At noon today, an adult Common Loon was diving and preening just 25-50 
yards off the Kilowatt boat access.  Other water birds included a single 
male Ring-necked Duck and Bufflehead, both of which have been present 
for ~3 weeks are are always at the far south end, near the dam, and a 
subadult Double-crested Cormorant.

At the junction of the White and Connecticut rivers, 30 Bank Swallows 
were actively foraging over the water.  The former nesting colony in the 
sandy banks on the south side of the White rivermouth was obliterated by 
Irene, and no birds or obvious burrows were evident when I visited a 
week ago.  However, today I noticed 2-3 holes that may be 
newly-excavated burrows, and the site bears watching.  Anyone who finds 
evidence of Bank Swallow nesting here or anywhere else is encouraged to 
enter information on Vermont eBird.  See 
http://ebird.org/content/vt/news/bank-swallow.

Chris

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