Chapter Newsletter - The Harbinger Spring 2026

Fall Bird Walks

Putney Mountain Hawk Watch - September 15, 2026 (rain date September 16, 2026) 9 am

Our annual outing to the hawk watch is timed to catch the peak of the Broad-winged Hawk migration. The hike up to the summit is 0.6 miles and at a moderate grade. Bring a chair or cushion, water, hat, and binoculars. The hawk watchers will be on the mountain until November. Count data for this year and previous years are found at: https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=506

Parking at the trailhead is limited, so carpooling is an option.

For carpooling: Meet at 9 am at the Putney Park and Ride. We will plan to be at the trailhead by 9:20 am to start the hike up the mountain.

To park at the trailhead (443 Putney Mountain Road): From Main St. in Putney turn onto Kimball Hill Road, continue for 0.3 miles onto Westminster West Road for 0.8 miles. Turn left onto West Hill Road, first left after the elementary school, for 2.4 miles. Turn right onto Putney Mountain Road 2.1 miles. Look for the trailhead parking is on the right.

Point of Contact is Marianne Walsh (amas@vermontel.net)

Northern Rail Trail from Lakeside Park in Enfield, NH - September 26, 2026 at 9 am

The walk follows the Northern Rail Trail along the eastern shore of Mascoma Lake. The 1.8 mile trail is flat and easy walking. We will walk out and back for a total of 3.6 miles more or less.

eBird Hot Spot Main St. Pond, Enfield. Date at https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1671774

The parking area for the trail is at: Lakeside Park, 194 Main St, Enfield, NH 03748 (43.6354, -72.1544)

Point of Contact is Marie Caduto (maleca333@ymail.com)

Lake Runnemede in Windsor, VT - October 3, 2026 at 9 am

Lake Runnemede is the top eBird hotspot in Windsor County with 213 species reported:

https://ebird.org/region/US-VT-027/hotspots

Entrance is on Route 5. We will walk in on the park entrance road (Eddies Place) at 9 am. Parking is either along Route 5 or at the Price Chopper across the road and a bit south of the park entrance. The walk is flat and easy.

Point of Contact is Ellen Allman (ellenallman@gmail.com)

Other ideas for walks:

Charlestown River Buffer Trail near treatment plant in NH for fall migrants. The treatment plant is an eBird hotspot: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1069425 The trail proceeds along the river south of the treatment plant.

The Pinnacle in Athens, VT, for fall foliage and late migrants

Champlain Valley winter raptors in mid-February