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NH.Birds for Friday, May 30, 2008
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: RE: Birding in Franconia Notch field-trip 5/31
From: "Jim Block" <jab(AT)valley.net>
Date: 30 May 2008 5:51am
Mark,
I've signed up to join you on this trip. Weather seems iffy, but I will be
there by 8 AM tomorrow unless I hear otherwise from you. (I'll likely leave
home before 6 AM.)
Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu [mailto:owner-NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu] On
Behalf Of Mark Suomala
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 8:20 PM
To: New Hampshire Birds
Subject: Birding in Franconia Notch field-trip 5/31
New Hampshire Audubon
BIRDING IN FRANCONIA NOTCH FIELD-TRIP
Saturday, May 31 (Rain date: Sunday, June 1)
8am-4pm
On this day-trip, we'll explore Franconia Notch for birds, and learn a bit
about the natural history of the surrounding forest community. Weather
permitting, we'll take the first morning tram to the top of Cannon Mountain
to search for Bicknell's Thrush, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Blackpoll
Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, and other high-elevation breeding birds. We'll
also explore other areas in the notch for Peregrine Falcon, Black-throated
Green Warbler, Common Merganser, and others.
Meet in the Cannon Mountain parking lot at 8:00 am. Bring a bag lunch and
wear warm all-weather gear. Please carpool.
Instructor: Mark Suomala has conducted bird surveys and given workshops in
the White Mountains for many years
Cost: $30 M/$39 NM - plus, you will have to pay your own tram fee ($12.00
regular)
Call NH Audubon to register: (603) 224-9909
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Franconia Notch Field Trip - CANCELLED
From: "Mark Suomala" <mrsuomala(AT)marksbirdtours.com>
Date: 30 May 2008 6:29am
Birders,
I checked the weather forecast. Rain is forecast statewide for Saturday and
there is a 60% chance of showers or rain in Littleton on Sunday, so I have
decided to completely cancel the field trip. We will not go on Saturday or
Sunday. It is a long way to drive to try birding in likely rain,
and the footing on wet rocks on Cannon Mt can be hazardous.
Mark Suomala
(603) 867-6411
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: crow/hummer encounter
From: "Sue Randall" <crandall(AT)worldpath.net>
Date: 30 May 2008 6:33am
I generally observe birds and drink my first cup of coffee while sitting
on our screen porch. Most mornings one of the resident female hummers
comes to the feeder beside the porch for breakfast and then perches
companionably on a dead branch in the pine tree nearby. This morning,
seemingly out of nowhere, a crow landed on the spot where the hummer was
sitting. It eyed the ground, as if looking for its victim, then took off
when it saw me so close by. I searched the ground in the area, but found
no body. Hopefully the hummer got away.
I know crows will steal baby birds from nests, but I never thought they
would go after something as little and quick as a hummer.
Sue Randall
New Durham
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: RE: Bluebird nest box placement strategy
From: "Iain MacLeod" <iain.macleod(AT)nhnature.org>
Date: 30 May 2008 9:31am
All,
I created the Bluebird nestbox trail at the Massabesic Audubon Center
back in 1998/1999 and we placed almost all of the 100+ boxes in pairs
about 8-10 feet apart. That strategy worked well and usually every other
box remained swallow free and available for other species (House Wrens,
Bluebirds, Chickadees) to nest in. In most years (when I worked there)
we were very diligent in our House Sparrow control (an essential, but
unpleasant aspect of successful bluebird trail management). In most
years over that 10-11-year span we would have 3-5 pairs of Bluebirds on
the trail. John Munier who has banded the Bluebird and Tree Swallow
chicks in almost all years can correct me on my numbers.
I would be surprised if the nest box pairing technique is no longer
affective.
I wonder if the snowy winter had an adverse affect on Bluebird
populations. The numbers of Bluebirds over-wintering in NE has increased
dramatically over the last decades. I saw Bluebirds near to Massabesic
on the Manchester CBC last December, and CBC-records of Bluebirds in NH
have certainly increased. The dramatic blip this past winter in the
general trend of milder snow-free winters may have caught out the
over-wintering Bluebirds. Competition from the hordes of Bohemian
Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks may have stripped fruit supplies that
Bluebirds were counting on.
