Birdwatching in New Hampshire

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments I owe a debt to the many birders and ornithologists whose work provided the data that enabled me to write this book. I cannot name them all, but several have contributed an enormous amount to what is known about the birds of New Hampshire. I would be remiss if I did not mention Pam Hunt, Steve Mirick, Bob Quinn, and Becky Suomala. Bob Quinn, especially, provided inspiration to a birder raised in the abundant birdlife of coastal Ireland—and now landlocked in the Monadnock region—by highlighting the diversity of coastal birds that stray inland at times. Bob’s inspiration was drawn from Tudor Richards, who was an influential figure in the relatively short time I knew him. Bob also reviewed an early draft of the book, for which I am grateful. I am likewise grateful to all the photographers whose works appear in the book, including Ralph Eldridge, Catherine Greenleaf, Jim Hully, Scott Young, and the Greenland White-fronted Goose Study. In particular, Jason Lambert and Len Medlock provided a significant number of excellent images from their personal libraries. They have captured some of the finest images of New Hampshire’s birds, more of which can be viewed on their Web sites (see Web Resources in the Introduction). All but two of the photographs in the book were taken in New Hampshire or its offshore waters. Debbie Brewitt, Brian Soares, and the crew of the UNH Marine Program provided me rare access to the area of Jeffreys Ledge during winter, as did Eastman’s of Hampton. Star Island Corporation allowed me generous access to Star Island. I am thankful to them all. Allan Keith and Bob Fox provided valuable data on historical records of New Hampshire’s birds by allowing me access to their manuscript, “The Birds of New Hampshire.” Margaret Baker helped with some software issues. Cook Anderson, Phil Brown, Chris Sheridan, and Rob Woodward provided feedback on various aspects of birding in New Hampshire, and Tony Vazzano offered guidance on the influence of weather on bird migration. x Ack n ow l e dgment s I am indebted to Laurie Bryan, Meade Cadot, and the Harris Center, my local regional land trust and employer. Through the Harris Center I had access to mapping software used in the production of the guide, and was provided with the flexibility needed to complete the project. I would like to offer thanks to Mick Brown, a childhood friend who introduced me to my life’s passion; to my parents, for encouraging my passion; and to my friend Eugene, with whom I shared my first decade in the field. Sy Montgomery, Howard Mansfield, and Scott Manning have been constant wellsprings of support through the early days of my writing career. University Press of New England gave a first-time author a chance, and I am especially grateful to Richard Pult, Peter Fong, Susan Abel, Mindy Basinger Hill, and the other wonderful staff there who helped to smooth the wrinkles and move the project along. We all owe a debt to the many conservationists who toil for the preservation of birds and their habitat and to landowners across New Hampshire who allow access to their private property for birdwatching and other recreational opportunities. I for one offer them my thanks. Finally, I am tremendously grateful to my wife Trish for being an unwavering supporter and the love of my life. ...