Date: 8/20/26 7:28 am From: Bill Duffy <dill.buffy...> Subject: [NHBirds] Common grackle migration - Bradford
I have a few trail cameras on my property to monitor wildlife. On the morning of August 15th, one camera recorded at least 60 grackles passing through an open patch in the woods next to a small stream over the course of about 5 minutes. Several grackles would land at a time and forage about in the leaves and duff in front of the camera and then take flight heading north up the stream as more birds flew in and replaced them.
Three of us braved the wilds of Orford NH this evening on a grassy knoll overlooking the CT River and carefully counted 783. But surely there were more!! All but a handful were heading north. Why were they all heading north tonight?
Eight folks turned up to track the 280 nighthawks this evening. Most of the birds were zooming north like their tail feathers were on fire. The puzzler is that Rob is twenty-two miles north of the Concord site, and he had zero nighthawks the last two evenings. Someday we hope to figure this stuff out...
Date: 8/19/26 6:24 am From: Alfred Maley <alfredmaley...> Subject: [NHBirds] Gobsmacked and Dumbfounded - The Barred Owls Nest Late, Right Under My Nose
Last night at 11:55 PM on 18 August 2026 I was shocked to hear a chorus of
young Barred Owl fledglings giving their food begging calls from various
parts of the forest around the house. Apparently one of the parents had
arrived with a food item. The chorus lasted for about 10 minutes before
things settled down.
Back in late March when there was no sign of nesting in the boxes in the
yard (nor in any of the other eight boxes that were occupied in 2025) I
concluded it was due to a lack of food (mice, voles, chipmunks) after the
2025 mast crop failure. I decided to see if I could remedy the situation by
feeding the adults to bring the female into breeding condition - they
looked quite skinny. All during April and May I made sure there was food on
the table, but seemingly to no avail as the nest boxes remained empty.
By mid June the adults could be seen roosting together in the daytime in
the white pines next to the driveway. Also, both adults had taken to flying
into the thick pines behind the neighbor’s house with de-headed chipmunks
and other rodents. I attributed this to a desire to avoid the eyes of the
Cooper’s Hawks that patrol the yard and will try to steal food items from
the owls if possible.
It appears that Mrs. Owl did indeed come into breeding condition by early
May and had selected a well concealed hawk nest (Broadwing?) high in the
pines and had begun incubation. By mid July the young would be big enough
to move about and begin flight training. Now they are scattered about the
trees that nearly surround the house, indicating that they can fly about
with some facility.
My mouse traps are now not as empty as in April and the mast crop and white
pine cone crop are looking good, so prey numbers are on the upswing. The
young will stay in the territory into October, until their hunting lessons
are complete. All's right with the world, at least on a few acres of it.
Five of us had a nice early season flight of 677. The last half hour was particularly impressive with a feeding frenzy of 260 to our north.
The Chimney Swift count was only a third of yesterday's count, but both the swifts and nighthawks were feeding pretty high and we may not have been able to spot some of the swifts.
Last night we had a Peregrine on one of the church steeples; this evening we had a Merlin in a nearby tree. The variation from night to night is always fascinating.
Date: 8/18/26 5:11 pm From: 'Rob Woodward' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] 0 Common Nighthawks - Franklin Falls
It turned into a clear day after all here in sunny Franklin. But with unfavorable NW winds, nighthawks were not moving. Even after the winds turned calm sometime after 6 they would not budge. The air was full of dragonflies meaning plenty of food around but still nighthawks could not be coaxed off their roost.
Yesterday Zeke mentioned the abundance of Chimney Swifts in Concord. We get a small handfull nearly daily migrating down the river. Notice they cleared out of Laconia by late July yet there are plenty to be had in Portsmouth and Concord for example. Do they vacate the smaller cities in favor of bigger cities to congregate before migration?
Tomorrow's forecast looks more favorable.
Date: 8/18/26 10:53 am From: birdrecords <birdrecords...> Subject: [NHBirds] Joy of Birding: Migration Is in the Air!
Migration Is in the Air
One of my favorite birding spectacles is underway: shorebird migration. I love watching sandpipers dance along the coastline. Fall is one of the most exciting seasons for birders. Shorebirds are already on the move and warbler migration is beginning. Enjoy the beauty of this season of change.
This month's articles capture the magic of fall birding. Relive the highlights of last autumn in the Fall 2025: Season Summary<https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/season-summary-fall-2025/> by Ben Griffith, featuring a remarkable Common Cuckoo, only the state's second Trumpeter Swan, the fourth Bell's Vireo, and many other memorable sightings. Then get ready to see what surprises this fall migration has in store.
Joy of Birding is the online home of New Hampshire Bird Records, a publication that has documented New Hampshire's bird sightings, seasons, and birding stories for more than 40 years. The transition from print to online has allowed us to continue sharing the stories of New Hampshire's birds while making them freely available to everyone-from experienced birders to those just beginning to explore the world of birds.
Visit the Joy of Birding (https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/) homepage to explore the latest articles and sign up for our monthly newsletter, featuring new stories, seasonal highlights, and birding news from around the Granite State delivered directly to your inbox.
Happy Birding!
Grace
Grace McCulloch
She/Her
Community Science Project Leader
New Hampshire Audubon
84 Silk Farm Road
Concord, NH 03301
www.nhaudubon.org<http://www.nhaudubon.org/> Email: <gmcculloch...>
Date: 8/18/26 8:10 am From: Sean Beckett <sean...> Subject: [NHBirds] Ecuador birding trip with Vermont nature center this February
Hi all, and happy Common Nighthawk season,
We wanted to invite you to check out an upcoming birding adventure to
Ecuador with North Branch Nature Center on Feb 17-27. Amazing birds,
unbelievable ecosystems, a great group of like-minded travelers, and a
stellar guide (Chip Darmstadt). Toucans, tanagers, cock-of-the-rock, and
even Andean condors.
