This Week’s Highlights 5/9– 5/15/2026.

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This immature male Orchard Oriole, and a female it was foraging with, that I found on Peak’s Island on the 11th are likely part of a continuing influx of “southern overshoots” that arrived after last week’s
weather pattern (see last week’s blog).


It’s hard to not have a great week of birding in the middle of May, and this week was certainly no different. Some “southern overshoots” added to the mix of migrants and new arrivals, and some rather surprising lingering winter birds as well, all making for a fun-filled week of bird watching. Here are my observations of note over the past seven days.

  • 1 continuing WESTERN CATTLE EGRET, Highland Road, Brunswick, 5/9 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 1 female SUMMER TANAGER, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 12 species of warblers, etc, Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, 5/10 (with Birds on Tap Roadtrip: Warblers and Wort! Tour group). Unfortunately, I whiffed on photos as we all struggled to follow her across the cemetery!
  • 16 species of warblers, led by 35 Yellow and 16 Common Yellowthroats, Peak’s Island, Portland, 5/11.
  • 6+ Red Crossbills including 2+ fledglings, Peak’s Island, 5/11.
  • 1 1st/2nd cycle Iceland Gull (getting late!), Portland Harbor, 5/11.
  • 1 SANDHILL CRANE, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, (the 14th of the season here, but my first from the summit this spring), 5/12.
  • 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, our property in Durham, 5/13.
  • 15 species of warblers, led by 13 Black-and-white Warblers and 11 Common Yellowthroats, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 5/14 (with Bill Thompson).
  • 52 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS (with 1 Cedar Waxwing), Union Street, Brunswick, 5/14 (with Bill Thompson). Even more incredible than seeing so many Bohemians so late in May, is that we saw them on the same day we easily recorded 17 species of warblers. Not sure that will happen again for a very long time around here!
  • 15 species of warblers, led by 13 Black-and-white Warblers and 11 Ovenbirds, our property in Durham, 5/15.

My personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week also included:

  • 4 UPLAND SANDPIPERS (been present for a few weeks now, but I hadn’t made the time to visit!), Brunswick Landing, Brunswick, 5/9 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group). Bill Thompson and I had 1-2 on 5/14, with one singing from the Bowdoin Sandplain proper.
  • 2 Lincoln’s Sparrows, Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, 5/9 (with Birds on Tap Roadtrip: Warblers and Wort! Tour group).
  • 2 Wilson’s Warblers, Evergreen Cemetery, 5/9 (with Birds on Tap Roadtrip: Warblers and Wort! Tour group).
  • 2 ORCHARD ORIOLES, Peak’s Island, Portland, 5/11.
  • 1 Cape May Warbler, Peak’s Island, 5/11.
  • 1 Scarlet Tanager, Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch, 5/12.
  • 1 Wood Thrush, our property in Durham, 5/13.
  • 1 Short-billed Dowitcher, Walsh Preserve, Freeport, 5/13.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch ends today!

The 20th year of the project began on March 15th and concludes at 5:00pm today, May 15th (maybe! But tomorrow looks so good!) The quickest and clearest way to view daily reports is by clicking on the Hawkcount link contained on the website link above. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website. Here’s the Week 8 report. I’ll post a season summary next week.

Upcoming Tours (With Space Available)

​June 12-14, 2026

The latest incarnation of our Bicknell’s Thrush weekend offers more chances to see the enigmatic Bicknell’s Thrush and even better boreal birding opportunities!

​With two full mornings in the area, we’ll have flexibility to offer two visits to the realm of the Bicknell’s. While Bicknell’s Thrush is the primary target, this enhanced itinerary will also give us an even better chance at other boreal species, including Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Palm and Blackpoll Warblers, and especially Philadelphia Vireo and Mourning Warbler.  By staying in Colebrook, NH we have the opportunity to look for additional boreal targets anywhere from Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom (the famous hotspots are only 30 minutes from Colebrook!) to the Umbagog NWR area.

​

 This Week’s Highlights 5/2– 5/8/2026.

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It’s May, and May means Neotropical Migrants, like this stunning Scarlet Tanager that graced the
Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch on 5/5.

It’s May, and things are happening whether the weather wants it to or not! But finally, the migratory floodgates opened, with huge overnight flights Monday into Tuesday and Wednesday into Thursday. It’s on! The flood of new arrivals those days got things back closer to schedule, until the second half of the week, when progress slowed down once again. The warm weather ushered in by an extensive southwesterly flow all of the way down to the Gulf Coast and South Atlantic Bight from Monday night into Wednesday ushered in a wave of “southern overshoots’ around the state. Here, for example, is the wind map from mid-day on Wednesday, showing the extensive southwesterly flow originating way down in the Gulf of Mexico.

