Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The New Hampshire Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, March 18 at 01:28 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Canyon Wren,©David Sibley

18 Mar concord, ring-necked ducks, bald eagles etc [lee hansche ] 18 Mar Turkey Vulture, Pileated Woodpcker Silver Lake RR. Trail Madison [] 18 Mar Field trip this coming Saturday: Owling in Dublin [Lance Tanino ] 18 Mar Brentwood Mitigation Area/Brentwood ["sayoung" ] 18 Mar Mew Gull present at Swasey Parkway, Exeter [Len Medlock ] 18 Mar Mississippi Kite report from Newmarket [Phil Brown ] 18 Mar Northern Hawk Owl, Ferdinand, VT ? ["Alan Johnson /R.N.Johnson, Inc." ] 18 Mar Mew Gull - Yes! [Steve Mirick ] 18 Mar Re: Saw-whet ?? [Len Medlock ] 18 Mar Mew Gull...No (:~< [Ken Cox ] 18 Mar Saw-whet ?? [Allan ] 18 Mar 3-17-10 -- Lakes Region: Killdeer, Song Sparrow ["Iain MacLeod" ] 18 Mar Re: Creeper [] 18 Mar Northern Saw-whet Owl visit (photos) [Len Medlock ] 17 Mar Bohemians no- Gorham, NH ["Naomi" ] 17 Mar Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, March 17, 2010 ["Mark Suomala" ] 17 Mar Hawk [Lynn Roberge ] 17 Mar Coast-birding with MAC, 3/17/10 [Jon Woolf ] 17 Mar Westmoreland Greater White-Fronted Goose [Clifford Seifer ] 17 Mar Re: Northern Saw Whet Owl [Jon Winslow ] 17 Mar Creeper [Bruce Boyer ] 17 Mar swan at Horsesoe Pond, Concord [Sylvia Miskoe ] 17 Mar Northern Saw-whet Owl in Portsmouth - Right now! [Steve Mirick ] 17 Mar Re: northern saw-whet in Portsmouth ["Katie Towler" ] 17 Mar CT River waterfowl - GWFG in Walpole [Phil Brown ] 17 Mar bald eagle in Laconia [Dianne Schenk ] 17 Mar Brown Creeper and not birds BUT! Litchfield ["Joan McKibben" ] 17 Mar Pickering Ponds [Michael ] 17 Mar evening grosbeak hancock [] 17 Mar New yard birds in the last week in Hollis NH ["Kevin Klasman" ] 17 Mar RWBB [] 16 Mar Fish Crow in Plymouth ["Iain MacLeod" ] 16 Mar spring arrivals - Stoddard, Nelson, and Concord [Phil Brown ] 17 Mar Fish crows in Raymond [] 16 Mar Pitcher Mountain HawkWatch, 3/16/10 [Lance Tanino ] 16 Mar Mute Swan Horseshoe Pond [Cindy Reid ] 16 Mar Re: Waukewan Inlet, New Hampton (ring-necks, wood duck, etc) ["smiskoe" ] 16 Mar Black-backed Woodpecker on Mount Willard in Crawford Notch ["David Govatski" ] 16 Mar Waukewan Inlet, New Hampton (ring-necks, wood duck, etc) ["Iain MacLeod" ] 16 Mar Highways and Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Talk in Littleton Wednesday Evening ["David Govatski" ] 15 Mar American Woodcock - Surry [Lance Tanino ] 15 Mar coast plus some_Mew Gull-yup [lee hansche ] 15 Mar Wood duck - Chester NH ["Maureen Lein" ] 15 Mar Sightings [Blake Allison ] 15 Mar Monadnock Chapter outing this Saturday [Lance Tanino ] 15 Mar Bohemians- Gorham, NH [] 15 Mar Walpole Bald Eagles and Weekend Waterfowl [Clifford Seifer ] 15 Mar Mew Gull at Stuart Farm-8:30 [] 14 Mar NH Coast (Harlequin Duck, Gadwall, Brant) [Steve Mirick ] 14 Mar Concord wigeon, teal, Mute Swan [] 14 Mar Bluebird ["Jessana Palm" ] 14 Mar Mew Gull - YES 3/14 [] 13 Mar Evans Notch - Northern Shrike [Miklos Oyler ] 13 Mar Last few days, VT & NH [Julie Waters ] 13 Mar Hawk being chased by a flock of crows [Lynn Roberge ] 13 Mar Exeter Bald Eagle [Patience Chamberlin ] 13 Mar NH Coast and inland areas (Gadwall, Killdeer, teal, MEW GULL, etc) [Steve Mirick ] 13 Mar MEW GULL - Yes [Jason Lambert ] 13 Mar Mew Gull - YES briefly [Jason Lambert ] 13 Mar Fox sparrow & WT sparrow - Milton ["Pat Watts" ] 13 Mar Mew Gull, Exeter [Bird Watchers Supply & Gift ] 13 Mar FOY Durham/Lee ["Mark Hatfield" ] 12 Mar Ring-necked Ducks at the Setbacks in Hinsdale [Lance Tanino ] 12 Mar CT River: Charlestown south to Hinsdale [Lance Tanino ] 12 Mar Ring-billed not Common Gull today? [Chris Johnson ] 12 Mar Re: Exeter 3/12/10 not just mew gulls ["robinson speirs jr." ] 12 Mar Exeter 3/12/10 not just mew gulls [Michael Thompson ] 12 Mar Common/Mew Gull ["RICHARD FRECHETTE" ] 12 Mar State of the Birds report ["Pamela Hunt" ] 12 Mar Turkeys [] 12 Mar Re: A brief comment on Mew Gull vs. Common Gull ["robinson speirs jr." ] 12 Mar A brief comment on Mew Gull vs. Common Gull [Steve Mirick ] 12 Mar Common Gull - not being seen yet [] 12 Mar Mew Gull Present at Swasey Parkway in Exeter [Scott Spangenberg ] 12 Mar Ruddy Shelduck, Westminister VT [Clifford Seifer ] 12 Mar Evening Grosbeaks in Jefferson ["David Govatski" ] Subject: concord, ring-necked ducks, bald eagles etc From: lee hansche <xxleeweexx AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:28:28 -0700 (PDT) birded in concord this morning, not as much going on as i had hoped at horseshoe pond but had much better luck up at Turtle pond in east concord... Horseshoe pond: Mute Swan (continues to get lots of attention) Canada Geese (much fewer than on my last visit) Red-Winged Blackbirds Common Grackles Turkey Vulture Ring-Billed Gull I didn't stay too long but i had NO DUCKS crazy... Turtle Pond: 2 Bald Eagle (1 adult and 1 juvinial on the edge of a field across the pond near some farm equipment... the flew in to the trees a few minutes after i located them) 37 Common Merganser (most in one flock across the pond a few others scattered about) 2 Ring-Necked Duck (direct opposite side of the pond from the boat launch) 1 Buffle Head (mixed with mergansers) 2 Mallard 1 Red-Tailed Hawk 10 unidentified ducks (way on the otherside couldnt make them out due to heat haze) Other spots: Eastern Blue Birds (fields in east concord, and top of twist hill in Bow) American Tree Sparrow (PO Fields) Song sparrow (singing all over) House Finch (Many around singing in the warm weather) Mocking Birds (Singing as well) Lee Hansche goffstown NH Subject: Turkey Vulture, Pileated Woodpcker Silver Lake RR. Trail Madison From: jmullen43 AT comcast.net Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:23:28 +0000 (UTC) Ed and I spent about 90 minutes walking the above trail starting at the Silver Lake PO and Rail Station. Nothing remarkable for the first half ( Am. Goldfinch, Chickadees, RB Nuthatch). However we were in the powerline when Ed noticed a Turkey Vulture overhead. It was moving quickly. It is the first we have seen in this area.B We were almost back to the car when we heard and then saw a Pileated Woodpecker. Two unexpected treats for the day! The trail was covered with icey snow and or mud amongst the dry spots. The lake itself has a few open areas but is still covered with ice. Of the two ponds along the RR trail, Drew has a little open water but Blue still was ice covered. There were no Red-winged Blackbirds despite what we thought was a brief, distant B call yesterday near Winter St. It is only going to get better! Jean Mullen Silver Lake/Madison jmullen43 AT comcast.net Subject: Field trip this coming Saturday: Owling in Dublin From: Lance Tanino <lance.tanino AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:22:00 -0400 Saturday, March 20 OWLS OF THE MONADNOCK HILLS Where: Dublin When: Saturday, March 20 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm Meet Dublin resident and longtime bird expert, Tom Warren, to seek out owls - Barred, Great Horned, Saw-whet, and even Long-eared are possible - in and around Dublin. CONTACT: Tom Warren 563-7194 or ttwassociates AT myfairpoint.net for meeting time and place. Lance Tanino Keene, NH Subject: Brentwood Mitigation Area/Brentwood From: "sayoung" <sayoung AT metrocast.net> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:08:21 -0400 AKA Deerhill WMA Location: Brentwood Mitigation Area Number of species: 28 Of Note: Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca 1 Ring-necked Duck - Aythya collaris 72 Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola 1 Hooded Merganser - Lophodytes cucullatus 2 Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 5 on 3 nests! Golden-crowned Kinglet - Regulus satrapa 7 Theses seen, many more about Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 2 Fox Sparrow - Passerella iliaca 1 FOY and nice close looks scruffing leaves on a stream edge Gile Rd. Marsh in Lee is open- Common Mergs/Buffles/Hoodies Bow Lake (Northwood) is still 2/3's iced. The two Bald Eagles are continuing construction and they don't see eye to eye on stick placement. Both had ahold of a seven footer and wanted it in a different location. She had enough and got off the nest. He eventually pitched it over the side. These are young eagles. Scott Young/Strafford Subject: Mew Gull present at Swasey Parkway, Exeter From: Len Medlock <lenmedlock AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:07:39 +0000 (UTC) Seen resting on dike right now. Len Subject: Mississippi Kite report from Newmarket From: Phil Brown <downtownpab AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:19:03 -0700 (PDT) I just spoke with Muriel Moore from Newmarket, who reports observing a Mississippi Kite in a snag near its old nest on Main Street in Newmarket. She is familiar with the kites from her constant observations of them from last year, and described the bird well. She doesn't have a camera, so someone with one may want to check it out for the documentation. Despite being 600+ miles out of range, this sounds incredibly early for a kite in our part of the US! Phil Brown (reporting for Muriel Moore) Subject: Northern Hawk Owl, Ferdinand, VT ? From: "Alan Johnson /R.N.Johnson, Inc." <alan AT rnjohnsoninc.