Ripples from the Reservoir: Mid-October edition
October 15, 2025 | By Sheila Goss
October morning paddle on the Waterbury Reservoir. Photo by Sheila Goss
Some thoughts as autumn marches by: We have loved being surrounded by the fabulous fall colors, no matter how muted or brilliant the foliage season may have been. We were forced to tolerate the increase in traffic and tourists, but those of us fortunate enough to get out on the water had the best experience!
Fishing is traditionally quite fine in October. According to Friends of Waterbury Reservoir board member Mike Bard, there are even reports of plentiful crappies in the reservoir, just waiting for a lucky angler to catch them.
Some of you may have noticed groups of young avid anglers on the shoreline or in fishing boats. Vermont hosts many high school bass fishing teams, including Harwood Union High School, as a varsity sport. New this year is Stowe High School. These team members practice on the reservoir, participate in tournaments around the region, and many also enjoy the reservoir year-round. It is nice to see schools and the community encouraging students to participate in such a lifelong recreational activity.
Safety tips for fall on the water
The author's dog Kanootti on the reservoir wearing bright orange. Photo by Sheila Goss
In terms of getting out paddling or power-boating in the fall, there are a few safety tips we share to encourage folks to safely enjoy the reservoir.
Canada Goose hunting season has begun, and hunting seasons for other waterfowl will start soon. Please make yourself visible on the water, especially during times when bird hunters are most active. I can say from personal experience, it is a bit disconcerting to have a hunter shoot right over your canoe. It is incumbent upon hunters to know their target, and for boaters to wear bright colors and make their presence known to any hunters seen.
Another potential risk this time of year is cold water immersion. As the water gets colder, the danger increases for those not properly equipped. No one plans on capsizing, but consider wearing thermal protection, even including a wet or dry suit, once the water gets colder. A personal flotation device should always be worn, since cold water quickly diminishes motor control and makes it impossible to put on a life jacket once you are in the drink!
Wildlife notes
A loon catches a fish on the Waterbury Reservoir. Photo by Sheila Goss
A late-staying osprey visits the Waterbury Reservoir in October. Photo by Sheila Goss
Wildlife are preparing for winter. The reservoir’s loons have begun their fall molt. You may notice them getting white around the beak and losing their vibrant black, white, and green colors. They will soon fly to the ocean, returning in the spring. We will be ready for them with our new and improved loon nest raft!
Large groups of visiting loons also may stop by the reservoir before their long trek to the coast. As many as 12 loons have been seen in past autumns, grouped as a fleet on the water. Vagrant birds may also be seen. I have seen long-tailed ducks, grebes, white-winged scoters, lesser scaups, brants, and red-breasted mergansers on the reservoir while canoeing in the fall. We recently had a late-staying osprey observed in the trees along the reservoir, apparently enjoying the spell of warm weather. I even witnessed a swimming red squirrel, bobbing in the waves as he swam across the reservoir. It is always fun to see these little animals negotiating our big reservoir waters!
A swimming red squirrel. Photo by Sheila Goss
The eaglets hatched earlier this year are huge and are straying further from their usual roosting areas. They may be as big as the adults, but weigh less, and have specialized longer feathers to help them as they develop flight skills. They will soon begin to wander even further, exploring possible territories to call their own. They still can be heard loudly squawking for adults, hoping for an easy meal, but have also learned to find their own fish and frogs to eat. We hope the adult pair rebuilds the collapsed nest, or chooses another nearby tree, so that we can once again observe the miraculous growth of eaglets from little fluff balls to massive and proud birds.
An adult eagle with blood on its beak from the meal he just caught for the eaglets. Photo by Sheila Goss
A young eaglet shows off its wing feathers. Photo by Sheila Goss
Nov. 1: Owl meet and greet, annual meeting
Part of the mission of the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir is education and outreach to the community. On Saturday, Nov. 1, we are pleased to host a live bird presentation from the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. Join us to get a close-up experience with three live owls and a chance to learn more about the amazing birds we hear so frequently around the reservoir.
This event will be held at 1 p.m. at St. Leo’s Hall, 109 South Main Street, in Waterbury. The friends group offers this presentation free of charge to all community members. It will be followed by a very brief annual business meeting, and anyone interested may stay after the owl presentation. We hope to see many community members at this event!
Event poster by Friends of Waterbury Reservoir
Sheila Goss, of Stowe, is vice president of the nonprofit organization, Friends of Waterbury Reservoir. Learn more and contact the group on their website, friendsofwaterburyres.org.