Date: 5/24/26 3:45 am From: Ashton Almeida <ashtonipod...> Subject: [NHBirds] Statewide Big Day - Friday 5/22 with 155 Species
Steve and Jane Mirick invited me to join them on their yearly Big Day, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. What followed was 18 hours of nonstop birding across New Hampshire from 2 AM in Salem to nightfall at Seabrook Town Forest.
We started in the cold darkness in Salem for Virginia Rail and Sora. Virginia Rail came easily, but Sora, a bird I've tried for multiple times at different locations, once again refused to show. Even at a reliable spot, it eluded me. My nemesis bird remains undefeated.
From there we headed north to Concord, where I finally got my lifer Whip-poor-will. Hearing that iconic call for the first time was incredible. We added American Robins and Woodcocks before pushing farther north to Franconia. Along the way, we picked up Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, and Winter Wren. At a red light, two ducks flew over and Steve yelled "COMMON MERGANSER!" which was perfect timing since we'd just been talking about how tough they can be. They ended up being our only two for the day.
By the time we reached Whitefield, it was a chilly 29 degrees. Sunrise around Mount Washington Regional Airport delivered 10 warbler species along Hazen Road, and Airport Marsh and Localizer Drive kept the momentum going. At Pondicherry, Steve heard Mourning Warbler singing less than 5 minutes into the walk. Luckily it kept singing so we all got to hear it again. Trudeau Road gave us 3 Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, a flock of 12 Pine Siskins, and 7 warbler species including 2 Tennessees.
Heading back south to Concord Airport, Steve found our only American Kestrel of the day, I picked out a singing Brown Creeper, and we got 2 Grasshopper Sparrows. We missed Vesper Sparrow here and for the entire day. At Pawtuckaway State Park, we picked up Yellow-throated, Blue-headed, and Red-eyed Vireos. Jane and I heard a Louisiana Waterthrush call a couple of times, but it never showed again. We continued to try and get a better look at this bird, but it was tougher than expected. Oddly, there wasn't a single Least Flycatcher here when there are usually plenty.
After leaving Pawtuckaway, the day really started to explode. Newmarket delivered Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Blue-winged Warbler easily, and a quick stop at Newmarket Town Landing gave us our only Pileated Woodpecker calling from the woods. It was now 1 PM, and we finally heard our Carolina Wren and Red-bellied Woodpeckers of the day from the car! A stop at Piscassic Park got us our first Downy Woodpecker of the day as the temperature hit a high of 68 degrees.
Woodridge Park in Durham was the true highlight of the day. On our way in, we got our first Ruby-throated Hummingbird, but then Jane picked out a MISSISSIPPI KITE soaring above a Red-tailed Hawk! As we pulled into the park for better looks, Steve immediately called out an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER perched on a dead snag, which was another lifer for me! Newmarket and Durham gave us so many new species back-to-back it was unbelievable, and it didn't end there. Heading back into Newmarket, Jane unbelievably picked out a BLACK VULTURE! We pulled over and saw 2 MORE soaring behind it. They kept offering me the front seat to take a break, but there was no way in hell I could take that spot from Jane. Just an unbelievable spotter.
We stopped at Deer Hill WMA and missed Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, and Orchard Oriole. None of which we got for the day. Finishing along the coast, we crossed off gulls, terns, and shorebirds. Notable birds included Bonaparte's Gulls at multiple locations (40+ at a couple spots), Roseate Terns, a Red-necked Grebe Steve picked out sleeping on Rye Ledge, and 2 Red-throated Loons at different locations. I spotted a Little Blue Heron flying over the marsh on Huckleberry Lane, and we had an unusual sighting of 2 Black-crowned Night Herons just offshore at Pulpit Rocks. At Pease, Jane picked out an Upland Sandpiper sitting on a stump along the runway which again, just another incredible spot. Unfortunately, we missed Meadowlark but were grateful for the uppie.
Throughout the day we'd missed Barred Owl and Solitary Sandpiper, so I promised we'd get them at Seabrook Town Forest. We arrived as the sun set and had no luck with Solitary. Continuing into the forest, Jane and I picked up a Woodcock, and a Nighthawk that flew over. Steve kept doing his Barred Owl call, but nothing responded. We made our way to the powerline corridor for better looks at Nighthawks when a Barred Owl finally called back from deep in the woods. Moments later, I heard Nighthawks flying overhead and got both Steve and Jane on them to finish the day.
We finished with 155 species after over 18 hours of birding. I couldn't have experienced my first Big Day with better people, and I will never forget this day of constant excitement. By the time I got home, I'd been up for over 24 hours...
