Today we took a tour of the Champlain Valley to see what was stirring and wondering if we might catch a glimpse of a lingering Brant.(We’ve never seen one in Vermont.)
Starting at Shelburne Bay we saw 2 Greater yellowlegs and 4 or 5 peeps feeding across from the boat ramp at the North end of the parking lot.
On the Panton Road where it crosses Dead Creek we saw 4 Red-necked grebes on the North side of the bridge.
On the South side were 2 Greater yellowlegs, a Great blue heron and a bunch of Common mergansers which quickly flew off as soon as the car door opened.
Saw a single Harrier coursing over the field along Slang Road. 
2 Great blue herons at Stone bridge access plus a mature Bald eagle perched in a tree on the West shore across from the cul-de-sac.
At Farrell access we saw another Harrier along the road in and at the end of the road a single Common merganser, a Great blue heron to the South and to the North a solitary Sandhill crane.
At the next stop - Brilyea - we saw another Harrier coursing over the fields to the west of the access Road, a single Great blue heron (and5  Painted turtles in the pond next to the West Road).
We didn’t have high numbers and saw no Brant or Geese but had an enjoyable outing.

Denis and Maria Poley
Richmond, VT


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