Joy of Birding: Spring Rarities, Summer Birds & Stories from the Field
birdrecords
Summer in Motion!
Summer can seem quiet (especially compared to the excitement of spring migration), but the season is full of activity. Swallows race overhead, while the first shorebirds are already beginning their long journeys south. There is always something to notice in the business of summer.
This month's stories on Joy of Birding are headlined by the Spring 2026 Season Summary, published less than two months after the season's end. Eric Masterson looks back on one of New Hampshire's most memorable spring seasons, featuring standout rarities, remarkable birding events, and what this year's observations may tell us about the future of birding in the Granite State.
The July collection also includes a fun selection of field notes, with stories of a gull swallowing a snake, Broad-winged Hawks feeding on earthworms, a rare Painted Bunting, memorable shorebird encounters, Lawrence's Warbler, Orchard Orioles, and much more. Visit our “From the Field” section to explore these stories from New Hampshire birders.
You'll also find Cameron Johnson's guide to identifying New Hampshire's "hooded" gulls as Bonaparte's Gulls begin returning to the coast, along with Meera Mahadevan’s fascinating look at habitat restoration at Odiorne Point State Park and the complex relationship between invasive plants, native habitats, and birds.
We hope you'll enjoy exploring this month's stories on Joy of Birding.
About Joy of Birding
Joy of Birding is the online home of New Hampshire Bird Records, a publication that has documented New Hampshire's bird sightings, seasons, and birding stories for more than 40 years. The transition from print to online has allowed us to continue sharing
the stories of New Hampshire's birds while making them freely available to everyone, from experienced birders to those just beginning to explore the world of birds.
Visit the Joy of Birding (https://joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org/) homepage to explore the latest articles and sign up for our monthly newsletter, featuring new stories, seasonal highlights, and birding news from around the Granite State delivered directly to your inbox.
Happy birding,
Grace
Grace McCulloch
She/Her
Community Science Project Leader
New Hampshire Audubon
84 Silk Farm Road
Concord, NH 03301
Explore the Joy of Birding: joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org