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Winter Nature Series Talks

Howe Library - Hanover, NH

Winter 2019 - 2020

The Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon is pleased to announce the slate of speakers for its annual "Winter Nature Series Talks." There is one presentation monthly from December through April. They will be held in the Howe Library's Mayer Room beginning at 7:00 p.m. The talks are free and open to the public.

Following is a list of presenters and their topics.

Adair Mulligan 

  The Connecticut: New England’s Great River

Tuesday, December 10

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The largest river in New England rises in a small beaver pond near the Canadian border and flows over 400 miles through four states, falling 2670 feet to the sea on its way passing through America’s only watershed-based national fish and wildlife refuge. A contributor to essential writings about the Connecticut River, Executive Director of the Hanover Conservancy Adair Mulligan is well-versed in the Connecticut’s story. Her breadth of knowledge on the subject is far-ranging whether describing its natural beauty or its essential place in New England’s development from the time of the indigenous people to the present.

Adair’s talk will be surveying those topics as well as discussing the challenges that lie ahead both for maintaining the river’s health and in keeping secure its integral role in the region’s life.

Co-sponsored with the Hanover Conservancy.

Chris Rimmer

On the Trail of the Bicknell’s Thrush in Cuba

Tuesday, January 14

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

In late March 2019, Vermont Center for Ecostudies Executive Director Chris Rimmer touched down in Cuba for a long-planned trip to survey the island’s mountainous habitat for the Bicknell’s. thrush. As Chris notes, this was an attempt to establish baseline data regarding the Bicknell’s thrush’s presence there in order to take “the first steps in obtaining crucial information to prioritize and direct both local and range-wide conservation planning for this species’ vulnerable winter habitats.”

Chris’s presentation will focus on the expedition’s field work, some in areas never before surveyed, as well as reflecting on the challenges that lie ahead for proactively stewarding the Bicknell’s through an environment that is growing increasingly fragile.

Jim Block

Birding on Five Islands in Maine

Tuesday, February 18

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Islands off Maine's rugged coast can be very attractive destinations for birds both while in migration and at other times during their life-cycle. Not surprisingly, some of these islands are popular destinations for birders as well.

Renowned, Etna-based, wildlife photographer Jim Block has visited numbers of these islands including, north to south; Machias Seal Island, Sears Island, Squirrel Island, Monhegan Island and Appledore Island. During his time visiting these islands Jim used his considerable photographic skills to document the birds and other wildlife found on them. He will discuss his time spent on the islands and share his photographic record as well.

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Upcoming Birding Outings 

Annual Wilder Dam Bald Eagle Watch

Saturday, February 15

10 am – Noon

Wilder Dam

Wilder, VT

Join us as we look for early bald eagle nesting activity in the woods bordering the Connecticut River downstream from the Wilder Dam. We also will scan for waterfowl that feed in the ice-free waters created by the dam’s outflow.

The event is free and open to the public. All experience levels are welcome. Bring binoculars and/or spotting scopes as you prefer.

The viewing site at the dam's overlook, reached from Wilder Village on the Vermont side, is handicapped accessible. However, more extensive parking down at the dam overlook will be limited if there has been snow. We are grateful to Great River Hydro for letting us use its lot near administration building at the beginning of the power plant's access drive.

In the event of inclement weather, the outing will be moved to Sunday, February 16 with the same start and finish times.