Today (March 17) Ed Hack and I looked for birds along and near the  
Connecticut River from Springfield Meadows (Flats) north to Pompy in  
Norwich. Most of the Connecticut River along our route was still  
covered with ice, and most of the ground was still snow-covered except  
along roadways and some south-facing slopes. Warm temperatures and  
sunny skies facilitated melting particularly in the mid day hours.

The largest flock of Canada Geese included about 80 birds flying  
northward over Springfield Meadows. Canada Geese were also flying over  
Lake Runnemede in Windsor, and five were in open water by the  
Connecticut River in North Hartland. Other waterfowl species seen  
today included Mallards, American Black Ducks (4 in North Hartland),  
Common Goldeneyes (8 by White River Junction), and Common Mergansers  
at three locations. Raptors included an immature Bald Eagle at  
Springfield Meadows, and a flying adult seen from Campbell Flats Road  
in Norwich. Two Red-tailed Hawks were seen in Hartford.

Our first sighting for Killdeer for this year was of two birds on snow- 
free ground on the north side of Route 132 at Pompy. Three Northern  
Flickers were at Lake Runnemede. Other highlights included two Eastern  
Bluebirds at Lake Runnemede and two others at Springfield Meadows.  
These were our first bluebird sightings of this year.

Late this afternoon I saw a male Brown-headed Cowbird on a feeder in  
the backyard here in Norwich village. This was my first sighting of a  
cowbird for this year.

George Clark
Norwich, VT

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