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
NOW OPEN DAILY!
Advancing understanding of ecology by exploring NH's natural world
Northern New England's only AZA*-accredited institution.
*Association of Zoos and Aquariums -- www.aza.org
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu [mailto:owner-NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu]
On Behalf Of Mark Suomala
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 3:59 PM
To: New Hampshire Birds
Subject: Bluebird nest box placement strategy
Birders:
One technique that I have heard about is that when you first put up the
nest boxes, place pairs of nest boxes close together - they work best
pointed in opposite directions so that birds going to eacn box don't
easily cross flight paths. Tree Swallows may move in to one box, and
then they will chase away any Tree Swallows that attempt to nest in the
adjacent one. Apparently they will not chase away Eastern Bluebirds that
attempt to nest in the adjacent box.
Mark Suomala
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Kensan Devan Meetinghouse Pond Sanctuary
From: Geoffrey Gardner <anarkiss(AT)ne.rr.com>
Date: 30 May 2008 9:51am
5/28 - Hummingbird at blueberry bush at Bench.
5/29 - Scarlet Tanager in woods along Underwood Road
Magnolia Warbler at spillway
5/30 - Early morning, Osprey circling over the pond and being chased and
harassed by a Red-winged Blackbird
--Geoffrey Gardner
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Exeter YB Cuckoo and..
From: Patience Chamberlin <patiencec(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 30 May 2008 12:11pm
Good stuff at Powderhouse pond! even at 11 am...
Orchard orioles 1 pair--copulating the female later went into a
nest. It is near the top of one of the larger aspens at the very back
of the field (north end).
Yellow-billed cuckoo 1 heard calling from beyond the back of the
field, towards the north.
Blackpoll w. 1
Willow flycatcher 2
And good numbers of the usuals.
Patience Chamberlin
Exeter
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Bluebird nest box placement strategy
From: Bruce Boyer <bboyer192(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 30 May 2008 2:31pm
I once lived on a farm in MD where there were 4-5 bird houses, none
paired. At least 2 had Bluebirds, 1 Chickadees, 1 House Wrens, and 1
House Sparrows, which I evicted. There were no large water bodies
around, which may account for the lack of swallows. Also, there were
Barn Swallows on the property, who would have competed with Tree
Swallows. Anyway, there was a much higher "Bluebird ratio" than in
these large nest trails in NH, although the comparison is admittedly
completely unscientific. Tree Swallows may be territorial about nests,
but aren't they generally social birds, and might large nest box
complexes encourage them too much? Or is the difference that NH has so
many ponds that Tree Swallows are more abundant, and inevitably
dominate the nest trails?
Bruce Boyer
On May 30, 2008, at 9:31 AM, Iain MacLeod wrote:
> All,
>
> I created the Bluebird nestbox trail at the Massabesic Audubon Center
> back in 1998/1999 and we placed almost all of the 100+ boxes in pairs
> about 8-10 feet apart. That strategy worked well and usually every
> other
> box remained swallow free and available for other species (House
> Wrens,
> Bluebirds, Chickadees) to nest in. In most years (when I worked there)
> we were very diligent in our House Sparrow control (an essential, but
> unpleasant aspect of successful bluebird trail management). In most
> years over that 10-11-year span we would have 3-5 pairs of Bluebirds
> on
> the trail. John Munier who has banded the Bluebird and Tree Swallow
> chicks in almost all years can correct me on my numbers.
>
> I would be surprised if the nest box pairing technique is no longer
> affective.
>
> I wonder if the snowy winter had an adverse affect on Bluebird
> populations. The numbers of Bluebirds over-wintering in NE has
> increased
> dramatically over the last decades. I saw Bluebirds near to Massabesic
> on the Manchester CBC last December, and CBC-records of Bluebirds in
> NH
> have certainly increased. The dramatic blip this past winter in the
> general trend of milder snow-free winters may have caught out the
> over-wintering Bluebirds. Competition from the hordes of Bohemian
> Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks may have stripped fruit supplies that
> Bluebirds were counting on.
>
>
>
> 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
>
> NOW OPEN DAILY!
