Searching For The Smallest Ponds And Brooks

 

I've always had an interest in maps, especially local ones. Sometimes If I find a small pond or stream on a map that is unfamiliar it ignites a flame of curiosity in me.  

Recently, I was looking at Long Hill Brook on the map. I was intrigued by the way it snuck through suburban areas of town, connecting to small ponds and other brooks.

According to the map, one particular part of this brook was connected to a tiny pond named Lock Shop Pond. It was interesting because it was just down the road from me but I had never seen it or even heard of it. It was labeled on some maps but left unnamed on other maps. I was able to pinpoint its location as being behind some houses on a private road and behind some businesses on another road. knocking on someone's door to ask if I could walk through their backyard wasn't a good option so I chose to take a peak behind some business buildings. 

I was able to find this small waterfall and figured the pond must be behind it. I took a quick peak but didn't see much of a pond, just a slightly swollen stream. Maybe it fills up in the spring or something happened to drain the pond altogether?

I didn't want to linger too long because someone may have been watching me! 

I still want to know the history of the lock shop that must have existed there at one time. I think there might be someone at the historical society or town hall that might be able to help with that. I also want to investigate the entirety of this brook to see what birds and habitat I might find. 

Convenient Birding On Cold Snowy Days

I wasn't motivated to crunch through snowy woods on this very cold morning so I looked for the most convenient birding spot I could find. Cromwell landing park was nearby and has a deck overlooking the Connecticut River. It was a perfect place to use a spotting scope.

I didn't need a spotting scope to see 17 Common Mergansers right below the deck. I just wish there was a little light reflecting off of them!            I got the spotting scope out and searched up and down the river.    I found 4 Bald Eagles, most of them too far away to even try a photo. This one was out there quite a ways but close enough to for me to get a good look at it.

I prefer to be out walking around in the woods but in the winter convenience and comfort are sometimes the most important factors.