Despite cool conditions at the outset, 22 enthusiastic birders gratefully welcomed mostly sunny skies as they set out on the first of the season visit Union Village Dam Park (UVDP).

Thirty-eight species were recorded during the two hours and forty minute exploration of the park's varied habitat that includes a wetland complex, a branch of the Ompompanoosuc River, a mixed hardwood and coniferous forest and open fields.

Among the highlights recorded were an American bittern that obligingly flew into the wetlands and remained visible among the emerging grasses for more than ten minutes, a green heron, two spotted sandpipers, a barred owl heard calling from the woods and a drumming roughed grouse. Also seen and/or heard were six white-throated sparrows, two swamp sparrows, an eastern towhee, two belted kingfishers, two noisy house wrens and a singing Louisiana waterthrush.

Thanks to George Clark, Peg Ackerson and Blake Allison for leading the outing, and thanks to Blake for keeping the count list. A complete record of the morning's observations can be found on eBird: http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S29438393

The next  "Feathered Fridays" visit to UVDP will be on Friday, May 13 beginning at 7:00 a.m.