ML617503254

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Continuing since Monday, 15 Apr, when found by Iain MacLeod working the lawn across from the old Laconia State School campus / Ahern SP. It was active in the same location today, sallying for insects and small rodents (?) from several perches out in the field, but generally staying close to Rt 106. This was a small shrike, noticeably smaller than a mockingbird (which the NSHR is often compared to), with a bold, dark mask fully covering the eyes. Undersides were a clean white with no scaling (difficult in this light to make out any sort of gradation), and above it was a solid ashy gray, with a faint supraloral line (striking in NSHR). Was vocal, giving many whistles, buzzes, growls, and possibly even singing, but it was tough to make out details above the noise of traffic. Hopefully someone will be able to record it. This species was once an uncommon breeder throughout New England, back when the region had been deforested for logging and sheep pasturing. It's become scarce even as a migrant since the early 20th century, moving south as pastures and other appropriate habitat reverted to forest. Very, very scarce! Single birds have appeared in Hillsborough (2020) and Rockingham (1997) in spring and summer, respectively, and this appears to be only the second spring record for the state since 1992. There are a few scattered reports of vagrants statewide through the 70s and 80s, but sightings seem to have dropped off precipitously since the late 60s.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS R7

ISO

640

Flash

Flash did not fire

Dimensions

1937 pixels x 1291 pixels

Original file size

254.47 KB