Archive Field Trips/Sightings

Sun, May 30

Union Village Dam

Leader: Becky Cook

7:00 am - Meet at the large parking area .5 miles in from the Thetford Center (Buzzel Bridge Road) entrance - this is the same meeting spot as the Friday am trips ; we'll walk and drive our way to the other (flag-pole) end of the dam, stopping at the Mystery Trail and other good spots along the way. Snacks, water and bug-spray recommended.

Weds, May 26

Union Village Dam 6:00 PM

Evening Bird Walk with Becky Cook

Meet at the large parking area .5 miles in from the Thetford Center (Buzzel Bridge Road) entrance - this is the same meeting spot as the Friday am

=================

Sat, May 22

Paradise Park/Lake Runnemede, Windsor, VT

Leader: George Clark

Meet at the commuter parking lot off Rt. 5, Exit 9 I-91 at 6:45 am, we'll carpool from there

========

Sat, May 8

8:00 am, Northern Rail Trail

David Jorgensen, Leader

Meet at Icehouse Road parking area

contact David: djorgensen@myfairpoint.net

==================

Weds, April 21

Woodcock Walk

Mark Krenitsky, Leader

mkrenitsky@gmail.com

7:30 pm,LaSalette Parking Lot, Rt 4A,Enfield, NH

============

Sat, May 1

Grant Brook Bird Walk

7:00 am

Art Mudge, Leader arthur.mudge@kahres.kendal.org

Meet at the single-lane bridge on River Road, Lyme, .6 mile from the road connecting Lyme/E. Thetford

Location:    NH - Grant Brook, Lyme
Observation date:    5/1/10
Notes:    overcast, cool, many first-of-season birds, great birding from road looking into field; great look at a pair of rt hawks flying by perched osprey
Number of species:    34

Canada Goose    2
Wood Duck    3
Common Merganser    1
Osprey    1
Red-tailed Hawk    2
Mourning Dove    2
Barred Owl    1
Belted Kingfisher    1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker    2
Downy Woodpecker    2
Pileated Woodpecker    1
Blue Jay    6
American Crow    6
Black-capped Chickadee    12
White-breasted Nuthatch    2
Brown Creeper    6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet    12
Hermit Thrush    1
American Robin    6
Nashville Warbler    2
Yellow-rumped Warbler    4
Black-throated Green Warbler    2
Pine Warbler    1
Black-and-white Warbler    4
Ovenbird    1
Louisiana Waterthrush    1
Song Sparrow    6
Swamp Sparrow    6
White-throated Sparrow    2
Northern Cardinal    1
Red-winged Blackbird    12
Common Grackle    6
Brown-headed Cowbird    2
American Goldfinch    4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/vt)

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Sunday, May 2

Herrick's Cove Wildlife Festival

(7:30 am Bird Walk not yet shown on their website)

March 20

(New Date)

Divers, Dabblers & Donuts

aka Spring Duck Trip

Meet JC Penney 8:00 am

============

 

October 2009

Dead Creek WMA, Addison County, VT

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

All Day

Enjoy a full day of birding in Addison County, Vermont. We'll hopefully see thousands of migrating Snow Geese, and spend time looking for Ross's Geese and Cackling Geese. This area of Vermont is also one of the best for rarities.

Morning at the Snow Geese viewing area (Brilyea Access). Afternoon on Lake Champlain looking for water fowl and gulls anywhere from McCuen Slang to Button Bay.

Meet at JC Penny parking lot (Rt 12-A, W. Lebanon) at 7:30 am. We'll carpool
as much as we can.

Contact: Spencer Hardy at mascomabirds@yahoo.com

 

Sat, June 6, 7-11 a.m.

Grant Brook Sanctuary (River Rd., Lyme) inventory

Trip leader: Mark Krenitsky

This is a cooperatively conserved area in Lyme. The Lyme Conservation, Upper Valley Land Trust and NH Audubon teamed up to conserve the area. Our Mascoma Chapter have decided to take the area up for our chapter Sanctuary project. Our chapter will survey and catalog the plants, animals, birds, insects, etc. here.

This walk will include the lower field along the river and on the other side of the road, some moderately steep sections part way up the hill. You can see the trail map by clicking here.

We will meet at the single lane bridge at Grant Brook on River Road in Lyme (.6 miles from the cross road between East Thetford, Vt and Lyme, NH). There is parking along the road at a couple of pull offs, so car pool if you can.

Updated 5/31/09

Feathered Fridays

Trip leaders: Becky Cook and Ted Boze

7 a.m. - 9 a.m. Union Village Dam - Thetford side

every Fri morning in May

Every Friday in May is a Feathered Friday to Ted Boze and Becky Cook. Ted and Becky will be leading the trips from the parking lot at the Thetford Hill end of the road through the dam. (This is NOT the Union Village, flag pole end.) It's a great area and an easy walk.

 

Saturday, May 30th

6:30 a.m. - mid-morning

Bear Pond Conservation Area, Canaan, NH

Trip leaders: Becky Cook and Ted Boze

We will carpool from Centerra Parkway in Lebanon (parking at Bear Pond is very limited). Park near the Lake Sunapee Bank end of the parking lot. Meet at 6:30 am. Canada Warbler study area with tours by Prof. Len Reitsma and students. Dress for bugs and ticks.

Warbler Wednesdays

Trip leader: Dan Hopkins

7 a.m. - 9 a.m. Boston Lot, Lebanon

Meet in picnic area parking lot across from the Wilder Dam

starting Weds, April 29

and

every Weds morning in May

Every Wednesday in May (and the last Wednesday in April) is a Warbler Wednesday to Dan Hopkins. He'll be leading a morning trip to Boston Lot Lake every week, and it should be a good chance to see how migration progresses! We meet at the NH Wilder Dam picnic area (Route 10, W. Lebanon) at 7am and scan the Connecticut River first, then walk up the hill to the Lake and further as time and the number of species seen/heard allows.

 

Saturday, May 23

Mimi's Trail, Thetford Hill, 7-11 a.m

Trip leader: Peg Ackerson

This a nice birding trail in Thetford Hill. We'll plan on hiking to the top of Houghton Hill and back. Park at the Thetford Grade School - we'll meet there at 7 am. Bring water and a snack. Easy to moderate hike.

Sunday, May 17

Bedell Bridge State Park Bird Walk, 7 - 9 a.m.

Art Mudge will lead a bird walk to explore the wonders of Bedell Bridge State Park in Haverhill NH. Directions to the Park can be found by clicking the link.

The bird walk will start at 7 a.m. from the Bedell Bridge parking lot. Then the group will walk the Park for the next two hours.

 

Saturday, May 9

Plainfield, 7-11 a.m.

Trip leaders: Ted Boze and Becky Cook

A walk through a meadow along Blow Me Down Brook in Plainfield Village. If we have time, perhaps we'll then move south a bit on 12A to the Blow Me Down Mill Pond. Be prepared for possible muddy conditions on the walk.
 
Parking: Head south on 12A from West Lebanon to Plainfield Village (about 7 miles). In the village take a left onto Westgate Road (first left past the old brick church, empty general store, and Blow Me Down Grange). Go straight past Hayward Road on your right. At the far edge of the field on your right is a driveway for the Longacre's Nursery potting barn (unmarked) where we can park.

 

Also Saturday, May 9

Naturalist Walk, 8:30 - 11:30

Hawkride Farm, 109 Jenney Road, Plainfield

Join Monica Erhart, UVLT Stewardship Coordinator, Amber Boland, UVLT Conservation Mapping and Field Specialist, and Peg Ackerson, a member of the Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon, as they lead a naturalist walk on a beautiful property conserved by UVLT Trustee, Myra Ferguson and her husband, Allan. The walk will focus on the property's springtime bird and plant life. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. For more information contact Monica Erhart at Monica.erhart@uvlt.org or Amber Boland at amber.boland@uvlt.org, or call UVLT at (603) 643-6626.

From the north:

From I-89, take Exit 20 in West Lebanon and follow Route 12A to the south. In about 2 miles, turn left onto Trues Brook Road. Stay on this road as the name changes first to Brook Road, then to Willow Brook Road, about 4.8 miles. Turn left on Jenney Road. Approximately 1/2 mile up Jenney Road on the left is the driveway entrance. There is a granite post marking 109 Jenney Road. The Ferguson house is on the top of the hill on the right at the end of a 1/2 mile long driveway.

From the south:

Take NH 120 north to Meriden Village. At the flashing yellow traffic light, turn right onto Main Street. Continue on Main Street and pass a covered bridge on the left. Main Street then changes to Valley Brook Road. Travel about 2 more miles from village to what appears to be a fork in the road. Take the road on the right, Jenney Road. Approximately 1/2 mile up Jenney Road on the left is the driveway entrance. There is a granite post marking 109 Jenney Road. The Ferguson house is on the top of the hill on the right at the end of a 1/2 mile long driveway.

 

 

Weds, April 22, 7:30 - 9 p.m.

RAINED OUT!

Woodcock Watch

Trip leader: Mark Krenitsky

Every year woodcocks prepare for mating season by engaging in ritual display flight. Every year we try to watch them, and most years we succeed! Dress warmly! Meet at the LaSalette Shrine parking lot on Route 4A and we'll carpool to Bog Rd in Enfield. We might even do a little star gazing if the sky is clear.

 

Sat, April 4, 9-11 a.m.

Grant Brook Sanctuary (River Rd., Lyme) inventory

Trip leader: Becky Cook

This is a cooperatively conserved area in Lyme. The Lyme Conservation, Upper Valley Land Trust and NH Audubon teamed up to conserve the area. Our Mascoma Chapter have decided to take the area up for our chapter Sanctuary project. Our chapter will survey and catalog the plants, animals, birds, insects, etc. here.

This walk will include the lower field along the river and on the other side of the road, some moderately steep sections part way up the hill. You can see the trail map by clicking here.

We will meet at the single lane bridge at Grant Brook on River Road in Lyme (.6 miles from the cross road between East Thetford, Vt and Lyme, NH). There is parking along the road at a couple of pull offs, so car pool if you can.

 

Sat, March 28, 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Duck migration along the Connecticut River

Trip leader: Dan Hopkins

Join the Mascoma and the Monadnock Chapters of NH Audubon on Saturday, March 28 for a birding trip along the Connecticut River.  We will search for migrating ducks and other early spring arrivals as we visit Herrick's Cove, Allen Brothers Marsh and flooded fields along the river.  Meet at 7am at the JC Penney parking lot in West Lebanon and we'll carpool to Charlestown and join members from the Monadnock Chapter.  Return by 2 pm.  Free and open to the public.  For more information call Dan Hopkins at 603-443-0155.

Additional information from the Monadnock Chapter leader:

We'll be meeting at the Charlestown Library at 8 am for the trip. We'll be hitting the Great Meadows in Charlestown, Christmas Tree Farm in Springfield, VT, Upper Meadows in Rockingham, VT, Malnati Farm in Walpole, Allen Brothers Marsh (VT), and Herrick's Cove. That's only the am stops. Some of us will go further into the afternoon and make it as far as Putney, VT and Westmoreland, NH.

