finches and ducks in Coos County

[raqb...@aol.com]

On March 11 several of us birded the Jefferson region with some pleasant sightings:

Green-winged Teal- at least 13 at Hazen's Pond in Whitefield. Hazen's is just north of Airport Marsh and is more of a wetland than a pond. A good spot though a little harder to access. Green-winged Teal probably nested there in 1997 (when I was conducting a survey of the area). It's a good spot for rails and Northern Harrier's too. An early date for the county.

Hooded Merganser- four pairs at Hazen's were attractively squabbling over pair-bonding, with much flaring of crests (including the females) and chases. Meanwhile, the teal ignored them. 

Finches- Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Siskins at a couple of feeders, but many folks are taking feeders down due to the concern over black bears.

American Tree Sparrow- five in one yard. 

Turkey Vulture- one flying toward Whitefield, another early date for Coos. 

Other migrants- robins, crows, starlings, grackles, and red-wingeds all noticeable.  

Spring was truly in the air! 

Bob Quinn

Webster, NH

"Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth." Chief Seattle