Birdwatching in Vermont, pp. 85-86.

South Stream Wildlife Management Area provides excellent waterfowl habitat. Nesting ducks include black, wood, and mallard ducks. Other waterfowl species may be seen during migration. Look for great blue herons wading in the shallows. Kingbirds, tree swallows, red-winged blackbirds, and other water-loving songbirds breed and forage around the wetlands. Woodcock are also found on the WMA.

South Stream Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a 130-acre parcel in Pownal, which is owned by the State of Vermont and managed by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Access and parking is located at the end of South Stream Access Area Road off South Stream Road. A second access point is from the end of Funny Farm Road east of Maple Grove Road.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department acquired South Stream WMA in 1957 using Pittman-Robertson funds, which are generated from the sale of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. South Stream was purchased from seven different families: Quinby, Lillie, Crosier, Amadon, Adier, Howard, and Morgan.

South Stream Pond is a 24-acre impoundment with emergent vegetation, such as cattails, and open water. A dam is located in the northwestern corner of the WMA where the South Stream Pond drains into the South Stream. There are alders on the property, but the majority of the landscape is an emergent wetland that rims the length of the South Stream. This is a great area for waterfowl watching.

A rare plant, Hill’s pondweed, is located on this WMA. Please remember that this and other plants should not be picked or dug up regardless of abundance.

South Stream Pond (24 acres) is a site for the Vermont LoonWatch annual survey. Birders are encouraged to volunteer as often and whenever they are able. See Join LoonWatch for details.