Mascomabirds.org        

Black-capped Chickadee Nest Foraging (P. Ackerson)

Who We Are

We're the Upper Valley chapter of New Hampshire Audubon. We welcome members from both sides of the  Connecticut River.

NH Audubon is independent of the National Audubon Society. In January 2012 it announced a partnership with the National Wildlife Federation.

The Mascoma Chapter has regular field trips led by chapter members, at least one a month but more in the peak migration months of May and September. These trips are free and open to the open to the public and can include destinations in either NH or VT.

During the winter season, we offer a series of presentations at the Howe Library in Hanover, NH.

In Memory of Arthur Mudge

When Arthur Mudge passed away on May 23rd at age 84, New Hampshire and the Upper Valley lost a good friend, a dedicated conservationist and an avid birder. Art had a long and distinguished career as a lawyer and in international affairs as an economic development director for the US Agency for International Development and as a Fellow at Harvard's Center for International Affairs. His passion, however, was the outdoors. He used his international working career as an opportunity to hike major mountain ranges on four continents and to go bird watching in a wide diversity of climes. In NH, Art served on NH Audubon's Board of Directors and in 2012 he was awarded the Society's "Tudor Richards Award," an honor given annually to the person who "best exemplifies Tudor’s love and knowledge of the outdoors and who has worked tirelessly and effectively on behalf of conservation in New Hampshire." In addition to his 18 years on the NH Audubon board, Art served as a trustee of the Upper Valley Land Trust and board member of the Nature Conservancy's NH Chapter. He was a staunch supporter of the NH Audubon's Mascoma Chapter and instrumental in revitalizing it.

Mascoma's George Clark Honored by NH Audubon

Saturday, September 28, 2013

At its 99th Annual Meeting held at Norwich, VT's, Monthsire Museum, NH Audubon bestowed upon Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee member, and birder nonpareil, George Clark its "Volunteer of the Year Award." The award is "presented by Audubon Staff to a volunteer whose outstanding service to New Hampshire Audubon both strengthens the organization and is an inspiring example for others."

In presenting the award to George, NH Audubon Director of Conservation and former George Clark thesis advisee Carol Foss noted the apparent contradiction caused by George's residency in Vermont, but she quickly pointed out that his commitment to and effort on behalf of birds and birding transcended geographic and political boundaries.

Commenting on George's award, past Mascoma Chapter Chair and current NH Audubon Board member Arthur Mudge remarked upon George's considerable contributions to the birding community both as a keen and seemingly tireless observer and as a generous educator of birders of all abilities. Art noted that George regularly leads bird walks on both sides of the Connecticut River and in his post-UConn days as a professor remains active in teaching by offering a course in bird watching for ILEAD at Dartmouth.

The Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee is delighted about George's achievement and is grateful for his presence among us advancing the cause of birding in the Upper Valley.







NH Audubon Honors Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee Chair Arthur Mudge 

Saturday, September 29, 2012

On Saturday, September 29th the NH Audubon Society awarded its "Tudor Richards Award"  to Hanover resident and Mascoma Chapter Chair Arthur Mudge.

Named for Tudor Richards, an oustanding leader in NH Audubon's history, the award is given annually to that person who "best exemplifies Tudor’s love and knowledge of the outdoors and who has worked tirelessly and effectively on behalf of conservation in New Hampshire."

Art's distinguished career in conservation includes 18 years on the NH Audubon board as well as service as trustee of the Upper Valley Land Trust and board member of the Nature Conservancy's NH Chapter.

Art traces his love of the outdoors and biridng to his childhood days on a small farm in Northwood, NH. He says, "With the nearest human playmate over a mile away, it came naturally for me to empathize with our dogs and horses and all the other animals on the farm, including the twittering swallows in the barn, the loons calling from nearby Bow Lake, the whip-poor-wills lulling me to sleep in the summer night." This connection was further strengthened by his association Camp Pasquaney on Newfound Lake first as a camper and later as a counselor. His desire that other young people might have a similar experience led him to long service as trustee and board member for several NH-based summer camps.

In accepting the award Art noted that technology has brought many gains to humankind but that it also threatens to disengage children from the  natural world. He said it is vital for organizations like NH Audubon to face this challenge and engage ohildren with nature. Art cited two reasons saying, "First, for their benefit as human beings, to know the natural world and appreciate its constancy and beauty. And second, motivated by that appreciation for their natural world, our progeny too will become good custodians of it for the future."

Members of the Mascoma Chapter are proud of Art's accomplishments and are indeed fortunate to have benefited from his selfless commitment and effort on its behalf as well as his considerable birding expertise and friendship.

Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee

Blake Allison, Chair and Webmaster

Gail "Pip Richens," Treasurer

George Clark

Don Lacey

Jeff MacQueen

 Wetlands at Bedell Bridge, a favorite Chapter birding site in Haverhill, NH

Nancy Allison -- Lyme NH