This past Wednesday's visit to Lebanon's Boston Lot Lake brought our 2017 series of outings there to a close.
Nine birders participated in the final walk, setting off uphill to the lake under cloudy skies with the temperature in the mid-50s.
Just thrity-five species were observed during the two-and-a-half hour walk; a clear indication that many species seen earlier in the month have moved on to their breeding grounds while those staying locally have begun the busy task of nesting and rearing this year's young.
The day's highlight was the re-locating and viewing of a yellow-throated vireo nest with both parents observed coming and going. No more than a small, ball of lichens, resting on a thin branch, high up in a maple, the nest was well-observed by all attendees who agreed its very survival in such a precarious circumstance was a true wonder.
The total for this year's five count days was 77 species including 18 different warbler types. Highlights there were a bay-breasted, three blackburnians and a singing Louisiana waterthrush. Of the six likely occurring woodpecker species for our area, all but the red-bellied were observed at one time or another. Four members of the vireo family - Philadelphia, yellow-throated, blue-headed and red-eyed - also were seen.
Thanks to Kathy Thompson, Susan Tiholiz and Blake Allison for leading the May 31st outing, and thanks to Chapter Steering Committee members George Clark and Jeff MacQueen for their help on earlier walks too.
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Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon