Mascomabirds.org        

A summary of 2014 bird walks sponsored by the

Mascoma Chapter of the NH Audubon Society.

Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area

Addison, VT

Saturday, November 1



Bedell Bridge Bird Walk

Bedell Bridge State Historic Site – NH Rt. 10

Haverhill, NH

Saturday, October 4

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

The rain held off, and even some blue sky could be seen at times, despite a prevailing overcast during this morning's bird walk held by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon at Bedell Bridge State Park in Haverhill, NH. Four participants enjoyed seeing hundreds of birds, representing a total of 35 species, all viewed against a background of colorful fall foliage. Two new cul de sac trails, one with a viewing platform, were added over the summer through a private gift. They have increased substantially access to the wetlands and surrounding trees and shrubby tangles at this site. The last part of the surrounding big corn field was being harvested that morning. Some avian highlights follow.

An estimated 350 American Robins and 140 Yellow-rumped Warblers were the numerically dominent species flying about. Many robins were flying southward in loose flocks. An estimated 30 Cedar Waxwings and 80 American Goldfinches were also moving around. About 60 Canada Geese were seen but did not linger driven away by hunting with decoys that was underway in a nearby harvested corn field.

Other waterfowl species sighted included Wood Ducks and Mallards. two Turkey Vultures and an adult Red- tailed Hawk were. Additional birds of special interest included two Great Blue Herons, a Belted Kingfisher, five species of woodpeckers, an Eastern Phoebe, a Brown Creeper, an Ovenbird, three Common Yellowthroats, a Magnolia Warbler. Song, Swamp, and White-throated Sparrows, a couple of Rusty Blackbirds, nine Common Grackles, and two Purple Finches.

A detailed eBird report of the sightings can viewed at:

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S20026291

Connecticut River Flood Plain

Simon Pearce Complex -- US Rt. 5

Windsor, VT

Saturday, September 27

7:00 am – 9:00 am

This early fall bird walk sampled an agricultural area in Connectiicut River floodplain east of the "Artisans Park" in the town of Windsor,  VT. Starting under foggy conditions which gradually gave way to sunny and clear skies, ten participants found more than 24 bird species.

Among especially notable finds were a Killdeer, a Greater Yellowlegs, an immature Cooper's Hawk pursued in mobbing behavior by at least twelve Blue Jays, Eastern Phoebes, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbirds, several dozen Yellow-rumped Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Chipping Sparrows, a Field Sparrow, great views of Savannah Sparrows, numerous Song Sparrows, and a White-throated Sparrow.

Special thanks to George Clark for leading and to Blake Allison for compiling this morning's records for eBird.

A listing of species and counts can be found by clicking on the following link.

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S19955998

Annual Hawk Migration Watch

Lebanon Airport -- Airport Road,

W. Lebanon, NH

Saturday, September 13

10:00 am – Noon

Under overcast skies and unseasonably, cool temperatures, a total of about 20 observers participated at one time or another during today's  hawk watch at the West Lebanon (NH) Airport. The watch was organized by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon.

Turkey Vultures were the most conspicuous species. Throughout our time at the site, individual vultures or small flocks (e.g., up to 7 birds together) kept appearing. It was difficult to determine the total number which was possibly on the order of a few dozen. All seemed to  be coming from west of the airport and presumably from the West Lebanon roost. A relatively slow morning for hawks was punctuated by a small number of Broad-wings, at least one Northern Harrier, and a few accipiters. No falcons were detected. A sizable flock (35+/-) of Blue Jays and one of Cedar Waxwings (45+/-) were suspected of being birds underway on fall migration. Other species present today included Northern Flicker, American Crow, Song Sparrow, House Finch, and 2 passerines flying by for which photos appeared to show Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.

Although the number of hawks seen was less than equivalent dates at this location in recent years, it was still a pleasant time to be afield and to see glimpses of the major southward autumnal movement of  birds passing through the Upper Valley.

Special thanks to Scott Johnson for compiling and submitting today's eBird list and to George Clark for these notes.


