August

Piscassic Greenway, Neal Mill Rd, Newmarket  Friday August 28th  8:00 am

Step into the Piscassic Greenway from the Newmarket side and head through forest, field, wetland and shrubland to see who’s migrating through this year. Contact trip leader Juli Tyson at  jstyson17@gmail.com for more information.

The trip is limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up

September

Coastal Shorebirds – Sunday, September 6th 6:00 am

Join Ben Griffith for a trip along the New Hampshire Seacoast to look for shorebirds and coastal migrants.  Early September is a great time to familiarize yourself with the diversity of shorebirds that migrate from the Arctic along the North American coastline.  This trip will be primarily car-based with some limited walking along the beach.  We'll work our way north from Hampton to Rye, stopping at various hotspots along the way.  Carpooling is encouraged as some places may have parking fees.  We'll meet at the Hampton Park and Ride on Timber Swamp Road at 6:00 am for an early start to beat the holiday weekend crowds.  Contact Ben Griffith at bgriffith@gmail.com for more information.

The trip is limited to 12 participants. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

September Pelagic - Tuesday, September 8th Dockside 7:30 am for an 8:00 am departure

In past years the September pelagic out of Rye Harbor on the MV Granite State has ventured into MA, NH, and ME waters and has turned up interesting birds including four species of Shearwater (Great, Manx, Cory’s, and Sooty), Pomarine Jaeger, Northern Fulmar, and Wilson’s Storm- petrel and two out of the three records for South Polar Skua.  (But obviously as with any trip no bird species is guaranteed or should to be expected.) Veteran birders Steve Mirick and Ben Griffith will lead the all-day trip. The cost is $75 per person to cover fuel and boat time.

Registration is limited to 50. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

Beginner Bird Walks (BBW) 

NH Audubon Seacoast Chapter will sponsor six Beginning Bird Walks (BBW) this September. 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: Pickering Ponds - Sunday September 13th , 8 am – 12 pm 

One of the top 10 birding spots in New Hampshire, this walk will traverse the Rochester city park trails along the Cocheco River and around the former wastewater treatment settling ponds. Meet at the Pickering Ponds parking area at 8:00 AM. Contact: Dan Hubbard at danielhubbard@peoplepc.com or 603-978-0218.

This field trip will be limited to 25 participants. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

BBW Pickering Ponds – Wednesday September 16th,  8 am – 12 pm

An encore of the very popular Pickering Ponds walk on September 13th (see description above). Meet at the Pickering Ponds parking area at 8:00 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. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

BBW Piscassic Greenway, Neal Mill Rd, Newmarket Friday, September 18th  8:00 am

Step into the Piscassic Greenway from the Newmarket side and head through forest, field, wetland and shrubland to see who’s migrating through this year”. Contact trip leader Juli Tyson at  jstyson17@gmail.com.

The trip is limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

BBW Seabrook Town Forest – Saturday September 19th, 7:30 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 birds. Join trip leader Ashton Almeida to explore this lesser-known area. Meet near the Seabrook Water Department at 550 NH Route 107; park along the railing leading to the Water Department parking area.. Contact Ashton Almeida ashtonipod@gmail.com with any questions. 

The trip is limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

BBW: Strafford County Farm - Sunday September 20th, 8am – 12 pm 

With diverse habitats 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 25 participants. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

Bioblitz!  Sponsored by the Seacoast Science Center Sunday September 20th, 7:00 am – 4:00 pm 

The Bioblitz is comprised of scientists, field naturalists and backyard enthusiasts coming together to appreciate and learn about biodiversity and record data on as many different species as possible in one day at Odiorne State Park for the Seacoast Science Center. There will be guided programs around the park covering many different topics, including birds. For more information and to register, refer to the Seacoast Science Center website: https://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/events/bioblitz/

October

Hawk Watch at Pack Monadnock - Thursday October 1st, 10 am - 1 pm

Join Phil Brown, the Harris Center's Bird Conservation Director, for a half day of hawk watching at the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory in Peterborough. We will hope for a good migration flight which, in early October, can include a final push of broad-wings and peak counts of several other species of raptors, including Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Kestrel, osprey, and Peregrine Falcon.

Learn hawk watching ID tips from the experts and learn about the different migration strategies and behaviors of up to 15 migratory raptor species. During a visit to the hawk watch, you'll experience NH's birding culture and immerse yourself in a long-standing community science project that is a partnership between the Harris Center and NH parks. For more information about the observatory visit https://harriscenter.org/conservation-research/pack-monadnock-raptor-observatory.

Meet at the Observatory for the 10 am start time, and stay as long as you'd like. Weather conditions may cancel. State park reservations with Miller State Park and a small fee are required for visiting Pack Monadnock. For more information on park fees and reservations, as well as accessibility, visit https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/miller-state-park. For more information on this outing, contact Phil Brown at brown@harriscenter.org. 

