This is New Hampshire Audubon’s Rare Bird Alert for Monday, July 27, 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@nhaudubon.org. 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 It” on the Joy of Birding.
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Thanks very much and good birding.