This is New Hampshire Audubon’s Rare Bird Alert for Monday, December 20th, 2021.

2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen flying south over the Portsmouth Country Club on December 14th.

A SNOWY OWL was seen perched on several buildings at the Newington Mall on December 17th.

Be sure to stay at a distance from any owls and do not disturb them – see the link below:

https://www.nhaudubon.org/education/birds-and-birding/snowy-owl-viewing-ethics/

An immature GOLDEN EAGLE was seen flying over Marlborough on December 19th.

A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen in the Keene area on December 19th.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen again at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge on December 18th.

Birders on an offshore boat cruise to Jeffrey’s Ledge reported seeing 1 POMARINE JAEGER, 4 COMMON MURRES, 2 ATLANTIC PUFFINS, and 10 DOVEKIES all on December 15th.

An ICELAND GULL was seen at Jenness Beach in Rye on December 19th.

At least 2 BARROW’S GOLDENEYES continued to be seen from Stark Landing on the Merrimack River in Manchester during the past week.

A female REDHEAD was seen on Upper Peverley Pond at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge on December 18th, a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was seen on Lake Massabesic on the 15th, a LONG-TAILED DUCK was seen on Great Bay on the 19th, and a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was seen on Squam Lake on the 17th and 18th.

2 SNOW GEESE were seen in Lee on December 19th.

A PALM WARBLER was seen on December 15th, a NORTHERN PARULA was seen on the 16th, and a PRAIRIE WARBLER was seen on the 19th, all at the Hampton Wastewater Treatment Plant.

A PINE WARBLER was reported again from Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on December 18th, and 1 was seen in Portsmouth on the 17th.

A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was seen in Mont Vernon, and 1 was seen in Durham, both on December 19th.

Single RED CROSSBILLS were reported from Dublin, Greenfield, and Antrim during the past week.

5 AMERICAN PIPITS were seen at Bicentennial Park in Hampton on December 14th and several sightings of single birds were reported from the coast in Rye and Hampton during the past week. Of particular note was an individual AMERICAN PIPIT photographed in flight far offshore at Jeffrey’s Ledge on the 15th.

5 EVENING GROSBEAKS were seen at Silver Lake in Harrisville on December 10th.

A lingering BLUE-HEADED VIREO was seen in Westmoreland on December 18th.

A lingering BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen in Greenland on December 18th, and 1 was seen in Keene on the 19th.

A DICKCISSEL continued to be seen at a private residence in Rochester during the past week and was last seen there on December 14th. Another one was seen at a private residence in Manchester on the 18th.

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen at the South Street Cemetery in Portsmouth on December 14th and 15th.

A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was seen at Chickering Farm in Westmoreland on December 18th.

2 lingering FIELD SPARROWS were reported from the Moore’s Falls Conservation Area in Litchfield on December 15th, and 2 were reported from the Musquash Conservation Area in Hudson on the 16th.

7 FISH CROWS were seen in Salem on December 17th, 2 were seen in Seabrook on the 15th, and 1 was seen in Plaistow on the 14th.

A flock of 80 TURKEY VULTURES was seen soaring over Exeter on December 17th.

Other lingering migrants reported during the past week included: DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, GREAT BLUE HERON, GADWALL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN PINTAIL, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, MERLIN, TURKEY VULTURE, AMERICAN KESTREL, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, WINTER WREN, MARSH WREN, HERMIT THRUSH, GRAY CATBIRD, BROWN THRASHER, CHIPPING SPARROW, LINCOLN’S SPARROW, FOX SPARROW SWAMP SPARROW, and SAVANNAH SPARROW.

Highlights of the Errol-Umbagog Christmas Bird Count, held on December 15th, included: 10 BALD EAGLES, 3 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS, 17 GRAY JAYS, 5 BOREAL CHICKADEES, 4 RED CROSSBILLS, 71 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, 6 COMMON REDPOLLS, and 33 EVENING GROSBEAKS.

Highlights of the Pittsburg Christmas Bird Count, held on December 14th, included:13 CANADA JAYS, a NORTHERN SHRIKE, 58 BOREAL CHICKADEES, 42 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, 27 PINE GROSBEAKS, and a COMMON REDPOLL.

COMING UP – more Christmas Bird Counts! – all participants welcome! December 2021 https://nhbirdrecords.org/new-hampshire-christmas-bird-count/

This message is also available by phone recording: call (603) 224-9909 and press 4 as directed or ask to be transferred. If you have seen any interesting birds recently, you can leave a message at the end of the recording or send your sightings to the RBA via email. Please put either “bird sighting” or “Rare Bird Alert” in the subject line and be sure to include your mailing address and phone number.

Thanks very much and good birding.

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