May Migration Challenge - Day 20
May 20, 2025 | 6:15pm
Date: May 20, 2025
Location: Seabrook Town Forest
Start Time: 6:15pm
Duration: 1 hr, 32 min
Daily Highlights:
Total species observed: 40
Warbler species observed: 8
Notable species: Common Nighthawk, Lincoln’s Sparrow
Merlin’s Bird of the Day: Common Yellowthroat
Goal Progress:
Seabrook Town Forest Life List: 141 / 140 COMPLETE
Seabrook Town Forest Species Month Total: 105/80+ COMPLETE
Warbler Species Total: 22/20+ COMPLETE
Single Checklist Record: 69/60+ (May 11th) COMPLETE
Vagrant Species Found?: No
Merlin Bird of the Day Streak: 1 (Longest Streak: 4)
Photo of the Day:
Daily Recap:
Today turned out to be a surprisingly exciting one—I officially hit my Town Forest Life List goal of 140 species… and passed it! I'm now at 141.
The two additions were Lincoln’s Sparrow and Snowy Egret. The egret was expected—one was reported earlier this month, and egrets and herons are regulars here. But the Lincoln’s Sparrow was a complete surprise. They’re moving through New Hampshire now on their way to the boreal forests to breed, but I didn’t expect to catch one singing on a cold day like this!
To add to the excitement, I also heard a Common Nighthawk, bringing my month list total to 105. These guys are just starting to move through New Hampshire, and while I’ve had multiple here in 2023, it’s always exciting to have them back.
Outside of the new additions, it was the usual suspects. I mentioned yesterday that I saw a decent number of swallows over the pond—today there were even more. I counted 30 total swallows, made up of 20 Barn, 8 Tree, and 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallows.
I plan to keep visiting around sunset this week to look for more Common Nighthawks. I’ll be back tomorrow after work!