Some, still, may continue for the whole day and wrap up at the Hinsdale Waterfowl Roost.

Wilder Dam (Vermont side) Eagle Watch, Saturday 2/7/2009 10 a.m. - noon

Trip Leader: Mark Krenitsky

About a dozen people showed up to the Eagle Watch over a two hour period, not bad for the cold weather. They were rewarded with the sighting of one adult Bald Eagle, which stayed in view the entire time, moving up and down the river below the dam.

Species list:

1 Adult Bald Eagle

1 Cooper's Hawk(attacked Rock Pigeons)

1 Red-tailed Hawk(perched in a pine for about 45 minutes)

4 Common Mergansers(not that many, I'm used to there being more of them)

15 Bohemian Waxwings

6 American Robins

20 Blue Jays

15 Rock Pigeons

American Goldfinches

Black-capped Chickadees

Dead Creek WMA, Addison County, VT

Sunday, October 19th, 2008

all day

Enjoy a full day of birding in Addison County, Vermont. We'll hopefully see thousands of migrating Snow Geese, and spend time looking for Ross's Geese and Cackling Geese. This area of Vermont is also one of the best for rarities.

Morning at the Snow Geese viewing area (Brilyea Access). Afternoon on Lake Champlain looking for water fowl and gulls anywhere from McCuen Slang to Button Bay.

Look for breeding Sandhill Cranes in Bristol, VT on the way home.

We could not have wished for a much better day, the weather was great and the birds were out (except maybe the snow geese). Here is our complete list from Sunday's trip to the Dead Creek Area. Surprisingly, several of the birds show up as the latest Vermont Record in the e-bird database.

Location:     Addison County, VT Observation date:     10/19/08
Number of species:     48

Snow Goose     4500  (Too bad they were not more visible)
Canada Goose     300
American Black Duck     5
Mallard     200
Green-winged Teal     50
Common Goldeneye     7
Red-breasted Merganser     10
Wild Turkey     7  (From the car near bristol)
Common Loon     3
Double-crested Cormorant     1
American Bittern     1
Great Blue Heron     5
Turkey Vulture     5
Northern Harrier     4
Red-tailed Hawk     15
Sandhill Crane     4  (Great end to a great trip)
Killdeer     1
Wilson's Snipe     1
American Woodcock     1
Red-necked Phalarope     1  (Maybe latest state record, unless it hangs around)
Bonaparte's Gull     75
Ring-billed Gull     35
Herring Gull     20
Great Black-backed Gull     1
Rock Pigeon     50
Mourning Dove     3
Red-bellied Woodpecker     1
Blue Jay     15
American Crow     50
Common Raven     2
Horned Lark     30  Black-capped Chickadee     10
Red-breasted Nuthatch     1
White-breasted Nuthatch     5
American Robin     25
European Starling     200
American Pipit     10  (I wish some had landed)
Cedar Waxwing     3
Yellow Warbler     1  (Latest State Record, by two weeks!)
Yellow-rumped Warbler     5
Savannah Sparrow     2
Song Sparrow     5
Swamp Sparrow     2
White-throated Sparrow     5
Dark-eyed Junco     5
Red-winged Blackbird     50
Brown-headed Cowbird     10
American Goldfinch     5
House Sparrow     20

September 27, 2008

Bedell Bridge, North Haverhill, NH

On a mild, cloudy but not
rainy fall morning,
New Hampshire Audubon
Mascoma Chapter's expedition
to Haverhill's Bedell Bridge
State Park had reasonably
happy hunting today.
In addition to the usual year
round suspects, the following
migrants were spotted:
Sharp-shinned Hawk,
Northern Harrier and Osprey,
flocks of Robins and
Flickers, mixed flocks of
White-throated and Song
Sparrows, abundant
Yellow-rumped Warblers
plus a few Northern Yellowthroats,
a Blackthroated Blue Warble
and a flock of Rusty Blackbirds,
an uncommon species with a particular
affinity for Bedell's wooded wetlands
during migration. Heard but not seen
were Catbird and Belted Kingfisher.

September 20, 2008

Herrick's Cove and Putney Mountain Hawk Watch

Mark Krenitsky led the trip. Sightings included:Northern Harrier (Marsh) Hawk, Great Egret, Black Duck,Osprey, Lincoln's Sparrow, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler (Eastern), Cedar Waxwings, American Cat Bird, Black-capped Chicadee,Common Merganzers ....

Putney Mountain, we arrived around 11 am. The volunteers had seen two Broad-wings at that point. By 1:30 pm we had seen two ketteles of 19 each and several other single Broad Wings. We saw only two Monarch Butterfly's migrating.

Other birds:Cedar Waxwings,Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Blue Jays, American Goldfinch.

 

Hawk Watches - link to hawk counts

Miller State Park, Peterborough, New Hampshire: Three miles east of Peterborough on Rte 101 or about 10 miles west of Milford watch for entrance to Miller State Park. A $2.50 entrance fee is charged. You can drive to the top of the mountain. Best viewing is just northwest of the parking area, a few hundred feet along the Wapack Trail as it heads north toward North Pack. There is an overlook with picnic tables as you emerge from the pines.

Brush up on your hawk identifications with this publication Wild Life Journal,September/October 2005. (pdf)

Grant Brook

Saturday, May 17, 2008 7 am - 10am

This is a cooperatively conserved area in Lyme. The Lyme Conservation, Upper Valley Land Trust and NH Audubon teamed up to conserve the area. Our Mascoma Chapter have decided to take the area up for our chapter Sanctuary project. Our chapter will survey and catalog the plants, animals, birds, insects, etc. here.

