Monday, 2 December 2013

[Maine-birds] Fwd: The Birds of New Hampshire

Hey everyone:

Dana asked me to forward this message along and I think it sounds like a great resource that Maine birders should know about.

Good birding,


Doug Hitchcox
Hollis, ME

-------------------------------------------

For those of you who have used the Petersen and Veit's Birds of Massachusetts as a bible to learn of prior sightings (or lack thereof !) in MA,  a new book has just been published documenting the birds of New Hampshire.  Written by Allan Keith of the Vineyard and Bob Fox of North Andover and published by the Nuttall Ornithological Club this book was a long time in the making.  As many of you bird in New Hampshire, I thought you might like to get this book.
 
Here's what this book contains:
 
·       First state-wide coverage of all species in 110 years
·       Status and distribution for all 427 species, seasons of occurrence and abundance
·       History of New Hampshire Christmas Counts
·       Summary of New Hampshire Hawk-watching data
·       Location and identity of over 4,800 museum specimens collected in the state
·       Summary of over 17,500 bird band returns for New Hampshire
·       Breeding Bird Survey results since 1966
·       Bibliography of over 1,200 titles covering the last 200 years
 
The 473 page 8" x 11"book will be available from the Audubon Society of New Hampshire (www.nhaudubon.org and 603-224-9909) for $55 plus shipping and handling and through Buteo Books (www.buteobooks.com and 800-722-2460).
 
The book has a beautiful dust jacket picture by Mark Wilson.
 
Makes a great holiday gift.
 
Dana Duxbury-Fox

44 Old Village Lane
North Andover, MA 01845
978-682-9553 (H)
danafox@comcast.net
Read More :- "[Maine-birds] Fwd: The Birds of New Hampshire"

[Maine-birds] Phippsburg turkeys & eBird Report - Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Preserve, Nov 29, 2013

Phippsburg, Me map 6 Totman Cove
We just came home from a week in New Jersey on a Thanksgiving family visit. Upon returning home, we were greeted by a flock of five wild turkeys on our front steps and decks. Judging by the poo all over the place they had been making themselves at home all week. I have/had winterberries in my holiday planters around the house, which they had busily decimated. Our dog had gone to Jersey, which he thought was very boring. Malls aren't his thing, nor did he get any Thanksgiving turkey while there. The flock here that he flushed upon being let out of the car made up for that he says.
 
The following is NOT a report of Maine birds, but rather a suggestion about a great place to bird in New Jersey. When I visit the fam each year, I go to the Edwin B. Forsythe national Wildlife Preserve. Many of you know it. Though this is not a good time of year to bird, it is always productive there and FUN! Of note, for the following 40 species, I never got out of my car. This is a huge plus for many birders who might not otherwise be able to bird by beating around in the bushes. 
Also of note, 3 yellow crowned night herons there which was apparently very unusual for this time of year, and a really high count for Northern Harriers. Of course none of this was as great as all the Snowies reported here!

