Under cloudy skies with damp and breezy conditions prevailing, the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon hosted the first of four bird walks scheduled for May at Thetford Center's Union Village Dam Park.
Nine birders encountered an interesting, albeit limited, assortment of waterfowl and songbirds. The song bird count likely was suppressed by the cool, damp conditions. For example only three warbler species were encountered, while the only insectivore recorded was an eastern phoebe.
The morning's highlights included two American bittern that flushed from the tall grass at the edge of the "Mystery Trail" wetland and a flock of 40+/- migrating blue jays. Also observed was a pair of hooded mergansers atop one of the wetland's nesting boxes. Both a winter wren and house wren were recorded too.
In the end, 33 species were seen and/or heard. A complete checklist can be accessed on eBird using the following link:
Thanks to George Clark and Blake Allison for co-leading, and thanks to Blake for keeping the species count.
The next visit to Union Village Dam is scheduled for this coming Friday, the 12th. More details can be found on the chapter's website:
Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon