Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The New Hampshire Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, July 3 at 03:32 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Keel-billed Toucan,©Jan Wilczur

3 Jul Sabine's Gull photos ["Len Medlock" ] 3 Jul Is this a Veery? [Cliff Otto ] 3 Jul SABINE'S GULL in Seabrook [Benjamin Griffith ] 03 Jul Sabines Gull [] 2 Jul Seacoast Chapter Meeting - July 8 - Cancelled ["David J. Blezard" ] 1 Jul Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, July 1, 2009 ["Mark Suomala" ] 1 Jul Re: Is this a Vesper Sparrow? ["PAMELA HUNT" ] 1 Jul Re: Is this a Vesper Sparrow? [Chris Sheridan ] 1 Jul Re: Is this a Vesper Sparrow? [Chris Sheridan ] 1 Jul Re: Is this a Vesper Sparrow? [Paula McFarland ] 1 Jul Is this a Vesper Sparrow? [Chris Sheridan ] 1 Jul RE: Mississippi Kites Nest ["Eddison, Debra - Conway, NH" ] 1 Jul Lots of Prairie Warblers, and a "Timberdoodle"/Nashua [Chris Sheridan ] 30 Jun NH Audubon Tern Colony Cruise [Jon Woolf ] 30 Jun Re: Mississippi Kites in NY [Jon Woolf ] 30 Jun Mississippi Kites in NY ["PAMELA HUNT" ] 30 Jun Possible Gyrfalcon in Auburn [Jon Woolf ] 30 Jun Re: Mississippi Kites Nest ["RICHARD FRECHETTE" ] 29 Jun Mississippi Kites ["RICHARD FRECHETTE" ] 29 Jun Re: Hinsdale setbacks and Henslow's Sparrow in MA ["Lance Tanino" ] 29 Jun Hinsdale setbacks and Henslow's Sparrow in MA [Steve Mirick ] 29 Jun another Merlin - Harrisville [Phil Brown ] 29 Jun Mississippi Kites Nest [Christopher Bohinski ] 29 Jun Wilson's Landing Changes [Ted Boze/Becky Cook ] 29 Jun Umbagog birding weekend highlights- with notes [] 29 Jun 2009 Duck Stamp and NH Birders ["David Govatski" ] 29 Jun American Pipits on Mount Washington and Pondicherry Spruce Grouse ["David Govatski" ] 28 Jun Mount Moriah, Gorham/Shelburne ["Michael G. Harvey" ] 28 Jun NH Coast (storm-petrels, guillemot) [Steve Mirick ] 28 Jun am. bitterns Hampton [] 28 Jun Arctic Breeding Bird Conditions ["David Govatski" ] 27 Jun Fwd: Arctic Breeding Conditions in 2009 [donald green ] 27 Jun Luna moth ["Stoodley's" ] 27 Jun great egret, epping [] 27 Jun Arctic Nesting Failure Likely [donald green ] 26 Jun NH Seacoast and Jeffrey's Ledge (Cory's Shearwaters, Sabine's Gull, Royal Tern) ["Michael G. Harvey" ] 26 Jun Correction on date [Steve Mirick ] 26 Jun Sabine's Gull - Yes until 5:30 PM [Steve Mirick ] 26 Jun Cormorants and others: Dunstable Rural Land Trust/Nashua and Dunstable [Chris Sheridan ] 26 Jun Sabines Gull [] 26 Jun Sandwich area birds 6/25 [Phil Brown ] 26 Jun SABINE'S GULL north of Wallis Sands [Jessica Knapp ] 26 Jun SABINE'S GULL! off Pulpit Rocks [Steve Mirick ] 26 Jun RE: Royal Tern in Hampton Harbor ["Glenn Jenks" ] 26 Jun Royal Tern - Seen leaving harbor [Steve Mirick ] 26 Jun Royal Tern in Hampton Harbor [Steve Mirick ] 26 Jun Re: "White-winged" Grackle - Concord [Clifford Seifer ] 25 Jun red-billed tropicbird photos and Jeffries Ledge ["Eric Masterson" ] 25 Jun Pittsburg 6/23-25 [Benjamin Griffith ] 25 Jun Re: Concord sightings ["Dawn at Home" ] 25 Jun Spotted Sandpipers [] 25 Jun "White-winged" Grackle - Concord [] 25 Jun Help needed at Sandy Point SR on Plum Island ["David Larson" ] 25 Jun Re: Concord sightings [] 25 Jun NH Coast this morning [Steve Mirick ] 25 Jun Concord sightings [] 25 Jun Merlin nest update - Concord [] 24 Jun Nikon and Kittery Trading Post host birding events this weekend! ["Mike Freiberg" ] 24 Jun Juvenile birds at Massabesic Center [Jon Woolf ] 24 Jun Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, June 24, 2009 ["Mark Suomala" ] 24 Jun Lawrence's Warbler, Yudicky Farm, Nashua NH ["Kevin Klasman" ] 24 Jun 2nd Bluebird Nest Fledges; 11 Duck Nest in the Yard; Amazing Kingfisher Display [] 24 Jun Pickering Ponds access ["Dan Hubbard" ] 24 Jun Nighthawk Conservation Training and Monitoring tonight in Keene ["Kenneth Klapper" ] 24 Jun Hampton Terns, Piping Plovers [John Williams ] 24 Jun NH Coast - Storm Birding (Shearwaters, Jaegers, Puffins!!!!) [Steve Mirick ] 24 Jun Life of New England's Migratory Songbirds ["Joshua Potter" ] 24 Jun RFI: SEPTEMBER BIRDING ADVICE [Gruff Dodd ] 24 Jun Cliff Swallow Colonies [John Williams ] 23 Jun Spofford, Surry, Walpole birds [Phil Brown ] 23 Jun link goof [Derek Lovitch ] 23 Jun Massachusetts BBC Extreme Pelagic Trips - July (Day trip) and August (2-Day trip) [Jeremiah Trimble ] 23 Jun Re: RFI: Grassland Birds [] 23 Jun NH Coast (Least Terns) [Steve Mirick ] 23 Jun RFI: Grassland Birds ["Pamela Hunt" ] 23 Jun BBS Franconia ["Sandy Turner" ] Subject: Sabine's Gull photos From: "Len Medlock" <lmedlock AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 16:31:52 -0400 Spent some time this morning birding the coast (the Gannet show from Pulpit Rocks was amazing), but as luck would have it the Sabine's Gull made another appearance, this time from Yankee Fisherman's Coop. At first, I had a distant scope view, but as I had seen it last week I was lucky enough to notice that gray nape from a distance. Was able to get some photos this time, once others arrived to get some good looks. (thanks to my wife for bringing my camera to me). http://www.pbase.com/lmedlock/image/114572270 http://www.pbase.com/lmedlock/image/114572276 http://www.pbase.com/lmedlock/image/114572274 http://www.pbase.com/lmedlock/sagu Len Medlock Exeter, NH Subject: Is this a Veery? From: Cliff Otto <ottoc.bb.etc AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 16:05:16 -0400 Not a great picture but my guess is a Veery. At the edge of Milne Pond, Massabesic Audubon Center, Auburn this morning. http://www.pbase.com/image/114571906 Thanks, Cliff Otto Manchester Subject: SABINE'S GULL in Seabrook From: Benjamin Griffith <bgriffith AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 12:57:16 -0400 Len Medlock just called to say he's looking at a 1st summer Sabine's Gull in the south side of Seabrook Harbor. He was viewing the bird from the the dock near Eastman's Wharf off River St. Ben Griffith Subject: Sabines Gull From: joseagle AT aol.com Date: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:48:50 -0400 Len just called to say he thinks he has the Sabines Gull in Hampton Harbor. I'm on my way........... JoAnn O'S Subject: Seacoast Chapter Meeting - July 8 - Cancelled From: "David J. Blezard" <david.blezard AT unh.edu> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:20:06 -0400 Due to logistically difficulties, the Seacoast Chapter of NH Audubon will NOT be meeting as planned on July 8 at the Seacoast Science Center for our annual potluck. We will resume our normal meeting schedule on the 2nd Wednesday of the month again on August 12. See you then! -David J. Blezard President Seacoast Chapter of NH Audubon Subject: Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, July 1, 2009 From: "Mark Suomala" <mrsuomala AT marksbirdtours.com> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 20:49:34 -0400 This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, July 1st, 2009. A SABINE'S GULL was seen off the coast of Rye on June 26th, but has not been seen again since then. A ROYAL TERN was seen in Hampton Harbor on June 26th, and a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen here on the 25th. A CORY'S SHEARWATER was reported from just south of the Isles of Shoals on June 26th. 70 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS and 87 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were reported from the coast on June 25th. A birder on a whale watch cruise to Jeffreys Ledge reported 19 NORTHERN FULMARS, 60 GREATER SHEARWATERS, 48 SOOTY SHEARWATERS, 52 WILSONS STORM-PETRELS, a LEACHS STORM-PETREL, and 10 NORTHERN GANNETS, all on June 25th. Jeffreys Ledge is a shallow underwater area that extends from the coast of Rockport, Massachusetts to southeast of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. 369 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS were reported from the coast on June 28th. A GREAT EGRET was reported from Epping on June 27th, and 2 AMERICAN BITTERNS were seen in Hampton Marsh on June 28th. 6 BICKNELL'S THRUSHES were reported from near the summit of Mount Moriah in Coos County, and a BICKNELL'S THRUSH and 7 AMERICAN PIPITS were reported from Mount Washington, all on June 28th. A SPRUCE GROUSE was seen at Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson on June 27th. It was seen on the Presidential Range Rail Trail that starts on Route 115A in Jefferson Meadows and goes to Cherry Pond. The SPRUCE GROUSE was seen adjacent to a black spruce stand about one-quarter mile west of the high trestle over Slide Brook. Highlights of a birder's trip to Pittsburg on June 24-25th included a female SPRUCE GROUSE with 4 chicks, 2 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS, 2 PHILADELPHIA VIREOS, 8 GRAY JAYS, 20 BOREAL CHICKADEES, a TENNESSEE WARBLER, a CAPE MAY WARBLER, 3 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, a RED CROSSBILL, 7 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, and an EVENING GROSBEAK. Highlights of a birding trip the Lake Umbagog region from June 26th to June 28th included 9 GRAY JAYS, 6 BOREAL CHICKADEES, 2 PALM WARBLERS, 3 MOURNING WARBLERS, a RUSTY BLACKBIRD, and 2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS. A pair of MERLINS has nested in Concord and is feeding young. They are best seen from the corner of Stone Street Extension and Broadway Street. The nest is in a large white pine at the end of Stone Street Extension. 2 pairs of MISSISSIPPI KITES have been located in Newmarket near the same 2 sites where they nested in 2008. 2 were seen from Route 152, near the school that is located a short distance west of Packers Falls Road, on June 28th. . This message is also available by phone recording: call (603) 224-9909 and press 2 as directed or ask to be transferred. If you have seen any interesting birds recently, you can leave a message at the end of the recording or send your sightings to the RBA via e-mail at: birdsetc AT nhaudubon.org. Please put either "bird sighting" or "Rare Bird Alert" in the subject line and be sure to include your mailing address and phone number. The RBA is also available on-line at the New Hampshire Audubon web site, www.nhaudubon.org Thanks very much and good birding. Subject: Re: Is this a Vesper Sparrow? From: "PAMELA HUNT" <biodiva AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 19:15:18 -0400 All interested parties, This is a young Field Sparrow. The pink legs and bill, generally pale plumage (including the face), and faint streaking onn the underparts are diagnostic. A chippy would be darker and more boldly streaked, and the larger sparrows (e.g., Vesper) are shaped differently and also more heavily streaked. A Vesper also wouldn't have the contrasting back and crown that this bird shows. Not sure why the bill looks long, but it doesn't really detract from the ID. As for the white outer tail feathers, I can't tell from the photos, but my guess is that just looked white or had whitish edges. And the habitat is of course perfect for a Field. Pam Hunt Penacook, NH ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Sheridan" To: "New Hampshire Birds" Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 6:18 PM Subject: Re: Is this a Vesper Sparrow? > Sorry, I didn't notice my reply would go to the list. > > I have to take back the part about Chipping Sparrows juvies yellow bills, > just checked > my own pics and some have pinker or bi-colored beaks; and pink legs. And > they have rather conical beaks. > But they do have a strong face pattern. > And the Fox sparrows seem to have shorter beaks and a rounder "cuter" > look. > To me, the streaking on this bird seems coarser than the streaking on > young Fields or Chipping. > I find sparrows can be very confusing, especially when juveniles get into > the picture. > > In looking at lots of photos of Vespers, they seemed rather variable, > ranging from light, almost featureless birds > to darker or more strongly marked birds. > > I have no personal experience with Vespers but my fleeting impression was > of an adult bird. Maybe not! > T > hanks for opinions!! Glad to hear more. > If it stops raining I'll look for it again.... > > Chris Sheridan > Nashua Subject: Re: Is this a Vesper Sparrow? From: Chris Sheridan <cmsbirds AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 22:18:09 +0000 (UTC) Sorry, I didn't notice my reply would go to the list. I have to take back the part about Chipping Sparrows juvies yellow bills, just checked my own pics and some have pinker or bi-colored beaks; and pink legs. And they have rather conical beaks. But they do have a strong face pattern. And the Fox sparrows seem to have shorter beaks and a rounder "cuter" look. To me, the streaking on this bird seems coarser than the streaking on young Fields or Chipping. I find sparrows can be very confusing, especially when juveniles get into the picture. In looking at lots of photos of Vespers, they seemed rather variable, ranging from light, almost featureless birds to darker or more strongly marked birds. I have no personal experience with Vespers but my fleeting impression was of an adult bird. Maybe not! T hanks for opinions!! Glad to hear more. If it stops raining I'll look for it again.... Chris Sheridan Nashua Subject: Re: Is this a Vesper Sparrow? From: Chris Sheridan <cmsbirds AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 21:45:34 +0000 (UTC) Thanks, Paula, I'm pretty sure it's not a Chipping sparrow; they show an eyeline, a strongly streaked crown, yellow bill and finer streaking underneath. Lots and lots of them out here! I think fledgling Field is a possibility, (that was my first idea)but, like you say, the bill is not shaped right, its more conical, like a Vesper, and to me, the face and streaking don't seem quite right. I have some photos from the same day of both types of fledglings. So far one vote for Vesper, one for juvie Field. It did have white outer