Mascomabirds.org        

 Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area

Addison, VT

Saturday, November 2

9:00 a.m.

Event cancelled due to poor ground conditions following the Halloween wind and rain event.

Bedell Bridge Bird Walk

Saturday, October 5

Bedell Bridge State Historic Site – NH Rt. 10

Haverhill, NH

This morning on a bird walk arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon, eleven participants found a total of 25 species at Bedell Bridge State Park in Haverhill, NH.

The event started under foggy conditions with the temperature in the 30s. The sky gradually brightened with a bit of warming, and there then seemed to be increased bird activity.

Among the most conspicuous birds during the walk were dozens of Cedar Waxwings and Yellow-rumped Warblers. At one point in the walk, as we were observing waxwings, yellow-rumps, and other species, a Sharp-shinned Hawk suddenly appeared nearby, whereupon the smaller birds quickly disappeared from view in that vicinity, undoubtedly by taking cover in the ample vegetation.

During the walk, woodpeckers were well represented with five species, including two Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Seasonally appropriate migrants seen this morning included a Blue-headed Vireo, numerous White-throated Sparrows, and a Lincoln's Sparrow.

Thanks to all participants for their help. Coleaders this morning were Jeff MacQueen, Blake Allison, and George Clark.

Special thanks to Blake who recorded the counts and prepared the eBird checklist to be found at https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S60372017

Orford's Richmond Conservation Land

Saturday, September 14

With rain threatening, the temperature hovering near 50 degrees and the pungent smell of recently manured hay fields stinging their nostrils, ten birders gathered at Orford's Richmond Conservation Land to searh for fall migrants there and at other locations in town.

The birds were a bit scarce but a few notable observations were made.

As soon as the party disembarked from its vehicles, at the Richmond Conservation Land, it was treated to to the spectacle of a Sharp-shinned Hawk repeatedly chasing crows out a stand of tall, white pines across the road.  A Northern Waterthrush was seen along the edge of the park's wetland area as well as a few expected species. Travelling to Boat Landing Road some observers got a glimpse of a Lincoln’s Sparrow. Overall it was quiet at this spot and even more quiet at Reed’s Marsh WMA.

A few diehards finished at Tullando Farm where we added a few additional species including four Least Sandpipers at the manure lagoon.

Overall, 24 species were tallied which was the same as the total in 2018 on this trip. Slightly better results were achieved in 2017 when 32 species were recorded.

Thanks to George Clark and Blake Allison for co-leading and thanks to Blake for keeping the bird lists. Links to these eBird lists are below.

Richmond Conservation Land
https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S59793442

Orford Boat Landing
https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S59793438

Reed Marsh WMA
https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S59793365

Tullando Dairy Farm
https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S59793341

Norwich Birdwalk – Early Fall Migrants

Saturday, August 24

https://ebird.org/vt/view/checklist/S59220434

"Pompy" Flats                                                           https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S59490382

Campbell Flats                                                    https://ebird.org/vt/view/checklist/S59490390

Birding River Road – Hanover to Lyme

Saturday, July 27

On a sunny, pleasantly cool, July 27 morning with bits of scattered fog, participants in a bird walk arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon found more than 50 species along the Connecticut River in Hanover and Lyme, NH. Indications of incipient fall migration were seen in flocks of swallows which included Tree, Bank, and especially Barn Swallows. Eastern Kingbirds were also conspicuous along the route and might also have included migrant birds. Wilson's Landing was a particularly productive site with 30 species found there.

A tagged adult Common Loon in the Connecticut River just north of the Hanover-Lyme town line on the left leg had a blue tag closest to its trunk and a green tag with a white marking farther out on the same leg. We were unable to determine the markings on its right leg so did not gain enough information to identify the individual bird. Among other interesting finds were a well seen Green Heron, a Spotted Sandpiper, 2 unidentified gulls flying southward along the river, a calling Black-billed Cuckoo, Alder and Willow Flycatchers, a Wood Thrush that sang, a well seen Brown Thrasher, 3 Bobolinks, and a singing Scarlet Tanager.