Norwich Bird Walk

Early Fall Migrants

Saturday, August 16

6:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Under mostly sunny skies with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s, the Mascoma Chapter hosted 13 birders led by Steering Committee Member George Clark. The outing started at the Foley Park by the Ledyard Bridge, then went to Pompy and Kendall Station Road, and ended at Campbell  Flats. Special thanks to Blake Allison for keeping records

Waterfowl species were few. Canada Geese were all at Campbell Flats and mostly in a farm field. Mallards were numerous at Pompy. Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers were the only other duck species found.

Herons were represented this morning by Great Blue and Green. Raptorial species included Turkey Vulture, Osprey, and Cooper's Hawk.

Chimney Swift, several Ruby-throated  Hummingbirds, and Belted Kingfisher were found. Woodpeckers included a  well camouflaged Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy, and Northern Flicker. Representatives of the flycatcher family included a calling Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebes, and a number of Eastern Kingbirds. At least two House Wrens were at Pompy. Gray Catbirds seemed numerous, and Cedar Waxwings widespread. A Red-eyed Vireo was singing at Pompy.

Warblers found this morning were Yellow, Yellow-rumped, American Redstart, and Common Yellowthroat. Other finds included a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a few Bobolinks flying over and a Baltimore Oriole.

Complete lists of the morning's counts can be found using the following links.

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S19484702

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S19484705

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S19484710

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S19484716
 


Birding River Road

Hanover to Lyme

Saturday, July 26

6:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Starting in fog dense enough to prevent distant views and then  followed by a gradual clearing, this morning's bird trip along the  Connecticut River from Wilson's landing in Hanover, NH, northward along River Road to Grant Brook in Lyme, yielded more than 30 bird  species. This event was sponsored by the Mascoma Chapter of New  Hampshire Audubon, the Hanover Conservancy, and the Upper Valley Land  Trust (UVLT). Some highlights follow.

Mallards, totaling a few dozen, were the most conspicuous of the  waterbirds. Apparent family groups contained numerous young Mallards,  many of which appeared nearly as large as adults. In the vicinity of  Lower Slade Brook, 3 Great Blue Herons in a flock were winging theirway sedately northward above the river. Among landbirds, flycatchers  were especially notable. Both Willow and Alder Flycatchers were giving  their diagnostic songs, with the Willow Flycatchers present at several  stops, but Alder Flycatcher only near the Wilder Management area. Eastern Kingbirds seemed particularly numerous and were found at every  riverside stop. Black-and-white Warblers were singing at several stops. At Grant Brook, a brightly colored male Scarlet Tanager was  singing at the top of a riverside willow tree with a adult male Red-
winged Blackbird perched nearby in the same tree; this juxtaposition of species was somewhat unexpected considering that the usual habitat  of tanagers earlier in summer is within the interior of woodlands.

Special thanks to Dartmouth Printing and Keith Ford for authorizing use of the company parking area, to Gail McPeek (Hanover Conservancy) and Doug Brown (UVLT) for coleading, and to Gail for compiling the records for eBird.

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S19228073

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S19228122

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S19228228

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S19228313

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S19228366

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S19228397

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S19228442 

Lyme Hill Conservation Area

Bird Survey

Fri., July 25

7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Dense, early-morning river fog blanketed the area obscuring Lyme Hill's summit when three birders gathered to for the next segment of the Mascoma Chapter's ongoing survey of the Conservation Area's bird population. The gathering also provided an opportunity to experience Lyme Hill's newly rerouted summit trail.

The misty shroud and the hill's dense leaf canopy made visual sighting all most impossible early on, but by 8:30, patches of blue sky began to appear improving viewing conditions

Atotal of 18 species were observed. Red-eyed vireos were the most abundant with five individuals counted, hermit thrushes (four) and sogn sparrows (five) also swere seen in good number. Single individual records were made for indigo bunting, black-throated green warbler and eastern wood pewee.

