In this #RareBirdAlert, American Woodcock and Killdeer are reportedly back in New Hampshire! Read the full article for more details and sightings: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-march-9-2026/
Photo by Steve Mirick of an American Woodcock in Dover, NH. January 2020.
The latest #SomethingWild answers questions from listeners on winter phenomena like rime ice and snow fleas! Learn more: https://www.nhpr.org/show/something-wild/2026-03-05/something-wild-what-natural-wonders-have-you-observed-this-winter
Photo by Grace McCulloch.
March marks the beginning of incredible bird movement in New Hampshire! While things may start slowly, signs of migration are all around, especially with waterfowl and early-season displays. Here’s what to watch for this month. https://nhaudubon.org/what-to-watch-for-in-march-2026/
This #RareBirdAlert includes a Merlin in Moultonborough, a Baltimore Oriole in Kingston, and more. See the full list here: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-march-2-2026/
Photo by Steve Mirick of a Merlin. February 2026.
It's no surprise that Something Wild hosts Dave Anderson and Grace McCulloch enjoy exploring outdoors no matter the time of year. The latest #SomethingWild focuses on snow in our forests. Listen here: https://www.nhpr.org/show/something-wild/2026-02-19/something-wild-snow-falling-on-conifers
This #RareBirdAlert features Lesser Scaups, a Merlin, a Hermit Thrush, and more unique bird sightings throughout NH. Read more in the full article here: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-february-23-2026/
Photo by Steve Mirick of a Lesser Scaup on February 13, 2026.
Our Bird of the Month is one of NH’s most familiar birds, the American Goldfinch. The yellow males with their black wings and caps are instantly recognizable during the summer, but less so this time of year. Learn more about them here: https://nhaudubon.org/bird-of-the-month-american-goldfinch/
In this #RareBirdAlert: a Black-crowned Night-Heron was seen at South Mill Pond in Portsmouth on February 9th-14th. Read more in the full article: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-february-16-2026/
Photo by Jim Sparrell of the Black-crowned Night-Heron at South Mill Pond on February 14, 2026.
A highlight from this #RareBirdAlert: a Red-shouldered Hawk was seen in Rochester, and one was seen in Dover, both during the past week. See the other featured sightings: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-february-9-2026/
A Red-shouldered Hawk photographed by Steve Mirick on February 4, 2026.
All ages and experience levels are welcome in the Backyard Winter Bird Survey!
New to birding? We’ve got you covered. Our website includes ID tips, feeder advice, and ideas for making your backyard a haven for winter wildlife.
Visit backyardwinterbirds.nhaudubon.org to learn more!
This #RareBirdAlert features sightings of Fox Sparrows, a White-crowned Sparrow, an "Ipswich" Savannah Sparrow, and more species. Read on here: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-february-2-2026/
Photo by Jim Sparrell of a Fox Sparrow at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge. April 2017.
Share your love for birds this Valentine’s weekend and join our 39th annual Backyard Winter Bird Survey. Participation is easier than ever. Visit backyardwinterbirds.nhaudubon.org to learn more and take part.
Photo of a Pine Grosbeak by Len Medlock.
Listen to the latest #SomethingWild to learn more about some of the excitement that ice brings to the natural world - with an interesting focus on beavers: https://www.nhpr.org/show/something-wild/2026-01-22/something-wild-when-ice-rewrites-the-wild
Photos by Grace McCulloch.
A highlight from this #RareBirdAlert includes nine Black Vultures seen at Hurd Farm in Hampton on January 24th. Read the other unique sightings: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-january-26-2026/
(Photo of a Black Vulture seen on January 24, 2026. Taken by Steve Mirick.)
This #RareBirdAlert includes sightings of Winter Wrens, Long-tailed Ducks, Red-shouldered Hawks, and more. See more here: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-january-19-2026/
(Photo by Jim Sparrell of a Winter Wren at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge. January 2022.)
This #RareBirdAlert highlights a Snow Goose in Rye, a Merlin in Concord, a Baltimore Oriole in Kingston, and more! Read about the sightings here: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-january-12-2026/
(Photo by Jim Sparrell of a Snow Goose at Hampton Beach State Park in January 2022.)
The second Featured Finch in our #BirdoftheMonth is the Evening Grosbeak - a favorite of Pam Hunt's. Read her article to learn about their fluctuating population. https://nhaudubon.org/bird-of-the-month-evening-grosbeak/
A new year means fresh bird lists and exciting first-of-year sightings. January is full of birding opportunities in New Hampshire. Discover what to watch each month, and where to find them, on the Joy of Birding, the new online home of New Hampshire Bird Records: joyofbirding.nhaudubon.org.
This #RareBirdAlert includes reports of the winter visitors, Pine Grosbeaks. See the full list of unique sightings here: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-january-5-2026/
Photo by Steve Mirick of a Pine Grosbeak on January 4, 2026.
This #RareBirdAlert features highlights from the Jeffrey’s Ledge Christmas Bird Count: six Atlantic Puffins, 84 Razorbills, 1126 Dovekies, three Thick-billed Murres, 15 Common Murres,142 Black-legged Kittiwakes, three Iceland Gulls, and one Northern Fulmar. https://nhaudubon.org/ra-december-29-2025/
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen...
But do you recall, the most famous waxwing of all?
Photo by Jim Sparrell. Idea credit to @deptofinterior.bsky.social.
On this shortest day of the year, we hope that you continue to follow the advice of Rachel Carson and contemplate nature today, and every day, to help find new reserves of strength.
Last-minute shopping and looking for the perfect gift for a nature lover? Purchase a one-year gift membership between now and January 31, 2026, and your recipient will receive a special bonus gift! https://nhaudubon.org/join/gift-memberships/
It's the season of giving, and we hope as you shop for your loved ones you'll keep your support for NH Audubon in mind! View our Gift Guide email and find more holiday info here: https://mailchi.mp/nhaudubon/2025-holiday-gift-guide
PS, don't forget our Holiday Fair in Concord is tomorrow!
Did you know that all of the House Finches we see in New Hampshire are the descendants of a handful released on Long Island in 1939?
Read more on our featured finch's surprisingly interesting backstory in Pam Hunt's Bird of the Month: https://nhaudubon.org/bird-of-the-month-house-finch/
This #RareBirdAlert features an immature male Rufous Hummingbird that has been visiting a birdfeeder daily at a private residence in Stoddard since mid-October. Plus more here: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-december-8-2025/
Photo by Jim Sparrell of the Rufous Hummingbird on December 6 in Stoddard, NH.
A peak into this #RareBirdAlert: a Red-bellied Woodpecker was seen in Shelburne on November 26th. Read the other highlights here: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-december-1-2025/
Photo by Jim Sparrell of a Red-bellied Woodpecker in Portsmouth, NH. May 2024.
Snow Buntings are back! In this #RareBirdAlert 80 were seen at Hampton Beach State Park, 11 were seen in Exeter, and 12 were seen in Springfield. Read the other sighting highlights: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-november-17-2025/
Photo by Steve Mirick of a Snow Bunting in Hampton. November 2025.
The Blue Jay’s bright colors, loud voice, and in-your-face attitude make it one of the most familiar birds in the eastern United States. Read more about them in Pam Hunt's Bird of the Month: https://nhaudubon.org/bird-of-the-month-blue-jay/
This #RareBirdAlert features a Baird's Sandpiper in Rye, a Solitary Sandpiper in Kensington, and Pectoral Sandpipers in Madbury and Salem. Read the other highlights here: https://nhaudubon.org/rba-november-3-2025/
Photo by Jim Sparrell of the Baird's Sandpiper in Rye.