Our thanks to all who participated, and especially coleaders and list-keepers Blake Allison and Susan Tiholiz, and to Tony Thurston and the Sheridan corporation for authorizing parking which enabled us to carpool.

eBird checklists submitted by Blake Allison from this morning are as follows:

Wilson's Landing: https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S58497932

Hidden Valley: https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S58498000

Wilmot Farm Fields: https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S58498214

Hewes Brook: https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S58498445

Wilder WMA:  https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S58498575

Grant Brook:  https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S58498668





Windsor Grasslands WMA    

Saturday, June 22

Windsor, VT

On a splendid June morning, with plenty of sunshine, a pleasant temperature range and a light breeze, participants in a bird walk at the Windsor Grasslands Wildlife Management Area in Windsor, VT, found more than 35 species of birds. Included were a number of species that are uncommon or of localized distribution within the Upper Valley. Among highlights were displaying Wilson's Snipe, a pair of American Kestrels, both Alder and Willow Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, a Brown Thrasher, and Eastern Bluebirds. Among the seven warbler species located were the not often seen locally Blue-winged and Prairie Warblers. Also observed were a Bobolink, an Indigo Bunting, a pair of Eastern Towhees, and several sparrows including Field, Savannah, Song, and Swamp.

Our appreciation goes to all  participants for their help in finding and identifying birds on this walk arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon. Thanks to trip co-leaders George Clark, Ed Hack, and Susan Tiholiz and special thanks to Susan who kept and filed the eBird field list.

To access the day's counts, click on the following link: https://ebird.org/vt/view/checklist/S57660175

Mascoma River Greenway Bird Walk

Saturday, June 8

Lebanon, NH

For the third consecutive year, Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee member Jeff MacQueen led a bird walk along the Mascoma River via the Northern Rail Trail.

This year's trip explored the newly opened (July 21, 2018) Mascoma River Greenway Trail (MRG). This recently paved trail along a former railroad bed offers a great, level, tick-free walk through some nice habitat in residential Lebanon and along the Mascoma River beginning just east of Alice Peck Day Hospital (APD), then traveling westerly to its current terminus near Glen Road and the Miracle Mile.

Under a mostly sunny sky with a light breeze, and the temperature ranging through the 60s, twenty-one participants enjoyed a range of sightings totalling 36 species that provided opportunities to observe several individuals close enough to study their vocalizations.

The broad families of species observed included chimney swifts (two), a great blue heron, a pair of red-tailed hawks and a turkey vulture.

Passerine species seen ranged from insectivores (great-crested flycatcher, wood pewee and red-eyed vireo), to sparrows (chipping, white-throated and song) to six warbler species (ovenbird, black-and-white, common yellowthroat, American redstart, yellow and chestnut-sided).

A complete eBird list of the day's sightings can be seen by clicking on the following link:

https://ebird.org/vt/view/checklist/S57218840

Thanks to Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee members Jeff MacQueen, Susan Tiholiz and George Clark for hosting the event. Special thanks to Susan for keeping the count list.

The walk was co-sponsored by the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon and the Mascoma River Local Advisory Committee.



Note: "Warbler Wednesdays" and Feathered Fridays" results can be found under the "2019 Bird Walk Archive" tab by clicking on "May 2019."

Bedell Bridge Bird Walk

Saturday, May 25

7:00 – 9:30 amt

Bedell Bridge State Historic Site

Haverhill, NH

This visit to the former site of the Bedell Covered Bridge, lost in a September 1979 hurricane, offers an opportunity to see a wide variety of birds due to the park’s interesting combination of riparian, mixed woodlands and agricultural land habitats.

The park entrance is located on NH Rt.10 just north of the Haverhill Green. Meet in Dartmouth’s new Lewiston parking lot adjacent to the Norwich end of the Ledyard Bridge to form car pools.

