-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Shepard [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 2:43 PM
To: Bill Shepard
Subject: monad


Visiting an old friend, at 3148'
June 26, 2010

Just returned from my 13th annual Mountain Bird Survey up Northern Birding
Trail site #23, Monadnock Mountain. A bit of a drive from the Upper Valley
but always a treat. I drive to Island Pond then head east toward the CT
River at Bloomington then north to Lemington where the trail head is
located. I launched off at 6:20 -pm Friday. It is about 1.5  hours up. I
decided to travel light; rain fly, pad, sleep bag, food and water and my old
Kelty frame pack from the early 70's. The trail was recently reworked by a
Youth Corps, doing a beautiful job of putting in water bars, and steps much
of the way. Nothing like visiting old friends: mountain and striped maples,
bunchberry, long beech fern and of course the cornucopia of birds that grace
the trail and surrounding woodland.  The survey is focused at 5 target
species: Bicknel's Thrush, Swainson 's Thrush, Winter Wren, White-throated
Sparrow, and Blackpoll Warbler. I have only had BiTh's 2 times over the
years (but it is important to try). I have seen Black-backed Woodpeckers a
few times, regularly hear Yellow-bellied Flycatchers and a host of warblers.
Certainly a highlight of the hike is the fire tower that adorns the summit.
This was probably built in the 30's and was once "manned" as the chimney and
old foundation are 100' from the tower. The tower, minus glass, still has a
roof and window frames, and the treads and floor were rebuilt with 3" thick
red oak several years ago. Views: awesome. Not the regular CT River view we
in the UV know, but the northern view: ag lands, forest lands, Dixville
Notch, the Canadian Shield, Lake Averill, the White Mountains.sweet. Great
sunset as well.

Bird highlights:  (I keep list going up, down, and the survey.)

No BiTh

7 SwTh going up, less down.

7 WiWr on count, plus a few more

3  Bl Poll Warbler plus a few extras

3 WtSp

2 Y Bellied Flycatchers

1 DE Junco

Warblers: Yellow rumps, Magnolias, Black thr Blue and Greens, Ovenbirds,
Blackburnian (1), Nashville (1), Co Yellowthroat.

Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos.

Brown Thrasher in parking lot. Killdeer too.

Funny, but I sure was in no hurry to get down.

Great spot for a destination hike !!


  Happy Trails:  Bill Shepard.



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