We’ve been kayaking fairly often this summer, taking time out for the Bugbee games and various appointments. We’ve seen a lot, but it seems as if the bird populations are smaller, not as many kinds of birds and animals as well as fewer numbers.
We did most of our paddling on the Connecticut River (and Mink Brook) out of Wilder, VT, North Hartland Lake and the Ompompanoosuc River in Norwich, VT. with a side trip to Upper Baker Pond.
Upper Baker Pond 7/26/26
7/26/26
Upper Baker Pond 7/26/26
Upper Baker Pond
7/26/26
North Hartland Lake is home to many eagles, great blue herons as well as sandpipers and red winged blackbirds, song birds and an occasional deer. We used to see dozens of painted turtles every time we paddled there, but this year we have been lucky to see one.
North Hartland Lake 8/16/26
North Hartland Lake 8/1/26
We usually can find ducks and herons on the Connecticut as well as other birds.
Connecticut River 8/9/26
Connecticut River 7/28/26
Connecticut River 8/4/26
Connecticut River 8/4/26
The Ompompanoosuc River in Norwich is our other regular. We never know what we are going to find there. Sometimes ducks, geese, herons etc. Other times just flowers.
