Mascomabirds.org        

A summary of May bird walks sponsored by the

Mascoma Chapter of the NH Audubon Society



"Feathered Friday" Birdwalk

Union Village Dam - Thetford Center, VT

Friday, May 31st

Mostly sunny skies prevailed, and the temperature remained in the comfortable low 70s for the 14 birders who showed up for the final outing in the "Feathered Friday" series. The species count came in at 47 with a startling number - 12 - of alder flyycatchers observed along with good numbers of five other flycathers species including eastern wood pewees, willow and least flycatchers, eastern poebes and eastern kingbirds. Eleven warbler species were sighted including the blue-winged warbler that has been seen in the area over the last two weeks.

It was a successful day capping a very satisfying season. Thanks to Becky Cook and Ted Boze for their gracious and capable leadership throughout.

Wood Duck  1
Mourning Dove  1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Alder Flycatcher  12    seemingly everywhere
Willow Flycatcher  5
Least Flycatcher  6
Eastern Phoebe  3
Eastern Kingbird  2
Red-eyed Vireo  8
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  6
Tree Swallow  2
Black-capped Chickadee  4
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
House Wren  1
Veery  5
Hermit Thrush  1
Wood Thrush  1
American Robin  8
Gray Catbird  6
Cedar Waxwing  2
Ovenbird  10
Blue-winged Warbler  1
Black-and-white Warbler  3
Common Yellowthroat  8
American Redstart  4
Northern Parula  2
Magnolia Warbler  3
Yellow Warbler  8
Chestnut-sided Warbler  8
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  1
Black-throated Green Warbler  2
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  6
Swamp Sparrow  3
White-throated Sparrow  4
Northern Cardinal  1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
Indigo Bunting  2
Red-winged Blackbird  10
Common Grackle  4
Baltimore Oriole  4
American Goldfinch  6

"Warbler Wednesday” Birdwalk

Boston Lot Lake -- Lebanon, NH

Wednesday, May 29th

Despit cloudy and rainy conditions, seven intrepid birders braved the elements to attend the last of 2013's "Warbler Wednesday" bird walks. A total of 31 species were observed. Thanks to Gail "Pip" Richens for hosting the series.

Mallard 
Double-crested Cormorant 
Spotted Sandpiper 
Rock Pigeon 
Mourning Dove 
Black-billed Cuckoo 
Pileated Woodpecker 
Eastern Wood-Pewee 
Eastern Phoebe 
Blue-headed Vireo 
Red-eyed Vireo 
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 
Tree Swallow 
Black-capped Chickadee 
Veery 
American Robin 
Gray Catbird 
Ovenbird 
Black-and-white Warbler 
Common Yellowthroat 
American Redstart 
Chestnut-sided Warbler 
Black-throated Blue Warbler 
Pine Warbler 
Black-throated Green Warbler 
Song Sparrow 
Scarlet Tanager 
Indigo Bunting 
Common Grackle 
Baltimore Oriole 
American Goldfinch 

"Feathered Friday" Birdwalk

Union Village Dam -- Thetford Center, VT

Friday, May 24th

Under rainy, cloudy and cool conditions, five stalwart birders made the rounds of the Union Village Dam park and were rewarded with 46 species for their efforts. A clear highlight was good views of a blue-winged warbler that was reported in the Mystery Trail area over the past week.

Mallard  1
Great Blue Heron  1
Broad-winged Hawk  1
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Mourning Dove  4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  3
Downy Woodpecker  5
Pileated Woodpecker  1
Eastern Wood-Pewee  1
Alder Flycatcher  8
Willow Flycatcher  3
Eastern Phoebe  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Red-eyed Vireo  6
Blue Jay  8
Tree Swallow  1
Black-capped Chickadee  6
Tufted Titmouse  1
Veery  8
Wood Thrush  2
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  8
Cedar Waxwing  4
Ovenbird  10
Northern Waterthrush  1
Blue-winged Warbler  1  
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  8
American Redstart  8
Northern Parula  2
Magnolia Warbler  1
Yellow Warbler  8
Chestnut-sided Warbler  10
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Canada Warbler  2
Wilson's Warbler  1
Song Sparrow  6
Swamp Sparrow  8
White-throated Sparrow  10
Scarlet Tanager  3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  3
Red-winged Blackbird  8
Common Grackle  2
Baltimore Oriole  4
American Goldfinch  6

“Warbler Wednesday” Birdwalk

Boston Lot Lake -- Lebanon, NH

Wednesday, May 22nd

Cloudy and damp conditions prevailed during this count. The poor lighting and increasingly, leafed-out tree canopy made visual identification particularly challenging, forcing the nine participants to frequently rely on aural recognition. An adult bald eagle, obligingly perched in the top of a snag across NH Rt. 10 only 100 yards north of the Boston Lot Lake parking area, got the morning off to a rewarding start. Forty species and one maddeningly, indistinguishable "Empidonax sp." represented a hard fought for and well-earned count for the morning.

