Our now 24-year old bald eagle came to New Hampshire Audubon in 1999 from the Adirondack Park Visitor Center. He had been found injured in July, 1998, in a marsh near Upper Saranac Lake, NY. After being captured by a wildlife biologist, he was treated by a veterinarian, who, after extensive consultation with other wildlife vets, removed the lower part of his badly broken left wing. Although we will never know how this eagle was hurt, we do know something about his history because of his ID bands.

This bird hatched in 1988 at a nest in London, Ontario, located north of Lake Erie. Like many eagles, he was banded as a nestling by raptor biologists. Eight years later, in March, 1996, he was captured on Upper Saranac Lake, NY by biologists from the NY State Dept. of Conservation and fitted with a radio transmitter as part of a study to find out where NY State’s wintering eagles were nesting. His territory turned out to be on nearby Middle Saranac Lake, at a site known as Bartlett Carry. That nest fledged one young eagle in 1997, but failed in 1998, the year the adult male eagle was injured.

Once he recovered from surgery, the long road to rehabilitation began. He first went to the Adirondack Park Visitor’s Center to be part of their education program, and then eventually came to New Hampshire Audubon in the fall of 1999. Education staff worked patiently with him to help him adjust to people, and made considerable progress in handling him. Some injured birds adapt very quickly to their changed situation, but others take longer. The eagle needed more individual attention than we could provide and its initial progress waned.

That all changed about two years ago, when Robert Vallieres made a personal commitment to prepare the eagle for presentations with the public. Armed with knowledge gleaned from books and articles, Robert also sought guidance from veteran wildlife rehabilitators Tom Ricardi (a retired Massachusetts Conservation Officer) and Maria Colby (founder and director of Wings of Dawn in Henniker, NH). In the beginning, Robert focused on helping the bird learn to tolerate people by spending hours in the eagle’s mew every week, cleaning, talking to him, and even reading to him.

As the wary bird learned to tolerate Robert’s presence, he was asked to do more in very small steps…coming to the glove to eat, stepping on the glove with one foot, then two feet, and eventually (after many months), standing on the glove for extended sessions. These days, he stands confidently on the glove, as long as it’s on the ground. The next big step will be to have him stay on the glove while Robert is standing and walking around.

Another important player in the eagle’s progress is Ron Leroux, who has spent every Sunday for the past several years caring for the birds and other wildlife at the McLane Center. Patience learned from many years working with horses gave Ron unique insight into working with sensitive and often fearful wild raptors. The eagle’s willingness to come to the glove is in part due to Ron’s calm manner (as well as the fresh salmon that Ron brings him each week!).

The raptors at the McLane Center – the Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owls, and Eastern Screech-Owl – are the backbone of the Center’s Education Programming. We invest hours in their care and handling to ensure their wellbeing. In turn, the birds provide us with rare glimpses into the wonder and mystery of the natural world, inspiring us all to take an active part in protecting it.

You are welcome to visit these birds at NH Audubon’s McLane Center. Please consider supporting our injured wildlife by adopting an animal or making a donation to help buy food and other services.

by Francie Von Mertens, NH Audubon Honorary Trustee

The group in front of the mature American chestnut tree (on right, next to Phil). Photo by Jane LaPointe.

The following article about a recent NH Audubon field trip to the ‘lesser-known side of Willard Pond’ appeared in the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript on January 12, 2012 and is being reprinted with permission for the E-field newsletter.

Last Saturday’s field trip to New Hampshire Audubon’s Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Antrim was a blast. Most people know the sanctuary from its southern access a couple miles west of Hancock village—with parking, trails and boat launch.

Phil Brown, director of land management for NH Audubon, advertised the outing as exploring Willard Pond’s “lesser-known side.” Twenty-one people joined in and were rewarded by some great wildlife signs albeit few wildlife sightings. The day’s warm weather and lack of wind allowed the leisurely pace needed to be fully observant of wildlife signs and anything else of interest. A woman new to Audubon/Harris Center outings asked me what birds we were likely to see. She was obviously excited by the possibility. I mumbled something about eagles, more numerous in winter than the breeding season. Phil had seen two in the area a few weeks back. I feared she would be disappointed by the lack of bird sightings if that was her expectation of the day. Not to worry.

As we started out along the old Class VI road south of Gregg Lake, I mentioned some bear claw marks on a beech tree I’d found on a previous hike. I said I’d try to remember where. I’m guessing Phil smiled at that. He kept quiet about a bear sign bonanza he’d discovered. I did find the big old beech with claw marks progressing up its smooth bark, left by a bear in pursuit of beechnuts. Soon thereafter Phil led the group off-trail a short distance to more bear signs than I’ve ever seen.

Bears use red pine trees for what tracker Sue Morse calls “bear bulletin boards.” Phil showed us one red pine positively loaded with bear messages: claw marks, bite marks, and imbedded hairs where various bears had rubbed up against the tree’s rough bark to leave scent behind. A short distance from the red pine we noted signs of moose “barking” on a striped maple. Moose and deer rake their bottom teeth up certain tree species for a mini-meal of bark. Farther along the trail we saw moose barking signs on a red maple, the other tree species favored by moose. I kept watch for deer barking on young hemlocks, their favorite, but didn’t find any. Throughout we saw moose droppings, the size of malted-milk balls, and deer droppings, resembling olive pits. New Hampshire Audubon’s dePierrefeu-Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary is a true sanctuary for wildlife.

The old woods road passes two cellar holes. Peter Beblowski, chair of the Antrim Conservation Commission, noted the squared-off stones in the cellar walls and said something about “wedge and feathers,” a new term for most of us on the hike. He explained that large boulders near a house site often were hand cut to form the square slabs needed for a stable foundation or wall. The “feathers” are steel shims on either side of a spike-like wedge that’s inserted in a drill hole or boulder crack. The wedge is struck to break off a slab of rock. If the wedge gets stuck, the feathers can be worked loose and the wedge retrieved. We found a few cut slabs in the extensive stone walls along our hike and guessed they were reject or excess foundation stones. As always, we remarked on the labor involved in building stone walls. Now we had added knowledge about the labor involved in building the house and barn associated with those walls.

Among the many trip highlights was Phil’s close examination of large wood chips at the base of a beech tree excavated by a pileated woodpecker. He was looking for pileated scat. Sure enough, he found an extruded black mass over an inch long. Close inspection found many shiny black ant exoskeletons. There was good humor among the group about another “first” for most of us. Another highlight was Phil’s determination to find a ruffed grouse for the youngest in the group and perhaps one of the most avid birders. Young Aiden said he’d seen a spruce grouse but never a ruffed grouse. For most of us, the reverse is true. Phil and Aiden traversed an opening that looked like an old log landing with young tree growth—good grouse habitat. No grouse showed up but I suspect Phil will persevere. Aiden and his father have gone on other outings with Phil, and one of Phil’s pleasures is introducing young, eager birders to new species. And not so young, too.

When we arrived at another natural history hotspot, Phil kicked through the leaves. “Hmmmm.” Large, spiky nut casings. Chestnut casings. Who can find the chestnut tree? Karen Bennett, UNH Cooperative Extension forester, quietly made her way towards a double-trunk tree with smooth bark. “Hmmmm” again. And again there were bear claw marks progressing up one of the trunks. We talked about chestnuts, how they were once the prime wildlife food of the forest and a prime timber resource. Cradle to grave, the old saying goes: wood to make the baby’s cradle and the burial casket. Close inspection of the chestnut tree found signs of the blight that felled the mighty chestnut. We paused for a group photo at the chestnut tree. Audubon will send the photo to the widow of the man whose bequest enabled Audubon to add an 18-acre parcel to the sanctuary—a parcel that’s home to one of the largest chestnut trees around. When I told the story, Karen Bennett said she knew the man, Mort Goulder from Hollis, a strong supporter of conservation over that way as well. She asked that her warm regards be passed along to Mrs. Goulder.

As for the woman who wanted to know what birds we were likely to see? She was among the most enthusiastic as we said our good-byes. From pileated woodpecker scat to feathers and wedges to bears biting red pines, she’d loved it all.

