birds of hinsdale setbacks and bluffs, new …...spring also sees small numbers of terns passing...
TRANSCRIPT
BIRDS OF HINSDALE SETBACKS AND BLUFFS, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Hector Galbraith, PhD April, 2016
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Table of Contents
Why Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs?…………………3
Geography, Habitats and Access……………………..5
History of Bird Recording……………………………9
Data Sources and Analyses………………………….10
Abundance Codes……………………………………11
Acknowledgements……………………………….….12
Species Accounts…………………………………12-68
References……………………………………………69
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WHY HINSDALE SETBACKS AND BLUFFS?
Situated on the Connecticut River at the intersection of three states: New Hampshire; Vermont a few hundred meters to the west; and Massachusetts about 5 miles to the south, Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs comprise one of the premier inland birding sites in New England. Since bird recording began there in the 1930’s, 244 species have been reported, equaling or greater than the totals recorded at most inland sites elsewhere in the three states. Furthermore, each year that passes seems to see additional new species being added to the Hinsdale list and it is not unrealistic to suppose that the total may reach 250 within a few years. It is also worth noting that despite the high species total, Hinsdale has had far less coverage over the years than most other comparable inland sites. For example, only 273 eBird checklists have been submitted for Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs over the last decade, compared with much greater totals for similar sites elsewhere in the Connecticut River Valley: 1261 for Herrick’s Cove, VT; over 1500 for Turners Falls area, MA; and over 1900 for the Hadley/Northampton area, MA. In short, in terms of avian diversity, and the birding opportunities offered, Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs are among the best inland New England sites, and probably in the top ten.
Birds commonly recorded at Hinsdale include many of the species that are typical of New England forest and wetland habitats. Many of these are breeding species, such as Carolina Wrens, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Common Yellowthroats, Marsh Wrens, Swamp Sparrows and Virginia Rails, together with waterfowl, including Canada Geese, Wood Ducks, and Mallard. Other interesting breeding birds include at least 4 species of birds of prey. In fact, this may be the only site in New Hampshire where it is possible to set up a spotting scope and simultaneously view breeding Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and Ospreys!
However, while about a quarter of the bird species recorded over the years at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs are regular breeders or have bred, about 75% are migrants, and it is as a migration site that Hinsdale really becomes interesting. Based on the historical record, it is plain that Hinsdale’s main claim to fame as a migration site rests in the numbers and diversity of waterbirds that pass through annually (over 45 species recorded), warblers (28 species recorded), and other songbirds (about 47 species). Also, many of the species that have been recorded over the last 70 years are unusual or rarities. Using the abundance codes described below, 96 of the 244 species recorded are either Very Rare or Rare. Another 59 are categorized as Uncommon. Thus, during the migration seasons a visitor to Hinsdale stands a good chance of experiencing a high diversity of species as they pass through on their way to more northern or more southern breeding or wintering areas, with the added spice of perhaps finding unusual transients or vagrants.
Migratory movements at Hinsdale really begin to become interesting in March and April, late winter and early spring, when waterbirds are moving through on their way to
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breeding areas further north. To date, 34 species of ducks and geese have been seen, including such rarities as Barnacle Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, and Tundra Swan. Many species that are considered rare elsewhere, are regular at Hinsdale, including Cackling Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, and Barrow’s Goldeneye. Also of note are the numbers of waterfowl normally thought of as “coastal” or “marine” that pass through on migration, including Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, and all three scoters. These waterfowl are often accompanied by three species of grebe (Pied-billed, Horned, Red-necked), and both Common and Red-throated loons. Also, the numbers of passage waterfowl during late winter and early spring can also be truly spectacular: up to 5,000 ducks and geese have been counted roosting on the ice above Vernon Dam . 1
Spring also sees small numbers of terns passing through on their way north, with up to 4 species reported (Black, Common, Arctic, and Caspian). A 5th tern species, Sooty Tern, has been recorded in the fall, in the aftermath of a northward bound storm.
Spring landbird migration is not quite as spectacular as the waterbird passage. Nevertheless, on a good morning in May up to 19 or 20 warbler species may be seen, together with their accompanying orioles (both Baltimore and Orchard), tanagers, grosbeaks, etc. Sometimes in May, the birds are coming so thick and fast that it is difficult to keep track of them all. It was also during spring passage that the only Swallow-Tailed Kite recorded at the site occurred. Another equally spectacular aspect of spring migration can be the huge numbers of swallows that roost overnight in the Hinsdale Setbacks reed beds on their way further north. As the sun rises, up to 1,200 birds, of five species, have been seen swirling over the lagoons of the setbacks in a dizzying feeding flock.
Fall migration is less frantic than the waterbird and spring landbird migration. However, this is also time when rarities may occur, such as White-eyed Vireo, Sooty Tern, Laughing Gull, Acadian Flycatcher, Connecticut Warbler (recorded on three occasions over five years), and sub-rarities like Philadelphia Vireo, Clay-colored Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, and Northern Shrike. More spectacular are the fall numbers of blackbirds using the reed beds as roosting sites. In any evening in mid-October many thousands of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and European Starlings can be seen in swirling flocks as they descend into the reeds. Counting these birds is extremely challenging, but up to 12,000 have been recorded.
The operation of the Vermont Yankee power plant and its release of warm water into 1
the river ensured that some open water was maintained throughout the winter months. The waterfowl flock would roost on the ice fringing the open water and bathe and drink from it. Now that Vermont Yankee has ceased operations, the future of this important waterfowl roost has become uncertain.
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Another unusual feature of the fall migration can be the aggregations of Eastern Kingbirds in September. Most New England birders experience kingbirds in ones or twos, feeding on aerial insects. However, up to 40 individuals can gather in pre-migratory flocks at Hinsdale feeding on the berries of the invasive plant, Glossy Buckthorn.
As in all things, timing is everything and, if planning a visit, it is worth noting that the numbers and variety of birds seen at the Setbacks and Bluffs during spring and fall is weather-dependent. Best conditions are mornings after sudden and severe overnight thunderstorms. These conditions result in the most impressive migrant “fall-outs”. In contrast, long settled periods of fine weather result in most birds passing over without alighting.
The only “down-time” at the Setbacks and Bluffs occurs during January to early March, if the river and the lagoons are frozen over. Waterbirds have moved south, except for small numbers of Canada Geese, and the landbirds are confined to those species that typically winter in New England, such as chickadees, titmice, Northern Cardinals, four species of woodpeckers, and the odd Carolina Wren. Even at these low times, however, the occasional excitement can be generated as small flocks of redpolls, siskins, and Bohemian Waxwings pass through. Rarer than these are the occasional Iceland and Glaucous gulls that have been recorded over the years. In any event, as soon as the ice begins to break up in mid-March waterfowl are, once again, on the move.
GEOGRAPHY, HABITATS AND ACCESS
The high avian diversity at Hinsdale is partly due to its position in the Connecticut River Valley, a major north-south migration route, and its diverse mixture of habitats, including emergent wetland, open water, and riparian and upland forests. These habitats are easily accessible on foot from three main parking areas (Figure 1). The two best parking and access points for Hinsdale Setbacks are the northern and southern parking areas. There is space for for at least 20 cars at each of these, and the lagoons can be easily accessed (Figure 2).
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Figure 1. Map of Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs showing main access points, trails and geographical features. Map created by Kent McFarland of Vermont Center for Ecostudies using Open Street Map (http:/www..openstreetmap.org/copyright).
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Figure 2. Hinsdale Setbacks lagoon looking north from Powerline Berm Trail. Photo by author.
The trails that wind through the Hinsdale area are well maintained by the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails. From the Southern Parking Area, the Rail Trail can be quickly reached, where you can turn either north or south and look for migrants or breeding birds in the riparian scrub and forest. These are prime areas for migrating warblers, sparrows, etc. If you walk north on the Rail Trail from the southern parking area, you will quickly reach an old concrete bridge, from which you can scan the open water to the south (also known as Lake Wantastiquet) for ducks, grebes, etc. A spotting scope is useful here.
From the Northern Parking Area you can easily access the rail trail and head south or north, or west on the Powerline Berm Trail, which takes you into the heart of the emergent reed bed marsh where rails and herons lurk! If you follow the Rail Trail north from the Northern Parking Area you access several miles of prime riparian scrub and forest (Figure 3). It is in this area that White-eyed Vireo and Acadian Flycatcher were recently added to the site list.
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Figure 3. View north from Northern Parking Area showing Rail Trail and habitat favored by migrating warblers, vireos and other songbirds. Photo by author.
If you want to get out onto the Hinsdale Bluffs you have a choice of two access points. First, you can park at the Southern Parking Area, turn south onto the Rail Trail and continue through prime riparian and mature forest birding habitat for about 1000 yards (Figure 4). Eventually, you will see a trail going off to the right through a metal gate.
Figure 4. View north from Rail Trail en route to Hinsdale Bluffs. Photo by author.
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Following this trail for about 300 yards, you will emerge onto the bluffs overlooking the dammed Connecticut River. If you are here between February and April please take care because a pair of Bald Eagles next close by and you should avoid disturbing them.
The second Hinsdale Bluffs access point is at the end of River Road in the Town of Hinsdale, where there is a small turnaround and parking area. Park here (without blocking the road) and walk a narrow overgrown trail to the old railroad bridge about 75 yards to the west. Go under the bridge and immediately turn sharp right to scramble up onto the Rail Trail. Once there turn north and walk for about 600 yards through mature forest to the Hinsdale Bluffs access trail going off to the left. 300 yards further are the bluffs.
Less satisfactory views of the river and Hinsdale Setbacks can be obtained from two points on the Vermont side or the river, Miller Farm Field and Vernon Dam. The former can be accessed by driving to Vernon from the north on Highway 142, but turning left on a gravel road immediately after crossing the railroad tracks. Park at the end of this road and walk east along the chain link fence around the electricity substation to a viewpoint above the river. Alternatively continue south through Vernon on Governor Hunt Road until, shortly after passing the school and the main gate to Vermont Yankee, you can park and follow a gravel trail through a metal gate and down to the water’s edge above the dam. Neither of these viewpoints offer as sweeping or close views as can be obtained from the New Hampshire side of the river.
A viewpoint in Vermont that provides good views of the goldeneye flock that winters on the Connecticut River below Hinsdale Bluffs is at the Stebbins Road Pumping Station. This is reached by following Highway 142 south though Vernon and turning left onto Stebbins Road at the Vernon Green Nursing Home. after about 200 yards, a gravel road goes off to the left. Walk the gravel road for about one hundred yards to the river.
Access to the Hinsdale Setbacks and Hinsdale Bluffs trails are also described in Masterson (2013), which also gives a synopsis of many of the bird species at the two sites.
HISTORY OF BIRD RECORDING AT HINSDALE SETBACKS AND BLUFFS
Bird recording at Hinsdale has occurred in four main phases. During the 1930s the first observations began to be made. These resulted in some important records such as the Little Blue heron “collected” at Hinsdale Setbacks in August 1933. However, it was not until the 1950s and 1960s that bird recording began in earnest. During that period New Hampshire-based birders, particularly Tudor Richards, who was employed by New Hampshire Audubon Society, began to intensively study the passage of migratory waterbirds through inland sites, like Hinsdale and the nearby Spofford Lake. Tudor’s pioneering efforts over a decade or so resulted in many important records being
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accumulated, and in Hinsdale taking its place as an important New England migration site.
Following the 1960s, relatively few data were added to the Hinsdale record until, in the 1980s, an active Vermont-based birder, Jeremy Coleman, began to systematically make observations at Hinsdale Setbacks, particularly during the spring and fall migration periods. Jeremy added many new species to the site’s bird list, culminating in May 1988 when, due to the water level being drawn down to allow repairs at Vernon Dam, extensive mudflat shorebird habitat was revealed. Over the next few days, a number of new shorebird species were added to the Setbacks list, including American Golden-Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, and Semipalmated Plover. This surge of new shorebird records indicates that these species are likely to be migrating through the area in most years, but that it takes the creation or exposure of feeding habitat to attract them down to eye level.
After the 1980s, birding activity at the Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs was subdued until the next phase of recording took place, beginning in the late 1990s when a new cast of birding activists appeared on the scene, including Lance Tanino, Kent McFarland, Don Clark, Eric Masterson, JoAnne Russo, Dave Johnston, and Ken Klapper. Together with the advent of eBird, these enthusiasts extended our knowledge of the birds of the Setbacks and Bluffs. Many new species were added during this time, such as the “influx” of Least Bitterns during summer 2007, or the first records of Barnacle Goose, Acadian Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Connecticut Warbler, and others. This latest surge of activity has continued until the present, although it has been a little more subdued in the last 5 or 6 years due to people moving out of the area or focussing their attention elsewhere.
DATA SOURCES AND ANALYSES
The data reported in this publication are derived from a number of sources going back to the 1920s and forming an almost continual, although often sparse, record until the present. This history of recording in New Hampshire is described more fully in Berry and Suomala (2007). Briefly, the sources of information for this publication (and the acronyms used in the species accounts in this work) comprise:
• The Audubon Society of New Hampshire Bulletin from 1921 until 1951 (ASNH). • Records of New England Birds, in Massachusetts Audubon Society Bulletin, 1945-1955.
Massachusetts Audubon Society, Concord, Massachusetts (RNEB). • Records of New England Birds, 1956–1960 and 1964–1968. Massachusetts Audubon
Society, Concord, Massachusetts (RNEB). • New Hampshire Bird News from 1951 until 1960 (NHBN). • The New Hampshire Audubon Quarterly from 1961 until 1976 (NHAQ). • Records of Vermont Birds, 1971 until 2002 (RVB). • New Hampshire Audubon from 1977 until 1982 (NHA).
