May

Beginner Bird Walks (BBW) 

The NH Audubon Seacoast Chapter will have many 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: Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area – Sunday,  May 3rd 7 am 

With fields, woodlands, tidal creeks, wetlands, and shoreline along the river, the 400-acre Bellamy River WMA has been home to over 140 species of birds in May alone. Join trip leader James Smith to seek out some of those permanent residents, migrants, and summer visitor breeding birds. Meet in the parking lot at the end of the dirt entrance road off of Old Garrison Road in Dover. Contact James Smith at jamesdanielsmith04@gmail.com with questions. The trip will be limited to 15 participants. 

Please click on the link below to sign up.

Kwaks/Smith Sisters Wildlife Sanctuary – Rescheduled to Thursday May 7th 8:00 am

Join New Hampshire Audubon President Doug Bechtel in exploring the Kwaks/Smith Sisters 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 (next to #332 Wadleigh Falls Rd). Contact Holly Bauer at hbauer_106@comcast.net with questions. The trip is limited to 23 participants.

Please click on the link below to sign up.

BBW: Burley Farms – Saturday,  May 9th 7 am 

With fields, forests, a beaver pond, and a heron rookery Burley Farms is a great spot to look for early spring migrants and breeding water birds. Join trip leader David Blezard to explore some of the property’s varied habitats. Meet at the parking area at 245 North River Rd in Epping at 7:00 am. Contact: David Blezard dblezard@mac.com or call 603-343-1223. The trip will be limited to 20 participants. 

Please click on the link below to sign up.

BBW: Piscassic Greenway, Bald Hill Rd, Newfields  May 9th  6:30 am

 The Southeast Land Trust’s Piscassic Greenway provides an important link between 4,000 acres of  protected land between Newmarket and Exeter. There are approximately 3.5 miles of trails on the property that pass through open fields, ponds, wetlands, and mature forests. Join trip leader Roger Stephenson to look for migrants and breeding birds. Meet at 6:30 am at the parking lot and kiosk on Bald Hill Road.  Contact: Roger Stephenson at rstephenson@gmail.com. The trip is limited to 15 participants.

Please click on the link below to sign up.

BBW: Pickering Ponds – Sunday, May 10th 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.comor 603-978-0218.This field trip will be limited to 25 participants.

Please click on the link below to sign up.

BBW: Deerfield NH – Friday, May 15th 8:00 AM Cancelled due to rain

Explore a 56-acre property in Deerfield and discover some of the resident and migrating birds along a one-mile wooded trail, with two ponds and a creek. This walk will offer a chance to explore some private woods and will be limited to 10 participants. Meet at 278 North Road, Deerfield. Contact Juli Tyson with questions jstyson17@gmail.com.

Please click on the link below to sign up.

BBW: Seabrook Town Forest – Saturday, May 16th 7:00 am

With diverse habitats of a large pond, mixed deciduous and coniferous woods, open fields, and shrubby thickets, the Seabrook Town Forest and Wellfield supports a wide variety of resident and migrating birds. Join trip leader Ashton Almeida to explore this under-birded area. Meet by the gate at the end of Old New Boston Road. Contact Ashton Almeida ashtonipod@gmail.com with any questions. The trip is limited to 15 participants.

Please click on the link below to sign up.

Pawtuckaway State Park – Saturday, May 16th 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 expected to last until about noon with the possibility of extending the visit to a few other nearby areas. Contact Ben Griffith at bgriffith@gmail.com .Limited to 10 participants.

Please click on the link below to sign up.

BBW: Strafford County Farm – Sunday, May 17th 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 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 25 participants. 

Please click on the link below to sign up.

BBW: Pickering Ponds - Wednesday, May 20th  7 am – 12 pm 

An encore of the very popular Pickering Ponds trip on May 10th (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 25 participants. 

Please click on the link below to sign up.

BBW: Deer Hill Wildlife Management Area – Saturday,  May 23rd 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. 

Please click on the link below to sign up.

Pickering Ponds Nest Walk – Saturday, May 30th 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 25 participants. 

Please click on the link below to sign up.

June

Piscassic Greenway, Neal Mill Rd, Newmarket  June 19th  8:00 am

Join trip leader Juli Tyson to revisit the trail between Newfields and Newmarket and  see what changes June has brought to the area. Please see the April 17th  trip for a full description. The trip is limited to 20 participants.

As the trip nears, please revisit this website to sign up.

Birds & Butterflies of Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge - Saturday, June 20th  8:00 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.  Contact: Steve Mirick at smirick@comcast.net or 603-661- 7703. This trip will be limited to 20 participants.

As the trip nears, please revisit this website to sign up.