On a personal note, I traveled with Chip to Ecuador as a teenager on a
similar itinerary long ago. These birds, these birding lodges, and Chip's
passionate leadership were big catalysts in my subsequent pursuit of a
career in nature—I'm excited for others to be similarly transformed by the
experience.
All the proceeds of our birding trips are reinvested in our youth nature
education work here in Vermont, so these trips are a great way to combine
philanthropy with your passion for birds. And we offset the trip's carbon
footprint (including your flights) through wilderness conservation projects
with the Northeast Wilderness Trust.
The nighthawk migration is back in swing. There were 45 Sunday evening and 54 tonight. We had a few fly directly overhead, but it was fun to see a few feeding in the vicinity of numerous Chimney Swifts.
We were surrounded all evening by Chimney Swifts (count was 160) and the river corridor had a persistent string of blackbirds (over 600).
All are welcome to join the migration monitoring, here, in Concord. We monitor from the top level of the Capital Commons parking garage on Storrs St. from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Date: 8/17/26 5:23 pm From: 'Rob Woodward' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] 139 Common Nighthawks - Franklin Falls
The rain held off and the day turned out to be hot and sunny after all here in Franklin. Favorable SE winds blew from moderate to light to calm by the end of the count at 7:30.
Another good early season count with birds moving westerly, to the south, and northerly. Again, most were counted during the 6 o'clock hour.
Tomorrow could see rain in which case the count will resume Wednesday.
Date: 8/17/26 2:58 pm From: Mark Suomala <suomalamark...> Subject: [NHBirds] Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, August 17, 2026
This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for August 17th, 2026.
A BRIDLED TERN was seen off of the coast of Odiorne Point State Park in Rye
on August 16th. A FORSTER’S TERN was seen in the Back Channel in New Castle
and Portsmouth on the 17th, and an ARCTIC TERN was seen in Rye Harbor on
the 13th.
A SOUTH POLAR SKUA was seen at Jeffrey’s Ledge on August 10th.
Birders on a research vessel visiting offshore waters recorded the
following highlights: 22 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, a PARASITIC JAEGER, a
LEACH’S STORM-PETREL, 4 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, and 5 GREAT SHEARWATERS.
A BAIRD’S SANDPIPER was seen off of the coast of Odiorne Point State Park
in Rye on August 16th, and 1 was seen in a beaver pond in Peterborough on
the 10th. A DUNLIN was seen at Plaice Cove in Hampton on August 11th.
2 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were seen at the Isles of Shoals on August 12th,
and a GREAT CORMORANT was seen here on the 15th.
A MARBLED GODWIT was seen at the Durham Town Landing and Jackson’s Landing
on the Oyster River all during the past week.
2 HUDSONIAN GODWITS were seen along the Lamprey River in Newmarket on
August 11th.
A HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL was seen at the Durham Town Landing on Oyster River on
August 16th.
3 LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 2 BANK SWALLOWS were seen at the Charlestown
Wastewater Treatment Plant on August 12th.
2 “WESTERN†WILLETS were seen in Little Harbor in New Castle and Rye on
August 15th and 2 were seen at Odiorne Point State Park on the 15th.
A BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen off of the coast of Odiorne Point State Park
in Rye on August 16th.
2 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen in Manchester on August 15th.
A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen in Hampton Harbor on August 12th.
A juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen at the Oxbow Pond in Mine
Falls Park in Nashua on August 16th.
5 LITTLE BLUE HERONS were seen in the Parson’s Creek salt marsh located
west of Route 1A and across from Wallis Sands State Beach on August 16th, 1
was seen at Amazon Park Pond in Somersworth on the 16th, and 2 were seen
along Marsh Pond Road in Rye on the 16th.
A GLOSSY IBIS was seen at Fort Eddy Pond and the adjacent fields in Concord
on August 12th.
5 SNOWY EGRETS were seen at Adams Point WMA in Durham on August 12th.
A LEAST BITTERN was heard at the Rockingham Recreation Trail off of the
Piscassic Road in Newfields on August 13th.
An AMERICAN WIGEON was seen at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Colebrook
on August 15th.
A RED-NECKED GREBE was seen in coastal Rye and 1 was seen at the Hinsdale
Setbacks, both on August 17th.
2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen in fields along Plains Road in Monroe on August
15th, 3 were seen in fields in East Conway on August 13th, and 1 was seen
at Eaton Pond in Barnstead on August 11th.
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was seen in Dover on August 14th.
A BLACK VULTURE was seen in Claremont on August 12th.
A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was seen along Northridge Road in Durham on August 12
th.
COMMON NIGHTHAWK migration has already begun with 144 recorded by observers
at Franklin Falls, and 55 by observers in Concord. Volunteer-observers are
welcome!
An archive of rare bird alerts is available at nhaudubon.org/rba. If you
have seen any rare birds recently you can leave a voicemail at (603)
224-9909, following the prompts on how to report a rare bird. You can also
send your sightings via email to <birdsetc...> Please put “Rare
Bird†in the subject line and include the location of the sighting and your
phone number.
*What is the Rare Bird Alert?*
The New Hampshire Rare Bird Alert is a list of birds that is posted,
usually on a weekly basis on NH Audubon’s website, and several public
websites. The primary goal of the list is to help bird watchers find
uncommon or rare birds that occur within the geographical boundaries of NH.
