Bird Sightings for Essex County, MA & Southern NH - February 25, 2016

Common Merganser by Nate Dubrow

Atkinson Common, Newburyport:
Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch

County Road, Ipswich:
Brown Creeper, Carolina Wren, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker

Appleton Farms, Hamilton:
Canada Goose, Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo species, Rock Pigeon, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin,  
Song Sparrow

Carr Island, Salisbury:
Northern Harrier

Clark's Pond, Amesbury:
Red-winged Blackbird, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Mallard, White-breasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco 

New Hampshire Seacoast:
Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Snowy Owl, Northern Harrier, Eastern Bluebird, Bald Eagle, Common Loon, Thick-billed Murre, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Belted Kingfisher, Razorbill, Brant, Black Guillemot, Red-breasted Merganser, White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Common Eider, Canada Goose, Bufflehead, Peregrine Falcon, Horned Lark, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Swamp Sparrow, Purple Sandpiper, Yellow-rumped Warbler

Deer Island, Amesbury:
Great Blue Heron, Mute Swan, Common Goldeneye, Mallard

Kenoza Marsh, Haverhill:
Red-winged Blackbird  

Hanover Street, Newbury:
Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Canada Goose, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, American Crow, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Mourning Dove, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow, , Blue Jay

Ipswich Town Wharf:
Common Loon, Orange-crowned Warbler

Hatter's Point, Amesbury:
Bald Eagle, Great Cormorant, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Red-tailed Hawk

Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant, Exeter, NH:
Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail

Tuxbury Pond, Amesbury:
Mallard

Various Areas in Ipswich:
Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, 
White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch

Chase Street, Newburyport:
Carolina Wren, Hairy Woodpecker

Patmos Road, Rowley:
Red-tailed Hawk

Lower Merrimack River, Newburyport:
Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Belted Kingfisher, Fish Crow, American Crow, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Merganser,
Red-breasted Merganser

Bayview Lane, Newbury:
Dickcissel, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk

Newburyport Industrial Park:
Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel

Hines Bridge, Amesbury:
Peregrine Falcon

Various Areas on Cape Ann:
Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Northern Gannet, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, King Eider, Barrow's Goldeneye, Cooper's Hawk, Purple Sandpiper, Iceland Gull, Thick-billed Murre, Razorbill, Eastern Screech Owl

Common Eider

Common Eiders by Jeremiah Trimble

From "A Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names" by Oxford University Press:
Common Eider:  Somateria Mollissima
Greek:  Soma or somatos refers to the body ~ erion means wool
Latin:  Mollissima means very soft

I watched a gregarious and tightly packed raft of North America's largest duck, the Common Eider, from Little Neck in Ipswich the day after Christmas.  I scoped for a belated gift, a King Eider.  All in vain...


My time was well spent, watching the Common Eiders dive in shallow water for mussels, using their wings to aid in their dives. Others were close to shore in shallow water, dipping and dabbling successfully.  The water was clear with an incoming tide, and my vantage point was from River Road.

Blue or Bay mussels live in intertidal areas often at the low tide mark, attached to rocks and other substrates.   I lived on Great Neck in the late 70's and early 80's, and often my morning walk was in the intertidal area near the Ipswich Bay Yacht Club where mussels were attached to the docks, boats, moorings, rocks and pilings.  A nutritionist years ago told me that mussels contain 1/3 more protein than oysters and that these mussels are low in fat and cholesterol. According to Rachel Carson, the Blue or Bay Mussel is a "virtually untapped shellfish resource."
The eiders' predominately mussels diet is low in fat and high in protein.  Eiders feed during the day by diving to the bottom in waters from 9 to 65 feet in depth to take mussels, clams, scallops, sea urchins, starfish.  All of these are swallowed whole and pulverized in the their large, efficient gizzard.

In winter when the days are short, nearly 1/2 of their daytime hours are spent foraging. Rafts move together at the same rate, often the lead ducks dive first, and others do so sequentially.  I observed that, after 20 to 25 minutes of intensive feeding, they moved to deeper waters offshore.  Some rested; others preened.  All were digesting the contents of their gullets.  Every now and then, I get a hankering for those Ipswich clams and think of rafts of wintering eiders savoring the Ipswich mussels!

It's the eiders' layer of fat, the highly effective insulating abilities of their down, and their dense plumage that keep these five pound, icy water ducks warm.

Good birding,
Sue

Newburyport Birders' Upcoming Program

Long-tailed Duck

Winter Birding Along the Seacoast

Date: Saturday, February 27, 2016
Time:  1:30 pm to dusk
Meeting Location: Boat Ramp Parking Lot at Salisbury Beach State Reservation [we'll carpool from there]
Fee: $15. 

