Rare Bird Alert, New Hampshire, July 13, 2026.
Mark Suomala
This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for July 13th, 2026.
A BRIDLED TERN returned to the Isles of Shoals on May 9th, after spending the winter to the south. Since then, it has mainly been seen in the vicinity of White and Seavey Islands and was last reported on July 11th. Island access is limited to tern project staff and the best viewing possibility is by boat out of Rye Harbor.
A BONAPARTE’S GULL was seen at Moore Reservoir in Littleton
on July 12th.
A RED-THROATED LOON was seen at Seal Rocks in Rye on July 6th.
A pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL was reported from the Pickering Ponds in Rochester on July 11th.
6 COMMON EIDER were seen at Scammell Bridge on Route 4 in Dover on July 8th.
A LEAST BITTERN was heard along the Rockingham Rail Trail in Newfields, and 1 was heard at World End Pond in Salem, both on July 12th.
A SNOWY EGRET was seen at Adams Point WMA in Durham on July 8th.
There was an unconfirmed report of an AMERICAN COOT from Dunbarton on July 8th.
A COMMON NIGHTHAWK was reported from 322 Ridge Road in Middleton on July 9th. Several COMMON NIGHTHAWKS have been nesting in Concord and Ossipee during the past month where they have been monitored by NH Audubon staff and volunteers.
A SOLITARY SANDPIPER was seen at Trudeau Road in Bethlehem on July 12th and 2 were seen at East Inlet in Pittsburg on the 9th and 11th.
A THICK-BILLED MURRE was seen from Creek Farm in Portsmouth on July 5th.
2 BLACK VULTURES were seen flying over Joe English Road in New Boston on July 8th, and 1 was seen flying in Newmarket on the 12th.
Nesting MISSISSIPPI KITES continued to be reported from Dover and Durham during the past week.
A MERLIN was seen again along Lake View Drive in Strafford on July 12th.
A pair of PURPLE MARTINS continues to be seen on Cedar Point Road in Durham.
There were several reports of YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS during the past week.
A WILLOW FLYCATCHER was seen at the Upper Coos Recreational Trail in Colebrook on July 8th.
A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was seen at Scotts Bog Road in Pittsburg on July 10th.
RED CROSSBILLS were heard in Franconia and Lempster during the past week.
A FISH CROW continues in Holderness and was last reported on July 8th.
An archive of rare bird alerts is available at nhaudubon.org/rba. If you have seen any rare birds recently you can leave a voicemail at (603) 224-9909, following the prompts on how to report a rare bird. You can also send your sightings via email to bird...@nhaudubon.org. Please put “Rare Bird” in the subject line and include the location of the sighting and your phone number.
What is the Rare Bird Alert?
The New Hampshire Rare Bird Alert is a list of birds that is posted, usually on a weekly basis on NH Audubon’s website, and several public websites. The primary goal of the list is to help bird watchers find uncommon or rare birds that occur within the geographical boundaries of NH.
What makes a bird rare?
A bird may be considered rare if it’s outside its usual range, present at an unusual time of year, or found in an unexpected part of the state. For example, a Red-bellied Woodpecker in southern NH is expected, but one in Coos County would be unusual. A Black-throated Blue Warbler in summer is normal but in winter it would be rare. While a Roseate Spoonbill would be rare in any season. To learn more, read “So You Think You Found a Rare Bird? A Quick Guide to What Counts and How to Report It” on the Joy of Birding.
Thanks very much and good birding!
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