*What makes a bird rare?*
A bird may be considered rare if it’s outside its usual range, present at
an unusual time of year, or found in an unexpected part of the state. For
example, a Red-bellied Woodpecker in southern NH is expected, but one in
Coos County would be unusual. A Black-throated Blue Warbler in summer is
normal but in winter it would be rare. While a Roseate Spoonbill would be
rare in any season. To learn more, read “So You Think You Found a Rare
Bird? A Quick Guide to What Counts and How to Report Itâ€
<https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/what-is-a-rare-bird-and-how-to-report-it/> on
the *Joy of Birding.*
Thanks very much and good birding!
Available NOW!
Birding Northern New Hampshire By Robert A. Quinn. Boreal birds and
dramatic vistas await you most any time of the year in New Hampshire’s
North Country. Follow birder and naturalist Robert A. Quinn’s detailed new
guide, *Birding in Northern New Hampshire* to the best birding in northern
Coos County. All proceeds go to NH Audubon. For more info and to order a
copy, check out this link:
Date: 8/17/26 10:13 am From: raqbirds via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] warbler migration at Crawford Notch
A recent overnight at the Appalachian Mountain Club's, Highland Center at the head of Crawford Notch allowed for some interesting warbler watching. First, the basic list:Â
Ovenbird- seenNorthern Waterthrush- heardNashville WarblerCommon YellowthroatBlackburnian Warbler Cape May Warbler- at least six!Black-throated Green WarblerYellow-rumped WarblerBlack-throated Blue WarblerAmerican RedstartCanada WarblerAlder Flycatcher- likely.Red-eyed Vireo- numerous.Blue-headed Vireo- mixed in with the warblers.Purple Finch- a handful and the only finches of note. "Misses"- B&W Warbler, Northern Parula, and Magnolia Warbler (one greeted me at my house when I got home).Â
Notes on migration: The two flocks on the mornings of August 15 and 16 were very different in character and clearly, they were different individual birds. On the morning of August 15 this modest flock of warblers was dominated by Cape May Warblers (at least four individuals and likely more) which cleared out overnight as there was only one on August 16.
But there were five species I did not see on August 15 that were obvious on August 16- Ovenbird, American Redstart, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, and a Nashville Warbler. This is about as close to witnessing an actual visible migration of warblers that I have seen this fall so far.
Aggressive behaviors- None noticed at Crawford Notch but in my yard here in Webster, Ovenbirds and Red-eyed Vireos are the aggressors and routinely chase both my feeder birds and migrants,
Fun with birds!
Bob Quinn, Webster, NH
"Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth." Chief Seattle
Date: 8/17/26 6:00 am From: 'Steve Mirick' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] Wilkinson's Basin Pelagic Trip Bird Report - 8/16/26
Survey of birds encountered during UNH research trip aboard UNH Research
Vessel Gulf Challenger. Boat did not stop or steer toward birds. Jane
and I were guests on UNH boat that was performing ocean experiments
offshore. The boat traveled to the CO2 buoy just beyond the Isles of
Shoals and collected water samples. It then traveled directly out to
the outside edge of Jeffrey's to the "Wilkinson's Basin Water Sampling
Spot" where it deployed the water sampler and collected net samples. On
the way back, it took a more southerly track to briefly stop near Old
Scantum and see some whales!
The birds were a bit slow for the date with large portions of Jeffrey's
Ledge completely absent for ANY birds. But birds filtered in at our
stop at Wilkinson's Basin and a couple of real nice finds (Parasitic
Jaeger and Leach's Storm-Petrel) came in to check out the boat.
Weather and seas - Light and variable winds 0-5 knots shifting to S and
increasing late in the afternoon. Seas about 1-2'. Able to ride on the
bow for whole trip.
Time - 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
eBird checklists submitted and eBird trip list with documentation photos
at this link:
Total list of birds offshore (east of Isles of Shoals)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Semipalmated Plover  3. Offshore migrating.
Red-necked Phalarope  22. Several small flocks. All ID'd were
Red-necked. Most appeared to be molting adults.
Red/Red-necked Phalarope  8
PARASITIC JAEGER  1. Subadult bird made a brief pass at the boat and
chased a Herring Gull.
Laughing Gull  5. All juveniles
American Herring Gull  31
Great Black-backed Gull  18
Common Tern  5
Wilson's Storm-Petrel  100. Scattered small numbers everywhere but
very few on Jeffrey's and most in the vicinity of Old Scantum.
LEACH'S STORM-PETREL  1. Only my 2nd record from Gulf Challenger.Â
First came just two months ago! Appeared soon after arrival at
Wilkinson's Point. Disappeared immediately (as they usually do), but
perhaps either a different one or the same one came by the boat a bit
later.
Cory's Shearwater  4
Cory's/Scopoli's Shearwater  1. Likely a Cory's. Just appeared pale
under wings.
Great Shearwater  5. Low number.
Northern Gannet  1
Double-crested Cormorant  15. Two migrating flocks.
Marine Mammals
------------------------
Humpback Whale - 3.  All in the area of Old Scantum. One identified as
"Owl" is a long-time favorite offshore and was born in 1986 making her
roughly 30 years old!
Minke Whale - 1. Repeated views of one. But no photos!
Dolphin sp. - Small number. ID consistent with Atlantic White-sided.
Date: 8/16/26 6:26 pm From: Elaine Faletra <elaine.faletra...> Subject: Re: [NHBirds] 144 Common Nighthawks - Franklin Falls
Phenomenal!!! 143 last year and 144 this year on exact date. If air traffic control tried to plan this out because of a slight wind shift I doubt we could plan all this out!!