tail feathers. But some birds just don't seem to "fit". I'll let you know if I get m ore feedback. Many look,and few venture an opinion. I know Vespers aren't common here. Chris ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paula McFarland" To: "New Hampshire Birds" Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 5:22:17 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: Is this a Vesper Sparrow? Hi Chris, I think it's a fledgling Chipping Sparrow. I was also going to suggest a fledgling Field Sparrow, but the bill looks too long on your bird (to be a FiSp). I'd be interested to know what others think. -Paula On Wed, Jul 1, 2009 at 3:58 PM, Chris Sheridan wrote: > www.pbase.com/cmsbirds/inbox > > I've been puzzling over this one. I only got one picture before it was gone. Subject: Re: Is this a Vesper Sparrow? From: Paula McFarland <saltpannes AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 17:22:17 -0400 Hi Chris, I think it's a fledgling Chipping Sparrow. I was also going to suggest a fledgling Field Sparrow, but the bill looks too long on your bird (to be a FiSp). I'd be interested to know what others think. -Paula On Wed, Jul 1, 2009 at 3:58 PM, Chris Sheridan wrote: > www.pbase.com/cmsbirds/inbox > > I've been puzzling over this one. I only got one picture before it was gone. > It most resembles some of the plainer faced Vesper Sparrows I've seen in B images online. > I think the edge of the tail looks white, and I even think there's just a hint of the > shoulder patch. B It flitted up from the ground into this tree. > > Habitat was a scrubby, grassy sandpit with some young trees and shrubs. > > One photo is as it came from the camera, (click on original for the largest image.) > The other is enlarged, and darkened slightly to compensate for the > overexposure. B There is a yellow cast from my camera picking up reflected light from the leaves. > > ID help greatly appreciated; I'd like to add it to my monthly report! > > Thanks, > > Chris Sheridan > cmsbirds at comcast.net Subject: Is this a Vesper Sparrow? From: Chris Sheridan <cmsbirds AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 19:58:40 +0000 (UTC) www.pbase.com/cmsbirds/inbox I've been puzzling over this one. I only got one picture before it was gone. It most resembles some of the plainer faced Vesper Sparrows I've seen in images online. I think the edge of the tail looks white, and I even think there's just a hint of the shoulder patch. It flitted up from the ground into this tree. Habitat was a scrubby, grassy sandpit with some young trees and shrubs. One photo is as it came from the camera, (click on original for the largest image.) The other is enlarged, and darkened slightly to compensate for the overexposure. There is a yellow cast from my camera picking up reflected light from the leaves. ID help greatly appreciated; I'd like to add it to my monthly report! Thanks, Chris Sheridan cmsbirds at comcast.net Subject: RE: Mississippi Kites Nest From: "Eddison, Debra - Conway, NH" <debra.eddison AT nh.usda.gov> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:09:10 -0500 Hi Rich, Nice of you to respond. I forwarded your email to Christopher directly. Regards, Debra Eddison Soil Conservationist Federal Women's Program Manager Natural Resources Conservation Service 73 Main Street, P.O. Box 533 Conway, NH 03818 PH (603)-447-2771 X101 FX (603)-447-8945 -----Original Message----- From: owner-NH.Birds AT lists.unh.edu [mailto:owner-NH.Birds AT lists.unh.edu] On Behalf Of RICHARD FRECHETTE Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 6:31 PM To: New Hampshire Birds Subject: Re: Mississippi Kites Nest The Mississippi Kites are back. The nest on Rte 152 in Newmarket is the easiest to find.We saw two adults feeding a chick this Sunday. Starting from the center of New Market, go west on Rt 152. Very soon you will see the High School on the left. Park there. The nest tree is in front of a house about four housed west of the school on the opposite side of the road. We were able to see the nest from the sidewalk in front of the High School parking lot. The nest is in a moderate sized maple with a fairly round crown. It is a 11 o'clock in the tree about three feet from the top. If you just stand and scan around, you are sure to see one of the adults flying around. I am sorry that I don't know the number of the house the nest tree is in front of. The tree is right on the edge of the road, and the house that it is in front of has a white fence between it and the next house (which has white posts in front of it for a future fence). Good luck, Rich Frechette ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christopher Bohinski" To: "New Hampshire Birds" Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 4:07 PM Subject: Mississippi Kites Nest > Hello everyone. My name is Christopher James Bohinski and I just > graduated > high school. For a gift, my parents are taking me on the 13 hour car-rde > to > Jonesport, ME to do 2 puffin tours. I have been doing some research > online > and found articles talking about nesting Mississippi Kites in New Market, > NH > las year > > Are they nesting again this year? If so, can someone please provide > me with an address to where we can find the nest? > > Since we are coming from > Wilkes-Barre, PA (near Scranton), I believe we will be passing New Market > on > the way up to Jonesport. Is this true? I think there would only be a 15 > minutes detour if we try for the nest. > > You can trust my parents and I, as we > will not disturb the kites. > > Thanks so much! Please email me at > bohinski AT verizon.net if you can help me! > > Thanks again! > > Christopher James > Bohinski > Wilkes-Barre, PA Subject: Lots of Prairie Warblers, and a "Timberdoodle"/Nashua From: Chris Sheridan <cmsbirds AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 03:22:56 +0000 (UTC) An overgrown sandpit off Route 111A (Groton Road) has provided drier footing and sparser vegetation than the lusher (read: WET) meadows and forests of Southwest Park as this infernal rainy spell drips on....and different habitat to explore. I have added a warbler song to my rather brief list: the rising trill of the Prairie Warbler. (It sounds to me like a tiny glass bottle being filled up.) I counted 16 of the little males singing there on Sunday, before I stopped counting. Several of them had no compunctions about going out on a limb for photos, distant though they may be. Also, Blue-winged Warblers (not singing, busily hunting caterpillars) Yellow warblers with fledglings at various stages Many Field Sparrows, some with young, some carrying nesting material Ruby-throated Hummingbirds ferociously defending their airspace. When I stepped into some surrounding woods of Locust, Sumac and briars, I also nearly stepped on an American Woodcock, who blasted out into the open sky, with great views of its big round head and long bill. A hiker had told me there were "Timberdoodles" around: wait till next spring! The sun came out last evening for a while, and everyone was singing: Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, Indigo Buntings, a Mockingbird or two, Eastern Towhees, Cardinals, Goldfinches, Robins, Prairie Warblers--an exuberant, and nearly earsplitting, chorus! Chris Sheridan cmasbirds at comcast net www.pbase.com/cmsbirds/June Subject: NH Audubon Tern Colony Cruise From: Jon Woolf <jsw AT jwoolfden.com> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:31:58 -0400 Listfolk, It's less than a month now until NH Audubon's midsummer boatbirding trip: the Tern Colony Cruise. On Saturday July 25th, we'll get together at Rye Harbor and travel out to the Isles of Shoals aboard Sue Reynolds's boat _Uncle Oscar_, to take a look at the tern colony on White and Seavey islands. With a total population of over 2000 breeding pairs of Common Terns, about 50-60 pairs of Roseate Terns, and a dozen or so pairs of Arctic Terns, the Seavey Island colony is the only place on the East Coast where you have a good chance of seeing Common, Arctic, and Roseate terns at the same time. We will not land; rather, we'll circle the islands on the water, watching the terns and whatever else we might encounter: Common Eiders, maybe some Black Guillemots, perhaps some shorebirds ... Be forewarned that this is an early morning expedition: we'll leave dockside in Rye Harbor at 7AM, and return between 9 and 9:30AM. Steve Mirick has kindly agreed to come along as our bird expert. We need at least 12 people to pay for the cruise. Maximum is 16. Price is $30 for NH Audubon members, or $35 for nonmembers. Contact Massabesic Audubon Center to register or get more details: 603-668-2045 or mac AT nhaudubon.org -- Jon Woolf Manchester, NH Program Committee, Massabesic Audubon Center Subject: Re: Mississippi Kites in NY From: Jon Woolf <jsw AT jwoolfden.com> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:28:54 -0400 At 10:15 PM 6/30/2009, Pam Hunt wrote: >Greetings all, > >For interested parties, it turns out that the spotlight may be shining on NY >this year, since it appears a pair of kites has set up shop in Montgomery >County in central NY, maybe half an hour from where I grew up! > >More details at http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html#1246221212 > >So where ELSE are these things showing up!?! > >Pam Hunt >Penacook, NH A week or so ago, I came across this site: http://www.cleveland.com/neobirding/ Scroll down a bit and you'll find a reference to Mississippi Kites breeding last year in Hocking County -- that's south-central Ohio -- and being seen this year just north of Columbus. -- Jon Woolf Manchester, NH Subject: Mississippi Kites in NY From: "PAMELA HUNT" <biodiva AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:15:06 -0400 Greetings all, For interested parties, it turns out that the spotlight may be shining on NY this year, since it appears a pair of kites has set up shop in Montgomery County in central NY, maybe half an hour from where I grew up! More details at http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html#1246221212 So where ELSE are these things showing up!?! Pam Hunt Penacook, NH Subject: Possible Gyrfalcon in Auburn From: Jon Woolf <jsw AT jwoolfden.com> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:45:33 -0400 Around lunchtime I was over at Massabesic Audubon, and one of the volunteers there was trying to identify a large bird she'd seen a little while earlier around Exit 1 off Route 101, a bit east of Manchester. She was certain it was a large hawk, and equally certain that it was largely white both above and below. No details of tail shape, wing shape, etc. -- hard to notice such things when you're driving. "Like a seagull, except that it was definitely a hawk" is how she described it. We went through the National Geographic and Big Sibley guides that MAC keeps handy for just such situations. She was iffy about a Cooper's Hawk or a pale Red-tail, but when we turned to the NGS guide's page with Gyrfalcons, she immediately pointed to the white-morph adult Gyrfalcon as the bird she'd seen. We looked it up in the big Sibley, and she was even more sure of it. I have no idea what a Gyrfalcon would be doing in NH in late June, but that was her identification. No documentation, no certainty, as far as I know no one else saw it, so I'm reporting it only as a possible Gyrfalcon. But she's quite sure of what she saw. Birders in central and northern NH should keep an eye out. -- Jon Woolf Manchester, NH Subject: Re: Mississippi Kites Nest From: "RICHARD FRECHETTE" <frechette7 AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:30:37 -0400 The Mississippi Kites are back. The nest on Rte 152 in Newmarket is the easiest to find.We saw two adults feeding a chick this Sunday. Starting from the center of New Market, go west on Rt 152. Very soon you will see the High School on the left. Park there. The nest tree is in front of a house about four housed west of the school on the opposite side of the road. We were able to see the nest from the sidewalk in front of the High School parking lot. The nest is in a moderate sized maple with a fairly round crown. It is a 11 o'clock in the tree about three feet from the top. If you just stand and scan around, you are sure to see one of the adults flying around. I am sorry that I don't know the number of the house the nest tree is in front of. The tree is right on the edge of the road, and the house that it is in front of has a white fence between it and the next house (which has white posts in front of it for a future fence). Good luck, Rich Frechette ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christopher Bohinski" To: "New Hampshire Birds" Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 4:07 PM Subject: Mississippi Kites Nest > Hello everyone. My name is Christopher James Bohinski and I just > graduated > high school. For a gift, my parents are taking me on the 13 hour car-rde > to > Jonesport, ME to do 2 puffin tours. I have been doing some research > online > and found articles talking about nesting Mississippi Kites in New Market, > NH > las year > > Are they nesting again this year? If so, can someone please provide > me with an address to where we can find the nest? > > Since we are coming from > Wilkes-Barre, PA (near Scranton), I believe we will be passing New Market > on > the way up to Jonesport. Is this true? I think there would only be a 15 > minutes detour if we try for the nest. > > You can trust my parents and I, as we > will not disturb the kites. > > Thanks so much! Please email me at > bohinski AT verizon.net if you can help me! > > Thanks again! > > Christopher James > Bohinski > Wilkes-Barre, PA Subject: Mississippi Kites From: "RICHARD FRECHETTE" <frechette7 AT myfairpoint.