Mascomabirds.org        

A summary of 2012 bird walks sponsored by the

Mascoma Chapter of the NH Audubon Society.



The Bedell Bridge as seen from the Vermont side before it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1979.

NOVEMBER BIRDING OUTINGS

Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area

Addison, VT

Saturday, November 3rd

Eight Upper Valley birders turned out on a mostly sunny, somewhat blustery Saturday morning for a very successful outing to Vermont's Dead Creek WMA in Addison. Led by Spencer Hardy of Norwich, the focus was on finding Snow Geese almost always present in large numbers in  the fall at Dead Creek with the count some years numbering in the thousands. The group was not disappoined, almost immediately on arrival encountering a snow geese gathering of an estimated 3,000 individuals!

Also seen in good numbers were a variety of waterfowl on nearby Lake Champlain plus some open-country birds such as American Pipits, Snow Buntings, and a Rough-legged Hawk.

The day's list totaled 48 species. Thanks to Spencer for his capable and enthusiastic leadership and to Mascoma Chapter Steering Committee member Gail "Pip" Richens for organizing a great day out.

Snow Goose - apr. 3000, including at least 4 Blue Geese, Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk

American Coot

Bonaparte's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull

Mourning Dove, Pileated Woodpecker, American Crow, Horned Lark, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, American Robin, European Starling, American Pipit,
Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting

American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco , Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird, Common Grackle, White-winged Crossbill, American Goldfinch



OCTOBER BIRDING OUTINGS

 "The Birding Big Sit"

Pondicherry NWR -- Whitefield, NH 

Sunday, October 14

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Mascoma Chapter's trip to Pondicherry NWR was cancelled due to Sunday's dreary weather, but we thought the results might be of interest.

Ammonoosuc Chapter leader Dave Govatski said nearly  two dozen birders and eight dogs braved  the cold, rainy and overcast conditions to tally 35 species as well as mammal sightings that included two otters and three moose.

Canada Goose  145
Wood Duck  9
American Black Duck  5
Mallard  4
Ring-necked Duck  25
White-winged Scoter  7
Hooded Merganser  1
Common Merganser  1
Ruffed Grouse  1
Wild Turkey .
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1   

Bald Eagle,1 Adult
Solitary Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Downy Woodpecker  2
Hairy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  2   .
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 12
Common Raven 4
Black-capped Chickadee  28
Red-breasted Nuthatch  4
Golden-crowned Kinglet  15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  9
Hermit Thrush  1   .
American Robin 17
Gray Catbird 1
Palm Warbler 5 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Song Sparrow 5
Lincoln's Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 9
White-throated Sparrow 15
White-crowned Sparrow  6
Dark-eyed Junco 12
Pine Siskin  12
American Goldfinch  4

SEPTEMBER BIRDING OUTINGS

Bedell Bridge Bird Walk

  Saturday, September 29th

 7:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Haverhill, NH

Five intrepid birders braved cool, damp and occasionally rainy conditions to survey the woods and fields in and around Bedell Bridge State Park. The area offers a varied mix of riverine and agricultural habitats along the scenic Connecticut River. Despite conditions the dedicated team was rewarded with a count of more than 40 species that included robins numbering close to 600, fifty plus rusty blackbirds and more than four dozen american pipits. Six sparrow species also were recorded.

Thanks to Spencer Hardy for compiling the following list of the day's sightings.

25 Canada Goose   
5 Wood Duck
6 teal sp.          

2 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Accipiter sp.
1 Red-tailed Hawk

1 Merlin

10 Rock Pigeon
5 Mourning Dove
2 Downy Woodpecker
2 Hairy Woodpecker
8 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
1 Eastern Phoebe
2 Blue-headed Vireo
1 Red-eyed Vireo
5 Blue Jay
10 American Crow
2 Common Raven
2 Black-capped Chickadee
2 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Brown Creeper
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
600 American Robin       

1 Gray Catbird
5 European Starling
50 American Pipit
2 Cedar Waxwin

1 Common Yellowthroat
10 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Black-throated Green Warbler
7 Savannah Sparrow
15 Song Sparrow
1 Lincoln's Sparrow
5 Swamp Sparrow
10 White-throated Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow (adult)
1 Scarlet Tanager
1 Northern Cardinal
1 Indigo Bunting
50 Rusty Blackbird     

