This is New Hampshire Audubon’s Rare Bird Alert for Monday, May 4, 2026.
A male KING EIDER that had previously been seen at Four Tree Island and at Peirce Island in Portsmouth was relocated at Frost Point in Odiorne Point State Park and was last reported on April 28th. It may still be in the area.
A WHITE-FACED IBIS continued to be seen at Parsons Creek salt marsh, Wallis Sands State Beach, and Marsh Road Pond in Rye during the past week. 30 GLOSSY IBIS were seen at the Parson’s Creek salt marsh on May 4th, and a GLOSSY x WHITE-FACED IBIS hybrid`in Hampton on May 1st.
A LITTLE BLUE HERON was seen on Huckleberry Creek in Hampton,1 was seen at Massacre Marsh in Rye, 1 was seen at Boulter’s Cove from Appledore Avenue, 1 was seen at Parsons Creek salt marsh, and 1 was seen at Wallis Sands State Beach, all during the last week. Some if these sightings my be of the same individuals.
There was an unconfirmed report of a LEAST BITTERN from Plaistow on May 4th.
A SNOW GOOSE was seen in Hampton Harbor on May 2nd.
A LESSER SCAUP was seen in Piermont on May 3rd.
An ICELAND GULL was seen at North Beach in Hampton on May 3rd.
30 COMMON TERNS were seen in Hampton Harbor on May 3rd.
A GREAT CORMORANT was seen in Mascoma Lake in Enfield on April 30th, and 1 was seen in Hillsborough on the 28th.
2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen flying over Fitzwilliam on May 3rd, and 1 was seen at North Road in Deerfield on the 2nd.
A PECTORAL SANDPIPER was seen in the salt marsh located at the end of Pollock Drive in Rye on April 29th.
Single BLACK VULTURES were reported from Manchester, Concord, Dover, Charlestown, and Durham, all during the past week.
A WHITE-EYED VIREO was seen at the NH Audubon McLane Center property along Silk Farm Road in Concord and also along the bike path that goes west toward Little Turkey Pond on May 1st. It was last reported on May 4th.
A WHITE-EYED VIREO was seen at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on April 21st and has been seen on multiple days since then. It was last reported on May 3rd.
Several VEERIES, WOOD THRUSHES, EASTERN WARBLING VIREOS, and RED EYED VIREOS were reported during the last week.
A flock of 42 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS was seen at the UNH Durham campus on April 29th.
An INDIGO BUNTING was seen in Franklin on May 1st.
An ORCHARD ORIOLE was seen at Pickering Ponds in Rochester on May 4th.
A PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was seen at Benson Park in Hudson on May 3rd, and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen at the Seabrook Town Forest & Wellfield on May 4th.
Warbler species arriving during the past week, included: NASHVILLE WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, BLUE-WINGED WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, PRAIRIE WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERHRUSH.
3 FISH CROWS was reported from Plymouth on May 4th.
6 EVENING GROSBEAKS were reported from Deerfield on April 28th.
A CAROLINA WREN was seen in Errol on May 1st.
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.
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 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.
Thanks very much and good birding.