Hope your holiday was as great as ours,
Robin R Robinson 
> Date: Mon, 2 Dec 2013 12:51:30 -0500
> From: do-not-reply@ebird.org
> To: rrrobinson2010@hotmail.com
> Subject: eBird Report - Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Preserve, Nov 29, 2013
>
> Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Preserve, Atlantic, US-NJ
> Nov 29, 2013 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
> Protocol: Traveling
> 6.0 mile(s)
> 40 species (+1 other taxa)
>
> Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) 150
> Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 800
> Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) 35 feeding at west end of marsh in company of huge numbers of Northern Pintails, teals and Am Black ducks, 5 in flight
> American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) 125
> Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 76
> Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 68
> Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) 600
> Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 125
> Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 22
> Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 50
> Common Loon (Gavia immer) 1
> American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) 1 north west end of marsh, flew in from south<a href="http://www.robinrobinsonmaine.com/BIRDS-OF-MAINE-Showcasing/waders/13998997_FQwq63#!i&#61;2943831457&k&#61;9F5T2HX&lb&#61;1&s&#61;A" title="American Bittern, November 29, 2013 Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Preserve, Ocean City New Jersey. This bird flew into the salt marsh as I watched then assumed a very bitternish posture. They hold thier heads up like this to mimic the marsh vegetation and so hide themselves from predators. I was surprised to see this bird so late in the year, though they are apparently not unucommon there in late November. I have only seen a few of them in Maine. They are not rare here in the summer months, but they are hard to spot. Like this bird, they are well camouflaged."><img src="http://www.robinrobinsonmaine.com/BIRDS-OF-MAINE-Showcasing/waders/i-9F5T2HX/0/M/_MG_5819-M.jpg" alt="American Bittern, November 29, 2013 Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Preserve, Ocean City New Jersey. This bird flew into the salt marsh as I watched then assumed a very bitternish posture. They hold thier heads up like this to mimic the marsh vegetation and so hide themselves from predators. I was surprised to see this bird so late in the year, though they are apparently not unucommon there in late November. I have only seen a few of them in Maine. They are not rare here in the summer months, but they are hard to spot. Like this bird, they are well camouflaged." /></a>
> Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
> Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) 3 YCNH observed by other visitors, three birds within about 50 ft of each other, one GBH nearby
> <a href="http://www.robinrobinsonmaine.com/BIRDS-OF-MAINE-Showcasing/waders/13998997_FQwq63#!i&#61;2943826890&k&#61;Rk8qzxt&lb&#61;1&s&#61;A" title="immature Yellow Crowned Night Heron at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Preserve in Ocean City, New Jersey on November 29, 2013. There were three birds all within about 50 feet of each other and all immature. A single Great Blue Heron was also nearby. Maine rarely sees Yellow Crowned Night Herons, though they do occassionally appeaer here, they are nver seen in the winbter or late fall months. I have photographed many of them in the Florida Everglades. When I took these shots, I did not realize that they would be an uncommon sighting in New Jersey at this time of year, so I did not photo the birds as a group."><img src="http://www.robinrobinsonmaine.com/BIRDS-OF-MAINE-Showcasing/waders/i-Rk8qzxt/0/M/_MG_5528-M.jpg" alt="immature Yellow Crowned Night Heron at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Preserve in Ocean City, New Jersey on November 29, 2013. There were three birds all within about 50 feet of each other and all immature. A single Great Blue Heron was also nearby. Maine rarely sees Yellow Crowned Night Herons, though they do occassionally appeaer here, they are nver seen in the winbter or late fall months. I have photographed many of them in the Florida Everglades. When I took these shots, I did not realize that they would be an uncommon sighting in New Jersey at this time of year, so I did not photo the birds as a group." /></a>
> This second bird appears to be missing its primaries unlike the bird in the above image
> <a href="http://www.robinrobinsonmaine.com/BIRDS-OF-MAINE-Showcasing/waders/13998997_FQwq63#!i&#61;2943828570&k&#61;DRvgXBr&lb&#61;1&s&#61;A"></a>
> <a href="http://www.robinrobinsonmaine.com/BIRDS-OF-MAINE-Showcasing/waders/13998997_FQwq63#!i&#61;2943828570&k&#61;DRvgXBr&lb&#61;1&s&#61;A" title="."><img src="http://www.robinrobinsonmaine.com/BIRDS-OF-MAINE-Showcasing/waders/i-DRvgXBr/0/S/_MG_5532-S.jpg" alt="." /></a>
> Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 5
> Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 22 very active hunting in marsh on east and west sides of road, count is accurate, got lots of photos
> Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 2 <a href="http://www.robinrobinsonmaine.com/BIRDS-OF-MAINE-Showcasing/MaineHawks/14049696_RpJJvR#!i&#61;2943829765&k&#61;Lv9kjSf&lb&#61;1&s&#61;A" title="juvenile Cooper's Hawk, perched in a tree, Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Preserve, Ocean City New Jersey, Novembe 29, 2013. Cooper's Hawks are common in Maine, but are migratory birds. It is uncommon to see them in the late fall or winter months."><img src="http://www.robinrobinsonmaine.com/BIRDS-OF-MAINE-Showcasing/MaineHawks/i-Lv9kjSf/0/S/_MG_5947-S.jpg" alt="juvenile Cooper's Hawk, perched in a tree, Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Preserve, Ocean City New Jersey, Novembe 29, 2013. Cooper's Hawks are common in Maine, but are migratory birds. It is uncommon to see them in the late fall or winter months." /></a>
> Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1
> American Coot (Fulica americana) 1 lone bird north west end of marsh
> Dunlin (Calidris alpina) 1000
> shorebird sp. (Charadriiformes sp.) 300 birds in flight from center of marsh at distance from road, rising and settling repeatedly, feeding on mud flats, photos will post later
> Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 22
> Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 70
> Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 7
> Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 2
> Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) 1 perched atop sign post east side of marsh on edge of bay
> Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 5
> American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 9
> Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) 4
> Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 11
> Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 3
> Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 7
> American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 150
> Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 4
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 75
> Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 5
> Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 5
> Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 11
> Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 1
> Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 36
> American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 5
>
> View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15804422
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Read More :- "[Maine-birds] Phippsburg turkeys & eBird Report - Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Preserve, Nov 29, 2013"

Sunday, 1 December 2013

[Maine-birds] Snowy Owl incursion- why

A simple explanation for those of us simple minded birders, from an expert back home in central NY state:

"We have at least 4, and maybe 5, Snowy Owls at Hancock Airport (Syracuseand a few others have been seen in the area as well. There's a 4-5 year cycle that is based on the lemming population. Lots of lemmings means lots of Snowy owlets are born, fledge and survive. When the lemmings crash the owls move south to find food. Many owls die but enough survive to allow the Snowy Owl to maintain a healthy population. It's nature's way of balancing populations (and fewer owls may help the lemming population to explode again in another few years)."

