Under partly cloudy skies and with generally good visibility, about 20 participants joined in today’s field trip to the Champlain Valley of Vermont, as arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire. Numerous Snow Geese, with one estimate of 2500 to 3000, were a special treat. A few Blue Geese were also seen. Near the confluence of Dead Creek and Otter Creak, excellent views were obtained of 2 Hudsonian Godwits, one of which remarkably had only one leg. In that vicinity were also 2 seasonally late Killdeer and a Greater Yellowlegs. A good variety of diving bird species today included White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated and Common Loons, Horned and Red-necked Grebes, and Double-crested Cormorant. One Great Blue Heron was found. Also seen well were Northern Harrier, an adult Bald Eagle, and Red-tailed Hawks. Of special note was a very white, leucistic, Red-tailed Hawk, which was photographed. Four species of gulls included numerous Bonaparte’s and some Great Black-backed Gulls.

This was a fine day afield. Special thanks go to the leader Spencer Hardy, who also compiled the day’s lists for eBird.

George Clark
Norwich, VT

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