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:23:17 -0400 We are headed north for four days. Does anyone know if the N. Hawk Owl is still being seen in Ferdinand VT? Alan Johnson Walpole, NH Subject: Mew Gull - Yes! From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:13:11 -0400 Ugggh. Sorry Ken. I had a report from Len Medlock that the bird WAS seen yesterday; visible along the dike between the Squamscott River and Powderhouse Pond and visible from Swayze Park. Not sure how long it stuck around, however, since I called Lance Tanino and I think he did not see it. Now, I just got off the phone with Len Medlock, who tells me that Denny Abbott had the bird THIS MORNING sitting on the dock (!!) from Swayze Park in Exeter. Clearly this bird is avoiding all birders from Vermont!! :-) On another note, I have heard no reports regarding the Saw-whet Owl in Portsmouth from today, and I don't expect to hear any. The bird seen yesterday was likely an anomalous sighting of a migrant bird which had probably been flushed from a more secure (and likely well hidden) roost tree in the neighborhood. While it may be still be in the area, it is not likely to be found, and hopefully has continued its migration northward. Steve Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: Re: Saw-whet ?? From: Len Medlock <lenmedlock AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:08:56 +0000 (UTC) Allan, I received no reports either way but a birder who lives in the area said she would post if it returned. Len ----- Original Message ----- From: "Allan" To: "New Hampshire Birds" Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 10:10:35 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Saw-whet ?? Does anyone know if the owl is still around 62 Union St in Portsmouth? I am guessing it moved on but just thought I would ask. Allan Nashua, New Hampshire allanrube.com www.nebirds.com Subject: Mew Gull...No (:~< From: Ken Cox <kencox5 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:56:29 -0400 In the absence of any reports of the Mew Gull since Monday and failing to be among the more successful birders on Saturday I decided to make one more attempt yesterday. From 7:30 a.m. to about 3:00 p.m. (with about a 2 hour midday break to checkout the coast) I shuttled frequently between the gull's former haunts: Exeter WWTP, Swazy Parkway, Chapmans landing and Stuart Farm corn fields. The result of my efforts...no gull. Actually bird activity all around was very slow. Not until 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. did gulls (mostly Ring-billed) begin to be seen in any large numbers. They congregated en masse on the dike along the parkway. Out of the group only two 1st year birds were found, neither in my opnion filling the bill for a Mew Gull. I hoped that the gulls would continue to fly in increasing the chances of one being the target bird. But with such a nice weather day, the park was active with pedestrains on the dike keeping the birds in a constant state of flux. Eventually the bulk of gulls got fed up with that and took to the air in one massive "kettle" drifting at high elevation off to somewhere unknown to me. With that I headed back to VT. Ken -- Kenneth Cox South Reading, VT http://northernwingsbirder.blogspot.com/ Subject: Saw-whet ?? From: Allan <allan57 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:10:35 -0400 Does anyone know if the owl is still around 62 Union St in Portsmouth? I am guessing it moved on but just thought I would ask. Allan Nashua, New Hampshire allanrube.com www.nebirds.com Subject: 3-17-10 -- Lakes Region: Killdeer, Song Sparrow From: "Iain MacLeod" <iain.macleod AT nhnature.org> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:43:06 -0400 Observation date: 3/17/10 Location: Waukewan Inlet, New Hampton Canada Goose -- 11 Wood Duck -- 1 American Black Duck -- 41 Mallard -- 49 Common Goldeneye -- 5 Hooded Merganser -- 2 Song Sparrow -- 1 Red-winged Blackbird -- 1 Common Grackle -- 1 Location: Webster Lake, Franklin Canada Goose -- 17 Common Merganser -- 32 Turkey Vulture -- 1 Location: Intervale Road Fields, Gilford Canada Goose -- 25 Mallard -- 3 Red-tailed Hawk -- 1 Killdeer -- 2 Lakes Region general Bald Eagle -- 3 adults at two nest (incubation changeover at one nest, incubating adult seen at 2nd nest) Iain MacLeod Executive Director Squam Lakes Natural Science Center 23 Science Center Road, PO Box 173, Holderness, NH 03245 Phone: 603-968-7194 ext. 23 Fax: 603-968-2229 iain.macleod AT nhnature.org www.nhnature.org Advancing understanding of ecology by exploring NH's natural world TRAILS OPEN DAILY MAY 1 - NOVEMBER 1. Subject: Re: Creeper From: jmullen43 AT comcast.net Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:58:10 +0000 (UTC) Hi! I have been hearing Brown Creepers singing since March 10 here in Silver Lake/Madison. Within the last few days 2 Red-breastedB Nuthatches have been at the feeders.B The RB Nuthatches have been in the woods all winter but never came to the feeders. Jean Mullen Silver Lake/Madison jmullen43 AT comcast.net Subject: Northern Saw-whet Owl visit (photos) From: Len Medlock <lenmedlock AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:20:24 +0000 (UTC) Jim Hully and I lingered to watch the owl fly (and partly to determine if it was injured and thus grounded). It stretched both wings and defecated--a sure sign of pre-flight preparation--and it seemed more aware, if not curious, of its surroundings as the night came on. We resumed our vigil and was delighted to see two Brown Bats and hear a woodcock display flight, the later seemed to catch the owl's attention, as did a crow that buzzed overhead. We grabbed a quick bite around the corner and discovered upon our return that the owl was gone. A nice visit and hopefully a safe journey to the breeding grounds. The neighborhood children were delighted by its visit and birders shared their scopes so that all got to see it. Many thanks to those who found the bird and notified the list server. For those interested, and at the request of those attendees without a camera, I've posted additional photos here: http://www.pbase.com/lmedlock/image/122813862 http://www.pbase.com/lmedlock/image/122812788 Len Medlock Exeter, NH Subject: Bohemians no- Gorham, NH From: "Naomi" <omi AT ncia.net> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:16:35 -0400 Well, the waxwings were a no-show today and I didn't see them yesterday either. Of course, this does not mean they have moved on just yet. We shall see... On another note, I have been noticing behaviors. I've noticed crows doing a bit of a dance that I must believe are mating dances. I will have to pull out my Stokes books and take a peek. Also, the House Sparrows have filled the bushes by the Family Resource Center but I've been concentrating on the waxwings. Today, I saw a House Sparrow carrying nesting material (twice today) up to the eaves of the building. It's that time of year.my favorite.when I get to start observing more and more behaviors.... :-) Naomi Levesque Berlin, NH Subject: Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, March 17, 2010 From: "Mark Suomala" <mrsuomala AT marksbirdtours.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:59:49 -0400 This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, March 17th, 2010. The MEW GULL that was sighted on the mud flats at low tide from the Swasey Parkway along the Squamscott River in Exeter last week was repeatedly seen in the area during the past weekend - at the Swasey Parkway in Exeter, at the Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant, Chapman's Landing in Stratham, and in fields adjacent to Stuart Farm Road and Route 108 in Stratham, during the weekend of March 13th-14th. It was often seen near Ring-billed Gulls, and was last reported on the 15th from the Stuart Farm fields. A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen migrating north at Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard on March 10th, and one was seen there on the 7th. An adult male HARLEQUIN DUCK and a male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE were seen along the coast off of Great Boar's Head in Hampton on March 14th. 5 GADWALL were seen in coastal wetlands in south Rye on March 14th, and 2 were seen on the Connecticut River in Hinsdale north of the dam on March 17th. A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was seen in fields at the Malnati Farm in Walpole on March 17th, and 4 were seen in fields near the intersection of Routes 12 and 12A in Charlestown on March 12th. A SNOW GOOSE was seen in the area of the Great Meadows in Charlestown on March 11th and 12th. 2 BRANT were seen in coastal Rye on March 14th. