All photographs © by Jim Block

The NEW reprinted Upper Valley guide highlights 48 special places (including 5 new sites) in the Upper Connecticut River Valley (extending from Woodsville, NH to Rockingham, VT) that exemplify a wide variety of habitats and wildlife. The trail currently and includes sites in both the Vermont and New Hampshire areas of the Connecticut River Watershed. Our hope is that the map will guide you to many new and exciting birding areas where you can see, hear, and experience our region and its many natural wonders. This map is dedicated to these natural places, the people who make them available, and the animal and plant species that inhabit them.

Maps are $5 each. Please add $1.75 (1 map), $2.35 (2 maps), $2.65 (3 maps) per order to cover shipping and handling. Orders may be sent to our address.

selected sites

Site #7 "The Mystery Trail" at the Union Village Dam, Thetford, VT
Description: This Army Corps facility is approximately 1,000 acres. The Mystery Trail is a fabulous family walking trail with a significant mix of natural habitats including: river, beaver pond, alder thickets, hardwood and mixed forests, old fields, and early successionary fields. The Mystery Trail is 0.75 miles long. Check out the whole dam project property: the recreational facilities area, the dam proper, and along the roads and paths within the project.

Directions: Two main entrances. The southern entrance is north and left of the Union Village (Norwich) covered bridge off Rt. 132. The northern entrance is in Thetford Center off Rt. 113. Turn (south) onto Buzzell Bridge Road at the base of Thetford Hill and proceed toward the Union Village Dam Recreation Area. Travel 0.4 miles and park in the large lot on your left or walk the half mile to trailhead parking lot.

Birds: Over 135 species have been recorded in the whole project, including American Bittern, Green Heron, Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Harrier, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Common Snipe, American Woodcock, Barred Owl, Whip-Poor-Will, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Alder and Willow Flycatchers, Great-crested Flycatcher, Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, American Pipit, Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Swamp, Lincoln’s, and White-throated Sparrow.

Recommended time to visit: Spring, summer, fall.

Ownership: US Army Corps of Engineers. Brochure and maps are available. Drive-through gates are open in the summer only, walking access year-round. Hunting in season. For more info: Park Manager (802) 649-1606 or www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/uvd/uvdhome.htm

Site #37 Boston Lot Lake, Lebanon, NH
Description: This 286-acre historic reservoir site is completely forested, containing sugar maple, beech, red oak, hemlock and white pine and a 46-acre pond. Pure stands of white pine and white birch do occur. Most species are characteristic of moist woods due to poorly drained soils. The main trail also crosses a power line with its shrubby habitat and good birds. This rewarding trail is moderately steep but not terribly long.

Directions: Ample parking is located on the east side of Rt. 10 in Lebanon, across from the Wilder Dam (northern parking lot) and the Connecticut River. Trail goes uphill, on a dirt road, from the parking lot.

Birds: Northern Goshawk, Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher, all five Swallow species, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Wood Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo, Blackburnian Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Black-and-white Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue and Green Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, American Redstart, Pine Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Ovenbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Towhee, Field, Fox, Song and White-throated Sparrows.

Best time to visit: Year-round; Enjoyable hiking, quiet in winter.

Ownership: City of Lebanon, managed by Lebanon Conservation Commission; pamphlet available from City Hall.

contact for prints of any images from the map
Jim Block jab@valley.net (603) 643-4149