New Hampshire's Common Gull

There's been quite the huzz-buzz lately in New Hampshire over a bird which we nerds refer to as a Common Gull which is not that "common". Rather, this bird, if accepted by the NH Records Committee will be the first accepted state record.

There are other records for the state but none which follow the state rules for documentation of a first state record. That is, in order for a bird to be accepted for the first time there either must be adequate photo documentation or 3+ observers.

The bird which has been hanging out in Exeter fulfills both of these requirements.

So why do so many people care about a little sea-gull? What makes this Common Gull so special? Well, here's my attempt to answer that in just 3 short points:

1. Its a vagrant from far away - the Common Gull is really a subspecies of Mew Gull from "Europe" which is pretty interesting and pretty cool.

2. Its a first documented state record - anytime something is a first it's exciting - just think of being there for Jon Lester's first game, or for your child's first word, etc.

3. When a bird looks pretty generic superficially the challenge can be exciting. Just think - do you prefer the puzzle with 4 pieces or with 400 pieces? Which is more exciting and fun to complete? This gull is much the same way - it's not a straightforward identification, rather its an interesting puzzle where multiple field marks have to be assessed and analyzed - and when you do your homework and get all of the pieces in order - you realize the puzzle design is pretty neat.

OK that's all for now - if you're interested in more about Common Gull identification perhaps I'll post some more some other time. Otherwise I'll continue on with the random spring posting.

Common Gull in NH

Common Gull pooping. Can't ask for much more in life can you? I don't have much time to write since I'm headed out to the field. But I thought I'd share this first documented state record of Common Gull. More on this later I'm sure.

Winter Highlights

I don't know if you've noticed but it's been a good winter away from New Hampshire. Today marks the beginning of "Spring" at least in the sense of New Hampshire Bird Records. In honor of this exciting turn which will hopefully bring about fewer wind storms (read more about this later in the week) and better birds in the state, I will post some photos of my "best winter birds" outside of NH. Maybe this will encourage NH to provide us birders with some of the same species within the next few months.

Eurasian Wigeon (male on the right)

While I've seen Eurasian Wigeon in the state and was the first to report a EUWI in the fall, I'd like to get one a bit closer and get some good photographs of it. Besides they are just a truly fun species to see. (Additionally, I think Mike deserves another chance at trying to see it after routinely missing it this past fall.)

King Eider (female below the top center male).

King Eider are not that difficult of a species to see within New England. However, in NH there has only been one in the past 20 months. My looks at it were dismal and unexciting. I'd like to improve upon this as its likely that King Eiders are annual in the state and probably occur around the Isles of Shoals with regularity.

Redhead (male)

I've seen Redhead in the state once - yet I didn't have a scope on me so I only got brief looks when another birder arrived and allowed me to use their scope. However, they left quickly and I kept on the bird for as long as possible with binoculars until I had to meet people nearby to show them where to look for the bird. By the time we returned the sun had gone far enough down that no one was able to see the bird. I'd like Jessie, Jordan, and Jason to get Redhead this year.

Canvasback (male)

I've seen 2 Canvasbacks in New England within the past year - both in Massachusetts. The spring before I arrived Canvasback were "everywhere" within NH. Hopefully this spring will provide an opportunity for these birds to have another good showing in the state.

Sage Thrasher

While its probably a little too late - perhaps we'll nab one of these sometime in the next few years in New Hampshire. Every New England record has practically been within sight of New Hampshire! Yet NH has yet to record one. I thought about chasing this one from Salisbury, MA across into Seabrook, NH.

Ivory Gull (adult)

Last but DEFINITELY not least... I'd love to see one of these in NH. There have been a number of Ivory Gulls around this winter. There have been birds in MA/RI, GA, and VT/NY this year. No one knows where the MA/RI bird (or birds?) has taken off to and unfortunately the Georgia bird died after an attack by a Bald Eagle. The Vermont/New York bird has been seen reliably over the past week or so by a number of birders, including Ben. I'd really like to get a good record of an Ivory Gull in NH for this century.

Spring Flowers

So everyone on the bird listservs has been dedicated to pointing out the Turkey Vultures and blackbirds as signs of spring. However, these don't really signal spring for me. Rather, I really first feel spring as soon as I see my first Skunk Cabbage in bloom. I'll be sure to snap some photos of these delicious smelling coughliecough plants this spring as I don't seem to have any.