Date: 8/16/26 6:09 pm From: 'Rob Woodward' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] 144 Common Nighthawks - Franklin Falls
Welcome to the 2026 Common Nighthawk Migration Studies here at Franklin Falls, perched high above the mighty Pemigewasset River, turning into the Merrimack just a mile downstream. The Franklin Falls Recreation Area now has a popular disc golf course and the players frequently stop by to see what I'm doing. Today one fellow gushed about a new app he knows of. "Crazy," he raved, "it tells you the names of the birds singing all around you." "Oh yes," I acknowledged, "the Merlin app. Everyone has one now (except me)."
Tonight's count went well for opening night. Favorable warm SW winds blew all evening. The first bird of the season arrived just as I took my seat at 4:45 but then almost nothing until 6:00 when about 90% of the day's catch was counted in that hour. Birds were moving both north and south. By way of comparison, 143 were counted this date last year.
Tomorrow's forecast calls for rain so no count for the next day or two.
This morning I was watching a female common yellowthroat perched near a
song sparrow when the warbler started to peck at the sparrow, driving it
off the perch. And then this afternoon, I saw 2 black-and-white warblers
seeming to harass 2 cedar waxwings. The BAWWs kept driving the waxwings
off their perches and dive-bombing them in the air. The first interaction
happened in a cherry tree along my driveway, and the second in the power
line right-of-way nearby. All of this was new behavior to me — was there
some announcement I missed?
Date: 8/10/26 1:17 pm From: Mark Suomala <suomalamark...> Subject: [NHBirds] Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, August 10, 2026
This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for August 10th, 2026.
Birders on a whale watch on the Granite State out of Rye Harbor tallied 22
bird species. Highlights: 36 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, 238 WILSON'S
STORM-PETRELS, 2 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, and 14 GREAT SHEARWATERS.
An AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER was seen at the Isles of Shoals on August 10th.
A HUDSONIAN GODWIT was seen in the Parson’s Creek salt marsh located west
of Route 1A and across from Wallis Sands State Beach on August 8th.
A MARBLED GODWIT was seen at the Hampton Salt Marsh Conservation Area on
August 8th.
A “WESTERN†WILLET was seen in Hampton Harbor on August 9th.
A BLACK TERN was seen at Old Scantum on August 8th, and an ARCTIC TERN was
reported from Rye Harbor on the 9th.
There was an unconfirmed report of a LAUGHING GULL from Dover on August 8th.
A GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen in Manchester on August 6th.
A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen at the Lafayette Road Bridge in
Portsmouth on August 4th.
A juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen at the Oxbow Pond in Mine
Falls Park in Nashua on August 7th.
8 LITTLE BLUE HERONS were seen in the Parson’s Creek salt marsh located
west of Route 1A and across from Wallis Sands State Beach on August 9th.
3 GREEN HERONS (2 adults and 1 juvenile) were seen at the Upper Coos
Recreational Trail in Colebrook on August 10th.
A SNOWY EGRET was seen at Adams Point WMA in Durham on August 7th, 1 was
seen on the Ammonoosuc River in Landaff on the 6th, and 1 was seen at
Pickering Ponds in Rochester on August 7th.
There was an unconfirmed report of a WESTERN CATTLE EGRET from the
Ammonoosuc River in Lisbon on August 9th.
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen in Hampton Harbor on August 9th.
2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen in fields along Plains Road in Monroe on August
4th, 3 were seen in fields in East Conway on August 4th, and 1 was seen at
Eaton Pond in Pittsfield on August 9th.
A BLACK VULTURE was seen in Hooksett on August 7th.
3 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were seen at the Concord Airport on August 4th.
A CERULEAN WARBLER was seen on the Cheshire Rail Trail in Troy on August 5th
.
A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER was seen in Wilton on August 2nd.
A BAY-BREASTED WARBLER was seen at the “Maggie Terninko Conservation Areaâ€
in Nottingham on August 8th.
2 ORCHARD ORIOLES were seen on Salt Marsh Lane in Greenland on August 5th.
2 FISH CROWS were heard and seen at the UNH Campus in Durham on August 8th.
An archive of rare bird alerts is available at nhaudubon.org/rba. If you
have seen any rare birds recently you can leave a voicemail at (603)
224-9909, following the prompts on how to report a rare bird. You can also
send your sightings via email to <birdsetc...> Please put “Rare
Bird†in the subject line and include the location of the sighting and your
phone number.
*What is the Rare Bird Alert?*
The New Hampshire Rare Bird Alert is a list of birds that is posted,
usually on a weekly basis on NH Audubon’s website, and several public
websites. The primary goal of the list is to help bird watchers find
uncommon or rare birds that occur within the geographical boundaries of NH.
*What makes a bird rare?*
A bird may be considered rare if it’s outside its usual range, present at
an unusual time of year, or found in an unexpected part of the state. For
example, a Red-bellied Woodpecker in southern NH is expected, but one in
Coos County would be unusual. A Black-throated Blue Warbler in summer is
normal but in winter it would be rare. While a Roseate Spoonbill would be
rare in any season. To learn more, read “So You Think You Found a Rare
Bird? A Quick Guide to What Counts and How to Report Itâ€
<https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/what-is-a-rare-bird-and-how-to-report-it/> on
the *Joy of Birding.*
Thanks very much and good birding!
Available NOW!
Birding Northern New Hampshire By Robert A. Quinn. Boreal birds and
dramatic vistas await you most any time of the year in New Hampshire’s
North Country. Follow birder and naturalist Robert A. Quinn’s detailed new
guide, *Birding in Northern New Hampshire* to the best birding in northern
Coos County. All proceeds go to NH Audubon. For more info and to order a
copy, check out this link:
Date: 8/9/26 8:38 am From: <ian...> Subject: [NHBirds] Free slideshow on Loons Sat Aug 22
The Beaver Meadow Chapel at 1672 Beaver Meadow Road Norwich, VT <https://www.google.com/maps/place/1672+Beaver+Meadow+Rd,+Norwich,+VT+05055/ @43.7644233,-72.3763742,790m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cb4cf66760369cb: 0x8ed14d7e4538addc!8m2!3d43.7644233!4d-72.3737993!16s%2Fg%2F11pf8v0cw_?entry =ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDgwNS4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D> will be hosting me to present my slideshow An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon Saturday August 22 at 7:00 p.m. Free and everyone welcome.
