I can't help responding to Bill Shepard's comment that the river is chock-block full. I've just come from the RR tracks in Lewiston (Norwich by Ledyard Bridge) and have never seen it so low. It's virtually at 1940s pre-current Wilder Dam levels and Blood Brook is meandering through the mudflats to where it once merged with the Connecticut. I was only there a couple of minutes and the only bird of note was a Green Heron standing stationary in the middle of an eddy. Mike ________________________________ From: Upper Valley Birders [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Bill Shepard [[log in to unmask]] Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 3:04 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [UVB] no least bittern Ok so I am slow getting this out. Had a Am Bittern at Zebedee marsh yest. Blackpoll Wa at our Thetford home (few last week). Went to Bradford VT after work yest again looking for John Suttons Least Bittern. No luck. The river is chock-a block full…record height ? Only 2 golf course holes open. (or a bigger challenge w/ waders on) Walked the RR tracks south from the RR depo (vet) to iron bridge. Some fine birds. Warbling Vireo, yellow warbs, bank swallows, balt orioles, etc (had good look at Bl-b cuckoo on Saturday w/ Peter LaBelle and Sue, his mom.) Heard marsh wrens and Va rail. Great spot….watch out for cho-choo. BS Bill Shepard Project Coordinator CT River Birding Trail 2360 Academy Road Thetford Center, VT 05075 Home: 802 785-2855