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• New Hampshire Bird Records and archives 1986 through November 30 2009. Audubon Society of New Hampshire, Concord, New Hampshire (NHBR).
Additional sources of historical data were the raw data notes of Tudor Richards during the 1950s and 1960s when he was researching inland waterbird migration in New Hampshire (notes kindly supplied by Robert A. Quinn). The most recent data sources comprise eBird (which began reporting from the Hinsdale area in 2005 (Sullivan et al., 2009), the state email list NHBirds, the book The Birds of New Hampshire (Keith and Fox 2013, abbreviated in the text as K&F, 2013), and the personal field records of the author and other observers.
Many of the species accounts in this work are accompanied by bar charts displaying numbers and seasonality of occurrence. These would not have been possible except for the opportunities for site-specific analyses provided by eBird. All the bar charts presented in this book were created using eBird data (www.eBird.org) from 2008 until November 2015. Indeed, the advent of eBird has revolutionized the potential for in-depth analyses of the status, abundance and occurrence of bird species at sites. It is to be hoped that increasing numbers of local and regional observers will take advantage of this opportunity to produce for other important sites the sorts of avifaunal treatments presented in this book.
The vast majority of the records discussed in this document were reported from the New Hampshire side of the Connecticut River. However, many or most of the waterbirds seen on the river from the two Vernon view points would likely also have been in New Hampshire and Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Therefore, it was assumed that the boundaries of these two sites extended west to the western shore of the river, and that waterbird records from Miller Farm Field and the Vernon Dam were in the Hinsdale Setbacks or below the Hinsdale Bluffs, respectively. Such records were included in the analyses.
ABUNDANCE CODES
It is important in any local or regional avifauna to be able to clearly communicate the comparative abundance of different species and thereby help visitors evaluate the likelihood (or otherwise) of encountering them. To this end I developed and applied six abundance categories. These are not meant to be completely accurate metrics, but only to convey a general, but hopefully realistic, idea of comparative abundance.
Very Common. Likely to be seen on all visits in appropriate seasons and habitats. May be seen in numbers. Examples: Red-winged Blackbird in marshes in spring through fall, or Yellow Warbler in scrub in summer.
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Common. Likely to be seen on most visits in appropriate seasons and habitats. Examples: Song Sparrow in riparian woodland or scrub, or Marsh Wren in reed beds in summer.
Uncommon. May only be seen after several visits in appropriate seasons and habitats. Examples: Lincoln’s Sparrow in riparian woodland or scrub in fall, or Wilson’s Warbler in scrub during migration seasons.
Rare. Not seen every year but perhaps every few years. Examples: Connecticut Warbler in fall in edge scrub, or Red-throated Loon in spring.
Very Rare. Seen at most once every decade. Example: Barnacle Goose in winter, or Acadian Flycatcher in summer.
Hypothetical. Reported as having been seen on at least one occasion, but the provenance of the sighting is uncertain.
It should also be kept in mind that bird distributions and relative abundances are constantly in flux, particularly now with changes in habitat availability and the planet’s climate. Thus, abundance categories such as those above should be viewed as contingent, rather than carved in stone.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my grateful thanks to all the people and organizations who have helped in the research for this publication. Most prominently: Becky Suomala of New Hampshire Audubon Society, who helped immensely with identifying data sources and making them available to me; New Hampshire Audubon provided bird sighting data from New Hampshire Bird Records and previous publications. These data were submitted by volunteer observers and compiled by New Hampshire Audubon. Data prior to 1986 was computerized with the assistance of funding from the Charles Blake Fund of the Nuttall Ornithological Club. Also, thanks to Bob Quinn who made available Tudor Richards’ notes on birds recorded at Hinsdale during the 1950s and 1960s; Kent McFarland of Vermont Center for Ecostudies who helped with graphics and drew the outline map of the sites (Figure 1); all the photographers who provided images (and who are named in the text); and all the observers who, over the years, submitted records from Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Among these, I wish to single out the late Tudor Richards whose efforts first put the Setbacks and Bluffs on the ornithological map back in the 1950s and 1960s. Thanks also to eBird without whose help bringing all the data together would have been so much more difficult. Also, thanks to Taj Schottland who helped educate me on computers and to all the birders who commented on an earlier draft of this report: Cat Abbot; Don Clark; Jeremy Coleman; Laura Gaudette; Dave Johnston; Kent McFarland; Eric Mastersen; JoAnne Russo; and James Smith.
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SPECIES ACCOUNTS
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons. Rare. Several records over the last decade in late winter during build-up of northward migrating Canada Geese, with which this species associates (Figure 5). Except for a small flock of 5 birds on 18 March 2007 (K&F, 2013), 2 individuals on 22 March 2008, and 4 on 19 March 2011 (NHBR), all occurrences were of single birds: 15 March 2009; 5 March 2012; and 29 March 2013 (eBird records). This species is also recorded with some regularity on the Vermont side of the Connecticut River in the vicinity of Vernon, and birds move back and forth between Vermont and Hinsdale. All of the individuals identified to race thus far are likely to have belonged to the Greenland race, A.a. flavirostris.
Figure 5. Greater White-fronted Goose from Hinsdale Bluffs, April 2015. Photo by David Johnston
Snow Goose Chen caerulescens. Uncommon late winter and early spring migrant. Multiple records from the 1950s onward during the late winter goose migration period: 12 on 10 April 1950 (K&F 2013); 40 on 27 March 2007; 1 on 12 March 1994; 2 on 15 March, 2009; 50 on 19 March 2011; 104 on 23 March 2014; and 8 juvenile birds on 13 May 2015 (all from eBird records). Flocks of up to 200 Snow geese are also sporadically recorded feeding and roosting in the fields on the Vermont side of the Connecticut River in the vicinity of Vernon, and some of these birds move back and forth between Vermont and Hinsdale.
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Most of the birds that are seen in the area are white morphs and probably belong to the race atlantica (“Greater” Snow Goose”), the predominant race in late winter in the Connecticut Valley. However, the 1950 record was of 12 blue morphs, and may have been of the race caerulescens (“Lesser” Snow Goose). Additionally, single blue birds were recorded on 10 April 1950, and 15 April 1967 (RNEB).
Brant Branta bernicla. Rare spring migrant. Three occurrences: 1 bird on 2 June 1961 (NHAQ vol 26); 35 on 14 May 2012; and 1 on 19 May 2015 (eBird records).
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis. Very Rare late winter migrant. One record: a single bird roosting on the ice on the Connecticut River (Figure 6) with Canada geese and other waterfowl. 25-27 March 2007 (K&F, 2013).
Figure 6. Barnacle Goose with Canada Geese on ice above Vernon Dam, March 2007. Photo by author.
Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii. Uncommon late winter and spring migrant to Hinsdale Setbacks and Lake Wantastiquet (Figure 7). Has occurred during late winter build-up of geese on six occasions since the species was split from Canada Goose in 2004: 2 birds on 25 March 2007, and 4 birds in group on 30 March 2008 (NHBR). Singles on 15 March 2009 and 7-10 March 2010, 3 birds in group on 16 March 2013, and 2 on 6 April 2015 (eBird records). Also, an early winter record of a single bird on 30
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November 2015. Normally occurs in flocks of Canada Geese. All birds reported thus far have been of nominate race, B. h. hutchinsii.
Figure 7. Cackling goose with Canada Geese at Hinsdale Setbacks, April 2015. Photo by author.
Canada Goose Branta canadensis. Very Common fall and late winter migrant. Common breeding bird, and Uncommon winter resident (Figure 8. eBird records, 2008-2015). Breeding: approximately 8-10 pairs breed annually on the Hinsdale Setbacks. Fall migration begins in October and continues through mid December, with high counts of about 200 birds. Winter numbers dependent on whether open water is frozen or not but if birds present numbers vary from 10 (25 December 2014) to 250 (31 December 1994). No birds likely to be present if the open water of Lake Wantastiquet is
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Figure 8. Canada Goose Average Counts
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frozen completely. In the past, late winter migration build-up could lead to up to 5,000 birds being present roosting on the ice of Lake Wantastiquet and visible from Hinsdale Bluffs (K&F, 2013). Most of these birds had moved north by early April when ice breakup occurs further up the Connecticut Valley. Since Vermont Yankee ceased operations in fall 2014, no cooling water has been discharged to the river and, as a result, it has frozen entirely in the winter and early spring. Consequently, this site was not used as a waterfowl roost during the winters of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 and numbers of Canada Geese were down to a few individuals. It is not known if this condition will persist in future winters.
Mute Swan Cygnus olor. Uncommon in breeding season. First appeared as a breeding species in 2008 when 6 young were raised at Hinsdale Setbacks. Attempted breeding in 2009, 2011, 2014 (when 3 young raised), and 2015 (no young raised). Unfortunately, the State of Vermont shoots any Mute Swans breeding on the west side of the Connecticut River and, since the swans breeding at Hinsdale do not recognize state boundaries, they are vulnerable to being shot, as has happened in the past. Can be present on Hinsdale Setbacks from late March until December, depending on weather conditions.
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus. Very Rare fall migrant. Three records: a family party of 7 reported at Hinsdale setbacks on 2-10 December 1937 (K&F 2013); 5 birds seen on November 2 through November 19 2004 (NHBR and eBird records). These birds had previously been seen at the Brattleboro Retreat Meadows on 2 November 2004; 2 birds at Hinsdale Setbacks on 14 February 2009 (NHBR).
Wood Duck Aix sponsa. Common breeding bird and spring and fall migrant. Adults with recently hatched broods are commonly seen in late spring and early summer at Hinsdale Setbacks. First appear in the second week of March and are present until early October (eBird records). Highest count of 48 birds on 10 April 2015 but more normal totals are between 5 and 20 birds. Highest counts typically in March/April and September/October indicating that the area is a stopover area for migrants moving north or south.
Gadwall Anas strepera. Uncommon spring migrant from early March until early May. Rare fall migrant from early October until November. Usual numbers from 2-3 birds but a peak count of 13 birds on 9 April 2003 (K&F, 2013). Only two fall sightings: 2 birds on 1 November 2012; and two birds on 1 October, 2015 (eBird records).
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope. Very Rare spring migrant. One record: male bird (Figure 9) present at Hinsdale Setbacks 3-13 April 2015 (eBird records).
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Figure 9. Eurasian Wigeon with Ring-necked Ducks, Hinsdale Setbacks, April 2015. Photo by David Johnston.
American Wigeon Anas americana. Uncommon spring migrant. Usually from 1-5 birds between late March and early May. However, 11 on 3 April 1949 (RNEB), 40 on 14 April 2007 (NHBR), and, in 2015, numbers increased from 7 birds on April 3 to 26 on April 13, declining thereafter (eBird records). Two fall records: 8 on 27 October 1988 (NHBR); and a pair of birds on 22 November 2015 (author’s notes).
American Black Duck Anas rubripes. Common spring and fall migrant. Common from early March until late April and then quite common (but in smaller numbers) from late September until December (Figure 10. – eBird records, 2008-2015). Highest winter/
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Figure 10. Black Duck Average Counts
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spring counts up to 250 (NHBR), while highest fall counts reach only about 15. Black Duck hybrids with Mallard are seen frequently.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. Very Common winter resident when Lake Wantastiquet is partially ice-free. Highest such count was 800 birds on 8 February 2000 (NHBR). Common spring migrant from April through May when highest counts usually reach about 100 (a high count of 200 was reported on 9 March 2007 (K&F, 2013). Breeds in unknown numbers but high counts during the breeding season are generally less than 10
birds. More common during fall migration from November through December, when high counts may exceed 40 birds (Figure 11. – eBird records, 2008-2015).
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors. Uncommon spring and fall migrant. Spring passage occurs over a 4-week period from early April until early May and counts are typically of less than 10 birds. During short fall migration (mid-late September) the highest count reported was a flock of 30 birds on 15 September 2012 (eBird records).
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata. Uncommon spring migrant and Rare fall migrant and Very Rare winter visitor. Spring migration occurs during April, when there have been sporadic sightings of up to 5 birds. Rarer during early November fall migration, when usually of three or fewer birds (eBird records). One winter record of a single bird on 31 January 2007 (E. Mastersen pers. comm).
Northern Pintail Anas acuta. Uncommon spring migrant from early March until early April. Not recorded in fall. Spring counts usually of 5 or fewer birds but a high count of 44 reported from 27 March 2007 (K&F, 2013).
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Figure 11. Mallard Average Counts
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Green-winged Teal Anas crecca. Common spring migrant and Uncommon fall migrant. Spring migration extends from early March until early April and numbers during this period are typically 10-40 birds (Figure 12. eBird records, 2010-2015). However, spring peak counts of 226 and 65 have been reported (K&F, 2013 and eBird records, respectively). The fall migration period extends from mid-September until early November when numbers are fewer than in spring, normally not exceeding about 10 birds (eBird records). All records thus far have been of the race A. c. carolinensis.
Canvasback Aythya valisineria. Rare spring migrant and Very Rare fall migrant. Recorded 5 times during spring waterfowl migration: single birds on 10 November 1949 (Tudor Richard’s field notes), 19 March 2011, and 14 April 2015 (Figure 13); and 9 seen from Hinsdale Bluffs on 13 March 2008 (eBird records). A spring peak count of 32 birds on 26 March 2008 (NHBR). Two fall records: 2 birds on 4 October1950 (Tudor Richards field notes); and 2 birds on 27 November 1988 (NHBR).
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Figure 12. Green-winged Teal Average Counts
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1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
!
