Date: 10/26/26 10:45 am From: Mark Suomala <suomalamark...> Subject: [NHBirds] Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, October 26, 2026
This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for October 26th, 2026.
A LECONTE’S SPARROW was seen at Wagon Hill Farm in Durham on October 25th.
A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was seen at Woodmont Orchard in Hollis on October 25th
.
A LINCOLN’S SPARROW was seen on Cavender Road in Hancock on October 26th.
6 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen at Pack Monadnock in Peterborough on
October 25th. `
4 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen in Troy on October 21st, and 1 was seen in Lyme
on the 22nd.
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen near South Mill Pond in Portsmouth on
October 25th.
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO sightings reported during the past week included 1
from Pease International Trade Port in Portsmouth on October 23rd, 1 from
Goss Farm in Rye on the 24th, 1 from Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on the
22nd, 1 from Tide Mill Road in Hampton on the 24th.
A BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was seen at Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge
in Jefferson on October 21st.
1-3 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were seen at Rye Harbor State Park on multiple
days during the past week.
3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and 2 WILSON’S SNIPE were seen at Hoit Road Marsh in
Concord on October 25th.
A LAUGHING GULL was seen at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on October 19th.
A GREEN HERON was seen at Pickering Ponds in Rochester on October 24th.
About 20 GREAT EGRETS were seen along the coast on October 25th.
4 WILSON’S STORM-PETRELS were seen at Jeffrey’s Ledge on October 19th.
3 CANVASBACKS and 3 REDHEADS were seen from Sunset Farm on Great Bay in
Greenland on October 25th.
2 NORTHERN PINTAILS were seen at Hoit Road Marsh in Concord on October 25th.
Uncommon away from the coast.
5 BLACK VULTURES were seen from Pack Monadnock in Peterborough on October 25
th, 3 were seen in Epping on the 23rd, and 1 was seen at the Cedar Swamp in
Manchester on the 21st.
3 SANDHILL CRANES were seen flying over the Sewalls Falls Road area on the
Merrimack River in Concord on October 24th, 3 were seen at Lackie Farm in
Bath on the 21st, 3 were seen from Highland Street in Woodsville on the 23rd,
and 3 were seen flying over the Pack Monadnock area in Peterborough on the
24th.
Lingering species reported during the past week included: YELLOW-BELLIED
SAPSUCKER, GRAY CATBIRD, WOOD THRUSH, SWAINSON’S THRUSH, NASHVILLE WARBLER,
BLUE-HEADED VIREO, TENNESSEE WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, BLACKPOLL WARBLER,
and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT.
Fall season hawk migration observation is continuing and observers have
counted over 16,633 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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