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:52:00 -0400 Scott Spangenberg, Frances Doyle and I made a brief stop at the Rte 152 Mississippi Kite nest site yesterday and quickly found the nest with one adult on it. A second adult swooped in and replaced the first. It had a large insect in its bill whivh it tore up and leaned into the nest, then came back up with out the insect piece in its bill. It repeated this several times. Although we did not see a chick, this activity appeared to be chick feeding behavior. Rich Frechette Subject: Re: Hinsdale setbacks and Henslow's Sparrow in MA From: "Lance Tanino" <ltanino AT antioch.edu> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:12:43 -0400 Wow, Jane and Steve and just as rare in Hinsdale, NH as the Henslow's Sparrow in MA. Lance Tanino Keene, NH NH.Birds AT lists.unh.edu on Monday, June 29, 2009 at 6:24 PM -0500 wrote: >http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//photos/henslowssparrow3.jpg Subject: Hinsdale setbacks and Henslow's Sparrow in MA From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:24:52 -0400 Jane and I and Joyce Regan traveled west to explore different country. We first chased down a cooperative HENSLOW'S SPARROW in Montague, MA. A rare bird and a first for Jane and Joyce and my first in over 25 years. Here's a photo: http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//photos/henslowssparrow3.jpg Later we explored the Hinsdale setbacks. Hoping for a chance flyover of a Least Bittern......but of course, no luck. Just some ordinary birds. Location: - Hinsdale Setbacks Observation date: - 6/29/09 Notes: - Mid-afternoon hike along railroad bed trail and near marshes at Hinsdale Setbacks with Jane and Joyce Regan. Number of species: - 32 Great Blue Heron - 3 Turkey Vulture - 5 Osprey - 2 Red-tailed Hawk - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Northern Flicker - 2 Least Flycatcher - 1 Eastern Phoebe - 2 Eastern Kingbird - 3 Warbling Vireo - 9 Red-eyed Vireo - 3 American Crow - 1 Tree Swallow - 13 Black-capped Chickadee - 2 Tufted Titmouse - 2 White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Marsh Wren - 4 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1 Wood Thrush - 1 American Robin - 6 Gray Catbird - 4 Cedar Waxwing - 6 Yellow Warbler - 6 Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1 Black-and-white Warbler - 1 American Redstart - 3 Common Yellowthroat - 3 Song Sparrow - 6 Swamp Sparrow - 4 Red-winged Blackbird - 10 Common Grackle - 8 American Goldfinch - 3 Steve & Jane Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: another Merlin - Harrisville From: Phil Brown <downtownpab AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:42:35 -0700 (PDT) Peter Davenport, Julie Tilden and I canoed the Great Meadow of Nelson and Harrisville on Saturday. This waterway is one of Nelson's greatest ecological resources and connects Nubanusit Lake with Harrisville Pond. About 40 species of birds were encountered including several species of warbler including a few Canadas and magnolias. Upon entering Harrisville Pond, I spotted a merlin being harrassed by about 8 tree swallows. It was carrying a small bird, presumably...a tree swallow towards the Great Meadow. This may represent another breeder in a 'new' location. Also of note late last week was a goshawk that captured a large songbird just over my car in Rindge! Phil Brown Nelson NH Subject: Mississippi Kites Nest From: Christopher Bohinski <bohinski AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:07:20 -0700 (PDT) Hello everyone. My name is Christopher James Bohinski and I just graduated high school. For a gift, my parents are taking me on the 13 hour car-rde to Jonesport, ME to do 2 puffin tours. I have been doing some research online and found articles talking about nesting Mississippi Kites in New Market, NH las year Are they nesting again this year? If so, can someone please provide me with an address to where we can find the nest? Since we are coming from Wilkes-Barre, PA (near Scranton), I believe we will be passing New Market on the way up to Jonesport. Is this true? I think there would only be a 15 minutes detour if we try for the nest. You can trust my parents and I, as we will not disturb the kites. Thanks so much! Please email me at bohinski AT verizon.net if you can help me! Thanks again! Christopher James Bohinski Wilkes-Barre, PA Subject: Wilson's Landing Changes From: Ted Boze/Becky Cook <mascomabirds AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:15:09 -0700 (PDT) Wilson's Landing Changes - message from Robert Z Norman Robert Z Norman is writing on behalf of Carol Weingeist, a good friend of conservation. She is very concerned about a plan for the rowing club to take over Wilson's Landing with a huge construction that would have, if I remember right, a landing dock 180 feet long, along with buildings to house rowing shells and other structures. This is a favorite birding spot for many of us, and the only place little guys can put boats in. It would dramatically change that, and would significantly impact the relatively wild birding area between the river and a quiet bay a few yards to the east of the river. But I wonder whether you would be willing to contact or be contacted by Carol about what she sees as the issues. If you want to contact Carol by email, her address is: cpereraw AT myfairpoint.net. Her phone number is: 643 6850. If you would like me to try to get from Carol material that deals only with the potential impact on birds and habitat, I'll be glad to do so. Carol is interested in much more than just this. Contact: Robert.Z.Norman AT Dartmouth.edu Subject: Umbagog birding weekend highlights- with notes From: RAQbirds AT aol.com Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:01:47 EDT Lance Tanino and I spent the weekend (26-28 June 2009) in the Lake Umbagog region. The weather was most mostly rain-free and pleasantly cool, after the cold front came through. We were limited to land-based birding so our water bird records are modest (Umbagog is a great place for boating and birding). We did not have time to explore any of the bogs either. Numbers of birds were good with some nice warbler totals. Lance will report on the actual numbers later but here are the highlights. Common Merganser- we saw a few of almost all of the other expected ducks ( but no goldeneyes or ring-necks due to being land-based) but a family of six very small young riding on the back of an adult female merganser was a treat. This was at the Sessions Brook crossing of Route 16 just north of Pontook Reservoir. Turkey Vulture- one in Errol and 12 in Gorham Osprey- several at known roadside nests were not a surprise but are always enjoyable Bald Eagle- similar in that the two we saw were not a surprise but an adult perched in a huge White Pine across Mile Long Pond in the glow of sunset with a wild gray thunderstorm sky in the background was quite a sight Northern Harrier- a male foraging over Jefferson Meadows, on the drive up Sharp-shinned Hawk- a male apparently near a nest along Eames Road in Errol. Odd vocalizations that I need to read up on. mystery hawk- a medium-sized hawk carrying large/heavy looking mammal prey and seen flying toward a stand of large White Pines along Route 26 near the Signal Mountain Road in Errol. A search of the pines turned up nothing but I'm sure the nest is in there somewhere. Snipe- two, seemed low but again we did not get out in to the marshes. Herring Gull- three adults at the south end of the lake. Hearsay evidence has Ring-bills nesting on the Maine side of the lake in the past. No records of nesting Herring Gulls, ever. However, anyone boating on the lake in the next month should pay attention to the gulls. BB Woodpecker- none on this trip. Olive-sided Flycatcher- only one. At Long Pond along Greenough Pond Road in Wentworth Location. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher- two at the height of land at Dixville Notch. Gray Jay- nine birds in three places including a family of five along Lakeside Road in Cambridge. The other two spots were Sand Flats Road (off Lakeside Road) and Route 16 in Errol just north of Greenough Pond Road. Cliff Swallow- ZERO. We went to several traditional spots in Berlin, Milan, and Errol without any birds. Let's just hope it is the result of the cold and wet June and that they will be here next year. Boreal Chickadee- a very cooperative family of six along Route 26 in Dixville. Ruby-crowned Kinglet- at least a half dozen scattered around. Nice to hear one of Tudor Richards' favorites in his beloved North Country. Bicknell's Thrush- NONE. However, Dixville Notch is a reasonable spot for them. Best time and condition is dawn on a calm morning. We were there on the late side on a windy morning. Always worth a stop. Cedar Waxwing- probably in excess of 100 total for the weekend and many still in flocks of up to ten birds. A few seemed to be pairing off as food sharing between a pair was noticed several times. warblers- numbers were good (Lance should have the totals) but these were the highlights. MOURNING WARBLER- three with one at the "moose viewing" spot along Route 26 in Dixville and two singing males at the end of the Rice Mountain logging road just north, off Rte 26 in Dixville. PINE WARBLER- a regular in Errol now at least in small numbers. How times/birds have changed. PALM WARBLER- two birds (one singing) along Sand Flats Road in Cambridge, in heavily logged habitat (i.e. clear cuts). The species likes it cold and wet so maybe the recent inclement weather in May and June (including previous years) have encouraged them to leave the bogs. BLACKPOLL- Lance heard at least four in Dixville Notch. The numbers of other warbler species were higher than most places south of the North Country and species which seemed particularly noticeable included Northern Parula, Nashville, Magnolia, the Black-throateds, and Blackburnian. We tried hard for Cape May and Bay-breasteds without any luck. Other species recorded in decent numbers included Swainson's Thrush and Purple Finch. Eastern Meadowlark- one at Jefferson Meadows. All meadowlark records are worthy of submitting to NH Bird Records, or least this list serve. Rusty Blackbird- definitely one along Route 26 in Dixville and possibly two more. White-winged Crossbill- two along Lakeside Road in Cambridge. The female stopped to dine on Tamarack cones and afforded a leisurely look. BTW- the cone crop is excellent in the Umbagog region, especially the Balsam Fir cones. Watch for more crossbills as the cones mature. Pine Siskin- zero. Interesting based on the nesting birds in the southern part of the state earlier this summer. Evening Grosbeak- zero. I can find more in Webster right now! NOTES: the flying bird food (biting insects) are noticeable right now. Many of the sites mentioned above are along active logging roads. Logging trucks have the right-of-way and EXPECT IT. You must move out of their way since they will not (and cannot) move over due to their heavy loads. Please respect this common sense custom whether in Errol or Pittsburg or any other place that logging is going on. And please submit your data the NH Bird Records. Bob Quinn Webster, NH **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221823281x1201398699/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd= JunestepsfooterNO62) Subject: 2009 Duck Stamp and NH Birders From: "David Govatski" <pondicherry AT wildblue.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:19:02 -0400 The 2009 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is now available at your neighborhood Post Office. Buying the $15 Duck Stamp is one of the best things conservation minded citizens can do to protect important wetland habitat for birds and wildlife. 98% of the money goes to buy wetlands in places like Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in MA and Umbagog and Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuges in NH. The US Fish and Wildlife Service recently added 80 acres of marsh habitat at Pondicherry thanks to Duck Stamp funding. This years stamp features an attractive pair of Long-tailed Ducks by artist Joshua Spies of South Dakota. This is one of my favorite migrating ducks to see along the coast and also at inland locations like Umbagog and Pondicherry. For more information on the Duck Stamp program go to: http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/ Please support wetland conservation by buying a Duck Stamp at your Post Office today. David Govatski Jefferson, NH Subject: American Pipits on Mount Washington and Pondicherry Spruce Grouse From: "David Govatski" <pondicherry AT wildblue.