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen in North Chatham from Route 113 on March 13th, 60 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen in trees behind the Family Resource Center in Gorham on March 15th. A GLAUCOUS GULL and an ICELAND GULL were seen off of Cross Beach Road in Seabrook on March 14th. An ICELAND GULL was seen in Rye on March 15th, and one was seen at the Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant on the 12th. A FISH CROW was reported from Plymouth on March 16th, 2 were reported from Raymond on the 16th, 2 were reported from Hampton Beach on the 13th, and one was reported from Great Meadows in Charlestown on the 12th. 4 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen at Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard on March 16th. A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was seen perched in a tree at the corner of Union Street and State Street near downtown Portsmouth on March 17th. A BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was seen near the summit of Mount Willard in Crawford Notch on March 16th. 3 EVENING GROSBEAKS were reported from Nelson on March 16th, and 5 were reported from Jefferson on the 12th, A FOX SPARROW was reported from Milton on March 13th and one was reported from Nelson on the 16th. A BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported from Dunbarton on March 13th. Waterfowl migration is in full-swing with reports of many species from around the state, including NORTHERN PINTAIL, AMERICAN WIGEON, WOOD DUCKS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, and LESSER SCAUP. This message is also available by phone recording: call (603) 224-9909 and press 2 as directed or ask to be transferred. If you have seen any interesting birds recently, you can leave a message at the end of the recording or send your sightings to the RBA via e-mail at: birdsetc AT nhaudubon.org. Please put either "bird sighting" or "Rare Bird Alert" in the subject line and be sure to include your mailing address and phone number. The RBA is also available on-line at the New Hampshire Audubon web site, www.nhaudubon.org Thanks very much and good birding. Subject: Hawk From: Lynn Roberge <lynn4020081996 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:43:36 -0700 (PDT) While sitting in Bi-Wise parking lot today, I saw a rwbb, and an adult red tailed hawk. In the suncook river, lots of ducks, and a couple of canadian geese, some crows, and a mourning dove on the wires Lynn Roberge Manchester NH Subject: Coast-birding with MAC, 3/17/10 From: Jon Woolf <jsw AT jwoolfden.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:24:33 -0400 Today was the March edition of the "Birding the Coast" series from Massabesic Audubon Center. Four birders joined me in checking out the NH seacoast from Hampton Beach to Odiorne Point State Park. We also made a stop at Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant on the way home. All told, we racked up 42 species. No great rarities, but a couple of first-of-years and some very nice studies of common sea-ducks and gulls for our three new-to-the-coast birders. Special note to Len Medlock's eagle eye (or perhaps that should be "gull eye") for picking out the Seabrook Glaucous Gull among a large flock of gulls on on Hampton beach. Complete list of species seen: Blackbird, Red-winged Bluebird, Eastern Bufflehead Chickadee, Black-capped Cormorant, Great Crow, American Dove, Mourning Dove, Rock Duck, American Black Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Ring-necked Eider, Common Finch, House Goldeneye, Common Goose, Canada Grackle, Common Grebe, Red-necked Gull, Glaucous Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Hawk, Red-Tailed Jay, Blue Killdeer Lark, Horned Loon, Common Mallard Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Mockingbird, Northern Robin, American Sanderling Scaup, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scoter, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter, White-winged Sparrow, House Sparrow, Song Starling, European Swan, Mute Woodpecker, Downy -- Jon Woolf Manchester, NH Subject: Westmoreland Greater White-Fronted Goose From: Clifford Seifer <clifdisc AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:14:51 -0400 This evening at 5:30 at Malnati Farm in Walpole, there was a single Greater White-Fronted Goose mixed in with just over 300 Canada Geese. -- Cliff Seifer Keene NH Subject: Re: Northern Saw Whet Owl From: Jon Winslow <jon_221998 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:25:21 -0700 (PDT) A couple of photos of the Northern Saw Whet Owl. He is on the corner of Union and State Streets as previously reported. He looks in good shape and has been in the same vicinity all day. People were walking dogs by him and he seemed to pay little or no attention, hopefully he's in good health and will be hunting tonight. Photos here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/winslowwildlife/ Jon Winslow Image Arts Etc. 738 Islington St Portsmouth, NH Subject: Creeper From: Bruce Boyer <brumyster AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:57:15 -0400 I'm pretty sure I heard a Brown Creeper singing today, but couldn't locate the bird to confirm. Is this the right time to be hearing that? Bruce Boyer Jaffrey Subject: swan at Horsesoe Pond, Concord From: Sylvia Miskoe <smiskoe AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:57:06 -0400 The swan is still feeding at Horseshoe Pond in Concord. Earlier in the day is was on the near side, 3:30 it was on the far side. Sylvia Miskoe, Concord Subject: Northern Saw-whet Owl in Portsmouth - Right now! From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:47:46 -0400 I just got a call from Ruth Arrington who reports a Northern Saw-whet Owl that is perched in the open at the corner of Union Street and State Street near downtown Portsmouth. I called Judith Silver who ran over and confirmed that it is still present as of 3:45 PM!. If you have time and live in the area.....check it out! Apparently it is perched in a hardwood tree (about 4" in diameter) about 10' off the ground. I think it is on the left side of Union Street as you approach State Street if you are approaching from Middle Street (Rt. 1A). Steve Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: Re: northern saw-whet in Portsmouth From: "Katie Towler" <katie AT katherinetowler.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:34:20 -0400 A northern saw-whet owl is perched in a tree at the corner of Union and State Streets in Portsmouth (3:20 pm Weds.). It is in the tree directly in front of 62 Union St. The bird was first spotted by a mail carrier at 1 pm and has been there ever since, according to the handful of birders present. The bird appears to be okay, but there is some concern on the part of those who have been watching it that it might be injured, given this unlikely spot for it. I pulled over on my way back from the supermarket. If more knowledgeable birders are out today and can check on this owl, it would be appreciated. Thanks, Katie Towler Portsmouth Subject: CT River waterfowl - GWFG in Walpole From: Phil Brown <downtownpab AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:31:15 -0700 (PDT) A Greater White-fronted Goose was present with a flock of 350 Canadas in the Malnati Farm fields at around 1 pm today. None were observed along Route 5 in Westminster, VT among several hundred Canadas. Also at the Malnati Farm was an American Kestrel and singing Song sparrows. At nearby Alyson's Orchards, we observed a male Northern Harrier flying north. Elsewhere today, Evening grosbeaks calling overhead in Sullivan this afternoon, and a Carolina wren sang off Washington Street in Keene. Phil Brown & Julie Tilden Stoddard, NH Subject: bald eagle in Laconia From: Dianne Schenk <dianne90578 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:58:58 -0700 (PDT) Pretty sure we saw a bald eagle circling overhead, as we played with our kids at Tardif Park on Crescent St. yesterday afternoon in Laconia, at around 4:30 p.m. Beautiful bird, amazing wingspan! Subject: Brown Creeper and not birds BUT! Litchfield From: "Joan McKibben" <jmcKibben AT litchfield-nh.gov> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:27:31 -0400 A brown creeper at the suet will redeem me for this message. Wood Frogs calling in my favorite Litchfield vernal pool. What a great spring sound! Joan McKibben Litchfield Planning Board Staff Conservation Commission Chair 2 Liberty Way Litchfield, NH 03052-2345 phone (603) 424-2131 fax (603) 424-3014 Subject: Pickering Ponds From: Michael <nhsun100 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:01:20 -0700 (PDT) Well after a week of intense fibromyalgia pain, I finally got out to Pickering Ponds in Rochester for a stroll... Crows, red-winged blackbirds, herring gulls, greater black-backed gulls, Canada geese, bluejays, black-capped chickadees, mourning doves, mallards, goldfinches, hairy woodpecker, titmice, broad-winged hawk, oh and one beaver. Michael Pachomski Rochester, NH Subject: evening grosbeak hancock From: eric.masterson AT myfairpoint.net Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:17:01 -0400 FOY over the yard this am. Yesterday along the CT River (note - the early ice-out is not ideal for waterfowl staging between hinsdale and Charlestown and I dont expect this spring will be great for holding waterfowl in the lower valley - the roost at Hinsdale is now completely dissipated - compare to Patricks Day three years ago when the Barnacle Goose, thousands of Cago's, five GWFG, 44 pintail etc were crammed into the ice-free Vermont Yankee outflow). Hinsdale Wood Duck 5 Ring-necked Duck 37 Bufflehead 3 Goldeneye 10 Westminister VT Greater White-fronted Goose 1 Great Meadows Charlestown Northern Pintail 2 Wood Duck 5 I bumped into Tom Pirro who reported 2 Gadwall from Hinsdale Subject: New yard birds in the last week in Hollis NH From: "Kevin Klasman" <kevinklasman AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:12:53 -0400 In the last week or so I've had Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds and just today a male Brown-headed Cowbird start visiting my feeders. On my beaver pond (30% ice out), American Black Ducks, Mallards, Hooded Mergansers and Wood Ducks are all now present...its a duckapalooza! Kevin Klasman Nature Photographer http://www.kevinklasman.com http://OnHeronPond.com (blog) Subject: RWBB From: 12meows AT comcast.net Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:26:17 +0000 (UTC) Heard and observed the first RWBB yesterday.B Judy FlandersB Henniker Subject: Fish Crow in Plymouth From: "Iain MacLeod" <iain.macleod AT nhnature.org> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:28:10 -0400 3/16/10 Fish Crow -- calling in Post Office Square, Plymouth Iain MacLeod Ashland Subject: spring arrivals - Stoddard, Nelson, and Concord From: Phil Brown <downtownpab AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:41:05 -0700 (PDT) First of season Evening Grosbeaks (3) visited the feeders this morning. A friend in Nelson reports a Fox Sparrow from his feeders this morning. Saw a flyover Great Blue Heron over Turkey Pond today. Phil Brown Stoddard, NH Subject: Fish crows in Raymond From: sesantino AT comcast.net Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:14:10 +0000 (UTC) Today about 6:00 pm I listened to two fish crows calling along Freetown Rd. (RT 102). They were beside the Shell gas station. Scott Santino Raymond Subject: Pitcher Mountain HawkWatch, 3/16/10 From: Lance Tanino <lance.tanino AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:56:31 -0400 Location: Pitcher Mountain Hawkwatch Observation date: 3/16/10 Notes: With David Deifik and his awesome hawkwatching dog; Absolutely gorgeous day! Sunny with light northeasterly winds and excellent visibility. Lots of new snow and ice-covered trees that melted very quickly as the day warmed up. Migrating raptors kept their distance from the summit as they rode thermals to the south and glided north and disappeared below the horizon. BE adult 1:04 EDT. Time: 10:45am - 2:00pm Turkey Vulture 3 Bald Eagle 1 Adult Northern Harrier 1 Male Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 4 Buteo sp. 1 American Crow 18 Common Raven 4 Snow Bunting 4 migrating north American Goldfinch 1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/nh) Lance Tanino Keene, NH Subject: Mute Swan Horseshoe Pond From: Cindy Reid <cindy_reid27 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:53:43 -0700 (PDT) This solitary bird is causing quite a stir in Concord! I talked to several people who had stopped to look at it on this beautiful day - it seems in no hurry to move on. I heard that a black swan had been sighted at that location and pictures sent to Channel 9 - true? Another couple of people were convinced that a female mute swan was hiding in the reeds - it was "brown" and had been "flirting" with the undeniable swan. What I had been seeing was one of the hundreds of Canada Geese shadowing the swan, and it did look like it was being amorous! It was most definitely a goose, however. I was the only one with binoculars... Has a second swan been seen at this location by anyone reporting to the list? There was one pair of ducks - I was trying to make them into Lesser Scaups or something interesting, but a second trip over led me to conclude it was a pair of Mallards. No other ducks at this location seen today. Subject: Re: Waukewan Inlet, New Hampton (ring-necks, wood duck, etc) From: "smiskoe" <smiskoe AT aol.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:45:44 -0400 At Concord's Horseshoe Pond at 3-ish: a huge mute swan. Sylvia Miskoe, concord -------------------------------------------------- From: "Iain MacLeod" Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 2:04 PM To: "New Hampshire Birds" Subject: Waukewan Inlet, New Hampton (ring-necks, wood duck, etc) > Location: Waukewan Inlet, New Hampton > > Observation date: 3/15/10 > > Canada Goose -- 12 > Wood Duck -- 3 (males) > American Black Duck -- 23 > Mallard -- 25 > Ring-necked Duck -- 4 (3M/1F) > Common Goldeneye -- 20 > Hooded Merganser -- 5 (all females) > Red-winged Blackbird -- 1 (male) > > Iain MacLeod > Executive Director > Squam Lakes Natural Science Center > 23 Science Center Road, > PO Box 173, Holderness, NH 03245 > Phone: 603-968-7194 ext. 23 Fax: 603-968-2229 > iain.macleod AT nhnature.org > www.nhnature.org > > Advancing understanding of ecology by exploring NH's natural world > TRAILS OPEN DAILY MAY 1 - NOVEMBER 1. Subject: Black-backed Woodpecker on Mount Willard in Crawford Notch From: "David Govatski" <pondicherry AT wildblue.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:33:43 -0400 Kathi and I snowshoed up Mount Willard in Crawford Notch on Tuesday morning. We saw a male Black-backed Woodpecker drumming on a dead balsam fir along the trail about a half mile up. Somewhat of an unusual location in that most of the forest is beech-birch-maple, not the usual habitat for such a bird. The location was between Mount Willard and Mount Avalon and the drumming sound echoed off these hills. There are a number of scattered dead fir, victims of the balsam woolly adelgid that has infested this area. This adelgid is an exotic insect that came from Europe around 1900 and our local balsam fir of all sizes are affected by it. Currently it seems to stay below an elevation of 2700 feet which is a good thing because the forest above this is predominantly balsam fir. For more information on the balsam woolly adelgid go to: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/fidls/bwa.pdf There is a good two feet of snow on the trails and snowshoes are advised to keep from postholing. I also saw another black-backed woodpecker last Saturday at the Little Cherry Pond Trail in Jefferson. It was a female also foraging on a dead balsam fir. It was probably the same one I have reported in the past in this area. Purple finches are singing cheerfully in many locations in the North Country. I head dozens of them singing at Pondicherry NWR yesterday as I was clearing blowdowns. David Govatski Jefferson, NH Subject: Waukewan Inlet, New Hampton (ring-necks, wood duck, etc) From: "Iain MacLeod" <iain.macleod AT nhnature.org> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:04:25 -0400 Location: Waukewan Inlet, New Hampton Observation date: 3/15/10 Canada Goose -- 12 Wood Duck -- 3 (males) American Black Duck -- 23 Mallard -- 25 Ring-necked Duck -- 4 (3M/1F) Common Goldeneye -- 20 Hooded Merganser -- 5 (all females) Red-winged Blackbird -- 1 (male) Iain MacLeod Executive Director Squam Lakes Natural Science Center 23 Science Center Road, PO Box 173, Holderness, NH 03245 Phone: 603-968-7194 ext. 23 Fax: 603-968-2229 iain.macleod AT nhnature.org www.nhnature.org Advancing understanding of ecology by exploring NH's natural world TRAILS OPEN DAILY MAY 1 - NOVEMBER 1. Subject: Highways and Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Talk in Littleton Wednesday Evening From: "David Govatski" <pondicherry AT wildblue.