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Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon

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Winter 2018 Events Calendar

2018 - 2019 Nature Series

We are pleased to introduce our slate of speakers and their topics for our forthcoming series of nature-related talks.

All events take place in the Meyer Room of Hanover's Howe Library located at 13 South Main Street. The talks run from 7:00 p.m. to approximately 8:30 p.m. They are free and open to the public.

Dr. Pamela Hunt

Aerial Insectivores: The Who. What, Where and Why of an Important Emerging Conservation Issue

Tuesday, December 11

Aerial insectivores are those birds that feed primarily on insects captured in flight, and include nightjars, swifts, flycatchers, and swallows. Many of these species, particularly swallows and the Chimney Swift, are experiencing significant population declines both in NH and across the Northeast, and sometimes across their entire ranges. This program provides an overview of these species’ biology and population trends, and delves into what we know – or don’t know – about the causes of the declines.

Dr. Pamela Hunt serves as Avian Conservation Biologist for New Hampshire Audubon. She received he Ph. D. from Dartmouth College in 1995 and has been with NH Audubon since 2000. In addition to aerial insectivores, specific areas of interest include habitat use by early successional birds (particularly whip-poor-wills) and the effects of events outside the breeding season on long-distance migrants. Pam also coordinated the “NH Dragonfly Survey,” a five-year project that mapped distributions of these insects throughout the state.

Adam Kozlowski

The Secret Lives of Bats

Tuesday, January 8

Did you know that 1 out of every 4 mammals in the world is a bat? That over 50 million years of evolution have gone into shaping the exotic shapes and behaviors exhibited by bats? And that of the 9 species of bats currently known to inhabit Vermont, 5 (56%) are listed on either state or federal threatened or endangered species lists?

Come participate in an interactive presentation by National Park Service biologist, Adam Kozlowski designed to raise your awareness of bat species (local and global alike) and the specializations that make them both so fascinating and misunderstood.

During his hour-long presentation, Adam will provide an overview of bat ecology, physiology, and mythology to help us better understand the threats bats are facing, delve into the world of both echolocation and hibernation, and review local species and the characters that make them who they are.

MK Beach

The Arctic Through My Lens

Tuesday, February 12

In August, 2018, MK Beach traveled on an expedition cruise from Iqaluit, Nunavut to Western Greenland. Part of Dartmouth's Alumni Travel program, the group navigated across the Davis Strait and above the Arctic Circle to experience remote towns and villages, sea ice, icebergs, fjords, and Arctic flora and fauna. They ultimately set foot on the Greenland ice sheet. This is her story, told through her camera lens.

MK first moved to NH in 1972 when she enrolled in the historic first co-educational class at Dartmouth, graduating in 1976. She later earned an MBA from the Tuck School of Business, She describes herself as an "Observer, Creator, Consultant, Occasional Teacher, and Eternal Student." MK says she is very aware of a "sense of place" and feels enormously grateful to live in a region where she can steward 100 acres of land which includes delaying the mowing of her fields so the Bobolinks can safely nest. She "loves Nature and capturing - with whimsical words and various camera lenses - big skies, small moments, billowing clouds, bees on flowers and birds on branches." She "has a special affinity for Ravens."

Nathaniel Sharp

Exploring Tools for the Citizen Scientist

Tuesday, March 12

There have never been more programs available for people to engage in "citizen science." In the Upper Valley there are Vermont eBird and New Hampshire eBird as well as iNaturalist. These tools not only help you track your own sightings but put a wealth of useful and interesting data at your fingertips.

Exploring and understanding all these programs have to offer, can be somewhat daunting, but Vermont Center for Ecostudies "Citizen Science Outreach Naturalist" Nathan Sharp is more than capable of helping interested users navigate their way.

Nathan will provide an introduction to both the eBird and iNaturalist portals showing how to enter data into both websites. He'll also discuss the myriad uses of eBird and iNaturalist, ranging from tracking the migratory patterns of birds, to pinning down locations for hard to find species, to viewing phenological changes throughout the year.

Whether just starting out or experienced users looking to maximize the range of information available to them, attendees are sure to find Nathan's talk both informative and entertaining.

James Kennedy

The American Woodcock; Ecology and Management

Tuesday, April 9

Recent Birding Events

Dead Creek WMA

Addison, VT

Saturday, November 3

Cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

Bedell Bridge State Historic Site

Haverhill, NH

Saturday, October 6

Upper Valley birding in early October can be quite exciting as illustrated this morning at Bedell Bridge State Historic Site in Haverhill, NH. With temperatures in the 40s and under overcast skies and a gradually clearing early morning fog, 15 observers on foot found 35 bird species on a bird walk arranged by Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon.

