This morning's bird walk, cosponsored by Windsor County 2013 Birding  
Quest and Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon, yielded more than 40 species  
of birds at Lake Runnemede in Windsor, VT. Temperatures at the start  
were in the low 30s, and about a dozen participants traversed the area  
which was covered by a crunchy mix of ice and snow. During the the  
walk, sight of emerging patches of blue sky added to the enjoyment of  
the morning. The following report is preliminary, and special thanks  
go to coleader Doug Hardy who is preparing a full list for eBird.  
Thanks also to other coleaders: Ed Hack, Kyle Kittelberger, and Chris  
Rimmer.

One of the most unusual sightings was an extended southward flight of  
numerous groups with many dozens of  American Robins passing over Lake  
Runnemede. We wonder whether 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.

Water birds at Lake Runnemede this morning included Canada Geese, Wood  
Ducks, American Black Ducks, Ring-necked Ducks, 2 Buffleheads, 3  
species of mergansers, Red-necked Grebes, a Pied-billed Grebe, and a  
Double-crested Cormorant . Having both an adult Bald Eagle and an  
Osprey perched in trees at the same time provided a fine opportunity  
for comparison of the two species. A Northern Harrier was seen flying  
northward. A Belted Kingfisher was present.

Highlights among landbirds 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.  
Some Dark-eye Juncos were present. Among several redpolls, one  
digiscoped bird showed characteristics of a Hoary Redpoll.

George Clark
Norwich, VT