This is New Hampshire Audubon’s Rare Bird Alert for Monday, September 21st, 2020.
During the Corona virus outbreak NH Audubon encourages you to enjoy birding safely; please follow travel and social distance recommendations from state and federal authorities.
A NORTHERN WHEATEAR was photographed in a cut cornfield located behind #6 Loudon Road in Concord on September 19th but it has not been relocated.

2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen in cut cornfields along Ledge Farm Road in Nottingham on September 15th.
2 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were seen at the Isles of Shoals on September 17th.
2 CASPIAN TERNS were seen along the coast in Rye on September 20th.
3 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS and 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were seen at Horseshoe Pond in Concord on September 19th, 20th, and 21st.
A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was seen at the far-end of the Canal Trail off of Locke Road in Concord on September 20th.
A TRICOLORED HERON was seen at Meadow Pond in Hampton on September 18th, and 2 LITTLE BLUE HERONS were seen there on the 20th. A LITTLE BLUE HERON was seen at Eel Pond in Rye on the 16th.
5 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen off of Island Path in Hampton Marsh on September 17th, and a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen at Horseshoe Pond in Merrimack on the 17th and 20th.
There was an unconfirmed report of a LITTLE EGRET from the salt marshes south of Rye Harbor along Route 1A on September 17th. 2 GREAT EGRETS were seen at the Bellamy Reservoir in Madbury on September 18th, and 2 were seen on the Merrimack River in Boscawen on the 17th.
A CONNECTICUT WARBLER was seen at the Jamie Welch Park in Boscawen on September 21st, and 1 was reported from a private residence in Penacook on the 16th.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen at the Post Office fields in Concord on September 21st, 1 was reported from Colebrook on the 16th, and 1 was reported from Jackson on the 16th.
A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen at Goss Farm in Rye on September 18th. A few
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were seen at several locations during the past week.
2 DICKCISSELS were reported from Woodmont Orchard in Hollis on September 20th and 21st, 1 was seen at the Charlestown Wastewater Treatment Plant on the 16th, and 1 was reported from the Dillant-Hopkins Airport in Swanzey on the 18th.
A few late-migrating COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were seen during the past week.
Many songbirds including warblers, vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, and sparrows are being seen migrating south. Of particular note was a “fall-out” at the coast on September 20th that included 17 SWAINSON’S THRUSHES, 46 BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS, 41 COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, and 40 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS.
Numerous RED CROSSBILLS continue to be reported from appropriate habitat during the past week. A few WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS have also been reported.
Southbound raptor migration for the fall-season has begun and observers have already counted thousands from various locations throughout the state. Raptor totals to-date for Pack Monadnock are over 9,000, so far. If you want to join the hawk-watchers on Pack Monadnock, check with Miller State Park for visitation requirements.
Birders on a boat cruise out of Rye Harbor reported: 16 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, a POMARINE JAEGER, a PARASITIC JAEGER, 3 LAUGHING GULLS, 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, a LEACH’S STORM-PETREL, several CORY’S SHEARWATERS and GREAT SHEARWATERS, 2 NORTHERN GANNETS, and 10 GREAT CORMORANTS.
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New Hampshire Audubon’s Rare Bird Alert is sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank.
This message is also available by phone recording: call (603) 224-9909 and press 4 as directed or ask to be transferred. If you have seen any interesting birds recently, you can leave a message at the end of the recording or send your sightings to the RBA via email. Please put either “bird sighting” or “Rare Bird Alert” in the subject line and be sure to include your mailing address and phone number.
Thanks very much and good birding.
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