The 22nd Annual Pondicherry Migratory Bird Day is Saturday, May 11, 2024. Two consecutive walks are free and open to the public. The first event, which starts at 6 am and ends at 8 am, meets at the overlook at Airport Marsh on Airport Road in Whitefield, NH. Airport Marsh has a mix of water, wetland, shrub, and grassland habitat. Over the past several years, 183 species have been recorded at Airport Marsh, although we will be happy with 40 species.

The second event starts at the Pondicherry Trailhead at 289 Airport Road in Whitefield, NH, at 8 am. We will walk the rail trail to Cherry Pond, a distance of 1.5 miles. We will look and listen for various warblers and other species. From the Tudor Richard Observation Platform at Cherry Pond, guides will lead walks to Little Cherry Pond, searching for black-backed woodpeckers and migrating warblers. We will also visit Moorhen Marsh for wetland species, including marsh wrens and swamp sparrows. We have several expert volunteer guides to help us find and identify species.

We generally finish around 2 pm, although birders can stay longer or leave earlier. The total walking distance for the Cherry and Little Cherry Ponds walk is around 5 miles with an elevation change of only 20 feet. Bring binoculars, lunch, water, and dress for the weather. We may encounter a few black flies. This particular date is often the birdiest weekend of the migration season. The event is free and is sponsored by the Ammonoosuc Chapter of NH Audubon, Friends of Pondicherry, and the Silvio Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

The theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2024 is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds.” Free educational posters featuring this theme will be available.

The Friends of Pondicherry website.

If you have any questions, contact the organizer David Govatski at David.Govatski@gmail.com