Of course I knew most of this, but not that too many lemmings one year means too many owls, and some are bound to die. Just the facts of nature, I guess. It does seem like there are a lot more than the "usual" incursion, though. I've never knew of 4-5 at the Syracuse airport. We know that a large percentage of birds born each year do not live. Enjoy the ones we see.

Thanks to my mentor.

Barbara
~~

Barbara Partridge Herrgesell
Sanford, ME
herpartb@aol.com

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Re: [Maine-birds] ANNOUNCEMENT: Snowy Owl Annual Meeting

We bins bearers in the central area of the host state would like to encourage break out sessions and day trips into this region also. Free-range mice and red squirrels are widely available!

Maggie Strickland
Harmony ME


On Sun, Dec 1, 2013 at 6:05 PM, rob speirs <rspeirs1@gmail.com> wrote:
The Snowy Owls Association(SNOWASSC) has selected the State of Maine, USA, as the site of its 2013 annual convention. Convention tours to neighboring States and Canadian Provinces are planned, and in fact, are already underway. 

Convention b
reakout groups will address relevant issues across a diverse range of subjects ie: Hawk Owl infestations, etc 

There will be several presentations led by a panel of Senior Snowy Owls, experts from the Grand Snowy Owl Council, the most prominent of these will address the issue of extreme lemming years of low and high population densities, both which force our colleagues south in search of food or territory, and away from familial grounds.

The public is invited. Sponsors to help underwrite the convention are welcome (contact the Grand Council (70' 34' 56.44 N, 68'41' 13.60 W).  Birders will enjoy a 15% discount on convention entrance and event fees.

Photo opportunities will be available in the photo tent for YOU with a Grand Council Snowy Owl representative. For an additional $5, a photo of you with your Snowy Owl may be snapped with Santa, available only through 7PM Dec 23rd.

We are pleased Maine is our Convention's host state. Many of us have already begun to become familiar with some of the local birders. When we look through the large end of their binoculars they look even further away, but we are still able to make an ID. 

Hope to see you all there!

Bubo
Grand Poopah
Snowy Owl Grand Council

A public notice will be let to inform the northeastern USA communities  tp expect an influx of Subartic 

  

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Read More :- "Re: [Maine-birds] ANNOUNCEMENT: Snowy Owl Annual Meeting"

[Maine-birds] Monhegan - 3 Snowy Owls

3 snowy owls reported on the Duck Rocks afternoon of 11/30.

Several reports throughout the week of both males and females. Several sightings at/near Lobster Cove (one with a dead rat), Gull Pond, Manana, and tonight after dark at Fish Beach (where a harbor light probably makes for good ratting).

Love all the other sightings of Snowys!

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Read More :- "[Maine-birds] Monhegan - 3 Snowy Owls"

[Maine-birds] Fox sparrow in Harrington

We were delighted to see a Fox Sparrow at our feeder this afternoon!
 
Merle and Anne Archie
Harrington, ME

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Read More :- "[Maine-birds] Fox sparrow in Harrington"

[Maine-birds] ANNOUNCEMENT: Snowy Owl Annual Meeting

The Snowy Owls Association(SNOWASSC) has selected the State of Maine, USA, as the site of its 2013 annual convention. Convention tours to neighboring States and Canadian Provinces are planned, and in fact, are already underway. 

Convention b
reakout groups will address relevant issues across a diverse range of subjects ie: Hawk Owl infestations, etc 

There will be several presentations led by a panel of Senior Snowy Owls, experts from the Grand Snowy Owl Council, the most prominent of these will address the issue of extreme lemming years of low and high population densities, both which force our colleagues south in search of food or territory, and away from familial grounds.

The public is invited. Sponsors to help underwrite the convention are welcome (contact the Grand Council (70' 34' 56.44 N, 68'41' 13.60 W).  Birders will enjoy a 15% discount on convention entrance and event fees.

Photo opportunities will be available in the photo tent for YOU with a Grand Council Snowy Owl representative. For an additional $5, a photo of you with your Snowy Owl may be snapped with Santa, available only through 7PM Dec 23rd.

We are pleased Maine is our Convention's host state. Many of us have already begun to become familiar with some of the local birders. When we look through the large end of their binoculars they look even further away, but we are still able to make an ID. 

Hope to see you all there!

Bubo
Grand Poopah
Snowy Owl Grand Council

A public notice will be let to inform the northeastern USA communities  tp expect an influx of Subartic 

  

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https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
 
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Read More :- "[Maine-birds] ANNOUNCEMENT: Snowy Owl Annual Meeting"