Some select photographs taken while on vacation in Pittsburg, NH!

Chris (my younger brother) took the vast majority of the photos posted here. Pictures taken by your host will be noted as such; all other photos are captured by my awesome bro! I thought it would be nice to share some of the awesomeness we observed while being on vacation in the Great North Woods of Coos County in Pittsburg, NH (from the 18th to 25th of July, 2010). Enjoy everybody!!

Common Loon

Common Loon

Myself resting at "the falls" off of The Falls in the River Trail (Cohos)

Bald Eagles (off of Back Lake)

Bald Eagles

Bald Eagle in flight

Common Loon

Common Loon

Moose bones found off of The Falls in the River Trail (Cohos)

Female Common Merganser

Moose near jct. of Indian Stream Road and Moose Pond Road

Moose

Momma Black Bear with 1 of 3 cubs off of Route 142 in Bethlehem, NH

Bald Eagles off of Back Lake

Myself and my Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Gildor, at Big Brook Bog

Gray Jay at East Inlet

Gray (Canada) Jay, aka Whiskey Jack at East Inlet

Photo taken by yours truly of my bro with his big catch!

Photo by yours truly of a Boreal Bluet

American Toad off of trail leading to Little Hellgate Falls

The rare sighting of a Gildor!

More Common Loonage!

Common Loon

Common Loon on Back Lake

Photo by yours truly of Common Loon

Also by yours truly!

Bear with me folks, this post is going to be a doozy!!! (Thank you Pittsburg, NH!!!)

From the outset, I apologize for the length of this forthcoming post, for it shall entail all the sightings and experiences engaged while up on vacation in the Pittsburg, New Hampshire area at Tall Timber Lodge off of Back Lake!


Every year, for the last 11 years, it has been a family tradition to go on vacation to the Great North Woods of New Hampshire's Coos County, spending 7 days at our favorite place of solitude, Tall Timber Lodge. Like any vacation, it is a much needed respite from the doldrums of every day life back at home, and to compliment such a wonderful getaway, bird watching was the top priority of my list of things to do while up North!


My goal, or rather, broad aspiration, was to try and chance upon the following target species: Bay-breasted Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Spruce Grouse, and my "Nemesis" birds, the explosive little singer often referred to as a Winter Wren! Many, many times I have heard the amazing and breathtaking song of the Winter Wren.....but alas, I have had the misfortune of never seeing one! Well.....guess what??!! The Winter Wren is STILL MY NEMESIS BIRD!!! Count 'em, for 10 times I was within earshot of a singing Winter Wren.....BUT NEVER CLOSE ENOUGH to try and find him in those dense, lush, piney boreal forests up there! The closest opportunity I had was while hiking/birding with my brother on the Little Hellgate Falls Trail off of Cedar Stream Road (east of Lake Francis). This damned little bugger had to be within 50 feet of me, but because the woods were so dense, I had no chance. I think the only way I would've seen one those those blasted Winter Wrens up there is if it flew and smacked me right in my bloody face!!


Oh well, dems da breaks, ya know?! However, I did get upon 2 new Life birds, one of them being one of the target species! An Alder Flycatcher was seen and heard (of course heard, otherwise I would not have been able to identify that Empid!) at Terrill Pond off of Indian Stream Road! Great looks and always fun watching any bird sing, and of course, quite the surprise! The other Lifer was a female Mourning Warbler at Scott's Bog, near East Inlet Road. It was intermingling at the edge of the parking area/boat launch in some deciduous trees (in the low branches) with what I counted to be 11 Boreal Chickadees and a few Red-breasted Nuthatches. Thickets were nearby, which were already home to a couple of Common Yellowthroats (despite their commonality, I love looking at them, that is, if you can find them....kinda elusive they are)!


Other highlights are as follows:


3 Bald Eagles were seen at Back Lake, 2 adults and one immature! Such majestic and proud raptors! 2 Ruffed Grouse were seen, a red-morph by myself and Chris whilst on Cedar Stream Road driving to the trailhead for Little Hellgate Falls (a Red-shouldered Hawk was also seen roughly 100 yards prior to coming across the red-morph Ruffed) and a gray-morph was solely observed by Chris while he and I hiked The Falls in the River Trail (part of the Cohos Trail system), this being near the dam for the 2nd Connecticut Lake. A Blackburnian Warbler (female) was seen while checking out the confines in behind our cabin, as well as a couple of Northern Parulas, a couple of Purple Finches and 2 Blackpoll Warblers. A couple of Blue-headed Vireos were seen while hiking the Moose Alley Trail (also part of the Cohos), and a Common Raven was seen off of Big Brook Road as well as at Terrill Pond. 4 Gray Jays were happily observed at East Inlet Reservoir....and as always, they are quite tame and rather inquisitive....one of the Gray Jays coming within 20 feet of Chris and myself. Chris was able to get a few decent shots of this lovely "Canada" Jay, of which he'll post on Facebook soon enough, at least most likely! Several Swainson's Thrushes were heard and observed at several locations throughout Pittsburg, and Boreal Chickadees were seen at Scott's Bog, Moose Alley Trail and Big Brook Bog. Lastly, a couple of Golden-crowned Kinglets were seen while hiking the short Idlewild Spur Trail (also part of the Cohos) that runs near the southwestern shoreline of the 2nd CT Lake. I hadn't seen GC Kinglets in seemingly ages....since I think Odiorne State Park in Rye, NH in the Autumn of last year!


Okay, enough blabbering I suppose! It was a great vacation with plenty of good birding, despite not seeing 3 birds I have been dieing to see (the Bay-breasted Warbler, Spruce Grouse and cursed Winter Wren). Coming away with 2 new Life birds, even one, makes the whole trip worth it!


And yes, for those whom may be wondering, several Red Foxes, Moose, White-tailed Deer and even 3 Black Bears were seen (saw the Momma black bear with adorable cubs in Bethlehem on the first day on our drive up to Pittsburg)!


Finally, here are all my sightings from this past week, the longest list only topping out at 19 birds seen. Thanks everybody for reading, enjoy and happy birding as always!!

Location:     Tall Timber Lodge, Pittsburg, NH
Observation date:     7/18/10
Number of species:     15

Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis     1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris     2 (at hummingbird feeders near main lodge)
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     2
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     5
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     7
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     1
Swainson's Thrush - Catharus ustulatus     1
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum     6
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata     4
Blackburnian Warbler - Dendroica fusca     1
Blackpoll Warbler - Dendroica striata     2
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina     1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     2
Purple Finch - Carpodacus purpureus     2
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis     3


Location:     East Inlet, Pittsburg
Observation date:     7/19/10
Notes:     I chose East Inlet as primary location since most of listed birds were seen there...here are some more details of most of the birds observed: Common Loons seen at Lake Francis and 1st Connecticut Lake; Great Blue Heron seen at East Inlet; Immature Bald Eagle seen along northern shoreline of Back Lake near Tall Timber Lodge; Ring-billed Gull seen at Middle Pond; Red-eyed Vireo seen at East Inlet; Grays Jays seen at East Inlet; Common Raven seen at East Inlet; Barn Swallows seen at junction of Route 3 and Indian Stream Road; Red-breasted Nuthatch seen at East Inlet; Hermit Thrush seen at East Inlet; Cedar Waxwings seen at Tall Timber Lodge near Back Lake; Northern Parulas seen at East Inlet and Tall Timber Lodge; Common Yellowthroat seen at East Inlet; Song Sparrows seen at Moose Pond; White-throated Sparrows seen at Middle Pond; Dark-eyed Junco seen at Tall Timber Lodge.
Number of species:     19

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis     7
Common Loon - Gavia immer     5
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     1
Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus     1
Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis     1
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     1
Gray Jay - Perisoreus canadensis     4
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     9
Common Raven - Corvus corax     1
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica     3
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     1
Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus     1
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     5
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum     14
Northern Parula - Parula americana     2
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas     1
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     2
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis     2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     1


Location:     The Falls in the River/Moose Alley Trails (Cohos), Pittsburg, NH
Observation date:     7/21/10
Number of species:     10

Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     1
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon     2
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     2
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     1
Swainson's Thrush - Catharus ustulatus     2
Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus     1
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum     4
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla     2
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis     2


Location:     Arthur & Christie Johnson Memorial Forest, Pittsburg, NH
Observation date:     7/21/10
Number of species:     14

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     10
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     2
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon     2
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     4
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     2
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     12
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     8
White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis     1
Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus     3
American Robin - Turdus migratorius     3
Northern Parula - Parula americana     2
Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla     1
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis     2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     8


Location:     Terrill Pond, Pittsburg, NH
Observation date:     7/21/10
Notes:     Northern Flickers seen near Mile Marker 11 while driving south on Indian Stream Road in Pittsburg, NH.
Number of species:     10

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) - Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]     4
Alder Flycatcher - Empidonax alnorum     1
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     5
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum     2
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas     1
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina     1
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     2
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus     2
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     1


Location:     The Falls in the River/Moose Alley Trails (Cohos), Pittsburg, NH
Observation date:     7/22/10
Number of species:     12

Common Merganser - Mergus merganser     1
Ruffed Grouse - Bonasa umbellus     1
Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo     2
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon     2
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     1
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata     2
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     5
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     1
Swainson's Thrush - Catharus ustulatus     4
Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus     2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     8


Location:     Little Hellgate Falls, Pittsburg, NH
Observation date:     7/22/10
Notes:     Red morph Ruffed Grouse and Red-shouldered Hawk seen within a hundred yards of each other near Mile Marker 16 along Cedar Stream Road; Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker seen near junction of Magalloway & Cedar Stream Roads; Eastern Phoebe seen on power lines paralleling Beach Road near Powderhorn Lodge.
Number of species:     8