I didn’t try to chase any of the reports but was certainly monitoring my feeders and local patches with extra vigilance! Not surprisingly then, most of my observations of note over the past seven days were of the FOY variety.

  • 10 Lesser Scaup, 1 Blue-winged Teal, 10 Lesser Yellowlegs, etc, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 5/4 (with Jayden Mowry).
  • 10 species of warbler (FOY, finally), led by only 15-20 Yellow-rumped Warblers and 5+ Black-and-white Warblers, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 5/5.
  • 66 Lesser Yellowlegs, etc, Walsh Preserve, Freeport, 5/7.

My extensive (finally!) list personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week also included:

  • 6 SANDHILL CRANES, over I-295 at Exit 22, Freeport, 5/2 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 1 Spotted Sandpiper, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 5/2 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 1 Gray Catbird, feeders here at the store, 5/2.
  • 1 American Pipit, flying over our Durham property, 5/3.
  • 1 White-crowned Sparrow, feeders here at the store, 5/3.
  • 1 Northern Parula (finally! Quite late), Hinckley Park, South Portland, 5/4
  • 1 Solitary Sandpiper, Hinckley Park, 5/4.
  • 1 Nashville Warbler, Hinckley Park, 5/4.
  • 11 Vesper Sparrows, Kennebunk Plains, Kennebunk, 5/4.
  • 2 Prairie Warblers, Kennebunk Plains, 5/4.
  • 2 Marsh Wrens, Sanford Lagoons, Sanford, 5/4.
  • 2 Yellow Warblers, Sanford Lagoons, 5/4.
  • 1 Green Heron, Sanford Lagoons, 5/4.
  • 2 Bank Swallows, Pelreco Marsh, Scarborough Marsh, 5/4 (with Jayden Mowry).
  • 1 LITTLE BLUE HERON, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 5/4 (with Jayden Mowry).
  • 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, our feeders in Durham, 5/4.
  • 1 Baltimore Oriole, our feeders in Durham, 5/5.
  • 2 Northern Waterthrushes, Florida Lake Park, 5/5.
  • 2 Black-throated Green Warblers, Florida Lake Park, 5/5.
  • 1 Chimney Swift, Florida Lake Park, 5/5.
  • 3 Common Yellowthroats, Florida Lake Park, 5/5.
  • 1 Ovenbird, Florida Lake Park, 5/5.
  • 1 Magnolia Warbler, Florida Lake Park, 5/5.
  • 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Hidden Pond Preserve, Freeport, 5/5.
  • 1 Eastern Kingbird, Hidden Pond Preserve, 5/5.
  • 1 House Wren, Runaround Pond Road, Durham, 5/5.
  • 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler, Runaround Pond Preserve, Durham, 5/5.
  • 3 Least Sandpipers, Florida Lake Park, 5/6.
  • 3 Least Flycatchers, Old Town Hose Park, North Yarmouth, 5/7.
  • 4 Eastern Warbling Vireos, Old Town House Park, 5/7.
  • 5 Bobolinks, Old Town House Park, 5/7.
  • 1 American Redstart, Old Town House Park, 5/7.
  • 1 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, Old Town House Park, 5/7.
  • 1 Great-crested Flycatcher, our property in Durham, 5/7.
  • 3 Veeries, Morgan Meadow WMA, 5/8.
  • 5 Black-throated Blue Warblers, Morgan Meadow WMA, 5/8.
  • 1 Blackburnian Warbler, Morgan Meadow WMA, 5/8.
Vesper Sparrows are “in” at the Kennebunk Plains.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch.

The 20th year of the project began on March 15th and will conclude on May 15th. The quickest and clearest way to view daily reports is by clicking on the Hawkcount link contained on the website link above. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website. Here’s the Week 7 report.

Upcoming Tours (with space available).

Birds On Tap℠ – Roadtrip! Warblers and Wort -THIS SUNDAY, SPACE AVAILABLE!

May 10, 2026; 8:00am – 2:00pm

Portland Explorer (formerly Maine Brew Bus) and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are excited to continue our collaboration for 3 very special outings in 2026. 

These unique, relaxed birding and beer-ing adventures that you have come to love combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with visits to sample the delicious creations of some of our favorite local breweries. These tours are a perfect introduction to birding and/or craft beer, and a great opportunity to travel with significant others, friends, and family that have interest in one topic, while your interest is primarily in the other (for now!). Seasonal birding hotspots and great local beer – a perfect combination, and we’ll even do all of the driving!

We’re bringing back the “Mother’s Day Special” in 2026, with a return to Portland on one of our most popular annual itineraries. May means warbler migration, and the destination for Warblers and Wort will hit two of Maine’s most famous springtime migrant traps, Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery and nearby Capisic Pond Park. Two oases in the urban jungle, featuring water sources and a mix of various habitats, help concentrate migrant birds that found themselves in or over the city come sunrise. After migrating all night, tired travelers look for refuge: food, water, and shelter, and urban greenspaces are absolutely critical for refueling.  

