NH.Birds for Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Messages are displayed in the order they were received.  Subject  From  Time   Bald Eagles, Harriers, Bittern, 100+ ducks, Powdermill Pond   Don and Lillian Stok   8:41am   Eared Grebe in Hampton   Stephen Mirick    10:03am   NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH   Paula McFarland   11:04am   RE: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH   Scott Ricker   11:25am   Latest from Lyme   Blake Allison    11:36am   Harrier in New Boston   RG Conroy    12:50pm   Re: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH   Jim Berry   12:45pm   Re: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH   bawauchope(AT)aol.com   5:53pm   Bigby Keene: April 14-16   Lance Tanino   6:22pm   Hampton Eared and other Grebes, Snow Geese, Snowy Egrets, Snipe   Terry Bronson   6:33pm   Re: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH   Jim Berry   8:59pm

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[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Bald Eagles, Harriers, Bittern, 100+ ducks, Powdermill Pond
From: Don and Lillian Stokes <stokesbirds(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 16 Apr 2008 8:41am

Over the last week or so we have had:

2 Bald Eagles (1 ad., 1 imm.)
3 Osprey (one displaying with a fish in its talons)
3 N. Harriers ( 1 ad. m., 2 imm.)
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Common Loon
9 Common Goldeneyes
14 Black Ducks
2 Wood Ducks
50+ Common Mergansers
4+ Hooded Mergansers (one f. laying eggs in our nest box)
2+ Mallards
50+ Ring-necked Ducks
25 Can. Geese
1 Northern Shrike
14 Tree Sparrows
1 Fox Sparrows
2 Chipping Sparrows
1 Great Blue Heron
1 American Bittern
20+ Tree Swallows
1 Pine Warbler (ad. m.)
2 Bluebirds
2 Kingfishers
1 Killdeer
2 Ravens
1 Barred Owl
2 American Goldfinches (there were no goldfinches here all winter)

Lillian and Don Stokes
Powdermill Pond, Hancock, NH

for more bird information and updates see our daily blog:
http://www.stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Eared Grebe in Hampton
From: Stephen Mirick <smirick(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 16 Apr 2008 10:03am

I got a call about 1/2 hour ago from Denny Abbott who said that he has 
an Eared Grebe in breeding plumage off Bicentennial Park in Hampton just 
north of the wall at Hampton North beach.  Could be "Earl" who has been 
missing since last January.

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH
From: "Paula McFarland" <saltpannes(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 16 Apr 2008 11:04am

For the past two weeks or so, Barred Owls have been calling in and around my
yard.  They are really loud -- loud enough to wake me up.
Last night around 9:30 p.m., I heard 2 Owls calling.  I opened the window
carefully and stuck my head out.  They quieted down, and I saw one of the
owls fly away.  I then heard both of the owls calling again from my
neighbor's yard.

They aren't just doing the "Who cooks for you" call.  They are making all
sorts of noises.  Here is a clip I found on the web that sounds like what
I've been hearing:

http://home.centurytel.net/bobowlcalls/recordings2/20%20duet%20p054%207%2017%2006.wav

I'm wondering . . . What are these owls doing?  Are they courting, or is it
too late in the season for that?  Is this aggressive behavior?  The owls I
observed last night seemed like roudy teenagers, running and screaming
around the neighborhood.

I do have a Barred Owl box up.  Dare I dream . . . ?

Paula McFarland
Newton, NH
saltpannesatgmaildotcom

<http://home.centurytel.net/bobowlcalls/recordings2/20%20duet%20p054%207%2017%2006.wav>


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: RE: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH
From: "Scott Ricker" <ptbagger(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 16 Apr 2008 11:25am

Paula,

I have heard Barred Owls do this but it was during the day. I think it is
another method of communication between birds, I dont think it is
aggressive behavour. Your description of rowdy teenagers is very unique
and appropriate or should I say applicable to these birds and this type of
calling.

Good stuff!

