Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is larger than the state of Rhode Island.
Bird-watching is one of the fastest growing activities in America and Vermont. Vermont offers varied habitats and a conservationist mindset to protect locations for bird spotting for future generations to enjoy. Here are just a few to whet your appetite.
Nulhegan Basin – Brunswick:
Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is huge by any description. Covering an area of 2,000 square miles – it’s larger than the state of Rhode Island – and it happens to be a haven for wildlife and birding in particular.
Within the Kingdom and bordering the Connecticut River is the Nulhegan Basin. This area is considered a pristine environment to observe wildlife and in particular an array of bird species that includes: warblers, migratory songbirds, black-backed woodpecker, ruffed grouse, and American woodcock.
Rose Breasted Grosbeak has a sharp melodic song.
The forty miles of gravel roads within the basin provide access to trails that take you deep into the remote and boreal forest. Visit the contact station in Brunswick for road and trail maps. Take I91 North to Exit 23 and turn right to follow Route 5 through Lyndonville and onto Route 114. Follow Route 114 for about 21-miles to the “T” intersection just outside Island Pond and follow Route 114/105 into Island Pond for 2-miles. At the intersection take right onto Route 105 East and follow for 10.5-miles and the red visitor center will be on your left.
Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge – Swanton:
The Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain. It’s an important stop for migratory birds – especially waterfowl – and is part of the Atlantic Flyway.
The refuge headquarters is located in Swanton and offers the Black Creek and Maquam Creek Trails for bird watching. The trails take you through the marsh areas bordering Champlain and provide excellent spotting for kingfisher, great blue heron, wood duck, northern harrier, catbird, red-wing blackbird, with warblers and songbirds in the wooded areas.
The refuge headquarters is located 3-miles northwest of Swanton on Route 78. Take Route I89 to Exit 21 and turn west onto Route 78 and follow for 1.5-miles to the intersection with Route 7 at Swanton town square. Turn right and follow Route 78 west for another 5 miles and look for the Tabor Road on the left.
Groton State Forest – Barre:
Groton State Forest at 25,000-acres and encompassing six Vermont State Parks is one of the largest landholdings in Vermont. These lands provide excellent bird-watching opportunities. The forest lies between the state capital of Montpelier and St. Johnsbury.
Warbler at Groton State Forest in Vermont
Start from Owl’s Head access road on Route 232 and walk the 0.8-mile trail listening for songbirds. Make the short climb to the top of Owl’s Head for the chance to spot a migrating hawk. Across from Owl’s Head and Route 232 are Lanesboro Road and the ½ mile walk will take you to the Montpelier to Wells River Railroad Bed which will provide great bird spotting. Species to watch out for include: warblers, blue-headed vireo, and olive-sided flycatcher.
To get to Owl’s Head take Route 14 North out of Barre for 5-miles to junction with Route 2 and turn right following Route 2 for about 11 miles where you’ll turn right onto Route 232. Follow Route 232 for another 5-mile to the access road to Owl’s Head.
Green Mountain Audubon Center – Huntington
The Green Mountain Audubon chapter is located in Huntington in the foothills of Vermont’s Green Mountains. Five miles of walking paths leading out from the center office offers the chance to see rose-breasted grosbeak, red-eyed vireo, hermit thrush and blackburnian warbler along the River Trail, Spear Trail, Brook Trail and Hemlock Swamp Trail.
To get to the Huntington Center take I89 to Exit 11 and go 2-miles into Richmond. At the stoplight turn right and after church continue on road bearing right for about 5-miles towards Huntington. Turn right onto Sherman Hollow Road and the office and Barn at ¼-mile on left.
Connecticut River in southern Vermont
Windmill Ridge Nature Reserve – Athens:
Southern Vermont is home to some of the states tallest mountains but some of the best bird watching locations are on the lower hills to the east along the Connecticut River Valley. One such spot is the Windmill Ridge Reserve located in the towns of Athens and Westminster.
Popular destinations in the area are: The Pinnacle, Paul’s Ledges, and the nature trail at the Stephen Martin Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary. Bird species you’ll likely to see while walking the trails include: Broad-winged Hawk, Ruffed Grouse, Barred Owl, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Kingbird, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, American Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, White-throated Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Baltimore oriole.
To access the Athens trail take Brookline Road out of Athens heading south to Old County Road to Valley Cemetery Road on your left. Parking and kiosk with trail maps is about ¼ mile on left. Take the trail to The Ledges through the woods and continue on to the Pinnacle summit if time permits.
For more details on these and other attractions to see during a Vermont Vacation and to pick up your free New England trip planner package go to Cliff’s New England Vacation Guide at: http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com
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