Up to 3 SNOWY OWLS are now being repeatedly seen along the coast in Hampton, Seabrook, and Rye during the past week. They have been seen in Hampton Beach State Park, Great Boar’s Head, Hampton Marsh, Seabrook Beach, Seabrook Marsh, Ragged Neck. They are most often seen perched on buildings or on the ground.

A BLACK VULTURE was reported from Portsmouth on February 7^th.

A DICKCISSEL was seen with a flock of HOUSE SPARROWS at the intersection of Wallis Road and Park Ridge Road in Rye several times during the past week.

A male BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was seen from Great Boar’e Head in Hampton on February 7^th, and another one was seen on the Merrimack River near 250 Commercial Street in Manchester on February 3^rd.

A GLAUCOUS GULL has been seen irregularly in the Hampton Harbor area, mainly on the Seabrook side, and was last reported on February 7^th.

2 ICELAND GULLS, over 20 LESSER SCAUP, an AMERICAN WIGEON, a RING-NECKD DUCK, and a NORTHERN PINTAIL were seen at the Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant during the past week.

A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and 2 ICELAND GULLS were seen at the Rochester Wastewater Treatment Plant on February 2^nd. The treatment plant is gated and the hours of operation are 7:30-3:00 on weekdays. If you visit, please check in at the office and be out of the plant by 2:45 so that plant personnel do not have to ask birders to leave. Do not drive on the dikes and do not block the road. The Trails at Pickering Ponds, located east of the plant, are not gated, and are always open during daylight hours.

2 RAZORBILLS and 2 BLACK GUILLEMOTS were reported from the coast during the past week.

10 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen off of Thompson Road in North Conway on February 5^th.

4 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen from the Summit of Attitash Mountain in Bartlett on February 3^rd.

A SPRUCE GROUSE and 2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen in Crawford Notch in the White Mountains on February 3^rd.

A CAPE MAY WARBLER that was found at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on January 14^th, has been continuously seen since then, and was last reported on February 7^th. It is usually seen near the shore path that goes north from the Seacoast Science Center, beyond the Settler’s Monument and towards the beach, and is often seen feeding on brine flies in the wrack.

A NORTHERN PINTAIL and an AMERICAN WIGEON were seen in Nashua during the past week.

A few SNOW BUNTINGS and HORNED LARKS were seen along the coast during the past week.

A FISH CROW was reported from Raymond on February 7^th.

A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen in Manchester on February 7^th.

An EASTERN TOWHEE was reported from Goffstown on February 3^rd.

A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was seen in Seabrook on February 7^th.

Numerous TURKEY VULTURES were reported during the past week.

There were a few reports of RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, CAROLINA WREN, WINTER WREN, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, and COMMON GRACKLE during the past week.

There was an unconfirmed report of a LONG-EARED OWL heard in Walpole last week.

This message is also available by phone recording: call (603) 224-9909 and press 2 as directed or ask to be transferred. If you have seen any interesting birds recently, you can leave a message at the end of the recording or send your sightings to the RBA via e-mail at: birdsetc@nhaudubon.org. Please put either “bird sighting” or “Rare Bird Alert” in the subject line and be sure to include your mailing address and phone number. The RBA is also available on-line at the New Hampshire Audubon web site, www.nhaudubon.org

Thanks very much and good birding.

Cost: $125 plus materials, additional $15 for carving knife (all other tools provided by instructor)

Leader: Bob Schwinger

Join prize-winning master carver Bob Schwinger for an 8 week course designed to teach participants the skills needed to carve and paint wooden birds and fish. Bob will demonstrate and practice step-by-step procedures of carving and painting that will benefit both the beginner and those with previous experience. Learn which tools to use, how to select appropriate wood, and how to keep those tools sharp. At the end of the workshop, participants will head home with new skills, one or two beautiful carvings, and a keen appreciation for the art of wood carving. Tools will be provided by the instructor. However, students are expected to purchase a carving knife either online or directly from the instructor. This class will be taught in Bob’s private studio in Concord and is limited to 8 participants. Register early to guarantee space. To register or for additional information, please contact Bob at 603-496-4631, or email rschwinger@myfairpoint.net. Proceeds from this course will be used to benefit NH Audubon’s education department.

