A heavy fog enshrouded Campbell Flats early Saturday morning when eleven birders gathered for a Mascoma Chapter bird watching outing.

Group leader George Clark noted that fog presented among the most challenging conditions for birding. Not only does it restrict visibility making visual identification very challenging but the dampness causes the birds to "stay down." Not very encouraging.

Undeterred, the group set off and managed to total a respectable 31 species by the time the walk ended two hours later under slightly less oppressive conditions. The corn field provided good opportunities for viewing bobolinks (16), indigo buntings (6) and song sparrows (7). More were certainly present, but the corn's height limited viewing to the field's perimeter.

Only four warbler species were seen including three common yellowthroat and one each of black and white warbler, chestnut-sided warbler and American redstart.

After concluding at Campbell Flats, a small group of observers went over to "Pompy Flats" where 18 species were recorded in about twenty minutes time. A highlight was two male and female pairs of Baltimore orioles engaged in a territorial squabble. A yellow warbler, streaked breast clearly visible was the stop's only warbler species, and the call note of a rose-breasted grosbeak announced that one was in the area.

Complete eBird lists of the morning's sightings can be viewed using the following links:

"Campbell Flats"

"Pompy Flats"

Thanks to George Clark, Ed hack and Blake Allison for serving as co-leaders, and thanks to Blake for being the count recorder.

Please visit www.mascomabirds.org for news of upcoming chapter-lead birding events.

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