Scott Ricker

Southwick, MA.

ptbagger(AT)verizon.net

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From: "Paula McFarland" <saltpannes(AT)gmail.com>
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To: "New Hampshire Birds" <NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu>
Subject: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:04:06 -0400
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For the past two weeks or so, Barred Owls have been calling in and around my
yard.  They are really loud -- loud enough to wake me up.
Last night around 9:30 p.m., I heard 2 Owls calling.  I opened the window
carefully and stuck my head out.  They quieted down, and I saw one of the
owls fly away.  I then heard both of the owls calling again from my
neighbor's yard.

They aren't just doing the "Who cooks for you" call.  They are making all
sorts of noises.  Here is a clip I found on the web that sounds like what
I've been hearing:

http://home.centurytel.net/bobowlcalls/recordings2/20%20duet%20p054%207%2017
%2006.wav

I'm wondering . . . What are these owls doing?  Are they courting, or is it
too late in the season for that?  Is this aggressive behavior?  The owls I
observed last night seemed like roudy teenagers, running and screaming
around the neighborhood.

I do have a Barred Owl box up.  Dare I dream . . . ?

Paula McFarland
Newton, NH
saltpannesatgmaildotcom

<http://home.centurytel.net/bobowlcalls/recordings2/20%20duet%20p054%207%201
7%2006.wav>

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Subject: Latest from Lyme
From: Blake Allison <blake_allison(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 16 Apr 2008 11:36am

Some notes on recent sightings:

1) FOY bluebird last Wednesday in Hanover near the
junction of Dogford and Hanover Center roads.

2) On Whipple Hill Rd - an American woodcock seen on
Monday, a solitary wood duck on a neighbor's pond last
Saturday. Two mallards on the same pond on Sunday. A
barred owl heard hooting last night in woods adjoining
our house. 

3) Elsewhere in Lyme - Two hooded mergansers seen at
the confluence of Hewes Brook and the CT River. Two
common mergansers seen on the NH Rt. 10 side of Post
Pond where there was open water created by ice
receding from the shore. 

4) Seen today at Reeds Marsh on NH Rt 10 in Ordford -
an osprey, five hooded mergansers and four wood ducks.

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Subject: Harrier in New Boston
From: RG Conroy <info(AT)rgconroy.com>
Date: 16 Apr 2008 12:50pm

I watched a beautiful marsh hawk working a wetland on South Hill Road in New
Boston this morning.

It9s a been a while since I9ve seen one of those.

Rosemary Conroy
Weare


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH
From: "Jim Berry" <jim.berry3(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 16 Apr 2008 12:45pm

Paula and all -- You were hearing the so-called monkey calls.  The so-called 
monkeys in the old Tarzan movies might well have been barred owl tapes. 
Here is what the BNA account (Mazur and James 2000) has to say about these 
amazing sounds:

"Raucous Hoot/Caterwauling. Associated with dueting pairs, this lasts up to 
2 minutes and consists of a raucous jumble of cackles, hoots, caws and 
gurgles. It was heard at 28% (n = 25) of Virginia sites tested with call 
playback by McGarigal and Fraser (1985). Call also given occasionally when 
large prey are being subdued."

They go on to say (about all barred owl calls): "Based on this species' 
strong response to call playback (Mosher et al. 1990), vocalizations likely 
serve to announce territory. Sexual differences suggest that calling also 
functions to attract potential mates at night."

I have occasionally heard what sounded like 3 or 4 barred owls giving monkey 
calls, and it's a real hoot.  (sorry.)  Other birders have said the same, 
and to me territorial discussions are a logical conclusion.

Jim Berry
Ipswich, Mass.
jim.berry3(AT)verizon.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paula McFarland" <saltpannes(AT)gmail.com>
To: "New Hampshire Birds" <NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11:04 AM
Subject: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH

> For the past two weeks or so, Barred Owls have been calling in and around
> my yard.  They are really loud -- loud enough to wake me up.
> Last night around 9:30 p.m., I heard 2 Owls calling.  I opened the window
> carefully and stuck my head out.  They quieted down, and I saw one of the
> owls fly away.  I then heard both of the owls calling again from my
> neighbor's yard.
>
> They aren't just doing the "Who cooks for you" call.  They are making all
> sorts of noises.  Here is a clip I found on the web that sounds like what
> I've been hearing:
>
>
http://home.centurytel.net/bobowlcalls/recordings2/20%20duet%20p054%207%2017%2006.wav
>
> I'm wondering . . . What are these owls doing?  Are they courting, or is 
> it
> too late in the season for that?  Is this aggressive behavior?  The owls I
> observed last night seemed like roudy teenagers, running and screaming
> around the neighborhood.
>
> I do have a Barred Owl box up.  Dare I dream . . . ?
>
> Paula McFarland
> Newton, NH
> saltpannesatgmaildotcom