>
> Advancing understanding of ecology by exploring NH's natural world
> Northern New England's only AZA*-accredited institution.
> *Association of Zoos and Aquariums -- www.aza.org
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu [mailto:owner-NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu
> ]
> On Behalf Of Mark Suomala
> Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 3:59 PM
> To: New Hampshire Birds
> Subject: Bluebird nest box placement strategy
>
> Birders:
>
> One technique that I have heard about is that when you first put up
> the
> nest boxes, place pairs of nest boxes close together - they work best
> pointed in opposite directions so that birds going to eacn box don't
> easily cross flight paths. Tree Swallows may move in to one box, and
> then they will chase away any Tree Swallows that attempt to nest in
> the
> adjacent one. Apparently they will not chase away Eastern Bluebirds
> that
> attempt to nest in the adjacent box.
>
> Mark Suomala
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Star Island migration watch - Sunday June 1
From: "Eric Masterson" <EMasterson(AT)NHAudubon.org>
Date: 30 May 2008 2:47pm
Birders:
The NH Audubon trip to Star Island has been rescheduled due to inclement weather
tomorrow. It will now take place on Sunday June 1, 7am departure and 4pm
return from Rye Harbor. The cost is $40 members and $45 non-members, which
covers the boat and landing fee on Star Island. The trip was full for Sat. but
several folks are unable to reschedule to Sunday so if you are interested,
please e-mail me offline asap.
Eric
Eric Masterson
Vice President, Development
New Hampshire Audubon
3 Silk Farm Road
Concord, NH 03301
Phone 224-9909 ext. 307
New Hampshire Audubon
Protecting New Hampshire's natural environment for wildlife and for people
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Squam BioBlitz June 6-7
From: "Iain MacLeod" <iain.macleod(AT)nhnature.org>
Date: 30 May 2008 4:11pm
The Squam BioBlitz
Beginning: Friday June 6 at 3 p.m. and ending at 3 p.m. on Saturday,
June 7
New this year, the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is joining forces
with the Squam Lakes Association and the Squam Lakes Conservation
Society to launch a 24-hour bio-inventory of the Squam Range. Become a
'citizen scientist' and learn from experts as they identify as many
different living things as possible in one 24-hour period! A complete
Timetable of trips (all free) and how to participate can be viewed and
downloaded at www.nhnature.org. Look under the "What's New" tab.
The Squam BioBlitz is funded by the Squam Environmental Preservation
Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation - Lakes Region.
Sponsored by:
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
Squam Lakes Association
Squam Lakes Conservation Society
In partnership with:
Holderness Conservation Commission
Plymouth State University
US Forest Service, Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest
UNH Cooperative Extension
NH Fish and Game Department
Ecosystem Management Consultants
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 <http://www.nhnature.org/>
NOW OPEN DAILY!
Advancing understanding of ecology by exploring NH's natural world
Northern New England's only AZA*-accredited institution.
*Association of Zoos and Aquariums -- www.aza.org
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: American Coot in Exeter
From: Steve Mirick <smirick(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 30 May 2008 5:29pm
A couple of random sightings while driving around this afternoon for work:
American Coot - 1 late bird at Exeter WWTP in southwest pond.
Orchard Oriole - 1 singing male off Rt. 108 near Bodwell Farm in East
Kingston.
Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Cancelled: Pillsbury State Park trip
From: Daniel Hopkins <danielhop(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 30 May 2008 6:00pm
Hello-
Due to the impending rain, the Mascoma Chapter's trip to Pillsbury State Park
tomorrow has been cancelled. If it's rescheduled we'll send out an announcement
(or check our website, mascomabirds.com)
Thank you,
Dan Hopkins
603-443-0155
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: East Inlet Area - Spruce Grouse Abounds!