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:34 -0400 I was a co-leader on an alpine plant trip on a rainy Sunday on Mount Washington. We heard 6 American Pipits in the Alpine Garden and 1 in the Cow Pasture area at 7 Mile. We heard several juncos and white-throated sparrows in the krummholz, 1 blackpoll warbler at Cragway, and 1 Bicknell's thrush near where the winter road leaves the Auto Road. The birds were not doing much singing in the intermittent rain showers and fog. We had good looks at the alpine plants without the distraction of the beautiful views. I had a report from an experienced birder about a Spruce Grouse at the Pondicherry NWR in Jefferson on Saturday. He had a good look at the spruce grouse along the Presidential Range Rail Trail that comes in from Route 115A in Jefferson Meadows to Cherry Pond. The spruce grouse was about a quarter mile west of the high trestle over Slide Brook and adjacent to a black spruce stand. This would be east of Moorhen and Cedar Marshes for those that know those birding locations. Spruce grouse have been seen irregularly in the past taking dust baths in the abandoned railroad grade here. David Govatski Jefferson, NH Subject: Mount Moriah, Gorham/Shelburne From: "Michael G. Harvey" <mgh27 AT cornell.edu> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:30:06 -0400 Location: Mount Moriah Observation date: 6/28/09 Time: 08:30-15:30 Notes: Via Carter-Moriah trail from Gorham. Overcast and on-and-off rain showers. Few/no fledglings at this point. Mourning Dove 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 4 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 5 Boreal Chickadee 7 - scattered singles/pairs Winter Wren 4 Golden-crowned Kinglet 8 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 - just S of summit Veery 1 Bicknell's Thrush 6 - all near summit, very vocal, 3 of them singing Swainson's Thrush 22 Hermit Thrush 15 American Robin 3 Gray Catbird 1 Nashville Warbler 14 Magnolia Warbler 5 Black-throated Blue Warbler 8 Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 Black-throated Green Warbler 12 Blackburnian Warbler 10 Blackpoll Warbler 15 Black-and-white Warbler 2 American Redstart 1 Ovenbird 5 Scarlet Tanager 1 White-throated Sparrow 10 Dark-eyed Junco 12 Purple Finch 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Mike Harvey Londonderry, NH mgh27 AT cornell.edu Subject: NH Coast (storm-petrels, guillemot) From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:16:38 -0400 Location: - NH Coast Observation date: - 6/28/09 Notes: - Survey offshore of storm-petrels and searching for pelagics. Cloudy with variable visibility from poor to excellent NE winds - 20 knots White-winged Scoter - 6 - Most off North Beach in Hampton. Wild Turkey - 4 - In salt marsh in Rye south of Odiorne. Not unusual here as they appear to be walking among the oak islands in the marsh. Red-necked Grebe - 1 - Continues off Seal Rocks in Rye. Wilson's Storm-Petrel - 369 - Point count from 8 coastal locations spread along the coast. Averaging about 40 per spot. (Seabrook Beach, North Beach, Little Boar's Head, Rye Ledge, Rye Harbor, Concord Point, Pulpit Rocks, Seacoast Science Center) Northern Gannet - 12 Bonaparte's Gull - 75 Black Guillemot - 1 - Adult just off Rye Ledge. Sabine's Gull - 0 Red-billed Tropicbird - 0 Royal Tern - 0 (actually not that many terns around) Steve & Jane Mirick Bradford, NA Subject: am. bitterns Hampton From: joseagle AT aol.com Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:02:37 -0400 While watching one Am. Bittern behind Little Jacks this am a second bird crossed my scope. They proceeded to "bark" at each other and skulk thru the? grasses. Couldn't relocate either later in the morning with Jason. I know one thing I haven't seen in a while is the SUN! JoAnn O'Shaughnessy Subject: Arctic Breeding Bird Conditions From: "David Govatski" <pondicherry AT wildblue.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:20:09 -0400 Kathi and I were in Nome and the Seward Peninsula of Alaska in mid-June. This is at the edge of the Arctic and is largely tundra. The snow and ice were largely gone and we did not see the issues that have been reported from the eastern Arctic region. They did have later snow and cooler weather than previous springs in the Kotzebue, Nome, Teller, Council, and Kougarock area but as I said the snow was largely gone and the birds were nesting in that part of Alaska. The bristle-thighed curlews, whimbrels and arctic warblers for instance were on territory. These birds have adapted to thousands of years of yearly fluctuations in the arrival of spring. One species in the Arctic that is a concern because of over population is the snow goose. If they have the 90% loss in breeding mentioned is some of the reports the end result may be improved habitat in future years for other species that use the same territory. The snow geese have severely impacted parts of the Arctic due to their high populations. David Govatski Jefferson, NH Subject: Fwd: Arctic Breeding Conditions in 2009 From: donald green <donald_green AT mac.com> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:29:38 -0400 The following breeding bird prognostication from Ron Pittaway and Jean Iron, kindly sent by Professor Jeri Langham, presents more views of the late start to the eastern Arctic breeding seaso . They are more hopeful than the Winnipeg article... but only marginally so. Don > > From: Shawneen Finnegan > Subject:Arctic Breeding Conditions in 2009 > Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:22:52 -0700 > > > Yesterday we saw an adult Lesser Yellowlegs near Toronto and on > Wednesday there was an adult Least Sandpiper in Hamilton at the west > end of Lake Ontario. These are the first "fall migrant" shorebirds in > southern Ontario and they are right on schedule. > > Several people asked us to comment about recent reports of a > "Disastrous breeding season in the Arctic". The Arctic is huge; it is > 3500 km from southern James Bay (subarctic) to northern Ellesmere > Island. Most shorebirds have large breeding ranges and even in late > years many birds breed successfully and rarely does the entire Arctic > experience the same climatic conditions. We checked with northern > researchers and summarized their comments below. Shorebird nesting in > 2009 is poor in some regions but normal to good elsewhere. > > Ontario: Ken Abraham reports that conditions in the Hudson Bay > Lowlands were about 10 days late from Attawapiskat south on James > Bay, including Akimiski Island, with Canada Geese and Snow Geese > hatching in mid June, more like the 1990s average than the 2000s > average and within the overall norms. Other species on Akimiski > Island were correspondingly late. His guess is that for those species > that require shorter time there will be some reduction but not huge. > Perhaps the predation effect will be somewhat greater if alternate > species are less available. Because coastal snow, ice and water > inundation conditions were similar from Cape Henrietta Maria to the > Manitoba border, Ken expects that for Canada Geese nesting within 40 > - 60 km from the coast, a much reduced effort and productivity will > be the norm. Snow Geese at Cape Henrietta Maria were greatly down and > the suggestion of a 90% reduction seems to fit what they saw on their > survey. However, beyond 40 - 60 km inland, he thinks conditions will > be different. Mark Peck said that species nesting away from the > Hudson Bay Coast in boreal bogs and fens such as yellowlegs should > not be severely impacted because much of the freeze took place near > the > coast. > > Manitoba: The situation is worse in northern Manitoba at Churchill > where temperatures were well below normal until recently and the snow > cover melted late. However, Erica Nol reports that birds have started > to nest, just very late, and it won't be a complete bust for > shorebirds if there are enough bare spots. Whimbrels and Hudsonian > Godwits are nesting, but overall nesting success should be below > average for most shorebirds in northern Manitoba. > > Nunavut: Snow melt was up to three weeks late in mainland Nunavut > north of Manitoba. Recent temperatures have been close to normal. > Much of Baffin Island is now snow free and conditions there and on > Bylot Island are about normal. High Arctic breeders should have a > good breeding year. > > Northwest Territories: Vicky Johnston suspects it will be a poor > breeding year in parts of the Western Arctic. Spring was roughly > three weeks late in Yellowknife on Great Slave Lake based on > leaf-out. The Mackenzie Valley and Delta warmed early but then cooled > off again. The Delta flooded slowly and the water receded slowly, so > some prime shorebird breeding areas were subject to heavy predation. > > Yukon: Cameron Eckert reports a late spring, but once the heat came, > everything shifted into high gear. > > Alaska: Declan Troy reports from the North Slope that the snow on the > tundra is long gone. It was much warmer earlier in the month and his > guess is that the breeding season has been early there. > > We will be recording the arrivals and numbers of adult and juvenile > shorebirds in southern Ontario and may post updates. > > Acknowledgements: We thank Ken Abraham, Bruce Di Labio, Cameron > Eckert, Michel Gosselin, Vicky Johnston, Erica Nol, Mark Peck, Ken > Ross, Don Sutherland, and Declan Troy. > > Ron Pittaway and Jean Iron > Toronto, Ontario > > ------ End of Forwarded Message > > > -- > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Jeri M. Langham, Ph.D. > Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences > 9619 Mira Del Rio Drive > Sacramento, CA 95827 > Cell (916) 505-0002 > Home (916) 366-8584 > jlangham AT sbcglobal.net > > Neotropical Grassland Conservancy > http://www.conservegrassland.org > > Victor Emanuel Nature Tours > http://ventbird.com/people/jeri-langham > > "ONE TOUCH OF NATURE MAKES THE WHOLE WORLD KIN" > William Shakespeare > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Subject: Luna moth From: "Stoodley's" <brandybrk AT tds.net> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:03:48 -0400 I know it's not a bird, but we have one hanging out right near our front door. They are sooooo cool. Had no idea that they only lived for less than a week as an adult. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actias_luna Scott & Lara Mont Vernon Subject: great egret, epping From: gregtillman AT comcast.net Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:16:55 +0000 (UTC) While walking the dog, a great blue heron and, oddly, a Great Egret at small local pond. I was looking for spotted sandpiper chicks, but didn't see them, however I did not walk the whole pond to avoid flushing the egret. The Great Blue flushed anyway, but the egret largely ignored me. Deer flies out in force, alas. Subject: Arctic Nesting Failure Likely From: donald green <donald_green AT mac.com> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:56:51 -0400 From June 11-15th, my daughter, Jennifer and I birded in Churchill, Manitoba. It was still winter and just beginning to thaw. Hudsons Bay and much of the Churchill River were frozen. This was the latest start of the thaw in the area in 25 years or longer. It is reported that this late spring involves much of the eastern Arctic. The effects of such late springs are discussed in the attached URL (an article from the Winnipeg Freepress). Primary among these effects is the virtual elimination of nesting opportunities for shorebirds, waterfowl, alcids, arctic gull and terns. It is likely that we will see the results of this weather in terms of early returns of adult shorebird non-nesters, and the virtual absence of their late fall progeny. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/big-chill-in-churchill-4799 2231.html Don Green Subject: NH Seacoast and Jeffrey's Ledge (Cory's Shearwaters, Sabine's Gull, Royal Tern) From: "Michael G. Harvey" <mgh27 AT cornell.edu> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:00:14 -0400 I elected to take a somewhat unconventional approach to seawatching this week - wait a few days after the storm clears for the sun to come out, sleep in, and then drive through stop-and-go beach traffic along the coast. Thanks to Steve and others for getting the word out. Coastal highlights (9:45-13:30): Common Eider (76, including at least 20 ducklings) Red-necked Grebe (1, Wallis Sands) Wilson's Storm-Petrel (11) Northern Gannet (3) Great Egret (17) Snowy Egret (9) Black-crowned Night-Heron (2, Hampton Harbor) ROYAL TERN (1 adult breeding, photos. First observed perched on Hampton Harbor flats with Common Terns and Bonaparte's Gulls, then feeding in the harbor where it captured a small fish and proceeded to play with and drop it. Eventually it circled several times, gained height, and flew to the SE toward Seabrook Beach.) Common Tern (55, including 1 1st-cycle) Laughing Gull (1, Hampton Harbor) Bonaparte's Gull (79, Hampton Harbor) SABINE'S GULL (1 apparent 1st-cycle, photos. First observed feeding near shore with eiders at Pulpit Rocks, it promptly flew high to the S. It was refound in the water off Wallis Sands beach, where it fed, sat on the water, and preened with Ring-billed and a few Herring Gulls. It moved gradually offshore until I left at 13:30, but see Steve's previous message. As others have noted this record is surprising given that most birds of this age are thought to remain off SW Africa until their second summer. According to Howell and Dunn's "Gulls of the Americas", interestingly, these non-breeding immature birds in the Pacific regularly move N to California between June/July and October...) Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow (6, plus 10 sharp-tails presumably this species, all behind Little Jack's, very active and vocal) Afterwards I took the afternoon trip with Granite State Whale Watch (14:00-18:45). We steamed out to southern Jeffreys Ledge (in MA waters) where there was an excellent concentration of shearwaters (900+) around a group of feeding whales (3 Humpback, 1 Fin, 1 Minke). Complete list ( NH / MA ): Common Loon ( 3 / 0 ) CORY'S SHEARWATER ( 1 / 5 , photos of bird in NH, which was just S of Isles of Shoals) Greater Shearwater ( 1 / 675 ) Sooty Shearwater ( 1 / 325 ) Wilson's Storm-Petrel ( 70 / 120 ) Northern Gannet ( 5 / 4 ) Double-crested Cormorant ( 45 / 0 ) Great Black-backed Gull ( 12 / 40 ) Herring Gull ( 20 / 15 ) Common Tern ( 50 / 2 ) Common/Arctic Tern ( 0 / 1 , 1st-cycle, appeared to be Arctic but I picked it up flying away) Roseate Tern ( 1 / 0 ) And some very bad photos (I think others have better shots of the gull): http://picasaweb.google.com/MGH272/NHSeacoastAndJeffreySLedge26June2009# Mike Harvey Londonderry, NH mgh27 AT cornell.edu Subject: Correction on date From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:06:51 -0400 The 2nd state record should read 1975 not 1965, Sorry my eyesight is failing! September 21, 1975 - Jeffrey's Ledge (Dennis Abbott, E. Phinney, L. Phinney, Tudor Richards) Steve Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: Sabine's Gull - Yes until 5:30 PM From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:02:03 -0400 Thank goodness, the bird stuck around long enough for Jane to get it. She cut out of work early and got there just in time to see it reasonably well (although distant) for about 10 minutes before it flew even further offshore so that it was barely visible when we left at about 5:30. Could still be around tomorrow, but I doubt it. But then again, who would have thought my first Sabine's Gull in NH would be from shore on June 26th! Even more unusual is the fact that it appears to be an immature or 1 year old bird, which is a plumage rarely seen in New England. Thanks to Mike for finding it and getting the word out! Hopefully he will post his photos. There are at least 5 previous records for NH. All from offshore. These are the records I know of: September 8, 1968 - Jeffrey's Ledge (Davis Finch, Noble Proctor, Bob Smart) September 21, 1965 - Jeffrey's Ledge (Dennis Abbott, E. Phinney, L. Phinney, Tudor Richards) September 16, 1979 - Jeffrey's Ledge (Sue Fogleman, E. Phinney) October 7, 1979 - Jeffrey's Ledge (Sue Foglemnan, S, Mercer) September 22, 2007 - Jeffrey's Ledge (Ben Griffith) On a much less exciting note: Red-necked Grebe - 1. Briefly within a couple of feet of the Sabine's Gull in the water and in same scope field! Yellowlegs sp. - 2 probably Lessers offshore and flying south late this afternoon. Has fall migration begun!?? Steve Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: Cormorants and others: Dunstable Rural Land Trust/Nashua and Dunstable From: Chris Sheridan <cmsbirds AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:16:35 +0000 (UTC) 6/26 I paid a brief visit to the land of the land of the Dunstable Rural Land Trust, parking at the pull-off on Route 111A in Nashua, about .4 miles west of Gregg Road in Nashua. Nashua: Along an old paved road, in patchy, weedy fields with islands of pine, birch and aspen,were several Field Sparrows, Indigo Buntings, and Eastern Towhees, a male and a female Brown Thrasher, and many Chipping Sparrows. Dunstable: Around the old quarry("Bass Pond") in Dunstable: Surprising to me were two Double Crested Cormorants--my first visit, so I don't know if they're regulars, or just blew in. One I spotted immediately: at first it swam around, then perched on a rock in the water near the little island to dry its wings. As I was leaving, another Cormorant head popped out of the water. The second bird swam up the the one on the rock, looking obsequious as it bowed it head and dipped its bill--reminding me of a loon approaching its mate--but was greeted with grunting squawks and flapping wings. It set off, only head and neck out of water, to fish on the far shore. The bird on the rock took a few minutes to smooth its feathers and regain its composure. Also around the old quarry were more Towhees, Baltimore Orioles, at least four male Rose Breasted Grosbeaks singing, two Brown Thrashers, singing, and at least seven Spotted Sandpipers, including a mother frantically trying to attract my attention away from a chick that ran up almost to my feet. A Sharp-Shinned Hawk was assailed by Redwinged Blackbirds, and several Great Blue Herons flew by. Turkey Vultures circled. Of course, all the usuals were present, and it sounded like a family of Red-Breasted Nuthatches were conversing in the pines, but I didn't investigate; it had started to rain... www.pbase.com/cmsbirds/dunstable_rural_land_trust Chris Sheridan Nashua NH cmsbirds at comcast net Subject: Sabines Gull From: joseagle AT aol.com Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:53:51 -0400 The gull was still present when I left AT 4:30 with many birders keeping track of it. I watched about 4 hours and it spent it's time flying? from Seal Rocks (n. of Walis Sands State Park) and Concord Point (just south of Pete's restaurant). Because of the distance and choppy water the bird was difficult at times? to locate. But it? gave great looks in flight. Traffic was a nightmare for everyone coming to see this bird. It was like the 4th of July. JoAnn O'Shaughnessy Subject: Sandwich area birds 6/25 From: Phil Brown <downtownpab AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:41:22 -0700 (PDT) I found myself with a kayak and some free time last evening, so I paddled Atwood Brook for 1.5 miles to the Thompson WS bridge in Sandwich. This stretch is not advisable during low-water periods, as there are many small channels, beaver dams, and alder thickets. Yet, it was perfect yesterday, afforded great views of the Ossipees and Sandwich Range, and the weather was cooperative. The Thompson WS is currently inaccessible by foot due to a significant increase in beaver activity which has flooded the trail leading to the bridge. NH Audubon is hoping to restore foot access to the marsh edge in the near future. This area is traditionally excellent birding in summer and during migration. Below are a few "ecologically-interesting" (is this okay, Pam?) sightings from yesterday: Cliff swallow - 4+ seen/4 nests in a barn along Mountain Road, Tamworth Lincoln's sparrow - 1 singing from shrub wetlands south of Thompson bridge Common nighthawk - 2 calling and feeding around 8 pm over marsh Virginia rail - 1 calling from north of Thompson bridge Marsh wren - 6+ singing from both sides of bridge A neighbor of the sanctuary told me that I missed a moose by minutes! Phil Brown Nelson, NH Subject: SABINE'S GULL north of Wallis Sands From: Jessica Knapp <jessieknapp AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:03:24 -0400 Lauren Kras just called to let me know that people are now seeing the Sabine's Gull just north of Wallis Sands. Jessie --------------------------------------------- Jessica M. Knapp Ph.D Student University of New Hampshire Large Pelagics Research Center Spaulding/Rudman Halls 46 College Rd. Durham, NH 03824 GSO President jessie.knapp AT unh.edu 603.862.2897 Subject: SABINE'S GULL! off Pulpit Rocks From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:42:02 -0400 Mike Harvey just called to report an adult or subadult SABINE'S GULL off Pulpit Rocks in Rye. It was heading south and somewhat offshore. Argggh! Gotta go now...................bye! Steve Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: RE: Royal Tern in Hampton Harbor From: "Glenn Jenks" <gjenks AT midcoast.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:22:55 -0400 I'll bet this one is the same bird we saw at Short Sands at York Beach last Friday afternoon (6/18). I reported it to Maine Audubon. Glenn Jenks Camden, ME -----Original Message----- From: owner-NH.Birds AT lists.unh.edu [mailto:owner-NH.Birds AT lists.unh.edu] On Behalf Of Steve Mirick Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 10:01 AM To: New Hampshire Birds Subject: Royal Tern in Hampton Harbor Mike Harvey just called to report a ROYAL TERN in Hampton harbor. He's currently watching it (9:50 AM) on the flats from the Yankee Fisherman's Coop in Seabrook south of the bridge. The tide is low, but is starting to come in. Steve Mirick Bradford, MA No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.92/2203 - Release Date: 06/26/09 05:53:00 Subject: Royal Tern - Seen leaving harbor From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:05:35 -0400 Mike just called to report that the Royal Tern left the harbor and was heading SE toward Seabrook Beach. May not be worth chasing with the tide coming in, but it certainly may stick around and feed with the Common Terns off Seabrook Beach or outside of the Hampton Harbor inlet. Steve Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: Royal Tern in Hampton Harbor From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:01:00 -0400 Mike Harvey just called to report a ROYAL TERN in Hampton harbor. He's currently watching it (9:50 AM) on the flats from the Yankee Fisherman's Coop in Seabrook south of the bridge. The tide is low, but is starting to come in. Steve Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: Re: "White-winged" Grackle - Concord From: Clifford Seifer <clifdisc AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:02:21 -0400 Is this a regular but rare variation for Grackles? I saw a white-winged Great-tailed Grackle in Las Vegas earlier this spring and have not been able to find any documentation of this variation. I thought it was an odd isolated case until reading your report. Locally, Common Nighthawks have been peenting over my house in downtown Keene the past several nights between 8:30 - 9:30. -- Cliff Seifer Keene NH Subject: red-billed tropicbird photos and Jeffries Ledge From: "Eric Masterson" <emasterson AT plcnh.org> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:10:40 -0400 I managed to finally get out to the coast for a morning, a day late and a dollar short. I did not see the tropicbird - these are Dan's photos. Astonishing is the only word! I still had a pretty good morning. Notable were the highest numbers of sooty shearwaters I have seen on Jeffries Ledge out of NH. Also good numbers of fulmar, including one blue phase, and a single leachs petrel. Red-billed Tropicbird http://www.flickr.com/photos/20225164 AT N05/3660852673/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/20225164 AT N05/3661652730/ Jeffries Ledge Northern Fulmar - 18 "Blue" Fulmar - 1 Greater Shearwater - 60 Sooty Shearwater - 48 Wilsons Storm Petrel - 52 Leachs Storm Petrel - 1 Northern Gannet - 10 Photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/20225164 AT N05/?saved=1 Eric Masterson Executive Director Piscataquog Land Conservancy www.plcnh.org Phone: 487-3331 Subject: Pittsburg 6/23-25 From: Benjamin Griffith <bgriffith AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:11:28 -0400 Lauren Kras and I headed up to Pittsburg for a few days of birding the past week. Much of Tuesday evening and and Wednesday morning was spent trying to find Lauren a few year birds, but we got to do some exploring Wednesday afternoon and this morning. The weather was clear and sunny for most of the time, and it was remarkably "too hot" for birds for much of the time. A few photos from the trip (including many of non-birds) can be found here: http://picasaweb.google.com/bgriffith/ConnecticutLakesJune2009# I don't have a butterfly or dragonfly guide on me, so some of the insects have been left unlabeled. I'm working on compiling a complete list. If anyone is interested, I can send it to them. Highlights: Spruce Grouse - female with 4+ chicks on 6/24, and adult flushed but not seen on 6/25, all along the "Spruce Grouse" track heading off to the north about a mile beyond the East Inlet Dam Ruffed Grouse - 2 males (still) drumming along East Inlet Road Osprey - 1 at East Inlet Road on 5/25 American Kestrel - 1 on Back Lake Road on 5/24 Merlin - 1 on Indian Stream Road on 5/24, 1 on Route 3 in Clarksville on 5/23 Wilson's Snipe - 2 winnowing at 9 in the morning on East Inlet on 5/25 Black-backed Woodpecker - 2 heard drumming on East Inlet Road on 6/24, male seen well at pond at end of Indian Stream Road on 6/24 Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1 along East Inlet Road Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - many along East Inlet Road and a few at 4th connecticut lake Philadelphia Vireo - 1 near Scott Bog Dam, 1 along Indian Stream Road Gray Jay - 8-10. 2 at Deer Mtn Campground, 4 (family group) along East Inlet Road, and 2-4 along the "Spruce Grouse Track" Boreal Chickadee - ~20, most on East Inlet Road Tennessee Warbler - 1 along Moose Falls Road at the pond on the south side of the road Magnolia Warbler - many, including a female on a NEST! Cape May Warbler - 1 singing on 5/24 and 5/25 along East Inlet Road Bay-breasted Warbler - ~10 (all males). Most along East Inlet Road Mourning Warbler - pair at cut near the end of Indian Stream Road, a few on East Inlet Road Wilson's Warbler - 0 (!) tried for them in several spots I've had them in the past, but it had warmed up quite a bit by the time we were looking for them Lincoln's Sparrow - 1 at the intersection of Moose Pond Road and Indian Stream Road, 1 singing from the dam at East Inlet Rusty Blackbird - 3+ singing males near East Inlet, 1 male seen at Scott Bog Red Crossbill - 1 flyover at East Inlet Road White-winged Crossbill - 7, all flyovers at East Inlet Road Evening Grosbeak - 1 calling from near Young's Store in Happy Corner Non-bird Highlights: Several Moose, including a large bull in the road Many Mink, Green, Wood, and Northern Leopard Frogs One very Red Eft on the 4th connecticut lake trail. I've never seen on this bright No rain Ben Griffith Woodstock, NH Subject: Re: Concord sightings From: "Dawn at Home" <ricfrench AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:48:37 -0400 We have seen Baltimore Orioles at Gorham Pond. We put up a feeder at our camp but the hummingbirds are the only visitors to it. The Orioles hang out in the trees but haven't ventured down to feed.....at least not when we have been at the camp. ----- Original Message ----- From: To: "New Hampshire Birds" Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 12:20 PM Subject: Re: Concord sightings > Adding to the Concord db, I have a Baltimore Oriole in the back yard and > expect it is half of a pair. I think it is a returning bird as last year > I > had a pair. And before that I never saw any. > Sylvia Miskoe Subject: Spotted Sandpipers From: <dawn137 AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:41:07 -0400 My husband and I visited Clough State Park (at the end of Sugar Hill Road)last week and saw several pairs of Spotted Sandpipers. We also saw Common Yellow Throats, Red Winged Blackbirds, Cedar Waxwings, and a single Indigo Bunting. At our feeders in Henniker we have: Downy Woodpeckers and young White Breasted Nuthatches and young Pair of Purple Finches Red Breasted Woodpecker Pair of Hairy Woodpeckers Several pairs of Goldfinch RoseBreasted Grosbeak Pair Pair of Cardinals Lots of Titmice and Chickadees Gray Catbirds Brown-headed cowbirds (too many) Ruby-throated hummingbirds BlueJays and, pesky squirrels and chipmunks In the pasture area, and around the ponds we