Highlights were numerous and included 2 Green-winged Teal, 4 Great Blue Herons, Northern Harriers seen repeatedly, a Red-tailed Hawk holding a squirel and then carrying it in flight, Greater Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Sandpiper, 2 Red=bellied Woodpeckers seen together, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Eastern Bluebirds, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireo, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, 12 Pine Siskins in a flock, and Rusty Blackbird.

Thanks to all who participated and especially co-leaders Blake Allison, George Clark and Jeff MacQueen.

Jeff kept records in the field and submitted the eBird report with a full list of species and numbers to be seen at

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48980313

Richmond Conservation Land

Orford, NH

Saturday, September 15

Over twenty participants turned out on a foggy morning to explore a few hotspots in the town of Orford. Birding was a bit slow, but the group managed 23 different species of birds at the Richmond Conservation Land, Boat Landing Road and Reed’s Marsh.

Some highlights included nice views of a Belted Kingfisher, Warbling Vireos still singing from a couple of spots, a large flock of Cedar Waxwings and a few species of warblers ( Black-throated Greens, Common Yellowthroats and a Magnolia Warbler seen by several members of the group).

Thanks to George Clark and Blake Allison for co-leading and to Susan Tiholiz for compiling the eBird lists.

Complete eBird lists of the day's sightings can be found by following the links below.

Richmond Conservation Land

https://ebird.org/vt/view/chec klist/S48515411

Boat Landing Road

https://ebird.org/vt/view/ checklist/S48515926

Reed Marsh WMA

https://ebird.org/vt/view/checklist/S48516534

Norwich Birdwalk – Early Fall Migrants

Saturday, August 18

A heavy fog enshrouded Campbell Flats early Saturday morning when eleven birders gathered for a Mascoma Chapter bird watching outing.

Group leader George Clark noted that fog presented among the most challenging conditions for birding. Not only does it restrict visibility making visual identification very challenging but the dampness causes the birds to "stay down."

Undeterred, the group set off and managed to total a respectable 31 species by the time the walk ended two hours later under slightly less oppressive conditions. The corn field provided good opportunities for viewing bobolinks (16), indigo buntings (6) and song sparrows (7). More were certainly present, but the corn's height limited viewing to the field's perimeter.

Only four warbler species were seen including three common yellowthroat and one each of black and white warbler, chestnut-sided warbler and American redstart.

After concluding at Campbell Flats, a small group of observers went over to "Pompy Flats" where 18 species were recorded in about twenty minutes time. A highlight was two male and female pairs of Baltimore oriole engaged in a territorial squabble. A yellow warbler, streaked breast clearly visible was the stop's only warbler species, and the call note of a rose-breasted grosbeak announced that one was in the area.

Complete eBird lists of the morning's sightings can be viewed using the following links:

"Campbell Flats"

https://ebird.org/vt/view/checklist/S48068782

"Pompy Flats"

https://ebird.org/vt/view/checklist/S48069410

Thanks to George Clark, Ed hack and Blake Allison for serving as co-leaders, and thanks to Blake for being the count recorder.

A Hooded Merganser Achieving Lift Off Mode

Photo by Wayne Benoit -- Reno, NV

Recent Birding Events, cont.

Birding River Road – Hanover to Lyme

Saturday, July 28

Less than three hours before the start of this morning's bird walk in Hanover and Lyme, a noisy thunderstorm was still in progress in the region. However, by the time the bird walk began, a predicted "dry slot" had arrived, and the rain had stopped. No rain fell during the bird walk, but water drops were falling off overhead trees and the vegetation under foot was very wet on a humid morning.

On this trip, arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon, ten observers found more than 55 bird species with coverage along NH Route 10 in Hanover and along River Road in Hanover and Lyme. Among numerous highlights were a Pied-billed Grebe, 46 Turkey Vultures by an East Thetford (VT) roosting area, an adult Bald Eagle, a Wild Turkey, Willow Flycatchers still calling "Fitz-bew", five species of swallows over the Connecticut River at Wilson's Landing; apparently moving southward, Overhead Bobolink calls suggested that at least a few of those birds were on the move southward as well.

Also notable were a calling Louisiana Waterthrush heard on the return pass over Lyme's Hewes Brook, a flock of five Eastern Bluebirds, and brightly colored mature male Purple Finches. Species still singing this late in the season included, in part, a Black-billed Cuckoo at Grant Brook in Lyme, Blue-headed, Warbling, and Red-eyed Vireos, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Scarlet Tanager, and Indigo Bunting.

A Solitary Sandpiper flying over the Sheridan Printing parking lot in Hanover was unexpected. None had ever been seen previously at that location. The only other shorebird found was a Spotted Sandpiper at Grant Brook in Lyme. A Merlin perched in a tree by the Hanover Golf Course was a bonus for a few birders to see after the regular trip had ended.