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:37:02 -0400 The Ammonoosuc Chapter of NH Audubon will host Carol Foss, the Director of Conservation for NH Audubon, on 17 March 2010 at 7:00 pm at the Littleton Area Senior Center. Carol's subject addresses the issues of how the human transformation of New Hampshire's landscape has affected the travel routes of native wildlife. She will also talk about what is being done to lessen the impacts of roads on wildlife habitat and on other natural resources. This presentation will introduce the Wildlife Connectivity Model for New Hampshire that was recently developed by NH Fish and Game and NH Audubon conservation biologists. This subject is important to everyone who loves wildlife. Carol is a dynamic speaker with a great depth of knowledge on this and other topics. All are welcome to attend this program; the Senior Center is handicapped accessible. Turn between Scooter Britches and the Littleton Bike Shop and drive to the end of the road. The Center is on the left. For more information please call Mary Boulanger at 444-6993 or David Govatski at 586-7776. David Govatski Jefferson, NH Subject: American Woodcock - Surry From: Lance Tanino <lance.tanino AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:38:21 -0400 My FOY American Woodcock (a.k.a timberdoodle, night partridge, big-eye, bogsucker, and mudbat) was heard "peenting" over the singing grounds between Dort Road and Joslin Road in Surry. Lance Tanino Keene, NH Subject: coast plus some_Mew Gull-yup From: lee hansche <xxleeweexx AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:23:49 -0700 (PDT) Mike Thompson and I were up before dawn on this lovely rainy cold windy day for a surprisingly fun day of birding... Our major mission was relocating the Mew Gull so Mike could get a life bird (i saw it yesterday and was happy to visit again)... Many roads were flooded, we drove on some closed roads, we ended up soaking wet and trudging through deep mud but laughed the whole time... highlights: Barred owl (1st bird of the day flew over rt 101) Mew Gull (at stuart farm) Iceland Gull (1 adult near odiorn, 1 second winter bird near intersection of rt1A and washington rd) Killdeer (moore fields FOY) Green-Winged Teal (moore fields) Great Cormorant (close looks at odiorn and rye harbor) Song Sparrow (singing away in freezing gusty winds and rain... crazy) Mute Swan (1 at Eel pond, 2 behind little jacks restraunt, and 1 at horseshoe pond in concord) Purple Sandpipers (many of them at rye harbor with some sanderlings as well) Lee Hansche Goffstown NH Subject: Wood duck - Chester NH From: "Maureen Lein" <mmleinnh AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:37:40 -0400 While I was out taking pictures of the flooding Exeter River, I spotted a lone wood duck on the Exeter River on Shepard Home Road. It was hanging out with a pair of mallards. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Maureen M. Lein Chester NH Subject: Sightings From: Blake Allison <blake_allison AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:28:54 -0700 (PDT) On Friday, six grackles - first of the year - were seen in trees along the Connecticut River near West Lebanon Supply, amd a solitary grackle was seen in a tree near the Lyme Common Post Office. On Saturday, 70 +/- cedar waxwings were observed feeding on a crab apple on West Wheelock Street in Hanover. Waterfowl are beginning to appear on the Connecticut in the Hanover/Lyme area. Sightings include three black ducks, two hood mergansers and two common mergansers. Also observed were a dozen canada geese in the river near the Dartmouth organic farm. Blake Allison Lyme, NH 03768-3322 Subject: Monadnock Chapter outing this Saturday From: Lance Tanino <lance.tanino AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:40:41 -0400 Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010 Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Location: Dublin Meet Dublin resident and longtime bird expert, Tom Warren, to seek out owls - Barred, Great Horned, Saw-whet, and even Long-eared are possible - in and around Dublin. CONTACT: Tom Warren 563-7194 or ttwassociates AT myfairpoint.net for meeting time and place. Also check out the Monadnock Chapter's updated Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=307358278292) and event listings for spring and early summer. Lance Tanino Keene, NH Subject: Bohemians- Gorham, NH From: omi AT ncia.net Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:01:28 -0500 Just when I thought they were gone!!! A flock of at least 60+ are right outside my office at the Family Resource Center in the trees behind and to the side of the building. It is 11:00am and they have been here at least 20 minutes. If only I didn't have to work I could go grab my cameras.......... Naomi Levesque Subject: Walpole Bald Eagles and Weekend Waterfowl From: Clifford Seifer <clifdisc AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:26:44 -0400 This morning, two adult Bald Eagles were feeding on a manure pile at Chickereing Horse Farm on the Walpole/Westmoreland border. There is not much in the way of water in the field. This location is sometimes a hotspot for migrating waterfowl but there is only one small puddle this year which likely won't last long. As opposed to Krif Rd in where conditions seem perfect. Sunday at 4:30 Krif Rd held only 10 Mallards and 14 Canada Geese but I expect things will pick up shortly. Saturday I birded the lower CT River Valley, joined by Lance Tanino for part of the day. Highlights as follows: Pond just South of Great Meadows, Charlestown NH: Mallard -- 30 American Black Duck -- 8 Wood Duck -- 2m 1f Hooded Merganser -- 3m NORTHERN PINTAIL -- 1m 1f Ring-necked Ducks -- 6 m flying Great Meadows held only small numbers of Canada Geese and Mallards. Wind seemed to keep waterfowl off the river itself as well. The Cornfield on Rte 5 in Westminister Vermont that held the Ruddy Shelduck on Friday also held hundreds of Canada Geese and as many as 6 Greater White-fronted Geese but topography and movement between this field and a less accessible adjacent field made finding the latter a bit tricky. With some patience I eventually spotted Four of the Greater White-Fronted Geese. The Shelduck seems to have moved on. Hinsdale Setbacks, 4PM Saturday: Canada Goose -- Several hundred GADWALL -- 2m 2f BUFFLEHEAD -- 4m Ring-necked Ducks -- 60+ Mallard -- Present but not counted American Black Duck -- Present but not counted Common Goldeneye -- Present but not counted Common Merganser -- Present but not counted Hooded Merganser -- Present but not counted Also two juvenile Bald Eagles chasing each other. -- Cliff Seifer Keene NH Subject: Mew Gull at Stuart Farm-8:30 From: mthompson2100 AT gmail.com Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:30:49 +0000 The Mew "common" Gull is being seen on the back field of Stuart farm by the power lines...Its wet Sent on the Sprint. Now Network from my BlackBerry. Subject: NH Coast (Harlequin Duck, Gadwall, Brant) From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:36:06 -0400 Jane and I hit the coast for a couple of hours mid-afternoon. The torrential rains and wind subsided only slightly, and we stayed in our car the whole time, and most of the time kept the windows closed! Fortunately, the NH coast can be rather easily birded from the car. Most of the standard winter birds were readily seen, but also: Brant - 2 birds in marsh south of Odiorne (thanks to Len) Gadwall - 5 birds continue in small marsh north of Rye/N. Hampton town line. An increasingly common bird in NH. HARLEQUIN DUCK - Adult male with assorted ducks gathered on lee sides of Great Boar's Head. A tough bird to find in NH, but seemingly increasing in recent years. Iceland Gull - 1st winter bird off Cross Beach Road in Seabrook Glaucous Gull - Sub-adult continues off Cross Beach Road in Seabrook. Steve & Jane Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: Concord wigeon, teal, Mute Swan From: RAQbirds AT aol.com Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EDT On Saturday I birded Concord with nice results. Highlights: American Wigeon- pair at Horseshoe Pond Green-winged Teal- pair at W. Portsmouth St. field Ring-necked Duck- two drakes at the ox-bow pond just south of Morrill's Farm Canada Geese- 1200+ with over 900 going between Horseshoe Pond and W. Portsmouth St. Locally a very high count. Wood Duck- ten Common Goldeneye- 43 at Sewall's Falls Mute Swan- two. One in Boscawen (the Big Bend) and one at Horseshoe Plus bluebirds, Cooper's Hawk, immature Bald Eagle, several Red-tails and vultures. Bob Quinn Webster, NH Subject: Bluebird From: "Jessana Palm" <jpalm AT ccsnh.edu> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:19:17 -0400 Back already, 3/13. Seen (and heard singing his heart out) in a pasture in Dunbarton (near Page's Corner) with a flock of red-wing blackbirds. Broadwing hawk also seen/heard near the same field. Jessana Palm Subject: Mew Gull - YES 3/14 From: bgriffith AT gmail.com Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:11:09 +0000 The mew gull is currently being seen with some ring-billed gulls in the cornfields at Stuart Farm in Stratham. Ben Griffith and Lauren Kras Currently in Stratham, NH Subject: Evans Notch - Northern Shrike From: Miklos Oyler <oylermik AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:28:59 -0500 This afternoon in Evans Notch: All but the Shrike were seen from the Baldface Circle Trail. Location: Chatham, Carroll County, NH, US Observation date: 3/13/10 Number of species: 8 Downy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 2 Northern Shrike 1 (North Chatham, seen from 113 in the field near the round house) American Crow 1 Black-capped Chickadee 12 Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 Brown Creeper 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 14 Mik Oyler Fryeburg, ME _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL :en-US:WM_HMP:032010_2 Subject: Last few days, VT & NH From: Julie Waters <julie AT riverartsproject.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:10:38 -0500 Birding Southern VT & NH over the past few days, along both sides of the CT river: Lots of red-tails in the area. Also a photo of a snow goose & a greater white fronted goose. WED, MAR 10, 2010 ------------------ Red tailed hawk, hanging out on a tree off the side of the road [Wed, Mar 10, 2010, Bellows Falls, VT] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6004.