Monthly Archives: April 2024

Recent Highlights, 4/20– 4/26/2024

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 Although it had moved further away by the time I arrived, I managed a few phone-scoped photos of the Loggerhead Shrike that graced Chandler Brook Preserve and nearby yards in North Yarmouth on 4/21.

It was a great week of birding, with an impressive fallout on Saturday morning, a local mega rarity, and more new spring arrivals. My highlight of the week was catching an incredible early-season fallout at Florida Lake Park in Freeport on 4/20 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group). I eventually settled on a guestimate of 400 Palm Warblers and 125 Yellow-rumped Warblers. The full report can be found here.  75+ Palm Warblers and 50+ Yellow-rumped Warblers were present on the 24th, but on both dates the only other warbler – as expected for the date – were Pine (3 each day).

My other observations of note over the past seven days included:

  • 1 Fish Crow, over our property in Durham, 4/20 (Yard Bird #150!)
  • 1 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, Chandler Brook Preserve, North Yarmouth, 4/21. Found earlier in the afternoon and seen by several of us in the evening. I don’t chase very often, but when I do, I prefer it to be only 15 minutes out of the way on my way home from the store!  It was only my second in Maine.
  • 6 Red Crossbills (1 male, 2 female, 3-4 juvenile. Type 12 as per Matt Young), here at the store, 4/24.

Additional personal first-of-years this week also included:

  • *1+ CLIFF SWALLOW, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/20 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Florida Lake Park, 4/20 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 1 Blue-headed Vireo, Morgan Meadow WMA, Raymond, 4/21.
  • *1 NORTHERN PARULA, Morgan Meadow WMA, 4/21.
  • 2 SANDHILL CRANES, Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch, 4/21.
  • 1 Rusty Blackbird, Florida Lake Park, 4/24.
  • 1 adult LITTLE BLUE HERON, Cousin’s River Marsh, Freeport/Yarmouth, 4/24 (as viewed from Freeport Café’s parking lot).
  • 1 Eastern Towhee, feeders here at the store, 4/24.
  • 1 LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, Papermill Trail, Lisbon, 4/26.
  • 1 Black-throated Green Warbler, Papermill Trail, 4/26.

*Numerous very early arrivals of regular migrants are likely also tied to the overshoot event that brought southern vagrants to locations up and down the state’s coast.

TOURS AND EVENTS:

Feathers Over Freeport This Weekend!

Saturday, April 27th at Bradbury Mountains State Park and Sunday, April 28th at Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park. All events FREE with park entry!

From birdwalks and a hawkwatch workshop to kids’ arts and crafts and a food truck, join us for two activity filled days in the 13th year of Feathers Over Freeport!  A full schedule of events can be found here.

Note our regularly scheduled Saturday Morning Birdwalk meets at Bradbury on the 27th.

 Recent Highlights, 4/11– 4/19/2024

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The deceiving very Little Egret-like Little Egret x Snowy Egret hybrid is back for another season on the Portland-Falmouth waterfront. Jeannette and I saw it for the first time this year at Tidewater Farm Preserve in Falmouth on the 14th. Details below.

My birding was limited during this period, unfortunately, especially considering a significant “overshooting” event from the most recent storm. Southern vagrants and some exceptionally early arrivals were detected. Unfortunately, we were out of town for the days in which most of the rarities were detected early this week. I did try to make up for it by finding something later in the week, but I struck out.

Overall feeder activity decreased as the snow receded, but we noticed an uptick in Purple Finches and Pine Siskins in our yard in Durham, along with the arrival of Pine Warblers at our feeders in Durham and here at the store. My other observations of note over the past nine days included:

  • 10 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, Farm Gate Road, Falmouth, 4/14 (with Jeannette).
  • 1 LITTLE EGRET X SNOWY EGRET HYBRID, Tidewater Farm Preserve, Falmouth, 4/14 (with Jeannette). Back for another year, this very Little Egret-like individual is a tricky and misleading ID at any distance. Luckily, it was close to the point today, providing great studies. In the photo above, you can see the very long, LIEG-like plumes. Also apparent today in comparison to a nearby SNEG was the slightly longer and thinner bill and the somewhat thinner and more elegant neck, and it did appear to be a touch larger overall. However, up close, you can see the handful of wispy, SNEG-plumes on the back of the head and neck, and in most lights, the lores gave a distinctly yellowish appearance, especially near the eye.

