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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. The talks will be held in the Howe Library's Mayer Room beginning at 7:00 p.m. They are free and open to the public.

Following is a list of presenters and their topics.

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.

Dr. Carol Foss

Motus: A New Revolution in Migration Research

Tuesday, March 10

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is an array of radio telemetry stations that track the movements of birds and other small animals fitted with small radio transmitters (nanotags). Gathering signals sent by these transmitters are receiving stations operating 24/7/365. Scientists, can use the data collected from the systems many, disparate sites to track the movements of bird populations across vast stretches of landscape running to thousands of miles. Dr. Carol Foss, Senior Advisor for Science and Policy at NH Audubon, will provide an overview of the Motus system, what we are learning from it, efforts underway to expand the network in the Northeast, and how interested citizens can get involved.

Susan and Dean Greenberg

Madagascar: The Eighth Continent

Tuesday, April 14

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Madagascar’s flora and fauna are so different from anywhere else on Earth, that it is often referred to as the eighth continent. Dean and Susan Greenberg, whose more than 50 years of birding has taken them to every continent but Antarctica, will present an illustrated account of their 2018 Madagascar trip . Their talk will offer an overview of the fascinating and diverse array of wildlife found on the island. Included will be some of the more than 150 bird species, 25 species of lemur (found nowhere else on earth), 50 species of butterflies, 8 species of snakes, lots of chameleons and many other interesting species of plants and animals that they saw.

Upcoming Birding Events 

NH Audubon's Annual

Backyard Winter Bird Survey

Saturday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 9

This event originally was organized to survey winter populations of Northern Cardinals and Tufted Titmice.  In 1987, it was expanded to gather information on the distribution and abundance of the larger population of over-wintering bird species in New Hampshire.

More information about the count and how to participate in it can be found by clicking on the following link:

http://nhbirdrecords.org/backyard-winter-bird-survey/



The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)

Friday, Feb. 14 - Monday, Feb. 17

A joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the “GBBC” is now in its 22nd year. Participants are asked to record birds they see at their backyard feeders or in the field during the days of the count period.

More information about the count, including how to enter collected date can be found at the following site:

http://gbbc.birdcount.org/about/



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.

Directions: Take US Route 5 to Wilder Village. Turn onto Depot St., and at the end of the block turn left onto Norwich Ave. Almost immediately Passumpsic Ave. will be on your right. Take it over the railroad tracks, and then turn right onto Wilder Dam Rd. Follow the road down to the parking lot next door to Great River Hydro's administration buildings. Walk down the power plant's service road to the viewing sight.

The viewing site is handicapped accessible. However, more extensive parking down at the dam overlook will be limited, espescially if there has been snow. We are grateful to Great River Hydro for letting us use its lot.

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