Walking conditions are level but will be damp if there has been recent rain. The event is free and open to the public.

Bring binoculars and/or a spotting scope as you prefer. All experience levels welcome.

To be led by Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee members Jeff MacQueen and George Clark.



Spring Migrant Bird Walk

Saturday, April 27

Hanover, NH

Somewhat damp and cool conditions prevailed Saturday morning for the Masoma Chapter's annual trip  up the Connecticut River's New Hampshire side. As in past years, the walk co-sponsored by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon, the Hanover Conservancy, and the Upper Valley Land Trust.

The route extended along the Connecticut beginning at Hsnover's Wilson's Landing and concluding at the Grant Brook outflow in Lyme. 

The event began auspisciously with a barrage of small hail bouncing off vehicles and briefly whitening the ground as the caravan began ists journey north. Most of the time, however, there was merely rain to greater or lesser extent.Despite that circumstance, a nice sampling of early migrants was the party's reward for persevering through what might be considered the weather more typical of early spring than April 27!

Two dozen or so bird species were found by five participants. The Connecticut River and its tributaries were all running high. Anticipated waterfowl including Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, and hooded mergansers were notable, as were kingfishers. Two double-crested cormorants were seen winging their way northward along the river. At Wilson's Landing, about two dozen tree Swallows and a barn swallow were circling while evidently foraging on unseen arthropod prey in the air low over the river. Among other spring arrivals encountered were flicker, phoebe, robins, chipping, song, swamp, and white-throated sparrows, as well as juncos, red-winged blackbirds, and cowbird.
 
Our thanks go to the Sheridan Corporation for enabling use of their parking lot. Also greatly appreciated was the help provided by co-leaders Gail McPeek, Blake Allison, Jeff MacQueen and George Clark. Jeff also kept the eBird count lists llinks to which can be found below.

Wilson's Landing: https://ebird.org/checklist/S55485151

Hidden Valley: https://ebird.org/checklist/S55485143

Wilmot Farm Fields: https://ebird.org/checklist/S55485135

Hewes Brook:https://ebird.org/checklist/S55485125

Grant Brook: https://ebird.org/checklist/S55485117

Woodcock Walk

Wednesday, April 24

Hanover, NH

7:15 – 9 :00 pm



Cloudy, damp conditions did not deter ten hopeful and hearty birdwatchers from tramping through fields in hopes of seeing the male, American woodcock's dazzling and wonderous flight display.

There intrepid characters rewarded the faithful with three confirmed sightings and perhaps a fourth.

Led by Mascoma CHapter Steering Committee member George Clark, this woodcock outing was one of the most successful in recent memory.

Thanks to Joanne Norton and the Kendal Birding Club for co-hosting



Spring Migratory Waterfowl

Saturday, March 23

Norwich, VT

Cancelled due to inclement conditions.

Annual Bald Eagle Watch

Wilder Dam - Wilder, VT

Saturday, February 16

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Saturday morning, under cloudy skies, the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon hosted its first bird watching event of the 2019 season. Fourteen birders were in attendance under cloudy skies with the temperature hovering in the mid-30s.

The chapter chooses the Wilder Dam site, because there is a bald eagle nest nearby, and the dam's outflow creates open water down stream attractive to bald eagles. Only one bald eagle was recorded Saturday and that was by an early arriving (9:30 a.m.) Blake Allison who observed an adult circling over the little island about 100 yards downstream from the dam. It was seen there for about five minutes before disappearing into a small stand of white pines on the river's New Hampshire shore. It did not appear during the scheduled 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. observation period.

Other activity was limited to a dozen of the dam's resident rock doves, two blue jays, a common raven and nine American crows. Four adult, common mergansers (two females and two male) flew in around 11:00 a.m. to fish in the open water about 50 yards below the dam.

Thanks to Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee members George Clark, Jeff MacQueen and Blake Allison for hosting. Thanks to Blake for keeping and
entering the eBird list.

Follow this link to that list:
https://ebird.org/nh/view/checklist/S52781578