Take some time out and join Sue for a birding program focused on the importance of the the seacoast during winter. Birding along the seacoast in winter is always great fun.  We often find an assortment of sea ducks, wintering loons, grebes, gulls and owls. 

Good birding,

Sue 

Sue McGrath

Newburyport Birders

Observe ~ Appreciate ~ Identify

Newburyport, MA

www.newburyportbirders.com

Bird Sightings for Essex County, MA & Southern NH - February 22, 2016

Belted Kingfisher

Atkinson Common, Newburyport:
Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch

County Road, Ipswich:
Brown Creeper, Carolina Wren, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker

Appleton Farms, Hamilton:
Canada Goose, Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo species, Rock Pigeon, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin,  
Song Sparrow

Carr Island, Salisbury:
Northern Harrier

New Hampshire Seacoast:
Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Snowy Owl, Northern Harrier, Eastern Bluebird, Bald Eagle, Common Loon, Thick-billed Murre, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Belted Kingfisher, Razorbill, Brant, Black Guillemot, Red-breasted Merganser, White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Common Eider, Canada Goose, Bufflehead, Peregrine Falcon, Horned Lark, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Swamp Sparrow, Purple Sandpiper, Yellow-rumped Warbler

Deer Island, Amesbury:
Great Blue Heron, Mute Swan, Common Goldeneye, Mallard

Kenoza Marsh, Haverhill:
Red-winged Blackbird

Ipswich Town Wharf:
Common Loon

Hatter's Point, Amesbury:
Bald Eagle, Great Cormorant, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Red-tailed Hawk

Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant, Exeter, NH:
Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail

Tuxbury Pond, Amesbury:
Mallard

Various Areas in Ipswich:
Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch

Chase Street, Newburyport:
Carolina Wren, Hairy Woodpecker

Patmos Road, Rowley:
Red-tailed Hawk

Lower Merrimack River, Newburyport:
Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Belted Kingfisher, Fish Crow, American Crow, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser

Bayview Lane, Newbury:
Dickcissel, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk  

Various Areas on Cape Ann:
Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Northern Gannet, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, King Eider, Barrow's Goldeneye, Cooper's Hawk, Purple Sandpiper, Iceland Gull, Thick-billed Murre, Razorbill, Eastern Screech Owl

NEWBURYPORT BIRDERS BIRDING PROGRAMS - Eagles on 2/21 & Seacoast Birding on 2/27

Bald Eagle by Phil Brown

Bald Eagles, Biscotti, & Hot Chocolate

Date: Sunday, February 21, 2016
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Fee: $15.
Meeting Location: Cashman Park Boat Ramp at the end of Sally Snyder Way off Merrimac Street in Newburyport

Each winter, Bald Eagles from northern New England move south to the lower Merrimack River which provides perfect, winter habitat for these majestic birds. These spectacular birds soar high over the water and then stoop to secure prey with their sharp talons. Join Newburyport Birders for biscotti & hot chocolate as we discuss the Merrimack River's protected islands and the field marks of the Bald Eagle. We'll begin our search for our national symbol on foot; then we'll carpool to several sites along the river. Dress in layers and wear warm, waterproof boots. These programs have proven to be very popular.

Long-tailed Duck by Margo Goetschkes

Winter Birding Along the Seacoast
Date: Saturday, February 27, 2016
Time:  1:30 pm to dusk
Meeting Location: Boat Ramp Parking Lot at Salisbury Beach State Reservation [we'll carpool from there]
Fee: $15. 

Take some time out of your hectic schedule and join Sue for a birding program focused on the importance of the the seacoast during winter. Birding along the seacoast is great fun in winter.  We often find sea ducks, wintering loons, grebes and owls. 

Good birding,
Sue

Bird Sightings for Essex County, MA & Southern NH - February 15, 2016

American Kestrel by Nate Dubrow

Plum Island Point, Newburyport:
Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Razorbill

Maple Street, Amesbury:
Dark-eyed Junco, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker

Carr Island, Salisbury:
Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, American Crow, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Cormorant, Red-winged Blackbird, Bufflehead

Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport:
American Kestrel 

Various Areas on Cape Ann:
American Robin, Common Murre, Razorbill, Purple Sandpiper, Dickcissel, Cedar Waxwing, Thick-billed Murre, Greater Scaup, 
Harlequin Duck, Common Eider

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island:
Cedar Waxwing, Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, Short-eared Owl, Peregrine Falcon, American Crow, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, American Tree Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Sparrow

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield:
Canada Goose,  Red-tailed Hawk,  Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow,
Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow

Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury:
American Black Duck, Mallard, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Great Cormorant, Northern Harrier, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Horned Lark, Black-capped Chickadee, 
Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco

Moulton Street, Newburyport:
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cooper's Hawk, White-throated Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow

Hatter's Point, Amesbury:
Bald Eagle, Great Cormorant, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser

New Hampshire Seacoast:
Eastern Bluebird, Bald Eagle, Swamp Sparrow, Purple Sandpiper, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Loon, Thick-billed Murre, Glaucous Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Belted Kingfisher, Razorbill, Brant, Black Guillemot, Red-breasted Merganser, White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Common Eider, Canada Goose, Bufflehead, Peregrine Falcon, Horned Lark, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin 

Savory Street, Newburyport:
Cedar Waxwing, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk

Way to the River, West Newbury:
Common Loon, Bufflehead

Bartlett's Reach, Amesbury:
American Robin, Cedar Waxwing

Linebrook Road, Ipswich:
Eastern Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk 

Cashman Park, Newburyport:
Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Mallard, Bald Eagle

Tuxbury Pond, Amesbury:
Eastern Bluebird

Chain & Hines Bridges, Newburyport/Amesbury:
Common Merganser, Great Cormorant, Rock Pigeon, American Robin

Maudslay State Park, Newburyport:
Pileated Woodpecker, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl

Powow River, Amesbury:
Belted Kingfisher

Newburyport Industrial  Park:
American Kestrel, American Robin, Northern Cardinal, European Starling, Northern Mockingbird, Red-tailed Hawk

Bird Sightings for Essex County, MA & Southern NH - February 11, 2016

Common Goldeneye by Jeremiah Trimble

New Hampshire Seacoast:
Eastern Bluebird, Bald Eagle, Common Loon, Thick-billed Murre, Glaucous Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Belted Kingfisher, Razorbill, Brant, Black Guillemot, Red-breasted Merganser, White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Common Eider, Canada Goose, Bufflehead, Peregrine Falcon, Horned Lark, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Swamp Sparrow, Purple Sandpiper, Yellow-rumped Warbler

Northgate Road, Ipswich:
Snow Goose, Canada Goose

High Road, Newbury:
Wild Turkey

Moulton Street, Newburyport:
Cooper's Hawk, American Tree Sparrow, Canada Goose, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, White-throated Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren  

Various Areas on Cape Ann:
Dickcissel, Barrow’s Goldeneye,  King Eider, Brant, Common Murre, Thick-billed Murre, Harlequin Duck, Eastern-Screech Owl, Barred Owl, Glaucous Gull, Black-headed Gull, Iceland Gull, Redhead 

New Pasture Way, Newburyport:
American Kestrel

Turkey Hill Road, West Newbury:
Red-tailed Hawk 

Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury:
American Black Duck, Mallard, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Great Cormorant, Northern Harrier, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Horned Lark, Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco
 
Linebrook Road, Ipswich:
Eastern Bluebird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Fox Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island:
Thick-billed Murre, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, Short-eared Owl, Snowy Owl, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Sanderling, Dunlin, Herring Gull,
Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, European Starling, Lapland Longspur, Northern Cardinal 

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield:

Pileated Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle

Hamlin Reservation, Ipswich:
Eastern Bluebird

Cashman Park, Newburyport:
Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye

Hanover Street, Newbury:
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Hermit Thrush, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, American Crow, Mourning Dove, House Sparrow

Argilla Road, Ipswich:
Canada Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose

Lincoln Street School, Exeter, NH:
Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture

Halibut Point, Rockport:
King Eider, Common Eider, Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Harlequin Duck  

Jefferson Street, Newburyport:
Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Cormorant, Mallard, Common Goldeneye 


Kenoza Lake, Haverhill:
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Tufted Duck, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Great Blue Heron, American Coot, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, American Crow

Merrimac Street, Newburyport:
Red-tailed Hawk, Common Goldeneye, Great Cormorant, Mallard, Bufflehead


Plum Island Point, Newburyport:
Long-tailed Duck, Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye

Newburyport Turnpike, Newbury/Newburyport:
Cooper's Hawk, American Kestrel

Cross Beach Road, Seabrook, NH: 
Snowy Owl, Rough-legged Hawk

Elm Street, Salisbury:
Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Scaup Species, Swamp Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco

Crane Beach, Ipswich:
American Black Duck, Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Loon, Northern Gannet, Dunlin, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Snowy Owl, Horned Lark, American Robin, Snow Bunting, Dark-eyed Junco, Savannah Sparrow

Bird Sightings for Essex County, MA & Southern NH - February 8, 2016

Purple Sandpiper by Brian Kushner

New Hampshire Seacoast:
Eastern Bluebird, Bald Eagle, Common Loon, Thick-billed Murre, Glaucous Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Belted Kingfisher, Razorbill, Brant, Black Guillemot, Red-breasted Merganser, White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Common Eider, Canada Goose, Bufflehead, Peregrine Falcon, Horned Lark, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Swamp Sparrow, Purple Sandpiper, Yellow-rumped Warbler