Date: 8/7/26 4:42 am From: Randy Langer <randylanger52...> Subject: [NHBirds] Common loon
In Flight over the house, while calling usually see them in the spring but not midsummer unsure where it was coming from and going to. Regards Randy Meredith
Date: 8/5/26 6:16 am From: <hbaue......> <hbauer0579...> Subject: [NHBirds] Fall Field trips
The Seacoast Chapter of NH Audubon is sponsoring 15 field trips this fall with a wide range of options including trips focusing on migration, specialty trips with a specific focus such as shorebirds, hawks, pelagic birding, and Saw-whet Owl banding, and simply walks at favorite local spots to see what is present at this time of year. Registration is now open for the first three trips including the September pelagic. You can sign up at: https://www.seacoastchapter.org/field-trips
Date: 8/3/26 8:52 am From: Gail Coffey <gcoffeywriter...> Subject: [NHBirds] Blue-winged Warbler in Wilton
Yesterday, we had a Blue-winged Warbler in our yard-which is a new addition to our yard list. Think it was a male as the bird had a bright yellow crown. He was foraging in our paper birch trees for a while so got great looks.
We still have two Wood Thrushes singing at night :).
Enjoy the migrants as much as you can over the next month.
Date: 8/3/26 8:14 am From: Mark Suomala <suomalamark...> Subject: [NHBirds] Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, August 3, 2026.
This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for August 3rd, 2026.
37 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were seen at Jeffrey’s Ledge on August 1st, and 22
were seen there on August 2nd.
2 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were seen flying offshore from Odiorne Point
State Park in Rye on August 1st.
A HUDSONIAN GODWIT was seen at Meadow Pond in Hampton on July 27th and 29th.
A STILT SANDPIPER was seen from Marsh Pond Road in Rye on August 2nd.
A SANDERLING and a BONAPARTE’S GULL were seen at Moore Reservoir in
Littleton on July 30th.
A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was seen at the Rochester Wastewater Treatment Plant
on July 24th. The treatment plant is gated and the hours of operation are
7:30-2:00 on weekdays only. If you visit, please be out of the plant by
1:45 so that plant personnel do not have to ask birders to leave. Do not
drive on the dikes and do not block the road. The Trails at Pickering
Ponds, located east of the plant, are not gated, and are always open during
daylight hours.
An ATLANTIC PUFFIN was seen at the Isles of Shoals on July 29th.
An ARCTIC TERN was reported from Hampton Harbor on
July 31st.
The continuing BRIDLED TERN was not reported during the past week, but may
still be present at the Isles of Shoals.
An AMERICAN COOT was seen at Pleasant Lake in New London on August 1st.
A LITTLE BLUE HERON was seen in the Parson’s Creek salt marsh located west
of Route 1A and across from Wallis Sands State Beach.
3 SNOWY EGRETS were seen at Adams Point WMA in Durham on July 30th, 1 was
seen at Jackson’s Landing in Durham on the 30th and 1 was seen at the
Pickering Ponds in Rochester on the 28th.
A RED-NECKED GREBE was seen along the coast in Rye on July 31st.
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen in Hampton Harbor on July 30th.
Nesting MISSISSIPPI KITES continued to be reported from Woodridge Park in
Durham during the past week, and were last reported on August 1st.
2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen in fields along Plains Road in Monroe, and 3
were seen in fields in East Conway, all on August 2nd.
A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was reported from Alton Bay on July 27th. The
observer provided this detailed description: ‘This bird had a yellow throat
with two wing bars, a fairly prominent white eyebrow along with a
noticeable white eye crescent and black ear patches.â€
A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen on Poor Farm Road in Weare on August 1st.
An ORCHARD ORIOLE and a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW were seen at Arboretum Drive
across from Pease International Tradeport on August 2nd.
A WILLOW FLYCATCHER was seen at the Upper Coos Recreational Trail in
Colebrook on July 29th.
11 PURPLE MARTINS were seen on private property in Lee on July 31st.
A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was seen at Bush Street in Marlborough on August 2nd
.
A FISH CROW was heard and seen at Plymouth State University on July 24th.
An archive of rare bird alerts is available at nhaudubon.org/rba. If you
have seen any rare birds recently you can leave a voicemail at (603)
224-9909, following the prompts on how to report a rare bird. You can also
send your sightings via email to <birdsetc...> Please put “Rare
Bird†in the subject line and include the location of the sighting and your
phone number.
*What is the Rare Bird Alert?*
The New Hampshire Rare Bird Alert is a list of birds that is posted,
usually on a weekly basis on NH Audubon’s website, and several public
websites. The primary goal of the list is to help bird watchers find
uncommon or rare birds that occur within the geographical boundaries of NH.
*What makes a bird rare?*
A bird may be considered rare if it’s outside its usual range, present at
an unusual time of year, or found in an unexpected part of the state. For
example, a Red-bellied Woodpecker in southern NH is expected, but one in
Coos County would be unusual. A Black-throated Blue Warbler in summer is
normal but in winter it would be rare. While a Roseate Spoonbill would be
rare in any season. To learn more, read “So You Think You Found a Rare
Bird? A Quick Guide to What Counts and How to Report Itâ€
<https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/what-is-a-rare-bird-and-how-to-report-it/> on
the *Joy of Birding.*
Thanks very much and good birding!
Available NOW!
Birding Northern New Hampshire By Robert A. Quinn. Boreal birds and
dramatic vistas await you most any time of the year in New Hampshire’s
North Country. Follow birder and naturalist Robert A. Quinn’s detailed new
guide, *Birding in Northern New Hampshire* to the best birding in northern
Coos County. All proceeds go to NH Audubon. For more info and to order a
copy, check out this link:
Date: 8/2/26 8:02 pm From: 'Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] Optics Day- Sunday, Aug 9
Bird Watcher’s Supply & Gift in Newburyport, MA is inviting everyone to their annual Optics Day on Sunday August 9, 10am - 3pm. Manufacturer’s reps from Zeiss and Swarovski will be showing their latest products and answering your questions. The new Zeiss Apia 65mm spotting scope, and the new Endura 75mm spotting scope from Swarovski, will be available for you to try and buy! If you are thinking about a new pair of binoculars or a spotting scope, MA SALES TAX-FREE WEEKEND is a great time to buy. We are also offering substantial discounts on all in-stock binoculars and spotting scopes, which also include Kowa, Nikon and Vortex, for the tax-free weekend. There will be additional discounts on overstocks, closeouts and discontinued binoculars and scopes. There will also be a FREE RAFFLE on Sunday for a pair of Nikon Monarch M5 binoculars. Just come in for Optics Day next Sunday for a chance to win FREE BINOCULARS, compliments of Nikon! Please visit our website: birdwatcherssupplyandgifts. com Hope to see you there! Steve Grinley Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift 45 Storey Ave Newburyport, MA 01950 <Birdwsg...> 978-462-0775
Date: 8/2/26 5:29 pm From: Steve Hale <srhale20...> Subject: [NHBirds] Imp Trail and Carter Ridge
I had a great hike n' bird outing today in the White Mountains. I started on the north limb of the Imp Trail and hiked up to tap Carter Ridge (via the North Carter Trail) and the descend via the south limb of Imp Trail. The hike produced a great bird list especially up toward the 4,500ft ridge via North Carter Trail. Species list is below. 8.7 miles; 3,300ft gain.
Species (20) Peregrine Falcon - two birds flying just over the tree tops near trailhead on Rte. 16; one making a racket Blue-headed Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Canada Jay - two adults; very close Blue Jay Common Raven Black-capped Chickadee Boreal Chickadee - several encounters; Golden-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Hermit Thrush American Robin - three robins in the thick spruce-fir Cedar Waxwing White-winged Crossbill - beautiful singer. I didn't see it, but distinctive song repeated a few times Pine Siskin - Flyover Dark-eyed Junco Blackpoll Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler
Large group of shorebirds flew in this afternoon around 230. Difficult to get an accurate count but a very rough estimate is between 300 and 400 individuals. Group consisted of Semipalmated Sandipiper (60-65 %) and Semipalmated Plover. Spotted Sandpiper 1 Note: With binoculars, I noticed a red structure in the upper portion of its right wing but the Spotted flew off as I tried to get a scope view. Wondering if it might be a geolocator or some other tag?
Date: 7/30/26 7:10 am From: Milton Trimitsis <trimitsis...> Subject: [NHBirds] Kowa spotting scope for sale
With the permission of the moderator, I am offering my Kowa TSN-883
spotting scope for sale. It’s in pristine condition and comes with the
older 20-60x eyepiece as well as the newer 25-60x wide-angle eyepiece. It
also has a padded nylon stay-on case. I bought this new from Bird
Watchers’ Supply and Gift in Newburyport, but since I moved away from the
coast I don’t use it as much as it deserves. I’m asking $2100 for it. I am
happy to answer questions and to provide photos if anyone is interested.
I’m located in Cheshire County and happy to meet up within reasonable
distance to show it.
Date: 7/27/26 12:31 pm From: Mark Suomala <suomalamark...> Subject: [NHBirds] Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, July 27, 2026
This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for July 27th, 2026.
The BRIDLED TERN was reported again from the New Hampshire part of the
Isles of Shoals on July 24th.
A BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen in Rye Harbor on July 22nd.
A HORNED GREBE was seen along the coast in Rye on July 26th.
A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was seen at Ragged Neck section of Rye Harbor State
Park on July 21st, and 2 were seen at the Rochester Wastewater Treatment
Plant on July 24th. The treatment plant is gated and the hours of operation
are 7:30-2:00 on weekdays only. If you visit, please be out of the plant by
1:45 so that plant personnel do not have to ask birders to leave. Do not
drive on the dikes and do not block the road. The Trails at Pickering
Ponds, located east of the plant, are not gated, and are always open during
daylight hours.
3 juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen at Sand Pond in Marlow on
July 26th.
2 SNOWY EGRETS were seen at Chapman’s Landing in Stratham on July 27th, 1
was seen at Adams Point WMA in Durham on July 26th, and 1 was seen at
Jackson’s Landing in Durham on the 23rd.
2 BLACK VULTURES were seen at the Cranberry Pond Wetlands in West Lebanon
on July 24th.
Nesting MISSISSIPPI KITES continued to be reported from Dover during the
past week.
2 ORCHARD ORIOLES were seen at the Adam’s Point Wildlife Management Area on
July 23rd, and 1 was seen at the Wright Farm in Atkinson on the 21st.
There were several reports of YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS during the past week.
3 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS were seen at the Upper Coos Recreational Trail in
Colebrook on July 23rd..
2 HORNED LARKS were seen at Pease International Tradeport from Short Street
in Newington on July 27th.
6 RED CROSSBILLS were heard and seen at the Ashuelot River Headwaters
Forest in Lempster on July 23rd.