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH
From: bawauchope(AT)aol.com
Date: 16 Apr 2008 5:53pm

 Thanks, Jim, for the information.? We've been hearing the barred owls carrying
on like this for years in our back yard (including just last night) and also
wondered what they were up to.? We have always referred to them, in ignorance,
as "monkey calls" but having heard the real thing in Malaysia last summer, I can
 say that the owls do a remarkable imitation!

Barb Wauchope
Lee, NH
bawauchope(AT)aol.com

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Berry <jim.berry3(AT)verizon.net>
To: New Hampshire Birds <NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu>
Sent: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:46 pm
Subject: Re: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH

Paula and all -- You were hearing the so-called monkey calls.  The so-called 
monkeys in the old Tarzan movies might well have been barred owl tapes. 
Here is what the BNA account (Mazur and James 2000) has to say about these 
amazing sounds:?
?

"Raucous Hoot/Caterwauling. Associated with dueting pairs, this lasts up to 
2 minutes and consists of a raucous jumble of cackles, hoots, caws and 
gurgles. It was heard at 28% (n = 25) of Virginia sites tested with call 
playback by McGarigal and Fraser (1985). Call also given occasionally when 
large prey are being subdued."?
?

They go on to say (about all barred owl calls): "Based on this species' 
strong response to call playback (Mosher et al. 1990), vocalizations likely 
serve to announce territory. Sexual differences suggest that calling also 
functions to attract potential mates at night."?
?

I have occasionally heard what sounded like 3 or 4 barred owls giving monkey 
calls, and it's a real hoot.  (sorry.)  Other birders have said the same, 
and to me territorial discussions are a logical conclusion.?
?

Jim Berry?

Ipswich, Mass.?

jim.berry3(AT)verizon.net?
?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paula McFarland" <saltpannes(AT)gmail.com>?

To: "New Hampshire Birds" <NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu>?

Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11:04 AM?

Subject: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH?
?

> For the past two weeks or so, Barred Owls have been calling in and around?

> my yard.  They are really loud -- loud enough to wake me up.?

> Last night around 9:30 p.m., I heard 2 Owls calling.  I opened the window?

> carefully and stuck my head out.  They quieted down, and I saw one of the?

> owls fly away.  I then heard both of the owls calling again from my?

> neighbor's yard.?

>?

> They aren't just doing the "Who cooks for you" call.  They are making all?

> sorts of noises.  Here is a clip I found on the web that sounds like what?

> I've been hearing:?

>?

>
http://home.centurytel.net/bobowlcalls/recordings2/20%20duet%20p054%207%2017%2006.wav?

>?

> I'm wondering . . . What are these owls doing?  Are they courting, or is 
> it?

> too late in the season for that?  Is this aggressive behavior?  The owls I?

> observed last night seemed like roudy teenagers, running and screaming?

> around the neighborhood.?

>?

> I do have a Barred Owl box up.  Dare I dream . . . ??

>?

> Paula McFarland?

> Newton, NH?

> saltpannesatgmaildotcom?
?


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Subject: Bigby Keene: April 14-16
From: "Lance Tanino" <Lance_Tanino(AT)antiochne.edu>
Date: 16 Apr 2008 6:22pm

BIGBY Keene
14-16 April 2008
Green Wagon Farm on Court St. (north end), except the BHVI
- All raptors appeared to be migrating

2 Osprey				
1m Northern Harrier 		 
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk	
1 Cooper's Hawk	
2 Broad-winged Hawk	
1 American Kestrel
1 Wilson's Snipe

1 BLUE-HEADED VIREO  - FOY (Monday); early migrant foraging high in the
trees with a flock of 	juncos and chickadees along the forest edge on
Court St. at mid-day

2 Hermit Thrush
1 Rusty Blackbird	 - single individual seen on three different occasions
3 Fox Sparrow	 

Lance Tanino
Keene, NH


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Subject: Hampton Eared and other Grebes, Snow Geese, Snowy Egrets,
         Snipe
From: tbbirds(AT)comcast.net (Terry Bronson)
Date: 16 Apr 2008 6:33pm

Denny Abbott was kind enough to take me around for some
birding today while my car was in the shop for repairs.  In a run
from Hampton up the coast to Rye Harbor, then over to and along
the south shore of Great Bay, we managed at least 58 species.