From: Benjamin Griffith <gobirding(AT)aol.com>
Date: 30 May 2008 6:14pm
Charlie Wright and I headed up to Pittsburg last night (5/29) in hopes
of getting better views of Spruce Grouse than we did earlier in the
week. We camped at Deer Mountain Campground and drove the length of
East Inlet Road on 5/30, on the way back, we made a few stops for
warblers, and walked the "Spruce Grouse Track" (coming from Rte 3, this
is the first track on the left after passing the East Inlet Dam). We
then proceeded to Scott Bog for a quick Philadelphia Vireo, followed by
a stop on the way back at Trudeau Road. Perhaps the most unusual birds
of the trip were a few species which are generally uncommon so far
north/high elevation, however the show was certainly stolen by our
target, as we tallied an incredible 6 Spruce Grouse, including
jaw-dropping views of a male displaying mid-morning, a first summer male
that practically stepped on our feet, and a female perched quite
conspicuously atop a spruce sapling. In addition we were able to find
most of the other North Country specialties without much trouble. Not
much effort was made to see the more deciduous species, hence the lack
of Lincoln's Sparrows and Wilson's Warblers. Photos of some of the
highlights (including 2 of the Spruce Grouse) can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bgriffith/
Highlights (all on 5/30 unless otherwise noted):
SPRUCE GROUSE - 2 ad males, 1 1s male, and 1 female seen plus a male
heard displaying along the Spruce Grouse Track, plus another adult male
seen briefly off of East Inlet Road
COMMON GOLDENEYE - 1 female seen in a pond on the west side of Rte 3
through Columbia .2 miles north of South Jordan Hill Road on 5/29. Rare
breeder in the North Country.
GREEN HERON - 1 adult in a marsh along East Inlet Road, literally less
than a mile from the Canadian border. This is a very unusual species
this far north.
Osprey - 1 on East Inlet
Wilson's Snipe - 15+ at Deer Mountain Campground, a few along East Inlet
Road
American Woodcock - 1 still displaying at the Deer Mountain Campground
on 5/29
Herring Gull - 2 at East Inlet
Northern Saw-whet Owl - 1 at Deer Mountain Campground on 5/29
Black-backed Woodpecker - 1 at Deer Mountain Campground on 5/29, 9 at
East Inlet, 3 at Trudeau Road on the way back to Thornton
Alder Flycatcher - 2 at Trudeau Road
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - several around East Inlet
Philadelphia Vireo - pair at the usual spot at Scott Bog Dam
Gray Jay - 4-5 at Deer Mountain Campground
Boreal Chickadee - 30+ around East Inlet
EASTERN BLUEBIRD - 1 along Rte 3 through "The Glen" in Pittsburg, not a
common bird up here!
Tennessee Warbler - 2 males near East Inlet Road
Blackpoll Warbler - 50+, pretty much everywhere around East Inlet and
Scott Bog
Bay-breasted Warbler - 30+ around East Inlet
Mourning Warbler - 2 along East Inlet Road
Wilson's Warbler - 1 singing male near the Canadian border along East
Inlet Road
Rusty Blackbird - 2 near Scott Bog
Red Crossbill - 1 female near East Inlet
Moose - 6 on 5/29
Black Bear - 1, plus 2 on the Cannon Ski Slopes
Ben Griffith
Merrimack, NH
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Sharp-tailed Sparrows, Coot, Stuck in the muck
From: tbbirds(AT)comcast.net (Terry Bronson)
Date: 30 May 2008 7:18pm
I had 2 target birds today: Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow
and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Found neither, but a number
of highlights:
Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant, 5:55-6:10 pm:
American Coot--1. Thanks to Steve Mirick, I was able to hustle
over there 3 minutes after his posting to get that bird for my
Big Year list. Not only is this a late bird, it is the only Coot
seen in the state so far this year.
Mallard--1 female with 12 ducklings
Osprey--2
Chapman's Landing in Stratham, 7:05-8:10 am:
Sharp-tailed Sparrow--15. 3 Saltmarsh and 12 unidentifiable,
since I only had brief views as they flew up and then
down into the grass a short distance later before I could
focus on them.
An interesting note is that I observed several of these birds
walking or running through the grass rather than flying. You
have to walk out into the marsh (Wellingtons recommended)
to get close enough to see these birds to see this behavior.
Thanks to Mark Suomala for his tip last year on locating
these birds.
