Found Mink Brook Nature Preserve in Hanover NH, after making appointment for jeep service in Lebanon.
Well kept secret Hanover Conservancy site, not publicized much and not very well marked. I stumbled upon the location quite by accident while searching online for something else. Seems that’s the case with many birding locations in the area, almost as if they’re kept a secret. Lots of dog walkers and runners but few birders.
Anyway, we spent a very enjoyable morning meandering along Mink Brook, a clear running trout stream, according to a local resident who also provided a short history lesson.
 |
| Bridge across Mink Brook |
Seems the upland area across the brook was sacred ground to the Abenaki and also was on the trail followed by Rogers Rangers toward Fort Ticonderoga during the French and Indian Wars. I remember the movie with a very young Spencer Tracy as Rogers, almost the extent of my history knowledge before traveling here this year.
 |
| Stone design in creek bed |
Surprised a buck deer who snorted loudly before bounding off across the brook. Pished up a mixed flock of Chickadee and White-breasted Nuthatch joined by Ovenbird, Redstart, and a beautiful Canada Warbler. Downy Woodpecker and Kingfisher flew across the brook along with Waxwing, Goldfinch, and Peewee. A young Yellowthroat fidgeted noisily in the cattail, wren-like wagging his tail and protesting loudly completely ignoring our nearness. Maybe he was hungry and upset that mom and dad weren't feeding him.
Spotted a White Admiral and a Summer Azure. Dragons were abundant, but never still enough for an ID.
Didn't know at the time, but the Appalachian Trail actually follows Main Street through the center of town. So now we at least driven on the AT in New Hampshire.
Lunch at Northside Café burgers and chips, pretty good. Nice little neighborhood place in business for 35 years or more. The cook was died in the wool Red Sox fan with nothing nice to say about A Rod.
Followed RT 10 to Lyme NH, famous for being the site of the first case of Lyme disease, caused by deer ticks. Small little innocent looking village, didn't look like a dangerous place.
Rt 5 took us back into Vermont and to Thetford. Found the SP there, but it is now only a day use area, the camping part leased to a local adventure club. Office looked like a day care center with toys and tricycles scattered all around. Trails and picnic area is supposed to be maintained, but looked pretty shoddy.
Union Covered Bridge, one lane with stop signs on both ends, built in 1888 and restored in 2002. Looked for Union Village Dam recreation area. Only dam access road was gated and locked. Vermont does NOT believe in signage and GPS only works - sometimes - with specific street addresses. Rte 132 took us back to Norwich where Rte 14 crossed the White River and led to Center of Town Road, my favorite short cut back to Quechee from White River Junction.
Time for quick Visit to library for some movies. Looking forward to real TV again.
Started a fire and roasted hotdogs on wire hangers, haven’t done that in years. Something to be said about smoky old wieners. Heard a Barred Owl calling, quite a distance away, but still very recognizable. Walked to field for glimpse of Venus through the clouds. Took some cell phone photos. Nice ISS flyover 9:03, watched from home, 6 min SW to ENE
One of the movies was Robin Hood with Errol Flynn. James Cagney was originally tapped for the role, cannot imagine him as Robin of Locksley in green tights. Best part of DVD movies, the extra stuff is sometimes more interesting than the movies.
Checked out Dewey Mills Pond, found family of Wood Duck. 2 adults and 6 juves - as big as adults but definitely first year plumage.
No comments:
Post a Comment