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2017 Bird Walk Archive

Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area

Saturday, November 4

Addison, VT

Under mostly sunny skies, with mild breezes, and the temperature ranging through the 40s, a dozen participants joined in the Mascoma Chapter's annual, November field trip to Addison County in Vermont's Champlain Valley. Birds were impressively numerous and totaled about 50 species. An estimated 1300 Snow Geese, including a few of the dark morph Blue Geese, were among the highlights. Seven species of raptors included an Osprey, Northern Harriers, and a Red-shouldered Hawk. Among diving birds were Common Loons, a Red-throated Loon, Red-necked and Horned Grebes, Double-crested Cormorants. Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, White-winged and Black Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers (27 of the latter in one flock), A few Brant also were found.

A Yellow-rumped was the only warbler. An American Tree Sparrow was noted. Several late butterflies, including Monarchs, were also sighted.

Many more details on the birds seen are available from seven Addison County eBird lists submitted by trip leader and compiler Spencer Hardy, whose efforts in conducting such a successful trip are greatly appreciated.

Dead Creek WMA: Goose Viewing Area, VT Rt. 17

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40303323

Tri-town Water District Plant/Oven Bay, Addison

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40303332

Turkey Lane, Addison

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40303359

Dead Creek WMA: Panton Road Crossing

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40303375

Champlain Bridge/Chimney Point, VT Rt.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40303403

McCuen Slang, Addison

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40303419

Three Mile Bridge Road, Middlebury

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40303273

Bedell Bridge Bird Walk

Saturday, October 7

Bedell Bridge State Historic Site – NH Rt. 10

Haverhill, NH

The Mascoma Chapter's fall outing to Haverhill's Bedell Bridge State Historic Site has become a member's favorite attracting birders from as far away as Strafford, VT and Lincoln, NH.

This year, twenty-four birders gathered around 7:00 a.m., on Saturday, the 7th, with an early morning, river valley mist blanketing the landscape. The attendees split into two groups at the outset, because some people paused at newly cut cornfields to scan for American pipits while others continued down to the parking area to survey adjacent wetlands.

After nearly 90 minutes, the pipit seekers rejoined the wetlands watchers. Despite the time spent apart, the two groups ultimately produced very similar lists with only a couple of species that did not overlap. However, numbers of a particular taxon often varied between lists.

Thirty plus species, including a not well seen blackbird and an unidentified acipiter, were recorded during the nearly three hours spent afield. Yellow-rumped warblers, cedar waxwings and American robins were the most numerous species. All six likely to be seen locally members of the woodpecker family were seen/heard. Northern flickers topped that group with seven individuals recorded.

Waterfowl presence was scant. Canada geese (12) and wood ducks (3) were the only members of that group recorded. Aside from the high number of yellow-rumped warblers, the only other warblers recorded were a solitary common yellowthroat and one black-throated green.

Complete eBird counts for both lists recorded can be found using the following links:

Jeff MacQueen's count:

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39603245

Blake Allison's count:

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39604160

Thanks to Chapter Steering Committee Members George Clark, Blake Allison and Jeff MacQueen for co-leading. Additional thanks to Jeff and Blake for keeping their respective counts.

Richmond Conservation Land

Saturday, September 16

Orford, NH

An awesome group of enthusiastic birders joined Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee member Jeff MacQueen for a tour of a few Orford hotspots. About thirty species were tallied on a slighty foggy but pleasant morning.

Highlights included a nice mixed flock of migrants along the edge of the river at the Richmond Conservation Land. Present in this flock were a couple of Tennessee Warblers, a Black-throated Green, a Black-and-white Warbler, a Scarlet Tanager, and a Blue-headed Vireo among others. At Boat Landing Road a Savannah Sparrow and a Northern Harrier were added. A cooperative American Kestrel, at times sharing a scope view with a Blue Jay and Northern Flicker was present at Reed's Marsh.

Thanks to all who jcame on the trip. A special note of appreciation to Katherine Thompson andAnne Duncan Cooley for helping with the species tabulation.

eBird lists of the day's sightings can be found using the following links:

Richmond Conservation Land

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39249766

Boat Landing Road

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39249737

Reed's Marsh

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39249683

Norwich Birdwalk – Early Fall Migrants

Saturday, August 19

At seven o'clock on Saturday morning, August 19th, 23 birders gathered on the Norwich, Vermont side of the Ledyard Bridge to commence a birding expedition in search of early arriving, fall migrants. Weather conditions were favorable with partly cloudy skies and the temperature ranging from 64 degrees at the outset to the low the low 70s when the outing concluded around 10:00 a.m.

