BVO JOURNAL

Leaving the Blackstone Valley Outfitters portage we find the river running high and fast. Within minutes we pass under the Lonsdale Bridge with it's up rooted tree hanging from the girders. For the first time since the flood of last year we were able to enter the Lonsdale Wetlands by the northern canal. Paddling around the area once known as the Lonsdale Drive In. We circle the island and find four or five turtles sunning themselves on some branches from a submerged tree. Approaching the southern canal to leave the lagoon we send a small flock of Canada Geese and ducks to flight and study a great blue heron hanging out in a tree.

Continuing down stream and paddling under the John Street Bridge, we find an abandon fishing boat beached on the south bank. After a few calls to see if the owner is all right, Paul spots him walking through the wooded wetland. Leaving the boat to its owner, we enter the first cove on the north side of the river, hoping to find another raft of migrating waterfowl. We scare up a few mallards from their hiding spots along the shoreline but no large rafts. Drifting into the far end of the cove Mark spots a deer on the peninsula. By the time the rest of us arrive all we spot is the backside of the deer jumping through the brush with its white tail held high.

Once again our little flotilla follows the current till we enter Valley Falls Pond. Here the rafts of migrating waterfowl are found. There are Mallards, Blacks, and Tufted Ducks, along with a large group of Canada Geese. Only one pair of Mute Swans is seen and a Kingfisher kept us amused for some time with his vocal antics. In the reeds the bright red of the Cardinal is seen, the call of the chickadee and the cry of the blue jay are heard. Entering into a small pond at the far southern end of Valley Falls Pond the group is greeted by the flight of a Great Blue Heron and the circling glide of an Osprey. On our return trip a pair of Cormorant sunning themselves on a downed tree are seen and the Osprey gives us one last show as it starts to go into a dive, stalls and goes back into his glide while it searches for dinner.