Instructor’s Biography:

Concord native, Bob Schwinger, is a retired corporate general manager and high school teacher. He has been carving for over twenty years and regularly shares his knowledge and passion with students in his home studio and elsewhere. Bob spends most of his time carving for competition, commission, and collectors. He has competed and won awards in New England and Ward World Bird Carving competition in Maryland.

Cost: Program and Breakfast: Individuals $10 M/$15 NM; Families $25 M/$35 NM

Join us for a maple sugaring celebration and NH Audubon Fundraiser breakfast.  Attend a 1 hour program to learn all about the amazing process of turning sap into syrup and join us for a homemade pancake breakfast with real NH made syrup!  Help support NH Audubon’s animals, programs, and mission.  Bring your friends!  Breakfast is first come, first served.

A possible TUFTED DUCK was seen with a large raft of SCAUP on the southeastern part of Great Bay on January 31st, but has not been relocated. Birders are encouraged to look for this bird and photograph it, if at all possible. A male CANVASBACK was seen on Great Bay, from the Greenland side, on January 30th, 4 REDHEADS were seen on Great Bay from the Newmarket side on February 1st, and 6 NORTHERN PINTAILS were reported from Great Bay on January 31st.

Up to 3 SNOWY OWLS are now being repeatedly seen along the coast in Hampton, Seabrook, and Rye during the past week. They have been seen in Hampton Beach State Park, Great Boar’s Head, Hampton Marsh, Seabrook Beach, Seabrook Marsh, Ragged Neck. They are most often seen perched on buildings or on the ground.

A female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was seen at a birdfeeder on South Road in East Kingston on January 28th.

A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT that was discovered along Landing Road in Hampton on January 17th, continues to be seen at various bird feeders in the area and was last reported on the 28th. This is a residential neighborhood, so please respect property and privacy if you look for the bird.

A DICKCISSEL was seen with a flock of HOUSE SPARROWS at the intersection of Wallis Road and Park Ridge Road in Rye several times during the past week.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE was reported from Route 16 in Cambridge on February 1st.

6 RAZORBILLS, and several PURPLE SANDPIPERS were seen from Great Island Common in New Castle on January 28th.

A GLAUCOUS GULL has been seen irregularly in the Hampton Harbor area, mainly on the Seabrook side, and was last reported on January 29th.

2 ICELAND GULLS and 23 LESSER SCAUP were seen at the Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant on January 29th.

An ICELAND GULL was seen at the town landing on Oyster River, and a NORTHERN PINTAIL was seen at Moore Fields on Route 155A, both in Durham on February 1st.

A few BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES and NORTHERN GANNETS were reported from the coast during the past week.

3 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and 80 PINE SISKINS were reported from Trudeau Road in Bethlehem on January 29th.

A GRAY JAY, a COMMON REDPOLL, 18 PURPLE FINCHES, and 2 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS were reported from Chickwolnepy Road in Milan on January 28th.

6 EVENING GROSBEAKS were seen in Etna, and 3 were seen Gorham, all on January 28th, and up to 4 have been seen regularly at a birdfeeder in Jefferson during the past week.

A CAPE MAY WARBLER that was found at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on January 14th, has been continuously seen since then, and was last reported on January 29th. It is usually seen near the shore path that goes north from the Seacoast Science Center, beyond the Settler’s Monument and towards the beach, and is often seen feeding on brine flies in the wrack.

An OVENBIRD that was discovered in the yard of private residence in Derry on December 31st, continues to be seen and was last reported on January 31st.

A HERMIT THRUSH was seen visiting a bird feeder in Laconia on January 26th.

A VIRGINIA RAIL, a WINTER WREN, and 2 GRAY CATBIRDS were seen in Hampton Falls on January 28th.

A MARSH WREN was seen at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on January 28th.

4 TURKEY VULTURES were seen in Exeter, and 1 was seen in Nashua during the past week.

There were a few reports of RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and CAROLINA WREN during the past week.

