Starting with dense fog and continuing into a bright sunny day with
highs in the 70s, eleven participants on today's Windsor County 2012
Birding Quest field trip enjoyed a nice day afield -- which for some
continued until after 5 PM. Among localities covered in Windsor
County, VT, were Lake Runnemede and the floodplain near the Simon
Pearce facilities, both in the town of Windsor, and both a part of the
initial Quest coverage. Birders then went in different directions and
covered such locations as North Hartland Reservoir, Lake Pinneo and
Dewey's Pond in Quechee, Campbell Flats in Norwich, and Kilowatt Park
South in Wilder (Hartford). In an UVB report from the field earlier
today, Spencer Hardy mentioned some of the finds, and he is preparing
eBird reports for several sites. A summary of some highlights from
today follows.
A Blue Goose (dark form of the Snow Goose) and a Ruddy Duck were at
Dewey's Pond. Three Shovelers were at Lake Runnemede. In the late
afternoon, a Gadwall, a few Greater Scaup, Ring-necked Ducks, and a
female Red-breasted Merganser were among the waterbirds at Kilowatt
South, where a flock of Turkey Vultures was present around dusk. A
Common Loon was south of the Ledyard Bridge this morning. Pied-billed
Grebe was seen at both Lake Runnemede and Dewey's Pond. An American
Coot was at Dewey's Pond. A Solitary Sandpiper was foraging along the
shoreline of Dewey's Pond. American Pipits were at Lake Runnemede and
at Campbell Flats. Yellow-rumped and Palm Warbler were at Lake
Runnemede. Sparrow numbers seemed, as might be expected, generally
less than a week ago. A Vesper Sparrow and a Fox Sparrow were seen in
the Windsor floodplain site. Rusty Blackbirds were at Lake Runnemede,
at the Windsor floodplain site, and at Dewey's Pond. In addition to
the birds, there were numerous sightings of insects including Monarchs
and other butterflies, dragonflies, and bees. A pair of large snapping
turtles were mating in a drainage flow at Campbell Flats.
George Clark
Norwich, VT
|
