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
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Upcoming Field Trips
The Quiet Beauty of Birding at Winthrop Beach
Winthrop - DCR Winthrop Beach Reservation - Sturgis St 59 Winthrop Shore Drive, Winthrop, MA, United StatesJoin DCR park staff for a leisurely walk across sandy stretches and areas of loose rocks at this Massachusetts State Reservation, a well-known hot spot for birdwatching. We'll be on the lookout for shorebirds, waterbirds, and gulls. Binoculars are recommended. Suitable for adults and children ages 8 and up (with an accompanying adult). Sponsored by [...]
Parker River Marsh Cruise out of Newburyport
Newburyport - Yankee Clipper Tours Waterfront Promenade Park, 36 Merrimac Street, Newburyport, MA, United StatesExplore Parker River National Wildlife Refuge from a new perspective on a cruise through the Parker River marshes! Join us on the Yankee Clipper docked in Newburyport Harbor for a leisurely cruise through the Refuge. Enjoy close views of shorebirds, gulls, terns, raptors, and sparrows on this tour. Co-led by Marilyn Tillinghast and Dave Williams! [...]
Belle Isle Marsh Marine Ecology Park, Winthrop
Winthrop - Belle Isle March and Marine Ecology Park Banks Street, Winthrop, MA, United StatesJoin the Brookline Bird Club in collaboration with Boston Nature Center to look for birds in a unique urban habitat that often draws numerous uncommon and rare birds. Target species include bobolinks, dunlin, egrets, falcons, hawks, herons, ibis, oystercatchers, plovers, ravens, sandpipers, sparrows, swallows & swifts, terns, warblers, vultures, and yellowlegs. Birders of all levels [...]
Franklin Park Bird Walk with Zoo New England
Boston - Franklin Park Tennis Courts (Meeting Spot) Roxbury, MA, United StatesWhether you're a seasoned birder or just curious about the birds in your neighborhood, this walk is a great way to connect with nature and fellow bird enthusiasts. Co-led by Matthew Kamm, Zoo New England's Associate Director of Field Conservation, and Michealle Larkins, Trip Leader and Board Member of the Brookline Bird Club. Registration is [...]
Members Only Webinar: The Art and Craft of Shorebird Identification
Shorebirds are among the most fascinating and diverse groups of birds, but identifying them can sometimes feel overwhelming. This session will provide practical tips and techniques to sharpen your shorebirding skills. We will also be scheduling a limited participation field trip focused on Shorebirds where you will practice the skills you learned during the webinar. [...]