NH.Birds for Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Messages are displayed in the order they were received.  Subject  From  Time   FW: NHF&G News: Bald Eagle Shot in Millsfield, N.H., Released after Successful Rehab   Eddison, Debra - Con   12:49pm   NH coast 12-16-09, possible BLACK-HEADED GULL   Michael Thompson    1:39pm   New BirdFellow.com piece offers tips to CBC participants   David Irons    1:52pm   Hawk   Lynn Roberge    1:59pm   A comment on Broad-winged Hawks, Red-winged Blackbirds and other birds of NH   Steve Mirick    2:30pm   Re: A comment on Broad-winged Hawks, Red-winged Blackbirds and other birds of NH   Jeremiah Trimble    3:02pm   Killdeer, Jenness Beach   Phillip Augusta   4:07pm   Re: A comment on Broad-winged Hawks, Red-winged Blackbirds and other birds of NH   lee hansche    4:48pm   Black Scoter ? and Common Goldeneye on Lake Massabesic   Cliff Otto    6:34pm   Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, December 16, 2009   Mark Suomala   8:18pm   Rough-legged Hawk, Gilsum 12/10/09   Mark Suomala   8:30pm   great cormorants   lee hansche    10:58pm

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Subject: FW: NHF&G News: Bald Eagle Shot in Millsfield, N.H.,
         Released after Successful Rehab
From: "Eddison, Debra - Conway, NH" <debra.eddison(AT)nh.usda.gov>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 12:49pm

Nice ending to this story....

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: N.H. Fish and Game [mailto:jane.vachon(AT)wildlife.nh.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 12:47 PM
To: Eddison, Debra - Conway, NH
Subject: NHF&G News: Bald Eagle Shot in Millsfield, N.H., Released after
Successful Rehab

News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info(AT)wildlife.nh.gov
For information and online licenses, visit http://www.wildnh.com

* * * * * * *

MEDIA - Hi Res Photo Available at
http://wildnh.com/Newsroom/News_2009/News_2009_Q4/eagle_release_121609.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2009

CONTACTS:
Tom Alvarez 413-253-8356 (USF&WS)
Lt. Robert Bryant 603-271-3361 (NHF&G)
Chris Martin 603-224-9909, Ext 317 (N.H. Audubon)

BALD EAGLE SHOT IN MILLSFIELD, N.H., RELEASED AFTER SUCCESSFUL REHAB

CONCORD, N.H. - A bald eagle injured by gunshot in Millsfield, N.H., in late
October was successfully rehabilitated and released into the wild near the
Androscoggin River on December 15. The immature bird had sustained a fractured
wing and other injuries.

The eagle was released near the inlet canal to Brookfield Renewable Power's
Pontook Hydroelectric facility in Dummer, N.H., which is adjacent to Millsfield
and part of the same watershed. Several bald eagles congregate at the Pontook
Reservoir during the winter months, so the young bird will have nearby role
models to help it find food at this time of year.

"When we learned that releasing the eagle from this location was going to give
it the best chance in the wild, we agreed without a moment's thought," said Paul
 Guay, Maintenance Supervisor for Brookfield, which owns and operates ten
hydroelectric facilities along the Androscoggin River and maintains a regional
office in Berlin, N.H. "Brookfield collaborated with New Hampshire Audubon and
local wildlife agencies in the past to successfully relocate an active osprey
nest containing two eggs from our substation in Dummer, and we are glad to be a
part of another important event that helps local wildlife."

"The rehabilitator says the bird is ready to go, and eagles winter in New
Hampshire," said Chris Martin of N.H. Audubon, explaining that minimizing the
bird's length of time in captivity will help its chances for survival in the
wild.

The eagle was restored to health by Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator Maria Colby
at the Wings of Dawn facility in Henniker, N.H. The day before its release,
Colby assisted Audubon biologists in placing federal and color identification
bands on the eagle.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department conservation officers and special agents
of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are conducting a joint investigation into
the shooting incident. To date, officials have not found the person responsible
for the shooting, but the investigation remains open.

"Our wildlife agencies are still at work looking for evidence to find the
perpetrator," said Sgt. Wayne Saunders of N.H. Fish and Game Law Enforcement.
"We remain hopeful that they can find the person responsible for this crime."

