Brad

The ivory-billed woodpecker was once the biggest woodpecker in the United States, but it was declared extinct. There have been continuing reports of expert birders hearing the unique drumming and call of the ivroy-billed woodpecker in the remote swamps of Florida, but no strong photogrpahic evidence has been produced of its continued survival. It is quite possible that there are some remaining ivory-billed woodpeckers hiding there. However, there is no doubt that what was once the second largest woodpecker in the United States, the pileated woodpecker, is alive and doing well. ALthough it was once threatened by habitat loss, the pileated woodpecker is learning to live on the outskirts of human communities. Although there are limits since this large bird survive by digging insects out of large dead trees, as long as it has the resources it needs to feed, it seems to be making a recovery in terms of population numbers.
More information about the behavior and identification of the pileated woodpecker

With a little practice, anyone can learn to identify any of the four species of Terns that are found in the waters off the cooast of New England and New Hampshire. There are four specific things to look for: the bill, the upper wing surface, the lower wing surface, and the tail. The way they fly can also be a quick way to spot the Roseate Tern from amongst a large group of Common Terns. Because Terns are ocean birds, the best way to see them is usually to go on a whale watch tour.

Terns breed on small rocky offshore islands. These breeding colonies can be disturbed by human activities, so it is of paramount importance to the survival of these species that Tern breeding colonies be kept undisturbed. If you should find a Tern breeding colony, any offshore island with large numbers of Terns on and around it, do not go ashore. Use a good set of good birdwatching binoculars or cameras to observe the Terns instead. Not only will you be helping to safegaurd the nesting site, but you will be protecting yourself as well. Terns tend to dive at intruders on their islands and will actually strike them in the head with their bills as they dive past. This activity is the reason that many of the scientists who carefully study the bird’s breeding colonies, wear hardhats to prevent injury.

Learn how to identify the Common Tern.

In our attempt to help birds with birdfeeders, we may be increasing the likelihood that they will crash into our windows. Millions of birds are killed each year by flying into windows that look like just more open sky because they are so reflective from the outside. Here’s a simple recommended solution to help save birds, one at a time.
Prevent Birds from flying into your windows.

A new report by the US Fish and Wildlife Service shows that birdwatchers spend more than $35 billion dollars each year in pursuit of their hobby. This translates into big business for many states that draw large numbers of out of state birders and show that states and local communities have a strong financial incentive to protect bird habitat and promote it for public use. Working with local land conservation agencies should be a strong priority for communities that want to attract birding dollars to their local buinesses. Read the full report on the business of birdwatching here.

NH has a crow hunting season. Farmers need a hunting license to lower the crow populations around their fields, but many view crow hunting season as sport. There are no bag limits at all. This article has details about crow hunting season and even some crow meat recipes. Complete schedules, license information, and everything you might want to know about crow hunting season is there.

Many birds are social creatures to some extent. That’s why many birds sing to communicate, and even use different songs, calls and intonations for different meanings. They may flock together for all or part of the year or they may only be social within the context of their own immediate families. In either case, ensuring that others within their flock or family get food and, conversely, sharing the food that others find, is a survival benefit for most birds. Many birds have distinct calls or songs that they use when plentiful food is available.
Read the full story about birds singing to alert others to food sources.

National Geographic Birder’s Journal, 2d Edition

I own this book and use it frequently. The National Geographic Birder’s Journal is designed for birdwatching enthusiasts who want to keep a permanent record of all the different species of birds that they’ve seen. Each page has a space for recording the time, place and circumstance where a particular bird was seen. On the opposite side of the page are detailed illustrations, often including juveniles and both sexes of adults, in order to help you make a positive identification. There is also a handy checklist section so you can quickly and easily determine if this particular species is one you’ve already recorded, or if it is a life bird for you. The book is geared for North American birds, but has an extensive section which includes accidentals and extinct species, just in case.
The Kaufman guide (link below) has somewhat better pictures including multiple view and angles of the different birds and is better for identification purposes in my opinion. It has a plain vanilla checklist, to note life birds, but does not have the space for notes to record the details of the sighting. However, whenever I go birdwatching, the Kaufman Guide is the book I take with me. We record new birds in the Nat. Geo. Journal after we get home.
Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America


Did you ever wonder what the numbers mean on binoculars? Which is better 8×32 or 10X30? Find out how to choose a good pair of binoculars for birdwatching or any other purpose. How to choose good Birdwatching binoculars. Everythign you need to know about binocular features and specifications without getting too technical. Whether you need good binoculars for birding field trips or for birdwatching in your backyard, you’ll learn what you need to know about binoculars at the linked article. It also has a list of places near Manchester, NH where you can buy binoculars.

Boats and Birds make a great combination for birdwatchers. Whether you’re kayaking a small backwoods river, motoring around a lake, or zipping along the coast of the Atlantic, you will have unique opportunities to find birds by boat, that you would not otherwise be likely to find. This articel contains lots of info. and some great birding locations for boaters of all kinds.

Not only are you very likely to see hawks, but you will definitely see more blueberries between late June and August than your entire family can possibly carry home - and they’re free for the picking. Blue Job Mountain is home to many birds, and birdwatchers will recognize the call of the Rufous-sided Towhee around the summit of Little Blue Job. As for raptors, many live on the mountain including both Cooper’s hawks and Sharp-shinned hawks, both of which are often referred to as chicken hawks. Despite their presence, many local families have free range chickens roaming their yards. Click for more information about Birdwatching at Blue Job Mountain in Strafford, NH.

If you have a suet feeder in your backyard, you have probably seen a woodpecker visiting it. Could you tell if it was a Downy Woodpecker or a Hairy Woodpecker? Can you tell which species is drumming on a tree in the woods near your house just by listening? If you read this woodpecker identification guide you’ll be able to reliably differentiate between the most common woodpecker species in New Hampshire (and all of New England, for that matter).

The first step in protecting the habitats of endangered or threatened birds is to identify those habitats that are critical to their survival. The Important Bird Areas (IBA) program aims to do just that. Find out how you can help in New Hampshire. Volunteers are needed to go to one of dozens of listed areas all around the state and record the birds they see on a form provided by the UNH Cooperative Extension. It’s easy. It’s fun. It’s important for the survival of threatened bird species in New Hampshire. Read more details here.