Date: 5/11/25 6:53 am From: David Govatski <david.govatski...> Subject: [NHBirds] Pondicherry Migratory Bird Day Results from Saturday 76 species
The 23rd Annual Pondicherry Migratory Bird Day was held at the Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson and Whitefield on Saturday May 10th. A total of 21 birders helped locate and record bird species starting at Airport Marsh where 49 species of birds were recorded between 0600 and 0800. The group then walked to Cherry and Little Cherry Ponds. Other observers visited Mud Pond and other parts of the refuge.
The weather conditions were overcast skies, occasional drizzle or light rain, calm winds, and temperatures between 48-52 degrees F. We did not have the heavy rain that other parts of the state were receiving. The trails were for the most part well drained.
The overall number of species was 76 plus one mallard hybrid. The highlights were 16 species of warblers including one Cape May; two American bittern, and a Green Heron at Airport Marsh. The early count day on the 10th of May, overcast and drizzly weather, and only partial leaf-out were why we missed several species that typically arrive each year in the middle of May. The next two weeks are usually the dates that birders see the most species because of full leaf-out and availability of insects.
The Spring ephemerals wildflowers were present but mostly closed due to the overcast and damp conditions. Wildlife observations included red squirrels, one beaver, and a cow moose on the Deadwater portion of the refuge seen by two people. One of my personal favorite observations was a fungus Taphrina johansonii also known as aspen tongue fungus on some green catkins of quaking aspen.
I thank the volunteer guides who assisted in this annual birding day at Pondicherry. This link will take you to a preliminary consolidated list of species recorded Saturday on the entire refuge. https://ebird.org/checklist/S236242233
