This morning's Windsor County 2012 Birding Quest field trip in Vermont  
extended from the Wilder Dam northward along the Connecticut River  
through Kendall Station Road in Norwich. Despite extended bouts of  
light snowfall which at times impaired visibility, about 16  
participants enjoyed finding a variety of waterfowl species along the  
river. The largest flock of Canada Geese was seen from Route 5 in  
Norwich and included over 230 birds in New Hampshire waters. Eight  
species of ducks, including White-winged Scoters, Common Goldeneyes,  
and Buffleheads, provided a relatively high seasonal count for duck  
species along this stretch of river. Bald Eagle was the conspicuous  
raptor species of the morning along the river. A number of smaller  
landbird species were also encountered and included American Tree  
Sparrows and Common Redpolls.

Many lakes and ponds in the Upper Valley away from the river are now  
largely or entirely ice covered, and today substantial ice was present  
along the Connecticut River so that the coves, as well as Pompy, were  
unavailable for waterfowl. This morning's concentration of birds on  
the river appears to be attributable to the river still having  
extensive areas of open water.

Thanks again to Spencer Hardy for compiling eBird lists.

George Clark
Norwich, VT