Date: 11/27/25 5:57 am From: 'Steve Mirick' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: Re: [NHBirds] November County Challenge - Final Stretch
I guess I'll weigh in despite the fact that I'm still mourning the miss
of the Cuckoo.....tragic....especially since Jane and I had spent time
birding the (rarely birded) cemetery two days before the Cuckoo was
seen! Certainly the best bird of 2025 for NH, but sadly missed by
almost everyone.......argh!!!
Jane and I enjoy the County Challenge. Although I wonder if there is a
better method for the scoring system. I'm not sure whether it's even
possible for Rockingham to win!!!???? :-) The Challenge gives birders
an excuse to beat the bushes in search of rarities. While November can
be cold and incredibly slow for birds, it's also a good time to find
wayward vagrants with broken internal GPS systems. It may be possible
to walk all of Odiorne and see nothing for 2 hours and then stumble upon
a mega-rarity.
And while there are currently no mega-rarities in NH right right now,
consider that in Maine right now megas being seen (or seen recently)
include Western Kingbird, Northern Wheatear, Bullock's Oriole,
White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Warbler, and VIRGINIA'S WARBLER! And
in MA right now (or recently) megas being seen include Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher, Tundra Swan (now deceased as of yesterday), Western Tanager,
Lark Sparrow, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Ross's Goose, and Say's Phoebe!
Jane and continue to keep our list for this November.....now at 130
species (when you include Jane's heard only Evening Grosbeaks).
And some very cool birds here in Rockingham have been found this
November including Bell's Vireo White-eyed Vireo, Cave Swallow, and
Baird's Sandpiper!
So eat well today, but GET OUT THERE TOMORROW AND FIND A GREAT
BIRD!!!!!! And a free beer to the person who finds me #400 for NH!!!!
Steve & Jane Mirick
Bradford, MA
On 11/26/2025 8:32 PM, Pam Hunt wrote:
> Greetings all,
>
> Yes, I've been slow in updating the NCC this year, and given the
> almost total absence of friendly banter I think this event has run its
> course.
> That said, here are the standings as of this evening, in rank order::
>
> 1) Sullivan with 92 species (67.2%), reclaiming the top spot it held
> on Nov 2
> 2) Coos with 91 (65.5%), dropping one place but still holding strong
> 3) Belknap with 83 (60.1%), also dropping one place (and not adding
> any species in the last ten days)
> 4) Rockingham with 163 (59.7%). Rockingham has gained a spot each time
> - can it medal by month's end?!
> 5) Grafton with 99 (59.6%). Nipping at Rockingham's heels, but missing
> a Common Cuckoo)
> 6) Hillsborough with 100 (59.2).
> 7) Strafford with 110 (58.5%).
> 8) Cheshire with 90 (54.5%)
> 9) Merrimack with 100 (52.4%). Choking as usual.
> 10) Carroll with 73 (48%). Poor Carroll has had a bad couple of runs,
> and I feel their pain.
>
> You've all got until Sunday to add new species in your chosen
> counties. Good luck!
> I'll send out a final ranking sometime next week after checking the
> review queue.
>
> Happy Turkey Day,
> Pam Hunt
> Concord
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