A VESPER SPARROW was seen at the Groveton Wastewater Treatment Plant on
July 25th.
A FISH CROW was heard and seen at Plymouth State University on July 24th.
An archive of rare bird alerts is available at nhaudubon.org/rba. If you
have seen any rare birds recently you can leave a voicemail at (603)
224-9909, following the prompts on how to report a rare bird. You can also
send your sightings via email to <birdsetc...> Please put “Rare
Bird†in the subject line and include the location of the sighting and your
phone number.
*What is the Rare Bird Alert?*
The New Hampshire Rare Bird Alert is a list of birds that is posted,
usually on a weekly basis on NH Audubon’s website, and several public
websites. The primary goal of the list is to help bird watchers find
uncommon or rare birds that occur within the geographical boundaries of NH.
*What makes a bird rare?*
A bird may be considered rare if it’s outside its usual range, present at
an unusual time of year, or found in an unexpected part of the state. For
example, a Red-bellied Woodpecker in southern NH is expected, but one in
Coos County would be unusual. A Black-throated Blue Warbler in summer is
normal but in winter it would be rare. While a Roseate Spoonbill would be
rare in any season. To learn more, read “So You Think You Found a Rare
Bird? A Quick Guide to What Counts and How to Report Itâ€
<https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/what-is-a-rare-bird-and-how-to-report-it/> on
the *Joy of Birding.*
Thanks very much and good birding!
Available NOW!
Birding Northern New Hampshire By Robert A. Quinn. Boreal birds and
dramatic vistas await you most any time of the year in New Hampshire’s
North Country. Follow birder and naturalist Robert A. Quinn’s detailed new
guide, *Birding in Northern New Hampshire* to the best birding in northern
Coos County. All proceeds go to NH Audubon. For more info and to order a
copy, check out this link:
Date: 7/27/26 12:23 pm From: Mark Suomala <suomalamark...> Subject: [NHBirds] Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, July 27, 2026
-RBA
*New Hampshire
*July 27, 2026
*NHNH0727.26
This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for July 27th, 2026.
The BRIDLED TERN was reported again from the New Hampshire part of the
Isles of Shoals on July 24th.
A BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen in Rye Harbor on July 22nd.
A HORNED GREBE was seen along the coast in Rye on July 26th.
A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was seen at Ragged Neck section of Rye Harbor State
Park on July 21st, and 2 were seen at the Rochester Wastewater Treatment
Plant on July 24th. The treatment plant is gated and the hours of operation
are 7:30-2:00 on weekdays only. If you visit, please be out of the plant by
1:45 so that plant personnel do not have to ask birders to leave. Do not
drive on the dikes and do not block the road. The Trails at Pickering
Ponds, located east of the plant, are not gated, and are always open during
daylight hours.
3 juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen at Sand Pond in Marlow on
July 26th.
2 SNOWY EGRETS were seen at Chapman’s Landing in Stratham on July 27th, 1
was seen at Adams Point WMA in Durham on July 26th, and 1 was seen at
Jackson’s Landing in Durham on the 23rd.
2 BLACK VULTURES were seen at the Cranberry Pond Wetlands in West Lebanon
on July 24th.
Nesting MISSISSIPPI KITES continued to be reported from Dover during the
past week.
2 ORCHARD ORIOLES were seen at the Adam’s Point Wildlife Management Area on
July 23rd, and 1 was seen at the Wright Farm in Atkinson on the 21st.
There were several reports of YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS during the past week.
3 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS were seen at the Upper Coos Recreational Trail in
Colebrook on July 23rd..
2 HORNED LARKS were seen at Pease International Tradeport from Short Street
in Newington on July 27th.
6 RED CROSSBILLS were heard and seen at the Ashuelot River Headwaters
Forest in Lempster on July 23rd.
A VESPER SPARROW was seen at the Groveton Wastewater Treatment Plant on
July 25th.
A FISH CROW was heard and seen at Plymouth State University on July 24th.
An archive of rare bird alerts is available at nhaudubon.org/rba. If you
have seen any rare birds recently you can leave a voicemail at (603)
224-9909, following the prompts on how to report a rare bird. You can also
send your sightings via email to <birdsetc...> Please put “Rare
Bird†in the subject line and include the location of the sighting and your
phone number.
*What is the Rare Bird Alert?*
The New Hampshire Rare Bird Alert is a list of birds that is posted,
usually on a weekly basis on NH Audubon’s website, and several public
websites. The primary goal of the list is to help bird watchers find
uncommon or rare birds that occur within the geographical boundaries of NH.
*What makes a bird rare?*
A bird may be considered rare if it’s outside its usual range, present at
an unusual time of year, or found in an unexpected part of the state. For
example, a Red-bellied Woodpecker in southern NH is expected, but one in
Coos County would be unusual. A Black-throated Blue Warbler in summer is
normal but in winter it would be rare. While a Roseate Spoonbill would be
rare in any season. To learn more, read “So You Think You Found a Rare
Bird? A Quick Guide to What Counts and How to Report Itâ€
<https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/what-is-a-rare-bird-and-how-to-report-it/> on
the *Joy of Birding.*
Thanks very much and good birding!
Available NOW!
Birding Northern New Hampshire By Robert A. Quinn. Boreal birds and
dramatic vistas await you most any time of the year in New Hampshire’s
North Country. Follow birder and naturalist Robert A. Quinn’s detailed new
guide, *Birding in Northern New Hampshire* to the best birding in northern
Coos County. All proceeds go to NH Audubon. For more info and to order a
copy, check out this link:
Date: 7/27/26 7:31 am From: 'Susan' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] swallows and rd tailed hawks
Saturday mid morning the sky above our yard was filled with chittering Tree Swallows. They spent most of the day zooming around and calling to each other. Where I sat on my deck, I was not aware of any insects. In fact sadly there have been very few insects around. This behavior repeated again on Sunday.