Figure 13. Female Canvasback from Hinsdale Bluffs, April 2015. Photo by Jeanne-Marie Maher.
Redhead Aythya americana. Very Rare. Three records: a single bird on 29 October 1940 (K&F, 2013), 2 birds on 17 April 1993 (NHBR); and 4 birds below Hinsdale Bluffs on 28 February 2015 (eBird records).
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris. Very Common spring migrant and Uncommon fall migrant. During late winter and early spring an influx of birds begins as soon as the ice at Hinsdale Setbacks begins to thaw (usually in early March). Numbers quickly increase to reach a peak in early April, when up to 464 have been counted (11 April 2015). There is evidence that this build-up has been occurring since the mid-20th Century as 105 birds
Page �20
Figure 14. Ring-necked Duck Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
t
0
50
100
150
200
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
were reported from Hinsdale Setbacks on 29 March 1949 (RNEB). Much smaller numbers (usually of less than 10 birds) occur during fall migration in October and November (Figure 14. eBird records, 2009-2015).
Greater Scaup Aythya marila. Uncommon late winter and fall migrant (Figure 15), and probably the less common of the two scaup species. Peak count of 20 birds 1 November 1949 (RNEB). More recently, small numbers (usually less than three) occur during spring build-up of waterfowl from late March through early April (eBird records). One very early late winter record is of a single bird on 23 February 2008 (K&F, 2013). In fall even smaller numbers (usually one or two birds) occur from mid-October through early December.
! Figure 15. Male Greater Scaup, Hinsdale Bluffs, April 2015. Photo by David Johnston.
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis. Common spring and fall migrant in small numbers (usually less than 10 birds) from mid-March until late April, and from early November until early December (Figure 16. eBird records, 2011-2015). Highest count is of 13 birds on 14 April 2015 (eBird records).
Page �21
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata. Rare, the rarest of the three scoters. Five records: 2 on 10 November 1949 (RNEB); 21 on 29 October 1963 (NHBR); 2 birds on 24 October 2014; 2 on October 9 2015; and 1on October 25 2015 (eBird records).
White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca. Uncommon migrant in small numbers in early May, and in October and November (Figure 17. eBird records, 2011-2015). Highest count is of 27 birds on 27 October 1954 (RNEB).
Black Scoter Melanitta americana. Rare migrant in late October. One spring record. Flocks of: 35 birds on 13 October 1949 (RNEB); 75 on 26 October 1962 (NHBR); 50 on 5 November 2012; and 14 from 19 October 2014 until 1 November 2014 (eBird records). Like other scoters, occurrence is dependent on suitable weather conditions in late fall
Page �22
Figure 16. Lesser Scaup Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
t
0
1.75
3.5
5.25
7
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
Figure 17. White-winged Scoter Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
2
4
6
8
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
when rain associated with cold fronts bring the migrating birds down. Otherwise, they presumably fly over without stopping. One spring record of a female on 29 March 2009 (NHBirds).
It is interesting to note that visiting flocks of scoters at Hinsdale usually stay only briefly, actively indulge in group chasing displays, but do not feed while present. This was also noted by Tudor Richards in the 1950s (NHAQ Vol 27).
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis. Uncommon spring and Very Rare fall migrant. Spring birds move through from early March until early May. Usually one to five birds, but a peak count of 20 on 26 April 2014 (eBird records). One fall record of a single bird on 6-30 November 2014 (eBird records).
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola. Common spring and Rare fall migrant. In late winter and early spring occurs from early March through early May. Usually in small numbers of less than 10 birds. However, a peak of 20 on 10 March 2014 (eBird records). In fall occurs rarely and in smaller numbers (peak of 8) than in spring, from mid-October until late November (eBird records).
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula. Very Common winter visitor and early spring migrant, occurring from late November until mid-April. The wintering flock is usually off the Hinsdale Bluffs either above the Vernon Dam, or they may be further downriver where the river flows past the Hinsdale Bluffs opposite Stebbins Road and Pumping Station, Vermont. Numbers begin to increase in early January, peak in Mid-March when approaching 300 birds may be in the flock (eBird records), and all birds are usually gone by early to mid-April (Figure 18. eBird records 2008-2015). Predicting
Page �23
Figure 18. Common Goldeneye Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
50
100
150
200
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
where these birds may be at any specific time is problematic as they seem move back and forth between feeding areas at Hinsdale Bluffs and further downriver.
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica. Uncommon winter visitor (Figure 19). 1 to 3 birds have wintered with the Common Goldeneye flock on the Connecticut River where it flows past the Hinsdale Bluffs since about 1987 until 2015. The earliest sighting at this location was of 3 birds in spring 1987 (NHBR). Prior to Vermont Yankee ceasing operations these birds were occasionally seen from Hinsdale Bluffs roosting with the Common Goldeneye flock in the open water above Vernon Dam (created by the power station warm water discharge).
! Figure 19. Barrows and Common Goldeneye, Hinsdale Bluffs, April 2015. Photo by David Johnston
Page �24
Figure 20. Hooded Merganser Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
12.5
25
37.5
50
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus. Very Common migrant during late March and early April, and again during southward migration and before freeze-up in November and December (Figure 20. eBird records, 1994-2015). Peak count in spring of 270 birds 27 March 2009 (NHBR), and in fall of 120 birds on1 December 2014 (eBird records).
Common Merganser Mergus merganser. Very Common late winter and spring migrant. Uncommon fall and winter visitor (Figure 21. eBird records, 1995-2015). Earliest report is of 100 birds on 8 April 1950 (RNEB), which is also the highest spring count, and 9 birds in fall/winter (27 December 2014 - eBird records).
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator. Uncommon spring migrant (late March through May). Usually in ones and twos, but peak counts of 8 birds on 10 May 1961 (NHBR); and 6 birds on 12 April 2015. Only 2 fall records: single birds on 2 August 1958 (K&F, 2013), and on 12 November 2015 (author’s notes). One winter record of 2 birds on 1 January 2015 (eBird records).
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis. Uncommon migrant in April (when peak count of 24 birds recorded on 17 April 2015 - eBird records). Also, recorded once in January (1 bird January 12 to 17, 2014), once in March (3 birds on 30 March 2015), twice in October (1 bird on 3 October 1987, and another on 24 October 2014 ), and twice in November (a single bird on 10 November 1949), and 4 birds on 16 November 2012 (all data from NHBR, eBird records, and K&F, 2013).
Page �25
Figure 21. Common Merganser Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
12.5
25
37.5
50
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus. Rare at Hinsdale Setbacks (a single bird on 7 May 2012), but Uncommon on trail leading out to Hinsdale Bluffs Figure 22), where single birds or pairs were seen in May 2009, and, also May, 2011 through 2015 (eBird records).
Figure 22. Ruffed Grouse at Hinsdale setbacks, May 2009. Photo by author.
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo. Rare at Hinsdale Setbacks (3 records between 2010 and 2015, 2 in May and 1 in September) and Uncommon at Hinsdale Bluffs (5 records between 2009 and 2014, January-May). Numbers varied from 1-8 birds (e-Bird records).
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata. Rare spring and fall migrant. Five records of single birds (Figure 23): 9 November 1987 and 29 November 1988 (NHBR); 21-23 November 2011; 13-27 April 2013; and 10 May 2014 (eBird records).
Page �26
Figure 23. Red-throated Loon at Hinsdale Setbacks, April, 2013. Photo, Hilke Breder.
Common Loon Gavia immer. Common spring migrant. Uncommon fall migrant (Figure 24). Very rare winter visitor. eBird records, 2008-2015). Spring records from early April until late May (usually birds in breeding plumage). Highest spring counts of 28 birds on 12 May 1957 (Tudor Richards’ field notes and NHAQ vol 26, #1), and 22 birds on 10 May 2012 (eBird records). Four fall records of single birds from late September until late
December. One winter record of a single bird on 1 January 2015 (eBird records).
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps. Rare spring migrant from mid-March until mid-April, and Common fall migrant from early August until late October (Figure 25.
Page �27
Figure 24. Common Loon Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
1.25
2.5
3.75
5
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
eBird records, 2009-2015). Fall numbers usually from 1-10 birds but in September 2010 flock peaked at 35 individuals (author’s field notes). This high count has not, however, been reached in subsequent years, when 1-10 birds are more typical. Latest fall record is of 7 birds on 3 December 1961 (NHBR).
Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus. Uncommon spring migrant and Rare in fall. Regular spring migrant from late March through mid May. Usually 1-6 birds but peak counts of 19 on 7 April 1962 (NHBR), and 16 on 17 April 2015 (eBird records). No recent fall records but counts of a single bird on 4 October 1950 (Tudor Richards field notes), and 11 birds during a storm on 29 October 1963 (NHAQ vol 27).
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena. Uncommon spring migrant (Figure 26. eBird records, 2010-2015). Usually individuals or small groups of 1-6. Peak spring counts of 14 birds on 23 April 2012, and 24 on 30 April, 2014. Rare in fall: 4 records in October,
Page �28
Figure 25. Pied-billed Grebe Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
4.5
9
13.5
18
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
Figure 26. Red-necked Grebe Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
3
6
9
12
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
November and December, with the earliest of 3 birds during a storm on 29 October 1963 (NHAQ vol 27), and a peak of 4 birds on 18 October 2013 (eBird records).
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus. Common to Very Common spring migrant and Common in fall. Non-breeding birds Common in summer. Spring migration extends from early April through May (Figure 27. eBird records, 2008-2015). Usual counts of 6-12 birds but peak of 146 on 27 April 2011. Fall migration usually involves smaller numbers of birds than spring passage, with 1-6 birds being typical. 2-4 non-breeding juvenile birds may spend summer months. It is interesting that Tudor Richards does not mention the Double-crested Cormorant as being a common migrant in inland New Hampshire in the middle part of the 20th Century. Presumably numbers of migrants passing through sites like Hinsdale have increased as the New England, Quebec and
Ontario breeding populations exploded in the second half of that century (Veit and Petersen, 1993).
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. Rare. Five records of single birds: 16 November 1988 (eBird records); 29 January 2003 (NHBR); a bird in breeding plumage on 21 April 2007 (author’s field notes); 2 December 2007; 18 April 2011 (eBird records).
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus. Very Rare. Only three records: 1 on 25 August 1958 (NHAQ vol 27); 1 on 21 May 2005; and one on 26 May 2007 (eBird records). Given its secretive habits, it is possible that this species is not as rare as the few records suggest. However, frequent playing of breeding calls by author in summer 2007 and 2008 failed to elicit responses.
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis. Rare. Recorded during breeding season in three consecutive years. In July 2007, 3-4 males responded to taped calls by emerging from the
Page �29
Figure 27. Double-crested Cormorant Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
3.5
7
10.5
14
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
Hinsdale Setbacks reed beds. In May-June 2008 1-3 birds were recorded. One bird recorded on 15 June 2009 (E. Mastersen pers. comm.). No birds have been recorded since 2009 despite playing of taped calls.
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias. Common in spring through fall. May breed nearby. First birds arrive in late winter during the second half of March and are then present until late November. Counts (Figure 28. eBird records, 1994-2015) are usually of 1-4 birds, but occasionally as high as 6. There is no evidence yet that this species breeds at Hinsdale Setbacks, but its flights in and out of the area suggest that they may breed in the riparian woodland further upriver.
Great Egret Ardea alba. Rare in late summer. Two early records of this species were on 4 August 1933 (collected by L. R. Nelson), and another collected by Nelson on 26 July 1937 (K&F, 2013). Subsequently, single birds were recorded on 8 October 1987 (NHBR); 6 September 2010; 24 August 2011; and 7-17 September 2015 (eBird records). This late summer pattern of occurrence is typical for the middle Connecticut River, as birds disperse north from breeding sites further south.
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea. Very Rare. Only 1 record: a single bird on 3 August 1933. Collected by L. R. Nelson (K&F, 2013).
Green Heron Butorides virescens. Common summer visitor, may breed. First arrivals of this species are in early May and birds are then present until late August. Usually only 1-2 birds are reported, but up to 24 were seen at Hinsdale Setbacks on 25 August 1955 (NHAQ vol 27 #4). In 2015, breeding was suspected along the railroad bed separating the lagoons.
Page �30
Figure 28. Great Blue Heron Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
1
2
3
4
Date1-Jan 1-Feb 1-Mar 1-Apr 1-May 1-Jun 1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct 1-Nov 1-Dec
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax. Very Rare. Two records of single birds on 26 May 2007 and 7 August 2008 (NHBR).
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus. Very Rare. One record: a single bird flying south over the Hinsdale Bluffs on 26 July 2015 (eBird records)
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus. Very Rare. Two records: 2 birds circling over Hinsdale Bluffs on 17 April 2007 (author’s field notes), and 1 bird on 6 June 2009 (NHBR).
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura. Common overhead from early spring until late October. Birds first appear in the second half of March and are regularly seen throughout the summer and fall months until early October (eBird records). Earliest report is of 16 birds on 20 March 1988 (NHBR). Average counts are usually of 2-3 birds, but counts as high as 10-16 birds have been noted during northward migration in March, April and early May (NHBR and eBird records).
Osprey Pandion haliaetus. Common migrant and breeding bird. Earliest record is of 2 birds on 3 July 1940 (RNEB). More recently, birds in ones and twos have been noted from April 1 until October 8 (eBird records). Began attempting to breed on top of electricity pylon at Hinsdale Setbacks in 2010, but early attempts were not successful. A nest platform was provided by Public Service of New Hampshire in 2013 and the first successful breeding attempt occurred the following year, when two young were raised. Two were also raised in 2015 (pers. obs. and pers. comm Chris Martin, New Hampshire Audubon Society). At 300 feet tall, this is the highest osprey nest in New Hampshire.