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6005.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6006.php THU, MAR 11, 2010 ------------------ I spotted this lone snow goose walking towards the back of a field which was mostly loaded with canada geese and mallards [Thu, Mar 11, 2010, Charlestown, NH] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6007.php One nice feature of having a very fast camera (mine can do over five frames per second) is that you can get a nice series of shots such as this mallard doing its mating displays [Thu, Mar 11, 2010, Charlestown, NH] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6008.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6009.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6010.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6011.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6012.php Canada goose [Thu, Mar 11, 2010, Charlestown, NH] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6013.php FRI, MAR 12, 2010 ------------------ Canada goose [Fri, Mar 12, 2010, Charlestown, NH] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6014.php Mockingbird [Fri, Mar 12, 2010, Walpole, NH] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6015.php Our resident red-shouldered/possible hybrid hawk [Fri, Mar 12, 2010] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6016.php SAT, MAR 13, 2010 ------------------ Greater white fronted goose (first I've ever seen) with canada geese [Sat, Mar 13, 2010, Westminster, VT] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6017.php Canada geese in flight [Sat, Mar 13, 2010, Westminster, VT] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6018.php Red-tailed hawk, as soon as I pulled over to photograph it. [Sat, Mar 13, 2010, Walpole, NH] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6019.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6020.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6021.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6022.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6023.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6024.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6025.php Mallards [Sat, Mar 13, 2010, Charlestown, NH] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6026.php Canada geese in flight [Sat, Mar 13, 2010, Westminster, VT] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6027.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6028.php This red-tailed hawk was much more willing to let me photograph it, but it still did not seem amused by my presence [Sat, Mar 13, 2010, Westminster, VT] http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6029.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6030.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6031.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6032.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6033.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6034.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6035.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6036.php http://juliesmagiclightshow.com/6037.php -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- julie AT riverartsproject.com http://juliewaters.com/ We've heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the Complete Works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true. --Robert Wilensky Subject: Hawk being chased by a flock of crows From: Lynn Roberge <lynn4020081996 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:10:21 -0800 (PST) While stolling down Valley St. in Manchester NH my youngest son and I witnessed the areial expertice of a red tailed hawk as it was being chased by about 6 to 8 crows earlier today. Lynn and Anthony Roberge Manchester NH Subject: Exeter Bald Eagle From: Patience Chamberlin <patiencechamberlin AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:57:40 -0500 There was one Bald Eagle doing lazy circles over the Exeter Hospital campus this morning at 10:30. Terrible light, so I couldn't tell the age at all. A beautiful adult Sharp-shinned Hawk nailed a Junco under our feeders yesterday, and showed up again today, perching feet away from our window. Nice! (for us). Patience Chamberlin Exeter (the Golden Pheasant is still here. He wanders a bit more around the yard, into the barn, and appears to want to befriend our old Lab. She's not cooperating.) Subject: NH Coast and inland areas (Gadwall, Killdeer, teal, MEW GULL, etc) From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:44:35 -0500 Jane and I covered the coast today in the morning and then worked our way south inland during the afternoon. Some of the same birds hanging around, but at least one new bird for the year for us. Gadwall - 5 in salt marsh just north of Rye/North Hampton town line (4 male, 1 female) Green-winged Teal - 14 in Meadow Pond in Hampton. American Wigeon - 5 from Sunset Farm on Great Bay in Greenland. Barrow's Goldeneye - 1 male continues from south side of Great Boar's Head Ring-necked Duck - 29. All males! From Sunset Farm on Great Bay in Greenland. American Kestrel - 1 male in Hampton. Surprised to see it up on the water tower off Route 101 where the Peregrine usually sits! Bald Eagle - 2 (1 ad, 1 imm) soaring over fields near Chapman's Landing. Causing trouble for gulls. Killdeer - 5 at Runnymede Farm in North Hampton. (FOY) Glaucous Gull - 1 subadult continues in Seabrook. Today off Cross Beach Road. MEW GULL - Jane and were lucky to get it in farm fields off Rt. 108 in Stratham. First off driveway leading to Stuart Farm. Then all by itself in field from the side of Rt. 108. This bird seems to be all over the place and seeming constantly flying from place to place. Frustrating for a few folks who missed it today. Fish Crow - 2 at Hampton Beach SP. First for us along seacoast. Horned Lark - 7 with 5 in Hampton Beach SP and 2 at Runnymede Farm. Steve & Jane Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: MEW GULL - Yes From: Jason Lambert <smiley314 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:46:46 -0500 Since around 2:40 the Mew Gull has been seen in the vicinity of Chapman's Landing and Stuart Farm in Stratham. It was seen briefly at Chapman's before being relocated in the fields at Stuart Farm. It has since moved back out to Chapman's and landed out of view. Jason Lambert Barnstead, NH Subject: Mew Gull - YES briefly From: Jason Lambert <smiley314 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:26:05 -0500 The Mew Gull was seen at 2:12 in pond 1 at the Exeter WWTP. Unfortunately after 5 minutes it flew north along the river and out of sight. Jason Lambert Barnstead, NH Subject: Fox sparrow & WT sparrow - Milton From: "Pat Watts" <pwatts AT metrocast.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:27:32 -0500 This morning I had my first fox sparrow; about 1 1/2 week ago I had my first pair of white throated sparrows. Still pretty quiet out there! Subject: Mew Gull, Exeter From: Bird Watchers Supply & Gift <birdwsg AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:11:46 +0000 (UTC) David Deifik called the store at 9:50 this morning to report that he and Denny Abbott were looking at the Mew Gull at the Exeter waste water treatment plant. The gull was seen in the main pond feeding with a flock of Ring-necked Gulls. Barrett Bacall for SG Steve Grinley Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift and Nature Shop at Joppa Flats Newburyport, MA USA REPLY TO: BirdWSG AT verizon.net 978-462-0775 www.birdwatcherssupplyandgift.com MARCH MADNESS SALE This Week - 15% Off ALL In-Stock Optics Including NEW Swarovski Binoculars! Subject: FOY Durham/Lee From: "Mark Hatfield" <catfishanddwen AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:02:28 -0500 Friday PM: Packers Falls Road Pine Warbler 2 Singing Moore Fields Killdeer 2 Easterly edge Green- winged Teal 3 (1/M 2/F) In the past week: Woodcock Moore Fields - 3/7 1st "Peent" of the year! Heard more flying than peenting. Ringed-necked Duck 1 - last weekend at Wheelwright Pond, Lee Red-winged Black Birds 50 - at Coppal HouseFarm, opposite Bluebell Greenhouses, Rt 155, Lee, Thursday AM Mark Hatfield & Dotty Wendelken Lee Subject: Ring-necked Ducks at the Setbacks in Hinsdale From: Lance Tanino <lance.tanino AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:25:43 -0500 3.12.2010 I forgot to list the flock of 59 Ring-necked Ducks at Hinsdale. Lance Tanino Keene, NH Subject: CT River: Charlestown south to Hinsdale From: Lance Tanino <lance.tanino AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:15:01 -0500 March 12, 2010 I missed out on the GWFGs and GWTEs but that's okay because early spring migration was busy on the CT River. Location: Great Meadows, Charlestown Canada Goose 285 Mallard 10 Northern Goshawk 1 flew over Route 12 American Crow 80; many more flocks migrating north over