Date: 4/15/25 4:42 am From: '<raqbirds...>' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] Umbagog sightings
On April 14, I paddled from the landing just north of Errol to the Leonard Pond area at the NW edge of Lake Umbagog and back.
Highlights:
Wood Duck- 40 or so.Black Duck- ditto.Green-winged Teal- a few. Ring-necked Duck- 300 or so. A hefty number considering that many had already moved on. Lesser Scaup- one pair with the Ring-necks.Bufflehead- only two.Common Goldeneye- only 12 at the Errol Dam pool but others could have been feeding in the rapids. Northern Harrier- one adult female flying from Sweat Meadow to Harper's Meadow.Osprey- one. Turkey Vulture- I tallied at least 30 (partial count) coming out of a roost in Milan.
Special notes: the Androscoggin River was open, the big meadows were about 20% open, and the north end of Lake Umbagog was almost completely open. This means that many of the ducks had already moved through.
Furthermore, the "Queen" Common Loon was back! This loon (presumed because I could not see her bands) is considered the oldest known loon in North America, approaching 24 years old now per John Cooley of the Loon Preservation Commitee. My ID is by her being in the same place, at the same time four years running, and being "friendly" as she approaches my canoe even though I give her a wide birth.
All hail the Queen!
Bob QuinnWebster, NH
"Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth." Chief Seattle