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus. Very Rare vagrant. One record of a single bird flying north over Hinsdale Bluffs on 26 April 2011 (eBird records).
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus. Common breeding bird. Noted on Hinsdale Bluffs in 1987 (NHBR) and breeding began on the Hinsdale Setbacks/Bluffs in 1999 when a pair nested on Stebbins Island below the bluffs. This pair moved to the Hinsdale Bluffs to nest in 2008, where they have continued to nest until 2015. 12 young have been fledged from these nesting attempts and offspring have been found nesting further upriver at Orford, New Hampshire, and to the east in Lunenburg, Massachusetts. Over the 17 years adults nesting at Hinsdale Bluffs and close by have included birds from Connecticut, the Hudson River in New York State, and from Northampton, Massachusetts (information courtesy of Chris Martin of New Hampshire Audubon).
Another bald eagle nest was established at Hinsdale Setbacks upriver of the powerlines in 2013. Nesting attempts by this pair in both 2014 and 2015 have not been successful (Chris Martin pers. comm.).
Page �31
In most years, Bald eagles can usually be seen at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs from late February until late November (eBird records).Usually there are 1 or 2 birds, but up to 5 have been seen on occasion.
! Plate 29. Bald Eagles at nest on Hinsdale Bluffs, May 2014. Photo by Brian Reilly.
It is interesting to note that Hinsdale Setbacks may be the only location in either New Hampshire or Vermont where an observer can stand in one spot with a spotting scope and observe nesting bald eagles, peregrines, and ospreys!
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus. Uncommon during last week of March, April, and September. Not yet seen in any other months. Usually single birds seen but a high count of 3 was recorded on 11 April 2015 (eBird records).
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus. Uncommon migrant in early May and from mid-August through late September. Only seen as single birds (eBird records).
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii. Uncommon fall migrant (but more common than Sharp-shinned Hawk). Usually single birds seen from mid-August through to late November (eBird records).
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis. Very Rare. One seen on Hinsdale Bluffs on 24 May 2008 (NHBR), and another on 6 September 2015 (eBird records).
Page �32
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus. Uncommon in spring and in first half of September. Between 2006 and 2015 there were 10 records in early to mid-May, and 7 in September. Usually single birds but maximum of 3 on 2 May 2015. Most records from Hinsdale Bluffs, with fewer from the Hinsdale Setbacks (eBird records).
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus. Rare in spring and Very Rare in fall. 5 records between 1994 and 2015. Four records from late March until mid-May, and most from Hinsdale Bluffs. Maximum count of 3 birds 17 May 2012, and again on 17 May 2013 (eBird records). One fall record: 4 September 1994 (NHBR). It is possible that these records may indicate breeding in the forest on Hinsdale Bluffs. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis. Common year-round. Mostly seen from mid-March until late November, with less frequent records in December- February. Usually single birds, but up to 3 have been seen (eBird records).
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos. Very Rare. In 2014, a subadult golden eagle spent about 12 days between 24 March and 4 April moving between Hinsdale Bluffs and Blodgett Farm a mile further south on the Vermont side of the Connecticut River, and was seen by many birders. Recorded at Hinsdale Bluffs on 25 and 29 March (eBird records).
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola. Common summer visitor and probably breeds in Hinsdale Setbacks reed beds. Recorded, usually by call, from mid-May until mid-August (eBird records). Usually single birds heard but up to 3 recorded. May be commoner than records indicate.
Sora Porzana carolina. Uncommon spring migrant, but may be under-recorded. True status of this bird difficult to ascertain without systematic use of taped calls. Usually heard responding to taped calls in May in reed beds of Hinsdale Setbacks, but one exceptionally early bird heard calling on 31 March 2013 (eBird records).
Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata. Rare. 6 birds on 3 October 1987 (NHBR), and single birds on 18 September 2007, and 26-27 September 2010 at Hinsdale Setbacks (eBird records and NHBR).
American Coot Fulica americana. Uncommon spring and fall migrant and Rare winter visitor. Usually in small numbers but peak of 15 birds on 2 October 1949 (RNEB). More recently, 7 records of 1-3 birds from 2007 until 2014, but peak count of 10 on 25 November 2014 (eBird Records). One of the latter birds killed and eaten by bald eagle (author’s field notes). Birds occurred from September through April, but most records in early spring (March and April), or late fall (November or December). Two winter records of single birds from 4 February - 8 April 2007, and 6 December 2011 (E. Mastersen pers. comm.)
Page �33
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis. Very Rare. 2 records: a single bird on 3 April 2013, and another on 2 April 2015 (E. Mastersen pers. comm and eBird records, respectively).
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola. Rare. Six records: 1 on 2 October 1949 (RNEB); 1 on 20 May 1959 (K&F, 2013); 16 on 31 May 1961 (NHAQ vol 26); 14 on 25 May 1988 (NHBR); 2 on 21 May 2011; and 8 on 28 August, 2011 (eBird records)
Killdeer Charadrius vociferous. Uncommon from early April until mid-September. Most records of 1 or 2 birds in April-May or August-September. High count of 12 birds on exposed shingle bank on Connecticut River below Hinsdale Bluffs on 24 August 2015 (eBird records).
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus. Very Rare in spring and fall. High counts of 4 birds on 26 August 1958 (NHAQ vol 27), 15 birds on 26 May 1961 (NHAQ vol 26), and 4 birds on 25 May 1988 NHBR).
American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica. Very Rare. One bird on 26 August 1958 (NHAQ vol 27), 3 birds on 25 May 1988 (K&F, 2013), and a record of a single bird on 25 October 1988 (NHBR).
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius. Common from late April through late September. Most records in May and August and may be passage birds (Figure 30. eBird records 2008-2015). Usual counts are 1-2 birds but peak count of 8 individuals on14 August 2010 (eBird records).
Page �34
Figure 30. Spotted Sandpiper Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
2
4
6
8
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria. Uncommon spring migrant and Rare fall migrant (Figure 31). 7 spring records from 2008 until 2015, all of which were in May (eBird records), and one record of 2 birds from Hinsdale Bluffs on 30 July 2015 (eBird records).
Figure 31. Solitary Sandpiper at Hinsdale Setbacks, May 2014. Photo by author.
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca. Uncommon passage migrant. 11 records between 2011 and 2015. All in April-May or August-September. Most counts of 1-2 birds but high of 4 on 20 May 2012 (eBird records).
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes. Very Rare spring and fall migrant. Much less frequent than Greater Yellowlegs. Three records: 9 birds on 26 August 1958 (NHAQ vol 27), 1 bird on 14 May 2012, and 2 birds on exposed shingle banks on Connecticut River below Hinsdale Bluffs on 11 October 2014 (eBird records).
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres. Very Rare: 2 birds on June 10 1961 (K&F, 2013), and 2 birds on 25 May 1988 (NHBR).
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla. Uncommon passage migrant. Seven records between 1955 and 2015 (RNEB and eBird records). Two records from May and 4 from August. Most records of 1-2 birds but peak count of 85 on 22 May 1961 (NHAQ vol 26). A more recent high count was of 55 birds on exposed shingle bank on Connecticut River
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below Hinsdale Bluffs during the second week of August 2014. This flock included one leucistic bird (eBird records and author’s field notes).
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla. Very Rare. Three records: 20 birds on 14 August 1955 (RNEB); a flock of 32 birds on 10 June 1961 (NHAQ vol 26); and a single bird at Hinsdale setbacks on 28 May 2009 (NHBR).
Sanderling Calidris alba. Very Rare spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. 1 record of a single bird on 2 and 10 June 1961 (K&F, 2013).
Dunlin Calidris alpina. Very Rare fall and spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. 24 birds on 26 October 1962 (K&F, 2013), and 28 on 25 May 1988 (NHBR).
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis. Very Rare spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. 1 record of 3 birds on June 6 2005 (K&F, 2013).
Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus. Hypothetical. One record from RNEB of a single bird on 14 August 1955. However RNEB is not explicit about the actual location of this bird (beyond “Hinsdale”) and it is uncertain whether it was actually at the Hinsdale Setbacks or Bluffs.
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos. Very Rare fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. Three records: 10 birds on 14 August 1955 (RNEB); 1 bird on 26 August 1958 (NHAQ vol 27), and a single bird on 26 October 1988 (NHBR).
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis. Very Rare. One record of a bird on 28 August 2011 (E. Mastersen pers. comm.).
Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata. Rare at Hinsdale Setbacks. 3 records: 2 birds on 8 April 200 (NHBR); and single birds on 13 October 2010; and 27 May 2013 (eBird records).
American Woodcock Scolopax minor. Uncommon visitor March-May and November. 10 records between 2007 and 2015. Usually single birds but peak of 3 on 2 April 2008. Has occurred on both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs (eBird records).
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius. Very Rare. One record of a single bird at Hinsdale Setbacks on 4 October 1987 (NHBR). Accepted by the New Hampshire Rare Birds Committee.
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus. Very Rare. Records of single birds at Hinsdale Setbacks on 17 August 1955 (RNEB), and 27 birds on 28 May 2009 (NHBR).
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Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla. Very Rare vagrant. 1 record: 2 birds on Lake Wantastiquet during NE storm on 30 October 2012. Birds also seen on same day on Spofford Lake further north, and Powdermill Pond further east in New Hampshire (eBird records).
Bonaparte’s Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia. Uncommon in spring. 13 occurrences between 1961 and 2015 (NHAQ vol 26 and eBird records), all in April and May. 1 fall record (6 birds on 30 October 2012). Usually occurs in small groups of 2-3, but peak count of 9 birds on 3 May 2011 (eBird records). Occurs mainly during and following stormy weather.
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis. Common to Very Common spring and fall migrant (Figure 32 - data from eBird records 2008-2015). More regular in fall than spring. Uncommon in winter at Hinsdale Setbacks where they associate with ice-fishermen, feeding on their discards. During migration usually present in groups of 10-20 birds, but with peak count of 300 on 3 April 2008 (NHBR).
This species was much less frequent in the mid-20th Century: Tudor Richards saw it infrequently, and was interested enough in two birds at Hinsdale Setbacks on 27 May 1961 to publish the record (NHAQ vol 26). The increasing frequency and numbers of this bird at Hinsdale in the later 20th Century and early 21st Century are likely linked to the
increasing breeding populations in northern New England and southern Canada (e.g., Renfrew, 2013, and K&F, 2013)
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Figure 32. Ring-billed Gull Average Counts
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37.5
50
Date
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Herring Gull Larus argentatus. Common passage species in late winter and early spring and in late fall. Usually in ones and twos but a peak count of 30 on 22 February 2012 (eBird records).
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus. Very Rare. Three records of single birds on 8 March 2010, 5 April 2011, and 7 March 2012 (eBird records).
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus. Rare. Two records from Lake Wantastiquet: a single bird on 10 January 2005 (eBird records, K&F, 2013), and a single first winter bird on 12 December 2008 (NHBirds).
Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides. Rare in winter and spring on Lake Wantastiquet. Seven records since 1961: 1 bird on 10 December 1961; 1 bird on 6 April 1983 (NHBR); 2 birds on 19 November 2004 (NHBR); and singles on 28 November 2008; 5 February 2012; 10 February 2013; and 16 February 2015 (eBird records)
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus. Uncommon late winter and spring migrant (February-May) and much less common in winter. Usually alone or in small groups of 2-4, but peak count of 52 birds on 23 February 2008 (NHBR).
Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus. Very Rare. Four birds appeared at Hinsdale Setbacks following a northward-moving hurricane on 14 August 1955, presumably brought up by the extreme weather (K&F, 2013)
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia. Rare spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. Four records from 2009 to 2015: single birds on 12 May 2009; 3 May 2014; 31 May 2015; and three birds on 9 May 2012.
Black Tern Chlidonias niger. Rare spring and fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. 10 records between 1958 and 2015: 3 birds on August 25-26 1958 (NHAQ vol 27); 3 birds on 20 May 1959 (RNEB); single birds on 20 May 2007, 28 May 2009, 24 May 2011, 10 May 2012, and 28 August 2015; and 2 birds on 17-18 May 2011. A peak count of 4 birds 28 August 2011 (eBird records).
Common Tern Sterna hirundo. Rare spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. 10 records between 2007 and 2015, 2 in April, 6 in May, and 2 in August. Usually single birds but three together on 14 May 2010 (eBird records and K&F, 2013).
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea. Very Rare spring migrant. One bird at Hinsdale Setbacks on 29 May 2009 (K&F, 2013).
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Forster’s Tern Sterna forsteri. Hypothetical. One possible record of a bird seen by Tudor Richards at Hinsdale Setbacks on 1 May 1962, but not conclusively identified, (K&F, 2013).
Rock Pigeon Columba livia. Uncommon. Wanderers from the towns of Vernon and Hinsdale infrequently seen flying over both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs.
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura. Common at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs from March until late-September. Almost certainly breeds in area. Usually in groups of 2-6, but peak of 20 on 5 May 2012 (eBird records).
Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus. Uncommon to Rare spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. All 9 records from 2005 until 2015 in May or early June. Usually single birds but high counts of 4 on 6 June 2005 (NHBR).
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus. Very Rare visitor. One record of a single bird at Hinsdale Bluffs on 26 June 1996 (NHBR).
Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops asio. Rare (but may be under recorded). Five records: a single bird on 24 February 1987 (NHBR); 1 bird on 31 January 2007 and another on 12 February 2007 (NHBR); 2 birds on 23 February 2008; and 1 bird on 7 March 2011 (eBird records). Possibly breeds in riparian woodland along rail trail and forest on Hinsdale Bluffs. More attention is needed on this species to ascertain its true status.
Long-eared Owl Asio otus. Very Rare. One heard calling at Hinsdale Setbacks during Christmas Bird Count on 18 December 1988 (J. Coleman pers. comm.). Another possible bird at Hinsdale Bluffs on 9 March 2011 (E. Mastersen pers comm).
Barred Owl Strix varia. Rare (but may be under recorded) on Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Six occurrences in eBird records between 2006 and 2013 in February and March (1 record each), May (2 records), and December 2 records). Possibly breeds in riparian woodland along rail trail and forest on Hinsdale Bluffs. More attention is needed on this species to ascertain its true status.
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus. Rare. Three records from Hinsdale Bluffs in 2007 (January, February and March), 2 in March and December 2008, and 1 on 6 March 2009 (NHBR). Possibly breeds in forest on Hinsdale Bluffs. More attention is needed on this species to ascertain its true status.
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus. Hypothetical. One report of a single bird on 15 November 1964 (RNEB). RNEB is not explicit about the location of this bird stating only “Hinsdale”, and it is possible that it was recorded elsewhere in the Town of Hinsdale.
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Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus. Rare. Two records between 2007 and 2015: 1 bird calling on Hinsdale Bluffs on 24 March 2007, and another on 10 March 2010 (K&F, 2013, and eBird records). Trapping data from other New England sites suggest that this species could be more abundant and frequent at this site than previously assumed. More attention is needed on this species to ascertain its true status.
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor. Uncommon during spring and fall migration. Six records between 2005 and 2015 of single birds (26 May 2007 and 17 May 2014), 2 birds (21 August 2015), 3 birds (21 May 2005), 20 birds (25 August 2005), and 15 birds on 26 August 2006 (NHBR). Perhaps more common than these records suggest as this species is largely crepuscular and can be difficult to detect.
Eastern Whip-poor-will Antrostomus vociferous. Rare. Five records from 2006 until 2013: single birds on 20 May 2006, 26 May 2007; 20 May 2011, and 18 May 2013 at Hinsdale Setbacks, and 2 birds on Hinsdale Bluffs on 17 May 2013. Perhaps more common than these records suggest as this species is largely crepuscular or nocturnal and can be difficult to detect, especially if it is only calling briefly during spring passage.
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica. Common overhead at Hinsdale Setbacks from May until August. Typically seen in small flocks of 2-8 birds, with peak of 30 on 23 May 2015 (eBird records). Behavior of birds in 2015 suggested that they might have been nesting in holes in cottonwood trees at the northern edge of Hinsdale Setbacks.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris. Common in small numbers on Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs from early May until mid-September. First arrival 2 May 2012 and latest bird was on 22 September 2010 (eBird records). Usually 2-3 birds seen but a peak of 4 on 8 September 2015 at Hinsdale Setbacks. Present throughout the summer months and probably breeds.
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon. Common at Hinsdale Setbacks in small numbers from April through December. Can also be present (depending on ice conditions) from late December until mid-March - birds leave area when Hinsdale Setbacks and Connecticut River are frozen (usually January through early March). Birds carrying food indicate that this species probably breeds in area. Usually present in ones and twos, and, occasionally, three birds (eBird records).
Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus. Common at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs in small numbers from late March through mid-December. 3-4 pairs typically hold breeding territories: 2 pairs at the Hinsdale Setbacks, and 1-2 on Hinsdale Bluffs. Species was not recorded during New Hampshire Breeding Bird Atlas in 1981-1986 (Foss,1994), when it had yet to colonize New Hampshire, but recorded at Hinsdale Setbacks as early as 1998 (NHBR). This last sighting was early in state’s colonization by this species as attested by the fact that the first recorded breeding did not take place until 2002 (K&F,
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2013), and the total recorded on the Christmas Bird Count on 2003 was only 21 birds - by 2009 over one hundred were being recorded (K&F, 2013). Noted in eBird records from 2004 onward.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius. Common in small numbers from early April until late September at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Probably breeds. Typically only 1 or 2 birds seen on any outing (eBird records).
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens. Common year-round in small numbers at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Typically only 1 or 2 seen, but up to 4 have been noted (eBird records). Probably breeds.
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus. Common year-round at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs, but less so than downy woodpecker (see above). Typically only 1 or 2 seen, but up to 5 have been noted (eBird records). Probably breeds.
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus. Common from late March until early October at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs (eBird records). Earliest and latest birds were 29 March 2010 and 5 December 2015, respectively (eBird records). Probably breed. All birds reported thus far were of the yellow-shafted race (C. a. auratus). No intergrades with the red-shafted race (C. a. cafer) have been reported, though they have been reported as occurring on two occasions in the City of Keene, only 20 miles to the northwest (K&F, 2013).
Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus. Uncommon at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs, but reported in all months except February. Usually only 1 bird seen on any occasion but 4 seen on 17 March 2012 (eBird records). Probably breeds.
American Kestrel Falco sparverius. Rare spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks and Uncommon spring migrant at Hinsdale Bluffs. Very rare fall migrant. Two spring records (March/April) and 1 fall record (September) from Hinsdale Setbacks, and 8 spring records (mid-March through May) from Hinsdale Bluffs (eBird records). Data from 2015 suggest that this species may have attempted to breed in that year on Hinsdale Bluffs as a pair were present from 3 April until at least 13 April, after which only one bird was seen (eBird records).
Merlin Falco columbarius. Rare migrant: 3 records of single birds from Hinsdale Setbacks and 2 from Hinsdale Bluffs. The former were from April, September and October, while the latter were from March and May (eBird records).
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus. Common from late March until early November. A pair has bred in a nestbox on the stack of the Vermont Yankee Power Plant since 2011, breeding successfully from 2012 through 2015 (Figure 33). The adults from this nest hunt
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regularly over Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Productivity of this pair has been high with a total of 16 eggs laid, out of which 14 young have been fledged. The male bird of the pair is color-banded and was reared in 2004 in a nest in New York City on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge (Chris Martin, New Hampshire Audubon Society pers comm.).
! Plate 33. Peregrine nestlings in Vermont Yankee nestbox, July 2013. Photo by Chris Martin.
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens. Common from mid-May until late September at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Probably breeds, as singing birds are present all summer. Earliest recorded arrival is 12 May, and birds may be present until 22 September (eBird records). Usually recorded in ones and twos, but up to 4 have been noted on several occasions. This species continues to sing until well into the fall and birds have been recorded in song in mid-September.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris. Very Rare vagrant in fall. One bird recorded at Hinsdale Setbacks on 31 August 2014 (eBird records).
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens. Very Rare early summer vagrant. One record of a singing bird at Hinsdale Setbacks on 16 June 2015 (eBird records).
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Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum. Uncommon spring migrant. Eight records at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs from May, and 1 from late July (eBird records). Earliest spring record is 17 May (eBird records). In May usually heard singing from same reed beds and scrub in which the next species, Willow Flycatcher, is also singing, though Alder Flycatcher seems to be strictly a migrant, while Willow Flycatcher remains to breed.
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii. Common spring migrant and breeding bird at Hinsdale Setbacks. First arrivals in spring in mid-May (earliest record is 14 May). Usually heard singing from reed beds and wetland scrub at Hinsdale Setbacks. Continues singing all summer and probably breeds. Latest records are from mid-August (eBird records). Usually 1-3 birds recorded, but sometimes up to 4 (eBird records).
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus. Common migrant and summer resident from early May until late September at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Probably breeds in riparian woodland at Hinsdale Setbacks and upland forest at Hinsdale Bluffs. Earliest arrival 2 May, and latest sighting on 22 September. Usually 2-4 birds recorded, but up to 6 have been noted.
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe. Common from late March until early October at
Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs (Figure 34 - data from eBird records 2008-2015). Earliest and latest dates 17 March and 15 October, respectively. Typically, 2-5 birds heard singing throughout the breeding season at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Highest count: 12 birds on 13 April 2014.
Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus. Uncommon migrant during 3-week period in May. Earliest sighting 4 May, and latest on 26 May. More common on Hinsdale Bluffs than Setbacks. Highest count of 6 birds on 17 May 2014.
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Figure 34. Eastern Phoebe Average Counts
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1.25
2.5
3.75
5
Date1-Jan 1-Feb 1-Mar 1-Apr 1-May 1-Jun 1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct 1-Nov 1-Dec
Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus. Common migrant and summer visitor from early May until late August (Figure 35. eBird records 2008-2015). Breeds at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Earliest arrivals and latest birds on 30 April and 30 August 2008, when 10 birds were recorded. In two years pre-migration flocking of Eastern Kingbirds occurred
at Hinsdale Setbacks: in late August 2012 a flock of 33 birds was recorded, while on 21 August 2015 42 birds were seen in a loose flock (author’s notes). On both occasions these birds were feeding on glossy buckthorn berries that were plentiful along the power line trail.
Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor. Rare late fall and winter visitor to Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Seven records of single birds between 2001 and 2014: 11 January 2001; 28 October 2007; 17 January 2008; 23 February 2008; 30 March 2008; 21 February 2009; and 16 March 2014 (eBird records).
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus. Very Rare vagrant. One record from Hinsdale Setbacks of a single bird on 21 October 2014 (eBird records).
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons. Uncommon breeding species. Usually 2-3 pairs holding territory each year between the southern part of Hinsdale Setbacks and Hinsdale Bluffs. Earliest and latest dates are 9 May and 11 August, respectively (eBird records). This species appears to leave much earlier in the late summer and fall than the two other breeding vireos: warbling and red-eyed.
Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius. Uncommon spring and fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. In spring usually occurs in the first half of May, while in fall it is
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Figure 35. Eastern Kingbird Average Counts
Aver
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25
37.5
50
Date
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mainly recorded in the second half of September through October. Earliest record was 3 birds at Hinsdale Setbacks on 3 May 2012, and latest was 5 December 2015. Highest count was of 4 birds on 5 May 2012 (eBird records).
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus. Very Common migrant and breeding species at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. A common breeding bird, present from late April until late September. Earliest record is 29 April 2012, and latest is 22 September 2014 (eBird records). During spring and summer usual counts are of 4-10 birds, but peak of 20 on 5 May 2012 (eBird records).
Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus. Very Rare fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. One record of a single bird on 21-22 September 2010 (eBird records).
Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus. Very Common migrant and breeding species at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. A common breeding bird, present from early May until late September. Earliest record is 9 May 2015, and latest is 29 September 2015 (eBird records). Typical counts are of 2-6 birds, with a peak of 10 on Hinsdale Bluffs on 17 May 2013.
Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata. Very Common to Common breeding/wintering bird and migrant throughout the year at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Recorded in all months of year. High counts ranging between 20 and 40 birds in May and September/October when migrants are passing through. Highest single count was of 90 birds on Hinsdale Bluffs on 2 May 2010 (eBird records). lower counts of 4-8 birds are more typical during summer and winter months.
In September 2014 a migrating blue Jay was seen being killed by a peregrine falcon at Hinsdale Setbacks. To evade the falcon the flying jay dropped into the Connecticut River, where it floated on the surface. The peregrine circled a couple of times then dropped down, caught the jay’s head in one talon, swept the protesting jay from the water, and carried it across the river to the falcon nesting box located on the stack of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vermont.
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos. Common throughout the year at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Usually in small numbers of 2-10, however a peak count of 150 was recorded on 10 March 2013. Such high numbers are not uncommon on the agricultural land at Vernon on the Vermont side of the River (pers obs), and it may be that this flock temporarily crossed the river on this occasion. Breeds in the riparian forest at Hinsdale Setbacks and in the upland forest on Hinsdale Bluffs.
Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus. Very rare. One record of a calling single bird at Hinsdale Setbacks on 1 May 2009 (NHBR).
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Common Raven Corvus corax. Uncommon throughout the year at Hinsdale Setbacks. First recorded in 1983, when nesting suspected (NHBR); a single bird on 24 February 1987 (NHBR). Not subsequently recorded until 2008 when seen on several occasions in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Became much more frequent beginning in 2014 and 2015, when up to 2 birds, presumably a pair, were recorded on at least 16 occasions between April and November. From the displays that were observed, it looks likely that Common Raven may have recently colonized the uplands to the east of the Hinsdale Setbacks as a breeding species, though fledged young have not yet been observed.
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris. Rare. Six sightings in February and March between 2007 and 2015 (eBird records), most of which were at Hinsdale Bluffs. A large winter flock of up to 400 Horned Larks typically occurs in the cornfields on theVermont side of the river, adjacent to Hinsdale Bluffs, and it is likely that the sightings at Hinsdale Bluffs were birds from this population temporarily straying across the river.
Purple Martin Progne subis. Very Rare. One record of a single bird at Hinsdale Setbacks on 4 June 2010 (eBird records).
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor. Very Common migrant and breeding bird in spring through fall at Hinsdale setbacks and Bluffs. Approximately 10-20 pairs breed in reed beds and scrub of Hinsdale Setbacks. Present from late March until early September (Figure 36. eBird records 2008-2015). Earliest and latest records: 23 March 2014 and 5 September 2010, respectively. Beginning in early April, and lasting into early May, feeding flocks of many hundreds of birds may occur at Hinsdale Setbacks. The peak
count during this build-up was of approximately 1,500 birds on 8 April 2013 (eBird
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Figure 36. Tree Swallow Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
100
200
300
400
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
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1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
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15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
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records). These flocks roost in the phragmites patches north of the power line causeway (pers obs).