This walk will include the lower field along the river and on the other side of the road, some moderately steep sections part way up the hill. You can see the trail map by clicking here.

We will meet at the single lane bridge at Grant Brook on River Road in Lyme (.6 miles from the cross road between East Thetford, Vt and Lyme, NH). There is parking along the road at a couple of pull offs, so car pool if you can.

Members of the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon visited the Grant Brook area
on River Road in Lyme this morning and id'd 44 bird species. Highlights
were great looks at Redstarts, Blue-headed and Warbling Vireos, and an
Osprey flying overhead. The Baltimore Orioles were especially beautiful
in the morning sunlight.
The complete list:

Species

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Mourning Dove

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Willow Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

Yellow-throated Vireo

Blue-headed Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Tree Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Brown Creeper

American Robin

Gray Catbird

Northern Parula

Yellow Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

American Redstart

Ovenbird

Northern Waterthrush

Common Yellowthroat

Scarlet Tanager

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Bobolink

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Baltimore Oriole

American Goldfinch

Mimi's Trail, Thetford Hill, Thetford, VT
May 10, 2008

This a nice birding trail in Thetford Hill. Winter Wrens, Blackburnian, Yellow, Chesnut-Sided Warblers, Song and White Throated Sparrows& Hairy and Downy Woodpeckersare just a few of the great birds we've seen on this trail. We'll plan on hiking to the top of Houghton Hill and back. Parking at the Thetford Grade School - we'll meet there at 7 am.

Contact: Peg Ackerson 603-795-4405

Herrick's Cove Wildlife Festival

Sunday, May 4

Free bird walk with very experienced birders. The walk starts at 8 am. The festival gets underway at 10 with speakers, exhibits, etc. Modest fee to get into the Festival. And a guest appearance from Mr. Audubon. Click here for more details

Reports from Allen Bros Marsh and Herricks Cove that week on ebird.org

Canada Goose	30 (4)
Wood Duck	3 (4)
Mallard	9 (7)
Green-winged Teal	5 (1)
Common Merganser	1 (1)
Ruffed Grouse	X (1)
Double-crested Cormorant	3 (1)
Great Blue Heron	3 (4)
Green Heron	1 (3)
Turkey Vulture	X (1)
Osprey	1 (3)
Bald Eagle	1 (2)
Northern Harrier	1 (1)
Virginia Rail	1 (1)
Spotted Sandpiper	4 (3)
Greater Yellowlegs	1 (3)
Lesser Yellowlegs	10 (1)
Belted Kingfisher	2 (6)
Downy Woodpecker	1 (3)
Hairy Woodpecker	1 (2)
Northern Flicker	1 (5)
Least Flycatcher	3 (1)
Great Crested Flycatcher	1 (1)
Eastern Kingbird	2 (7)
Warbling Vireo	2 (6)
Red-eyed Vireo	1 (1)
Blue Jay	15 (6)
American Crow	4 (6)
Tree Swallow	15 (7)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	1 (3)
Bank Swallow	2 (2)
Cliff Swallow	3 (2)
Barn Swallow	2 (3)
Black-capped Chickadee	1 (4)
Tufted Titmouse	1 (1)
White-breasted Nuthatch	X (3)
Marsh Wren	1 (2)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	3 (3)
Veery	1 (1)
American Robin	4 (6)
Gray Catbird	3 (6)
Nashville Warbler	1 (1)
Yellow Warbler	3 (6)
Chestnut-sided Warbler	1 (1)
Yellow-rumped Warbler	2 (2)
Pine Warbler	1 (1)
Palm Warbler	4 (1)
Black-and-white Warbler	3 (3)
American Redstart	2 (1)
Northern Waterthrush	1 (1)
Common Yellowthroat	4 (2)
Scarlet Tanager	1 (1)
Chipping Sparrow	3 (3)
Savannah Sparrow	1 (1)
Song Sparrow	2 (6)
Swamp Sparrow	1 (1)
White-throated Sparrow	4 (1)
Northern Cardinal	1 (1)
Red-winged Blackbird	5 (7)
Common Grackle	3 (7)
Brown-headed Cowbird	1 (1)
Baltimore Oriole	11 (6)
Purple Finch	1 (1)
American Goldfinch	5 (4)

 

