May Migration Challenge - Seabrook Big Day
Date: May 17, 2026
Location: Seabrook
Start Time: 7:00am
Duration: Sunrise-Sunset
Daily Highlights:
Total species observed: 98
Warbler species observed: 19
Notable species: Black-billed Cuckoo
Merlin’s Bird of the Day: Merlin
Goal Progress:
Seabrook Town Forest Life List: 156/158
May Species Total: 115/100 COMPLETE
Warbler Species Total: 24/25
Single Checklist Record: 80/70 (80 species - May 13th) COMPLETE
Vagrant Species: 0
Merlin Bird of the Day Streak: 0 (Longest Streak: 3)
2026 Patch Big Year: 126/150
Photo of the Day:
Daily Recap:
After walking over 24,000 steps and visiting 10 different spots, I finally finished my Seabrook Big Day with 98 species.
I started off at the Town Forest to get most of the birds checked off the list. It was a really active start to the morning with 70 species, including 2 Canada Warblers and 1 calling Black-billed Cuckoo! I stopped at a couple other inland spots where I ended up getting Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and Swainson’s Thrush, which were new for the day. Making my way to the coast, my first stop delivered a Northern Harrier, a Common Raven, and a nice group of at least 65 Least Sandpipers that were flushed by the harrier in the marsh. Luckily another spot along the coast in Seabrook has Purple Martin gourds set up, so I was able to check for them, and we had 19! I took a break in between spots to grab lunch and dinner, but after dinner I finished my day at the Town Forest hoping to pick up anything new that I may have missed. I was able to get two more species: American Woodcock and Virginia Rail. I was hoping that tonight would be the arrival for the Common Nighthawks, but I had no luck.
It was also the first day of the year over 80 degrees, so it was a really long and humid day of birding. I had an amazing time being out and was able to break last year’s record of 91. As I am writing this, 145,700 birds are migrating over the county. I don’t plan on setting an alarm for the morning so I can get rest after today, but this forecast is tempting me. I guess we’ll see what tomorrow brings!
eBird Trip Report