Fourteen birders joined me on Star Island yesterday (Saturday) off the coast of NH, for a great day of fall birding.  Nothing rare, but great Star Island fall birding standards including three yellow-billed cuckoos and a yellow-breasted chat.  A remarkably consistent and homogenous warbler assemblage on the island – almost all blackpolls (numbering about 100).  The other great bird was the common nighthawk that appeared as we were leaving.  It continued hawking right in front of the hotel as we steamed out of port to return to the mainland.  The boat captain reported a second one the prior day about 2 miles farther out to sea, presumably disoriented in the peasoup fog that also counted northern gannet amongst its casualties.  The poor creature flew straight into an electricity pole at Rye Harbor Marina and was shipped to York Wildlife Center where I understand it is doing well.

Common Nighthawk Star Island.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Star Island fall 2011.