October 4, 2025
We are excited to introduce a new feature called “Female Focus.” Female birds often present a challenge to birders, especially in species that are sexually dimorphic, where males and females look different.
October 3, 2025
For most of the winter, our yard in Portsmouth is besieged with House Sparrows, and I occasionally scan the flock for something more interesting, such as the time a Dickcissel hung out with them for a few days. A few White-throated Sparrows spend the winter and a couple of Song Sparrows pop in and out of the feeder, but as spring approaches the sparrow action gets more exciting.
October 2, 2025
Did you know that Black-capped Chickadees feed their young caterpillars not seeds? In the winter, chickadees eat seeds, but when they are raising a family, they feed the babies caterpillars which are soft and full of protein and fat.
July 4, 2025
Birds’ feathers are as dazzling as they are diverse. The oil-slick shine of a raven’s back. The orange pop of an oriole against a forested backdrop. A flash of red on the shoulders of the Red-winged Blackbird. But behind the beauty lies an intricate and fascinating process that defines each bird’s plumage.
November 5, 2024
The Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) is a medium-sized flycatcher with a widespread breeding range. The core of the breeding range is from the southwestern United States through central Mexico, but some birds nest as far north as Idaho and Washington.
July 7, 2024
The incredibly cute and inquisitive Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) is well known to anyone hiking the alpine summits of the White Mountains. Canada Jays (also known as Gray Jays, Whiskey Jacks, Gorbies, or Camp Robbers) often have close interactions with people and are frequently photographed landing on a person’s hand to take food, perching on someone’s head, or photobombing a perfectly staged summit shot.
March 8, 2024
The Seabrook Town Forest and Wellfield (as the hotspot is called in eBird) is a great secret birding spot. As of June 12, 2024, a total of 142 species have been seen there. Aside from birds, there is plenty of other wildlife.
June 5, 2023
Merlin uses your phone’s microphone to analyze bird sounds and suggests identification with remarkable accuracy. In capable hands, Merlin is a modern miracle but beware it can lead you astray!