Yet, in honor of the recent rainstorm in south-eastern New Hampshire (when we were supposed to get snow) and in honor of my first migratory Red-winged Blackbirds, Rusty Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Turkey Vultures of the year... I'll grace my blog with some photos of spring flowers... Yes, PLANTS!!! WOOHOOO! Who knows, maybe you'll spot one of these this spring and actually know what it is...

While they say "April showers bring May flowers", some of these are plants that can be found blooming before May depending on where you live.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Bloodroot was historically used as a dye and herbal remedy for native americans. The dye comes from the red-ish sap that is particularly evident within the roots.

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)

This is a common garden plant. While I like native wild plants best, I can't help but share this photo of this beautiful flower from Longwood Gardens.

Choke Cherry (Prunus virginica)

The bark of the roots of choke cherry were used by native Americans to treat sore throats, colds, fever, and stomach problems. The fruits from the plant can be used to make jam, syrup, and/or jelly. However, the fruit is quite bitter so be sure to add lots of sugar!

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

This plant is also known as "Virginia cowslip", "Roanoke bells", and "lungwort oysterleaf". They are found wild in forests, wetlands, and bluffs. Additionally, they have been cultivated and are a common backyard plants. They are usually pollinated by butterflies and bloom early in the year from March to May and are usually dormant by early June!

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend on the coasts of MA & ME

Despite the fact that the coast is slow this time of year, I spent my weekend touring the coast. What may shock you all more than anything is that I didn't go to the NH coast at all! Instead I birded the southern Maine and northern Massachusetts coasts! Needless to say it was not really by choice but a matter that I agreed to tag along with UVM's Ornithology class that Ben is the TA for. We started on Saturday in Massachusetts on Plum Island:

Unfortunately there really weren't that many birds out and most things were pretty distant, but the scenery was still nice and the students had a good time.

While the students scoped some Black Scoters, Red-throated Loons, and Red-necked Grebes, I spent some time photographing the scenery as the birds were really too close to shoot most of the time. Here's a neat little effect of the sun in the sky:

The clouds were really neat during the day and created all sorts of fun effects as well. Throughout the day I tried to capture some of them - here's one of my favorite shots of the clouds over the dunes at Plum Island.

Sunday we switched gears and birded Maine a bit. On our way up to meet up with the class a Rough-legged Hawk flew over the car. We spent time at Scarborough Marsh and along the beach looking at Common Eider, Long-tailed Ducks, etc. Then we headed down to Marginal Way to look for Harlequin Ducks on the cliffs.

The trip had to end there as the students needed to get back. After they left I took some time to crawl along the rocks and try to snap a few shots of the Harlequin Ducks. Unfortunately the lighting was a bit tough but still fun to see them and the photos are better than anything I had previously.

More photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lkras/

Northern NH in Winter

As much as I love coastal NH birding, one thing is for sure... in winter things are stagnant! While this doesn't mean that there isn't a lot to look at, it does mean that the same routine gets a bit dull after a while.

For example, things like Common Goldeneye abound, and while pretty, seeing them in the same place day after day gets a bit old as we all need a change in our routine.

Northern Pintail also overwinter in south-eastern NH; however, they are never "common". This is one that has been hanging around Seabrook in a duck pond for some time now.

Glaucous Gulls are another "unusual" find - especially when so close to adulthood. Young birds are much more common and can be seen across the state particularly at landfills, water treatment facilities, etc. This near-adult has over-wintered in Seabrook Harbor for the second year in a row. Hopefully it will return as a full adult.

While these birds are always fun to see, the routine got to me (and others) recently which spurred a spike in trips to the northern part of the state; Coos County. In winter, Coos County is pretty much left for snowmobiles and snowmobilers. This is so much the case that border patrol was particularly suspicious of our activities and questioned us this past Thursday when I was in Pittsburg with Mike and Jason. So why go to pittsburg? Why treck into the true north country? ... these little guys:

...also known as White-winged Crossbills. These, along with Red Crossbills and other winter finches abound in Northern NH in the winter. Although, finches aren't the only thing to be searched for. Gray Jays, Evening Grosbeaks, Common Ravens, and Boreal Chickadees can still be found in winter (although Boreal Chickadees are way more common in summer!).

Here are the Pittsburg, NH area totals from a trip on Thursday:

Gray Jay - 4

Blue Jay - 30

Common Raven - 37

Black-capped Chickadee - ONLY 27

Boreal Chickadee - 7

Red-breasted Nuthatch - 27

Purple Finch - 117 (!!!!)

White-winged Crossbill - 16

Evening Grosbeak - 45+

American Goldfinch - 55