Warbler diversity will rapidly be increasing, over 15 species possible by the middle of May, depending on the progression of the season. Other species, such as sparrows, raptors, and other Neotropical Migrants such as orioles and tanagers are also on the move, increasing our chances of seeing a diversity of species. If the cemetery’s apples and cherries are blooming, we may be in for quite a treat as these are absolute magnets for hungry migrants.  Meanwhile, most trees have yet to fully leaf out, making them easier to spot! 

It’s sometimes hard to leave Evergreen on a busy spring morning, but if we do, it will be for the very short trip over to Capisic Pond Park, where we’ll continue to seek migrants of all shapes and sizes.

​After about 3 hours of birding, we will be transported to two of our great local producers to sample their offerings and learn their styles. Our brewery destinations are subject to change, but the current plan is to visit Foundation and Rising Tide Brewing Company.

 This Week’s Highlights 4/25– 5/1/2026.

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The Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch has been running below average for the season, but the Northern Harrier count has been above average. Recently, views of harriers have also been above average as well.

While it wasn’t “warm” the weather pattern was a little more conducive to migration for the first half of the week. But things are definitely behind schedule right now, and the woods remain uncomfortably quiet. That will change with a weather pattern shift, but for now, my observations of note over the past seven days included the following:

  • 1 Rusty Blackbird Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/25 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS are getting quite late now, but there are some still around the area. This week, I had 1 at the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch on 4/26 (with Birds on Tap Roadtrip: Hawks and Hops! tour group) and 20-25 from Rte. 136 in Auburn on the 27th.
  • 1 American Oystercatcher, East Point, Biddeford Pool, Biddeford, 4/30.
  • With warbler migration in particular continuing to be quite delayed, it wasn’t until 5/1 at Morgan Meadow WMA that I saw 5 species at one location, led by 60+ Yellow-rumped Warblers and 9 Pine Warblers.

My few personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week included:

  • 1 Cliff Swallow, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/25 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 3 Blue-headed Vireos, Mt Apatite Park, Auburn, 4/27.
  • 1 Black-and-white Warbler, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 4/28.
  • 1 PURPLE MARTIN, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 4/28.
  • 3 Laughing Gulls, East Point, Biddeford Pool, 4/30.
  • 1 LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, Morgan Meadow WMA, 5/1.
  • 1 YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (early, which is surprising since almost nothing else is!), Morgan Meadow WMA, 5/1.
  • 9 Lesser Yellowlegs, Walsh Preserve, Freeport, 5/1.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch.

The 20th year of the project began on March 15th. The quickest and clearest way to view daily reports is by clicking on the Hawkcount link contained on the website link above. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website. Here’s the Week 6 report.

Upcoming Tours (with space available).

Birds On Tap℠ – Roadtrip! Warblers and Wort

May 10, 2026; 8:00am – 2:00pm

​Portland Explorer (formerly Maine Brew Bus) and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are excited to continue our collaboration for 3 very special outings in 2026. 

These unique, relaxed birding and beer-ing adventures that you have come to love combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with visits to sample the delicious creations of some of our favorite local breweries. These tours are a perfect introduction to birding and/or craft beer, and a great opportunity to travel with significant others, friends, and family that have interest in one topic, while your interest is primarily in the other (for now!). Seasonal birding hotspots and great local beer – a perfect combination, and we’ll even do all of the driving!

We’re bringing back the “Mother’s Day Special” in 2026, with a return to Portland on one of our most popular annual itineraries. May means warbler migration, and the destination for Warblers and Wort will hit two of Maine’s most famous springtime migrant traps, Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery and nearby Capisic Pond Park. Two oases in the urban jungle, featuring water sources and a mix of various habitats, help concentrate migrant birds that found themselves in or over the city come sunrise. After migrating all night, tired travelers look for refuge: food, water, and shelter, and urban greenspaces are absolutely critical for refueling.  

Warbler diversity will rapidly be increasing, over 15 species possible by the middle of May, depending on the progression of the season. Other species, such as sparrows, raptors, and other Neotropical Migrants such as orioles and tanagers are also on the move, increasing our chances of seeing a diversity of species. If the cemetery’s apples and cherries are blooming, we may be in for quite a treat as these are absolute magnets for hungry migrants.  Meanwhile, most trees have yet to fully leaf out, making them easier to spot! 

​It’s sometimes hard to leave Evergreen on a busy spring morning, but if we do, it will be for the very short trip over to Capisic Pond Park, where we’ll continue to seek migrants of all shapes and sizes.

