MAY

Beginner Bird Walks (BBW) 

The NH Audubon Seacoast Chapter will have seven Beginner Bird Walks (BBW) this spring. Although these walks are geared with the beginner birder in mind, birders of all levels of expertise are encouraged to participate and share their experiences. Children are gladly welcome with an adult. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, water, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

BBW: Mast Road Natural Area – Saturday May 4th 7:00 am

The Southeast Land Trust’s Mast Road Natural area in Epping is 531 acres of wetlands, an active beaver pond, and early succession forest. It is home to the uncommon Black Gum including the largest three of that species in New Hampshire. Join trip leader Roger Stephenson to look for resident birds and early migrants. Meet at 7:00 am at the kiosk at Gate 3 (just east of 74 Mast Road). Contact: Roger Stephenson at rstephenson@gmail.com.

The trip is limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, revisit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up. 

BBW: Kwaks Wildlife Sanctuary – Saturday, May 11th 8:00 am

Join New Hampshire Audubon President Doug Bechtel in exploring NH Audubon’s  Kwaks Wildlife Sanctuary in Newmarket.  We will look for early spring migratory song birds and learn a bit about the plants and habitats that make the Kwaks Sanctuary, an important part of the Follett’s Brook Watershed. Meet at 8:00 AM at the parking lot. Contact Holly Bauer at hbauer_106@comcast.net with questions.

The trip is limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, revisit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up. 

BBW: Pickering Ponds – Sunday, May 12th 7 am – 12 pm

One of the top 10 birding spots in New Hampshire, this walk will traverse Rochester city park trails along the Cocheco River and around the former wastewater treatment settling ponds. Meet at the Pickering Ponds parking area at 7:00 AM. The entrance is about a mile south of the Rochester Wastewater Treatment Plant on Pickering Road (opposite mailbox #452). Contact: Dan Hubbard at danielhubbard@peoplepc.com or 603-978-0218.

This field trip will be limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, revisit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up.

Pawtuckaway State Park – Sunday, May 12th 7 am

Occupying over 5,000 acres, Pawtuckaway State Park is the largest state park in Rockingham County.  Join trip leader Ben Griffith to explore this unique natural area which is home to a diverse group of birds including such typically northern nesting species as Dark-eyed Junco, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Evening Grosbeaks.  At the same time, more southerly species such as Yellow-throated Vireo, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Prairie Warbler are common breeders in the park as well.  We'll hope to find these species and more, along with any migrants that may just be passing through.  Be prepared for moderate hiking with limited access to bathrooms or other facilities.  We'll meet at the Dunkin Donuts in Raymond at 7 am to carpool.  The trip is expect4ed to last until about noon with the possibility of extending the visit to a few other nearby areas. Limited to 10 participants.

BBW: Pickering Ponds - Wednesday, May 15th  7 am – 12 pm 

An encore of the very popular Pickering Ponds walk on May 12th (see description above). Meet at the Pickering Ponds parking area at 7:00 AM. Contact: Dan Hubbard at danielhubbard@peoplepc.com or 603-978-0218.

This field trip will be limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, revisit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up.

BBW: Deer Hill Wildlife Management Area – Saturday,  May 18th  7 am 

Bird the varied habitats of the Deer Hill Wildlife Management Area with trip leader  Scott Heron. With 190 species seen on the property, in the spring Deer Hill can be full of migrating passerines and breeding water birds. Meet at the entrance gate on Pine Road in Brentwood. Contact: Scott Heron at smheron@gmail.com.

This field trip will be limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, revisit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up.

BBW: Strafford County Farm – Sunday, May 19st 7 am – 12 pm 

With habitat for water birds, raptors and song birds, this walk will include the Don Black Trail and the hedgerows around the fields of the conserved property. The walk will last as long as participants choose, but not beyond noon. Meet at 8:00 across from the Strafford County Work Program at 266 County Farm Road; follow County Farm Road and take a left at the stop sign and then an immediate left to continue along behind the jail to the parking lot across from  the entrance to the Strafford County Work Program.  Contact: Dan Hubbard at danielhubbard@peoplepc.com or 603-978-0218.

This field trip will be limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, revisit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up.

Marsh Birds of World End Pond – Sunday, May 19th 6:30 am – 9:30 am

World End Pond is one of the top birding hotspots in southeast New Hampshire and it is home to many specialties not easily found elsewhere in the state. At almost 100 acres, one of the best ways to discover its birdlife is by kayak. Bring your own kayak or canoe and join Kyle Wilmarth as he leads a trip paddling through the pond and marsh. Meet at the boat launch at the end of Theresa Avenue in Salem. Contact: kyle.wilmarth@gmail.com.

This field trip will be limited to 7 participants. As the event nears, revisit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up.

BBW: Piscassic River WMA: Cuba Rd Section– Saturday,  May 25th 7 am 

With fields, forests, and, of course, a river, the Cuba Road section of the Piscassic River Wildlife Management Area is a great spot to look for birds. Join trip leader Greg Tillman as we take a walk down and back on this old Class 6 road. Meet at the end of the drive-able portion of Cuba road (opposite 322 Piscassic Rd) in Newfields at 7:00 am. Contact: Greg Tillman at gregtillman@comcast.net with questions.

This field trip will be limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, revisit the Seacoast Chapter website to sign-up.

JUNE

Pickering Ponds Nest Walk – Sunday, June 2nd 7 am – 12 pm

Join us as we look for nests and other evidence of breeding birds on the trails around the ponds and along the Cocheco River. Meet at the Pickering Ponds parking area at 7:00 AM. The entrance is about a mile south of the Rochester Wastewater Treatment Plant on Pickering Road (opposite mailbox #452). Contact: Dan Hubbard at danielhubbard@peoplepc.com or 603-978-0218.

This field trip will be limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, revisit the Seacoast Chapter site to sign-up.

JULY

Birds & Butterflies of Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge - Saturday, July 20th  8 AM

Join Steve Mirick and explore the birds and butterflies (weather permitting!) of the refuge and adjacent areas.  Be prepared for a long, but level walk and the possibility of biting insects.  Meet at 8:00 AM at the trailhead for the Cherry Pond Trail at 289 Airport Road, Whitefield.  

This field trip will be limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, revisit the Seacoast Chapter site to sign-up.