Anyone with information should call the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Operation Game Thief 24-hour hotline at: 1-800-344-4262, or report online
anytime at http://www.HuntNH.com/OGT. Callers may remain anonymous.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $2,500 to the
person or people who provide information leading to a conviction under the Bald
and Golden Eagle Protection Act. In addition to the Eagle Act, state laws and
the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act protect bald eagles. Until 2007, bald
eagles were also protected under the Endangered Species Act.

The shooting incident occurred in October 2009 off the Millsfield Loop Road in
Wildlife Management Area B, in Millsfield, N.H. Local sportsmen discovered the
injured bald eagle and notified the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. N.H.
 Fish and Game wildlife biologists Andrew Timmins and Will Staats captured the
wounded eagle and delivered it to the wildlife rehabilitator for treatment in
October, and assisted with the eagle's release this week.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and
enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of
 the American people. We are both a leader and a trusted partner in fish and
wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands
 and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public
service. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen,
visit http://www.fws.gov.

New Hampshire Audubon, a non-profit membership organization, is dedicated to the
 conservation of wildlife and habitat throughout the state. Audubon's
conservation scientists collaborate with New Hampshire Fish and Game's Nongame
and Endangered Wildlife Program to monitor and manage the state's population of
bald eagles. For more information about New Hampshire Audubon, visit
http://www.nhaudubon.org.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's fish,
wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. Visit http://www.wildnh.com.

-USFWS/NHFG/NH Audubon-

--
Copyright 2009 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to jane.vachon(AT)wildlife.nh.gov.

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Subject: NH coast 12-16-09, possible BLACK-HEADED GULL
From: Michael Thompson <mthompson2100(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 1:39pm

good afternoon all!
well today Lee Hansche and I took the morning to dive up the coast looking
for anything and end with a search for the clay-colored sparrow in
portsmouth. unfortunately the sparrow wasnt there ( that we could see) but!
while at seal rocks something very interesting caught our eyes!  because a
BLACK HEADED GULL would be quite a find i dont want to call it out right.
instead I wanted to list th field marks that made us think BHGU and see if
the listserve conglomerate had any other options. so at first i saw a
bonaparte's looking gull fly by and called it out to lee but it looked a
little funny. 1st off it seemed chunkier... not fat but not as swift and
eligant as a bonie can be so i raised my bins and saw it was a young bird
due to the fact it had the trailing edge of its primaries and secondaries
coated in black as well as a black bar on its tail. there was also some
lighter patches on the primary and greater wing coverts. lowering my
binoculars i told lee i didnt think it was a bonie and maybe was a kittiwake
(life bird for me any way so i got excited) we saw it land in a small cove
just north of seal rocks so we got his scope on it and i jumped in to take a
look. the first thing i noticed when lookin in the scope is the bird had a
distinctive orangy-red bill that stood out quite a bit. after about a second
it picked up and flew again when i noticed the same color on its legs. it
flew a bit then went north and we chased but were unable to relocate the
bird. the bill is what makes me think black headed as well as the trailing
edges and the general stature of the bird. this would be an awesome life
bird for me so i didnt want to call it till i got some of the more seasoned
birders opinions. so lay em' on me.

other coastal highlights:

northern gannet- 9
bonaparte's gull- 5
horned grebe- 5
red-throated loon- 1 (flying north)
cooper's hawk - 1 (portsmouth)

-- 
Michael Thompson
Derry, NH


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Subject: New BirdFellow.com piece offers tips to CBC participants
From: David Irons <davidirons20(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 1:52pm

Greetings All,

David Fix has written a new piece for the BirdFellow
online journal. It focuses on birding strategies that one can use
during Christmas Bird Counts and other winter birding. The new article
was posted last night.

Dave Irons 

Content Editor BirdFellow.com


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Subject: Hawk
From: Lynn Roberge <lynn4020081996(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 1:59pm

While my daughter and I were traveling on Rt. 3 going through Hooksett NH,,,I
saw a very low flying Broad winged Hawk. What a magnificent sight!