Registration is limited to 15. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

Coastal Migration - Saturday October 3rd,  8:15 am

The trip will be a long walk around the varied habitats of Odiorne Point State Park, the top birding hotspot in New Hampshire. We will look for the expected fall migrants and perhaps even a rarity or two. Meet at the Odiorne Point parking lot at 8:15 (the park opens at 8:00). A small entrance fee for the park is required. Contact: Steve Mirick at smirick@comcast.net.

This field trip is limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

Birch St Community Gardens - Sunday October 4th,  7:30-10:30 am

Join us for a round-up of sparrows and other fall migrants at the Community Gardens off Clinton Street in Concord. Fourteen species of sparrows have been seen here, more than any single location in the state, including both Clay-colored and Vesper Sparrows. Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, and Sedge Wren have also made appearances here.  Meet at 7:30 at Birch Street. Contact: Zeke Cornell at zekecornell@gmail.com.

This field trip is limited to 20 participants. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

Deerfield NH – Friday, October 9th 8:00 AM

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, with a possible trip extension to Pleasant Lake. Meet at 278 North Road, Deerfield. Contact trip leader Juli Tyson at  jstyson17@gmail.comwith any questions.

The trip is limited to 10 participants. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

October Pelagic - Monday, October 12th  Dockside 7:30 am for an 8:00 am departure

A reprise of the September pelagic. Some species of  shearwaters linger and we should have better chances for Northern Fulmar, alcids, and Black-legged Kittiwake. (But obviously as with any trip no bird species is guaranteed or should to be expected.) Veteran birders Steve Mirick and Ben Griffith will lead the all-day trip. The cost is $75 per person to cover fuel and boat time.

Registration is limited to 50. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

Saw-whet Owl Banding Observation – Saturday, October 17th, 6:30 pm (rain date Sunday, October 18th, 6:30 pm)

Northern Saw-whet Owls are the smallest nocturnal raptor in New England. These fierce, tiny predators have a secretive nature that makes them challenging to study. Saw-whets are also one of the few owl species in North America which undertake an annual migration in fall and spring. So, how do biologists study owls and what do we know about Saw-whets in New Hampshire? Join biologist Lindsay Herlihy at Black Mountain Banding Station in North Sutton, NH to learn more about the natural history of Northern Saw-whet Owls and witness how researchers are investigating the migratory behavior of this incredible species. This evening program will be held outside at Black Mountain Banding Station and will include a discussion of owl adaptations, Saw-whet natural history, and a banding demonstration. 

We will meet at the Kearsarge Regional High School to carpool to the trail head and then walk  to the banding area. Headlamps are recommended but a flashlight will also work. 

The trip is limited to 15 participants. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up

November 

Maine Coast – Wednesday, November 5th, 9 am 

Join trip leaders Ann Ablowich and Sam Stoddard looking for seabirds, raptors, and  late migrating songbirds along the southern Maine coast.  Meet at the Perkins Cove parking lot at 9 AM.  From Perkins Cove we will bird Marginal Way, Nubble Light and Seapoint Beach. Dress warmly in layers and bring water and lunch or snack. For more information, contact Ann Ablowich at napap@comcast.net or Sam Stoddard at sstoddard3@gmail.com with any questions.

Registration is limited to 20. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.

December 

Christmas Bird Counts 

Across the country, Christmas Bird Counts take place annually between December 14 and January 5, and three of the counts are conducted in the Seacoast Chapter area.  As the season approaches, visit the New Hampshire Audubon Christmas Bird Count site for specific dates and more information  https://nhbirdrecords.org/new-hampshire-christmas-bird-count/ and contact the compilers if you are interested in participating: 

NH Coastal: Ben Griffith (bgriffith@gmail.com)

Lee-Durham: Kurk Dorsey (kurk.dorsey@unh.edu)

Isles of Shoals: Ben Griffith (bgriffith@gmail.com) 

Jeffrey’s Ledge: Eric Masterson (erictheirish@gmail.com).

January

Birds of the Winter Coast – Saturday January 9th,  8:30 am

Join veteran birder and former ornithology instructor Rich Aaronian to look for the birds that make the New Hampshire coast their home during the winter. The trip will start at Hampton Beach State Park and proceed north up the coast as we look for loons, scoters, mergansers, grebes, shorebirds, and perhaps other specialties such as “white-winged gulls”, Horned Larks, and Snow Buntings. Dress warmly in layers and bring water and a snack. Contact Rich Aaronian for more information at raaronian@exeter.edu with any questions.

Registration is limited to 20. As the event nears, please revisit this site for more information and to sign-up.