mallard – Nancy's Corner

September 27, 2026September 27, 2026

From my kayak late summer 7/24-8/24

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.

Loon and chick.
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.

Immature eagle diving off branch. North Hartland Lake 8/1/26

We usually can find ducks and herons on the Connecticut as well as other birds.

Mallard with an itch.
Connecticut River 8/9/26

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.

July 14, 2025July 14, 2025

Spring kayaking, 6/4 – 7/11/2025

After a very wet and cool May, we finally got on the water on June 4 at Upper Baker Pond. It was a nice day, Jane’s sister Suzy was with us.

Swallowtail butterflies. Upper Baker Pond, 6/4/2025

Our next trip was to the North Hartland Lake. Because of government cutbacks, the boat launch is only open on weekends and holidays from 9-6. We miss not being able to go on weekdays, early when it is still foggy and the animals are more apt to be around. That being said, we still see flowers, eagles, herons, flycatchers, kildeers and turtles there.

Adult bald eagles. North Hartland Lake, 6/29/25

One of our favorite spots is the “Pompy” we often see a variety of ducks, as well as a lot of flowers and small birds.

Gadwall (?) Ompompanousuc River 7/7/2025

The place we return to most is the Connecticut River out of Wilder, and Mink Brook. We find the most variety: from eagles, to herons, to a variety of ducks and small birds as well as mammals, insects and plants. We never know what we will find.

Mallard with ducklings. Connecticut River 6/17/25

August 1, 2024August 2, 2024

From my kayak 7/20-30

We have been out several times in the last few weeks. North Hartland Lake is now open for boating, after being closed for more than year after last year’s flooding.

Remains of last year’s flooding. North Hartland Lake 7/27/24

The Connecticut River to Mink Brook is a favorite. It is easy to get to, and almost always has things to see (and there are places to pee).

Canada goose at the boat launch. Connecticut River 7/24/24

The Ompompanoosuc River is another favorite.

Song sparrow with lunch for the family. Ompompanoosuc River 7/20/24

We joined Jane’s brother and sister-in-law on Lake Fairlee and saw loons and pink water lilies.

June 13, 2024June 23, 2024

Back in the kayak 5/23-6/12

After a long winter and a short spring photographing the dogs at Kilowatt, Jane and I put our kayaks in the water. We have been to our usual spots (the Connecticut River out of Wilder, and the Pompy) as well as trips to Upper Baker Pond and MacDaniel’s Marsh. Unfortunately, the North Hartland Lake is still closed from the flooding last July.