The highlight was certainly the breeding plumage EARED GREBE
about 100 yards off Bicentennial Park in Hampton, about 9:25 am.
 Although just south of the bright sun, making viewing less than
ideal, Denny was able to pick this bird out of the glare.  There were
also 7 Horned Grebes in breeding or near-breeding plumage
nearby for good comparison.  We were able to see individual
feathers in the circular yellowish tufts behind the eyes, the
black neck, the smallish bill and head, and the darkish body.
The bird was distinctly different than the Horned Grebes.  Denny
thinks this could be "Earl," who disappeared in January from
the Town Line Cove at the North Hampton/Rye town line.  He
also thinks there's a good chance this bird might remain for
a little while.

It must have been New Hampshire Grebe Day, since we found
many others:

Horned Grebe--7 at Bicentennial Park, 5 at Hampton's North Side Park
Red-necked Grebe--13 at the Town Line Cove, 10 at Bicentennial Park,
8 at North Side Park

Other highlights:

Snow Goose--19 adults on the southeast corner of Great Bay west of
the Portsmouth Country Club, seen from Sunset Farm in Greenland

Snowy Egret--10 in the marsh near the bridge on Route 1A at
Rye Harbor, some later seen in Awcomin Marsh and the marsh
just south of Rye Harbor

Great Egret--3-5 near the Snowys.  Again, there was some moving around.

Wilson's Snipe--15 at Great Bay Farm in Newington, 6 at Runnymede
Horse Farm in North Hampton

Savannah Sparrow--4 along Landing Road in Hampton
White-winged Scoter--35 off Hampton Beach south of Great Boars Head,
24 off North Hampton State Park
Long-tailed Duck--17 south of Great Boars Head
Red-throated Loon--2 off North Hampton State Park
Barn Swallow--1 at North Side Park
Tree Swallow--several single birds scattered
Northern Flicker--1 at Awcomin Marsh
Red-tailed Hawk--3 west of Awcomin Marsh
Cooper's Hawk--1 at Sunset Farm
American Kestrel--3 at Sunset Farm
Greater Yellowlegs--3 at Sunset Farm, 2 at Landing Road
Belted Kingfisher--1 at Sunset Farm
Mute Swan--2 at Eel Pond, 1 apparently on nest in phragmites
Canada Goose--7 in ocean south of Great Boars Head, 1 on nest
in marsh south of Rye Harbor

Other species seen:
American Black Duck
Mallard
Greater Scaup
Ring-necked Duck
Common Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
Red-breasted Merganser
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Common Loon
Turkey Vulture
Osprey (on nests at Landing Road and Chapmans
Landing in Stratham)
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse (1 carrying nesting material)
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

--
Terry Bronson
Hampton Falls, NH
tbbirds(AT)comcast.net


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: Re: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH
From: "Jim Berry" <jim.berry3(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 16 Apr 2008 8:59pm

or maybe it's the monkeys imitating the owls!

Jim Berry
Ipswich, Mass.
jim.berry3(AT)verizon.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <bawauchope(AT)aol.com>
To: "New Hampshire Birds" <NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 5:53 PM
Subject: Re: NHBIRDs: Barred Owl Calls-Newton, NH

> Thanks, Jim, for the information.? We've been hearing the barred owls 
> carrying on like this for years in our back yard (including just last 
> night) and also wondered what they were up to.? We have always referred to 
> them, in ignorance, as "monkey calls" but having heard the real thing in 
> Malaysia last summer, I can say that the owls do a remarkable imitation!
>
> Barb Wauchope
> Lee, NH
> bawauchope(AT)aol.com