5 American Goldfinch



2012 Windsor County Bird Quest Outing

Sunday, September 23rd

7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

On a mostly sunny day, a dozen birders on the latest Windsor County 2012 Birding Quest trip today enjoyed finding more than three dozen bird species in visiting 1) Lake Runnemede, 2) Mill (= Kennedy) Pond, and 3) the flood plain by the Windsor Industrial Park (Simon Pearce area), all in the town of Windsor, VT. Highlights included a flock of more than a dozen American Pipits (nice views) in the flood plain and a Rusty Blackbird and a passing Bobolink at Lake Runnemede.

The birding exemplified the progressing seasonal ascendency of sparrows over warblers in the autumnal daily checklist as the variety of sparrows exceeded that of warblers. The sparrows included Chipping,  Field, Savannah, Song, Lincoln's (some especially nice views), Swamp,  and White-throated, Warblers included Magnolia, Black-throated Green,  Common Yellowthroat, Palm, and Yellow-rumped, with the last three of  these species being numerous, and the Yellow-rumps especially so.

Raptors also made a good showing and included Sharp-shinned, Broad-winged Red-tails, and an immature Bald Eagle. Other species seen today included Canada Geese, Wood Ducks, Turkey Vulture, two kingfishers, a few Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and some Red-winged Blackbirds.

At Lake Runnemede, 35 species:

Wood Duck, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher. Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe

Blue Jay, American Crow. Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Gray Catbird, European Starling

Common Yellowthroat, Palm Warbler (Western), Palm Warbler (Yellow), Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle), Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow. Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Bobolink, Red-winged Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch

(Submitted by Spencer Hardy and George Clark)

On the Simon Pearce flood plain, 24 soecies:

Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk

Mourning Dove, Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Gray Catbird, American Pipit, Cedar Waxwing.

Magnolia Warbler, Palm Warbler (Western), Palm Warbler (Yellow), Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle), Chipping Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch

(Submitted by Spencer Hardy and George Clark)



Hawk Watch -- Pack Monadnock Mountain

Saturday, September 15

8:30 a.m. - Noon

A half dozen participants from the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon enjoyed a mid-day sampling of the NH Audubon hawk watch conducted from a north-facing scenic viewpoint near the summit of Pack Monadnock in southern NH. Cool winds from the northwest were strong enough to blow off unguarded hats. Sunshine was frequent under partly cloudy skies. Dozens of hawks were seen, with Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned being the most numerous as might be expected for the date. A variety of other species were also sighted including Ospreys, Goshawk, Cooper's Hawks, Merlins, and American Kestrels. Shortly after noon, a rehabilitated juvenile Broad-winged Hawk was successfully released back into the wild.

An ongoing tally of the count at Pack Monadnock can be accessed on the NH statewide bird news listserve.

(Submitted by Spencer Hardy and George Clark)

AUGUST BIRDING OUTINGS

2012 Windsor County Bird Quest Outing

Saturday, August 25th

7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

A dozen particpants led by George Clark tramped through fog-enshrouded fields seeking out fall migrants. Their efforts were rewarded by sighting nearly 30 species.

Observations included the following:

Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Merlin, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Empidonax sp., Eastern Phoebe, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, Gray Catbird, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Bobolink, American Goldfinch



Norwich, VT Survey

Saturday, August 18th

7:00 - 10:00 a.m.

One dozen birders led by ornithologist George Clark surveyed a variety of sites in Norwich that included the Ledyard Bridge area, the Ompompanoosuc River flats (today water-covered), Kendall Station Road, and Campbell Flats Road. Fifty species were recorded. Campbell Flats proved  the most productive stop, with 40 species found there.

Species encountered included:

Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard (numerous), Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron (great view of one perched in a pine tree), Green Heron (great view), Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Turkey Vultur

Spotted Sandpiper

Mourning Dove, Rock Pigeon, Ruby-throated Hummingbird (several), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Empidonax sp., Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Barn Swallow, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebird, Veery, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling

Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Pine Warbler, American Redstart (great views of a mature male), Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler

Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole (two near Ledyard Bridge), Purple Finch, and American Goldfinch

Migrating monarch butterflies were conspicuous.