have: Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat Eastern Wood Pewee Blue Birds (Nested in Blue Bird Houses) Tree Swallows (nested earlier in our Blue Bird Houses) House Wren (returned to a birdhouse) Eastern Phoebe (returned to nest above our back door) Robins (first one to actually use the Robin nesting box that was put up 10 years ago) Pileated Woodpeckers I may have missed something but that is most of them. Dawn ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Williams" To: "New Hampshire Birds" Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 4:40 PM Subject: Hampton Terns, Piping Plovers >I was able to get in a quick trip to the coast. Focused on the Hampton >Harbor area where there was a Black Tern in with many Commons and a couple >Roseate Terns > > Hampton Beech SP > One "Greater Mirick" ... who told me of all the birds I didn't see. > 2 Piping Plovers, One adult one nearly full size young. > > One Laughing Gull was with 30-40 Bonapart's Gulls in a puddle by the > entry booth. One Fish Crow for sure, two probables. > > John R Williams > Rumney NH Subject: "White-winged" Grackle - Concord From: RWoodward AT dhhs.state.nh.us Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:13:13 -0400 I just took lunch at the state hospital grounds where I saw a spectacularly plummaged Common Grackle near the duck pond. The entire outer half of the wings are pure white. The striking color pattern, especially in flight, is reminiscent of a magpie. If you have a camera and a few minutes this would be worth documenting. The bird is a fledgling still fed by adults so it is not going anywhere anytime soon. Rob Woodward Concord, NH Subject: Help needed at Sandy Point SR on Plum Island From: "David Larson" <dlarson AT massaudubon.org> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:35:16 -0400 Dear Folks, During our Wednesday Morning Birding program on June 24, we birded the Sandy Point State Reservation. We noticed that the last high tide and recent storms had done a tremendous amount of damage to the symbolic fencing and signs that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Parker River NWR) had put up to protect the Piping Plover and Least Tern nesting sites. Today, I asked Nancy Pau at Parker River what Mass Audubon could do to help them restore the protected nesting area. We agreed that I would put out this notice in hopes of getting additional volunteer help. SANDY POINT PROJECT: Date: Tuesday, June 30 Time: 9 a.m. Meeting Place: Sandy Point State Reservation (lower parking lot) - south end of Plum Island What to Bring: gloves, a shovel I plan to be at Sandy Point on Tuesday morning - I hope to see you. This is a great opportunity to give back to the refuge. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Pau at 978-465-5753 Ext. 211. Best Wishes, Bill Gette Sanctuary Director Joppa Flats Education Center Mass Audubon Subject: Re: Concord sightings From: SMiskoe AT aol.com Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:20:51 EDT Adding to the Concord db, I have a Baltimore Oriole in the back yard and expect it is half of a pair. I think it is a returning bird as last year I had a pair. And before that I never saw any. Sylvia Miskoe Subject: NH Coast this morning From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:47:51 -0400 Notes: - 1 1/2 hours of birding from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM along the southern NH coast. Fog lifting with no wind and warm temperatures. No remnant storm birds noted and surprisingly no lingering Gannets. Common Loon - 1 Wilson's Storm-Petrel - 70 with 38 off Seabrook Beach, 32 off Little Boar's Head. Black-crowned Night-Heron - 1 - Adult in Hampton harbor. Bonaparte's Gull - 87 - 1 or 2 adults. Black Guillemot - 1 - adult off Little Boar's Head. Steve & Jane Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: Concord sightings From: RAQbirds AT aol.com Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:16:54 EDT An evening walk around the perimeter of the PO fields and across the street at the Everett Arena/Merrimack River in Concord yielded a couple of interesting sightings: Double-crested Cormorant- eleven sub-adults roosting in a tree along the river. This is the largest number ever seen in Concord in the summer, and I suspect there were more nearby in the river. Virginia Rail- one very vocal bird in the PO wetland, though not voicing any of the three most typical calls. A 'kicker" type call that I have heard most often when they seem to have young nearby, but none seen. Killdeer- six birds that looked like a family group (all full sized). Eastern Meadowlark- one at the edge of the PO fields seemed a bit out of place since the fields are thick with corn. Bit maybe they are becoming desperate for habitat. Another 30+ expected species that add to the "Concord Atlas" data set. Bob Quinn Webster, NH **************Shop Popular Dell Laptops now starting at $349! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222031056x1201446063/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fad.dou bleclick.net%2Fclk%3B215910283%3B38350812%3Ba) Subject: Merlin nest update - Concord From: RWoodward AT dhhs.state.nh.us Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:45:29 -0400 Yesterday after work I stopped by the Merlin nest site in Concord's fabled south end and who did I run into but Robert "Raptor Man" Vallieres, who just happened to have his scope pointed at the nest. The female was just barely visible until she left the nest and preened and scratched on a nearby exposed branch. Later she returned to the nest with prey and fed the chicks, still in their white natal fuzziness. I would say the chicks will be much more visible as they get bigger, the views are pretty obstructed now. To look for the nest, park on Broadway at the intersection with Stone Street Extension and look east at the large white pine at the end of Stone Street Extension. Concord now joins other parts of the state in hosting a Merlin nest. Starting from the first state record at Lake Umbagog in 1994, they have spread to: 2001 - Hanover, Plymouth 2005 - Alton 2006 - Keene 2007 - Stoddard, Springfield (way to go Ruth!), Holderness 2008 - several locations but mostly overshadowed by certain birds in Newmarket Regionally, they built their southernmost nest last year on Martha's Vineyard and for the second year in a row nested in Pennsylvania for the southernmost record in the easten U.S. Rob Woodward Concord, NH Subject: Nikon and Kittery Trading Post host birding events this weekend! From: "Mike Freiberg" <mfreiberg AT nikonrep.com> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:11:27 -0600 To all birders, Steve Mirick has graciously given us permission to inform all New Hampshire birders of the events below! Thanks Steve! A Journey Through the Eyes of a Birder This weekend Nikon Sport Optics will be co-sponsoring birding events with Kittery Trading Post at its store. Richard Crossley will be on hand for book signings and two keynote talks and Mike Freiberg (Nikon's Birding Market Specialist) will present free optics seminars. Also, Richard and Mike will be co-leading field trips on Saturday and Sunday morning. All events are free of charge, so please come join them. Feel free to visit the links below for more information. Richard and Mike look forward to seeing you! A JOURNEY THROUGH THE EYES OF A BIRDER: BIRDING TO THE EDGE WITH NIKON: Mike Freiberg Saturday, June 27, 3pm - 4pm Sunday, June 28, 3pm - 4pm BOOK SIGNING WITH RICHARD CROSSLEY Saturday, June 27, 2pm - 3pm Sunday, June 28, 2pm - 3pm BIRDING: PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE: Richard Crossley Saturday, June 27, 1pm - 2pm Sunday, June 28, 1pm - 2pm BIRDING EXCURSION: RACHEL CARSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Braveboat Harbor Division, Cutts Island Trail Richard Crossley and Mike Freiberg, Carpool Limit 20 people per day. Advanced registration encouraged. Call 888-587-6246 or e-mail seminars AT ktp.com. Saturday, June 27, 6am - 11am Sunday, June 28, 6am - 11am Additional information about the event: http://www.ktpevents.com/interior.php/pid/6/eid/419 Additional information about Richard Crossley: http://www.crossleybirds.com/ Additional information about Nikon Sport Optics: http://www.nikonbirding.com Nikon Birding Blog: http://birdingtotheedg.blogspot.com/ Best, Mike Freiberg Nikon Birding Market Specialist 10025 E. Girard Ave. #18E 354 Denver, CO 80231 (515).231.0184 www.nikonbirding.com www.nikoncuttingedg.com www.birdingtotheedg.blogspot.com www.flickr.com/photos/22023299 AT N04/ Subject: Juvenile birds at Massabesic Center From: Jon Woolf <jsw AT jwoolfden.com> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:57:01 -0400 For those who are interested in such things, there's a nice daily show of juvenile birds being seen at Massabesic Audubon Center. In the last few days, I've seen fledgling Bluebirds, Downy Woodpeckers, and Cardinals there. Also a couple of White-breasted Nuthatches with a sort of raggedy look that suggests they're fledglings too. There may be others as well. These birds are all regularly visiting the Center's feeders, so you can watch them at close ranges from inside the building. Also, out in the fields you can see some fledgling Tree Swallows; the time is about right for them to be coming out of their nest-boxes. -- Jon Woolf Manchester, NH Subject: Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, June 24, 2009 From: "Mark Suomala" <mrsuomala AT marksbirdtours.com> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:52:09 -0400 This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, June 24th, 2009. A RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD was seen on the Isles of Shoals on June 23rd. This is presumably the same bird that has been seen regularly in the Gulf of Maine. 2 ATLANTIC PUFFINS, 85 SOOTY SHEARWATERS, 3 MANX SHEARWATERS, a GREATER SHEARWATER, a PARASITIC JAEGER, 4 LEAST TERNS, 45 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, and 168 NORTHERN GANNETS were all seen off of Little Boar's Head in North Hampton on June 24th. An ATLANTIC PUFFIN was seen from the Isles of Shoals on June 21st. A BLACK TERN and 7 ROSEATE TERNS were seen in Hampton Harbor on June 24th. An ARCTIC TERN was seen from Fort Stark in New Castle on June 21st, and one was seen from Pulpit Rocks in Rye on June 19th. 2 SEASIDE SPARROWS, a NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW, and numerous SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS were seen in Hampton Marsh behind Little Jack's restaurant west of Route 1A in Hampton on June 21st. A LAWRENCE'S WARBLER was seen at Yudicky Farm/Southwest Park in Nashua on June 24th. A hiker on the Caps Ridge Trail off of Jefferson Notch Road reported 8 BICKNELL'S THRUSHES, 4 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS, and 4 GRAY JAYS on June 21st. 4 BICKNELL'S THRUSHES and an AMERICAN PIPIT were reported from the Mount Washington auto road on June 21st. 7 BICKNELL'S THRUSHES were reported from the summit of Cannon Mountain on June 20th, and 2 were reported from Magalloway Mountain on June 21st. A possible CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was reported from Nashua on June 17th. An ORCHARD ORIOLE was seen in Walpole on June 23rd. An EVENING GROSBEAK was reported from Webster on June 17th. Over 30 BANK SWALLOWS were reported from a gravel pit on Joslin Road in Surry on June 22nd. A birder reported a number of species from a trip to Pittsburg during the past week, including LINCOLN'S SPARROW, BOREAL CHICKADEE, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, CANADA WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, WILSON'S WARBLER, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 2 pairs of MISSISSIPPI KITES have been located in Newmarket near the same 2 sites where they nested in 2008. 