New Hampshire

The ‘State of the Birds’ in New Hampshire – at your fingertips

Published

6 months ago

December 24, 2023

The ‘State of the Birds’ in New Hampshire – at your fingertips

Hadley Barndollar
| New Hampshire Bulletin

You don’t need to have a pocket edition of “The Sibley Guide to Birds” to access immediate information about our overhead neighbors.

Last month, New Hampshire Audubon debuted its new “State of the Birds” interactive website, a central repository of all things Granite State birds: species groups, breeding habitats, migration cycles, ongoing threats, and protective actions humans can take.

Users will discover there are 29 species of waterfowl that spend time in New Hampshire, with the highest concentrations along major river valleys and the coast. The American kestrel is the only declining breeder among the state’s birds of prey, and forest-dwelling raptors like the northern goshawk require relatively large tracts of unbroken habitat. And only two of New Hampshire’s 18 aerial insectivores are increasing in number – the willow and alder flycatchers.

“The main reason it’s valuable to get this out there is people love birds, even if they’re not birders,” said Pamela Hunt, senior biologist for avian conservation at New Hampshire Audubon. “A lot of people care.”

Audubon gets phone calls all the time, Hunt said, from everyday people concerned with activity, or lack thereof, at their backyard feeders. “Where are the birds?” they ask, among other probing questions that pop into their heads as they watch the daily gaggle for nuts and seeds.

“It just shows you people have this connection to these critters,” she said. “And if they really want to do something to help birds, there are things they can do.”

Hunt said her organization released a “State of the Birds” report about 10 years ago, and at the time, they printed hundreds of copies. A decade later, Hunt said it was obvious print is no longer the best medium to reach people, so with some funding and a website developer, they created the digital platform. It went live in November.

The website shows both success stories and causes for concern, Hunt said, as many of the state’s bird species are increasing as are decreasing, but the increases aren’t happening as fast as the decreases.

“There has definitely been a net loss of birds,” she said.

National research echoes the same. The U.S. and Canada have lost 3 billion breeding birds since 1970 – a loss of 1 in 4 birds, according to research published in Science in 2019.

The 2022 national “State of the Birds” report found population losses in nearly all habitats, and identified 70 “tipping point” species that have lost half or more of their breeding population since 1970 and are on track to lose another half or more in the next 50 years.

New Hampshire Public Radio recently reported that the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension helpline has been inundated with calls from people wondering why they’re seeing fewer birds right now. The answer, experts say, is likely a combination of migration, climate change, and a mast year, the latter meaning oak trees are producing a lot more acorns than usual, and in turn, birds may not be seeking out backyard feeders as often.

The website details how species such as the bank swallow, rusty blackbird, meadowlark, and towhee are seeing steep declines, as well as half of New Hampshire’s shorebird species, including killdeer, spotted sandpiper, purple sandpiper, whimbrel, and lesser yellowlegs.

Birds that migrate farther tend to be seeing larger declines, Hunt said, because they are exposed to more risks over an extended range. Migration in itself is a dangerous endeavor each year.

On the other side of the coin, bald eagles have made a victorious comeback in the state. Forty years ago, the number of nesting pairs was down in the single digits in New Hampshire, and today, it’s up over 100. Peregrine falcons have experienced a similar rebound thanks to conservation efforts.

In other positive news, the ruby-throated hummingbird, Carolina wren, chipping sparrow, and Canada goose are all increasing in the state.

Among the fascinating information people can learn about various habitats and species groups, Hunt said, perhaps the most critical aspect of the website is the education of threats and ongoing challenges – things humans play a direct hand in.

“I can talk about threats until the cows come home,” she said.

Cats and window and building collisions are two that Hunt often steps on her soapbox for. She said cats kill 2½ billion birds in the U.S. per year. While some cats are true outdoor cats, there are plenty that don’t need to be let outside, Hunt argued.

“If half the cats in the country became pure indoor cats and we stopped having these feral cat colonies, that would make a dent in that threat,” she said.

Another half billion birds die each year from flying into buildings. In just one October night, more than 1,000 migrating birds died after crashing into a single building in Chicago, for example.

Hunt said people can put things on the outside of their windows that break up the reflection, and they should locate bird feeders and birdbaths less than 2 feet from any window so that birds cannot build up enough momentum to be injured if they do hit the window.

The American Bird Conservancy maintains a database for products and solutions to reduce glass collisions.

People should also reduce unnecessary lights at night time because they can disorient birds. Some cities, including Boston, have “lights out” programs where they encourage residents and businesses to go dark during peak migration times.

This story was originally published by the New Hampshire Bulletin

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New Hampshire

NASCAR New Hampshire race winners and losers: Josh Berry’s big finish, Kyle Busch’s struggles

Published

52 mins ago

June 24, 2024

Press Room

NASCAR New Hampshire race winners and losers: Josh Berry’s big finish, Kyle Busch’s struggles

It was an eventful and very long Sunday in NASCAR’s New Hampshire race’s USA TODAY 301.

