Following reported sightings on Vermont E-bird, we headed out for North Springfield Dam early this morning. All these reservoirs are terribly difficult to locate and then the water is so far away with no access points, much a source of frustration for me.
We finally located the Nature Area, where I pished up a Veery at the parking lot.
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| Veery |
The little meadow was ringed with Bluebird houses, but no one was home. One lone Crow was rattling his bill, much like a roadrunner, I only knew who it was because I saw him fly into the tree. He proceeded to converse with himself for several minutes more.
Along the Black River, Catbird and Goldfinch were the only things I could find, except for the poison ivy I managed to brush against. Along the nature trail, I called up 3 Ovenbird, a noisy flock of Chickadee, and a Downy Woodpecker.
Back at the Dam, we marveled at the gliders being towed aloft and released from the small airport.
A motorized hang-glide buzzed the lake chasing 2 Great Egret, 1 Snowy, and 2 Bald Eagles toward us. Great Blue Heron and Pied-billed Grebe didn’t seem to happy about the disturbance either.
On the grassy slopes we discovered several juvenile Eastern Bluebirds, evidently Mom and Dad have finished their family activity and have moved on.
The youngsters played leapfrog on the fence with Eastern Phoebe as Chipping Sparrows played hide and seek in the tall grass and Kingfisher, Waxwing, and Barn Swallow filled the air with rattles, whistles, and chitters. A dozen Rock Pigeon homesteaded the top of the dam water intake tower.
Blue Jay and Crow called from the tall pines near the waters edge.
A stop at Stoughton Pond turned up more Chickadee and Red-eyed Vireo. Now that nesting season is behind them the vireos are calling very differently, a whiny mew reminiscent of a mockingbird. Had to see one to make the audio ID. We spooked a Spotted Sandpiper from the beach area as Song Sparrow barked. Also located Red-breasted Nuthatch and Black-and-white Warbler. On the other side of the pond, we located House Wren and more Bluebirds in an old cemetery with amazing stone fences.
At the boat launch, I found a very hungry Green Heron… he will receive a separate post.
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