What’s happening with the birds this winter? While you’re at home during the pandemic, you can have fun counting birds and helping NH Audubon at the same time. Take part in the annual Backyard Winter Bird Survey on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14. Biologists need assistance from citizens all over the Granite State to get a clear picture of what is happening with our winter birds. NH Audubon biologists are anxious to see what this year’s numbers show. “This winter we have seen an influx of visitors from the north,” said Dr. Pamela Hunt, Senior Biologist with NH Audubon. These are species such as Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins that nest in northern Canada and stay there when food supplies are good. In years with poor food crops, they move south for the winter in what’s called an “irruption.” “Sometimes we see lots of these northern species and other years we see none,” said Dr. Hunt. The extensive White Pine cone crop has attracted numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches and some people are seeing them at their feeders for the first time in many years. “We want to see how widespread these northern irruptives are this winter, as well as follow the populations of our year round residents,” said Dr. Hunt. “I’m hoping to have Pine Grosbeaks this year,” said Survey Coordinator Becky Suomala. “They feed on fruit instead of seeds and I’ve been seeing them at crabapple trees in many places,” said Suomala. “Sometimes they can be so tame!” NH Audubon needs your help to track these northern invaders and other feeder birds. All New Hampshire residents are encouraged to take part. Anyone can participate in the Survey by counting the birds in their own backyard on the Survey weekend and reporting online or sending the results on a special reporting form to NH Audubon. To receive a copy of the reporting form and complete instructions, e-mail your name and address to bwbs@nhaudubon.org or call 224-9909. Forms are also available on-line. Find more information about the survey at nhbirdrecords.org/backyard-winter-bird-survey.
Join the faculty of Manchester Community Music School as they give voice to topics they’ve been exploring during this time of quarantine. Through a combination of lectures and performances, they will share their own perspectives and journeys of personal exploration through music.
“The Power of Music” Lecture and Concert Series topics include:
■Celebrating Piano Music of Black Composers on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. Through this program Elizabeth Blood (piano) and Sean Parr (lecturer) will explore piano music by black composers including works by Florence Price, Margaret Bond and H. Leslie Adams.
■Music for Unity on March 18 at 7 p.m. Spanning three centuries, Kyoko Hida-Battaglia (oboe), Elizabeth England (oboe), and Stephanie Busby (bassoon) will present a variety of music that speaks to their hearts. It is their hope that this program will bring joy, happiness, and a feeling of togetherness to its audience and those that need it most during this time.
■The Power of Music to Bring Social Change on April 15 at 7 p.m. Husband and wife musicians, Tad Hitchcock (guitar) and Valerie Walton (saxophone), will explore the origins of a variety of styles of music and the way these songs have impacted change throughout history.
The series will be presented online and is free and open to the public. Registration is required by visiting mcmusicschool.org/powerofmusic.
First Friday art nights continue Feb. 5 online at 5:30 p.m. Tour the MicroGallery Exhibits online at your convenience, then join in on Zoom. The New London Inn features CFA Photography Cafe, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust features CFA Art Cafe, Blue Loon Bakery features Vicki and John Koron and Tatewell Gallery features Mary Borowski and Jill Hacking. View at centerfortheartsnh.org/microgalleries.
Granite United Way has relaunched its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to provide free tax preparation. This free tax preparation program is available to Individuals and families with household incomes up to $56,844, the upper income limit for the EITC, annually. Taxes are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers who assist low-to-moderate income residents to access the greatest amount of refunds. Free tax filing through VITA will not happen face-to-face as in years past. Taxpayers can go to NHTaxHelp.org or dial 211 to connect with a VITA program that can assist them virtually. Volunteers are still needed, and those interested can reach out to Cary Gladstone at 625-6939, ext. 128.