​After about 3 hours of birding, we will be transported to two of our great local producers to sample their offerings and learn their styles. Our brewery destinations are subject to change, but the current plan is to visit Foundation and Rising Tide Brewing Company.

This Week’s Highlights 4/18– 4/24/2026.

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Yellow-rumped Warblers increased significantly this week. I am certain that this stunning bird would be more people’s favorite warbler if they weren’t so darn abundant! This spiffy male was one of at least 40 at
Florida Lake Park in Freeport on the 22nd.

Migration ground to a halt this week, with a more wintery weather pattern and few nights conducive to nocturnal migration. Not surprisingly, my limited observations of notes this week were mostly of a more “wintery” variety.

  • BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS continue to be common and widespread this week, although they seem to be rapidly clearing out now. Nonetheless, I had 14 at Community Park in Wells on 4/19, 16 here at the store on 4/19, 15 that joined me at the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch on 4/21.
  • 2 Evening Grosbeaks, Meadow Road, Durham, 4/23.

My few personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week included:

  • 1 Willet, Harbor Road, Wells, 4/19.
  • 1 Eastern Towhee, Community Park, Wells, 4/19.
  • 11 RUDDY DUCKS, Sabattus Pond, Sabattus, 4/21.
  • 1 Eastern Meadowlark, Davis Road, Durham, 4/24 (even though they have been present here, and most other places, for several weeks now).
  • However, migrant numbers built up slowly but steadily this week. Some high counts included numerous widespread Savannah Sparrows in Wells and Ogunquit on 4/19; 36 Palm Warblers at the Topsham Ponds Trails on 4/21; 40+ Yellow-rumped Warblers at Florida Lake Park on 4/22; 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Morgan Meadow WMA on 4/24. Meanwhile, up to 11 Yellow-rumped Warblers are now at our feeders at home in Durham.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch is at its Peak!

The 20th year of the project began on March 15th. The quickest and clearest way to view daily reports is by clicking on the Hawkcount link contained here. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website. Here’s the Week 5 report, including our biggest flight of the season to date.

Upcoming Tours.

Birds on Tap – Roadtrip: Hawks and Hops!

***POSTPONED due to weather to THIS SUNDAY – April 26, 2026; 9:00am – 3:00pm. There are now a few spaces open!”***

Portland Explorer (formerly Maine Brew Bus) and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are excited to continue our collaboration for 3 very special outings in 2026. 

These unique, relaxed birding and beer-ing adventures that you have come to love combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with visits to sample the delicious creations of some of our favorite local breweries. These tours are a perfect introduction to birding and/or craft beer, and a great opportunity to travel with significant others, friends, and family that have interest in one topic, while your interest is primarily in the other (for now!). Seasonal birding hotspots and great local beer – a perfect combination, and we’ll even do all of the driving!

This brand-new itinerary takes us to the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal in the peak of northbound raptor migration. Now in its 20th year, this research project by Freeport Wild Bird Supply tallies an average of 4,180 migrating birds of prey each spring from the summit!

After a gentle 1-mile climb through the woods, looking and listening for migrant and resident songbirds, we’ll arrive at the summit and join the project’s Official Counter. Derek will discuss the history and methodology of the project, as the counter points out migrating raptors. Derek will lead us through the basics of hawk identification to give us a hawkwatch primer, and then if the migration action allows, we’ll sit back and enjoy the show until it is time to depart (the walk down is a steep ¼ of a mile on a wide, well-worn trail with rocks and roots and some steps; hiking sticks are suggested if you use them). This is the only Hawkwatch Workshop program that FWBS will be offering this year, so this is a tour you won’t want to miss!

After about 3 hours of birding, we will be transported to two of our great local producers to sample their offerings and learn their styles. Our brewery destinations are subject to change, but the current plan is to visit Maine Beer Company and Goodfire Brewing.

This Week’s Highlights 4/10– 4/17/2026.

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Heading south on Friday of last week, I could not resist some quality time with the continuing King Eider on the Kittery Waterfront!


I enjoyed a weekend in Rhode Island thanks to being invited to lead a walk and speak at the Annual Meeting of the Ocean State Bird Club. Thanks to everyone there for the invitation and the great turnout! My bird of the weekend were these three continuing “Black” Brant in Providence that Jess Bishop and I caught up with on the 12th before I headed north.

