Date: 8/26/26 5:58 am From: '<raqbirds...>' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] eight species of shore birds on Merrimack R. Boscawen
Eight species of shore birds (plovers and sandpipers) wererecorded on a scouting trip along the Merrimack River on August 26, 2026. I washelping the new President of the Merrimack Valley Bird Club (based in northernMassachusetts) plan several field trips to the upper Merrimack River Valley,which is vastly different from the habitats of the river in Massachusetts!
Most of our time was spent scouting boat launches as well asother river access sites for land-based birding. Almost all the shorebirds wereseen at Jamie Welch Park at the end of Depot Street in Boscawen. This nicesandbar is accessible on foot. At the end of the day we paddled from Jamie Welchto the Penacook boat launch at the mouth of the Contoocook River being usheredalong by at least 50 Common Nighthawks, a wonderfully sublime way to end a fullday along the upper Merrimack Valley.
BTW- only one other boat on the river all day.
Highlights:
Common Merganser- about 25 just downstream of Sewall’s FallsDam in Concord representing two family groups. This species is a ratheruncommon breeder in Merrimack County.
Killdeer- several.
Semipalmated Plover- one.
Lesser Yellowlegs one.
Greater Yellowlegs- two.
Semipalmated Sandpiper- one or two.
Least Sandpiper- 5-10 (we might have seen one flock in twodifferent places, at the beginning and end of our 12 hour day)
Solitary Sandpiper-several.
“Spotted” Sandpiper- at least 13. All unspotted at this timeof the year.
Bald Eagle- 4-5, everywhere along the river.
Osprey- two or three.
Red-shouldered Hawk- one.
Common Nighthawk- at least 50 coursing over agricultural lands adjacent to thee river. Fo the record- these were all seen between 7:00-7:30 p.m. Great Egret- one.
Green Heron- four.
Cedar Waxwing- 100+
warblers- about 12 species including several Prairies and onParula.
Bob Quinn
Webster, NH
"Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth." Chief Seattle
