Here are some highlights from this morning in Norwich.

This morning at Foley Park by the Ledyard Bridge highlights included a  
Great Blue Heron, roughly 70 Canada Geese, 3 Wood Ducks, and 2 Ring- 
billed Gulls. Pumpkins were still conspicuous along the rapidly  
flowing Connecticut River, and mud flats were extensively exposed in  
the cove by Foley Park.

In contrast, at Pompy this morning, mud flats were not exposed.  
Highlights among the birds at Pompy again included 2 Green-winged  
Teal, both of which were repeatedly diving, as well as 2 Hooded  
Mergansers, which were also diving. At least 10 American Robins were  
present in a flock on the east side of Pompy.

A Blue-headed Vireo was well seen this morning along Campbell Flats  
Road.

The locations at which aquatic bird species occur in the Upper Valley  
are strongly affected by fluctuations in water levels. My past  
presumption has been that if water levels were low at the Ledyard  
Bridge it would then be good to check for birds which might be  
attracted to mud flats at Pompy. However, today illustrated that even  
exceptionally low water levels in the Connecticut River by the Ledyard  
Bridge do not necessarily indicate that mud flats are exposed several  
miles upstream at Pompy. This morning in the Ompompanoosuc River along  
Campbell Flats Road, upstream from Pompy, there was a swift current  
with a high water level, indicating substantial release from the Union  
Village Dam. Apparently the cumulative effect of major flows from  
upstream on the Ompompanoosuc and Connecticut Rivers was, in the Pompy  
area, offsetting the effect of the continued high rates of release in  
recent days downstream at the Wilder Dam.

George

George Clark
Norwich, VT



  

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