Results - Boston Lot

2008 - 66 total species

Species	April 30	May 7	May 14	May 21	May 28
Canada Goose	1	--	--	2	2
Wood Duck	--	1	1	--	--
Mallard	1	1	2	--	2
Ring-necked Duck	--	1	--	--	--
Double-crested Cormorant	1	1	--	--	--
Turkey Vulture	1	1	1	--	1
Bald Eagle	1
Red-tailed Hawk	1
Broad-winged Hawk	--	--	1	1	1
Rock Pigeon	--	1	1	--	1
Mourning Dove	1	1	--	1	1
Belted Kingfisher	1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	--	1	--	1	1
Hairy Woodpecker	--	1	--	--	--
Northern Flicker	1
Pileated Woodpecker	1				1
Least Flycatcher	--	--	1	1	--
Eastern Phoebe	1	1	1	1	1
Great Crested Flycatcher	--	--	--	1	--
Blue-headed Vireo	1
Red-eyed Vireo	--	--	--	1	1
Blue Jay	1	1	1	1	1
American Crow	1	1	1	1	1
Common Raven	--	1	--	--	1
Tree Swallow	1	--	1	1	1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	--	--	1	--	--
Black-capped Chickadee	1	1	1	1	1
Tufted Titmouse	1	1	1	1	1
White-breasted Nuthatch	--	--	--	1	--
Brown Creeper	1	1	1	1	1
Winter Wren	1	1	--	--	--
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	1
Veery	--	1	1	1	1
Hermit Thrush	--	1	--	--	--
Wood Thrush	--	1	1	1	--
American Robin	1	1	1	1	1
Gray Catbird	--	--	1	--	1
Nashville Warbler	--	--	--	1	--
Northern Parula	--	1	1	--	1
Yellow Warbler	--	--	--	1	--
Chestnut-sided Warbler	--	1	1	1	1
Magnolia Warbler	--	1	--	1	--
Black-throated Blue Warbler	--	1	1	1	1
Yellow-rumped Warbler	1	1	1	1	1
Black-throated Green Warbler	1	1	1	1	1
Blackburnian Warbler					1
Palm Warbler	1
Pine Warbler	--	1	1	1	1
Bay-breasted Warbler	--	--	1	--	--
Black-and-white Warbler	--	--	--	1	--
American Redstart	--	--	1	1	1
Ovenbird	--	1	1	1	1
Louisiana Waterthrush	--	1	--	--	--
Common Yellowthroat	--	1	1	1	1
Canada Warbler	--	--	--	1	--
Scarlet Tanager	--	--	1	1	1
Eastern Towhee	--	1	--	1	1
Song Sparrow	1	1	1	1	1
White-throated Sparrow	1	1	1	--	1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	--	1	--	--	--
Red-winged Blackbird					1
Common Grackle	--	1	--	1	1
Brown-headed Cowbird	1	1	1	--	1
Baltimore Oriole	--	1	1	1	1
American Goldfinch	1	1	1	1	1

Results - Union Village Dam

2008 - 68 total species

Species Name	May 2	May 9	May16	May 23	May 30
Canada Goose	1	2	2	15	--
Mallard	1	--	--	--	--
Hooded Merganser	1	1	--	--	--
Ruffed Grouse	1	1	--	1	1
Wild Turkey	--	--	1	--	--
American Bittern	--	1	--	--	--
Great Blue Heron	1	--	--	--	--
Turkey Vulture	--	--	--	--	1
Broad-winged Hawk	--	1	--	1	1
Spotted Sandpiper	--	--	1	--	--
Mourning Dove	1	--	1	1	1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	--	--	1	--	1
Belted Kingfisher	--	1	1	--	1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	1	1	--	1	1
Downy Woodpecker	1	1	1	--	--
Hairy Woodpecker	--	--	--	1	--
Alder Flycatcher	--	--	--	1	1
Willow Flycatcher	--	--	--	1	1
Least Flycatcher	--	1	--	--	--
Eastern Phoebe	1	1	1	1	1
Great Crested Flycatcher	--	--	--	1	1
Eastern Kingbird	--	--	--	1	2
Blue-headed Vireo	--	1	1	--	1
Red-eyed Vireo	--	--	1	1	1
Blue Jay	1	1	1	1	1
American Crow	1	--	1	1	--
Tree Swallow	--	1	--	1	1
Barn Swallow	--	--	--	1	--
Black-capped Chickadee	1	1	1	1	1
Tufted Titmouse	--	--	--	--	1
White-breasted Nuthatch	--	--	--	--	1
Brown Creeper	1	1	--	--	--
House Wren	1	1	1	1	1
Winter Wren	--	1	--	--	--
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	1	1	--	--	--
Veery	--	1	1	1	12
Wood Thrush	1	1	1	1	1
American Robin	1	1	1	1	1
Gray Catbird	--	1	1	1	1
Cedar Waxwing	--	--	--	--	6
Nashville Warbler	--	1	1	1	1
Northern Parula	--	--	2	--	--
Yellow Warbler	--	1	1	1	1
Chestnut-sided Warbler	--	1	12	1	1
Magnolia Warbler	--	1	--	--	1
Black-throated Blue Warbler	--	--	1	1	1
Yellow-rumped Warbler	1	1	1	1	--
Black-throated Green Warbler	--	1	1	1	1
Black-and-white Warbler	--	1	1	1	1
American Redstart	--	--	--	--	1
Ovenbird	--	1	1	1	6
Louisiana Waterthrush	--	1	2	1	--
Common Yellowthroat	--	1	6	1	1
Canada Warbler	--	--	--	1	--
Scarlet Tanager	--	--	--	1	2
Eastern Towhee	--	--	1	--	--
Chipping Sparrow	--	--	--	1	1
Song Sparrow	1	1	1	1	1
Swamp Sparrow	--	1	1	1	1
White-throated Sparrow	1	1	1	1	1
Dark-eyed Junco	--	--	1	--	--
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	--	--	2	2	1
Red-winged Blackbird	1	1	1	1	1
Common Grackle	--	1	--	6	1
Brown-headed Cowbird	--	--	--	1	--
Baltimore Oriole	--	1	1	1	1
Purple Finch	--	--	--	--	1
American Goldfinch	1	1	--	1	1

 

Woodcock Walk
Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 pm - 9 pm
Every year woodcocks prepare for mating season by engaging in ritual display flight. Every year we try to watch them, and most years we succeed! Dress warmly! Meet at the LaSalette Shrine parking lot on Route 4A and we'll carpool to Bog Rd in Enfield. We might even do a little star gazing if the sky is clear.

Report by Mark Krenitsky:

Eight intrepid birders wandered on Bog Road in
Enfield last night, and were rewarded with the sighting of one male American Woodcock singing and displaying. The light was not the greatest, but we could make out the long bill and the chunky body. We heard another one, but never did see it display.


One interesting thing - I had thought that the woodcock would start displaying once it got dark enough, but even though it was overcast and dim the woodcock waited until the sun went down to start its display. It seemed
that it was waiting for the position of the sun, rather than the amount of light.  

Other exciting birds were a heard pair of Barred Owls, a heard Wilson's Snipe, a gobbling Wild Turkey( also heard only), and several flyover ducks of which a couple were Mallards. The spring peepers were deafening at times!

Ducks on the Connecticut

Saturday, March 29, 2008
8:00 am - 4 pm
Starting at JC Penney in West Lebanon, we stopped at several river landings on the NH side of the Connecticut River, the Charlestown Sewer Plant, stopped atHerrick's Cove between Belows Falls and Springfield VT off Rt 5, and then moved north along Rt 5 looking for waterfowl migrating up the river corridor.

Sightings included: Rusty Blackbird, Chickadees,10 Wood ducks, Mergansers - common and hooded, an immature eagle

Eagle Watch
Wilder Dam - February 9, 2008,
10 am - noon.
From mid-December to the end of March, the Upper Valley is visited by two or more wintering eagles. This year, some of us have seen two mature Bald Eagles. Dan Hopkins and Peg Ackerson will have scopes there so you can see the eagles upclose and personal. Join us for the Eagle Watch.

One Mature Bald Eagle sighted. Thanks to all who came.

Bedell Bridge State Park, Haverhill, NH

Saturday, September 29, 8am–11am
Art Mudge, our guide for searching for fall migrants and a variety of sparrows.

Report: After a quiet hour's walk through the morning fog we were rewarded with a sunny and productive second hour walking around the south side of the wooded wetland over the newly harvested cornfields. Highlights included lots of White-Crowned Sparrows, excellent viewing close up and personal of a foraging Sharp-shinned Hawk, and a Bittern who just sat there for his portrait about a quarter of an hour before flying off right over our heads.

Putney Mountain Hawk WatchSaturday, September 15, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Putney Mountain in Putney, Vt., is one of the better hawk watching sites in New England, particularly during the peak migration of broadwinged hawks. We expect to see several species of hawks, and hope to see hundreds of broadwings. Bring binoculars, sunscreen, a lawn chair, and a lunch.

www.putneyvt.org/hawks/index.php

Cancelled in 2007 due to inclement weather.

Herrick's Cove
Saturday, September 8, 2007, 7:30am - 1pm
Herricks Cove in Bellows Falls is one of the best places to watch birds in the CT River Valley, particularly during fall and spring migration.

An enthusiastic band of birders, undeterred by the heat and threat of thunderstorms, was rewarded with a total of 29 species on a Mascoma Chapter trip to Herrick’s Cove today.  Highlights were a juvenile and female pied-billed grebe, wonderful and prolonged views of hunting harriers, and great views of great blue herons, a great egret, and a green heron at Allen Bothers Marsh.  Also of interest, after the heat of the morning, was the iced chocolate at Burdicks (Bird-icks?) in Walpole.

Ted Boze and Becky Cook

The complete list:American Robins (flocks), Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Jay, Great Blue Heron'
Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, Wood Duck, White Breasted Nuthatch, Catbird, Pied-billed Grebe (2), Canada Geese, Song Sparrow, Common Yellow-Throat, Northern Harrier (2),
Downey Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher, Crow, Eastern Wood Peewee, Goldfinch, Ruby
Throated Hummingbird, Great Egret, Green Heron, Mallards, House Sparrow, Turkey Vultures, Red Tailed Hawk, Starlings, Herring Gulls

Plum Island, MA
Saturday August 4th 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.Plum Island is one of the best places in New England for bird watching, and we always try to go there during the height of shorebird migration. Bring sunscreen, appropriate clothing and a lunch... we'll be back in the late afternoon.

Mark Krenitsky

Local Butterflies
Saturday, July 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Birds aren't the only colorful winged critters flying in the summer! We will visit some Upper Valley sites and learn how to find and identify the butterflies that live amoung us in the summer. Bring a lunch, sunscreen and binoculars (close-focusing if at all possible). Group size is limited, so call ahead to reserve your spot!

Report:Mascoma Audubon's butterfly field trip on Saturday had a good showing of both butterflies and participants.
The weather threatened, but the rain didn't begin until we were ending the trip. Despite the intermittent cloudiness, we saw a respectable 24 species of butterflies, and several of us were able to get some photographs. We visited the Wilder substation and the North Hartland Dam entrance dike.
Species List:Cabbage White, Clouded Sulphur, Orange Sulphur, Banded Hairstreak, Eastern Tailed Blue, Spring Azure, Summer Azure, Great-spangled Fritillary, Question Mark, Eastern Comma, Mourning Cloak, Red Admiral, Viceroy, Little Wood Satyr, Common Woodnymph, Monarch, Silver-spotted Skipper, Northern Cloudywing, European Skipper, Tawny-edged Skipper, Long Dash, Delaware Skipper, Hobomok Skipper, Dun Skipper.
Other highlights were a moose at the wetland below the dike, and a cooperative Indigo Bunting at the substation.
Also lots of odonates and Virginia Ctenuchid moths.
Terry Rosenmeier
Mascoma Audubon

Eshqua Bog
Saturday, June 23rd, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Eshqua Bog is a wonderful place to find orchids and a lovely and unusual ecosystem.  The protected area has both the Yellow Ladyslipper, and the Showy Ladyslipper, as well as other bog plants. We may also see some birds!

Mark Krenitsky

Birdathon
Saturday, May 26, 2007 All day Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon Fundraiser.
Whether in teams or by yourself, on foot/bicycle or by auto, please help the Chapter raise funds to support our youth scholarships.Go to your favorite birding spots and just have fun, but ask others to support you for the day.

