Date: 1/25/26 7:12 am From: 'Steve Mirick' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] Vultures at Hurd Farm in Hampton
The winter (December-January) Vulture roost has been a remarkable annual
event in Rockingham County. My earliest record for this roost dates
back to the winter of 2006-2007 when they were spending the night in
pine trees near downtown Newmarket. Prior to this, Vultures in
mid-winter were very rare. Since then, the roost was reported off and
on in Newmarket, but it shifted into Exeter and has been there at least
since the winter of 2015-2016. These roosts have grown in numbers over
the years and my personal maximum count is 80 on 1/14/24. There have
been a couple of distinct locations where these birds have roosted in
tall white pine trees off Linden Street and off Rt. 27 in Exeter.
This winter, they seemed to have vanished from the Exeter roost spots
with very few or no Vultures present. Had they left for roosts further
south in this frigid winter?!?! Apparently not! The Vultures have
apparently shifted over to the Hurd Farm in Hampton. We first observed
16 here two weeks ago. Then we saw a report of 40 Turkey Vultures (with
2 Black Vultures!) by Susan Wrisley and Jenna Rosen two days ago!
So Jane and I drove over there yesterday and were astonished to see a
whirlwind of Vultures flying around us (with Bald Eagles and a Raven) at
about 11:30 AM! It was crazy with birds. I pulled over and looked up
and saw an astonishing group of 9 (!!!) Black Vultures. A personal high
count for me and possibly a record high count for NH. The Blacks and a
group of Turkey Vultures circled above us through the trees and
incredibly vanished with 5 minutes, drifting with the strong NW winds.
Another big group of 43 (counted) Turkey Vultures settled down and
landed on the ground and low in the trees to the south of the farm. I
wonder if there is some carrion in this area that has sustained them.
We returned late in the afternoon and the Vultures (smaller numbers)
were seen settling into the tall white pines to spend the evening on the
opposite side of the Taylor River from Hurd Farm in Hampton Falls. Here
we had at least 4 Black Vultures settling in with the Turkey Vultures.
So.....it appears that the Vultures have found a new favorite spot! At
least for now. Here's a photo of one of the Black Vultures from yesterday:
