Not nearly as many species as last year and generally rather slow for birding, but we still managed to get some nice birds, and had a great trip today along the NH coast. Light to moderate westerly winds and lots of sun with seasonable temperatures. A nice fall day! Still no major frost yet on the coast and still lots of flowers and a lot of insect activity. LOTS of butterflies and a few dragonflies noted.
Birds – 53 Species
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Brant – 2 migrating birds offshore.
Canada Goose
Green-winged Teal – Flock of 7 over the ocean (landing briefly with White-winged Scoters!) off Ragged Neck.
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Greater Yellowlegs
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
GREAT EGRET – 2 lingering birds at Philbrick Marsh.
Northern Harrier – One at Hampton Beach SP.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk – Lots along the coast.
Downy Woodpecker
Merlin – 1 at Eel Pond.
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark – Small flock at Hampton Beach SP.
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
European Starling
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
LAPLAND LONGSPUR – 1 seen well by all at Hampton Beach State Park with flock of Horned Larks.
Chipping Sparrow – 1 at Goss Farm in Rye.
Savannah Sparrow – Including 2 “Ipswich Sparrows” at Hampton Beach SP and one at Ragged Neck.
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird – Odd female in American Beach Grass at Hampton Beach SP.
PALM WARLBER – 1 “western” type Palm in the short grasses at Ragged Neck in Rye.
PINE WARBLER – 1 relatively bright male in gardens at Goss Farm.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Butterflies (6+ species)
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Cabbage White – 1 at Ragged Neck
Clouded/Orange Sulphur – 1 at Goss Farm and 1 at Odiorne.
Monarch – 10 (!!) estimated for the day with some migrating along the shoreline.
Question Mark – 2+ plus another anglewing sp. possibly an Eastern Comma.
Red Admiral – 1 in apples at Goss Farm.
American Lady – At least 2 clearly Americans. A 3rd possible Painted Lady.
Dragonflies (2+ species)
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Common Green Darner – 1 at Goss Farm
Possibly Mosaic Darner – 1 at Goss Farm
Autumn Meadowhawk – Several including pairs in tandem.
Steve & Jane Mirick
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Barretts Mill Farmland
Concord - Barretts Mill Farmland Barrett's Mill Road, Concord, MA, United StatesThis is often a great place for fall sparrows including Savannah, Field, and White-crowned, as well as Pipit and occasional Dickcissel. Loaner binoculars available; please email trip leader to reserve a pair! If the weather doens't look good, contact the leader to check status.
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Hellcat at Parker River NWR
Parker River NWR - Lot #4 Newbury, MA, United StatesDuring the past few years the refuge has opened the dike to hiking during National Wildlife Refuge Week. We will plan to do that hike if the dike is again open this year. Otherwise we hike the boardwalk and normal dike area.
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Fruitlands Museum, Harvard
Harvard - Fruitlands Museum 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard, MA, United StatesCosponsored with Boxborough Birders. We will look for fall migrants and resident birds. Expect to walk about 2 miles on trails through meadow and woods, with some steep sections. Heavy rain cancels the trip.
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Arlington Reservoir
Lexington - Arlington Reservoir 210 Lowell Street, Arlington, MA, United StatesIn the fall water levels are lowered creating good conditions for ducks and shorebirds. We will also visit the adjacent Lexington community farm. Birds are found feasting on the remains of the crops planted there. We will walk about a mile on wide paths and some uneven ground (possibly muddy). Note that the reservoir area [...]
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An Oasis for Birds at Belle Isle Marsh
East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United StatesJoin DCR park staff for a relaxed, one-mile bird walk through flat, easy terrain at this Massachusetts State Reservation and birding hot spot. At Belle Isle and at additional nearby locations— We’ll search for raptors, native sparrows, finches, herons, and egrets. Participants are responsible for their own transportation between locations (by car or bike). Binoculars [...]