Get Ready for 2008

Union Village Dam
Sunday, May 20th, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Union Village Dam is a great place to go bird watching in the spring.  We'll be looking for migrants, butterflies, dragonflies, and anything else interesting.  Meet at the JC Penney parking lot at Exit 20 off I-89, at 7:00 a.m.or at Thetford Elementary School at 7:30. We should arrive at the RT 113 entrance parking lot (drive in until you get to a closed gate) by 7:45 am to start our walk.

The Mascoma Chapter held a field trip at Union Village Dam on Sunday, though due to confusion the leader(moi) waited for fellow birders at one end of the park, and the rest of the group met at the *other* end. This unfortunate error had one side effect - pretty good coverage of the park, since we only met after the trip ended. So, a combined trip list yielded 16 species of warblers and 64 species overall, further proof of the wonderful migration that we've had the past week. Highlights: Warblers! Northern Parula, Yellow(many), Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Pine, Bay-breasted(2), Black and White, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's, and Canada. 3 types of vireos: Blue-headed, Red-eyed and Warbling. 3 types of thrushes: Hermit, Wood, and Veery 3 types of sandpipers: Spotted and Solitary Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe 4 types of flycatchers: E.Kingbird, E. Phoebe, L. Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher 6 types of sparrows: Song, Swamp, Field(2), White-throated, Chipping, and 4 White-crowned Sparrows Plus the usual assortment of brightly colored birds: Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Brown Thrasher, and a Barred Owl. Mark Krenitsky

Pillsbury State Park
Sunday, May 13th, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Dan Hopkins led a trip to Pillsbury State Park last year, and was impressed enough to do it again this year. It's an interesting place that doesn't get the birder attention it deserves.  Meet at the Exxon station on the north side of Exit 16, off of I-89, at 7:00 a.m. Bring bug repellent, and be ready for a bit of a hike.

Sightings:
Yesterday morning (Sunday) the Mascoma Chapter of NH Audubon hosted a hike to Pillsbury State Park in search of spring migrants. The park is not yet open and the entrance is gated at route 31 so we followed roads and trails out to Bear Pond and Bacon Pond. We had some interesting sightings and saw/heard the following: Common Loon Great-blue Heron (sitting on nest at Bear Pond, Canada Geese, Mallard, Great-horned Owl (on an old heron nest at Bear Pond), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird (at Bacon Pond), Blue-headed Vireo, Blue Jay, Crows, Tree Swallows, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Winter Wren, Robin, Bay-breated Warbler (apparently injured since it was  walking on the ground next to the trail), Blackburnian Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warble,r Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird, American Redstart (female), White-throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Juncos, Red-winged Blackbird, American Goldfinch

Herrick's Cove Wildlife Festival
( Mt Ascutney Aububon)

Sunday, May 6th, 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Herrick's Cove is one of the best places to watch birds in the Upper Valley, and the Wildlife Festival is a yearly celebration of our birds. This year, Ted Boze and Becky Cook will lead us to the Festival. We'll join in an early morning bird walk and then spend some time enjoying the birds and the festival.  Meet at the JC Penney parking lot at Exit 20 off of I-89, at 6:30 a.m.

Sightings:
Notes: All birds were seen or heard by Kai Reed and/or Taj. Black-throated Green Warbler, Hermit Thrush, and Blue-headed Vireo were reported at Herricks by other birders but we did not see them and therefore did not count them on our list. Number of species: 70 Canada Goose X Wood Duck X American Black Duck X Mallard X Green-winged Teal X Common Goldeneye X Common Merganser X Ruffed Grouse X Double-crested Cormorant X American Bittern X Great Blue Heron X Green Heron X Turkey Vulture X Osprey X Bald Eagle X Northern Harrier X Cooper's Hawk X Red-tailed Hawk X Greater Yellowlegs X Lesser Yellowlegs X Solitary Sandpiper X Wilson's Snipe X Ring-billed Gull X Mourning Dove X Belted Kingfisher X Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X Downy Woodpecker X Northern Flicker X Pileated Woodpecker X Least Flycatcher X Eastern Kingbird X Warbling Vireo X Blue Jay X American Crow X Tree Swallow X Northern Rough-winged Swallow X Bank Swallow X Cliff Swallow X Barn Swallow X Black-capped Chickadee X Tufted Titmouse X White-breasted Nuthatch X Marsh Wren X Ruby-crowned Kinglet X Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X American Robin X Gray Catbird X European Starling X Nashville Warbler X Northern Parula X Yellow Warbler X Yellow-rumped Warbler X Pine Warbler X Palm Warbler X (even numbers of Western and Eastern Palms) Black-and-white Warbler X American Redstart X Northern Waterthrush X Common Yellowthroat X Chipping Sparrow X Savannah Sparrow X Song Sparrow X Swamp Sparrow X White-throated Sparrow X White-crowned Sparrow X Northern Cardinal X Rose-breasted Grosbeak X Red-winged Blackbird X Common Grackle X Brown-headed Cowbird X American Goldfinch X

Wildflower Walk with Sarah Schwaegler at the Plainfield Wildflower Sanctuary

Saturday, May 5th, 10:45 am - 2 pm

Spring isn't just about birds...we await the wildflowers as well. We are delighted to have Sarah Schwaegler as our trip leader.

Sightings:
Blue Cohosh, Wild Ginger, Wood Anemone, Wild Columbine, Hepatica, Early Meadowrue, Dutchman's Breeches, Hairy Solomon's Seal, False Solomon's Seal, Trout Lily, Large-flowered Bellwort, Purple Trillium (many), Wild Oats, Garlic Mustard, Cut-leaved Toothwort, Bloodroot, Early Saxifrage, Miterwort, Foam Flower, Pennsylvania Sedge, Maidenhair Fern, Fragile Fern, Ostrich Fern, Christmas Fern, Marginal Wood Fern.

