WFB 195 Day 5 @ Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, 5/28/2021

Date --- 5/28/2021
Start Time --- 7:15 AM
End Time --- 12:00 PM
Location --- Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding trails, Swanton, VT 05488
Weather --- (Temperature) = 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or ~ 7 degrees Celsius ... (Wind) = 4mph N/NE ... (Precipitation) = none; the weather called for rain at some point, but it never happened. Sky was subject to complete cloud cover all morning.
Habitats --- Along Tabor Road, the refuge center itself lies in front of the habitats we explored. Some grassland bordered the deciduous forests, which eventually transitioned into a bog; a boardwalk allowed us to walk over the mudlands. The bog consisted of many neat plants, specifically a few beautiful varieties of fern which we couldn't identify, but not much shrubbery was observed. Upon exiting the bog, open grasslands stretched for anywhere between 1 to 2 miles. It was here I made my first bobolink ID (by sound!!!) which I then confirmed with a view through the binoculars. The bobolink recording wasn't too great because other birds were drowning it out the entire time, but I'm extremely happy with this find :)

The trail we were taking looped back around to the refuge center, but we then crossed the street to view the trails over by the Stephen A. Young Marsh. This area was relatively hidden by shrubbery and trees, but docks that extended onto the wetlands allowed us to view the area. Apparently the vicinity is a great place to spot American Woodcock, but I unfortunately did not hear their awesome noises or see their silly little bodies. Next time! The trail to the side of the marsh was awfully dense with trees, but did not hinder our ability to walk along it. This path led deeper into the marsh, but we were focused on the deep forest; this was where we heard my first Least Flycatcher and Eastern Wood-Pewee IDs, as well as a Gray Catbird hopping around.

I did not realize how extensive the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge was, and I hope to go birding in the different bays that surround the area. I also hope to spend more time in the bog; there were quite a few birds in this area I couldn't identify, and I know my warbler ID skills would improve with time and experience. There are lots more birds to discover and see for the first time (American Woodcock ... I'll be back), and as I bird throughout Vermont this summer, I'll be sure to add my observations to both iNaturalist and UVM Ornithology. Thank you for a terrific WFB 130 and 195!

Julkaistu toukokuu 28, 2021 11:24 IP. käyttäjältä pyramidlakejake