Ruffed Grouse - Bonasa umbellus     1
Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus     1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) - Colaptes auratus [auratus Group]     1
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe     1
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     8
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis     2
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     5


Location:     Moose Alley Trail (Cohos), Pittsburg, NH
Observation date:     7/23/10
Number of species:     10

Blue-headed Vireo - Vireo solitarius     1
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     1
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     5
Boreal Chickadee - Poecile hudsonicus     1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     6
Brown Creeper - Certhia americana     2
Swainson's Thrush - Catharus ustulatus     1
Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus     3
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) - Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis     1


Location:     Scott's Bog, Pittsburg, NH
Observation date:     7/24/10
Notes:     Female Mourning Warbler seen intermingling with Boreal Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches near boat launch/parking area for Scott's Bog.
Number of species:     8

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos     1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     2
Boreal Chickadee - Poecile hudsonicus     11
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     3
Black-throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens     2
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla     1
Mourning Warbler - Oporornis philadelphia     1
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas     2


Location:     Big Brook Bog, Pittsburg, NH
Observation date:     7/24/10
Notes:     Wild Turkey and Common Raven seen along Big Brook Road; One chick with 2 adult Common Loons.
Number of species:     14

Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo     1
Common Loon - Gavia immer     3
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias     3
Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularius     1
Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon     2
Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     1
American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos     1
Common Raven - Corvus corax     1
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus     7
Boreal Chickadee - Poecile hudsonicus     2
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis     5
Northern Parula - Parula americana     1
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas     1
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     1


Location:     Idlewild Spur Trail (Cohos), Pittsburg, NH
Observation date:     7/24/10
Number of species:     6

Red-eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus     1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - Regulus satrapa     4
Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus     2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - Dendroica coronata coronata     3
Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas     1
Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia     1

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Cape Ann, North Shore and Miscellaneous - American Bald Eagles & Harlequin Ducks

What a most gorgeous day to be outside today, getting some fresh air whilst looking for whatever birds we could find! I met up with my good friend Kirk Marshall today in Burlington early enough around 7:30 am. We then made a go of it for a fair portion of the day, first stopping in Newburyport and Amesbury, then heading southward to the Gloucester area and finally in the Rockport area. After dropping Kirk off back in Burlington around 4 pm, I made a quick stop in Concord at Great Meadows NWR. Here are some highlights of what we observed. If I forget anything, I am sure Kirk will post an addendum to this message!

Cashman Park, Newburyport: Here we tried first to spy ourselves an American Bald Eagle or Great Cormorant, but no luck. However, it was nice to hear and see a Northern Mockingbird calling. About a half-dozen Common Goldeneyes were also seen. Other than that, not much to mention.

Deer Island, Amesbury: Our second stop in looking for eagles. Here, after about 10 minutes, we were rewarded with an adult American Bald Eagle first coming in over the Merrimack along the tree tops, then riding the thermals in giant soaring circles, heading downstream of the Merrimack from there. Amusing to me was a Red-tailed Hawk shadowing this Baldy, riding the thermals as well and staying within about 50 feet or so below the Bald Eagle.

Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester: Observed a few White-winged Scoters and Surf Scoters here, as well as a couple of Common Loons...I believe a few Common Eiders as well. Fellow birders that were there had reported seeing Purple Sandpipers around, but we could not get on them.

Cathedral Ledge, Andrews Point & Halibut Point, Rockport: I will start off with saying that we saw nothing off of Halibut Point, nothing that we could see anyhow. Andrews Point and Cathedral Ledge were more rewarding, with a total of about 40+ Harlequin Ducks spotted between the 2 locations. I believe we observed about 4 Common Loons, a mating pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, and about a total of 20+ Common Eiders. Song Sparrows were certainly very abundant amongst the residential area there near both Andrews and Cathedral.

Great Meadows NWR, Concord: I came here to try and see if that Eurasian Green-winged Teal was still hanging around, but again as with 9-Acre Corner off of 117 in Concord, no luck. However, about 10Common Mergansers, 3 Red-winged Blackbirds and 1 American Bald Eagle were seen. This eagle was best seen through a scope from the observation tower overlooking the Upper Pool. From the tower overlooking the Upper Pool, look across to the far side near the Concord River amongst the trees. Well, that is where myself and a number of other birders observed him. The eagle could be anywhere else around Great Meadows come tomorrow. A very nice gentleman allowed me to observe this eagle through his scope. You could still make the eagle out with binocs, but obviously not anywhere near as good as with a scope. Oh, I almost forget to mention, while driving to Great Meadows along Route 62 heading west, just before you cross into Concord from Bedford, I estimate a flock of about 40 or so Common Grackles flew over my car. Largest group of grackles I have seen so far this year.

Well, there you have it. A good day of birding and a great day just to be outdoors! Good luck and happy birding to all!