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Common migrant from spring until late summer. A pair often breeds under the concrete bridge at the southern end of the rail line causeway at Hinsdale Setbacks. Earliest and latest records: 13 April 2014, and 23 July 2015, respectively. Usually only 2-4 birds present, but 16 recorded on 26 April 2014 (eBird records).
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia. Common migrant from late April until early August at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Earliest and latest records: 23 April 2015, and 3 August 2015, respectively. During spring passage in May up to 350 birds have been recorded at Hinsdale setbacks (eBird records). On 29 June 2015 a flock of 40 birds stayed for a few days. It is not known whether these were failed breeders moving south, or, perhaps, non breeding birds.
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota. Uncommon migrant in spring from late April until early June at Hinsdale Setbacks. The least common of the five swallow species. Earliest and latest records: 26 April 2014, and 1 June 2015, respectively (eBird records). Usually seen as single birds or in small groups of up to 6, but a flock of 30 birds recorded on 8 May 2010 (eBird records).
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica. Common migrant from early April until mid-September at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Earliest and latest records: 14 April 2015, and 11 September 2015, respectively. Usually seen as singles or in small groups of 2-10, but 100 birds recorded on 4 May 2012 (eBird records).
Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus. Common all year at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Breeds in riparian woodland at Hinsdale Setbacks and upland forest on Hinsdale Bluffs. Usually 2-6 birds seen on any one visit, but a peak of 14 at Hinsdale Bluffs on 13 October 2010 (eBird records).
Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor. Common all year. Breeds at Hinsdale Setbacks and Hinsdale Bluffs. Usually 2-4 birds seen on any visit.
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis. Rare fall and winter visitor at Both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Six records since 1992: 4 birds on 1 January 1992; 2 on 16 January 1992; 4 birds on 16 February 1994 (NHBR); and two late September records of single birds on 26 September 2010, and 28 September 2015 (eBird records) One spring record of single bird at Hinsdale Bluffs on 2 May 2015 (NHBR).
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White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis. Common all year at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Breeds at both sites. Usually 2-4 birds seen but a peak count of 7 on 10 January 2015 (eBird records)
Brown Creeper Certhia americana. Uncommon April through December. More often seen at Hinsdale Bluffs than at Setbacks (eBird records). Heard singing at former and probably breeds. Usually 1-2 birds are seen.
House Wren Troglodytes aedon. Common from early May until late September. Breeds both at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Typical counts are 2-3 birds, and high of 4 birds (eBird records).
Winter Wren Troglodytes hiemalis. Very Rare visitor at Hinsdale Setbacks and Rare at Hinsdale Bluffs. Eight records between 2006 and 2014 (NHBR). Mainly in March (4 records), May (3 records), and September (1 record).
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris. Very Common breeding bird at Hinsdale Setbacks. First arrivals in late April and last birds seen in early October. During breeding season, many birds can be heard singing in reeds along the power line trail. Typical counts are of 4-10 birds, with a high count of 40 birds on 20 July 2004 (eBird records).
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus. Common at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs from early April until mid-November. Apparently breeds in riparian forest of Hinsdale Setbacks and upland forest on Hinsdale Bluffs. Typical counts of 1-2 birds with a high count of 4 in late September 2015 (eBird records). This species apparently colonized the Connecticut River Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire in the 1990s (K&F, 2013; Renfrew, 2013). First recorded at Hinsdale Setbacks on 5 May 2002 (NHBR) and had become a regularly recorded species by 2008 (eBird records).
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea. Common migrant and breeding bird from mid-April until early September on Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Earliest and latest dates: 18 April and 11 September, respectively. Typical counts are of 2-4 birds, with a highest count of 9 at Hinsdale Setbacks on 10 May 2014 (eBird records).
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa. Rare spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs in April and Uncommon fall migrant from mid-October until late November (Figure 37. eBird records, 2008- 2015). One winter record of 2 birds on 2 January 2012 (eBird records). Typical counts are of 1-3 birds, with a high of 4 on 10 April 2014 (eBird records).
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula. Common spring and fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs from early April until mid-May, and from late September until early November (Figure 37. eBird records, 2008 until 2015). Earliest spring record
Page �48
is 12 April and latest fall record is 9 November. Typical counts are of 1-6 birds, with a peak of 20 on Hinsdale Bluffs on 19 April 2015 (eBird records).
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis. Uncommon spring and fall migrant from late March through late May, and from late August through late November. Usually heard calling in flight over both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Usual counts are of 1-2 birds, but up to 4 individuals have been recorded (eBird records).
Veery Catharus fuscescens. Common spring and fall migrant at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs from early May until late June, and from late August until mid-September (more often heard than seen). May also breed in riparian forest at Hinsdale Setbacks as birds have been heard singing on several occasions in June. Counts range between 1 and 4 individuals (eBird records).
Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus. Uncommon spring migrant and Common fall migrant (more often heard than seen) at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. recorded mainly in May, and in August through early November. One winter record of a single bird at Hinsdale Bluffs on 10 January 2015 (eBird records). Typically, counts are of 1-2 birds.
Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus. Rare spring and fall migrant. Five spring records - all from mid- to late May. One fall record from late September 2014. Recorded more frequently at Hinsdale Setbacks (5 records) than from Hinsdale Bluffs (1 record). May be under-recorded due to its secretive nature and the fact that, unlike Veery and Hermit Thrush, it seems to call rarely when passing through Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs.
Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina. Common spring migrant and breeding bird at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. First arrivals in first week of May and all birds have left by early August (eBird records). During early May up to 9 birds present at Hinsdale
Page �49
Figure 37. Golden-crowned (blue) and Ruby-crowned Kinglet (orange) Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
1.75
3.5
5.25
7
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
Setbacks and 8 at Hinsdale Bluffs, and up to 3 birds singing and holding territory during the breeding season (eBird records).
American Robin Turdus migratorius. Very Common migrant and breeding bird at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs from early March until early December (Figure 38. eBird records, 2008-2015). Usually 10-20 birds present during migration and breeding but up to 367 have been recorded at Hinsdale Bluffs on 19 March 2002 (NHBR). Numbers of migrants generally peak in late March/early April, and again in early November (Figure 38 - data from eBird records 2008-2015).
Page �50
Figure 38. American Robin Average CountsAv
erag
e Co
unts
0
7.5
15
22.5
30
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ecFigure 39. Gray Catbird Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
4
8
12
16
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis. Very Common spring and fall migrant and breeding bird at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. First spring migrants appear at beginning of May and birds are then present until late October (Figure 39. eBird records, 2009-2015). During the breeding season typical counts at Hinsdale setbacks are of 5-10 birds. However during spring and fall migrations these totals have increased to as many as 20 and 30 birds, respectively. In September it can seem as though there are catbirds calling from every bush and tree!
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum. Uncommon spring and fall migrant and, possibly, a breeding species. First arrivals of brown thrashers at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs are in mid-April and they are present until late September. Earliest and latest dates are 14 April and 27 September, respectively. Counts during spring migration are generally of 1-2 birds, one one occasion 3 birds (eBird records). This species may breed as has been heard singing in June.
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos. Rare visitor to Hinsdale Setbacks, primarily in May, when it has been recorded 5 times, but also in June (2 records), and August (2 records). No evidence of breeding. All records of single birds except for 5 May 2012 when two birds were seen together (eBird records). The rarity of this bird at Hinsdale, together with the fact that several pairs breed just a few hundred yards away in Vernon, is testament to the extremely sedentary nature of the species.
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris. Uncommon fly-over species at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Despite proximity to the towns of Hinsdale and Vernon, this species occurs only uncommonly, and mainly in the fall months of September and October (Figure 40. eBird records, 2008-2015). Although not usually considered a migratory
Page �51
Figure 40. European Starling Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
4.5
9
13.5
18
Date1-Jan 1-Feb 1-Mar 1-Apr 1-May 1-Jun 1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct 1-Nov 1-Dec
species, the pattern of occurrence in Figure 40 indicates that most of the birds that are seen are engaged in southbound migration.
More common in fall when up 1,540 have been counted entering Hinsdale Setbacks reed bed roost on 12 October 2008 (NHBR).
American Pipit Anthus rubescens. Very Rare. Only two records: 2 birds foraging on the bank of the Connecticut River at Hinsdale Bluffs on 13 May 1999 (NHBR); and a single bird flying over Hinsdale Bluffs on 4 February 2007 (K&F, 2013). There are seasonally large numbers of these pipits on the arable and pasture fields across the river in Vernon,
where up to 200 may be seen during fall migration. Their scarcity at Hinsdale is no doubt due to the lack of suitable grassland or arable habitat.
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum. Very Common to Common at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs from mid-April until early December (Figure 41. eBird records, 2008-2015). Breeds in small numbers. While present during the summer months, this species is most abundant during the spring and fall migration seasons when peak counts can reach 150 birds (NHBR and eBird records).
Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus. Very Rare winter visitor. 25 birds on 22 March 2008 at Hinsdale Setbacks (NHBR).
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis. Rare winter visitor to Hinsdale Setbacks. Five records: 20 on 31 January 1988 (NHBR), 98 birds on 7 February 2009, and single birds, in early winter: October-December 2013, 2014, and 2015 (NHBR and eBird records).
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Figure 41. Cedar Waxwing Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
10
20
30
40
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla. Common spring migrant in May on both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Earliest sighting on 4 May and latest on 27 May. Usual spring counts of 2-3 birds but up to 6 seen/heard at Hinsdale Bluffs. One fall record on 16 September 2010 (eBird records).
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea. Very Rare. One record of a single male at Hinsdale Setbacks on 5 May 1989 (NHBR). Record accepted by New Hampshire Rare Birds Committee.
Louisiana Waterthrush Parkesia motacilla. Uncommon spring migrant on both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Eleven records between 2013 and 2014. All records from mid-April until mid-May. Usually single birds but 2 individuals recorded on occasion. Like the next species, heard far more often than seen.
Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis. Uncommon spring migrant at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs between early and late May. Seen and heard more frequently than Louisiana Waterthrush. One to several birds recorded in each spring between 2010 and 2015 (eBird records). One September record. Usually, counts are of single birds, but up to 3 individuals have been recorded. Like last species, usually heard more often than seen.
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanoptera. Rare spring migrant and Very Rare fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. Recorded four times in spring between 2006 and 2015: 20 May 2006; 9 May 2007; and 4 May 2012 (eBird records). Earliest date is 28 April 2009. (K&F, 2013). One fall record on 14 September 2007 from Hinsdale Setbacks. Not yet recorded at Hinsdale Bluffs.
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia. Common spring migrant and Uncommon fall migrant at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Recorded from late April until late September. May breed. Earliest spring date is 26 April, but bulk of spring passage is early until late May. Spring migration counts are typically of 1-3 birds, but up to 10 have been recorded. Fall passage from late August until late September and much sparser than in spring, with only a few birds recorded and not every year. Records of birds in late June, July, and early August may indicate that some birds may breed at Hinsdale Setbacks.
Tennessee Warbler Oreothlypis peregrina. Very Rare spring and Rare fall migrant. Three spring sightings: 1 bird at Hinsdale Setbacks on 15 May 2010, and another on 12 May 2015; and two birds on Hinsdale Bluffs on 17 May 2014. Four fall records from Hinsdale Setbacks, all from the second half of September (eBird records)
Nashville Warbler Oreothlypis ruficapilla. Uncommon spring migrant and Rare fall migrant. Seven fall records from Hinsdale Setbacks between 2010 and 2015 (eBird records), 6 from first half of May and one from the second half. Earliest sighting is May
Page �53
2. Spring counts typically of 1-2 birds, but a high of 6 birds at Hinsdale Setbacks on 5 May 2012. Only record from Hinsdale Bluffs is of two birds on 26 April 2011 (eBird records). Three fall records from Hinsdale Setbacks, all between 9 and 22 September (eBird records).
Connecticut Warbler Oporornis agilis. Very Rare fall vagrant. Three sightings from Hinsdale Setbacks close to Southern Parking Area: a juvenile on 22 September 2010; a juvenile on 22 September 2013; and an adult male on 26 September 2013. Attempts to find this very reclusive bird in September 2014 and 2015, using recordings of songs and call (a technique that was successful at Odiorne Point in New Hampshire (K&F, 2013)) did not meet with success, indicating that this bird may be genuinely rare and not just under-recorded.
Mourning Warbler Geothlypis Philadelphia. Very Rare spring migrant with three records from Hinsdale Setbacks between 2006 and 2015: 20 May 2006; 20 May 2010; and a singing bird on 6 May 2015 (eBird records). One record of a single bird at Hinsdale Bluffs on 21 May 2000 (NHBR).
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas. Very Common spring and fall migrant and breeding bird at Hinsdale Setbacks. Common spring migrant at Hinsdale Bluffs. Earliest
arrival on 26 April (Hinsdale Bluffs), but most birds arrive back beginning in first week of May. Spring migration peaks in mid-May (Figure 42. eBird records, 208-2015), after which numbers decline until early June. From June through mid-August birds are breeding at Hinsdale Setbacks. Fall migration begins in late August and numbers peak in September. All birds have passed through by mid-October. Latest sighting: 15 October 2015 (eBird records). During migration counts of up to 30 birds have been recorded, though more typically 5-10. At Hinsdale Setbacks, Common Yellowthroats breed mainly
Page �54
Figure 42. Common Yellowthroat Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
1.5
3
4.5
6
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
along margins of reed marshes and in wetland scrub. No such breeding habitats are available at Hinsdale Bluffs.
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla. Very Common spring migrant at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs and Common breeding bird and fall migrant (Figure 43. eBird records, 2008-2015). Earliest arrival in spring is 1 May and main surge of incoming birds takes place between then and late May (Figure 27). Numbers then plateau between early June and late August, after which a smaller fall movement of migrants occurs until early October. Latest bird recorded on 4 October 2015 (eBird records). Numbers during spring migration are usually between 5 and 15 birds, but have been as high as 27 (eBird Records).
Northern Parula Setophaga americana. Uncommon migrant in small numbers in spring (late April and first half of May) and Rare fall (September) migrant at Both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Between 2006 and 2015 there were 17 spring sightings at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs, compared with only 4 fall sightings. This could signal that fall passage birds are sparser, or it could be that birds in spring may be more detectable (since they often are singing). Usually only single birds reported, and highest counts are of only 2 birds. Earliest sighting is of a single bird on 30 April 2011, and latest is of a single bird on 29 September 2013 (eBird records).
Magnolia Warbler Setophaga magnolia. Uncommon migrant in spring (May) and Rare in fall (late August until late September) at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Between 2006 and 2015 there were 17 spring sightings at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs, compared with only 3 fall sightings. As with Northern Parula, this could signal that fall passage birds are sparser, or it could be that birds in spring may be more detectable (since they
Page �55
Figure 43. American Redstart Average CountsAv
erag
e Co
unts
0
1.75
3.5
5.25
7
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
often are singing). All sightings are of 1 or 2 individuals (eBird records). Earliest sighting is 4 May 2012, and latest is 22 September 2010 (eBird records).
Cape May Warbler Setophaga tigrina. Very Rare spring and fall migrant. One spring record from Hinsdale Setbacks on 13 May 1988 (NHBR). Two fall records, also from Hinsdale Setbacks, between 2007 and 2015: 1 bird on 24 September 2007, and another single bird on 28 September 2015 (eBird records). Not recorded from Hinsdale Bluffs.
Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca. Uncommon spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs and Rare fall migrant. Nine spring records between 2008 and 2015, all in May with the earliest being 2 May 2012 (eBird records). One fall record from Hinsdale Setbacks of 2 birds on 22 September 2010. All sightings are of 1-2 individuals. These data could indicate that fall passage is sparser than in spring. However, it is also possible that at least part of difference is due to the spring birds singing, while fall birds are silent.
Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia. Very Common spring migrant and Common fall migrant and breeding bird at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Spring passage begins in late April and peaks in early May, when up to 30 birds have been recorded (eBird records). Numbers remain high throughout the breeding season (May -July), when 6-12 birds are typically seen, then decline during fall passage (August-September), when 2-3 birds are the norm. During the late summer and early fall it is impossible to distinguish between true passage birds and birds that have been present as breeders.
Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga pensylvanica. Common spring migrant, Rare in summer (perhaps breeds), and Rare fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Spring influx begins in the first week of May, and the earliest record is of 3 birds at Hinsdale Setbacks on 5 May 2012 (eBird records). Counts during May passage are usually of 1-3 birds, but up to 6 have been recorded. In 2009, single birds were recorded on two occasions in Late June and early July, perhaps indicating breeding. Three sightings at Hinsdale Setbacks from mid-August through September, indicating a sparse fall passage. No fall birds recorded at Hinsdale Bluffs.
Blackpoll Warbler Setophaga striata. Uncommon spring and fall migrant at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Earliest spring bird recorded on 9 May 2015 and majority of spring birds pass through during the second half of May (eBird records). Usually only 1-2 birds recorded on any occasion during spring migration, but up to 7 have been seen (eBird Records). Fall migration confined to a few records during the second half of September. Fall passage seems to be sparser than in spring (9 vs. 15 records, respectively).
Black-throated Blue Warbler Setophaga caerulescens. Uncommon spring migrant at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs, with a total of 24 sightings between 1994 and 2015
Page �56
(eBird records). Rare fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks, with a total of 5 sightings (eBird records) between 1994 and 2015. All spring sightings were between 4 May and 28 May, and all fall sightings were between 28 August and 21 September.
Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum. Common spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks, Uncommon in fall. Spring migration extends from the middle of April (earliest date: 13 April 2014) until the middle of May. Most spring counts are of 2-3 birds but with highs of 20 in 2013 and 2014 (eBird records). Fall migration commences in mid-September and extends until early October (latest date: 9 October 2013). Fall counts usually of 1-2 birds, with a peak of 4 on 22 September 2010 (eBird records). In both seasons, Palm Warblers are more common at Hinsdale Setbacks than Bluffs.
Both the eastern (S. p. hypochrysea) and western (S. p. palmarum) races of Palm Warbler pass through Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs (Figure 44. eBird records). Galbraith et al. (2010) analyzed sightings of Palm Warblers in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts in the first decade of the present century to show that the occurrence of the two races differs depending on locality and date. Briefly, Palm Warblers passing through the three states in the spring are predominately eastern (“yellow”) birds. However, this pattern does not hold late in the spring migration period when a brief surge of western (“gray”) Palm Warblers may occur after the majority of the eastern birds have already gone through. This pattern is reflected in the birds passing through the Hinsdale area, as shown in Figure 44. During the fall migration, the birds that occur on or close to the coast are almost exclusively of the western race. This, however, is not the case further inland (as at Hinsdale), where both races occur in about equal numbers (between 2010 and 2015, 3 eastern and 4 western Palm Warblers were recorded in fall from Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs - eBird records).
Page �57
Figure 44. Numbers of Eastern (blue) and Western (orange) Palm Warblers at Hinsdale Setbacks and
Bluffs, Spring 2014.
Num
bers
of
bird
s
0
4
8
12
16
Date
4/11
/14
4/13
/14
4/18
/14
4/21
/14
4/23
/14
4/26
/14
5/2/
14
5/4/
14
5/7/
14
5/10
/14
Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus. Common spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs from mid-April on. Common breeding bird on Hinsdale Bluffs, and in stands of White Pine immediately adjacent to Hinsdale Setbacks, from where it can be heard singing in spring. Uncommon fall migrant. Earliest arrival date in spring 13 April 2014 and latest fall date 1 November 2012. Usually 2-4 birds seen or heard (eBird records) , but up to 10 have been recorded on Hinsdale Bluffs (early May 2015).
Bay-breasted Warbler Setophaga castanea. Very Rare fall migrant. Two records of single birds at Hinsdale Setbacks on 11 September 1987 and 14 September 2005.
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata. Very Common spring migrant and Common fall migrant at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs (Figure 45. eBird records, 2008-2015). Earliest spring arrival: 18 April 2014 and main passage goes through between late April and mid-May (Figure 45). Fall passage begins in mid-September and most birds have passed through by late October. Latest sighting in fall: 5 November 2014 (eBird records). Highest counts at peak of spring passage typically from 30-40, but a peak
of 200 birds was recorded at Hinsdale Setbacks on 5 May 2014. When such large numbers are present they are usually on the old rail causeway that runs south to north from the southern to the northern parking areas. By driving slowly along the the Rail Trail, these birds can often be observed a close quarters feeding along the margin of the old railroad bed. They are often with other warbler species including Palm, Black and White, Pine, and Black-throated Green.
Only the eastern race of this species (“Myrtle Warbler”) has been recorded.
Page �58
Figure 45. Yellow-rumped Warbler Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
t
0
12.5
25
37.5
50
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor. Rare spring and fall migrant. Eleven spring records from Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs between 2008 and 2015, and 5 fall records (eBird records). Earliest spring date was 4 May 2009, and latest fall date was 22 September 2010. In some years this species has bred immediately adjacent to Hinsdale Setbacks in the scrubby habitat under the power line cut that extends east of the Northern Parking Area. When doing so, they can be heard singing from Hinsdale Setbacks.
Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens. Common spring and fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks, and at Hinsdale Bluffs in Spring. Not recorded at Hinsdale Bluffs in fall. Earliest spring sighting on 26 April 2014, and most birds arrive in early May and have passed through by mid-May. Fall passage begins in late August and latest sighting was on 28 September 2015 (eBird records). Usually only 2-3 birds recorded at any one time, but up to 6 in a day have been found.
Canada Warbler Cardellina canadensis. Uncommon migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs in spring and Rare in fall. 13 spring records and 2 fall records between 2006 and 2015. Earliest spring sighting on 6 May 2012, and latest fall sighting on 1 September 2015. Usually found as single birds and close to or in alder patches.
Wilson's Warbler Cardellina pusilla. Uncommon spring migrant at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs, and Uncommon fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. Not recorded at Hinsdale Bluffs in the fall. Spring migration short, beginning during the first week of May (earliest sighting was 5 May 2012), and is usually over by third week of May. Fall migration from late August until late September (eBird records). Usually 1-2 birds seen on any one date, but up to 5 have been recorded.
Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Uncommon spring, fall and summer visitor from first week in April until late September. Usually only single birds or two individuals seen. May breed in small numbers at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs, but probably not every year.
American Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arborea. Common early winter visitor and spring migrant to Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. First arrivals in late fall during the first two weeks in November. Numbers peak in late November through late December (Figure 46. eBird records, 2008-2015). In January and February (when the ground is snow-covered) birds usually leave the area, returning during the thaw in late March and early April. They once again desert the sites in late April, presumably moving north to their breeding areas (Figure 46). Peak counts during early winter may reach 30 birds (eBird records).
Page �59
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina. Common spring and fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. Common in spring at Hinsdale Bluffs, but not recorded in fall. Spring migrants first appear in mid-April, numbers peak in early May, and they have all passed through by early June. Numbers seen during the spring passage period are normally 1-3 birds. In fall, the first birds appear in late August and early September, numbers peak in late September (with a high of 7 birds at Hinsdale Setbacks), and all have passed through by early November (eBird records).
Clay-colored Sparrow Spizella pallida. Very Rare spring and fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. Not yet recorded at Hinsdale Bluffs. Three records: single birds at Hinsdale Setbacks on 24 September 2007 and 6 May 2011, and two birds together at Hinsdale Setbacks on 23 September 2013.
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla. Rare spring and fall migrant at Hinsdale Bluffs 6 records) and Setbacks (8 records) between 2006 and 2015 (eBird records). All records occurred between 8 April and 21 May except for one bird at Hinsdale Bluffs on 22 October 1995 (NHBR). Usually present as single birds, but a peak count of 3 birds on 26 April 2014 (eBird records).
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus. Very Rare vagrant at Hinsdale Setbacks: One record of a single bird on 5 May 2012. Not recorded at Hinsdale Bluffs.
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis. Common spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Uncommon fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks and not recorded in fall from Hinsdale Bluffs. Birds begin to appear in spring in the first week of April, and all have passed through by mid-May. Usual spring counts are of 2-3 birds, with peak of 6 at Hinsdale Setbacks in first week of May (eBird records). Fall counts at Hinsdale Setbacks are from late September until late October, more sporadic than in spring, and with low numbers of individuals (1-3 birds).
Page �60
Figure 46. American Tree Sparrow Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
t
0
2.25
4.5
6.75
9
Date
1-Ja
n15
-Jan
1-Fe
b15
-Feb
1-M
ar15
-Mar
1-Ap
r15
-Apr
1-M
ay15
-May
1-Ju
n15
-Jun
1-Ju
l15
-Jul
1-Au
g15
-Aug
1-Se
p15
-Sep
1-O
ct15
-Oct
1-N
ov15
-Nov
1-D
ec15
-Dec
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca. Uncommon at Hinsdale Setbacks during very brief spring passage from beginning of April until mid-April. Up to 3 birds have been recorded (eBird records). Rare fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks with only one record of a single bird on 24 October 2015 (eBird records). Rare spring migrant at Hinsdale Bluffs - two records: 4 birds on 4 April 2014, and 1 bird on 3 April 2015 - eBird records). All birds recorded thus far have been of “red” race (P. i. iliaca).
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia. Very Common spring migrant, breeding bird and fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. First arrivals in spring are in mid-March and spring passage peaks in early and mid-April, when up to 24 birds have been recorded (eBird records). Thereafter, numbers decline to a smaller breeding population from early May until late August (typical counts are of 2-10 birds). The build-up to fall passage begins in mid-September and peaks in mid-October, when up to 30 birds have been recorded (eBird records). Apart from two isolated occurrences of single birds in late November and late December, song sparrows are usually absent from Hinsdale Setbacks from November until March. A similar pattern, but with generally smaller numbers (especially in fall), occurs at Hinsdale Bluffs (eBird records).
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii. Rare spring and Uncommon fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks during very brief migration periods. Only two spring records: 2 birds on 11 May 2014, and a single bird on 3 May 2015. Nine fall records of 1-2 birds from Hinsdale Setbacks, all confined to a two-week period in the second half of September, except for one bird on 15 October 2015 (eBird records). As yet unrecorded at Hinsdale Bluffs.
Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana. Very Common spring and fall migrant and breeding bird at Hinsdale Setbacks (Figure 47. eBird records, 2008-2015). First spring migrants appear in second week of April, and migration peaks in May and early June,
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Figure 47. Swamp Sparrow Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
2.25
4.5
6.75
9
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
when up to 10 birds have been recorded at Hinsdale Setbacks. Up to 5 birds have been heard singing in the Hinsdale Setbacks reed beds during the summer months. Fall migration begins in early September, peaking in mid-October, when up to 10 birds have been recorded. Small numbers of birds persist through until early December, but are gone by the time that the winer freeze-up begins (eBird records). Much less common as spring migrant at Hinsdale Bluffs (eBird records) due to lack of reed bed habitat, with a maximum count of 3 birds. Not recorded at Hinsdale Bluffs during fall migration.
