Spencer Hardy and I took a run down the Connecticut River in this 
morning's chilly drizzle, hoping to find migrant waterfowl.  The best 
concentration was on the Ottauquechee River just below the Rt. 5 
crossing, and in the still-frozen farm fields to the south, where melt 
water has created a sizable pond.   We found a pair of Wood Ducks, >250 
Mallards, 18 Am. Black Ducks, an American Wigeon pair, and one male N. 
Pintail.  The birds move frequently (as they have all winter) between 
the water and expansive manure piles at the far eastern edge of the 
fields.  It's a curious sight to see numbers of dabbling ducks 
clambering up and down the piles!

At the Ottauquechee River mouth were 20 Am. Black Ducks, 20 Mallards, 
and a Ring-necked Duck pair.

I later drove through the Jericho Road-Jericho Street area of Hartford 
(still holding out hope for a northbound Snowy Owl or Rough-legged Hawk) 
and had 26 Cedar Waxwings feasting on crab apples, 18 Snow Buntings (the 
males were in nearly full breeding plumage - very striking - which they 
attain through wear rather than actual molt), and a lustily singing 
Purple Finch.

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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