Conditions were somewhat damp and cool this morning for a bird walk cosponsored by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon, the Hanover Conservancy, and the Upper Valley Land Trust, and extending along the Connecticut River through parts of Hanover and Lyme, NH. Most strikingly, our departure from Wilson's Landing in Hanover was marked by a barrage of small hail bouncing off vehicles and briefly whitening the ground. Most of the time, however, there was merely rain to greater or lesser extent. Despite less than ideal weather, two dozen or so bird species were found by five participants. The Connecticut River and its tributaries were all running high. Anticipated waterfowl including Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, and hooded mergansers were notable, as were kingfishers. Two double-crested cormorants were seen winging their way northward along the river. At Wilson's Landing, about two dozen tree Swallows and a barn swallow were circling while evidently foraging on unseen arthropod prey in the air low over the river. Among other spring arrivals encountered this morning were flicker, phoebe, robins, chipping, song, swamp, and white-throated sparrows, as well as juncos, red-winged blackbirds, and cowbird. A nice sampling of early migrants was thus a reward for persevering through what might be considered the weather of early spring -- on April 27.
 
Our thanks go to the Sheridan Corporation for enabling use of their parking lot. Also greatly appreciated is the help provided by coleaders Gail McPeek, Blake Allison, and Jeff MacQueen. Jeff is submitting eBird lists with additional details to appear on online under eBird for Grafton County.

George Clark
Norwich, VT
 


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