A big day for "first of season" encounters on the home property. They included the following: Eastern bluebird, Northern flicker, chipping sparrow, Northern cardinal and belted kingfisher which may be a first ever record rather than a return. Still researching. In any event, the kingfisher is a rarity and not an annual return.
Also made a definitive yellow-bellied sapsucker ID. I had noted one in March but am re-evaluating it in light of NH Audubon rapture specialist Chris Martin's suggestion it might have been a red-shouldered hawk. I've never in twelve years recorded a red-shouldered hawk here, but an inspection of its audio makes Chris' suggestion plausible. At the same time, the absence of characteristic yellow-bellied drumming in the wake of that first and a subsequent hearing a week later does undercut the certainty of the yellow-bellied ID.
Blake Allison
Lyme, NH 03768-3322