Argilla Road, Ipswich:
Canada Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose

Lincoln Street School, Exeter, NH:
Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture

Halibut Point, Rockport:
King Eider, Common Eider, Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Harlequin Duck  

Jefferson Street, Newburyport:
Cooper's Hawk 

Northgate Road, Ipswich:
Snow Goose, Canada Goose

High Road, Newbury:
Wild Turkey

Moulton Street, Newburyport:
American Tree Sparrow, Canada Goose, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, White-throated Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch  

Various Areas on Cape Ann:
Dickcissel, Barrow’s Goldeneye,  King Eider, Brant, Common Murre, Thick-billed Murre, Harlequin Duck, Eastern-Screech Owl, Barred Owl, Glaucous Gull, Black-headed Gull, Iceland Gull, Redhead 

New Pasture Way, Newburyport:
American Kestrel
 
Linebrook Road, Ipswich:
Eastern Bluebird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Fox Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island:
Thick-billed Murre, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, Short-eared Owl, Snowy Owl, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Sanderling, Dunlin, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, European Starling, Lapland Longspur, Northern Cardinal 

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield:

Pileated Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle

Hamlin Reservation, Ipswich:
Eastern Bluebird

Cashman Park, Newburyport:
Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye

Hanover Street, Newbury:
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, American Crow, Mourning Dove, House Sparrow

Kenoza Lake, Haverhill:
Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Tufted Duck, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser,  Ruddy Duck, Great Blue Heron, American Coot, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, American Crow

Plum Island Point, Newburyport:
Long-tailed Duck, Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye

Newburyport Turnpike, Newbury/Newburyport:
Cooper's Hawk, American Kestrel

Cross Beach Road, Seabrook, NH: 
Snowy Owl, Rough-legged Hawk

Elm Street, Salisbury:
Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Scaup Species, Swamp Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco

Crane Beach, Ipswich:
American Black Duck, Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Loon, Northern Gannet, Dunlin, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Snowy Owl, Horned Lark, American Robin, Snow Bunting, Dark-eyed Junco, Savannah Sparrow

Newburyport Birders' February Update

Birders,

Winter birding is an exciting!  I hope to see you at one of these upcoming programs...

SEASONAL SIGHTINGS



Observe Cedar Waxwings who have silky-looking plumage. Both the male and female sport crests along with black masks. Their name comes from the red, waxy wing tips.  They'll feed on fruit during the winter months.



Appreciate the Hermit Thrush with its rich brown upper body and smudged spots on its breast. The reddish tail sets it apart from similar 
species in its genus. 

Identify the black-and-white Common Goldeneye males.  The eyes will be bright yellow in adult drakes [males] and pale yellow to white in hens [females].  They're just arriving in our area and have an elaborate courtship which you can watch as winter settles in.  Here's a clip so you can recognize it when you see it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fwi9Di-RjU

NEWBURYPORT BIRDERS BIRDING PROGRAMS 

Learn to Love Bald Eagles

Date:  Sunday, February 14, 2016      
Time: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Fee: $15.
Meeting Location: Cashman Park Boat Ramp at the end of Sally Snyder Way off Merrimac Street in Newburyport

In winter, Bald Eagles move south to the swift-moving Merrimack River which provides ideal, winter habitat for these majestic birds. We’ll search along the river’s edge and protected islands for our national symbol.  Some carpooling may be required.  Dress in layers and wear warm, waterproof boots.

Bald Eagles, Biscotti, & Hot Chocolate

Date: Sunday, February 21, 2016 
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Fee: $15. 
Meeting Location: Cashman Park Boat Ramp at the end of Sally Snyder Way off Merrimac Street in Newburyport

Each winter, Bald Eagles from northern New England move south to the lower Merrimack River which provides perfect, winter habitat for these majestic birds. These spectacular birds soar high over the water and then stoop to secure prey with their sharp talons. Join Newburyport Birders for biscotti & hot chocolate as we discuss the Merrimack River's protected islands and the field marks of the Bald Eagle. We'll begin our search for our national symbol on foot; then we'll carpool to several sites along the river. Dress in layers and wear warm, waterproof boots. These programs have proven to be very popular.

Winter Birding Along the Seacoast

Date: Saturday, February 27, 2016 
Time:  1:30 pm to dusk 
Meeting Location: Boat Ramp Parking Lot at Salisbury Beach State Reservation [we'll carpool from there]
Fee: $15.  

Take some quiet time and join Sue for a birding program focused on the importance of the the seacoast during winter. Birding along the seacoast is great fun in winter.  We often find sea ducks, wintering loons, grebes and owls. 

Good birding,
Sue

(Photo credits in order of appearance: Nate Dubrow, Nate Dubrow, Jeremiah Trimble, Marj Watson, Phil Brown, Margo Goetschkes)