A total of 40 species was recorded over the time afield. Highlights included a male bufflehead in transitional plumage seen in the waters below the Ledyard bridge. At Campbell Flats, the participants enjoyed fine views of the continuing little blue heron as it obligingly remained perched for almost 45 minutres in a dead tree adjacent to the beaver dam. Also at Campbell Flats was a pair of solitary sandpipers foraging in the flooded meadow.

Warbler sightings were scant. Just four species were recorded during the party's four stops, including one yellow warbler, a common yellowthroat, two black and whites and four American redstarts.

Among other songbirds, the group was treated to the engaging sight of two adult rose-breasted grosbeaks feeding their two, newly fledged youngsters. A total of eight Baltimore orioles were seen over the course of the morning. Also seen was a flock of 35+/- flying mourning doves at Ompompanoosuc Flats.

Waterfowl diversity was slight. Mallards were numerous with 75+/- seen during the trip. A few wood ducks were recorded. At Campbell Flats four Canada geese were seen, the only ones observed on the day.

A tip of the hat to Jenn Megyesi whose evocative photos add a striking visual component to the the eBird lists. Thanks to trip co-leaders George Clark, Ed Hack and Blake Allison and thanks to Blake for serving as recorder.

Complete lists of the day's observations can be viewed on eBird by clicking on the links below.

Ledyard Bridge/Foley Park Area
http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist/S38730584

Ompompanoosuc Flats
http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist/S38731000

Kendall Station

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist/S38731247

Campbell Flats Rd.
http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist/S38731474

Birding River Road – Hanover to Lyme

Saturday, July 22

Under overcast but bright skies, with good visibility and pleasantly cool temperatures, nine individuals birded along the Connecticut River's NH side, starting from Sheridan NH (formerly Dartmouth Printing Company) in Hanover and continuing north to Grant Brook in Lyme. During the trip, arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon, more than 40 bird species were found in an enjoyable sampling of birdlife along the river in the latter half of July.

Among highlights were more than 65 swallows over the river by Wilson's Landing in Hanover, with dozens of Tree Swallows as well as Barn and Bank Swallows among those swallows identified. Eastern Kingbirds were among the more conspicuous species along our route with their vocalizations heard at nearly every stop along the way. At least a few Willow Flycatchers were still calling "Fitz-bew" this late in their nesting season.

Among singing songbirds a Northern Parula at Hewes Brook in Lyme was notable. Among the warblers, Common Yellowthroats were the most numerous. For the sparrow species, Song Sparrows were the most profuse, but Swamp Sparrows were still singing loudly in a few places.

More details can be found in the following July 22nd, eBird reports.

Dartmouth Printing: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S38271413

Wilson's Landing: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S38271409

River Road/Hanover: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S38271395

River Road/Lyme - Including Hewes Brook and Wilder WMA: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S38271390

Grant Brook: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S38271383

Special thanks go to coleaders and field compilers Kathy Thompson and Susan Tiholiz. Sheridan NH generously provided parking spaces to facilitate carpooling.

VT State Farm Prison and Environs

Windsor, VT

Saturday, June 17

Under relatively cool, calm, conditions and overcast skies with a low cloud cover, but no precipitation, 20 participants enjoyed a bird walk in Windsor, VT, in the vicinity of the state correctional facility ("Windsor Prison Farm"). Bird vocalizations seemed often subdued, but nevertheless a total of 43 species were found. Presumably most or all of these species nest in that vicinity, A complete list can be seen at

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37643007

A few highlights can be mentioned here. Two Wilson's Snipe were calling and flying about. Repeated calling by both Alder and Willow Flycatchers provided a fine opportunity to compare the vocalizations of the two species which are so similar in appearance as to be ordinarily indistinguishable except by sounds or nests. House Wrens were nesting in an exceptional location, a space partially concealed between pieces of a standard-appearing, roadside, metal guard rail.

Eight warbler species were detected, including one repeatedly singing a proper "Blue-winged Warbler song". Despite our efforts to see that winged warbler, the bird remained out of sight so we don't know whether the singer was actually a Blue-winged Warbler or perhaps a hybrid or, much less likely, a rare Golden-winged Warbler. Among other prominent singers in the area were Eastern Towhee and Indigo Bunting, augmenting a background chorus provided by Red-eyed Vireos and Ovenbirds.

