Approximately 328 Species of birds were reported to eBird in New
Hampshire during 2024. This is roughly 8 species more than last year and
on the high end of the average since 2010 of about 310 to 330 species.
One new species was added to the overall State List which was Bridled
Tern. The total for the State List now stands at roughly 420 species.
There were LOTS of good birds during 2024! But only one new bird for
me. The Bridled Tern brought me to 400 species....briefly....as the AOS
Checklist Committee keeps lumping species and I lose them as fast as I
get them!! The loss of Hoary Redpoll as a distinct species has brought
me back down to 399. :-( Maybe this year!
Robyn Prieto took the prize for the best "Big Year" with a
record-setting 316 species recorded in NH this year. Congratulations Robyn!
Top Counties & County Birders Around the State
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Overall State of New Hampshire - 328 species (Robyn Prieto with 316 species)
Rockingham County - 305 species (Steve Mirick with 273 species)
Strafford County - 233 species (Robyn Prieto with 200 species)
Hillsborough - 222 species (Nora Hanke with 194 species)
Grafton - 220 species (Wayne Scott with 205 species)
Cheshire County - 217 species (Nate Marchessault with 191 species)
Merrimack - 212 species (Pam Hunt with 193 species)
Carroll - 201 species (Ken Klapper with 162 species)
Coos - 201 species (Lori Charron with 174 species)
Belknap - 197 species (Rob Woodward with 174 species)
Sullivan - 194 species (Jen Armstrong with 185 species)
Overall Bird of the Year - BRIDLED TERN found by several Tern Biologists
on White and Seavey Islands on July 9, 2024. This bird (fortunately)
stuck around on the island and hung out with the huge number of nesting
Common and Roseate Terns until at least August 4th. Despite its
regularity, it was a very difficult bird for birders to chase after as
the island is difficult to access and it stayed in a hard to view
portion of the island and most people who saw it were from small private
boats. Bridled Terns are a tropical, pelagic species and are typically
found in the Caribbean with major breeding sites in the Bahama Islands
and Greater Antilles. This is a first State record.
There are lots of runner-ups. Other rarities for the year (in no
particular order) included:
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Loggerhead Shrike - One (or TWO!?). First an individual found by Iain
MacLeod on 4/15 in Laconia (and seen by many!). Then a 2nd (or maybe
the same?) found much further away up in Dummer by Lori Charron. This
species has been on the decline for decades in the northeastern United
States and is now very rare. There are very few records over the last
40 years.
Chestnut-collared Longspur - A stunning male in FULL BREEDING PLUMAGE
found by Donna Keller on 5/19 in Keene. Only the 3rd State record, and
by far, the nicest looking! :-)
Northern Hawk Owl - Spectacular owl first reported through Lori Charron
and Aubrie Giroux on 2/12 in Pittsburg. This beautiful northern owl
rarely ventures south into the United States, but when it does, it
creates quite a stir! Although present for about 3 weeks, it was in a
very difficult to access location.....and a long drive for most of us!
Spotted Towhee - One in Franconia first reported on 1/14. Thanks to
Ginny Jeffryes for getting the word out on this bird and allowing
birders to visit; however, I don't believe it was always cooperative!
Seen through 1/20. 5th State record.
Cave Swallow - 7 total migrating birds seen by Steve & Jane Mirick in
Hampton on 11/9. Part of a regional influx this fall. There are lots of
prior reports for this charismatic swallow from the southwest in NH, but
not in recent years.
Black-necked Stilt - Beautiful bird found by Brett Hillman in Rye on May
4th. Only stayed for one day, but t was seen by many. Only the 4th
State record and the first "chaseable" bird.
White-winged Dove - Photographed at a private feeder in Gilford by Ken
Lindberg and Jude Schultz on 8/17. Fifth State record.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck - An incredible flock of 22 birds found on
June 10th in Epping. This is an enormous flock for this species, which
is becoming more and more regular in the northeastern United States.
