All photographs © by Jim Block

This is the third map of special places in the Connecticut River Birding Trail series. This map highlights 42 special places in the southern Vermont and New Hampshire Connecticut River watershed, exemplifying the wide variety of habitats and wildlife this region offers. Our hope is that this map will guide you to many new and exciting birding areas where you can see, hear, and experience our region's many natural wonders.

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 #11 Windmill Hill Nature Reserve and Trail Rockingham, Westminster, and Athens, VT

Description: The WH Pinnacle Association protects 1,400 acres and maintains 14.5 miles of trails, extending from Rockingham to Dummerston. The trails are well kept, passing through lovely northern hardwoods and containing a portion of a Oak-Hickory-Hophornbeam Forest, and many vernal pools. Trail guides offer descriptions of interesting things along the way, and views at the top are splendid. The WHPA works closely with the Putney Mountain Association (see the Central Map, Site #23)

Directions: The two best access points:

1. Westminster West Hike: South kiosk, maps there. Go to Westminster West village, turn into West Road, by the church (there is only one). Take the left fork. There is a WHPA sign. In less than 0.5 mile is a road to the right, Windmill Hill Road North. Take this and follow it to where it starts to look like the jeep trail it becomes. At this point, on the right is a parking area and kiosk. From here one may access several trails, south to Putney Mountain and north to the Pinnacle itself from which there are great views. The trail system continues for several miles.

2. Athens Hike: Take Rt.121 from Saxtons River to the T intersection in Cambridgeport. Turn left (south) onto Rt. 35. Proceed about 1.5 miles. There Rt. 35 bears right, Brookline Road goes left, down a hill. Take Brookline Road to Old County Road to Valley Cemetery Road, also a left. Kiosk is 0.25 mile away on the left. Maps are there. Take the trail to The Ledges for a splendid view west and other trails through the woods.

Birds: Broad-winged Hawk, Ruffed Grouse, Barred Owl, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Kingbird, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, Common Raven, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Veery, Hermit and Wood Thrushes, Gray Catbird, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue and Green, Yellow-rumped, Blackburnian, Black-and-white warblers, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, White-throated Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole.

Recommended time to visit: Spring through fall.

Ownership: Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association 218 Barnes Rd Putney VT 05346 (802) 387-5737. Lovely maps on weatherproof stock. Send $7 plus $1(P&H) to WHPA, 1915 Patch Road, Putney, VT 05346.


Site #32 Warwick Preserve Westmoreland,NH
Description: Protected as a gift to The Nature Conservancy in 1965 from Ruth C. Warwick, this preserve is a fascinating destination and a pleasant 2- or 3-hour hiking trip. There are many rewards for both the birder and the flower lover here, in part because of the variable terrain. Residual limestone materials in the bedrock have enriched the soils in places, yielding a rich diversity of plant life. The trails lead through the preserve's challenging terrain, and the varied matrix of forest trees and unusual plants.

Directions: From Rt. 9, take Rt. 12 north for 6.4 miles, bringing you to east Westmoreland. Take a left onto South Village Road, follow for 3.7 miles before arriving in the village of Westmoreland. From here take a right onto Rt. 63 and travel 0.9 mile to arrive at Warwick Preserve access point. Parking space for three to four vehicles is available, just south of a small white-railed bridge.

Birds: Red-tailed and Broad-winged Hawks, Ruffed Grouse, Chimney Swift, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Wood Pewee, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creeper, Wood and Hermit Thrushes, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-and-white and Black-throated Green Warblers, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Towhee.

Best time to visit: Early spring is the best time to visit. Many spring ephemeral wildflowers are in bloom here, including several that are rare and unusual.

Ownership: The Nature Conservancy, NH Chapter: (603) 224-5853, www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newhampshire
Maps available in preserve kiosk.

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