Warbler Wednesdays - Boston Lot Lake

Every Wednesday in May, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.,

Every Wednesday in May is a Warbler Wednesday to our chapter president, Dan Hopkins.  He'll be leading a morning trip to Boston Lot Lake every week, and it should be a good chance to see how migration progresses! 

May 2 Sightings:
We had a beautiful spring morning and saw/heard a number of species: Double-crested Cormorant, Canada Geese, Great Blue Herons, Turkey Vultures, Morning Dove, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Flicker, Easter Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglets (lots), Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Pine Warbler, White-Throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Brown-headed Cow Bird, American Goldfinch.

May 9 Sightings:
We had a beautiful spring morning and saw/heard the following species:
Double-crested Cormorant, Canada Geese, Mallard, Solitary Sandpiper, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, FLicker, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Crows, Tree Swallow, B-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Blue Jay, Robin, Veery, Gray Catbird, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, White-throat Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Norther Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch

May 16 Sightings:
We had a cloudy, cool spring morning and the rain held off until just after 9 a.m.

Mallard, Sandpiper, Mourning Dove, Pileated Woodpecker, FLicker, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Crows, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Blue Jay, Robin, Veery, Gray Catbird, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, White-throat Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 2 Indigo Buntings, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch, Grackle, Rock Pidgeon, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Headed Vireo, Scarlet Tananger, Raven, Wood Thrush, Chipping Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird.

May 23 Sightings:
Wood Duck, Mallard, Mourning Dove, Pileated Woodpecker, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Blue Header Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, House Wren, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Veery, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Grey Catbird, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warble, Pine Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Black and White Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Canada Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Common Grackle, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch, Solitary Sandpiper. (42 species)

May 30 Sightings:
Double Crested Cormorant,Wood Duck, Mallard (with chicks), Rock Pidgeon, Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Alder Flycatcher, Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, House Wren, Winter Wren, Veery, Hermit Thrush, Robin, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-Throated Green Warbler, Pine Warbler, Black and White Warbler, American Restart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Red-breasted Grosbeak, Common Grackle, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch, Solitary Sandpiper. (36 species)

Plum Island in the Spring!

Sunday, April 29, 7 am - 6 pm

Plum Island is one of the best places in New England to witness spring migration! Meet at the north side of I-89, Exit 16. Bring a lunch and warm layers. It should be great fun, with lots of interesting birds!

Sightings:
The Mascoma chapter of ASNH field trip to Plum Island on Sunday was quite successful, despite the overcast sky, persistent drizzle, and a complete absence of warblers. Highlights were seeing White-faced Ibis in Newbury, MA; a breeding-plumage Ruff at Joppa Flats, a Summer Tanager in Hampton, NH and the Eastern Screech owl in Greenland, NH. Special thanks to Rick Heil for showing us the White-faced Ibis, Ken and Helen Lidstone and family for showing us the Summer Tanager and Leonard Medlock for *telling* us about the Summer Tanager and showing us the
Ruff.  

Special thanks from *me* to JoAnn O'Shaughnessy for her networking skills that let us find all those goodies.
Other birds of note at Plum Island and Joppa Flats:  
Hundreds of D.C.Cormorants, Glossy Ibis, Mute Swan, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, R.B. Merganser, Osprey, N.Harrier, American Kestrel, Merlin, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Least Sandpiper, Common Tern, B.H.Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Towhee(lots), Savannah Sparrow

 

Field Trip: Woodcock Walk

Wednesday, April 18, 7:30 pm - 9 pm

Every year woodcocks prepare for mating season by engaging in ritual display flight. Every year we try to watch them, and most years we succeed! Dress warmly! Meet at the LaSalette Shrine parking lot on Route 4A and we'll carpool to Bog Rd in Enfield.

Contact Mark Krenitsky, 603-863-1068

 

Ducks on the Connecticut

Saturday, March 31, 7:30am - 4 pm

We will stop at Herrick's Cove between Belows Falls and Springfield VT off Rt 5, and then move south looking for waterfowl migrating up the river corridor. Bring lunch, or plan to grab lunch at Allen Brothers. Meet at the J.C. Penney in West Lebanon at 7:30 am.

Contact Dan Hopkins, 603-443-0155.

Trip Report

We had 9 participants join the Duck Trip along the Connecticut river today. Lots of birds and other birders and great weather for an enjoyable outing. We followed RT 12 from Lebanon NH to Charlestown NH, over to Herricks Cove in Vermont and followed RT 5 north back to Lebanon.

We saw a total of 36 species, including a Greater White-fronted Goose amoung many Canada Geese in a cornfield along Rt 5 in Springfield, VT.

Additional Species: Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, American Black Duck, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Common Golden-eye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Turkey Vultures (one seen on a deer carcass), Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle (immature), Turkey, Killdeer, Ring-billed Gull, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Horned Lark, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Song-Sparrow, Red-winged Black Bird, Common Grackle, American Goldfinch, Snowbunting (possible).

 

Bedell Bridge State Park, Haverhill
Sunday, October 1, 2006
Art Mudge guided us around Bedell Bridge State Park. We should see fall migrants and a variety of sparrows.

Putney Mountain Hawkwatch

Saturday, September 16, 2006
Putney Mountain in Putney, VT is one of the better hawk watching sites in New England, particularly during the peak migration of Broad-winged Hawks.

Herrick's Cove
Saturday, September 9, 2006
Herrick's Cove, in Rockingham, VT, is a designated Important Bird Area. It has a rich mix of sheltered water, river, swamp, brush, and fforest that attracts migrants of all types.