Lynn Roberge
Manchester NH


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Subject: A comment on Broad-winged Hawks, Red-winged Blackbirds and
         other birds of  NH
From: Steve Mirick <smirick(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 2:30pm

An important part of identification of birds is understanding 
seasonality of their occurrence in the state.  One important publication 
that is very useful is "A Checklist of the Birds of New Hampshire"  
published by NH Audubon.  For only $8 (price includes S&H), it is a very 
inexpensive guide to what bird species should, and should not be around 
for each month of the year.  It is presented in bar graph form and is 
one of the first resources that I "devoured" when I started birding 25 
years ago when it was written by Kimball Elkins.  Either stop by the 
store in Concord or buy it on line.  Just scroll down at this page:

http://nhbirdrecords.org/birding/armchair-shopper.htm

Of course I also suggest folks consider subscribing to NH Bird Records, 
the only publication of bird sightings in NH:

http://nhbirdrecords.org/

Steve Mirick
Bradford, NH

P.S.  Broad-winged Hawks essentially never occur in the state (or 
anywhere in northeastern US) in December, and December reports most 
likely pertain to misidentified Red-shouldered Hawks.  Vocalizations can 
easily pertain to Blue Jays who can imitate a Broad-winged Hawk 
perfectly!  And Red-winged Blackbirds are rare, but regularly 
encountered in winter months.


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Subject: Re: A comment on Broad-winged Hawks, Red-winged Blackbirds
         and other  birds of NH
From: Jeremiah Trimble <jtrimble(AT)oeb.harvard.edu>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 3:02pm

Hello Steve and NHBirds,
I wanted to reiterate Steve's thoughts on the occurrence of Broad-winged
Hawks in the Northeast in winter.  This species is practically non-existent
in our region after October.  Still, there are many reports that we hear
about at this time of year and the vast majority, nearly 100%, are birds
that are mis-identified.  Let's face it, the identification of Buteos can be
extremely difficult.  Understanding the rarity of this and other species in
our area both seasonally and geographically is an essential step to becoming
more adept and accurate with reporting birds.  If one understands that
Broad-winged Hawks are an extreme rarity here at this season, they can work
that much harder to secure the documentation necessary to confirm that
identification.  Another tool that birders can use to understand the
seasonality of birds in their area is eBird (www.ebird.org).  You can
produce bar charts and customize maps that summarize current and historical
sightings at different times of year in your area.

Having said all this, I am never one to discount a report and I wanted to
let NH Birders know that just 3 days ago (13 December) an adult Broad-winged
Hawk was picked up moribund in western Massachusetts at Belchertown.  There
are a few other recent winter records for Broad-winged Hawks in the
northeast that have been well-documented.  Anything is possible and given
the warm Fall we had it is likely that there are more "late" birds around to
be found.  For example, a Swainson's Thrush, another species virtually
unknown after October in the northeastern US (or US), was observed and
photographed in Florence, MA on 14 December.

Good birding,
Jeremiah Trimble
Cambridge, MA

On Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 2:29 PM, Steve Mirick <smirick(AT)comcast.net> wrote:

> An important part of identification of birds is understanding seasonality
> of their occurrence in the state.  One important publication that is very
> useful is "A Checklist of the Birds of New Hampshire"  published by NH
> Audubon.  For only $8 (price includes S&H), it is a very inexpensive guide
> to what bird species should, and should not be around for each month of the
> year.  It is presented in bar graph form and is one of the first resources
> that I "devoured" when I started birding 25 years ago when it was written by
> Kimball Elkins.  Either stop by the store in Concord or buy it on line.
>  Just scroll down at this page:
>
> http://nhbirdrecords.org/birding/armchair-shopper.htm
>
> Of course I also suggest folks consider subscribing to NH Bird Records, the
> only publication of bird sightings in NH:
>
> http://nhbirdrecords.org/
>
> Steve Mirick
> Bradford, NH
>
> P.S.  Broad-winged Hawks essentially never occur in the state (or anywhere
> in northeastern US) in December, and December reports most likely pertain to
> misidentified Red-shouldered Hawks.  Vocalizations can easily pertain to
> Blue Jays who can imitate a Broad-winged Hawk perfectly!  And Red-winged
> Blackbirds are rare, but regularly encountered in winter months.
>
>

-- 
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


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Subject: Killdeer, Jenness Beach
From: "Phillip Augusta" <phillip(AT)fetchingbirds.com>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 4:07pm

Lone Killdeer in the Jenness Beach parking lot in Rye this afternoon,
looking lost
http://www.fetchingbirds.com/2009/dec/killdeer.JPG

2 of 7 Sanderlings noodling at the water's edge at Wallis Sands, Rye
http://www.fetchingbirds.com/2009/dec/sanderlings.JPG

and a Great Blue Heron in the South Cemetary, Portsmouth
http://www.fetchingbirds.com/2009/dec/gbh.JPG

---------------------
Phillip Augusta
Puzzlebird--> http://www.fetchingbirds.com/puzzlebird.html


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Subject: Re: A comment on Broad-winged Hawks, Red-winged Blackbirds
         and  other  birds of NH
From: lee hansche <xxleeweexx(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 4:48pm

the only reason i reported hearing a broad-winged hawk earlier this week was
because it isn't supposed to be here right now... i don't report things
normally that are not of interest to birders... it was pointed out to me by
many people (thanks you guys) that bluejays can impersonate their calls, i had
heard them impersonate red-tails but never a BW... it was never meant to be an
official report of any kind but rather a heads up to keep an eye out... that
being said there were bluejays around that im now pretty positive were
responsible for the hawk call...

interesting however that one was found in western mass thats good to know....
i will continue to keep an eye out...

lee hansche
goffstown NH

--- On Wed, 12/16/09, Jeremiah Trimble <jtrimble(AT)oeb.harvard.edu> wrote:

From: Jeremiah Trimble <jtrimble(AT)oeb.harvard.edu>
Subject: Re: A comment on Broad-winged Hawks, Red-winged Blackbirds and  other
birds of NH
To: "New Hampshire Birds" <NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu>
Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 3:01 PM

Hello Steve and NHBirds,
I wanted to reiterate Steve's thoughts on the occurrence of Broad-winged
Hawks in the Northeast in winter.  This species is practically non-existent
in our region after October.  Still, there are many reports that we hear
about at this time of year and the vast majority, nearly 100%, are birds
that are mis-identified.  Let's face it, the identification of Buteos can be
extremely difficult.  Understanding the rarity of this and other species in
our area both seasonally and geographically is an essential step to becoming
more adept and accurate with reporting birds.  If one understands that
Broad-winged Hawks are an extreme rarity here at this season, they can work
that much harder to secure the documentation necessary to confirm that
identification.  Another tool that birders can use to understand the
seasonality of birds in their area is eBird (www.ebird.org).  You can
produce bar charts and customize maps that summarize current and historical
sightings at different times of year in your area.

Having said all this, I am never one to discount a report and I wanted to
let NH Birders know that just 3 days ago (13 December) an adult Broad-winged
Hawk was picked up moribund in western Massachusetts at Belchertown.  There
are a few other recent winter records for Broad-winged Hawks in the
northeast that have been well-documented.  Anything is possible and given
the warm Fall we had it is likely that there are more "late" birds around to
be found.  For example, a Swainson's Thrush, another species virtually
unknown after October in the northeastern US (or US), was observed and
photographed in Florence, MA on 14 December.

Good birding,
Jeremiah Trimble
Cambridge, MA

On Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 2:29 PM, Steve Mirick <smirick(AT)comcast.net> wrote:

> An important part of identification of birds is understanding seasonality
> of their occurrence in the state.  One important publication that is very
> useful is "A Checklist of the Birds of New Hampshire"  published by NH
> Audubon.  For only $8 (price includes S&H), it is a very inexpensive guide
> to what bird species should, and should not be around for each month of the
> year.  It is presented in bar graph form and is one of the first resources
> that I "devoured" when I started birding 25 years ago when it was written
by
> Kimball Elkins.  Either stop by the store in Concord or buy it on line.
>  Just scroll down at this page:
>
> http://nhbirdrecords.org/birding/armchair-shopper.htm
>
> Of course I also suggest folks consider subscribing to NH Bird Records, the
> only publication of bird sightings in NH:
>
> http://nhbirdrecords.org/
>
> Steve Mirick
> Bradford, NH
>
> P.S.  Broad-winged Hawks essentially never occur in the state (or anywhere
> in northeastern US) in December, and December reports most likely pertain
to
> misidentified Red-shouldered Hawks.  Vocalizations can easily pertain to
> Blue Jays who can imitate a Broad-winged Hawk perfectly!  And Red-winged
> Blackbirds are rare, but regularly encountered in winter months.
>
>

--
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


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Subject: Black Scoter ? and Common Goldeneye on Lake Massabesic
From: Cliff Otto <ottoc.bb.etc(AT)gmail.com>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 6:34pm

Lake Massabesic, off Londonderry Turnpike just south of Candia Road.

I'm not certain of this identification and the picture is not very good
(cropped from 539% zoom then resized upwards by more 200%), but I am
guessing female Black Scoter.
http://www.pbase.com/bb_etc/image/120357970

This is an in-flight shot of a male Common Goldeneye in breeding plumage.
There were twoor three there. I thought the amount of white on the underwing
was more than normal but I've only seen this species a couple of times.
http://www.pbase.com/bb_etc/image/120357969

Cliff Otto
Manchester


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Subject: Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, December 16, 2009
From: "Mark Suomala" <mrsuomala(AT)marksbirdtours.com>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 8:18pm

This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, December 
16th, 2009.

A BLACK VULTURE was seen in East Kingston on December 13th and 14th.

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen in Portsmouth in the area between the 
railroad tracks between North Mill Pond and McDonough Street in Portsmouth 
on December 15th.

A male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was seen off of Bicentennial Park in Hampton on 
December 15th.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen off of Seal Rocks in Rye on December 16th.

23 NORTHERN FULMARS, 2 ICELAND GULLS, a GLAUCOUS GULL
a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 5 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, 2 BLACK GUILLEMOTS, 
23 RAZORBILLS, 6 DOVEKIES, an ATLANTIC PUFFIN, and a COMMON MURRE were 
tallied by birders on a boat cruise out of Rye to Jeffrey's Ledge on 
December 13th.

2 RAZORBILLS and 2 BLACK GUILLEMOTS were seen off of the coast in Rye on 
December 15th.

3 ICELAND GULLS and a NORTHERN PINTAIL were seen at the Rochester Wastewater 
Treatment Plant on December 15th. The treatment plant is gated and the hours 
of operation are 7:30-3:00 on weekdays. If you visit, please check in at the 
office and be out of the plant by 2:45 so that plant personnel do not have 
to ask birders to leave. Do not drive on the dikes and do not block the 
road. Birders should not enter the gates on Saturday or Sunday, even if they 
are open. The Trails at Pickering Ponds, located east of the plant, are not 
gated, and are always open during daylight hours.

2 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES were seen off of Foss Beach in Rye on December 
15th.

A single BOHEMIAN WAXWING was reported together with a flock of 20 CEDAR 
WAXWINGS in North Conway on December 14th.

An EASTERN SCREECH-OWL was seen on Route 1A in Odiorne Point State Park in 
Rye on December 12th.

9 BALD EAGLES, and 30 COMMON RAVENS were seen at an animal carcass in Dummer 
on December 12th.

6 EVENING GROSBEAKS were reported from Littleton, and 6 were reported from 
Jefferson, all on December 14th.

A FOX SPARROW was reported from Hancock on December 14th.

2 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were seen at Yudicky Farm/Southwest Park in Nashua 
on December 13th.

A KILLDEER was seen off of Jenness Beach in Rye on December 16th.

A PIED-BILLED GREBE was seen in Nashua on December 12th.

17 LESSER SCAUP were seen at the Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant on 
December 14th.

A HORNED GREBE and 40 HOODED MERGANSERS were reported from Spofford Lake in 
Chesterfield on December 13th.

A female BLACK SCOTER was reported from Lake Massebesic in Auburn on 
December 16th.

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.


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Subject: Rough-legged Hawk, Gilsum 12/10/09
From: "Mark Suomala" <mrsuomala(AT)marksbirdtours.com>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 8:30pm

A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen by an observer on Hammond Hollow Road in Gilsum 
on December 10th.

Mark Suomala
www.marksbirdtours.com


[ << | >> | ^^ ]

Subject: great cormorants
From: lee hansche <xxleeweexx(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 16 Dec 2009 10:58pm

Mike and I also had 2 great cormorants from the 2nd pull out south of
ordiorne... thought that would be worth adding...
 
happy (if a bit cold) birding
lee hansche
goffstown NH