Meanwhile, here in Maine, the migratory floodgates (and not just for birds!) really began to open with the warm weekend weather and conducive winds, at least to start the week. Here are my observations of note over the past 8 days (5.5 of which were in Maine):

  • 1 continuing drake KING EIDER, Oak Terrace overlook, Kittery, 4/10 (photos above).
  • I spent some time watching the Rock Row, Westbrook Peregrine Falcon nest on the 13th – much better than sitting in the waiting room of a car service center!
  • Not directly bird-related, but Jeannette and I enjoyed a productive “Big Night” in Durham on the evening of 4/14, highlighted as usual by Blue-spotted and Spotted Salamanders.
  • BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS continue to be a highlight this week – they are always a highlight for me! – around the area. About 100 on Stonewood Drive in Freeport on the 17th was my high count this week, with 35-40 here at the store at the same time. 2 were with 20 Cedars at the Walgreens on Route 1/9 in Scarborough earlier that morning. Some have been around the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch on and off this week, and a flock of 24-30 in our property in Durham was our 156th Yard Bird!
  • 4 breeding-plumaged (FOY) Dunlin, 4 Greater with 23 Lesser Scaup, and hundreds of Black and White-winged Scoters, etc, Pine Point, Scarborough, 4/17.

My other personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) in Maine this week included:

  • 1 Broad-winged Hawk, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 4/13.
  • 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, our property in Durham, 4/14.
  • 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/15.
  • 1 Barn Swallow, Florida Lake Park, 4/15.
  • 1 Brown Thrasher, our property in Durham, 4/16.
  • 1 Field Sparrow, Cedar Pond Road, Durham, 4/16.
  • 4 Black-bellied Plovers, Pine Point, Scarborough, 4/17.
  • 1 drake Blue-winged Teal, Pelreco Marsh, Scarborough Marsh, 4/17.
  • 130+ Glossy Ibis, total in Scarborough Marsh, 4/17 (unfortunately more than half were too distant to sort through).
  • 15 Snowy Egrets, total in Scarborough Marsh, 4/17.
  • 17 Greater Yellowlegs, total in Scarborough Marsh, 4/17.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch is Going Strong!

The 20th year of the project began on March 15th. The quickest and clearest way to view daily reports is by clicking on the Hawkcount link contained here. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website. Here’s the Week 4 report.

Upcoming Tours.

Birds on Tap – Roadtrip: Hawks and Hops!

***LIKELY POSTPONED from April 19, 2026 until 4/26 due to weather. Please let us know if you are interested in the new date!***

Portland Explorer (formerly Maine Brew Bus) and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are excited to continue our collaboration for 3 very special outings in 2026. 

These unique, relaxed birding and beer-ing adventures that you have come to love combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with visits to sample the delicious creations of some of our favorite local breweries. These tours are a perfect introduction to birding and/or craft beer, and a great opportunity to travel with significant others, friends, and family that have interest in one topic, while your interest is primarily in the other (for now!). Seasonal birding hotspots and great local beer – a perfect combination, and we’ll even do all of the driving!

This brand-new itinerary takes us to the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal in the peak of northbound raptor migration. Now in its 20th year, this research project by Freeport Wild Bird Supply tallies an average of 4,180 migrating birds of prey each spring from the summit!

After a gentle 1-mile climb through the woods, looking and listening for migrant and resident songbirds, we’ll arrive at the summit and join the project’s Official Counter. Derek will discuss the history and methodology of the project, as the counter points out migrating raptors. Derek will lead us through the basics of hawk identification to give us a hawkwatch primer, and then if the migration action allows, we’ll sit back and enjoy the show until it is time to depart (the walk down is a steep ¼ of a mile on a wide, well-worn trail with rocks and roots and some steps; hiking sticks are suggested if you use them). This is the only Hawkwatch Workshop program that FWBS will be offering this year, so this is a tour you won’t want to miss!

After about 3 hours of birding, we will be transported to two of our great local producers to sample their offerings and learn their styles. Our brewery destinations are subject to change, but the current plan is to visit Maine Beer Company and Goodfire Brewing.

This Week’s Highlights 4/4– 4/9/2026.

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Jeannette and I had a great weekend of Bohemian Waxwing quality time, including this photo session at University of Maine – Orono’s Littlefield Garden on 4/6.

Apparently, Jeannette and I weren’t ready for spring yet, as we used a few days off to go further north, back into (on those days) winter and winter birds!  Nonetheless, new arrivals are showing up regularly, and the radar on the night of 4/8-4/9 showed the first substantial migration of the season. These are my observations of note over the past 6 days.

  • 1 Rusty Blackbird, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/4 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were the bird of the trip for Jeannette and I as we spent two nights in Bangor over our weekend. We started with 35 on Rte 9 in Lisbon on our drive north on 4/5 followed by a flock of 15-20 that flew by the window of Timber Kitchen and Bar in Bangor as we enjoyed a scrumptious brunch. On 4/6, we had 23 at the Littlefield Gardens on the University of Maine – Orono campus, a total of 30 at Saxl Park in Bangor, and then 38 at Essex Marsh. We were sad to not keep the streak alive as we worked our way back home the next day!
  • 3 Evening Grosbeaks, Littlefield Gardens, University of Maine – Orono, 4/6 (with Jeannette).
  • Searched the Corrina-Newport area for the Pink-footed Goose that hadn’t been reported for a few days on 4/7 and found a mere 28 Canada Geese. Plenty of migrant waterfowl on lakes and ponds, however, the highlight of which was 533 Ring-necked Ducks, etc, on Corinna Marsh (with Jeannette).

