I had relatively few things scheduled this week, so I took full advantage to spend a little extra time in the field – it might be July by the time I get a week this open again!  While I definitely “swung for the fences” a few times in my pursuit of finding rare birds, I enjoyed a really great week of birding overall.

My observations of note over the past seven days included:

• 1 Northern Goshawk, Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch, 4/10.

• 1 Red Crossbill, Waterboro Barrens Preserve, Waterboro, 4/11 (with Jeannette).

But my highlight was experiencing a fallout along the southern York County coast on 4/14, led by Song Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Golden-crowned Kinglets, but also including goodly tallies of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creepers, White-throated Sparrows, Northern Flickers, and especially Hermit Thrushes. I also totaled 10 sparrow species on the day, several first-of-years, but alas, none of the hoped-for rarities. I summarized the event briefly in this post.

And my list of personal “first of years” and other new arrivals this week really showed the progression of the season.

• 2 Hermit Thrushes, Winslow Park, Freeport, 4/9 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
• 7 Pam Warblers, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/10.
• 2 Swamp Sparrows (FOS), Florida Lake Park, 4/10.
• 16 Wilson’s Snipe, Highland Road, Brunswick, 4/10.
• 5 RUDDY DUCKS, Sabattus Pond, Sabattus, 4/10.
• 1 Barn Swallow, Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch, 4/10.
• 1 INDIGO BUNTING, Bailey Island, Harpswell, 4/12 (with Jeannette. See photo and note above).
• 1 Savannah Sparrow, Bailey Island, 4/12 (with Jeannette).
• 7 Broad-winged Hawks, Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch, 4/12 (with Jeannette)
• 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Florida Lake Park, 4/13.
• 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers (FOS), Florida Lake Park, 4/13.
• 1 drake Blue-winged Teal, Spring Brook Farm, Cumberland, 4/13.
• 1 Chipping Sparrow, feeders here at the store, 4/13.
• 1 Field Sparrow, Fort Foster, Kittery, 4/14.
• 1 Eastern Towhee, Fort Foster, 4/14.
• 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Fort Foster, 4/14.
• 1 pair GADWALL (FOS), Seapoint Beach, Kittery, 4/14.
• 1 Dunlin (FOS), Seapoint Beach, 4/14.

And finally, the first event of this year’s extended Feathers Over Freeport celebration is Wednesday, 4/20 at Maine Beer Co. A portion of the proceeds of every food purchase will directly support the weekend’s events! I’ll be joining park staff to answer questions about our local state parks, local birding, and the Feathers Over Freeport Weekend.  For more information, visit: www.maine.gov/feathersoverfreeeport