 JULY BIRDING OUTINGS

 Hanover/Lyme River Road Walk

Saturday, July 28th

7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

George Clark led 13 particpants on a survey of late summer bird activity along the Connecticut River. The walk began at began at Wilson's Landing, turned onto River Rd. and proceded north along the river to Lyme's Grant's Brook.

46 Species were observed. These included:

Canada Goose. Wood Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron

Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Alder Flycatcher,  Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow

Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, House Wren, Veery, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Red-eyed Vireo

Common Yellowthroat (carrying food for young), Indigo Bunting, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch



MAY BIRDING OUTINGS

Lake Runnemede and Environs

with the 2012 VT County Bird Quest

Saturday, May 6th, 2012 from 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

 Hosted by Chris Rimmer/VT Center for Eco-studies & George Clark/Mascoma Chapter NH Audubon

Twenty people participated in this survey tallying 47 species.

Canada Goose 10  
Double-crested Cormorant 1 

Great Blue Heron 1 

Green Heron 1 

Osprey 3 

Broad-winged Hawk 1 

Red-tailed Hawk 1 

Merlin 1 

Spotted Sandpiper 1 

Mourning Dove 4 

Chimney Swift 4 

Belted Kingfisher 1 

Downy Woodpecker 1 

Hairy Woodpecker 1 

Pileated Woodpecker 1 

Least Flycatcher 1 

Eastern Kingbird 3 

Blue-headed Vireo 1 

Warbling Vireo 2 

Blue Jay 10 
 American Crow 6 

Tree Swallow 12 

Barn Swallow 5 

Black-capped Chickadee 4 

American Robin 2 

Gray Catbird 4 

Brown Thrasher 2 

Black-and-white Warbler 2 

Common Yellowthroat 3 

American Redstart 1 

Yellow Warbler 10 

Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 

Palm Warbler (Western) 1 

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 5 

Savannah Sparrow 2 

Song Sparrow 10 

Swamp Sparrow 4 

White-throated Sparrow 1 

White-crowned Sparrow (Eastern) 1  
Bobolink 2 
 
Red-winged Blackbird 10 

Common Grackle 15 

Brown-headed Cowbird 6 

Baltimore Oriole 1 

American Goldfinch 4 

APRIL BIRDING OUTINGS

Mink Brook Bird Walk

Saturday, April 28th

 Hanover, NH

Despite a very chilly morning (with even a few snow flakes) our birding group, led by George Clark, recorded 26 species  (Iist below).  When the sun did finally shine through we witnessed the immediate onset of song by birds that were silent beforehand.  We had nice views of Brown Creepers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a Blue-headed Vireo.  A pair of White-breasted Nuthatches nesting in a box along the Mink Brook Nature Preserve was a treat.  We hoped to spot the black bear female and her 3 cubs, but no luck

Canada Goose, Mallard (several pairs), Wood Duck (several pairs)

Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Hairy or Downy Woodpecker, American Crow, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch,  Brown Creeper, House Wren, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-headed Vireo, American Robin

Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Northern Cardinal, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch

(Submitted by Gail McPeek/Hanover Conservancy)

Early Spring Migrants Walk

 Saturday, April 21, 6:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.

River Road/Hanover and Lyme, NH

Under remarkably bright skies this morning, 21 birders participated in a walk cosponsored by Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon, Hanover Conservancy, and the Upper Valley Land Trust. Starting from the parking lot of the Dartmouth Printing Company in Hanover, NH, we went to Wilson's Landing in Hanover and then north along River Road with stops in Hanover and Lyme until we reached Grant Brook where we made a loop walk through the preserve.

Among 35 species found, presumed relatively recent arrivals included a Broad-winged Hawk by Grant Brook, a singing House Wren investigating potential nest boxes along River Road, at least 2 singing Hermit Thrushes, several singing Yellow-rumped Warblers, at least 5 singing Louisiana Waterthrushes, and a number of Chipping Sparrows, at least some of which were also singing.

Other species included Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Ruffed Grouse, Mourning Dove, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Pine Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and American Goldfinch.

Special thanks to Dartmouth Printing Company for providing use of their parking lot. 