A complete list for the walk, as compiled by trip leader Blake Allison, can be seen by following the link below.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19213733

Lyme Hill Conservation Area

Bird Survey

Fri., June 27

7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Early morning river fog enshroiuded the landscape and temperature hovered in the mid-50s for a walk that began at Grant Brook proceedesd up Lower Grant Brook Trail and the connected with the lyme Hill trail system before looping back to Grant Brook via the Gilbert Cemetery.

Despite the challenging conditions, 22 species were recorded with ovenbirds, mostly heard not seen, leading in numbers with seven individuals.

A complete list can be found on eBird by clicking on the folowing link.

http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S18923777

Lyme Hill Conservation Area

Bird Survey

Friday, May 25

7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

The first oif the year's bird surveys on Lyme Hill got underway with soggy conditions prevailing due to rain that ended minutes before the walk began.

The census was taken while making a 3.5 mile loop on the hill's trail network that went as far west as the snowmobile bridge at Grant Brook.

A respectable 24  species were recorded under the less than ideal condiyions. Ten warbler species were mostly heard due to difficult observation circumstances. Ovenbirds led the count with ten, but good numbers of black-throated green (3), black-throiated blue (4) and black and white warblers (3) were recorded too. Other trip highlights included a northern waterthrush, a blackburnian warbler, three scarlet tanagers and a rose-breasted grosbeak.

A complete list will be found taking the following link to eBird.

 http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S18520656

High water at "Pompy Flats" -- Blake Allison/Lyme, NH

Lyme Hill Conservation Area

Bird Survey

Friday, May 25

7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

The first oif the year's bird surveys on Lyme Hill got underway with soggy conditions prevailing due to rain that ended minutes before the walk began.

The census was taken while making a 3.5 mile loop on the hill's trail network that went as far west as the snowmobile bridge at Grant Brook.

A respectable 24  species were recorded under the less than ideal condiyions. Ten warbler species were mostly heard due to difficult observation circumstances. Ovenbirds led the count with ten, but good numbers of black-throated green (3), black-throiated blue (4) and black and white warblers (3) were recorded too. Other trip highlights included a northern waterthrush, a blackburnian warbler, three scarlet tanagers and a rose-breasted grosbeak.

A complete list will be found taking the following link to eBird.

 http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist?subID=S18520656

Spring Migrant Birdwalk

Saturday, April 19

6:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Two dozen birders braved chilly conditions under mainly overcast skies  on this morning's bird walk cosponsored by Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon, the Hanover Conservancy, and the Upper Valley Land Trust.

Coverage extended from Hanover northward along the Connecticut River to Grant Brook in Lyme, NH. The river was running high, though down slightly from a recent peak, and an ice cover over the water was still present in some spots tucked in along the borders of the river. Among the 39 bird species encountered, the waterbirds were among the fairly recent arrivals, the river having been ice-covered earlier in this month. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were among the most conspicuous of the migrating landbirds. It was a nice early spring treat to hear the  cadence of sapsuckers and the iconic song of the White-throated Sparrow.

Thanks to Dartmouth Printing for permission to use their parking lot, and special thanks to Hanover Conservancy's Gail McPeek for compiling the sightings and preparing the following full list of species found.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Black Duck
Wood Duck
American Wigeon
Ring-necked Duck
Common Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Belted Kingfisher
Killdeer
Osprey
Tree Swallow
Mourning Dove
Rock Pigeon
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Common Raven
American Crow
Blue Jay
Eastern Phoebe
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Northern Cardinal
Pine Warbler
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Fox Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
American Goldfinch

Spring Migratory Waterfowl Field Trip

Sunday, March 23

    8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.   

This morning's birding trip organized by the Mascoma Chapter of New  Hampshire Audubon went mainly near the Connecticut River along the Vermont side from Wilder Dam south to the mouth of the Ottauquechee  River. Many of the waterbirds seen were in New Hampshire. Seven  participants found more than 30 bird species. Some  highlights are mentioned below. Special thanks to Ed Hack, who recorded the species counts and prepared eBirdreports.