2 were seen from Route 152, near the school that is located a short distance west of Packers Falls Road, on June 19th. A SANDHILL CRANE has returned to Monroe, where it has spent the breeding season for the last 10+ years running. It spends most of the day among the cows on the left side of Plains Road in the first fields that you come to. Sometimes it is found on the Vermont side of the river. It has not been reported recently. . This message is also available by phone recording: call (603) 224-9909 and press 2 as directed or ask to be transferred. If you have seen any interesting birds recently, you can leave a message at the end of the recording or send your sightings to the RBA via e-mail at: birdsetc AT nhaudubon.org. Please put either "bird sighting" or "Rare Bird Alert" in the subject line and be sure to include your mailing address and phone number. The RBA is also available on-line at the New Hampshire Audubon web site, www.nhaudubon.org Thanks very much and good birding. Subject: Lawrence's Warbler, Yudicky Farm, Nashua NH From: "Kevin Klasman" <kevinklasman AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:16:37 -0400 Three trips to Yudicky Farm/Southwest Park in Nashua NH finally rewarded me with brief views of the Lawrence's Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Indigo Bunting and a probable Broad-winged Hawk, all life birds for me. Thanks to Chris Sheridan for guiding the last trip and conjuring up both the Lawrence and the Blue-winged. The Broad-winged Hawk has the right shape, but it is very dark. I don't think it's the tricky lighting; gray skies, backlit subject. Juveniles are dark, but might it be too early? Several images of it, and all the others are at http://www.pbase.com/kklasman/yf_20090620. The Blue-winged image isn't really good enough for an ID, but I'm assured by Chris and David Deifik that that's what it was. Other galleries from Yudicky Farm can be seen at http://www.pbase.com/kklasman/yudicky_farm. Kevin Klasman Nature Photographer http://www.kevinklasman.com http://OnHeronPond.com (blog) Subject: 2nd Bluebird Nest Fledges; 11 Duck Nest in the Yard; Amazing Kingfisher Display From: LindaMaley AT aol.com Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:16:15 EDT The 2nd Bluebird nesting fledged today. This was the pair that I had to remove three early nests from in March, due to over-eagerness. There were 11 duck nesting attempts in our one-acre suburban lot this year, with only one known failure. Maybe eight Wood Ducks and three Hooded Mergansers On a recent trip to the Adirondacks we witnessed the amazing post-copulatory flight of the male Belted Kingfisher. Flying along fast ahead of the female, he suddenly turned over on his back "top gun" style, sailed for another 20-30 feet upside-down, then righted himself. There's some theory that it's an attempt to show off his white plumage, but I don't think we have a clue as to what kingfishers think. Al Maley, Hampstead **************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000005) Subject: Pickering Ponds access From: "Dan Hubbard" <danielhubbard AT peoplepc.com> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:35:36 -0400 Pickering Ponds trails are presently closed for culvert repairs (finally!!). Completion date?? Dan Hubbard, Rochester Subject: Nighthawk Conservation Training and Monitoring tonight in Keene From: "Kenneth Klapper" <kklapper AT antioch.edu> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:16:35 -0400 NIGHTHAWK PATROL Training and Nighthawk Population Monitoring Tonight Ashuelot Valley Environmental Observatory and I are collaborating with NH Audubon on research aimed at protecting the Common Nighthawk, a NH Endangered Species. For the past two years we have been conducting training for population monitoring of this species, which nests in Keene and Concord. Please join us tonight at 7:00 PM for a fun presentation about this unique species. Afterwards, we'll break up into teams and look for the birds in Keene (it's really easy, plus you get to meet new conservation-minded people) from 8:00 to 9:30 PM. An additional monitoring night is planned for July, but please consider attending both if you have the ability and inclination. Training will be at the Science Center at Keene State College (for a map of the college, go to http://www.keene.edu/aboutksc/campusmap.cfm ) across from AVEO offices, rooms 180 and 182. c RSVP is encouraged - please call David Moon (AVEO Director) at 603-358-2069. Also, please bring the following with you (these will really help during the monitoring): Watch or cell phone, Pen/Pencil, Highlighter, Clipboard, Flashlight, Light colored clothing (we'll be out at dusk), Binoculars. For more information please visit: http://keeneweb.org/aveo/citizen-science/nighthawk-patrol-2/ (AVEO's Nighthawk Patrol page) http://nhbirdrecords.org/bird-conservation/Nighthawk-main.htm (NH Audubon - Project Nighthawk home page) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kenneth Klapper MS Candidate in Conservation Biology Antioch University New England Keene, NH Subject: Hampton Terns, Piping Plovers From: John Williams <john AT 2young.us> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:40:13 -0400 I was able to get in a quick trip to the coast. Focused on the Hampton Harbor area where there was a Black Tern in with many Commons and a couple Roseate Terns Hampton Beech SP One "Greater Mirick" ... who told me of all the birds I didn't see. 2 Piping Plovers, One adult one nearly full size young. One Laughing Gull was with 30-40 Bonapart's Gulls in a puddle by the entry booth. One Fish Crow for sure, two probables. John R Williams Rumney NH Subject: NH Coast - Storm Birding (Shearwaters, Jaegers, Puffins!!!!) From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:24:17 -0400 Finally, some time spent on the coast paid off with this storm. A great (for NH) day of storm birding. Jane and I got out early just after the heavy drizzle and fog lifted. A slow steady pace of birds led by Northern Gannets and Sooty Shearwaters. Jane had to leave for work, but I was later joined by JoAnn O'Shaughnessy for an hour or so. Although not a strong easterly component to the winds, the misplaced birds over the last few days were streaming northward. No Red-billed Tropicbirds or Black-capped Petrels, but great birds by NH standards. Notes: - 5 hours of sea watching. Mostly from Little Boar's Head, but some from Seabrook Beach. Strong offshore storm continues for 4rd straight day. NNE winds and clearing fog produced great coastal flight. 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM Winds NNE - NE winds at 20 knots Visibility - Poor early, but quickly improving to good and then excellent. Seas - 4 foot offshore. All birds counted moving north -------------------------------- White-winged Scoter - 1 Red-throated Loon - 2 - Flew by together rather close. Appeared to be adults in breeding plumage! GREATER SHEARWATER - 1 - Surprisingly only 1 Greater. SOOTY SHEARWATER - 85 - Remarkable count of Sootys from shore! In fact, this is my highest count (by far) ever for NH! Most fairly distant birds, flying north in groups of two or four. A couple of groups of over 10 each. Manx Shearwater - 3 - Including two very close birds flying by together. shearwater sp. - 4 Wilson's Storm-Petrel - 45 - Hard to tell, some slow progression of storm-petrels, but not much movement. No Leach's noted. Northern Gannet - 168 - Slow steady progression of northbound birds. Most 1 year olds. Killdeer - 5 - Seemingly out of place group of 5 birds flew by heading north. Least Tern - 4 - Group of 3 (or 4) together flew by and then later a single bird heading north. PARASITIC JAEGER - 1 - Adult or near adult flew by just inside of channel marker. Very well seen for close to a minute. Slender with distinct collar. Pointy tailed look. Small amount of white in wings barely seen. jaeger sp. - 1 - Well past green channel marker. Got on it just before it flew past. Black Guillemot - 1 - Adult in breeding plumage. ATLANTIC PUFFIN - 2 - Great views of two birds flying north together rather close off Little Boar's Head. Color barely seen in bill, but white face, big head and bill, and dark underwings clearly seen. JoAnn O. was there to see them also. Also around the Hampton harbor area: BLACK TERN - Great views of adult in breeding plumage with large tern flock near harbor inlet. Roseate Tern - 7+ from inside and outside the harbor. Steve Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: Life of New England's Migratory Songbirds From: "Joshua Potter" <jpotter AT tinmtn.org> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:22:56 -0400 An upcoming program at Tin Mountain Conservation Center for your possible interest: Life of New England's Migratory Songbirds Thursday, June 25 at 7 PM Tin Mountain Nature Learning Center 1245 Bald Hill Road, Albany, NH 03818 Join avian ecologist Mason Cline at the Tin Mountain Conservation Center Nature Program Life of New Englands Migratory Songbirds on Thursday, June 25 at 7 PM at the Tin Mountain Nature Learning Center, 1245 Bald Hill Road in Albany, NH. Mason will discuss his experiences while studying migratory bird species in New Hampshire and highlight his work on nesting black-throated blue warblers at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in Campton is the site of nearly 40 years of continuous research on birds and other forest ecology topics that offer a wealth of information on the influence of forest changes on native bird populations. The avian research initiated by Dr. Richard Holmes and colleagues at Hubbard Brook has shaped most of what is known about migrating bird populations in eastern North America. Ornithologist and Tin Mountain Trustee Chris Lewey said, The bird work at Hubbard Brook is world class, and this should be a fantastic opportunity to learn how the research is conducted and hear about the results of long-term studies. Declining migrating bird populations have been in the news for the past several decades, and the work at Hubbard Brook provides much of the baseline research and has turned out many great avian scientists. Cline has been involved in the long-term study of black-throated blue warbler dispersal and nesting success in different habitats on the experimental forest for the past four years. He will share information on changes in the populations of returning migrants that have been observed over the years and potential explanations for the differences. The Tin Mountain Conservation Center Nature Program Series is sponsored in part by L.L. Bean, the Evenor Armington Fund and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Donations of $3 per person and $5 per family are greatly appreciated. Members are free. For more information on this and upcoming programs, classes and events at Tin Mountain Conservation Center, contact Joshua or Donna at 603-447-6991. Programs are open to the public. To become a member and for a complete list of Tin Mountain Conservation Center Programs visit www.tinmtn.org Joshua Potter Outreach Coordinator Tin Mountain Conservation Center 1245 Bald Hill Road Albany, NH 03818 (603)447-6991 www.tinmtn.org Subject: RFI: SEPTEMBER BIRDING ADVICE From: Gruff Dodd <gruff AT doddg.freeserve.co.uk> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:36:16 +0200 (CEST) Hi Hoping I can get some expert advice from you folks in advance of a possible trip I may be making in September 09, please. It is likely to be a short trip, perhaps 4 days in total while the rest of my family hit New York City. Timing likely to be 2nd week of September. I'm pretty flexible in terms of destination - anywhere north and east of NYC is possible, but I have a few specific target species I'd like to try to see, for which NH seems a good bet, and I'd greatly welcome advice on likelihood of seeing them and where I'd be best looking. 1. The main target would be Bicknell's Thrush - is that a realistic possibility at that time of year? If so, is Mount Washington, NH still the best place to look for this bird, or is there anywhere better? 2. Am I going to be too late in the year for Olive-sided Flycatcher> If not, anywhere particularly good? 3. Similarly, are there any really reliable sites at that time for Boreal Chickadee? 4. Finally, I'd also like to try the coastal areas are Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed and Seaside Sparrow. The former seems a little easier than the latter. Is the Hampton Beach area still the best bet for these birds, or is there anywhere else I should look? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. GRUFF DODD Cardiff, Wales, UK Subject: Cliff Swallow Colonies From: John Williams <john AT 2young.us> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:30:36 -0400 Took a little time Monday to check on two of the four Cliff Swallow sites that I know of in the Plymouth Area. I found good activity at both locations. Site one is the barn at the east end of Bridgewater Hill Rd in Bridgewater. There were at least 4 nests showing evidence of use and several adults were feeding with Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows. I recall that there were at least 16 nests when I first found the site over 10 years ago. Site two is the barn at the Pulsifer Farm on Bog Road in Campton. Adults were doing food runs to at least 6 different spots, though you can't actually see the gable end where the nests are. Bobolinks were at both sites. Govoni's barn on Rte 3A Plymouth had 10 nests active last month. The old Beebe River Mill site, Campton, used to have a couple pair, but I haven't checked it in about 6 years. The Mt Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods used to support a sizable colony. The big barn beside rte 4 by the Enfield-Lebanon town line has evidence of past activity and I saw 4 birds there last year, but the farm was up for sale and it looked like the nests had been cleaned off. Seems there is a strong correlation between Cliff Swallows and active farms with old barns and mud.... worth checking out if you have any in your areas. John R Williams Rumney Subject: Spofford, Surry, Walpole birds From: Phil Brown <downtownpab AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:43:59 -0700 (PDT) Chasing around the Keene area and Lower Connecticut River valley today monitoring loons and doing errands gave me the chance to see a few nice birds: Merlin - 1 flying from Pierce Island to lakeshore on Spofford Lake - I suspect a local breeder, possibly from the island, but rough "seas" didn't make me want to stick around Osprey - 2f. flying around Pierce Island, catching fish on Spofford Lake - probably NOT nesters, since both birds here were females American bittern - 1 calling along Surry bike path at 7:30 pm American black duck - 1 pr on Spofford Lake; another MALLxABDU female w/ young Orchard Oriole - 1 (1yr male) at Alyson's Orchards in Walpole - a surprise Willow flycatcher - 1 at Surry gravel pit, 1 in Westmoreland Red-bellied woodpecker - 2 including 1 juvenile in Westmoreland Yellow-throated vireo - 1 singing at Surry gravel pit Brown thrasher - 1 at Alyson's Orchards Bank swallow - 30+ flying around Surry gravel pit (easily 80+ entrance holes in a sand bank) 0 loons in Spofford and Surry Lakes Phil Brown Nelson, NH Subject: link goof From: Derek Lovitch <freeportwildbird AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:16:43 -0700 (PDT) Hi all, Maybe I should spend less time leading trips, and more time sleeping (and/or proofreading)?! Anyway, as you may have noticed, the link in my last message was incorrect. The correct link to my White Mountain trip report is here: http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/blogentry.html?id=13966 But, I hope you enjoyed reading about the trip I'm leading for WINGS next year! -Derek ------------------ Jeannette and Derek Lovitch Freeport Wild Bird Supply 541 Route One, Suite 10 Freeport, ME 04032 Ph: (207)865-6000/Fax: (207)865-6069 www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com