Christopher Bell won for the third time this season, and joked that it wasn’t rain-shortened like his win in the Coca-Cola 600 was in May.

NASCAR also broke out the rain tires for the second time this season and finished on them for the first time since they were approved in 2023. The drivers ran the final 82 laps of the race on rain tires.

Here are the winners and losers from the USA TODAY 301 NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire.

USA TODAY 301 RESULTS: Who won NASCAR Cup race in New Hampshire? Norman native Christopher Bell is winner

Winners from NASCAR’S USA TODAY 301

Christopher Bell

Bell is the easy choice here with his race win. But the way he did it by leading 149 total laps and dominating the final laps of the race was just the way he needed to get the job done and earn the win, his second of the season and second in five starts at New Hampshire.

Josh Berry

The Hendersonville native was strong in Sunday’s race and finished third. Berry was running toward the front all day and utilized the hectic nature of the wet-weather tires to push his way up the leaderboard. Berry’s finish on Sunday was tied for his best finish this season at Darlington. Berry now has four top-10s and two top-5s in the last six races.

Chase Briscoe

Briscoe battled hard throughout Sunday’s race to finish second. He fought off Bell at the end of stage one to stay on the lead lap, which helped with pit strategy and track position. Briscoe utilized the rain-soaked restart with 73 laps remaining and moved through the field in a hurry. He had a couple of chances to win the race with the late restarts inside of the final 10 laps, but couldn’t get the jump he needed to pass Bell.

Losers from NASCAR’S USA TODAY 301

Alex Bowman

Bowman suffered an engine failure on lap 142 after the first incident-related caution of Sunday’s race. Bowman was running 17th at the time and was credited with a 36th-place finish in the 36-car field. Bowman entered the day just outside of the playoff cutline, and that is sure to take a big hit after his last-place finish.

Kyle Busch

Busch had all kinds of struggles in Sunday’s race – much like he has all season. Busch overdrove a corner, spun and collected Noah Gragson. Busch had a spin in the backstretch just before the race went into the red flag and spun under caution after the red flag, slapping the wall and ending his day in 35^th place.

LOGANO, ELLIOTT CRASH: Joey Logano, Chase Elliott crash in NASCAR Cup race at New Hampshire in USA TODAY 301

HOW IT HAPPENED: NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire: Live updates, highlights, live leaderboard of USA TODAY 301

NASCAR race management

There are a couple of levels to this one. First, NASCAR red-flagged the race too early with the rain coming in. But bringing the wet-weather tires to New Hampshire was a great call to get the race done to even more than its scheduled distance. On top of that, the racing was fantastic with drivers fanning out to find a different line around the racetrack.

However, NASCAR really struggled in its enforcement of the rules after the drivers went back racing with the rain tires. The officials were strict on the non-competitive pit stops and not allowing race teams dictate the strategy was a big miss. This was the second time the wet-weather tires were used in a points race on an oval and the first at the end of a race, so it’ll just take some time and practice to get it right.

If and when the rain tires are needed again, NASCAR should let the teams decide their strategy and how they want to run the race.

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New Hampshire

NASCAR's decision to resume New Hampshire race proved impactful to many drivers

Published

8 hours ago

June 23, 2024

Press Room

NASCAR's decision to resume New Hampshire race proved impactful to many drivers

NASCAR’s decision not to call Sunday’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when rain halted it with 82 laps to go led to dramatically different results for several drivers.

Only three drivers who were in the top 10 when the race was stopped for rain went on to finish in the top 10. Eventual winner Christopher Bell was ninth when the race was stopped.

Christopher Bell wins the Cup race a day after his Xfinity victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The race was delayed 2 hours, 14 minutes and then resumed with the field on wet weather tires. Five drivers outside the top 20 when the race stopped for rain went on to finish in the top 10.

Those who gained the most from where they were when the race was stopped to where they finished:

John Hunter Nemechek (eighth) gained 23 spots.

Chase Briscoe (second) gained 21 positions.

Martin Truex Jr. (ninth) gained 18 spots.

Josh Berry (third) gained 17 positions.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (seventh) gained 17 positions.

“The rain saved us for sure,” Briscoe said. “We were terrible in the dry. We knew typically on the road courses and even the ovals that we’ve ran in the rain we’ve been pretty good truthfully. I didn’t expect to drive up to second, but yeah, really good recovery.”

Briscoe capitalizes on rain for second at Loudon

Chase Briscoe admits “the rain saved us” after struggling early at New Hampshire but capitalizes on a big points day with nine races remaining before the Cup Series playoffs.

Said Berry: “We were 20th when it was raining and then we threw some rain tires on it and did what I knew we could do and moved all the way up there. That was a lot of fun honestly.”

