I am also confused by the water level of the river. I stopped at Mink Brook and walked down to the river hoping for some shorebirds, because there is so much exposed mud there (no luck). I looked up towards Ledyard and saw a small flock of sandpipers, but by the time I walked back to my car and drove through Hanover they were gone. Lots of exposed mudflats there, too. But back home, Reed's Marsh is still flooded!(?)

On Wednesday, May 29, 2013, Michael Choukas Jr. wrote:
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]');" target="_blank">[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Bill Shepard [[log in to unmask]');" target="_blank">[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 3:04 PM
To: [log in to unmask]');" target="_blank">[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

 


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