Leaders' Choice 2012
New Hampshire and Vermont

The Davids (Larson and Weaver) led a Joppa Flats trip to the north country
in search of winter specialties on February 16-17. Our basic itinerary was Newburyport
to Berlin/Milan/Errol/Wentworths Location in New Hampshire, then overnight at
Colebrook, NH. In the morning we visited Wenlock and Victory Basin WMAs in
the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont before returning to Mass. Great trip, great
weather, great birds, great group of participants. What more could you want?

 


Evening Grosbeak in Milan, NH


Pine Siskin in Milan, NH


White-winged Crossbill at Wentworths Location, NH


Gray Jays at Wenlock WMA (Moose Bog), VT, and Dan's leftover pizza


Birding along the road at Wenlock WMA, photo by Dave Weaver


the happy group minus Dave Weaver, the photographer


Victory Basin WMA, VT


How could we pass up the Maia Papaya Coffee Shop in Bethlehem, NH?
Great coffee, vege sandwiches, breakfast, cookies - awesome!

So where will this trip go next year? Who knows - we don't decide until
a couple of days ahead of time. But we always have fun, see great birds,
and find places to eat and sleep.

 Here's our list of highlights for the respective days:

Thursday, Berlin to Errol and points north --
Common Goldeneye (7) - 2 hens, 5 drakes w/ courtship displays; Androscoggin north of Errol.
Bald Eagle (1) - adult; Pontook Dam vicinity.
Gray Jay (1) - roadside, Umbagog NWR.
Blue Jay (6) - a highlight for us, since very few around in eastern Massachusetts due to dearth of acorns.
Common Raven (8)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Bohemian Waxwing (25) - feeding in apple tree behind Errol Motel.
Snow Bunting (~ 24) - Kelleys Farm near Milan airport.
Purple Finch (6)
White-winged Crossbill (8) - lots of song!
Pine Siskin (10) - singing everywhere
Evening Grosbeak (10)

Friday, Wenlock and Victory WMAs, NEK --
Ruffed Grouse (1) - Wenlock.
Gray Jay (4)
Blue Jay (12)
Common Raven (6) - WMAs et al.
Boreal Chickadee (2) - pair; Wenlock.
Red-breasted Nuthatch (10)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (1) - Victory.
White-winged Crossbill (~ 30)
Pine Siskin - common.


Return to Birding in Massachusetts

 

Mila