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 **************************************************************** To post messages, send e-mail to: [log in to unmask] Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages. To contact the list owner: [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Web based archives and subscription management are available at: http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html ****************************************************************