More than a dozen Canada Geese, initially seen in NH from Prospect Street in White River Junction, VT, were accompanied by one distinctly smaller Canada-like goose which in initial examination did not appear to be a Cackling. This smaller goose was later seen flying with a flock of Canada Geese over VT at White River Junction.

Highlights among seven species of ducks were a male and female Wood Duck at Wilder Dam, a male and female American Wigeon together seen in NH from Prospect Street, and a male Northern Pintail around the mouth of the Ottauquechee River seen in both VT and NH. Other duck species seen included a number of American Black Ducks, dozens of Mallards, and small numbers of Hooded and Common Mergansers.

Raptorial kinds of birds included a small number of flying Turkey Vultures, at least 2 immature Bald Eagles (at the southern end of Connecticut River Road in Hartford), 2 Red-tailed Hawks (including one still at a large nest with freshly added conifer pieces and located in woods uphill from a residential area bordering the west side of 
Connecticut River Road).

A number of Ring-billed Gulls were seen along the Connecticut River.

A Pileated Woodpecker was seen flying near the mouth of the Ottauquechee. American Robins were seen in several places. A Northern Mockingbird was seen in Wilder. A small number of Red-winged Blackbirds and a Common Grackle were along Connecticut River Road.

Complete checklists of species observed can be found by clicking on the links below.

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S17569528

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S17569525

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S17569522

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S17569526

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S17569527



Windsor County 2014 Birding Quest
Wilder Village, VT & Wilder Dam
Saturday, February 23rd
 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Under sunny skies, with virtually no breeze at the start, nine participants enjoyed this morning's Windsor County 2014 Birding Quest walk and found 20 bird species in Wilder Village with a final half hour spent observing at Wilder Dam.

Highlights at Wilder Dam included two adult Bald Eagles flying upstream along the  Connecticut River around 10 AM, eight American Robins and a solitary Snow Bunting fly over. In Wilder Village, two Northern Mockingbirds were seen as well as 27 Mourning Doves and four Northern Cardinals.

Special thanks to George Clark for leading and to Ed Hack for keeping a list throughout the walk. A full list of species and numbers of each is available at:

http://ebird.org/ebird/vt/view/checklist?subID=S17148572

Eagle Watch at Wilder Dam

Saturday, February 15th

10:00 a.m. - Noon

Under overcast skies with occasional light snowfall and temperatures below freezing, 15 observers participated today by Wilder Dam on the Connecticut River in an Eagle Watch arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon. Although only 9 bird species were found, there was much of interest to be seen as indicated in the following list.

Common Merganser: 4 males and a female were swimming and diving in the river. At one time a few of the males were out of the water up on top of the ice where their brightly colored feet were visible.

Bald Eagle: At least 2 adults were seen. Sightings were on both the NH and VT sides of the river. One adult was seen carrying a stick towards the VT side of the river. When at times perched at a distance in pine trees along the river, these birds with their white heads and white tails were sometimes difficult to spot among the numerous small patches of white snow suspended up in the trees.

Red-tailed Hawk: flew over the river and landed in a tree on the Vermont side where it was mobbed with aerial swoops by a few crows.

Rock Pigeons: At least 14. Perched at times on the large building at the dam and on top of the highest metal electric tower.

Blue Jay: calling occasionally.

American Crow: at least 20.

Eastern Bluebird: a flock at least 5 seen on the NH side of the river flying back and forth from bushes down to ice-bordered open water where they could not be well seen behind the ice but were presumed to be drinking.

Snow Bunting: near the end of our observation time a flock of about 20 flew by, circled around downstream from the dam, and then continued on downstream without ever landing.

House Finch: 2 flew over towards the VT side of the river.

Also, again near the end of our observation time, a mink was moving over ice near the outlet of the dam and going into the water around the outlet. A small white patch on the chin was notable in contrast to the prevailing dark coloration of the fur.. Its tail seemed unexpectedly short as though it might have been injured.