A NORTHERN HAWK-OWL was photographed in Pittsburg on several days during the past week.

An adult male PAINTED BUNTING has been seen visiting a birdfeeder at a private residence in Manchester since January. Using a spotting scope, the feeders can be seen from the public beach at Crystal Lake Park. From the beach, look on the right side of the lake (north) at the second house. The bird has been seen irregularly, and was last reported on February 24th.

A LARK SPARROW was seen and photographed feeding on the ground at a private residence along North River Road in Milford on February 17th.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen along Munn Road in Colebrook on February 25th, 1 was seen at the Ines and Fredrick Yeatts Wildlife Sanctuary in Warren on the 23rd, and 1 was seen along Route 11B (Lake Shore Road/fields) in Gilford on the 20th.

4 BLACK VULTURES were seen in the Exeter area, 6 were seen over Londonderry, and 2 were seen over the Connecticut River in Hinsdale, all during the past week.

There was an unconfirmed report of an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at Hampton Beach State Park on February 19th. An ICELAND GULL and a GLAUCOUS GULL were seen at Pickering Ponds in Rochester during the past week.

4 RED-THROATED LOONS were seen at Adams Point on Great Bay, and a COMMON LOON was seen on the Connecticut River in Lebanon, all on February 25th.

2 HARLEQUIN DUCKS were seen at Hampton Harbor on February 20th.

3 male BARROW’S GOLDENEYES were seen on Lake Winnisquam at the Mouth of Winnipesaukee River in Laconia, a male was seen on the Winnipesaukee River in Tilton, a female was seen at Sewall’s Falls in Concord, and a male was seen on the Connecticut River in West Lebanon, all on February 25th.

A female REDHEAD was reported from Bracketts Point on Great Bay in Greenland on February 24th, and a female CANVASBACK was photographed there on the 25th. Another female CANVASBACK was photographed at Horseshoe Pond in Concord on the 26th.

2 male GADWALLS were seen on the Winnipesaukee River in Tilton on February 25th.
A pair of WOOD DUCKS were seen at Horseshoe Pond in Merrimack on February 23rd.
A pair of NORTHERN PINTAILS was seen at Horseshoe Pond in Concord on February 24th. 2 male GREEN-WINGED TEAL were seen on Wilson Pond in Swanzey on February 19th.

A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was seen along the Souhegan River Trail(accessed from North River Road) in Milford on February 20th.

A flock of 33 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS was seen on Mount Willey in Bethlehem on February 23rd.

7 RED CROSSBILLS were reported from Mount Major in Alton, and 3 were reported from Antrim Road in Hancock, all on February 25th.

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was seen at Hampton Beach State Park on February 21st.

An early-returning KILLDEER was reported from Woodmont Orchard in Hollis on February 23rd.

Additional lingering migrant species reported during the past week included: NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL, MERLIN, TURKEY VULTURE, BUFFLEHEAD, NORTHERN FLICKER, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, EASTERN PHOEBE, HERMIT THRUSH, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, GRAY CATBIRD, PINE WARBLER,  EASTERN TOWHEE, FOX SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, SAVANNAH SPARROW, SWAMP SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, COMMON GRACKLE, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, and FISH CROW.

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.

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Thanks very much and good birding.