This is the 4th State record.
Cerulean Warbler - Territorial male found in Hinsdale on 5/13 by Robyn
Prieto. This is an historical site for this declining species. Let's
hope they nest and continue to return here!
South Polar Skua - A NH Audubon boat trip on 9/3 was a tremendous
success as it found a South Polar Skua sitting on the water and allowed
for great views and only the 2nd confirmed record for NH with the first
record being almost exactly 6 years earlier, also on a NH Audubon trip.
And as if that wasn't enough, the boat found ANOTHER South Polar Skua
(different plumage) only about 20 minutes later in Massachusetts waters!
Long-tailed Jaeger - The NH Audubon trip wasn't satisfied with "just" a
South Polar Skua, so it was fantastic to get a Long-tailed Jaeger as
well! Although there are more records for this species, it is still a
very rare species in NH waters and the first record since 2011!
Purple Gallinule - A bizarre record was reported by Elaine Gauthier of a
Purple Gallinule walking through her back yard in Franklin. With
photos! 5th State record for this strange southern species which could
show up anywhere!
Black Skimmer - One out on Star Island on 9/28. The first record for
the island; however, there are numerous records from the mainland.
Mostly following hurricanes.
Yellow-headed Blackbird - One bird found by Kurk Dorsey in Durham on
10/20. Seen by a lucky few!
American White Pelican - Not sure if there were one or two of these!
But one was first seen by Cameron Johnson on 8/29. And not seen again.
Then another (or the same?) bird was found on 8/4 by Tony Vazzano!
Fortunately, this bird stuck around (off and on) for a few days.
Perhaps 10 records or so for NH.
Long-eared Owl - Ethan Ring found not one, but TWO different roosting
Long-eared Owls during 2024. One on 4/7 in Newton, and the other on
11/11 in Newington! It took me 40 years to find my first for NH and
now this 16/17 year old birder has found two before his 18th birthday!
Note.....we try to keep roost sites secret for the most part as this
species is vulnerable to getting killed by predation if flushed.
Yellow-throated Warbler - One at feeder in Exeter through January and
February. Now becoming more regular in winter, this bird was
none-the-less fairly cooperative and was seen by dozens of birders
during its stay!
Prothonotary Warbler - One found by Paul Lacourse in Exeter for a 1-day
wonder. Seen by many. Perhaps 10 or so records for NH.
Bullock's Oriole - Bullock's Orioles are rare in NH, but a nice adult
male is even more unusual! This adult male was first reported by home
owners in Hooksett and word got out on 11/15 and is still being seen as
far as I know. Of some interest, a few birders were able to record the
bird from both sides of the street and record it for both Merrimack
County (Hooksett) and Hillsborough County (Manchester)!
Varied Thrush - Not one, but TWO this year! One found by Rich Frechette
on 1/19 and seen by many....apparently not terribly healthy. And
another found in Hanover by Joseph Ransdell-Green on 4/11.
Rarities that continued over from 2023!
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Painted Bunting - Adult male continued throughout the winter in
Manchester. Long-distance views due to crowded neighborhood, but still
a cool bird! Last reported on 4/9!
Ash-throated Flycatcher - Possibly the same bird from Bicentennial Park
in December, this bird appeared on 1/6 at the Hampton WTP, but likely
perished in a heavy snow fall that night.
MacGillivray's Warbler - Bird in Hollis last year, continued and was
last reported on 1/6.
Some significant new record late dates for birds included:
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Wilson's Warbler - Survived into January 6th at Hampton WTP. Previous
record late date for NH was 12/17/83 in Exeter.
Orchard Oriole - Female at Goss Farm in Rye. Last spotted on 11/1.
Previous record late date for NH was 9/22 in Chester.
Summer Tanager - Female at feeder in Derry. Last reported on 12/17.
Previous record late date for NH was 10/9 in Rye.
I'd like to apologize in advance for any possible errors and omissions
in my list! I'm just having some fun on a windy and cold January 2nd!