There was evidence of some migration fall-out along the Connecticut 
River today.  I took a brief mid-morning trip between Ledyard and Pompy 
Flats and had a few nice finds, the best from the backwater across from 
the Rt. 5 gravel pit entrance:

Location:     Ompomanoosuc River  - just south
Observation date:     4/16/10
Number of species:     14

Canada Goose     17
Wood Duck     2
Long-tailed Duck     5 (3 males, 2 females)
Bufflehead     1 male
Common Merganser     1
Red-necked Grebe     3
Great Blue Heron     1
Blue Jay     1
American Robin     1
European Starling     12
Savannah Sparrow     1 singing
Song Sparrow     2
Northern Cardinal     1
Red-winged Blackbird     6

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/vt)


The Long-tailed Ducks were a couple of hundred yards south of the NH 
boat launch when last seen and swimming north.  Two of the males are in 
alternate (breeding) plumage, the third in basic (winter) plumage, so 
the group made for a spectacular sight.  The only birds of note at Pompy 
Flats were single pairs of Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers.  The small 
pond just north along Rt. 5 had 2 N. Rough-winged Swallows foraging over 
the water, with another bird below Ledyard Bridge, where the only water 
bird was a male Common Merganser.

Reminder that for anyone interested, I'll be leading an outing along the 
river tomorrow morning, meeting at Dan and Whit's in Norwich at 8:00 am 
and carpooling from there south to the Wilder Access area, then working 
north to Pompy Flats.  I anticipate birding until ~11:00 am.  Weather 
forecast is similar to today's -- showery and cool.  It may keep some of 
today's good birds in the area and cause a few others to drop down.  
Anyone joining the trip should bring warm, waterproof clothing and footwear.

Chris

-- 
****************
Chris Rimmer
Vermont Center for Ecostudies
P.O. Box 420
Norwich, VT 05055
802-649-1431 ext. 1
www.vtecostudies.org

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