March 2nd. Temp about 17 degrees. Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

Snow people, missing faces.

 

 

 

I think I've seen this plane over the marsh before.

 

Trail was in pretty good shape, at least in the center section flattened by a snowmobile and foot traffic.

 

I heard a male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) high in the trees ahead but couldn't find it for a picture.

 

I did see the flock of American Robins (Turdus migratorius) in about the same spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 5th. Mid afternoon. A bit slushy after freezing rain last night, then light rain today.

 

I wore spikes on my shoes, but it was tedious and I turned back before the wooded sections.

 

 

 

March 7th. The trail has a slightly better beaten path...

 

...at least as far as the Colchester Spur junction.

 

For some reason, the marsh section is more lumpy. It was also misting. See the droplet on the lens in the far distance?

 

I heard a few Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and managed distant pictures of two of them.

 

Sorry for the poor picture quality; these were the best of many that I took.

 

March 10th. A beautiful warm (70-ish) afternoon. Of course that meant mud and standing water from melting.

 

Without tree cover, the trail was great (except for horse dung).

 

 

 

I soon gave up. Will wait several more days before trying again.

 

One of three Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) at Cranberry Bog later in the afternoon. Ice still on the pond. Temp about 77!

 

 

 

 

 

Cattle across the street from Cranberry bog.

 

 

 

 

 

Except at the dam, Norton's Pond was still iced over.

 

March 11th. A walk east from Old Colchester Road to Raymond Brook Marsh. Pretty muddy. Above 70 degrees when I started but it cooled down into the 60s by the time I finished up.

 

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is ready to bloom.

 

 

 

Less snow further east. Wherever possible, I walked on a grassy edge. Still managed to soak my shoes and socks.

 

Lots of open water on the north side.

 

Best guess for the footprints was that they compacted the ice and didn't melt as fast as nearby ice.

 

Very odd.

 

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula).

 

Four of six Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus).