CONCORD, N.H. — Cardinals. Grackles. Carolina wrens.
With the arrival of warmer weather, birds around New Hampshire have become more vocal and active. It’s almost impossible not to notice them – and spotting and recognizing them can be a lot of fun, too.
If you’re looking for a new way to identify what’s in your back yard or learn about the species you already recognize, the New Hampshire Audubon just launched a new online bird guide, which it’s touting as “everything you need to know” about New Hampshire birds.
There are currently around 200 avian species in the guide, with more to come. “This is the first time that N.H. specific information on most of the species of birds that occur in N.H. is accessible in one place,” said Pamela Hunt, a senior biologist for avian conservation at the New Hampshire Audubon.
Hunt came up with the idea for the guide, which she said goes beyond a typical field guide. It includes information about where in the state you can find a particular bird, long-term population trends, and relevant stories about the birds. She used decades of New Hampshire-specific data and research to compile the guide, which took her about a year.
I checked out the entry for the gray catbird, which has been making a ruckus near my house recently. It turns out they’re ubiquitous around the state and well adapted to human landscapes. Close relatives to mockingbirds and thrashers, they are considered “accomplished” singers that can mimic other birds. Interestingly, studies show that “much of their singing is improvised rather than learned, and that each bird has a unique repertoire based partially on what it hears growing up and partially on what it invents as it goes.”
Bird populations have been on a dramatic decline. Recent estimates found that North America lost lost 3 billion birds in the last 50 years.
Birds are typically considered an environmental indicator – when their population suffers, it can point people toward bigger issues at play. Think: canary in the coal mine.
This story first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.
Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.