This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for Thursday, June 5th, 2008. 2 possible MISSISSIPPI KITES were reported from Newmarket on May 28th. The observer is fairly certain of the identification, but since this would be a first-state record; birders are urged to look for these birds and photograph them. They were seen near the Lamprey River in the Salmon Street area, and could possibly still be present A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was discovered at the Warren Farm in Barrington on May 28th and last seen on June 4th. The farm is open to birders after 6:00 am. There are 3 main parking areas: along the mown field before the ponds on the left; just before the house on the left; and by the stacked firewood. If irrigation pipes are across the road, don't drive over them. The weedy-looking fields contain Christmas tree seedlings so don't walk through them. After you park in one of the designated areas, the best way to get around is to walk the roads and field edges. This is a working farm so take care not to interfere with their operations. The CLAY-COLORED SPARROW has been seen in the Christmas tree field by the rear parking lot. A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO has been heard near the first parking lot. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen in Bedford on May 31st, and 2 were seen at the same location on June 1st. Birders are welcome to look for these woodpeckers. The birds were seen at 40 Buttonwood Drive in Bedford, and were perched in a tall dead white birch tree located by the driveway, in the front yard area. Please do not walk behind the house. A BLACK TERN was seen just south of Odiorne Point State Park in Rye on May 31st. A SOOTY SHEARWATER, 5 MANX SHEARWATERS, and 2 LEAST TERNS were seen from Pulpit Rocks in Rye on May 31st. 6 ROSEATE TERNS were seen in Hampton Harbor on May 30th. A MANX SHEARWATER, a GLAUCOUS GULL, 2 LEAST TERNS, and an ARCTIC TERN were seen at the Isles of Shoals on June 1st. 2 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and a PECTORAL SANDPIPER were seen at the tidal pools at the end of Landing Road in Hampton on May 30th. A RED KNOT was seen on Hampton Beach on May 31st. The nesting pair of PIPING PLOVERS at Hampton Beach State Park has hatched 3 chicks! An AMERICAN COOT was seen at the Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant in the southwest pond on May 30th. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was reported from the Pease International Tradeport on May 31st. A few SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS were reported from Chapman's Landing in Stratham on May 30th, and a NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW was heard at the Lubberland Creek Preserve in Newmarket on May 31st. 6 SPRUCE GROUSE, 4 GRAY JAYS, 10 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS, over 30 BOREAL CHICKADEES, a RED CROSSBILL, a WILSON'S WARBLER, 2 MOURNING WARBLERS, 2 TENNESSEE WARBLERS, 2 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, and 2 PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were reported from Pittsburg on May 29th and 30th. 3 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS and several YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were reported from the Trudeau Road wetlands in Bethlehem on May 30th. 5 BICKNELL'S THRUSHES and several YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were reported from Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch on June 1st. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS and ORCHARD ORIOLES were reported from several locations in the southern part of the state during the past week. This message is also available by phone recording: call (603) 224-9909 and press 2 as directed or ask to be transferred. If you have seen any interesting birds recently, you can leave a message at the end of the recording or send your sightings to the RBA via e-mail at: [log in to unmask] Please put either "bird sighting" or "Rare Bird Alert" in the subject line and be sure to include your mailing address and phone number. The RBA is also available on-line at the New Hampshire Audubon web site, www.nhaudubon.org Thanks very much and good birding. **************************************************************** To post messages, send e-mail to: [log in to unmask] Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages. To contact the list owner: [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Web based archives and subscription management are available at: http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html ****************************************************************