March 3rd. Less ice on the trail though for some spots ice cleats are a good idea.

 

Recent gales took down a large dead tree.

 

Glad the Hebron town crew were able to quickly deal with it.

 

Ice rings around emergent branches mark previous higher water levels.

 

 

 

March 4th. Low light made for low quality Red-winged Blackbird (Agelius phoeniceus) photos.

 

Nice to hear them though. They were several weeks later than usual returning to the marsh.

 

March 6th. 22 degrees and gusty winds... but the trail is mostly ice free...

 

...except as you approach Old Colchester Road.

 

A few Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelius phoeniceus) calling.

 

No waterfowl; the marsh and Raymond Brook are iced over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 7th. Even more Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelius phoeniceus) calling.

 

 

 

Check out those epaulets.

 

Anoher male, epaulets hidden, chirping but not calling.

 

 

 

March 9th. A few Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) far away on open water at the marsh. This is a female.

 

 

 

 

 

Back to the marsh early afternoon. More open water and many Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 11th. Temp well above 60 in the afternoon. First Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) of the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 12th. Another morning with temps in the 50s and clearing skies. Ice gone from the marsh.

 

Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelius phoeniceus) everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) in the distance. I'd say half a dozen or so.

 

(I also saw Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) but they were too fast for my camera.)

 

A group of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) arrived - the first I've seen at the marsh this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two more arrived and soon caused a ruckus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Reed (Phragmites australis).

 

Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor).