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NH.Birds for Sunday, December 20, 2009
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Subject: Fw: Coastal NH CBD Results
From: "David Donsker" <ddonsker(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 20 Dec 2009 8:46am
Forty enthusiastic particpants took part in the Coastal NH CBC on Saturday,
December 19. It was a pleasant winter day with temperatures ranging from 8 to
30 degrees and only light winds from the WNW. The ground was virually
snowless, but frozen, which allowed for easy access to many wooded sites. On
the other hand, freshwater ponds and streams were frozen over which impacted
some opportunities for waterfowl and lingering marsh birds. A respectable 97
species were tallied for the day, plus two additional field-identifiable
subspecies. The expected species for the season were solidly represented.
There were virtually no irruptive species with the exception of one Northern
Shrike in Great Meadows along the Kensington-Exeter line. Although we had no
great rarities, we did have our share of good birds. Here are the highlights:
SNOW GOOSE: Two on Great Bay
RING-NECKED DUCK: At least three, perhaps up to five on Great Bay
LESSER SCAUP: Nine first seen at the Exeter WWTP and later picked up on Great
Bay.
BARROWS GOLDENEYE: A pair in Hampton off Great Boars Head
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: One in Seabrook
BALD EAGLE: A very good showing. At least 13, perhaps as many as 19, on or
around Great Bay and its tidewaters. Another adult in Seabrook.
NORTHERN GOSHAWK: An adult spotted in Stratham
MERLIN: One each in Seabrook and Hampton Falls
PEREGRINE FALCON: One in Seabrook/Hampton
KILLDEER: Two in a field off Newington Road in Greenland.
GLACUOUS GULL: One in Seabrook near the Fishermans Coop
BLACK-LEGGED KITIWAKE: One offshore from northern Rye.
DOVEKIE: One flying by off Odiorne.
RAZORBILL: One off of Pupit Rocks, another from Little Boars Head
EASTERN SCREECH-OWL: A remarkable eleven individuals seen or heard at various
sites in Portsmouth, Odiorne, Greenland, Exeter and Kensington.
SAW-WHET OWL: One heard at the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion in Portsmouth
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: No longer an uncommon bird. Most sectors encounter
them. 31 recorded.
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: One in Portsmouth
NORTHERN RAVEN: Three in Kensington and Seabrook near the Kensington line.
CAROLINA WREN: Increasingly more common. Fourteen recorded.
WINTER WREN: Four. Two from Portsmouth-east, one each in Kensington and
Greenland.
FIELD SPARROW: One each in Hampton and Exeter
IPSWICH SAVANNA SPARROW: One in Seabrook
LINCOLNS SPARROW: One in Stratham
OREGON JUNCO: One in Portsmouth on Jones Avenue.
Thanks to all who participated this year. It was a good day, a great group and
a really enjoyable compilation.
David Donsker
Compiler
North Hampton
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Subject: Raptor ID
From: Cindy Reid <cindy_reid27(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 20 Dec 2009 8:54am
I was fairly confident that I had seen a red tail just recently in that area -
it was flying low over my car and I felt reasonably sure about the underside of
the tail, for once - but I am not confident about any ID with consideration of
what should and should not be here at this late date.
The one I've been seeing on 393 looks quite large, sitting in the clear, high
up. It appears to have a clear white breast, the back is quite dark; I
couldn't tell about the underside of the tail. I've seen it facing and
reversed, but not flying. I know this is less than helpful.... I was hoping
someone in the Concord area could look for it.
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Bald Eagle Nashua
From: Chris Sheridan <cmsbirds(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 20 Dec 2009 9:41am
I wonder if that is the same adult that was roosting around there last winter?
They do like to hang around the Merrimack River
in winter when it's open.
I've been keeping a particular eye out for birds around the Nashua River west of
downtown, as there are hopes that they will return to breed along the Nashua as
they are doing in Massachusetts.
Of course they move along to open water when it freezes. And any particular
bird can cover a lot of ground in not much time!
Chris Sheridan
Nashua
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nancy Webb" <nancywebb25(AT)comcast.net>
To: "New Hampshire Birds" <NH.Birds(AT)lists.unh.edu>
Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 9:47:29 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: RE: Bald Eagle Nashua
I also happened to be in Nashua last Saturday (12/12) for a dog agility
trial at Riverside Canine Center, off Bridge Street, and while I was walking
one of the dogs I was thrilled to see an adult Bald Eagle fly overhead. I
mentioned it to my agility/birding friends, but didn't think to report it
here.
- Nancy Webb, Derry, NH
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Subject: Hermit Thrush ~ Winter's Thrush
From: Sue McGrath <newburyportbirders(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 20 Dec 2009 2:04pm
Birders,
I've been watching Hermit Thrush this winter. Its bill is larger than
other Catharus thrushes, and like the other spot-breasted thrushes, the
Hermit Thrush eats insects, berries and other small invertebrates during
the breeding season. The winter food sources are berries and other
fruits. Through the years, I've seen them feeding low, always under 9
feet on Elderberry, Serviceberry, Poison Oak, Holly, Blueberry,
Pokeberry, Sumac, Dogwood, Greenbrier and Blackberry.
In Paul Kerlinger's article, "One Tough Thrush", he highlights that
Hermit Thrush nest in the same habitat as Yellow Warbler, White-throated
Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and in winter, they all can be seen foraging in
the same habitat. The Hermit Thrush's shorter wings and larger bill are
the reasons of their migration story.
Yesterday morning, I was very surprised to see a Hermit Thrush feeding
on the blackish-blue, globe-like Viburnum fruits along the driveway with
American Robins and Northern Cardinals. The difference in size between
the American Robin and the Hermit Thrush was significant. And today, in
the snow, this warm brown thrush is feeding on the ground on
wind-fallen, viburnum fruits.
For years in Randolph, NH, the Hermit Thrushes foraged in the blueberry
bushes right below the living room window. In early fall, when I was
sitting on the screened porch, studying the Ruby-throated Hummers, the
Hermit Thrushes would be plucking those antioxidant rich spheres just
under those sweet nectar feeders. They moved through the bushes almost
silently, sampling fruits. On Plum Island, they feed on the forest
floor and sometimes on the roadside edges, pumping their tails.
The Hermit Thrush is mentioned by the eminent author, Walt Whitman, in
his poems. Amy Clampitt wrote a poem called "A Hermit Thrush".
There's a band named Thrush Hermit. In the in depths of literature,
T.S. Eliot
includes the Hermit Thrush in "The Waste Land".
Peter Dunne refers to the Hermit Thrush as "The Winter Thrush"...
Good birding,
Sue
Sue McGrath
Newburyport Birders
Observe ~ Appreciate ~ Identify
Newburyport, MA 01950 USA
978-462-4785 newburyportbirders(AT)comcast.net
www.newburyportbirders.com
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Subject: Flicker
From: "Scott Standley" <srstandley(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 20 Dec 2009 3:16pm
It's too late for the x-mas count, but I have a Flicker at my suet feeder as I
type this.
Scott Standley
Madbury, NH
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Subject: Osprey-Exeter-12/19
From: mgreeve(AT)aol.com
Date: 20 Dec 2009 3:18pm
While driving on Portsmouth Avenue in Exeter on Saturday afternoon, I was
rather astonished to observe an Osprey flying fairly low across the road,
50-70' high, possibly less. It crossed the road nearby the Exeter Reservoir
and the hawk seemed headed in the general direction of the Squamscott
River/Great Bay.
The light was poor, but the bird was not far ahead of my vehicle and I'm
100% positive as to the ID. In 35 years of hawk watching, I've seen
thousands of Ospreys in flight and can readily distinguish an Osprey in the air
from an Eagle or Vulture (the more likely candidates this time of year),
especially at close range.
Michael Reeve
Exeter, NH
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