Grasshopper pair Newington- question about behaviors?

[DEBRA M POWERS]

I made a quick stop at Pease in Newington today and saw two beautiful Grasshopper Sparrows. It got me wondering, do they actually nest in New Hampshire? From what I found online, it does not seem like it?

At first, I thought the bird on the rock was a juvenile. The one on the pole was acting like it might feed the bird on the rock fluttering its wings like it was begging. Then I watched the bird from the pole fly down into the grass and then over to the fence without the worm. After that, the other bird grabbed a bug and flew into the grass.

I decided to leave after that, just in case there was a nest nearby.

~Deb Powers-South Berwick Maine

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/143862779@N08/55325403026/in/dateposted-public

https://www.flickr.com/photos/143862779@N08/55325403021/in/dateposted-public/

[Pamela Hunt]

Deb et al.,

 

Grasshopper Sparrows do indeed breed in NH. There are 7 reliable sites, including Pease, the Concord and Keene airports, capped landfills in Manchester and Rochester, and small fields in Hinsdale and Amherst. The statewide population was estimated at 40-50 pairs in 2024, almost half of which are at the Concord Airport. Grasshoppers show up in 1-3 additional unexpected places most years, usually in the southeastern part of the state, although one was in Lebanon in 2021 (at the airport). Most these latter sites are not occupied for more than one or two years to the best of our knowledge, but if you find one at such a site you are strongly encouraged to visit it multiple times over a summer and see if the bird(s) persist(s). They are easiest to find at Pease (as per Deb’s report), Amherst, and Concord, although most birds at most sites are in areas not accessible to the general public.

 

Enjoy,

Pam

 

Pamela D. Hunt, Ph.D.

Senior Biologist for Avian Conservation

NH Audubon

 

603-224-9909 x328 (office)

Voicemail gets forwarded to email so please leave a message so I know you called and can get back to you.

 

How are NH's birds doing? Check out our "State of the Birds" report at: 

https://stateofthebirds.nhaudubon.org/

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[DEBRA M POWERS]

Thank you so much for the info, I really appreciate it. They sure were beautiful to see. 

~Deb Powers

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