There is something about the first day in a series of one-site birding walks that has all the elements of baseball's opening day. There are memories of years past, excitement that the new season is underway, eager anticipation about what lies ahead and the hope of a successful engagement.
Such were the feelings shared by sixteen birders who turned out May 3 for the Mascoma Chapter's first "Warbler Wednesday" outing. The group was not disappointed by the outcome. Despite mostly cloudy, windy, unseasonably cool temperature readings and a brief sprinkle, a very satisfactory 47 species were recorded.
Among the highlights in waterfowl were seven ring-necked ducks, four bufflehead and a hooded merganser; all seen together in a cove at Boston Lot Lake's northwest corner. Also noteworthy was the presence of three double-crested cormorants. Considerable excitement was produced by one cormorant that descended from great altitude, alternately circling and diving as the wind currents enabled. Then, it finally, gently put down, with considerable aplomb after those most impressive aerobatics.
A circling, calling pair of broad-winged hawks was a highlight in the raptor class.
The song bird list was long. A fortuitous, near end of scouting, side trip to the open, tree-circled, grassy area just below and to the west of the lake produced some welcomed warbler records including blackburnian (three), yellow-rumped (eleven), pine and a black-throated green.
A complete list of the day's records can be accessed on NH eBird by clicking on the following link: http://ebird.org/ebird/nh/view/checklist/S36527161
Thanks to George Clark and Blake Allison for hosting, and thanks to Blake for recording.
The next "Warbler Wednesday" outing at Boston Lot is to take place May 10, beginning at 7:00 a.m. Mascoma Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon


To post messages, send e-mail to:  [log in to unmask]
Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages.
To contact the list owner:  [log in to unmask]
To unsubscribe:  E-mail this command to [log in to unmask]  UNSUBSCRIBE UV-Birders
To change your e-mail address:  E-mail this command from your old address to: [log in to unmask]  CHANGE UV-Birders [new e-mail address]

Web based archives and subscription management are available at:
http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html