Lubberland Creek Preserve in Newmarket, 8:30-10:45 am:
Osprey--2 at nest, 1 came in with a stick, no young visible
Killdeer--1 adult and 3 little ones still without tails
Least Sandpiper--8
Semipalmated Sandpiper--2
Semipalmated Plover--12
Common Tern--2
Red-bellied Woodpecker--1 female
Eastern Wood-Pewee--1 seen, 2 heard
Alder Flycatcher--1 heard
Great Crested Flycatcher--2, 1 at parking lot
Common Raven--1 heard
Red-eyed Vireo--5
Wood Thrush--1 heard
Scarlet Tanager--4, 1 male & 1 female seen, 2 heard
Bobolink--5
23 other common species
Horseshoe Crab--2
Birder who inadvertently stepped off a tussock into the mud
and got stuck up to the tops of his Wellingtons--1. Got one
boot out onto dry land, but had to remove my foot from the
other boot and work it back and forth to get it out.
Fortunately, I had a pair of spare socks in the car.
Warren Farm in Barrington, 11:10 am-12:10 pm:
All time spent near the ponds at the entrance looking for the
*>#s@ Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Never showed or vocalized.
Broad-winged Hawk--1
Least Flycatcher--1
Chestnut-sided Warbler--1 heard near powerline
Prairie Warbler--1 heard near powerline
Eastern Towhee--2
Field Sparrow--1
13 other common species
Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area in Dover, 1:05-2:35 pm:
I only birded the edges of the fields out to the pond just
before the woods. Getting tired by then.
Green Heron--1 adult
Osprey--1 carrying a fish, headed south towards Little Bay
Willow Flycatcher--1
House Wren--1
Yellow Warbler--6
Magnolia Warbler--1 female
American Redstart--1 female
Common Yellowthroat--8
Bobolink--10 males
Orchard Oriole--1 first-year male
15 other common species
--
Terry Bronson
Hampton Falls, NH
tbbirds(AT)comcast.net
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Penacook Birds - May 30
From: "PAMELA HUNT" <biodiva(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 30 May 2008 9:25pm
Greetings all,
Opting to do the Penacook survey in good weather, I bumped it up to this
morning and was well-rewarded. The total of 71 species is about typical for
the end of May, and there were 3 new BIGBY birds. Of these, Veery and Eastern
Wood-Pewee were to be expected (at last), but the other was a bonus: and
Olive-sided Flycatcher along Bog Road (Census species #157). The only other
obvious migrants were 2 Blackpoll Warblers.
In the afternoon I biked over the the Mast Yard State Forest and added another
three BIGBY birds: Alder Flycatcher, Prairie Warbler, and Eastern Towhee. I'll
be biking over there at night a few times in June to conduct Whip-poor-will
surveys, so that species will eventually be added also.
Finally, while sitting on my deck just after 8 p.m., a Common Nighthawk
called, bringing my BIGBY to 146, 1 species short of my total at the end of
last May. Considering the fact that my wanderings have yet to take me out of
Penacook until this afternoon, there are a few easy species within reach, and
I'm going to try for 150 by the end of June.
Stay tuned!
And speaking of Whip-poor-wills, I did a Mast Yard Survey from 0300 to 0430
yesterday and estimate a total of 10 calling males. Followed by a wonderful
dawn chorus of Hermit Thrushes and White-throated Sparrows.
Enjoy,
Pam Hunt
Penacook, NH
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Hawking booklet
From: "Scott Ricker" <ptbagger(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 30 May 2008 10:41pm
Fellow Birders,
I recently came across a somewhat older booklet called; An Introduction To
Hawking by E.W. Jameson, Jr & Hans J. Peeters. Its Copyright was 1971 and a
revised version came out in 1977. The Printer was Davis, California.
If you know anything about this booklet please contact me off-list.
Scott Ricker
Southwick, MA.
Ptbagger(at)Verizon(dot)net
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.24.4/1475 - Release Date: 5/30/2008
2:53 PM
[demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/jpeg which had a name of Intro
To Hawking.jpg]
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Vesper Sparrow
From: "Dan Hubbard" <danielhubbard(AT)peoplepc.com>
Date: 30 May 2008 10:54pm
This AM, while monitoring the Osprey nest at the Strafford County Complex,
among 42 species present was a Vesper Sparrow (also one male Bluebird).
Dan Hubbard, Rochester
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