This morning (May 13) a bird walk arranged by the Thetford Conservation Commission found 43 species at the Crossroad Farm and nearby in the Post Mills section of Thetford, VT.  Some highlights can be mentioned here. Before the walk began, 2 Common Loons were sighted on relatively nearby Lake Fairlee, and, during the walk, loon calls were heard and a loon seen in flight.  Among other waterbirds found during the walk were Canada Goose, 2 Mallards, a male Wood Duck, and a Spotted Sandpiper. A Wild Turkey was in the farm fields and seemingly undeterred by  dummy "coyotes" which had been placed in the fields to discourage visitation by turkeys. A pair of American Kestrels, both well  seen,  was nesting in a kestrel nest box placed high off the ground and attached to the rear wall of the church. The 25 participants on the walk had closeup views of nesting Killdeer in the farm fields and were treated to one of the Killdeer doing a "broken wing act" display which would serve to lead a potential predator away from the nest. Tree and Barn Swallows were numerous and closeup views obtained. Among other birds providing close views were a singing male Eastern Bluebird and a Veery which was silent while under observation. However, numerous Veery call notes (but no song) were heard elsewhere during the walk. Most conspicuous of warblers sighted were the Common Yellowthroat and the Yellow Warbler. Other warblers, detected by songs, included Ovenbird, Chestnut-sided, Black-and White, Black-throated Green, and Black-throated Blue. More details about the walk and birds found are in Kathy Thompson's eBird report available at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36794055

Special thanks to Coleaders Kathy Thompson, who compiled the morning's bird records,  and Tim Taylor, who ably and informatively guided us, partly through unfamiliar terrain. Special thanks also  to Connie Snyder, Steve Lehman, and other members of the Thetford Conservation Commission who helped to enable a splendid morning of birding. 

George Clark
Norwich, VT


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