Mallard 
Bald Eagle 
Spotted Sandpiper 
Rock Pigeon 
Mourning Dove 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 
Northern Flicker 
Pileated Woodpecker 
Eastern Wood-Pewee 
Least Flycatcher 
Empidonax sp. 
Eastern Phoebe 
Red-eyed Vireo 
Blue Jay 
American Crow 
Tree Swallow 
Bank Swallow 
Barn Swallow 
Black-capped Chickadee 
Tufted Titmouse 
Veery 
Wood Thrush 
American Robin 
Gray Catbird 
Ovenbird 
Black-and-white Warbler 
Common Yellowthroat 
Northern Parula 
Blackburnian Warbler 
Chestnut-sided Warbler 
Black-throated Blue Warbler 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 
Black-throated Green Warbler 
Song Sparrow 
Lincoln's Sparrow 
Scarlet Tanager 
Indigo Bunting 
Common Grackle 
Brown-headed Cowbird 
Baltimore Oriole 
American Goldfinch 


"Feathered Friday" Birdwalk

Union Village Dam -- Thetford Center, VT

Friday, May 17th

Under an overcast sky with cool conditions, 15 birders had their efforts rewarded by observing 47 species. Twelve warbler species, six different sparrow types and an indigo bunting were among the morning's highlights. Thanks to Ted Boze, Cynthia Crawford and Wayne Crips for keeping the count.

Wood Duck  2
Mallard  10
Common Merganser  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  3
Least Flycatcher  4
Eastern Phoebe  4
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Blue-headed Vireo  1
Red-eyed Vireo  2
Blue Jay  12
American Crow  1
Common Raven  1
swallow sp.  3    probably tree
Black-capped Chickadee  10    2 excavating nest cavity
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
House Wren  1
Winter Wren  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
Veery  5
Hermit Thrush  1
American Robin  6
Gray Catbird  3
Ovenbird  6
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  12
American Redstart  1
Northern Parula  2
Magnolia Warbler  3
Yellow Warbler  6
Chestnut-sided Warbler  12
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
Black-throated Green Warbler  1
Canada Warbler  1
Chipping Sparrow  2
Field Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  4
Swamp Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  12
White-crowned Sparrow  1
Scarlet Tanager  1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  6
Indigo Bunting  1
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  2
Baltimore Oriole  3    1 male at nest
American Goldfinch  8

“Warbler Wednesday” Birdwalk

Boston Lot Lake -- Lebanon, NH

Wednesday, May 15th

The temperature was on the nippy side - near freezing with frost throughout the Upper Valley - but the 15 enthusiastic birders who gather at Boston Lot Lake were treated to a good mid-spring array of arriving migrants and year 'round residents. Forty-six species were observed including ten different warblers and four species of swallows. Thanks to Gail "Pip" Richens for leading the event.

Wood Duck 
Mallard 
Ring-necked Duck 
Common Merganser 
Great Blue Heron 
Turkey Vulture 
Red-tailed Hawk 
Spotted Sandpiper 
Ring-billed Gull 
Rock Pigeon 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 
Downy Woodpecker 
Hairy Woodpecker 
Least Flycatcher 
Eastern Phoebe 
Blue-headed Vireo 
Red-eyed Vireo 
Blue Jay 
American Crow 
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 
Tree Swallow 
Bank Swallow 
Barn Swallow 
Black-capped Chickadee 
Tufted Titmouse 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
Hermit Thrush 
Wood Thrush 
American Robin 
Ovenbird 
Black-and-white Warbler 
Common Yellowthroat 
American Redstart 
Northern Parula 
Magnolia Warbler 
Chestnut-sided Warbler 
Black-throated Blue Warbler 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 
Black-throated Green Warbler 
Song Sparrow 
White-throated Sparrow 
Scarlet Tanager 
Common Grackle 
Brown-headed Cowbird 
Purple Finch 
American Goldfinch 


"Feathered Friday" Birdwalk

Union Village Dam -- Thetford Center, VT

Friday, May 10th

The Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon held its second "Feathered Friday" of the season at the Union Village Dam Recreation Area this morning.  Eleven attendees recorded 39 species, a significantly higher number than the previous week, thanks to the presence of eight warbler species as well as later season migrants such as a scarlet tanagers and two rose-breasted grosbeaks.  The highlights were good looks at a singing female cardinal and a pair of parulas.  The detailed list follows.

