3 minute read
Unique Best Places- Best Places To Bird Watch
UNCONVENTIONAL & UNEXPECTED
What’s not to love about New Hampshire? From the rolling hillsides to the glorious mountaintops to the dense forests and powerful ocean, we Granite Staters know that New Hampshire truly has it all. This year for “Best Places,” we’re going off the beaten path and focusing on the unique places and activities that our state has to offer.
New Hampshire is anything but conventional, which is why we’re highlighting the unexpected twists of our state. From bogs to birds, to rage rooms, comedy clubs, cocktails and mocktails and more, we’re challenging you to get outside and explore New Hampshire, with all the delightfully surprising twists and turns it has to offer.
BY EMILY REILY, ELISA GONZALES VERDI & EMILY HEIDT
BEST PLACES TO BIRD WATCH
Bird watching can be done anywhere in New Hampshire — along a nature trail, at the beach, on the mountains or in your own backyard. May is peak migration for birds here — a great time to try out this peaceful hobby. Even though the leaves are popping, birds are flocking back to the state to set up shop. Grab some binoculars and keep your eyes and ears open. Learning a few bird calls can greatly increase the chances you’ll see the little (and not-so-little) guys, too.
Ossipee Pine Barrens Preserve, Ossipee, Freedom, Madison & Tamworth
A pine barren is just that – a pine forest that has survived in a challenging place. These rare barrens have dry, acidic soil that occurs in sandy deposits left by glaciers, but plenty of vegetation still lives here. Pine woods and scrub oak cohabitate with blueberry bushes and ferns in this unique ecosystem. A broad diverse swath of birds can be found here, including nocturnal whippoorwills, Eastern towhees and nighthawks.
Pondicherry Wildlife Sanctuary, Jefferson / Whitefield
This spot north of the notches has forests and wetlands, plus views of the presidential range, and plenty of migrating birds. Hike in about a mile to find them. Recent eBird sightings (ebird.org) at Pondicherry have included downy woodpecker, pine siskin, red-breasted nuthatch, ruffed grouse, pileated woodpecker and dozens more. nhaudubon.org
Mount Washington Bicknell’s Thrush Tours, Gorham
The Bicknell’s Thrush is rare and elusive in New Hampshire, only found in high elevations in New England forests, as well as New York and Canada. Its status is listed as vulnerable, so it can be tough to find, especially if you’re not a mountain hiker. Instead, take the tram up Cannon Mountain to find this special bird, or get up early for Mount Washington’s Bicknell’s Thrush tours, which take place early in the morning on the toll road. Special tours in June offer the chance to get your sneak peek. mt-washington.com
AUDUBON-APPROVED
Susan N. McLane Center, Concord
Massabesic Center, Auburn
Newfound Center, Hebron
Odiorne Point State Park, Rye
Great Bay Natural Wildlife Refuge, Newington