The Superbowl of Birding, a friendly birding competition hosted by Massachusetts Audubon, was held on January 28th, and participants competing solely in New Hampshire’s Rockingham County tallied 88 different bird species.

A VARIED THRUSH was seen in Dover on January 19^th but has not been relocated.

A THICK-BILLED MURRE was seen in Hampton Harbor on January 24^th and 25^th, and a possible COMMON MURRE was reported from coastal Rye on the 23^rd.

A dark-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen hovering low over the median strip along Route 101 in Candia on January 25^th.

2 SNOWY OWLS have repeatedly been seen along the coast in Hampton and Seabrook during the past week. They have been seen in Hampton Beach State Park, Great Boar’s Head, Hampton Marsh, Seabrook Beach, and Seabrook Marsh. They are most often seen perched on buildings or on the ground.

A SHORT-EARRED OWL was seen at Hampton Beach State Park, and an EASTERN SCREECH-OWL was seen during the day in a tree on the Exeter Parkway, both on January 22^nd.

A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT that was discovered along Landing Road in Hampton on January 17^th, continues to be seen at various bird feeders in the area and was last reported on the 24^th. This is a residential neighborhood, so please respect property and privacy if you look for the bird.

A DICKCISSEL was seen with a flock of HOUSE SPARROWS at the intersection of Wallis Road and Park Ridge Road in Rye on during the past week.

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was seen with a flock of 25 HORNED LARKS at the Malnati farm fields in Walpole on January 21^st.

A flock of 15 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and 15 CEDAR WAXWINGS was seen in fruit trees on the Pleasant Street side of Northway Bank in Berlin on January 21^st.

2 ICELAND GULLS, a NORTHEN PINTAIL, and 6 LESSER SCAUP were seen at the Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant on January 22^nd.

A pair of RED CROSSBILLS was seen near Upper Kimball Pond in Chatham on January 25^th.

A CAPE MAY WARBLER that was found at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on January 14^th, has been continuously seen since then, and was last reported on January 25^th. It is usually seen near the shore path that goes north from the Seacoast Science Center, beyond the Settler’s Monument and towards the beach, and is often seen feeding on brine flies in the wrack.

An OVENBIRD that was discovered in the yard of private residence in Derry on December 31^st, continues to be seen and was last reported on January 22^nd.

2 PEREGRINE FALCONS were seen in Concord, and 1 was seen in Dover, all during the past week.

A flock of 30 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS was seen at Morrill’s Farm in Penacook on January 22^nd.

A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen at a birdfeeder in Manchester on January 22^nd.

A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was seen at a birdfeeder in Lyme Center on January 22^nd.

An AMERICAN COOT was seen in Field’s Grove in Nashua on January 25^th.

A flock of 8 TURKEY VULTURES was seen in Newmarket on January 25^th.

A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was seen in Seabrook on January 22^nd.

There were reports of FOX SPARROWS in East Kingston, North Hampton, Concord, and Milton during the past week.

2 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen in Hampton Falls on January 21^st.

A flock of 42 PINE SISKINS was seen in Pittsfield on January 25^th.

A WINTER WREN was reported from Westmoreland on January 23^rd, and one was reported from Hanover on the 22^nd.

A HERMIT THRUSH was seen visiting a bird feeder in Laconia on January 24^th.

This was the 32nd consecutive year that New Hampshire Audubon has coordinated New Hampshire’s part of the National Mid-winter Bald Eagle Survey (beginning with the Winter of 1980-81).  This year the survey took place on Saturday, January 7th, except in the Lakes Region where we held it on Thursday, January 5th.  Volunteer turn-out this year included a total of 85 people.  Saturday’s weather was amazing, with very mild temperatures and only light breezes, and without much snow cover across the entire state.  Thursday’s count in the Lakes Region took place in seasonal overcast conditions with precipitation mostly holding off until the end of the day.