My other personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week included:

  • 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/4 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 1 Pied-billed Grebe, Florida Lake Park, 4/4 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 1 Swamp Sparrow, Stud Mill Road, Penobscot County, 4/6 (with Jeannette).
  • 1 Winter Wren, Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve, Bangor, 4/7 (with Jeannette).
  • 2 Hermit Thrush (FOS), Florida Lake Park, 4/8.
  • 1 Palm Warbler, Florida Lake Park, 4/8 (with Jayden Mowry).
  • 2 Chipping Sparrows, our feeders in Durham, 4/9.
  • 1 Wilson’s Snipe, Jordan School Road, Auburn, 4/9.
  • 1 Pine Warbler, Jordan School Road, 4/9.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch is Underway!

The 20th year of the project began on March 15th. The quickest and clearest way to view daily reports is by clicking on the Hawkcount link contained here. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website. Here’s the Week 3 report.

Upcoming Tours.

April 19, 2026; 9:00am – 3:00pm

Portland Explorer (formerly Maine Brew Bus) and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are excited to continue our collaboration for 3 very special outings in 2026. 

These unique, relaxed birding and beer-ing adventures that you have come to love combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with visits to sample the delicious creations of some of our favorite local breweries. These tours are a perfect introduction to birding and/or craft beer, and a great opportunity to travel with significant others, friends, and family that have interest in one topic, while your interest is primarily in the other (for now!). Seasonal birding hotspots and great local beer – a perfect combination, and we’ll even do all of the driving!

This brand-new itinerary takes us to the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal in the peak of northbound raptor migration. Now in its 20th year, this research project by Freeport Wild Bird Supply tallies an average of 4,180 migrating birds of prey each spring from the summit!

After a gentle 1-mile climb through the woods, looking and listening for migrant and resident songbirds, we’ll arrive at the summit and join the project’s Official Counter. Derek will discuss the history and methodology of the project, as the counter points out migrating raptors. Derek will lead us through the basics of hawk identification to give us a hawkwatch primer, and then if the migration action allows, we’ll sit back and enjoy the show until it is time to depart (the walk down is a steep ¼ of a mile on a wide, well-worn trail with rocks and roots and some steps; hiking sticks are suggested if you use them). This is the only Hawkwatch Workshop program that FWBS will be offering this year, so this is a tour you won’t want to miss!

After about 3 hours of birding, we will be transported to two of our great local producers to sample their offerings and learn their styles. Our brewery destinations are subject to change, but the current plan is to visit Maine Beer Company and Goodfire Brewing.

 This Week’s Highlights 3/28– 4/3/2026.

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This unreasonably confiding American Woodcock kindly posed for pictures as it foraged along the side of the road during our Saturday Morning Birdwalk on the 28th. “My bird” was not nearly as cooperative during our
Woodcocks Gone Wild program the following night.

Despite the often less than spring-like weather, spring migration made slow but steady progress this week. Here are my observations of note over the past seven days:

  • 400+ Scaup off of the Maquoit Bay Conservation Land in Brunswick were mostly too far to sort through, but a single drake Lesser was among about 30 close Greaters on 3/28 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 450 Greater (mostly) with some Lesser Scaup, Ferry/Western Beaches, Scarborough, 3/29.
  • 2 American Oystercatchers (FOY) with about 25 Purple Sandpipers, Ferry Beach, Scarborough, 3/29. I don’t think I have ever seen these two species standing next to each other! (with Maine Conservation Voters birdwalk group).

These phone-scoped photos don’t really do the scene justice!

  • 4-6 American Woodcocks, private property in Durham, 3/29 during our annual “Woodcocks Gone Wild!” tour. 4 were displaying all evening, but our close bird seemed to be occupied elsewhere. Only some folks saw it in flight once, or it or another bird zipping by, as he never came into his platform this evening, much to the dismay of everyone present – especially me!

My other personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week included:

  • 5 Piping Plovers, Scarborough Beach State Park, 3/29 (with Maine Conservation Voters birdwalk group).
  • 1 Northern Flicker (FOS), Brown’s Point Road, Bowdoinham, 3/30 (with Jeannette).
  • 1 Tree Swallow, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 3/30.
  • 1 Fox Sparrow, our property in Durham, 3/31.
  • 1 Eastern Phoebe, our property in Durham, 3/31.
  • 1 RUSTY BLACKBIRD, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/1.
  • 4 Double-crested Cormorants, Yarmouth Town Landing, 4/1.
  • 3 Ospreys, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 4/2.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch is Underway!