Canada Goose  2
Mallard  3
Mourning Dove  2
Belted Kingfisher  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
Pileated Woodpecker  1
Least Flycatcher  6
Eastern Phoebe  2
Great Crested Flycatcher  1
Blue-headed Vireo  3
Blue Jay  6
American Crow  1
Tree Swallow  6
Black-capped Chickadee  4
Tufted Titmouse  2
Brown Creeper  1
Winter Wren  1
Hermit Thrush  2
Wood Thrush  1
American Robin  4
Gray Catbird  12
Ovenbird  12
Black-and-white Warbler  2
Common Yellowthroat  8
Northern Parula  2
Yellow Warbler  6
Black-throated Blue Warbler  1
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Chipping Sparrow  12
Song Sparrow  12
Swamp Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  18
Scarlet Tanager  1
Northern Cardinal  1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  2
Bobolink  1
Red-winged Blackbird  12
American Goldfinch  6

“Warbler Wednesday” Birdwalk

Boston Lot Lake -- Lebanon, NH

Wednesday, May 8th

With fine spring weather offering sunny skies and temperatures comfortably in the mid-50s, Gale "Pip" Richens led 19 birders on a survey of the woods surrounding Lebanon's Boston Lot Lake park. A notable increase in the number of warblers around helped boost the recorded number of species to 36 from last week's total of 27.

Mallard 
Common Merganser 
Ruffed Grouse 
Rock Pigeon 
Mourning Dove 
Belted Kingfisher 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 
Hairy Woodpecker 
Least Flycatcher 
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo 
Blue Jay 
Tree Swallow 
Black-capped Chickadee 
Tufted Titmouse 
White-breasted Nuthatch 
Brown Creeper 
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
Hermit Thrush 
Wood Thrush 
American Robin 
Ovenbird 
Black-and-white Warbler 
Common Yellowthroat 
American Redstart 
Northern Parula 
Chestnut-sided Warbler 
Black-throated Blue Warbler 
Pine Warbler 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 
Black-throated Green Warbler 
Song Sparrow 
Common Grackle 
Brown-headed Cowbird 
Purple Finch 
American Goldfinch 


Feathered Friday" Birdwalk

Union Village Dam -- Thetford Center, VT

Friday, May 3rd

Under sunny, clear skies, with comfortably, cool temperatures Becky Cook and Ted Boze led eleven birders on the season's first walk through the woods and fields of Union Village Dam Recreation Area. Twenty-five species were sighted with a spotted sandpiper and two green-winged teel among the most notable records.

Mallard  2
Green-winged Teal  2
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Mourning Dove  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Eastern Phoebe  4
Blue Jay  6
Tree Swallow  1
Black-capped Chickadee  6
House Wren  2
Winter Wren  1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1
American Robin  4
Black-and-white Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  2
Pine Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  2
Chipping Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  12
Swamp Sparrow  6
White-throated Sparrow  6
Northern Cardinal  1
Red-winged Blackbird  12
Common Grackle  6
American Goldfinch  4

“Warbler Wednesday” Birdwalk

Boston Lot Lake -- Lebanon, NH

Wednesday, May 1st

Gail "Pip" Richens led a group of ten birders on a tour of the paths in Lebanon's Boston Lot Park  Under clear, blue skies, the group observed 27 species that included a smattering of first arriving warblers. This is the first of five "Warbler Wednesday" walks to be conducted in May.

Canada Goose 
Mallard 
Turkey Vulture 
Rock Pigeon 
Mourning Dove 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 
Northern Flicker 
Eastern Phoebe 
Blue-headed Vireo 
Blue Jay 
Tree Swallow 
Black-capped Chickadee 
Brown Creeper 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
American Robin 
Ovenbird 
Black-and-white Warbler 
Palm Warbler 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 
Black-throated Green Warbler 
Song Sparrow 
White-throated Sparrow 
Dark-eyed Junco 
Common Grackle 
Brown-headed Cowbird 
Purple Finch 
American Goldfinch  

Lesser Yellowlegs - Union Village Dam/Thetford Center, VT

Wayne Benoit/Hanover, NH