Trip Descriptions 2010

June 5, 2010 East River, Guilford/Madison (Connecticut Trails Day event)

Leader: Robert White, Co-leaders: Jean Trapani and Jean Lange Storms were threatened but the weather held, hazy and warm. Tide was ebbing. We had 22 participants and 3 leaders. Put-in was the state boat launch ramp at the end of Neck Rd. in Madison at 9:45 AM. There were 2 canoes, one double kayak and a variety of rec and sea kayaks. We headed up-river under the rail and 2 highway bridges and up into the marsh sanctuary. The river meanders through the marsh for 3-4 miles with an occasional house in the distance and one road crossing until it becomes too shallow to navigate. The upper marsh is magical, with the trees closing in and a wild feel. We watched an osprey drop into the river and catch a fish. We also watched a red-tailed hawk pursued aggressively by 3 red-winged blackbirds. We took a break at the top and then returned. There was a stiff headwind in the lower marsh after passing the rail bridge. We arrived back at the state boat launch at 2 PM.

Birds: Plenty of willets in the lower marsh, herring and black-backed gulls, great and snowy egrets, song sparrow, red-winged blackbirds, grackles, glossy ibis flying, red-tailed hawk, lots of osprey, marsh wrens (heard, not seen), titmouse, blue bird, barn and tree swallows, canada geese with goslings, mallards.