The 20th year of the project began on March 15th. The quickest and clearest way to view daily reports is by clicking on the Hawkcount link contained here. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website. Here’s the Week 2 report.

Upcoming Tours.

Portland Explorer (formerly Maine Brew Bus) and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are excited to continue our collaboration for 3 very special outings in 2026. 

These unique, relaxed birding and beer-ing adventures that you have come to love combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with visits to sample the delicious creations of some of our favorite local breweries. These tours are a perfect introduction to birding and/or craft beer, and a great opportunity to travel with significant others, friends, and family that have interest in one topic, while your interest is primarily in the other (for now!). Seasonal birding hotspots and great local beer – a perfect combination, and we’ll even do all of the driving!

This brand-new itinerary takes us to the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal in the peak of northbound raptor migration. Now in its 20th year, this research project by Freeport Wild Bird Supply tallies an average of 4,180 migrating birds of prey each spring from the summit!

After a gentle 1-mile climb through the woods, looking and listening for migrant and resident songbirds, we’ll arrive at the summit and join the project’s Official Counter. Derek will discuss the history and methodology of the project, as the counter points out migrating raptors. Derek will lead us through the basics of hawk identification to give us a hawkwatch primer, and then if the migration action allows, we’ll sit back and enjoy the show until it is time to depart (the walk down is a steep ¼ of a mile on a wide, well-worn trail with rocks and roots and some steps; hiking sticks are suggested if you use them). This is the only Hawkwatch Workshop program that FWBS will be offering this year, so this is a tour you won’t want to miss!

After about 3 hours of birding, we will be transported to two of our great local producers to sample their offerings and learn their styles. Our brewery destinations are subject to change, but the current plan is to visit Maine Beer Company and Goodfire Brewing.

This Week’s Highlights 3/21– 3/27/2026.

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Bill Thompson and I birded from Bowdoinham through Gardiner on Tuesday, seeking migrant waterfowl and especially Bohemian Waxwings. We hit paydirt while working the side roads in downtown Gardiner, finding a flock of 110 (with 1-2 Cedars) feeding on multiflora rose behind a parking lot on Summer Street. They were, how shall we say, cooperative. A couple of short phone videos of our experience can be seen here. Of course, the next day, 30-40 were right outside the store!

Last week I was lamenting that I have not had enough Bohemian Waxwing time this winter. Happily, that changed this week!    My BOWA-laden observations of note over the past seven days included:

  • 1 Fish Crow, Cumberland Town Landing, 3/21 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 110 Bohemian Waxwings, Summer St, Gardiner, 3/24 (with Bill Thompson; photos above).
  • 30-40 Bohemian Waxwings, eating crabapples here at the store, 3/25.
  • 5 Gadwall, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 3/27.

The current weather pattern has stalled the progress of spring migrants. Nonetheless, my personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week included:

  • 1 AMERICAN GOSHAWK, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 3/24.
  • 5 Wood Ducks, private property in Durham, 3/25.
  • 1 American Kestrel, Newell Brook Road, Durham, 3/26.
  • 1 Ring-necked Duck, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 3/27.
  • 4 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, Eastern Road Trail, 3/27.
  • 3 Great Egrets, Scarborough Marsh, 3/27.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch is Underway!

The 20th year of the project began on March 15th. The quickest and clearest way to view daily reports is by clicking on the Hawkcount link contained here. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website, which can be seen here.

Upcoming Tours.

April 19, 2026; 9:00am – 3:00pm

Portland Explorer (formerly Maine Brew Bus) and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are excited to continue our collaboration for 3 very special outings in 2026. 

These unique, relaxed birding and beer-ing adventures that you have come to love combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with visits to sample the delicious creations of some of our favorite local breweries. These tours are a perfect introduction to birding and/or craft beer, and a great opportunity to travel with significant others, friends, and family that have interest in one topic, while your interest is primarily in the other (for now!). Seasonal birding hotspots and great local beer – a perfect combination, and we’ll even do all of the driving!

This brand-new itinerary takes us to the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal in the peak of northbound raptor migration. Now in its 20th year, this research project by Freeport Wild Bird Supply tallies an average of 4,180 migrating birds of prey each spring from the summit!

After a gentle 1-mile climb through the woods, looking and listening for migrant and resident songbirds, we’ll arrive at the summit and join the project’s Official Counter. Derek will discuss the history and methodology of the project, as the counter points out migrating raptors. Derek will lead us through the basics of hawk identification to give us a hawkwatch primer, and then if the migration action allows, we’ll sit back and enjoy the show until it is time to depart (the walk down is a steep ¼ of a mile on a wide, well-worn trail with rocks and roots and some steps; hiking sticks are suggested if you use them). This is the only Hawkwatch Workshop program that FWBS will be offering this year, so this is a tour you won’t want to miss!