After coverage on the prison farm, ten participants went on to look for birds in and around wetlands near the junction of Marton and Hunt Roads, also in the town of Windsor. Eighteen species were found, including two additional snipe, the only hummingbird of the morning, both Least and Willow Flycatchers. a Warbling Vireo, numerous Bobolinks singing and flying about, and the repeated song of Savannah Sparrow.

A full list can be seen using the following link:

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37643106

Thanks to all who participated and helped in Saturday's walk, arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon. Special acknowledgments go to coleaders Susan Tiholiz and Jeff Yegian. Jeff kept the records in the field and submitted the eBird reports.

Northern Rail Trail Bird Walk

Lebanon, NH

Saturday, June 10

Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee member Jeff MacQueen led fifteen birders on a walk along the Mascoma River following Icehouse Road and the Northern Rail Trail.

Under mostly sunny skies and with the temperature comfortably in the mid-60s, the group tallied 32 species and had great looks at many of them.

The morning's highlights involved breeding evidence with half a dozen nests located. Among them, were two Baltimore Oriole nests, one American Redstart, one Yellow Warbler and a Least Flycatcher nest. American Redstarts were very active and we had the opportunity to study adult males, first year males and females (one on the nest we found). We also had a Common Loon around the dam area.

Thanks to George Clark for co-leading and to Jeff Yegian for keeping the list. Jeff's complete list can be viewed here:

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37507531

Co-sponsored by the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon and the Mascoma River Local Advisory Committee.

Bedell Bridge Bird Walk

Bedell Bridge State Historic Site -- Haverhill, NH

Saturday, May 27

The grounds surrounding the former site of the Bedell Bridge offer an opportunity to see a wide variety of birds due to the park’s interesting combination of riparian, mixed woodlands and agricultural land habitats.

The sixteen observers who traveled the site got a firsthand exp;erience of that diversity tallying 46 species that included a green heron, eight different insectivore species, three members of the swllow family, four different woodpeckers and four species in the oriole/blackbird group.

The walk was hosted by Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee Member Jeff MacQueen with assistance from George Clark, Katherine Thompson Susan Tiholiz and Adam Burnett.

A complete list of the morning's observations can be found using the following eBird link:

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37220033

Woodcock Walk

Hanover, NH

Thursday, April 27

Inclement weather forced cancellation of Tuesday's walk, but conditions on the 27th - mostly cloudy, breezy but rather balmy - made it possible for 14 participants to head over to Hanover's Huntington Hill in search of woodcock activity.

The walk, as in past years, was co-sponsored by the Mascoma Chapter and the Kendal Bird Club represented by Joanne Norton. Mascoma Chapter Steering Commitee member George Clark offered the following observations on the night'sz activity.

" We had ... at least two woodcock displaying at the same time. The only other bird species easily recognizable by sound there was an American Robin so, as is usually the case for the woodcock walks, the total of bird species encountered was low: just two this evening. Spring Peepers were also notable. Skies were largely cloudy, and there was a noticeable breeze from the southeast. The temperature seemed about as balmy as I've ever experienced on a woodcock walk to Huntington Hill."

Spring Migrant Bird Walk

Hanover and Lyme, NH

Saturday, April 15

On Saturday, April 15, under clear, crisp and chilly conditions, 18 birders undertook an early morning excursion along River Road from Hanover to Lyme. The group was seeking out migrating waterfowl and early arriving songbirds. Six stops were made beginning at Hanover's Wilson's Landing and concluding in Lyme at Grant Brook's outflow into the Connecticut.

The thermometer read just 28 degrees when the group set out at 6:30 a.m. and only had reached 36 when the outing concluded around 9:30. That may explain why songbird activity did not really get going until theist hour or so.

Fortunately, the cold temperature did not suppress the waterfowl. Seven species were registered. The highlights included a pair of green-winged teal seen at Wilson's Landing and two dozen black ducks observed at Grant Brook.

Notable non-songbird sightings included at Wilson's Landing an adult bald eagle seen traveling north over the river, a kettle of fifteen turkey vultures observed circling over a hill opposite Grant Brook and at Wilder WMA, a flock of ten wild turkeys that included two displaying males. Also at Grant Brook was an osprey eating a fish while perched in a tree on the river's VT side. At the Wilder WMA, a killdeer was seen.