Route 12 this afternoon. FISH CROW 1 heard among a flock of AMCRs near wastewater treatment plant Red-winged Blackbird 3 Location: Route 12 CT River, Charlestown (across Herrick's Cove IBA, VT) American Black Duck 50 Mallard 55 Ring-necked Duck 1 Common Goldeneye 25 Hooded Merganser 28 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 flew low over the river headed north Ring-billed Gull 13 Location: Hinsdale Setbacks, Hinsdale Canada Goose 282 WOOD DUCK 4 GADWALL 2 Mallard 87 BUFFLEHEAD 3 males Common Goldeneye 16 Hooded Merganser 12 Common Merganser 23 Bald Eagle 1 adult Ring-billed Gull 17 Herring Gull (American) 4 Great Black-backed Gull 8 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Song Sparrow 1 (FOY) BLACKBIRD SP. 1263; mixed Red-wing Blackbird/Common Grackle flocks flew north headed towards roost trees and cattail marsh. This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/nh) Lance Tanino Keene, NH Subject: Ring-billed not Common Gull today? From: Chris Johnson <chriscarterj AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:49:43 -0500 Today I took a walk at Swasey Parkway midmorning around 10:15 (the same time Rich Frechette was there) to take a quick check on the gulls there. Similarly to Rich, I spotted one first cycle bird and took a photo through my binoculars. A little while later (around 12:00) I received a call from a Lauren Kras who asked me if I could see if the bird was still there. When I returned to the parkway again a 1st cycle bird was there. I photographed it as well and I believe it to be the same bird and also to be a Ring-billed Gull. http://picasaweb.google.com/106165295629458968152/RingBilledGull?feat=directlink If I'm not crazy this is a Ring-billed Gull. I saw the Common Gull Monday evening with Lauren Kras after she heard rumors of its existence. I've reviewed photos of the bird and have a few comments in response to the "field notes" given by Rich in his post. I'm not trying to undermine anyone, rather I'd like people who go to see the bird to be prepared so as to not misidentify or misinform others. First off, it is important to note that none of the adult Ring-billed Gulls have pinkish bases to their bills. The Common Gull that has been seen has a green-gray bill not bone-yellow. Additionally, it is important to note that Mew Gulls/Common gulls usually have equal or stronger gonydeal expansion than Ring-billed Gulls. Ring-billed Gulls also tend to show the tapered bill look as described. His note that the bill seemed "small" compared to the adults nearby is to be expected as the bill of 1 cycle Ring-billed Gull is almost always smaller than the bill of an adult. Furthermore, Mew Gull doesn't have a less sloped forehead than Ring-billed. Rather, the forehead on this bird is more vertical giving it a smaller-headed more dainty look to it. Finally, the Mew Gull that has been seen has brown wingtips and a black tail band. Therefore the tail is darker than the wingtips not "as dark". Most, if not all, 1st cycle Ring-billed Gulls have a dark/black tail band as well just not pure white upper and undertail coverts. For those interested, I know of no other positive reports of the Common Gull today but hopefully it will be re-found tomorrow. Chris Johnson Boston, MA Subject: Re: Exeter 3/12/10 not just mew gulls From: "robinson speirs jr." <rspeirs1 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:45:57 -0500 Michael, Fabulous shot! Great side by side comparison. Stick close to Lauren and you'll get the Mew. Rob Speirs On Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 7:50 PM, Michael Thompson wrote: > hello all! > well I joined Laruen Kras, Jim Hully (not sure if I spelled his last name > right), and Len Medlock in search for the elusive mew gull. I am begining > to > believe that rare birds run from me. But! I did have an interesting find at > the exeter wwtp. An adult Iceland Gull was hanging out with a group of > gulls > at pond one. The bird stayed for only about five minutes until I turned > around and it wasnt there anymore! Darn sneaky birds. Here are my photos of > the bird! I hope you enjoy: > > http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l3NiBOq95r-kKWUvF5DfkQ?feat=directlink > http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8mq3XIKEavhGr6MX7KZWXw?feat=directlink > > -- > Michael Thompson > Derry, NH Subject: Exeter 3/12/10 not just mew gulls From: Michael Thompson <mthompson2100 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:50:15 -0500 hello all! well I joined Laruen Kras, Jim Hully (not sure if I spelled his last name right), and Len Medlock in search for the elusive mew gull. I am begining to believe that rare birds run from me. But! I did have an interesting find at the exeter wwtp. An adult Iceland Gull was hanging out with a group of gulls at pond one. The bird stayed for only about five minutes until I turned around and it wasnt there anymore! Darn sneaky birds. Here are my photos of the bird! I hope you enjoy: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l3NiBOq95r-kKWUvF5DfkQ?feat=directlink http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8mq3XIKEavhGr6MX7KZWXw?feat=directlink -- Michael Thompson Derry, NH Subject: Common/Mew Gull From: "RICHARD FRECHETTE" <frechette7 AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:36:03 -0500 The Common/Mew Gull was seen this AM on the dike that separates Powderhouse Pond from the river in Exeter. When we arrived at about 9:30, there was a very large number of Ring-billed Gulls loafing on the dike. There was only one sub-adult bird present, which we believe was the Common/Mew. The bill was clearly slimmer than all the neighboring Ring-billed, slimmer, with relatively parallel upper and lower mandibles with essentially no gonydeal expansion. (Ringbill has a more prominent gonydeal expansion so that the distal bill is "fatter" than the proximal in side view). The base of the bill appeared bone-yellow rather than the pinkish base of all of the surrounding Ring-bills (admittedly all adult birds). The smaller, shorter bill and the less sloped forehead gave this bird's head a rounder appearance than the surrounding Ring-billeds, prompting the comment that it has a "sweeter face". The eye seemed large and, together with the roundish head, it gave the birds head a dove-like appearance. We did not see the bird in flight, therefore we did not see the upper-tail coverts. However, the terminal portion of the tail appeared very dark, as dark as the wing tips while the bird was at rest. We left to do a little birding on the coast ( Perigrine on the water tower in Hampton and Glaucous Gull in Seabrook, plus a flock of 25 Purple Sandpipers right below us on at the seawall just south of Boar's Head, vocalizing "quite happily"). We returned in the early afternoon to find that the flock of gulls had dwindled to a few handfulls and did not re-fing the gull. There were now 3 sub-adults present, all Ring-billed. We had a discussion with another birder that left us with some doubt as to our earlier observations so after we left we checked the web and carefully studied Len Lauren and Steve's excellent images more closely.. That solidified our belief that the bird we observed in the AM was indeed the Common/Mew Gull. Rich Frechette Subject: State of the Birds report From: "Pamela Hunt" <PHunt AT NHAudubon.org> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:59:29 -0500 Greetings all, Many thanks to both Brad Sylvester and Dave Govatski for posting about the "State of New Hampshire's Birds" report, which was released with a little fanfare yesterday and has gotten good press both in print (at least in Concord Monitor, Nashua Telegraph, and Valley News so far), web (Brad's "Examiner" entry), and the airwaves (NHPR). This was truly a major undertaking that started sometime last spring and wrapped up at the end of last year. We delayed it's release a little because of the simple need to get all our ducks (pun not intended) in a row. In a pure coincidence, its release was ON THE SAME day as that of the national "State of the Birds" report for 2010, and as a result I actually heard three different "SOTB" clips on NHPR this morning. As Dave already shared, the full report and some supplementary material are online at http://wildnh.com/birds/. NH Audubon is also working on a printed document that will summarize the information in the report for a lay audience, with a planned completion date of sometime in June. In between, we are in the process of setting up some public presentations of the report, which I'll try to remember to post to the list. The first of these is coming right up: NH Audubon's Massabesic Center in Auburn Sunday, March 14, 2010 2:00-3:00 p.m. For people interested in the national report (and the one from last year), visit www.stateofthebirds.org. To close, I'd like to take this opportunity to comment briefly on the data behind this report (and the national one for that matter). With the exception of data on breeding waterfowl that are usually collected by state or federal agencies, ALL the data we have to assess