Thanks go to Sheridan Printing NH for providing parking spaces to enable car-pooling. Special thanks go toGeorge Clark and his three coleaders whose contributions were too numerous and varied to list in full. Susan Tiholiz diligently compiled records in the field and prepared the eBird lists cited below. Kathy Thompson played a major role in field compilation and tabulation of results.. Adam Burnett helped greatly by detecting bird species.

Links to the outing's eBird lists:

Sheridan Printing

https://ebird.org/vt/view/checklist/S47505252

Wilson's Landing

https://ebird.org/vt/shared?subID=UzQ3NDkwOTkz&s=t

Hidden Valley/Wilmot Farm Fields

https://ebird.org/vt/shared?subID=UzQ3NDkxMzc0&s=t

Hewes Brook

https://ebird.org/vt/shared?subID=UzQ3NDkxNTQ2&s=t

River Road "Village"/Wilder WMA

https://ebird.org/vt/shared?subID=UzQ3NDkxODk1&s=t

Grant Brook Outflow

https://ebird.org/vt/shared?subID=UzQ3NDkyNzEw&s=t

Windsor Grasslands WMA

Saturday, June 16

Marton Road -- Windsor, VT

In Romeo and Juliet's famous balcony scene, Juliet poses the question "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet." Might not that be true of favorite birding sites as well? By a different name would they be any less appealing?

That proposition was tested Saturday, June 16 when the Mascoma Chapter sponsored a birding trip to the Windsor site formerly know as the VT State Prison Farm; now offically renamed the Windsor Grasslands WMA. A new name, yes, but judging by he day's stellar results, different in name only.

Twenty birders assembled at the Marton Road parking area near the head of the road that leads to the former prison's building complex. One salutary change resulting from Vermont Fish and Wildlife taking over the property is that there now is access via the road farther into the grounds affording better views of the adjacent fields.

Fifty-three species were recorded during the two-and-a-half hour hours spent at the site which also included surveys of its orchard and a short segment of Pond Road.

Highlights included a blue-winged warbler seen in the orchard. Perhaps two others were observed as well, but enough details could not be seen to establish firm IDs. A black-billed cuckoo seen in the same vicinity was another plus.

The fields had not been mowed providing good conditions for grassland birds viewing including red-winged blackbirds, bobolinks and six members of the sparrow family; chipping, song, Savannah, field, swamp and eastern towhee.

Concluding at the WMA site, most of the party continued to the wetland/pasture complex at the corner of Hunt and Marton roads. There a Virginia rail made its presence known by vocalizing in response to a pre-recorded call.

Thanks to George Clark, Blake Allison and Ed Hack for co-leading, and thanks to Blake for keeping the count lists. A complete record of the day's activity can be found using the following eBird links.

Windsor Grasslands WMA:

https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S46586838

Hunt and Marton Road Site:

https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S46587221

Northern Rail Trail Bird Walk

Saturday, June 9

Lebanon, NH

On a most pleasant June morning, 14 participants joined in a bird walk along a Lebanon (NH) section of the Northern Rail Trail in the vicinity of Riverside Drive., as arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon. Overall, the area birded is suburban with woodlands along the Mascoma River and open field and brushy areas in the Baker'c Crossing Conservation Area, and with residences, businesses, and a few roadways in the vicinity.

We found 31 bird species, all of which might nest in that area. Among hightlights were a Common Merganser female on the river, a molting Broad-winged Hawk providing fine views as it soared nearby overhead in a rising thermal air mass, and a first year (yellowish rather than orange) male American Redstart watched at close range while vigorously singing. A total of nine species of warblers were detected. A full list of species and other details are at

https://ebird.org/vt/view/checklist/S46422961

Thanks to all who participated, to Jeff MacQueen for valuable assistance in planning, and special thanks to Susan Tiholiz for coleading, for keeping the list of birds while afield, and for preparing the eBird report cited above.

Co-sponsored by the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon and the Mascoma River Local Advisory Committee.

Bedell Bridge Bird Walk

Saturday, May 26

Bedell Bridge State Historic Site

Haverhill, NH

On an overcast, Saturday morning with the temperature ranging through the 70s, Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon Steering Committee members George Clark and Jef MacQueen led 17 birders around the Bedell Brdige's woodland and wetland complex; habitats where we encountered most of the species we typically get here, plus a few surprises. Blackpoll Warblers were the notable migrants present and we had great looks at several. Some of us also got a glimpse of two Northern Harriers as they flew towards the south from the area. An immature Bald Eagle perched obligingly, twice, and we had good scope views. We had a great opportunity to scrutinize and study vocalizations of Willow and Alder Flycatchers as they called almost simultaneously at one point. We also heard a Yellow-throated Vireo, but could not find it. An American Bittern flew over and gave most of us a quick look.

An impressive count numbering 50+ species was recorded. The eBird list can be observed here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46037649.

Thanks to George Clark and also Adam Burnett for his keen ears and knowledge.

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