Subject: Massachusetts BBC Extreme Pelagic Trips - July (Day trip) and August (2-Day trip) From: Jeremiah Trimble <jtrimble AT oeb.harvard.edu> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:21:30 -0400 Hello All,I know that many of you have had the pleasure and shared the excitement of birding in New England's offshore waters on a BBC Extreme Pelagic Trip. These trips truly offer a unique opportunity to explore areas that very few birders get to visit. As others have mentioned and as most of you know, this means that there are a lot of exciting possibilities for bird sightings. Tack on Steve Mirick's skillful wordplay on the microphone and you can't go wrong! Aside from the more usual offshore species such as Cory's (borealis), Greater, Sooty and Manx Shearwaters, Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers, etc, these trips offer the opportunity to regularly see some species that do not occur in near shore waters or even waters that are reachable by whale watch boats. Such species include Audubon's Shearwater, Leach's Storm-Petrel, and Long-tailed Jaeger. Even more unusual species have been seen on more than one of these trips including Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Bridled Tern, and White-faced Storm-Petrel and one trip had both species of large Skua (Great and South Polar). Of course, the excitement of a 'mega' species is the most thrilling aspect of the BBC Extreme Pelagic Trips. Most amazing, was the Macaronesian (Puffinus baroli) Shearwater (still referred to as 'Little' Shearwater by AOU) that was sighted and fully documented on the August 25, 2007 BBC trip. As incredible as this was, when one considers how rarely we reach these waters, it illustrates how many 'megas' there are out there for us to find; we just need to get there! I am sure that most of you are aware of the regular pelagic trips that are run out of North Carolina each year. Over the years these trips have yielded countless remarkable sightings. I believe that Massachusetts, and New England in general, has equal potential for such sightings. Speaking of North Carolina pelagics, this year alone they have had sightings of Bermuda (including 3 in one day!!), Fea's, Trinidade, and Black-capped Petrels, European Storm-Petrel (!!), Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel (one of only a handful of records for the US!), Red-billed Tropicbird, South Polar Skuas (up to 20 in a day!), and many others. All of these species are possible off Massachusetts and some could be even more likely. Bermuda is just as close to MA waters as it is to North Carolina's, as is Europe! [I did not even get into the myriad of others groups of animals that highlight these trips including Sperm Whale, Risso's Dolphins, Pilot Whales, sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, Manta Rays, flying fish, etc, etc, etc] It is very unfortunate that we were unable to run the June pelagic trip due to a lack of participants, but I hope that you will sign up for the remaining scheduled trips detailed below. I think that together we can really improve our knowledge of offshore Massachusetts waters and enjoy some unique and truly impressive sightings of birds. One important thing to note is that we need to have people sign up well in advance of the date of the trips. Ida and the BBC as well as the folks at the Helen H need to have a count of people in order to plan for the trip and make sure that we are a go. So, please send your reservations to Ida as soon as possible and at least 3-4 weeks in advance of the trip. The July trip is only about 4 weeks away at this point and still needs people to sign up. I look forward to seeing you all on board! {See Information Below} Good Birding, Jeremiah Trimble Cambridge, MA HYDROGRAPHER, VEATCH'S, ATLANTIS CANYONS, MASSACHUSETTS *Departure point:* Helen H Dock, 136 Pleasant St., Hyannis, MA *Destination:* Hydrographer, Veatch's and Atlantis Canyons (90 miles east of Nantucket, MA). *Trip organizer:* Ida Giriunas , (781) 929-8772 *Dates of 2009 trips:* July 18, trip length: 18 hours. Overnight Aug. 22 & 23, 2009, trip length: 42 hrs. *Costs:* July: $120 members/$140 nonmembers will be adjusted for inflation or extra fuel expense. August: $290 members, $310 nonmembers *Leaders:* Rick Heil, Steve Mirick, Jeremiah Trimble and Marshall Iliff. *Boat:* The Helen H is a Chartered, comfortable, fast, 100-foot boat with padded bunks with an enthusiastic and experienced captain & crew. *Expected:* Cory's, Greater, Sooty, Manx, and Audubon's Shearwaters. Leach's Storm-Petrel and all three jaegers. *Rare birds seen:* Macaronesian Shearwater (2007); White-faced Storm-Petrel (2006); Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (2004, 2008); both skuas (2004); Bridled Tern (2006, 2007, 2008). *Marine mammals & fishes:* Fin, Humpback, Minke, Long-finned Pilot, Beaked and Sperm Whales. Grampus, Saddle-back, and Bottlenose Dolphins. Basking, Blue, Mako, and Hammerhead Sharks. Tuna. Loggerhead Turtle -- Jeremiah Trimble Curatorial Associate - Ornithology Museum of Comparative Zoology Harvard University 26 Oxford Street Cambridge, MA 02138 phone: 617-495-2471 fax: 617-495-5667 email: jtrimble AT oeb.harvard.edu Subject: Re: RFI: Grassland Birds From: SMiskoe AT aol.com Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:14:24 EDT Interesting post. Do you have any idea about the barn swallow population this year? I used to have a lot of nests and this year I have only 3. Sylvia Subject: NH Coast (Least Terns) From: Steve Mirick <smirick AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:36:53 -0400 Notes: - 2 1/2 hours of searching for storm vagrants. Excellent visibility, but no luck with rarities. Large Noreaster continues to spin offshore, but winds along the NH coast are not that strong and are pretty much straight out of the north Wilson's Storm-Petrel - 25 - Counted from Seabrook Beach, Bicentennial Park, and Little Boar's Head. Northern Gannet - 38 - Counted from Seabrook Beach, Bicentennial Park, and Little Boar's Head. Slow movement in a northerly direction into wind. One adult or near adult. Bonaparte's Gull - 82 - Remarkable number roosting in park near booth. 1 adult. The rest were 1 year olds. Laughing Gull - 1 - Adult roosting with Bonys. LEAST TERN - 2 - Two adult Least Terns flew over the channel heading north right over our heads and over the Hampton Beach dunes. "PORTLANDICA" TERN - One 1st summer tern that I couldn't make up my mind if it was Common or Arctic feeding with terns at mouth of Hampton Harbor inlet. Had disappeared when I walked out to the breakwaters to get a better look. Red-billed Tropicbird - 0 :-( Steve Mirick Bradford, MA Subject: RFI: Grassland Birds From: "Pamela Hunt" <PHunt AT NHAudubon.org> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:16:58 -0400 Greetings all, I seem to be on a roll this month, and have yet another exciting opportunity for any and all of you to contribute to the NH Ornithogical Record, and in the process help out with bird conservation. So if you've already found breeding Palm Warblers in Cheshire County, or discovered a Cliff Swallow mega-colony in Wentworth, or simply don't have the inclination for either of those previous challenges, here we go again. As I suspect most of you know, grassland birds are declining significantly in NH, and also across most of their North American ranges. In fact, the only grassland associated species that seems to be INCREASING is the Eastern Bluebird, almost certainly as a result of next box programs. As a result, the group as a whole is a conservation priority for most states in the Northeast, and NH is no exception. Three species (Northern Harrier, Upland Sandpiper, and Grasshopper Sparrow) are listed as Threatened or Endangered in NH, and another four (American Kestrel, Horned Lark, Vesper Sparrow, and Eastern Meadowlark) are considered Special Concern. As grasslands go, NH is not exactly Kansas (after Maine, I think we're still the most forested state in the nation), and we need to acknowledge that we are something of a drop in the bucket for continental populations of all these species. Most if not all of them are fairly recent colonists as well, having expanded their ranges east during agricultural clearing in the 19th century. In combination, these two items would argue against paying much attention to grassland birds in a forested state, but the State still holds the responsibility to conserve populations of wildlife within its borders, so grassland birds remain on the table. That said, we do need to be strategic about where to work on grassland bird conservation, and focus our efforts on landscapes where we can get the most bang for our limited bucks. To that end, I've been working on identifying "Grassland Bird Focal Areas" across the state. These are generally areas with extensive remaining grassland, known populations of the rarer species, and ideally combinations of both. One of my problems, however, is that there aren't always recent (post-Atlas) data for some of these areas. Your challenge is thus to go looking for grassland birds in one of the focal areas below. I'm interested in specific locations within each focal area, numbers of birds, and - if available - the land use. As usual, submit your data directly to NH Bird Records on the handy forms (www.nhbirdrecords.org). The focal areas and any specific priorities in each are as follows: 1) Stewartstown/Colebrook/Columbia: There are extensive hill farms in this region, as well as good grassland along the Connecticut RiverThis used to be where the mother lode of NH's harriers bred, but our data are now over a decade old. How many are still up there? Are they on the same fields? Agriculture, and thus grassland habitat, is declining in the North Country, and it's not clear how this is affecting our harriers. And while you're at it, see if there are still meadowlarks up here. It used to be their northern limit in the state, but they've been disappearing from suitable places south of the Whites for decades. 2) Jefferson/Whitefield/Lancaster/Northumberland. The grasslands here are along the Connecticut and Israel Rivers, as well as in the Lost Nation area. It might be the runner-up for harriers, and might once have held an Upland Sandpiper or two. Again, it'd be worth knowing how many meadowlarks remain. So next time you visit Pondicherry, leave some time to check out the grasslands nearby (and not just at the Whitefield Airport!). 3) Connecticut Valley from Monroe to Lyme. Checking out the Sandhill Crane in Monroe? Count meadowlarks as well. THE historic site for Uppies was in Haverhill, but they disappeared from there in the late 1980s. Back in the mid-1900s, Vesper Sparrows used to outnumber Savannahs in the Upper Valley, but now are almost gone? Or ARE they gone? Check the pastures and strawberry fields in Piermont and Haverhill where they were last reported! 4) Connecticut Valley from Claremont to Hinsdale. This area is actually an Important Bird Area, and as a result we'd love to have better data on the grassland BREEDING birds (we get plenty on migrants!). Go do a count at the Cheshire County Farm or Great Meadows. We actually have VERY little data on grassland birds down there. 5) Merrimack Valley from Franklin to Pembroke. There are pretty good data from the Concord area, and in general this is one of the better covered focal areas. It would be neat ro see what's along the river in Franklin though. And are there any meadowlarks left outside the Concord Airport? 6) Souhegan and Merrimack Rivers from Milford to Merrimack/Litchfield. This is something of a "minor" focal area, perhaps best known for a few historic Grasshopoper Sparrow sites. It's be great to get updated info on those sites, namely: Cemetery Fields in Amherst, the Milford Waterworks land in Amherst, and the fields behind Anheuser-Busch in Merrimack (access along the tracks from Thornton's Ferry). Should still be a fair number of meadowlarks down there. 7) Seacoast This is the most poorly defined focal area, and extend from Rochester down to Kingston and Kensington. We know there are good populations of grassland birds at the Strafford and Rockingham County Farms, plus of course Pease. But could use data from elsewhere. My impression from my last grassland trip down there was that many of the field are becoming fragmented, and don't support as many birds as perhaps they used to. But that's just an impression. There are enough birders in the southeast that getting the current data shouldn't be that hard! Finally, there is a tentative focal area along the Saco in Conway. Historically there have been Vesper Sparrows and meadowlarks here as well, and we actually have some fairly recent data. I might be up there this weekend, so stay tuned. So if you've made it through this message - you deserve a round of applause. The next step is to get out there and count - and of course REPORT - the grassland birds you find. In this case the ZEROS are important, so the best option might be to fill out a data form of some sort (a COMPLETE eBird checklist is another). If anyone is interested in the latter, email me at this address and I'll send one off to you! Many thanks in advance, Pam Pamela D. Hunt, Ph.D. Senior Conservation Biologist Audubon Society of New Hampshire 84 Silk Farm Road Concord, NH 03301 (603) 224-9909 extension 328 phunt AT nhaudubon.org FAX: (603) 226-0902 Subject: BBS Franconia From: "Sandy Turner" <prgrn AT ncia.net> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:12:37 -0400 Mark and I worked the BBS Route from Franconia, down thru Easton, oveer Kinsman Notch and into Lincoln last week. Best bird was a Merlin. Had about the average number of species, 64 on a beautiful day. I am giving up the BBS Route in Jefferson that we've done for umpty-ump years. If you're qualified and interested for next year, contact Becky Suomala at ASNH. Sandy and Mark Turner