Taking the long road to Augusta for an appointment last week, I checked a few open sections of river, including here at the Gardiner Waterfront Park where a group of 16 Common Mergansers were present. Such a snappy bird!

We’ve been busy catching up from our winter vacation, but I did see a few observations of note over the past ten days.

• Our feeders In Durham continue to be exceeding active, with at least 70 American Goldfinches and over 50 Dark-eyed Juncos leading the way this week. We’ve also seen increases to 6 American Tree Sparrows, 3 White-throated Sparrows, and a returning two Song Sparrows among all of the resident species. A single Pine Siskin joined the goldfinches on 2/2.

• 1 hen BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, Bernard Lown Peace Bridge, Lewiston/Auburn, 1/30.
• 4 Horned Larks and 3 Snow Buntings, Upper/Pearl Streets, Turner, 1/30.

• 3 drake and 1 hen BARROW’S GOLDENEYES continue, Winslow Park, Freeport, 1/31.

• 1 adult Red-shouldered Hawk, Rte 9, Lisbon, 2/1.

• 1 continuing Turkey Vulture, over I-295 in Yarmouth, 2/3 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group). At least one continues to winter in this area.

• 1 continuing drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, Back Cove, Portland, 2/4 (with Gull ID Workshop tour group).
• 1 2^nd-cycle Iceland Gull, Portland Harbor, 2/4 (with Gull ID Workshop tour group).

• 1 Savannah Sparrow, Seavy Landing Road, Scarborough Marsh, 2/4 (with Noah Gibb).

• 2+ Red Crossbills, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, 2/5 (with Jeannette).

• 1 imm. NORTHERN GOSHAWK, our yard in Durham, 2/6.

• 2-3 Turkey Vultures, Mere Point Road, Brunswick, 2/7.