{BIRD NOTES} ~ March 00, 2011

Bird Notes

 

White-winged Crossbill at Putney School

Visiting the Putney School Campus today I ran into Ken Klapper from Keene. Among the birds we saw were a flock of about 8 Common Redpolls in the tree overhead and one on the feeder at the Reynolds house, also one or more Red-breasted Nuthatches, several Goldfinches, a flock of Bohemian Waxwings in the top of a tall tree and a male White-winged Crossbill on a feeder by the campus kitchen. Here are some photos of the Crossbill:

http://onejackdawbirding.blogspot.com/2011/03/winter-visitor-white-winged-crossbill.html

 

I’d like to thank David Moon of Putney School for sending out alerts on the presence of  these birds.

---Hilke Breder, Brattleboro, VT

 

 

A Snipe was observed on Westminster West Rd. today.
---Don Clark, Grafton, VT

 

 

Sure Signs of Spring

This morning, March 8th, I have 6 Redwing Blackbirds singing from a tree announcing their return - how happy i am to see them.

---Susan James, Guilford, VT

 

 

Wilmington Birds

A huge flock of over 100 Goldfinches and Redpolls are regulars here, along with a gang of 8 Blue Jays, Chickadees, Titmice and Nuthatches.  The Cardinal couple comes occasionally, when he isn't singing his heart out on the tallest tree  (Spring IS coming!)  The first Red-winged Blackbirds visited yesterday, but most interesting is a GREAT-HORNED OWL who tries to hunt birds and red squirrels at my feeders, but the Crows are very vocal and aggressive about chasing him away.  Never saw one around here before.  The Owls must be a bit desperate for food with all the little critters safely tunneled under all this snow.

---Mary Ann McLeod, Wilmington, VT

 

 

Westminster Birds

A pair of Titmice have returned to our feeder after being absent for most of the winter.  I presume it was the male singing that made me look out for it.   We have had Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers and Nuthatches at the feeder in addition to the ever present Chickadees. 

---Tom Prunier, Westminster, VT

 

 

At the Meadows and Dam

There was a N. Shrike perched in a tree at the Retreat Meadows just past the boat launch on Rt 30 about 9:00 AM.
Above the dam in Vernon about 10:00AM- 4 A. Wigeon, 10 N. Pintail, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 9 C. Mergansers, 4 Hoodies, 1 Ring-billed Gull, and 3 Red-winged Blackbirds.
---Dave Johnston, W. Brattleboro, VT

 

 

NHA Late Winter Bald Eagle Count

New Hampshire Audubon coordinated the statewide late winter count, which took place on Saturday 2/26/2011, except in the Lakes Region where we conducted it on Thursday 2/24/2011.  A grand total of 52 observers participated this time, compared to a 6-yr average of just over 57 observers annually during the 2005 thru 2010 late winter counts. 

 

On the 2011 Late Winter Survey Day, we located 54 eagles (34 adults, 20 immatures) statewide, exactly the same number of eagles as seen in NH during the January 2011 Mid-winter Survey Day (37 adults, 15 immatures, 2 undetermined age).  Compared to the six prior NH late winter surveys from February 2005 thru 2010, the 54 eagles seen this year was slightly below the six-year average of just over 57 eagles seen per count day. 

 

In the Connecticut River Area a total of 11 eagles were seen, including 6 adult eagles seen on survey day, plus 5 additional adult eagles and 1 immature confirmed during the two-week count period. 

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*In keeping with the protocol of the national mid-winter survey, any sub-adult plumage eagles (including almost full adult plumage birds with only minor remnants of their immature plumage) are defined as immatures rather than as adults in these surveys.

 

With March finally here, NH's bald eagle breeding season is now underway, as is the case throughout New England.  Our breeding pairs will be starting to incubate very soon!  I hope that this spring you can get outside and help us monitor New Hampshire's breeding eagles at a nest in your area! .---Chris Martin, Senior Biologist Conservation Department, New Hampshire Audubon   www.nhaudubon.org

 

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REMEMBER TO ADVANCE YOUR CLOCKS ONE HOUR BEFORE RETIRING ON SATURDAY EVENING

Here is a clock that will be helpful in more ways than one:

           http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf

 

 

 

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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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A friend is someone who reaches for your hand

and touches your heart.