The most notable songbird record was a pair eastern towhees, one heard and one seen, at Grant Brook. The towhee that was viewed, obligingly perched fully exposed in a roadside lilac for several moments just twenty feet from the walk's participants. There's a photo embedded in the Grant Brook eBird checklist courtesy of outing co-leader Gail McPeek.

Other songbird records included at Grant Brook a pine warbler, a palm warbler, two northern rough-winged swallows and a pair of belted kingfishers. Just down the road at the Wilder WMA, a swamp sparrow was heard singing off in the wetland. Four tree swallows were recorded at Wilson's Landing as well as a ruby-crowned kinglet.

Checklists for all six stops can be found by clicking on the links below. Thanks to George Clark, Gail McPeek, Jeff McQueen and Blake Allison for being "co-leaders," and thanks to Blake for producing the count lists.

Wilson's Landing: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S36001784

Hidden Valley: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S36020949

Wilmot Farm Fields: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S36020933

Hewes Brook Car Top Boat Launch: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S36020920

Wilder WMA: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S36020908

Grant Brook Outflow: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S36023017

Spring Migratory Waterfowl

Norwich, VT

Saturday, March 18

Conditions were anything but spring-like as thirteen intrepid birders headed south from Norwich's Foley making several stops along the Connecticut River's Vermont side searching for waterfowl and early arriving spring migrants. The sky was clear, but the temperature hovered close to zero Fahrenheit.

The party spent most of its time in Hartford making stops at the Wilder Dam, Prospect Street and Lyman Park at the US Rt. 4 bridge crossing and Lower Connecticut River Rd.

George Clark offered the following observations. "Canada Geese (35) and Mallards (135) were numerous, Hooded (two) and Common Mergansers (25) less so. A Bald Eagle was on the nest, and apparently incubating, in both West Lebanon and Wilder (the latter seen by four participants after the end of the regular walk). Other raptors included at least four Red-tailed Hawks, a Cooper's Hawk, and an unidentified falcon. One Turkey Vulture was seen. A female Red-bellied Woodpecker was calling repeatedly near the southern end of Connecticut River Road. Other species included Wild Turkeys (35), a Carolina Wren, American Robins, a Northern Mockingbird, American Tree Sparrows, a White-throated Sparrow and numerous Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackles."

Special thanks to co-leaders George Clark, Blake Allison, Ed Hack, Scott Johnston (gratefully credited as compiler for eBird reports), Chris Rimmer, and to all the other participants who helped to provide such a fine morning of Upper Valley birding.

Full counts for the morning can be found using the following eBird links:

Wilder Dam Outflow Overlook:

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35256225

Hartford -- Prospect Street and Environs:

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35256182

Conn. River Road -- Three Houses w/Feeders

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35255787

Conn. River Road -- Luce Farm to End of Road

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35256212

Annual Bald Eagle Watch at Wilder Dam

Wilder, VT

Saturday, February 11

Under cloudy, sub-freezing and windy conditions at Wilder Dam, nine birders gathered to participate in the Mascoma Chapter's inaugural event of its 2017 bird watching calendar.

When the first watchers arrived at 10:00 a.m., only half a dozen common mergansers were present on the open waters below the dam. But not more than fifteen minutes later, two adult bald eagles swung into view circling just in front of the island that sits some 200 yards downstream from the dam. One of the pair made several passes over a trio of mergansers but did not try to attack.

For the next half hour, one of the pair was observed moving into and away from the shoreline below a bend in the river which resulted in sometimes obscured visibility. There was speculation that it might be working on a new nest. Earlier in the week there were reports that two great-horned owls were heard calling in the vicinity of the eagles' old nest. Might the owls, as they have been know to do with eagles' nest, have taken it over? During this time, the other eagle was perched in a tall pine on the VT side providing the observers with fine views.

Some observations from Chapter Steering Committee member George Clark. "An estimated total of 125 Mallards, in a series of separate flocks, flew upstream along the river, but, later, smaller numbers of Mallards, assumed to be part of this larger group, were flying southward along the river as though having reversed their direction of flight. A total of nine common mergansers were seen. One male merganser in a group of three was seen to have captured a relatively large fish and was pursued across the water by the two other males in a series of chases. Other birds seen this morning included two rock pigeons and about ten American crows. An apparent absence of any birds smaller in size than the pigeons and crows was notable."

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