bird populations is collected by volunteers. Some of you do an annual Breeding Bird Survey route, many more participate in Christmas Bird Counts, and others help with things like Project Feederwatch or NH Audubon's Backyard Winter Bird Survey. All of these projects collect valuable data to help us understand bird population trends, so many thanks to everyone who's helped with this report without even knowing it! For some birds, even these standardized programs don't quite get the data we need, and for such species we rely on targetted surveys or anecdotal information. Additional thanks thus go out to anyone who's helped monitor birds or prey for NH Audubon, counted hawks at a fall hawk watch, listened for Whip-poor-wills along darkened country roads, or climbed mountains before dawn to search for Bicknell's Thrush. And of course there is NH Bird Records and eBird (now one and the same), which provide additional data on species that might otherwise slip under the radar (Merlins anyone!?). So as is my occasional wont, I once again encourage everyone to help us learn more about NH's birds by sumbitting their records to NH eBird. It is a small and simple thing, and might just help out the birds we all so clearly care about. Of course, you can always go one step farther by helping in some of the projects listed above. Stay tuned for additional opportunities as the summer approaches. Enjoy, Pam Pamela D. Hunt, Ph.D. Senior Conservation Biologist Audubon Society of New Hampshire 84 Silk Farm Road Concord, NH 03301 (603) 224-9909 extension 328 phunt AT nhaudubon.org FAX: (603) 226-0902 "When the last living thing has died on account of us, how poetical it would be, if Earth could say, in a voice floating, perhaps from the floor of the Grand Canyon 'It is done...People did not like it here.'" -Kurt Vonnegut Subject: Turkeys From: <dawn137 AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:10:54 -0500 We had a flock of about 20-25 turkeys show up this morning in the pasture area across from our house. There were 2 Toms strutting their stuff for the ladies. Dawn French Henniker, NH Subject: Re: A brief comment on Mew Gull vs. Common Gull From: "robinson speirs jr." <rspeirs1 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:03:56 -0500 Steve, Thanks. It does getting confusing. I understand it took Minturn Wright ad Frank Gill 15 years to put the book together. Whoa! Talk about a project. Rob On Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 1:55 PM, Steve Mirick wrote: > For those who may be a bit confused, recent e-mails have referred to the > gull in Exeter as both "Common Gull" and "Mew Gull". Taxonomically, the > bird has been identified as belonging to the form considered by American > authorities (the American Ornithological Union) to be a "Mew Gull" of the > European subspecies (Larus canus canus). Although it used to be considered > a separate species by some authorities, most (but not all) now consider this > race to be conspecific with the American race of Mew Gull which is found in > the western Canada and the US (Larus canus brachyrhynchus). With some > difficulty, these two races can be separated in the field. The Europeans > refer to this bird as "Common Gull" and that is what it is called in their > field guides. If you search in American field guides, the proper name is > Mew Gull and the reference to Common Gull may not be found. If you use > eBird, you will not find a reference to Common Gull, so you will enter it as > Mew Gull (European). > > Taxonomy and nomenclature are very complex and challenging topics and > universal acceptance is a very slow process. NH's very own David Donsker > has been a key player in a group which was formed by the Internationl > Ornithological Congress (IOC) called "Worldbirdnames.Org". According to > their web site, the goal of this group is "to facilitate worldwide > communication in ornithology and conservation through the consistent use of > English names linked to current species taxonomy." Here is a link to their > web site as well as links for downloading their current list of all of the > birds of the world....all 10,384 of them! > > http://www.worldbirdnames.org/index.html > > For the record book, this sighting will likely (if/when accepted by the NH > Rare Bird Committee) be a first "documented" state record for Mew Gull. > There has been at least one previous record accepted by the committee by a > single observer, but thus far, this is the only bird that has been > photographed and seen by many observers. Mew Gulls are otherwise rare in > coastal New England states with most occurrences being winter records also > of the European subspecies. > > Steve Mirick > Bradford, MA Subject: A brief comment on Mew Gull vs. Common Gull From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:55:13 -0500 For those who may be a bit confused, recent e-mails have referred to the gull in Exeter as both "Common Gull" and "Mew Gull". Taxonomically, the bird has been identified as belonging to the form considered by American authorities (the American Ornithological Union) to be a "Mew Gull" of the European subspecies (Larus canus canus). Although it used to be considered a separate species by some authorities, most (but not all) now consider this race to be conspecific with the American race of Mew Gull which is found in the western Canada and the US (Larus canus brachyrhynchus). With some difficulty, these two races can be separated in the field. The Europeans refer to this bird as "Common Gull" and that is what it is called in their field guides. If you search in American field guides, the proper name is Mew Gull and the reference to Common Gull may not be found. If you use eBird, you will not find a reference to Common Gull, so you will enter it as Mew Gull (European). Taxonomy and nomenclature are very complex and challenging topics and universal acceptance is a very slow process. NH's very own David Donsker has been a key player in a group which was formed by the Internationl Ornithological Congress (IOC) called "Worldbirdnames.Org". According to their web site, the goal of this group is "to facilitate worldwide communication in ornithology and conservation through the consistent use of English names linked to current species taxonomy." Here is a link to their web site as well as links for downloading their current list of all of the birds of the world....all 10,384 of them! http://www.worldbirdnames.org/index.html For the record book, this sighting will likely (if/when accepted by the NH Rare Bird Committee) be a first "documented" state record for Mew Gull. There has been at least one previous record accepted by the committee by a single observer, but thus far, this is the only bird that has been photographed and seen by many observers. Mew Gulls are otherwise rare in coastal New England states with most occurrences being winter records also of the European subspecies. Steve Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: Common Gull - not being seen yet From: lauren.kras AT gmail.com Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:40:51 +0000 Birders - Hopefully no one has rushed out yet but the Common Gull is NOT at Swasey or Exeter WWTP. I will post if/when its found this afternoon. Lauren Kras Dover, NH Subject: Mew Gull Present at Swasey Parkway in Exeter From: Scott Spangenberg <sjspangenberg AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:58:09 -0500 Frances Doyle and Rich Frechette report that the Mew Gull has been at Swasey Parkway for at least the last hour (10:10 to 11:15). Frances indicated that one should look for it on the berm. Scott Spangenberg scottspangenberg (at) mindspring.com http://www.scottspangenberg.com Amherst, NH Scott Spangenberg Amherst, NH Subject: Ruddy Shelduck, Westminister VT From: Clifford Seifer <clifdisc AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:41:32 -0500 This is a double fault on my part, being almost certainly an escaped exotic and a Vermont bird but Don Clark found a Ruddy Shelduck just over the border in Westminister VT and it's really a beautiful bird, worth seeing if you are in the area. If you are coming from 91 or Rte 12, continue on Rte 5 South past Westminister Station and the bird is in a large cornfield just past Sojourn's Health Club on the right. -- Cliff Seifer Keene NH Subject: Evening Grosbeaks in Jefferson From: "David Govatski" <pondicherry AT wildblue.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:38:39 -0500 We had 5 male Evening Grosbeaks at our home on Friday morning. Their large bills were a light mint green color. This is the first time we have seen them here since November. They were feeding on staghorn sumac berries and the remainders of the crab apples in addition to the sunflower chips they found on the ground. We also have 26 Purple Finches. My congratulations to NH Audubon and Pam Hunt for producing "The State of New Hampshire's Birds". It is available for download at this link: http://wildnh.com/birds/ I read the document with great interest from cover to cover last night. David Govatski Jefferson, NH