Hi~

Sometimes you just know it’s going to be an exceptional day for birding...

Yesterday morning, while dreaming about making fruit salad, I awoke to the sound of two SWAINSON’S THRUSHES counter singing outside my window. This was a first at my house and a great start to a sunny day of birding!  I met up with Pat Folsom and we headed to Franklin County for our first visit to that county for the year.  Here are some highlights besides lunch at Joey’s.  Two UPLAND SANDPIPERS on Gore Road.  They were in the “usual” spot, seen scuttling along the ground.  Finding them was easier this year, partially due to the short grass.  At Missisquoi Bay, we saw three species of terns, including BLACK TERNS and 2 DUNLINS.  Along St Armand Road we had great looks of a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO and a nice variety of warblers and flycatchers.  At Campbell Bay, we were surprised to find a RUDDY TURNSTONE, in full breeding plummage and a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.  Also, very entertaining were four AMERICAN BITTERNS, with one displaying and chasing off competition.  A young family of KILLDEER topped off our viewing pleasure.  Other rare sightings were the Mayvilles and LaValleys.  Thanks everyone for a great day of birding!

Ali
Huntington