Story and photos contributed by Clem Nilan
Header photo of Greater and Lesser Scaup
March and April can be exciting times to experience the many waterfowl species migrating back to their breeding grounds in the Arctic: Colorful Wood Ducks, improbably-billed Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls, American Wigeons pausing on their way to the tundra and boreal forest, elegant Northern Pintails, both kinds of teal, the diminutive Green-winged Teal, North America’s smallest dabbler, and the later-arriving Blue-winged Teal, the male’s blue upper-wing patch stunning in flight. These “dabblers” feed by head dipping.
Northern Shoveler, male
These two months present one last opportunity to observe our winter migrants from farther north, the diving ducks of Lake Champlain. Great rafts of Greater and Lesser Scaup, at times measuring into the thousands, along with rafts of Common Goldeneye, have migrated south into Vermont for the winter for open water and abundant food, and will be soon returning north. There’s still time to observe the spectacular courtship displays of the Common Goldeneye. Our smallest diving duck, the Bufflehead, will soon be leaving to nest in its preferred flicker holes, and the occasional Redhead and Canvasback will be flying back north by May.
Some of the best places to go birding for waterfowl in our region include:
Vernal pools and floodplains: Spring pools and wetlands that dry up by summer can be fantastic for waterfowl. In the Burlington area, Pine Island Road is popular, as are the flooded fields across from the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge headquarters, Shelburne Farms across from the Inn, and Little Otter Creek along Hawkins Road. eBird can be a great source of information; it’s updated daily on when the birds arrive and where they are.
Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area: This area is one of the most popular birding spots in Vermont, especially during the spring migration. It is located in Addison County, along the shores of Lake Champlain, and is known for its large concentration of waterfowl, including ducks and geese. Brilyea Access is a great place to visit and is not far from the Goose Viewing Area on Route 17.
Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge is located in Franklin County, at the Missisquoi River delta on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain. It has a diverse range of habitats, including wetlands, forests, and fields. The Friends of Missisquoi offers free monthly outings.
Shelburne Bay: This eBird hotspot at the mouth of the LaPlatte River has an adjacent wetland area that attracts many waterfowl species, as well as other birds such as ospreys, Bald Eagles, and herons.
Delta Park: This eBird hotspot attracts birders from all over Vermont to its mudflats for the fall shorebird and waterfowl migration. If the lake level is high, which is the norm in the spring, walking out to the beach may not be feasible, but walking the bike path to the Winooski River bridge also offers good views of the delta.
Small ponds can pay big dividends: Try Colchester Pond, Shelburne Pond, and Lake Carmi.
Looking up and listening: Waves of Canada Geese will fill the air with their loud honking, signaling the arrival of Spring. With a bit of luck, one might see Mallard-sized Cackling Geese in their V-formations, or Snow Geese, or even a swan.
When birding for waterfowl in Vermont in March and April, it is important to dress in warm, waterproof clothing, as the weather can be cold and wet. When going through brushy places, be aware of ticks. It is also recommended to bring binoculars, a spotting scope, and a field guide (either paper or a phone app) to help identify the various species of waterfowl that you may encounter.
Waterfowl ID can be challenging, especially with females, which are much harder to ID than males. If you can, team up with a more experienced birder or join a group (GMAS has regular outings). Also, Cornell’s free Merlin app is a great tool that helps with both visual and auditory IDs.
This treasure-filled window on waterfowl migration is ephemeral. Get out there and go birding!