Spring, summer, fall birding.

Over 120 species have been seen here, see the list below. The only sizable breeding population of Pied-billed Grebe in the state (5 pairs produced 16 young in 2006). Wood and Ring-necked Ducks, Hooded Merganser, American Kestrel, Spotted Sandpiper, Great Blue and Green Herons, Tree and Barn Swallows, Eastern Kingbird, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Blue-winged, Nashville, Palm, Prairie, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat, and other Warblers, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore & Orchard Orioles, American Goldfinch. Raptor and Gull flyovers from time to time.

Deer Hill Wildlife Management Area was formerly known as the Brentwood Mitigation Area.

100 acres of constructed wetlands were built after gravel was removed during NH-101 improvements from 1994 to 1997. A series of ponds with marsh and upland scrub-shrub habitat. Swamp with Great Blue Heron rookery (16 nests in 2006), where Great Horned Owls have also nested. Powerline right-of-way. Some forest on the outer edges. About 4 miles of trails that are not mowed (grass can get 7 feet high in spots). One 200-foot section of trail is normally flooded several inches deep (bring dry socks and shoes or waterproof knee-high boots).

Tick and insect repellent are highly recommended. Friday afternoons and weekends from late Spring through Fall can be noisy because of the nearby New England Dragway. No shade to speak of and no restroom facilities.

Hunting is allowed after October 1, when Ring-necked Pheasants are released. Dozens of hunters may be present during weekends in October, so that is not a good time to bird.

Deer Hill Wildlife Management Area is located on Pine Road, Brentwood. Between exits 8 and 9 on NH-101. From exit 8, go north 0.3 miles to NH-27, turn right and go 1.1 miles to Pine Road. From exit 9, go west 1.8 miles on NH-27 to Pine Road. On Pine Road go south 0.4 miles under NH-101 and just past Seacoast Mills Building Supply. A gated entrance and small parking area are on the right side of Pine Road as you’re heading south.

A detailed article was published in the Spring 2006 issue of New Hampshire Bird Records

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Deer Hill Wildlife Managment Area.