After about 3 hours of birding, we will be transported to two of our great local producers to sample their offerings and learn their styles. Our brewery destinations are subject to change, but the current plan is to visit Maine Beer Company and Goodfire Brewing.

This Week’s Highlights 3/14– 3/20/2026

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There has been an unusual amount of Brant in and around Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth over the past week, with some counts well over 100 birds. I only tallied 59 on 3/20, but enjoyed some close studies and photo ops.

Happy to be back to “normal,” I got out a few times this week in addition to spending time at the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch. It was nice to be birding again in the north, catching up with some winter favorites before they depart. And of course, enjoying each and every new arrival. My observations of note over the past seven days included the following:

  • 1 pair Barrow’s Goldeneye, Winslow Park, Freeport, 3/14 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).

1 adult GOLDEN EAGLE (FOY), Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 3/15. A few details can be seen here on the daily report. 

Zane somehow managed some phone-scoped “doc-shots” of the eagle. Luckily, it was much closer when we first saw it. But even in these shots, you can see the distinct dihedral, and the relatively small head and overall shape of this magnificent bird.

  • 70 Bohemian Waxwings, 12 Evening Grosbeaks, 1 Merlin, etc, Brown’s Point Road, Bowdoinham, 3/17 (with Jeannette).
  • ~40 Bohemian Waxwings, Route 9, Pownal, 3/18.
  • 9 Razorbills, Dyer Point, Cape Elizabeth, 3/20.
  • 59 Brant, 6 Greater Scaup, 20 Purple Sandpipers, etc., Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, 3/20.
  • 1 Red Crossbill and 17 Razorbills, Two Lights State Park, Cape Elizabeth, 3/20.
  • 1 adult Iceland Gull and 2 Razorbills, Trundy Point, Cape Elizabeth, 3/20.
  • 1 continuing 1st-cycle Glaucous Gull, Mill Creek Cove, South Portland, 3/20 (with Bill Thompson).
  • Pine Siskins arrived this week, with widespread small numbers around the area now. I tallied 28 northbound from the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch during the morning of the 15th.

Other personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week included:

  • 1 American Woodcock, our property in Durham, 3/13.
  • 3 Brown-headed Cowbirds, our feeders in Durham, 3/13.
  • 1 Killdeer, Brown’s Point Road, Bowdoinham, 3/17 (with Jeannette).

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch is Underway!

The 20th year of the project began on Sunday. The quickest and clearest way to view daily reports is by clicking on the Hawkcount link contained here.

Upcoming Tours.

March 28th or 29th.  One space has opened for this tour. Please contact us to be added to the waiting list.

This Week’s Highlights 3/10– 3/13/2026.

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While I didn’t look at many birds in Maine this week, we drove a whole 6 minutes from our regular motel in New Jersey to chase this spiffy Harris’s Sparrow in Wall Township, my 352nd species in my native state!
Does 6 minutes even count as a chase?

Much has changed since we left for our vacation on February 23rd. Immediately upon our return, we had to depart the state for a few more days for a family matter. In the meantime, the vanguard of spring migration both literally and figuratively passed over our heads. Here are a few observations of note over the past four days since returning to the state.

  • 1 Red-winged Blackbird (Maine FOY), Kittery Rest Area, 3/10.
  • 8 Common Grackles (Maine FOY), Over Exit 25, Kennebunk, 3/10.
  • In the following days blackbird numbers continued to increase, as did migrant Song Sparrows.
  • 10 Green-winged Teal, Bernard Lown Peace Bridge, Auburn-Lewiston, 3/12.
  • 1 drake Gadwall, 11 Northern Pintails, 5 Red Crossbills (including 1-2 singing males), etc, Reid State Park, Georgetown, 3/13.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch gets underway on Sunday!

But the main reason I am posting this week despite the few days of observation is that Sunday, March 15th begins the 20TH YEAR of the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch! Join Zane Baker and project volunteers at the summit from 9-5 every day (weather permitting) from March 15th through May 15th. Can we reach least year’s record count?

Upcoming Tours.

March 28th or 29th.  This tour is currently sold out. Please contact us to be added to the waiting list.

  • Portland Explorer Collab Tours.

Our collaboration with Portland Explorer has expanded once again, with the 12th season of the Birds on Tap – Roadtrip! series, but also new Birding and History tours. All of the 2026 outings are now posted and are open for registration.  To learn more about these unique experiences, check out my recent blog entry.

2026 Birding Tours in Portland, Maine with Portland Explorer and Freeport Wild Bird Supply !