Survey Day statewide results:  This year we located a total of 56 bald eagles (42 adults, 14 immatures*) and 1 golden eagle in New Hampshire on survey day, down slightly from the 61 eagles seen in our 2009 and 2010 counts, and nearly the same as the 54 eagles we saw last year.  For a long-term sense of the trend, 11 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 “survey day” occurs within a more inclusive two-week “count period,” which this year spanned the interval from January 1-15, 2012.  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 77 bald eagles (51 adults, 26 immatures), and 1 immature golden eagle.  This number surpasses the previous record-high of 75 bald eagles seen for the entire count period in 2010.

So, where were all these eagles located during the 2012 mid-winter survey?  We located the following numbers of eagles in the state’s five major eagle wintering areas (and a few elsewhere) during the survey day and the count period:

Androscoggin River – Total of 11 bald eagles seen, including 4 individuals (3 adults, 1 immature) seen on Survey Day (7 observers), with 7 (!) additional birds confirmed during the two-week count period.

Connecticut River** – Total of 15 bald eagles seen, including 14 individuals (12 adults, 2 immatures) seen on Survey Day (11 observers), plus 1 additional eagle (1 immature) confirmed during the two-week count period.

Great Bay/Coastal – Total of 12 bald eagles and 1 golden eagle (!) seen, including 12 individual balds (5 adults, 7 immatures) seen on Survey Day (13 observers), and no additional eagles confirmed during the two-week count period.  One immature golden eagle observed at the Great Bay NWR was seen by multiple observers and in the context of immature bald eagles being present, offering a good comparison for ID purposes.  This was the first golden eagle ever documented on NH’s mid-winter count day in its 32-year history, and only the second golden eagle ever seen in NH during the 2-week count period!

Lakes Region – Total of 16 bald eagles seen, including 11 individuals (10 adults, 1 immature) seen on Survey Day (17 observers), plus 5 additional eagles (2 adults, 3 immatures) confirmed during the two-week count period.  Photo attached from volunteer Linda Walsh on the Pemigewasset River.

Merrimack River – Total of 17 bald eagles seen, including 13 individuals (10 adults, 3 immatures) seen on Survey Day (26 observers), plus 4 additional eagles (4 immatures) confirmed during the two-week count period.

Saco River/Ossipee River, plus elsewhere across New Hampshire – Total of 6 bald eagles seen, including 2 individuals (2 adults) seen on Survey Day (11 observers), plus 4 additional eagles (1 adult, 3 immatures) confirmed during the two-week count period.  Photo attached from volunteer Noreen Downs on the Ossipee River.

A FEW NOTES ON DEFINITIONS OF TERMS:

* Following the standardized rules of the National Mid-winter Bald Eagle Survey,  all sub-adult plumage eagles (including those displaying almost full adult plumage with only minor remnants of their immature plumage markings) are counted as “immatures” rather than as “adults”.

** In order to avoid double-counting, VT and NH “partition” the Connecticut River, with VT being credited with all eagles seen upstream from of the Wilder Dam, and NH being credited for all eagles seen downstream from the dam, regardless of which state’s volunteers observe the birds, or which state the bird was flying over or perched in.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!  NH Audubon and NH Fish & Game will be conducting our Late Winter Bald Eagle Survey near the end of February 2012 to give us a better index of the abundance and distribution of bald eagles in the state near the end of the wintering season.  Our 8th annual Late Winter Survey will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2012 (except on Thursday, February 23, 2012 in the Lakes Region).  We hope that you will be able to assist us in this effort, too.  I will be contacting you again in mid-February to re-confirm whether you are available to help us.

NH Audubon monitors bald eagle abundance and distribution throughout New Hampshire each year as part of an annual contract with the NH Fish and Game Department’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program.  Additional gifts to NH Audubon’s Conservation Department in support of this work are always welcome.  And thanks once again to each and every one of you who donated their time and talents to participate in this year’s successful Mid-winter Bald Eagle Survey!

A VARIED THRUSH has been seen coming to a bird-feeding area at a private residence in Dover, and was reported on January 14^th, 15^th, and 16^th.

A female WESTERN TANAGER, first posted on December 14^th, continues to be seen visiting a birdfeeder at a private residence in Campton and was reported as recently as January 18^th, but the residents prefer not to have visitors at this time.

