WhenToBird

Cedar Waxwing · Bombycilla cedrorum

When Do Waxwings Arrive in New Hampshire?

Adult Cedar Waxwing
Photo: Sean Frey, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Cedar Waxwings reach New Hampshire in the second week of May, are common by late May, peak in early August (33% of checklists), and most are gone by mid September. They are the only regular waxwings in New Hampshire.

When to look

First arrivalsMay 8-14the second week of May
Common byMay 22-31late May
PeakAug 1-7early August
Most gone bySep 15-21mid September

Best: early August. First arrivals the second week of May; most are gone by mid September. Peak: on about 33% of New Hampshire checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febrare
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprrare
  5. Maycommon
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novrare
  12. Decrare

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Waxwings in New Hampshire, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Cedar WaxwingMay 8-14May 22-31Aug 1-7Sep 15-2133%
0%10%20%30%40%Cedar WaxwingJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Cedar Waxwing
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in New Hampshire that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in New Hampshire

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Sullivan CountyBest the second week of August · 234 checklists that week, 13,105 in all45%
  2. Coos CountyBest late July · 943 checklists that week, 27,719 in all45%
  3. Merrimack CountyBest the second week of August · 562 checklists that week, 36,980 in all41%
  4. Cheshire CountyBest early August · 525 checklists that week, 39,834 in all41%
  5. Strafford CountyBest mid August · 557 checklists that week, 41,888 in all40%
  6. Belknap CountyBest late June · 284 checklists that week, 13,295 in all36%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in New Hampshire?
Cedar Waxwings reach New Hampshire in the second week of May, are common by late May, peak in early August (33% of checklists), and most are gone by mid September. They are the only regular waxwings in New Hampshire.
When do waxwings leave New Hampshire?
Most Cedar Waxwings have left New Hampshire by mid September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early November.
When is the best time to see waxwings in New Hampshire?
The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in early August, on about 33% of New Hampshire checklists.