This morning, about 22 participants enjoyed a birding trip cosponsored  
by Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon and Windsor County 2013  
Birding Quest. Rather winter-like conditions included some impressive  
snow shower activity, at times a brisk wind from the west, snow  
crunching under foot at times, and ample ice in places along the  
Connecticut River. All sightings were made from Norwich, Windsor  
County, VT. Starting from the Ledyard Bridge, the group made stops  
going northward on Route 5 along the Connecticut River, then went  
through the length of Kendall Station Road, continued on Route 132  
past Pompy, turned onto Hogback Road, then to Campbell Flats Road,  
thereafter returning to Ledyard Bridge.

Waterfowl seen along the way included small numbers of Canada Geese,  
Mallards, Hooded and Common Mergansers. More than two dozen Wild  
Turkeys in a flock along Route 5 were engaged in social activity  
including chases of one another. Nearby, two adult Red-tailed Hawks  
appeared to be potential nesters in that vicinity. Good views were  
obtained of a Killdeer in the fields across Route 132 opposite Pompy.  
Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and a vigorously singing House  
Finch were notable on Kendall Station Road. Other species found on  
this morning's trip included Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Downy  
Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow (a flock of about 50 on a horse  
farm field along Hogback Road), Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted  
Titmouse, American Tree Sparrow (Kendall Station Rd; some singing  
heard), White-throated Sparrow (also Kendall Station Rd), and Dark- 
eyed Junco.

The movements of live insects called stoneflies on the snow at  
Campbell Flats were of interest. An account of how stoneflies can stay  
active under such cold conditions is provided at
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2011/02/24/winter-stoneflies-sure-are-supercool

Special thanks to Spencer Hardy for compiling eBird lists for this trip.

After completion of that trip, several participants continued to  
Wilder, VT, where Hooded and Common Merganser, about 12 American  
Robins, and a Northern Mockingbird were found in the vicinity of  
Passumpsic Avenue and the Kilowatt South boat launch.

Other Norwich species seen today included a Carolina Wren and 2 Brown- 
headed Cowbirds here in the backyard in Norwich village.

George Clark
Norwich, VT