  19
Common Raven  2
Black-capped Chickadee  15
Tufted Titmouse  4
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  6
American Tree Sparrow  6
Dark-eyed Junco  6
Northern Cardinal  4
House Finch  5
House Sparrow  2



Eagle Watch at Wilder Dam

Sunday, February 10th -- 10:00 a.m.

Under sunny skies and cool temperatures (six degrees to lower twenties), about 14 observers participated in Sunday morning's annual Wilder Dam eagle watch arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon. Viewers enjoyed a  view of Mt. Ascutney's hazy profile  providing a distant background when looking downstream across the Connecticut River's sparkling waters.

Highlights were two adult Bald Eagles seen perched at the same time high in trees downstream. Also present were about 14 Common Mergansers, about 12 Rock Pigeons, two American Crows and a Black-capped Chickadee. Not a great variety of birds, but at least there were two species not ordinarily seen at most backyard feeding stations.