4-13

4-13
This morning White-throated sparrows seemed determined to be noticed. Every thicket had one - or several!
Over the Connecticut River at Dummerston Landing hundreds of swallows - mostly tree swallows - dove, darted and dipped in the cool damp morning air.
And at the Retreat Meadows, 35 or 40 Double-crested Cormorants perched drying their feathers. Cormorants dive for fish but must dry off afterward. They have a layer of waterproof feathers near their skin to protect them from the cold water, but their outer feathers are wettable. Wet feathers make it easier for the bird to dive, but necessitate drying.
John