March 30th. Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and a streaking Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) at the left.

 

One of two male Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) today. There had been only one.

 

A Bufflehead motoring by a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis).

 

Wow, a Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps). It's probably been ten years or more since I saw one at Raymond Brook Marsh - or anywhere else for that matter.

 

Mallards (Anas playtrhynchos).

 

A pair of Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris). (I checked the pond east of Route 207 and again this morning ther Ring-necks there are gone.

 

Haven't bothered posting male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) pictures lately; but they're as active as ever.

 

 

 

 

 

March 31st. A few Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) back at the pond east of Route 207. A total of seven or so. One pair at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

Afternoon walk east from Old Hartford Road. Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens).

 

 

 

Moss in the rock cut.

 

Fern did well over the winter.

 

The Jeremy River bridge; turning around point.

 

 

 

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) flowers visible from the bridge.

 

 

 

Flowers don't last long and squirrels tend to bite the clusters off.

 

The underside of Crowded Parchment (Stereum complicatum)...

 

 

 

...along with the dark brown Amber Jelly (Exidia crenata aka Exidia recisa).

 

Thanks to Terry Stoleson for her expert IDs.

 

Pyrola sp, either Shinleaf (P. elliptica) or Round-leaved Pyrola (P. rotundifolia).

 

Three of four Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) at the pond east of River Road.

 

(Please excuse the poor quality of these photos.) An adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) appeared overhead...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...along with two other large dark birds...

 

...at lease one of which was a Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura). Note the red nose and dihedral wing angle.

 

April 1st. A pair of Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) quite close to the trail but about to skitter away.

 

A pair of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) feeding at the lip of the beaver dam down towards Old Colchester Road.

 

The bubbles are below the dam.

 

 

 

 

 

First green signs of Yarrow (Achillea millifolium).

 

April 3rd. Low light and light rain. One of two male Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola)...

 

...now joined by a female!

 

 

 

April 4th. East of Route 207, a female Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens).

 

 

 

A pair of Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris) and three Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta).

 

Nine Painted Turtles, though there were more on the log closer to me but masked by branches.

 

A pair of Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola).