The Mascoma Chapter kicked off its 2016 birding season with a trip up the Connecticut River's Vermont side. Nineteen people took part in the expedition that began at Foley Park at the Vermont end of the Ledyard Bridge. From there the group made its way north to stops at Kendall Station Road, "Pompy Flats" and Campbell Flats Road. Weather conditions were challenging. The sky was mostly sunny, but the temperature hovered just below freezing. A stiff northwest created windchill that made it feel even colder.

Twenty-eight species were recorded. Among the highlights were ring-necked ducks and wood ducks seen downriver from the Ledyard Bridge, an adult bald eagle perched in a tree on the New Hampshire side opposite the Ompompanoosuc's outflow into the Connecticut, two killdeer at "Pompy Flats" and a pair of eastern bluebirds near their nesting boxes at the far end of Campbell Flats Road.

Full lists for each stop can be found by clicking on their respective links below.

Foley Park/Ledyard Bridge: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S28429056

Kendall Station Road: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S28429124

"Pompy Flats": http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S28429156

Campbell Flats Road: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S28429178

Thanks to Sara Eisenhauer, Ed Hack, Blake Allison and Scott for co-leading and to Scott again for recording the observations.

To see a listing of upcoming Mascoma Chapter events, visit www.mascombirds.org