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis. Common to Very Common spring and fall migrant at both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Spring migration of White-throated sparrows begins in mid-March and peaks in early May (with a maximum count of 40 individuals at Hinsdale Setbacks (eBird records). No birds are present during the summer months, but return migration begins as early as late August, peaking in mid-October, with
a maximum count of 8 birds at Hinsdale Setbacks (eBird records). All birds have left the area by mid-November (Figure 48. eBird records, 2008-2015). The same temporal pattern is seen at Hinsdale Bluffs, but in smaller numbers (spring and fall maxima are 18 and 6 birds, respectively). Also, at Hinsdale Bluffs there have been four winter sightings: 17 January 2014 (3 birds); 14 February 2014 (2 birds); 28 December 2014 (1 bird); and 15 January 2015 (2 birds). These data suggest that a small population of white-throated sparrows wintered on Hinsdale Bluffs during the winters of 2013/14 and 2014/15.
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophyrys. Common spring and fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks, and Uncommon in spring at Hinsdale Bluffs. Spring migration begins at Hinsdale Bluffs in mid-March (Figure 48. eBird records, 2008-2015), peaking in late April and early May, when up to 10 birds have been seen at a time (eBird records). All
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Figure 48. White-throated (blue) and White-crowned (orange) Sparrow Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
2.25
4.5
6.75
9
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
Figure 49. White-crowned Sparrow (Leucophyrys-type) at Hinsdale Setbacks, April 2015. Photo by author.
birds have passed through by mid-May. Fall migration commences in late September at Hinsdale Bluffs (Figure 48), peaks in the second week of October (maximum count of 10 birds - eBird records), and is over by late October. As can be seen from Figure 48, the migration of White-crowned Sparrows through Hinsdale is much more truncated than White-throated Sparrows.
The three records of White-crowned Sparrows from Hinsdale Bluffs are all spring birds, between the 4th and the 18th of May, with a maximum of 2 individuals (eBird records). All White-crowned Sparrows recorded thus far at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs have been of the nominate race, Zonotrichia leucophyrys leucophyrys. The race Z l. gambelii has been recorded only 200 meters from Hinsdale Bluffs across the Connecticut River in Vermont.
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis. Common late fall and winter visitor to Hinsdale Bluffs (eBird records), where up to 20 birds have been counted in mid-winter (January- March). Less common during spring migration period (May). Uncommon spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks (eBird records), where up to 2 have been counted during April and
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early May. Common at Hinsdale Setbacks in fall (mid-September until mid-December) when up to 6 birds have been counted. All Dark-eyed Juncos reported thus far from both Hinsdale Bluffs and Setbacks have been of race J. h. hyemalis.
Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea. Common spring, summer and fall visitor to Hinsdale Setbacks from early May until late September (eBird records). Probably breeds since birds have been heard singing consistently throughout the period of occurrence. Peak counts in spring migration of up to 4 birds in mid-May, and in fall of up to 6 birds in late August (eBird records). Uncommon spring migrant at Hinsdale Bluffs during the first half of May when up to 4 birds recorded (eBird records). Since much of the forested habitats on Hinsdale Bluffs comprises apparently suitable breeding habitat for this species, it is likely that the data in eBird records underestimates their summertime abundance.
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis. Common at Hinsdale Setbacks from early March until late December, but may be absent during months when complete freeze-up occurs (January and February). Certainly breeds at Hinsdale Setbacks as adults have been seen with recently fledged young (pers. obs.). High counts of up to 6 birds reported from Hinsdale Setbacks during May and September-November, but lower counts during midsummer. However, this may be due to birds becoming more secretive during breeding and moult seasons, rather than real changes in numbers. Common at Hinsdale Bluffs from early November through to mid-May, though apparently absent during June - October. Peak counts of up to 8 birds reported from May (eBird records). The apparent absence of birds from Hinsdale Bluffs during summer and early fall may be real, but more likely due to a combination of incomplete coverage during those months, and the birds becoming less obvious during the breeding and moult seasons.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus. Common spring migrant, summer breeder, and fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. First birds (males) appear in the spring in early May, peaking during that month with up to 10 birds being reported (eBird records). Still present, but in lower numbers (up to 2 birds), during the summer months. This species definitely breeds as nest-building has been recorded from the riparian vegetation at Hinsdale Setbacks (pers. obs.). Fall migration results in increased numbers of birds, when up to 6 have been recorded during the first half of September. All birds have left the area by late September. At Hinsdale Bluffs, only recorded during spring migration from early until late May, when up to 10 birds have been reported (eBird records). It is not known whether the apparent absences during the summer and fall months are real, or due to less complete coverage at this site.
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea. Erratic and Uncommon visitor to Hinsdale Setbacks from mid-May until mid-September. Only single birds reported (eBird records). At Hinsdale Bluffs, more common spring migrant from early- until late-May, when up to 3 birds have been reported (eBird records).
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Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus. Very Common spring and fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks where it also breeds in the reed beds. First birds appear back in the spring in the first half of March and by later in the month males are singing and displaying in the reeds. At this time it is difficult to distinguish between returning breeding birds and through-migrants. Earliest return date is 10 March 2013, when 11 birds were reported (eBird records). Typical counts during the spring are of 10-30 birds. During the summer months, red-winged blackbirds breed in the Hinsdale Setbacks reed beds. No rigorous counts have been made during this period, but 20-30 displaying males have been seen (pers. obs.).
Fall migration begins in mid-August, peaking in late September through to mid-October (eBird records). During this migration the Hinsdale Setbacks reed beds support a communal roost of large numbers of icterids. 8,000 Red-winged Blackbirds (together with 2,000 Brown-headed Cowbirds) birds were recorded on 27 October 1988 (NHBR) showing that this roost has been in existence for at least 28 years. The Highest counts have been of 10,190 (27 September 2007), 12,000 (13 October 2007) and 9,739 (19 October 2008) K&F (2013). Though most of these birds were red-winged blackbirds, substantial numbers of Common Grackles and Brown-headed Cowbirds were also present. The Hinsdale reed bed roost appears to be one of the largest such icterid roosts in New Hampshire (K&F, 2013). All birds have passed through by late October and there are no November records (eBird records).
Red-winged blackbirds at Hinsdale Bluffs are purely migratory and follow the same seasonal pattern as at Hinsdale Setbacks, though in smaller numbers. The peak count at Hinsdale Bluffs was on 27 March 2007 when 550 birds were counted (eBird records).
Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus. Rare at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs (Figure 50). Five reports from Hinsdale Setbacks from late March (1 record), the first half of April (2 records), and early May (2 records). Two reports of birds at Hinsdale Bluffs from mid-April until early May. The highest count at both sites was of 4 birds at Hinsdale Setbacks on 10 April 2014 (eBird records).
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Figure 50. Rusty Blackbirds at Hinsdale Setbacks, April 2014. Photo by author.
Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula. Common at Hinsdale Setbacks from early March until early November. As spring migrant, up to 200 birds have been recorded (13 March 2013 - eBird records). More typical spring counts are of up to 25 birds. Much less common in summer (probably breeds in riparian forest). In fall large numbers of up to 2,500 have been recorded entering icterid reed bed roost at Hinsdale setbacks (13 October 2007 - NHBR). Common spring migrant at Hinsdale Bluffs from mid-March until late May. High counts are usually between 15 and 30 birds. Not recorded at Hinsdale Bluffs in summer or fall (eBird records).
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater. Common spring migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs from mid-March until late May. Average counts during this period are of from 3 to 5 birds, with a peak of 8 (25 April, 2015 - eBird records). Present at Hinsdale Setbacks in small numbers during the summer months and it has been confirmed to breed at least sporadically (pers. obs.). Not recorded at Hinsdale Setbacks or Bluffs beyond mid-September (eBird records).
Has been seen roosting communally with Red-winged Blackbirds in fall reed bed roost at Hinsdale Setbacks: 2,000 birds seen entering this roost on 27 October 1988, together with 8,000 Red-winged Blackbirds (NHBR)
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurious. Rare and sporadic breeding bird at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. A pair present and apparently holding territory at Hinsdale Setbacks in 2008, and a male singing and holding territory throughout May 2011. Possibly bred in both years. At Hinsdale Bluffs a pair on 28 May 2005 (NHBR), an adult male present and singing throughout May 2013, and again with a female in mid-May 2014 (eBird records).
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula. Common spring and fall migrant and less common breeding bird at Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. Birds (males) begin arriving at Hinsdale
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Setbacks and Bluffs during the second week of May and spring migration probably extends to the second week of June. Peak counts during spring migration are as high as 10 birds. (eBird records). A small breeding population of 2-3 pairs of birds continues at Hinsdale Setbacks throughout the summer. Fall migration extends from mid-August until mid-October, with a high count of 7 birds at Hinsdale Setbacks in early September.
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus. Uncommon spring and fall migrant with erratic occurrences in midwinter. Small numbers (1-4 birds) occur uncommonly from the beginning of March until mid-May at Hinsdale Setbacks, then from late August until early December (up to 8 birds reported). However, the peak count in the eBird results is from 2 January 2012 when 15 birds were reported. Uncommon also at Hinsdale Bluffs where most birds, again, reported from early March until mid-May (eBird results). However at Hinsdale Bluffs, also, 6 birds were reported from late January 2010. It is likely that two patterns of occurrence account for these data: first, the species is spring and fall migrant through both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs; second the proximity of both sites to human habitation (the Town of Hinsdale) results in occasional incursions by birds during hard winter weather.
Purple Finch Carpodacus purpureus. Like the previous species, Purple Finches have erratic patterns of occurrence at Hinsdale Setbacks: Rare migrant in spring with 2 reports of 1-2 birds from late April and early May (eBird records). Uncommon fall migrant from late August until mid-December, usually of 2-6 birds but with a peak of 20 on 21 October 2014 (eBird records). Has also been reported once in midwinter with 4 birds on 21 January 2016 (eBird records).
Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator. Very Rare winter visitor to Hinsdale Setbacks. One record of 2 birds on 3 February 2008 (NHBR).
Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea. Rare winter visitor to Hinsdale Bluffs. Up to 15 birds seen on 4 occasions at Hinsdale Setbacks in November 2007. Flock of 58 birds at Hinsdale Setbacks on 4 January 2009 (NHBR). Not yet recorded from Hinsdale Setbacks.
Pine Siskin Spinus pinus. Uncommon spring and late fall migrant at Hinsdale Setbacks. Four spring records between 21 April and 4 May, and 7 late fall records between 22 October and 30 November. In spring a maximum count of 4 birds, but in fall between 14 and 53 (9 November 2014). Rare spring visitor at Hinsdale Bluffs with 2 May records of 1 and 2 birds, and 1 April record of 12 birds (eBird records).
Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus. Very Rare winter and spring visitor to Hinsdale Setbacks. Two records: 6 birds on 3 March 1994, and 1 bird on 23 April 2007 (NHBR).
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American Goldfinch Spinus tristis. Common to Very Common in most months of the year at Hinsdale Setbacks (Figure 51. eBird records 2008-2015). Most common during spring migration and summer (probably breeds), and then during fall migration and early winter when average counts are as high as 20 birds. Maximum count of 40 birds on 6 May 2012 (eBird records). Present erratically in mid and late winter (Figure 51). Similar pattern at Hinsdale Bluffs, with high count of 60 birds on 17 March 2012.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus. Uncommon spring visitor to both Hinsdale Setbacks and Bluffs. May be a spring and early summer migrant. Of the 13 reports of this species from Hinsdale Setbacks since 2009, 11 of them were confined to the months of April and May, one was in early June and the remaining record was from late June (Figure 52. eBird records, 2008-2015). At Hinsdale Bluffs, there were 5 records between 2013 and 2015, all from March, April, and May. These occurrences suggest that there may be some spring migration of this species through the area. This possibility has also been raised for other areas of New Hampshire (K&F, 2013).
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Figure 51. American Goldfinch Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
5
10
15
20
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
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Figure 52. House Sparrow Average Counts
Aver
age
Coun
ts
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
Date
1-Ja
n
15-J
an
1-Fe
b
15-F
eb
1-M
ar
15-M
ar
1-Ap
r
15-A
pr
1-M
ay
15-M
ay
1-Ju
n
15-J
un
1-Ju
l
15-J
ul
1-Au
g
15-A
ug
1-Se
p
15-S
ep
1-O
ct
15-O
ct
1-N
ov
15-N
ov
1-D
ec
15-D
ec
REFERENCES
Berry, J., and R. Suomala. 2007. A history of New Hampshire’s published bird sightings. New Hampshire Bird Records 25:50-51.
Foss, C.R. (ed.).1994. Atlas of Breeding Birds in New Hampshire. Arcadia, Dover.
Galbraith, H., C. Rimmer, and T. Lloyd-Evans. 2010. Spring and fall migrations of the two races of Palm Warbler through New England. Bird Observer 38: 12-15.
Keith, A.R., and R.P. Fox. 2013. The Birds of New Hampshire. Memoirs of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, Number 19.
Mastersen, E.A. 2013. Birdwatching in New Hampshire. University Press of New England.
Renfrew, R.B. 2013. The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds of Vermont. University Press of New England.
Sullivan, B.L., C.L. Wood, M.J. Iliff, R.E. Bonney, D. Fink, and S. Kelling. 2009. eBird: a citizen-based bird observation network in the biological sciences. Biological Conservation 142: 2282-2292.
Veit, R.R., and W.R. Petersen. 1993. Birds of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, MA.
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