Submitted by George Clark

2012 Vermont County Bird Quest 

Lake Runnemede - Windsor, VT

Saturday, April 14th

The 2012 Vermont County Bird Quest held a morning field trip at Windsor's Lake Runnemede led by Chris Rimmer and George Clark. A record 26 birders attended. It was a productive, early season morning with 33 species seen. The highlights included:

Wood Duck  2
Ring-necked Duck  6
Lesser Scaup

Common Merganser  7
Double-crested Cormorant  3   
Northern Flicker  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1
Tree Swallow  8
Carolina Wren  1   
Song Sparrow  16
Swamp Sparrow  2   
White-throated Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  3
Purple Finch  1   
Pine Siskin  2
Evening Grosbeak  1

Woodcock Birdwalk

 Wednesday, April 11 or Thursday, April 12 from 7:15 p.m. until after dark

 Excellent viewing conditions prevailed both evenings allowing a total of 30 participants to see and/or hear  the unforgettable courtship flight and call of the american woodcock.

MARCH BIRDING OUTINGS

Waterfowl Field Trip

Saturday, March 24th at 8:00 a.m.

Norwich, VT

On a raw, somewhat damp March morning, Mascoma Chapter members George Clark and Spencer Hardy led a pack of twenty-five enthusiastic birders on a trip up the Norwich, Vermont  side of the Connecticut River from the Ledyard Bridge to the Ompompanoosuc River. Twenty-eight species were observed. The outing was co-sponsored by the VT County 2012 Bird Quest.

Canada Goose  52
Wood Duck        11
American Black Duck  3
Mallard                13
Green-winged Teal  2
Northern Shoveler  5
Ring-necked Duck  6
Hooded Merganser  2
Common Merganser 12
Great Blue Heron    1
Turkey Vulture  6
Bald Eagle      1 (adult)
Killdeer          8
Wilson's Snipe    1
Ring-billed Gull    13
Rock Pigeon      4    (one sitting on a nest)
Belted Kingfisher  1
Eastern Phoebe  3
Tree Swallow      1
American Crow    1
Common Raven  1
Black-capped Chickadee  5
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
American Robin    3
Song Sparrow      5
Red-winged Blackbird    4
Common Grackle    18
American Goldfinch  2 

 Species list compiled by Spencer Hardy



FEBRUARY BIRDING OUTINGS

 Eagle Watch at Wilder Dam

 Saturday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m.

 Kilowatt Park - Wilder, VT

More than 25 participants attended Saturday morning's Eagle Watch arranged by the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon and held on the Vermont side of the Wilder Dam in Wilder, VT. Under occasional (and quite unanticipated) sunny skies, two adult Bald Eagles were seen, although most of the time just one of them was in sight. Perching was seen on both the New Hampshire and Vermont sides of the Connecticut River. At one time in late morning, an eagle went flying up on a rising thermal and used the lift to gain substantial altitude without even a wingbeat. At another time, a few fortunate participants saw an eagle carrying a large stick which was dropped during flight.

Other birds detected from the Wilder Dam overlook during the Eagle Watch included:

4 Mallards, 5 Common Mergansers, 15 or more Rock Pigeons, 8 American Crows, a Tufted Titmouse, and 2 Pine Siskins. Shortly after the Eagle Watch ended, a nearby Northern Mockingbird was sighted on the ground alongside Passumpsic Avenue in Wilder.

Submitted by George Clark 

2012 VT County Bird Quest Walk

Wilder Dam -  Wilder, VT

Saturday morning, February 4th, 2012

Hosted by Chris Rimmer/VT Center for Eco-studies &

George Clark/Mascoma Chapter of the NH Audubon Society

For more information about the 2012 VT County Bird Quest, visit the VT Center for Eco-studies web site: VT Center for Eco-Studies

 Twenty species were observed. 

6 Common Merganser
3 Bald Eagle
17 Rock Pigeon
3 Mourning Dove
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Hairy Woodpecker
18 Blue Jay
6 American Crow
1 Common Raven
8 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Tufted Titmouse
2 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Carolina Wren
12 European Starling
1 American Tree Sparrow
12 Dark-eyed Junco
3 Northern Cardinal
1 Purple Finch
15 House Finch
8 American Goldfinch

Bald Eagle at Wilder Dam in Wilder, VT  -

Wayne Benoit/Hanover, NH