A PACIFIC LOON was seen at the inlet to Hampton Harbor on January 14^th. It was seen feeding among a group of loons that included at least 12 COMMON LOONS and 3 RED-THROATED LOONS, but has not been reported again since then.

A BARNACLE GOOSE discovered in Rollinsford on December 14^th, has been seen regularly in fields along Roberts Road, and was last reported on January 7^th. It has also been seen along Route 4, Silver Street, General Sullivan Way, and Foundry Street. It has always been found among flocks of CANADA GEESE. A SNOW GOOSE was seen near the Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on January 18^th.

A male BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was seen on the Merrimack River in Manchester near 250 Commercial Street on January 16^th and was reported again on the 17^th, and 18^th. A GREAT CORMORANT was also seen in the same area on the 17^th.

2 SNOWY OWLS have repeatedly been seen along the coast in Hampton and Seabrook during the past week. They have been seen in Hampton Beach State Park, Great Boar’s Head, Hampton Marsh, Seabrook Beach, and Seabrook Marsh. They are most often seen perched on buildings or on the ground.

A dark-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen east side of the Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge along Route 115A in Jefferson on January 17^th, and a PEREGRINE FALCON was seen in Hampton on January 15^th.

8 BALD EAGLES were seen near the intersection of Hill Road and Ferry Road in Dummer on January 13^th.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen at Green Wagon Farm in Keene on January 11^th.

A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen along Landing Road in Hampton on January 17^th.

A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen north of Battery Seaman between the main path and the coastal path, near a group of red cedars, at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on January 16^th. Also seen in the same area were a BROWN THRASHER and 8 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS.

A DICKCISSEL was seen with a flock of HOUSE SPARROWS in Nashua at a private residence on January 18^th and one was seen with HOUSE SPARROW flock at the intersection of Wallis Road and Park Ridge Road in Rye on January 15^th.

5 RAZORBILLS, an ICELAND GULL, and a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE were seen along the coast on January 14^th. 2 ICELAND GULLS were seen in Farmington on January 13^th.

A GLAUCOUS GULL was seen in Portsmouth Harbor on January 15^th, one was seen in Hampton Harbor on the 15^th, and one was reported from Farmington earlier in the week.

A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, a GLAUCOUS GULL, at least 9 ICELAND GULLS, and a RUSTY BLACKBIRD were seen at the Rochester Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Trails at Pickering Ponds on January 17^th. The treatment plant is gated and the hours of operation are 7:30-3:00 on weekdays. If you visit, please check in at the office and be out of the plant by 2:45 so that plant personnel do not have to ask birders to leave. Do not drive on the dikes and do not block the road. The Trails at Pickering Ponds, located east of the plant, are not gated, and are always open during daylight hours.

A CAPE MAY WARBLER was found at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on January 14^th, and was reported again on the 15^th, 16^th, and 18^th. It was located along the shore path that goes north from the Seacoast Science Center beyond the Settler’s Monument and towards the beach, and was seen feeding on brine flies in the wrack.

An OVENBIRD that was discovered in the yard of private residence in Derry on December 31^st, continues to be seen and was last reported on January 16^th.

2 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were reported from the Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Antrim on January 11^th.

32 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen at Chickering Farm in Westmoreland, and a RUSTY BLACKBIRD was seen at a private residence in Westmoreland, all on January 16^th.

22 HORNED LARKS were seen at a dairy farm in Stratham on January 15^th.

A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen at a birdfeeder in Concord on January 12^th and 13^th.

A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was seen visiting a birdfeeder in Lyme Center on January 14^th, 15^th, and 18^th.

A CHIPPING SPARROW was seen in Pittsfield on January 14^th, and one was seen in Newmarket on the 15^th.

A pair of NORTHERN PINTAILS and an AMERICAN COOT were seen several times in Field’s Grove in Nashua during the past week and were last reported on January 18^th. A NORTHERN PINTAIL was seen in South Mill Pond in Portsmouth on January 15^th.

There were several reports of BARRED OWLS, NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, BALD EAGLES, TURKEY VULTURES, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, CAROLINA WRENS, PINE SISKINS, and PURPLE FINCHES, during the past week.