Date: 11/28/25 5:38 pm From: Brendan Armstrong <brendanarmstrong45...> Subject: Re: [NHBirds] November County Challenge - Final Stretch
Fog on Wednesday morning and winds and snow this morning equalled no new
waterfowl on the CT River in Sullivan County.
But we added Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Hermit Thrush to our November
list Wednesday morning. :)
On Fri, Nov 28, 2025, 7:22 PM Elaine Faletra <elaine.faletra...>
wrote:
> Grafton still very much in the game! Today a few of us gathered to walk
> the muddy open farm fields along the Connecticut River in strong winds,
> low temperatures and snow squalls hoping for a Lapland longspur or other
> November Challenge species. We will try again early tomorrow despite cold
> feet and hands. Good luck to all as we hope to edge up in the competition!!
>
> Elaine
> Warren NH
>
> On Nov 27, 2025, at 11:26 AM, Dan Mullarkey <dmullarkey7...> wrote:
>
>
> Belknap thanks the fine birders of Carroll for alerting us to the blue
> grey gnatcatcher, which has definitely been the recent highlight for us.
>
> Dan
>
> On Thu, Nov 27, 2025 at 11:15 AM JM Maher <jeannemariemaher...>
> wrote:
>
>> alas it has been a difficult few years here in Carroll county . Few
>> birders normal and fewer still due to illnesses, car troubles and folks
>> being out of the country. Seems we haven’t been blessed with wonderful
>> weather( unless you like snow or freeze) or migrants. But we stalwart few
>> continue to try. (Doesn’t look like we are heading for anyplace higher up
>> the ladder this season )
>>
>> Happy thanksgiving all!
>> Jeanne-Marie
>>
>> On Nov 27, 2025, at 08:57, 'Steve Mirick' via NHBirds <
>> <nhbirds...> wrote:
>>
>> I guess I'll weigh in despite the fact that I'm still mourning the miss
>> of the Cuckoo.....tragic....especially since Jane and I had spent time
>> birding the (rarely birded) cemetery two days before the Cuckoo was seen!
>> Certainly the best bird of 2025 for NH, but sadly missed by almost
>> everyone.......argh!!!
>>
>>
>>
>> Jane and I enjoy the County Challenge. Although I wonder if there is a
>> better method for the scoring system. I'm not sure whether it's even
>> possible for Rockingham to win!!!???? :-) The Challenge gives birders an
>> excuse to beat the bushes in search of rarities. While November can be
>> cold and incredibly slow for birds, it's also a good time to find wayward
>> vagrants with broken internal GPS systems. It may be possible to walk all
>> of Odiorne and see nothing for 2 hours and then stumble upon a mega-rarity.
>>
>> And while there are currently no mega-rarities in NH right right now,
>> consider that in Maine right now megas being seen (or seen recently)
>> include Western Kingbird, Northern Wheatear, Bullock's Oriole, White-eyed
>> Vireo, Yellow-throated Warbler, and VIRGINIA'S WARBLER! And in MA right
>> now (or recently) megas being seen include Scissor-tailed Flycatcher,
>> Tundra Swan (now deceased as of yesterday), Western Tanager, Lark Sparrow,
>> Ash-throated Flycatcher, Ross's Goose, and Say's Phoebe!
>>
>> Jane and continue to keep our list for this November.....now at 130
>> species (when you include Jane's heard only Evening Grosbeaks).
>>
>> https://ebird.org/tripreport/428400 >>
>> And some very cool birds here in Rockingham have been found this November
>> including Bell's Vireo White-eyed Vireo, Cave Swallow, and Baird's
>> Sandpiper!
>>
>> So eat well today, but GET OUT THERE TOMORROW AND FIND A GREAT
>> BIRD!!!!!! And a free beer to the person who finds me #400 for NH!!!!
>>
>> Steve & Jane Mirick
>> Bradford, MA
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11/26/2025 8:32 PM, Pam Hunt wrote:
>>
>> Greetings all,
>>
>> Yes, I've been slow in updating the NCC this year, and given the almost
>> total absence of friendly banter I think this event has run its course.
>> That said, here are the standings as of this evening, in rank order::
>>
>> 1) Sullivan with 92 species (67.2%), reclaiming the top spot it held on
>> Nov 2
>> 2) Coos with 91 (65.5%), dropping one place but still holding strong
>> 3) Belknap with 83 (60.1%), also dropping one place (and not adding any
>> species in the last ten days)
>> 4) Rockingham with 163 (59.7%). Rockingham has gained a spot each time -
>> can it medal by month's end?!
>> 5) Grafton with 99 (59.6%). Nipping at Rockingham's heels, but missing a
>> Common Cuckoo)
>> 6) Hillsborough with 100 (59.2).
>> 7) Strafford with 110 (58.5%).
>> 8) Cheshire with 90 (54.5%)
>> 9) Merrimack with 100 (52.4%). Choking as usual.
>> 10) Carroll with 73 (48%). Poor Carroll has had a bad couple of runs, and
>> I feel their pain.
>>
>> You've all got until Sunday to add new species in your chosen counties.
>> Good luck!
>> I'll send out a final ranking sometime next week after checking the
>> review queue.
>>
>> Happy Turkey Day,
>> Pam Hunt
>> Concord
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