Coastal Odds & Ends

[Steve Mirick]

Jane and I got to drive up and down the coast over the last couple of
days.  Tough time of year as we enter the February doldrums.  The snow
has been cleared in a few spots and some of the pullouts are now
accessible.  A few random sightings of interest:

First, 5 species we missed on the Superbowl......aaaargh!!!!
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Lapland Longspur - 4 at Hampton Beach SP with Horned Larks today
Iceland Gull - 1 juvenile over Rt. 101 causeway in Hampton today
American Wigeon - 1 male continues on ocean side (yesterday) and marsh
side (today) at North Hampton State Beach.
Northern Harrier - 2 yesterday and 2 today in Hampton area
Red-shouldered Hawk - One 1st-winter bird off Landing Road in Hampton
yesterday and one adult yesterday off Rt. 1A in North Hampton

Other random birds
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Bald Eagle - 5 or 6 yesterday and about 4 or 5 today.  Bald Eagles are
now the most common species of raptor along the coast!  At least 3 pair
breed on the coast now.
Red-tailed Hawk - 3 yesterday and 3 today.
Cooper's Hawk - 1 yesterday and 1 today.
Peregrine Falcon - 1 immature overlooking the Piscatacqua River in New
Castle.
Barrow's Goldeneye - 1 adult male continues as of yesterday from Yankee
Fisherman's Coop in Seabrook.  Didn't see it today. Scope required.

and

Rough-legged Hawk - 0.  We were hoping to find the one that was seen
along the coast last Saturday.  No luck.  It's now been over 7 years
since my last sighting IN ROCKINGHAM COUNTY despite the fact that I am
now retired and birding more than ever!!!!  While this species
population is known to be cyclic and its occurrence in New England
varies from year to year, I'm not sure what's going on.  Why haven't I
seen any since 2018?  Population decline?  Competition with eagles and
Red-tails?   Consider that I have seen this species in Rockingham County
in the following years:  1989, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003,
2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018.  Now when
will I see another one?

Also, still no luck with Razorbills offshore or Snow Buntings.  Two
species that were common a month ago.....where did they go!!??

Steve & Jane Mirick
Bradford, MA