Those who lost the most positions from where they were when the race was stopped to where they finished:

Justin Haley (29th) lost 24 positions

Ryan Blaney (25th) lost 23 spots

Denny Hamlin (24th) lost 21 positions

Bubba Wallace (34th) lost 20 spots

Noah Gragson (27th) lost 17 positions

Blaney addresses contact with McDowell at Loudon

Ryan Blaney’s promising day in New Hampshire ended after Michael McDowell slid into the No. 12 late in the race, calling it a “low percentage move,” but is encouraged with his team’s short track program.

Haley said on social media that his car suffered “significant” splitter and nose damage from contact with McDowell.

Blaney lost his spots while racing McDowell for second and McDowell came up the track and hit him, damaging both cars. That led to the next-to-last caution.

Wallace was collected in a crash triggered by Gragson about 40 laps from the finish. By losing 20 positions from where he was when the race was stopped by rain, Wallace fell out of the final playoff spot.

“I just lacked grip,” Gragson said. “Super loose all the way around the track. Must’ve hit the paint on entry to (Turn) 1, and not intentionally by any means with the 23 (Bubba Wallace). Just a mistake on my part. It was unfortunate and I apologize to the 23 guys for ruining their day.”

Joey Logano moved into the final playoff spot. Wallace is now 13 points below the cutline. Briscoe moves to 25 points from the cutline.

Multiple cars wreck after Gragson spins at Loudon

Noah Gragson goes for a slide up the racetrack and collects Bubba Wallace, Austin Dillon and a handful of others while on wet weather tires at New Hampshire.

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New Hampshire

Tornado watch issued for parts of New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts until 8 p.m.

Published

15 hours ago

June 23, 2024

Press Room

Tornado watch issued for parts of New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts until 8 p.m.

Staff report
| news@seacoastonline.com

CONCORD — The National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, warns residents and visitors in New Hampshire that there is an enhanced risk for severe storms Sunday.

At about 1 p.m., a tornado watch was issued for parts of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont until 8 p.m. by the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine. A tornado watch means current weather conditions could lead to a tornado, and you should be prepared to move to shelter. A warning means a tornado is occurring or about to happen, seek shelter immediately.

According to the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, thunderstorms are expected to develop between 2 to 4 p.m. and move southeast across the area through the evening by 9 p.m.

The New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management urges residents and visitors to prepare now for the possibility of damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, hail, and flash flooding.

“Stay informed to keep you and your family safe,” said HSEM Director Robert Buxton. “Review your family emergency plan now and make sure your emergency kit is stocked. Your kit should include important documents and contact information along with supplies.”

The NWS said there is the potential for winds over 70 mph, and the Storm Prediction Center has issued a 10% risk for tornadoes across New Hampshire for Sunday.

Campers should have a way to be aware of changing conditions and be prepared to evacuate to higher ground immediately if flooding occurs. Campers also should have a plan for alternative shelter if needed.

The state Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency offers the following safety recommendations:

Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. Monitor storm updates from the NationalWeather Service and local news stations. Sign up for NH Alerts and download the GenasysProtect mobile app to receive free emergency notifications.
If flooding occurs get to higher ground immediately. Just 6 inches of moving water can knockyou down, and 1 foot of water can sweep your vehicle away.
If driving in a vehicle, remember the saying, “turn around, don’t drown.”
If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move tohigher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water. Just 6 inches of water can reachthe bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
Prepare your home: Trim trees that may fall and cause damage.
Tie down or bring indoors any objects that might be blown around by winds (outdoorfurniture, decorations, garbage cans, and other loose objects that are normally left outside).
Follow instructions from local emergency officials and know how to safely evacuate shouldyou be told to do so.
Find the latest road conditions at newengland511.org.Learn more about staying informed, having a plan and making a kit as well as the actions to take for different severe weather events online at ReadyNH.gov.Stay informed by following New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, (@NH_HSEM) and Instagram (@NH_HSE.

Unitil readies for potential outages

Unitil Corporation announced Sunday they are prepared to respond to outages in all service regions as potentially severe thunderstorms pass through this afternoon and tonight.

According to the most recent forecast, wind gusts of 40-65 miles per hour or more are possible within the most powerful storm cells today, with isolated chances of tornado activity possible as well. High winds have the potential to take down otherwise healthy tree limbs and branches into poles and wires, causing outages.

Unitil secured additional crews in advance of the storm and will have teams ready to respond in all regions during the expected peak activity.

“Thunderstorm activity in the late spring and early summer is fast moving and has the potential to deliver extremely hazardous conditions with little to no advance warning,” Unitil External Affairs Director Alec O’Meara said. “We recognize conditions are ripe for such activity today, and we are prepared to react should any area see the worst of what is forecasted.”

Unitil will be communicating throughout the event through Public Service Announcements (PSAs), their website, customer call center and through the media. They also encourage customers to follow along with their storm updates via Facebook, Twitter feed (@Unitil) and will provide real-time outage information online at unitil.com/map.

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