On a cloudy, cool morning of March 24, 2012, a field trip led
emphasizing waterbirds was led by Spencer Hardy and George Clark as
had been arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon and
Windsor County 2012 Birding Quest. Special thanks to Pip Richens for
her count of about 25 birding participants and to Spencer Hardy for
compiling eBird reports.
This trip was principally along the Connecticut River and covered
Ledyard Bridge, the coves by Pompy Farms, and the mouth of the
Ompompanoosuc River, and then went a short distance west of the
Connecticut River to cover the Pompy flats. A brief after-trip
excursion with six participants visited the area of the Kilowatt Park
South boat launch in Wilder, VT, on the Connecticut River.
Waterfowl were among the highlights. Along with the widespread Canada
Geese were 9 species of ducks including Wood Ducks, a pair of Green-
winged Teal (Pompy Farms area), American Black Ducks, Mallards, 5
Shovelers (flying northward at low altitude by Ledyard Bridge), 2 male
American Wigeons (Kilowatt), Ring-necked Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, and
Common Mergansers. Other waterbirds included a Great Blue Heron (Pompy
flats) and a Wilson's Snipe (out in the open on the Pompy Flats).
Flying by at Ledyard Bridge were 6 Turkey Vultures, an adult Bald
Eagle, and 13 Ring-billed Gulls. Killdeer were conspicuous, especially
by Ledyard Bridge and at Pompy. A Rock Pigeon was sitting on a nest,
presumably incubating eggs, on a girder beneath the Ledyard Bridge. A
Belted Kingfisher was active near the Ledyard Bridge. A Tree Swallow
was spotted in the Pompy area.
George Clark
Norwich, VT
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