{BIRD NOTES} ~ JANUARY 27, 2011

 

Bird Notes

 

Putney Horned Larks

Driving along River Rd from Putney to Westminster this morning I saw a flock of 20 Horned Larks and 3 Snow Buntings settled down on a snow-covered field, apparently enjoying the sun. Some were covered in snow up to their heads, probably as protection against the cold.

Here is a report and photos:

http://onejackdawbirding.blogspot.com/2011/01/horned-larks-and-snow-buntings-on-snowy.html

---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

Grosbeaks in Marlboro

24 Evening Grosbeaks lined up on my deck railing this morning eating black oil sunflower seeds.  I can't refill the feeders because the snow is too high, so putting seeds on the railing and in the driveway seem the best temporary solution.  It's great to have the grosbeaks back.

---Molly Martin, Marlboro, VT

 

 

Bohemian Waxwings in Marlboro

Eight Bohemian Waxwings inspecting the robin-depleted crabapples here at the house.  The waxwings  hung for maybe 30 minutes, then, gone.  Maybe half of them were first year birds. The early bird gets the fruit.

---Bob Engel, Marlboro, VT

 

 

Evening Grosbeaks and a Bohemian Waxwing

A single Bohemian Waxwing fed on an apple in the tree outside our kitchen window this morning. Also, Evening Grosbeak flocks continue to be regular, sometimes numbering 50+
Photos at http://tailsofbirding.blogspot.com
---Chris Petrak, South Newfane, VT

 

 

Birds at Chipmunk Crossing

4 Common Redpoll, Northern Cardinal (1 M, 3 F), Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Wren and the usual Dark-eyed Juncos, Chickadees, W.B. Nuthatches, Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, Hairy & Downy Woodpeckers, Blue Jays and Morning Doves.

 

 

 

Horned Larks & Snow Buntings

We found lots of action along the roadside of Pond Road in Vernon this afternoon (1/27) .  We came across four small mixed flocks, with maybe two dozen birds each, of Larks and Buntings feeding in the grasses at roads edge where the snow was skinned back by the snowplows and the warmth of the sun. Heading further south on Rt. 142 then turning east on Caldwell Road we came across a much larger flock of over 100 birds, flying then alighting on the snow covered cornfields. The Horned Larks outnumbered the Snow Buntings by a 3 to 1 margin. Unfortunately we couldn’t make any of them into Lapland Longspurs. We parked in the driveway of the farmyard that leads to the manure pit, turned off the engine and waited. The birds that were flying aimlessly over the fields soon flew in our direction and landed almost close enough to touch, affording us wonderful views of these two marvelous species.

 

 

Abbott Road, W. Brattleboro

A flock of 30 to 40 Cedar Waxwings have been hanging out around the bittersweet and the huge supply of rose hips at the old Gateway farm property. 2 Eastern Bluebirds have also been observed in that same area.

 

 

 

Excerpts from the 31^st New Hampshire Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey

This was the 31st consecutive year that New Hampshire Audubon has coordinated New Hampshire's portion of the National Mid-winter Bald Eagle Survey (beginning with the Winter of 1980-81).  This year the survey took place on Saturday, January 8th, except in the Lakes Region where we held it on Thursday, January 6th.  Volunteer turn-out this year included a total of 72 individuals.  While Saturday's falling snow presented visibility challenges especially in southwestern NH, Thursday's count in the Lakes Region took place in beautiful, mild sunlit conditions without precipitation. 

 

Survey Day statewide results:  We located a total of 54 bald eagles (37 adults, 15 immatures*, and 2 unknown age) in New Hampshire on survey day, down roughly 10% from the 61 eagles seen in our 2009 and 2010 counts.  For long-term perspective, 10 years ago in 2001 we counted a total of 42 eagles, in 1991 we counted 19, in 1981 we counted only 8.

 

Count Period statewide results:  The official mid-winter "survey day" occurs within a more inclusive two-week "count period," which this year ran from December 29, 2010 to January 12, 2011.  We keep records on the number of eagles seen during this 15-day interval, combining survey day data with any additional individual birds that are reported during the count period and are distinguishably different (by plumage or location), to arrive at an overall count period total.  During this year's count period, we found a total of 71 bald eagles (51 adults, 18 immatures, and 2 unknown age).  This number is down 5% from last years record-high of 75 birds seen.

 

Connecticut River** - Total of 12 bald eagles seen, including 9 individuals (7 adults, 2 immatures) seen on Survey Day (10 observers), plus 3 additional eagles (3 adults) confirmed during the two-week count period.

 

Chris Martin, Senior Biologist

Conservation Department, New Hampshire Audubon

84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH  03301

 

Office phone:  603/224-9909 x317;  Fax:  603/226-0902;

E-mail:  cmartin@nhaudubon.org;  Web:  www.nhaudubon.org

 

New Hampshire Audubon -- Protecting New Hampshire's natural environment for wildlife and for people.

 

 

 

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Please share your birding news with us.

What have you got coming to your feeders?

Are there any birds nesting in your yard?

What have you seen while on a trip?

Drop us an e-mail chpmnkx@sover.net

 

 Al Merritt

W. Brattleboro, VT

Check out our website:  http://sevtaudubonbirdnotes.blogspot.com/

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