At the same time a Red Tailed Hawk youngster spent the day circling around our area (where I am sure his nest had been) calling relentlessly for FOOD ! He was joined by his sibling on Sunday. They are both out there again today making a very pitiful racket, and for good reason as both parents made food deliveries yesterday. That was a noisy event!
Susan Hunter, Bedford
Date: 7/27/26 5:36 am From: Alfred Maley <alfredmaley...> Subject: [NHBirds] Notes on a Barred Owl Interaction #2
Most of the time the pair of Barred Owls roost/snooze/preen a ways apart
from each other in the crabapple trees. For some reason or other they then
get closer together (1-2 feet apart) and then the male will have a
conversation with the female. One of these conversations occurred yesterday
about mid-day before the male flew down to the lawn and began a 10 minute
“sunbatheâ€.
The sound he made can actually be described, unlike many other calls these
owls make. Imagine an owl that stuttered, trying to say “whoopie pie†and
it just came out as a soft “whoop-whoop-whoop-whoopâ€. What in the world
this means I have no idea. It may mean “I’ll be right back†or “wanna go
sunbathing with me?†or anything devious minds can imagine. It will take
several more observations of the context to have any idea, but this call
seems to always be given when the male is physically close to the female,
as if he didn’t want anyone to hear what he was saying.
Date: 7/23/26 10:59 am From: birdrecords <birdrecords...> Subject: [NHBirds] Joy of Birding: Spring Rarities, Summer Birds & Stories from the Field
Summer in Motion!
Summer can seem quiet (especially compared to the excitement of spring migration), but the season is full of activity. Swallows race overhead, while the first shorebirds are already beginning their long journeys south. There is always something to notice in the business of summer.
This month's stories on Joy of Birding<https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/> are headlined by the Spring 2026 Season Summary<https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/season-summary-spring-2026/>, published less than two months after the season's end. Eric Masterson looks back on one of New Hampshire's most memorable spring seasons, featuring standout rarities, remarkable birding events, and what this year's observations may tell us about the future of birding in the Granite State.
The July collection also includes a fun selection of field notes, with stories of a gull swallowing a snake, Broad-winged Hawks feeding on earthworms, a rare Painted Bunting, memorable shorebird encounters, Lawrence's Warbler, Orchard Orioles, and much more. Visit our "From the Field"<https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/from-the-field/> section to explore these stories from New Hampshire birders.
We hope you'll enjoy exploring this month's stories on Joy of Birding.
About Joy of Birding
Joy of Birding is the online home of New Hampshire Bird Records, a publication that has documented New Hampshire's bird sightings, seasons, and birding stories for more than 40 years. The transition from print to online has allowed us to continue sharing the stories of New Hampshire's birds while making them freely available to everyone, from experienced birders to those just beginning to explore the world of birds.
Visit the Joy of Birding (https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/) homepage to explore the latest articles and sign up for our monthly newsletter, featuring new stories, seasonal highlights, and birding news from around the Granite State delivered directly to your inbox.
Date: 7/23/26 7:44 am From: '<raqbirds...>' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] Pine Siskin highlights busy morning in Webster
My yard was alive with bird activity this morning after the passage of the "cool" front last night.Â
The Pine Siskin was the most unusual species (my first ever July record in 18 years here) but there were other significant sightings as the season of wanderers ramps up.
Common Loon- not rare but always a pleasure to hear as they fly over, moving from Lake Winnepocket to Walker Pond. This transit seems to increase in July. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- two or three juveniles came into the yard. The first time in many weeks for this species. Yellow-throated Vireo- uncommon to rare here.Red-eyed Vireo- still singing in the woods plus a family of four came down to forage in the yard and were easily seen. Hermit Thrush- coming out of the woods to eat Blueberries.Ovenbird- while one was still singing back in the woods a wanderer posed nicely on a big rock in my yard. Common Yellowthroat- a first of season wanderer for the yard. Chipping Sparrow- adults are still feeding youngsters. House Finch- rare in my yard before this summer and now there are two families at the seed feeders daily. Purple Finch- also with two family groups and a wonderful chance to compare the two species.Rose-breasted Grosbeak- on a recent 4-mile birding walk here I tallied 40 species but zero RbGr. But one male is seen daily at my feeders.Â
Fruit eating (mostly Blueberries) species seen in my yard within the last few days: Gray Catbird, Robin, Hermit Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Cedar Waxwing, Cardinal, and multiple Black-throated Blue Warblers.
Fun with birds!
Bob QuinnWebster, NH
"Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth." Chief Seattle
Date: 7/22/26 9:21 am From: Roger Stephenson <rstephenson...> Subject: [NHBirds] Possible black headed gull
Rye Harbor this morning- here are my notes
Non breeding plumage. Darkish brown bill; lacking any gonydeal angle rules out laughing gull. Gray mantle. Dark ear spot and smudgy above eye, seemed to cross over head. Chocolate brown legs when the sun shone; looked dark or black when cloudy. Clear retrices. No windows in dark primary tips. Single bird with peep, picking at gravel sand bar. Too large for Bonapartes….
Date: 7/22/26 5:44 am From: sallie barker <salliebarker...> Subject: [NHBirds] yellow billed cuckoo in Springfield
We've had a very nice show this morning on the edge of the woods for about 30 minutes. First in Yard and...A lifer! The chickadees were their curious selves, hopping all around the Yellow billed Cuckoo. Between his muted calls and the Hermit Thrush, it was a symphony - regularly interrupted by the Red Eyed Vireos incessant proclamations! Sallie Barker Springfield/New London line
