This morning, about 22 participants enjoyed a birding trip cosponsored
by Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon and Windsor County 2013
Birding Quest. Rather winter-like conditions included some impressive
snow shower activity, at times a brisk wind from the west, snow
crunching under foot at times, and ample ice in places along the
Connecticut River. All sightings were made from Norwich, Windsor
County, VT. Starting from the Ledyard Bridge, the group made stops
going northward on Route 5 along the Connecticut River, then went
through the length of Kendall Station Road, continued on Route 132
past Pompy, turned onto Hogback Road, then to Campbell Flats Road,
thereafter returning to Ledyard Bridge.
Waterfowl seen along the way included small numbers of Canada Geese,
Mallards, Hooded and Common Mergansers. More than two dozen Wild
Turkeys in a flock along Route 5 were engaged in social activity
including chases of one another. Nearby, two adult Red-tailed Hawks
appeared to be potential nesters in that vicinity. Good views were
obtained of a Killdeer in the fields across Route 132 opposite Pompy.
Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and a vigorously singing House
Finch were notable on Kendall Station Road. Other species found on
this morning's trip included Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Downy
Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow (a flock of about 50 on a horse
farm field along Hogback Road), Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted
Titmouse, American Tree Sparrow (Kendall Station Rd; some singing
heard), White-throated Sparrow (also Kendall Station Rd), and Dark-
eyed Junco.
The movements of live insects called stoneflies on the snow at
Campbell Flats were of interest. An account of how stoneflies can stay
active under such cold conditions is provided at
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2011/02/24/winter-stoneflies-sure-are-supercool
Special thanks to Spencer Hardy for compiling eBird lists for this trip.
After completion of that trip, several participants continued to
Wilder, VT, where Hooded and Common Merganser, about 12 American
Robins, and a Northern Mockingbird were found in the vicinity of
Passumpsic Avenue and the Kilowatt South boat launch.
Other Norwich species seen today included a Carolina Wren and 2 Brown-
headed Cowbirds here in the backyard in Norwich village.
George Clark
Norwich, VT
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