Date: 10/12/26 6:03 pm From: Mark Suomala <suomalamark...> Subject: [NHBirds] Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, October 12, 2026
This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for October 12th, 2026.
A PACIFIC LOON was seen from Rye Harbor State Park on October 11th.
A POMARINE JAEGER, 11 WILSON’S STORM-PETRELS, and 1-2 RAZORBILLS were seen
at Jeffrey’s Ledge, all on October 12th.
LITTLE GULLS were seen at Great Island Common in New Castle on October 8th.
and a COMMON TERN was seen here on the 5th.
Several LAUGHING GULLS and RED-THROATED LOONS were seen along coastal Rye
during the past week.
2 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS were seen at the Isles of Shoals during the past
week.
A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen at Odiorne Point State Park on October 10th.
2 BLACK VULTURES were seen at the Contoocook Cemetery on October 6th, 1 was
seen in East Kingston on the 9th, and was seen in Franklin on the 9th.
2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen at the McIndoes Reservoir in Monroe on October 6
th.
A WHITE-EYED VIREO was seen on private property in Seabrook
on October 9th.
A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT seen on private property in Rochester on October 11th.
There was an unconfirmed report of a CONNECTICUT WARBLER from Rye Harbor
State Park on October 6th.
2 NELSON’S SPARROWS were seen on Krif Road in Keene on October 9th.
An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was seen in Millsfield on October 11th. Early
arrival.
2 CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were seen at Goss Farm in Rye on October 8th, and 1
was seen at the Birch Street Community Gardens in Concord on October 11th.
2 DICKCISSELS were seen at Goss Farm in Rye, 1 was seen at Salt Marsh Lane
in Greenland, 1 was seen at Landing Avenue in Concord, and 1 was seen at
the Birch Street Community Gardens in Concord, all on multiple times during
the past week.
A LESSER SCAUP was seen at Turtle Pomd in Concord on October 10th.
Lingering species reported during the past week included: BARN SWALLOW,
NORTHERN HOUSEWREN, NORTHERN PARULA, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN
WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. NORTHERN YELLOW WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE
WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, PRAIRIE WARBLER,
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, RED-EYED
VIREO, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, SCARLET TANAGER, VEERY, and WOOD THRUSH.
Fall season hawk migration observation has started and observers have
counted over 15,700 raptors so far (mainly BROAD-WINGED HAWKS) from the
Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory. Be sure to visit and help the
official counters!
An archive of rare bird alerts is available at nhaudubon.org/rba. If you
have seen any rare birds recently you can leave a voicemail at (603)
224-9909, following the prompts on how to report a rare bird. You can also
send your sightings via email to <birdsetc...> Please put “Rare
Bird” in the subject line and include the location of the sighting and your
phone number.
*What is the Rare Bird Alert?*
The New Hampshire Rare Bird Alert is a list of birds that is posted,
usually on a weekly basis on NH Audubon’s website, and several public
websites. The primary goal of the list is to help bird watchers find
uncommon or rare birds that occur within the geographical boundaries of NH.
*What makes a bird rare?*
A bird may be considered rare if it’s outside its usual range, present at
an unusual time of year, or found in an unexpected part of the state. For
example, a Red-bellied Woodpecker in southern NH is expected, but one in
Coos County would be unusual. A Black-throated Blue Warbler in summer is
normal but in winter it would be rare. While a Roseate Spoonbill would be
rare in any season. To learn more, read “So You Think You Found a Rare
Bird? A Quick Guide to What Counts and How to Report It”
<https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/what-is-a-rare-bird-and-how-to-report-it/> on
the *Joy of Birding.*
Thanks very much and good birding!
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