Additional personal first-of-years this week were limited to:

  • 1 Chipping Sparrow, feeders here at the store, 4/13.
  • 1 Field Sparrow, our property in Durham, 4/14.
  • 2 Pied-billed Grebes, Florida Lake, Freeport, 4/17.
  • 1 Broad-winged Hawk, Florida Lake, 4/17.
  • 1 Northern Mockingbird, our property in Durham, 4/18 (Yard Bird #149!).

TOURS AND EVENTS:

  1. Birds on Tap! Kick-off event at the Portland Beer Hub!

Thursday, April 25, 2024; 5:00 – 7:00pm – Portland Beer Hub – 320 Fore St. Portland, ME 04101- FREE!

Join Birding Guide and owner of Freeport Wild Bird Supply Derek Lovitch, and Brew’s Cruise owner Zach Poole, for an exclusive gathering at the Portland Beer Hub to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Birds on Tap! and kick off our new tour lineup.

During this casual meetup, guests will mingle with other bird and beer enthusiasts, discuss the exciting lineup of upcoming Birds on Tap tours, and can enjoy flights of bird-themed local beers (for purchase). 

It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of birdwatching and craft beers. For a bit of fun, be prepared for some impromptu bird trivia and birding games.

2. Feathers Over Freeport!

Saturday, April 27th at Bradbury Mountains State Park and Sunday, April 28th at Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park. All events free with park entry!

From birdwalks and a hawkwatch workshop to kids’ arts and crafts and a food truck, join us for two activity filled days in the 13th year of Feathers Over Freeport!  A full schedule of events can be found here.

Note our regularly scheduled Saturday Morning Birdwalk meets at Bradbury on the 27th.

 Recent Highlights, 4/1– 4/10/2024

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 Luckily for this Great Egret – showing off it’s high-breeding condition lime green lores – last week’s snow didn’t last long in Scarborough Marsh.

The massive “winter” storm of 4/3 through 4/5 produced heavy snow cover and drove a lot of birds to feeders, including those that are not usual feeder visitors. Numerous reports of American Robins eating offerings of dried mealworms, suet, and even some seed were received. At our home in Durham, I spent the snow day experimenting with getting Eastern Phoebes to eat dried mealworms, finally finding success by floating them in the slush at the edge of our pond.

Meanwhile, feeder-watching during the day on the 4th yielded 44 Dark-eyed Juncos (up from 22), and more Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles. By the next day, we had a new recent high of 4 Purple Finches and 6 Pine Siskins. Here at the store our 10 White-throated Sparrows continued, growing to 14 by week’s end.  Two great nights of migration 4/8-9 and especially 4/9-10 saw many of these sparrows depart.

Away from feeders, my other observations of note over the past ten days included:

  • Red Crossbills continue to be widespread, with a highlight of 3 (including a fresh juvenile) feeding on the ground within 20-30 feet of the Saturday Morning Birdwalk group at Winslow Park on 4/6.
  • 1 Wilson’s Snipe (FOY), our property in Durham, 4/1 (Yard Bird #148!).
  • 14 Gadwall, Pelreco marsh, Scarbrough Marsh, 4/7.
  • 35 Brant, Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, 4/7.

Additional personal first-of-years this week, fueled especially by the massive flight overnight on 4/9-10,  also included:

  • 2 Ospreys, Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch, 4/1.
  • 2 Double-crested Cormorants, Mailley Park, Bowdoinham, 4/2 (with Jeannette).
  • 12 Great Egrets, Scarborough Marsh, 4/7.
  • 5 Snowy Egrets, Scarborough Marsh, 4/7.
  • 4 Greater Yellowlegs, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 4/7.
  • 1 pair AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS, Pine Point, Scarborough, 4/7.
  • 1 pair Piping Plovers, Pine Point Beach, 4/7.
  • 1 Winter Wren (FOS), our property in Durham, 4/9.
  • 1 Hermit Thrush (FOS), Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/10.
  • 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Florida Lake Park, 4/10.
  • 1 Pine Warbler, Florida Lake Park, 4/10.
  • 16 Palm Warblers, Florida Lake Park, 4/10.
  • 2 Barn Swallows, Florida Lake Park, 4/10.
  • 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers (FOS), Florida Lake Park, 4/10.

TOURS AND EVENTS:

1.Woodcocks Gone Wild – Now Saturday, 4/13

Due to the high winds and precip forecast for the evening of the 6th, we postponed our tour to the weather date of 4/13. There are no current openings, but a short waitlist if you would like to be added in case of cancellations. . Please call the store, 207-865-6000 to register.

2. Community Pizza Night at Maine Beer Company to support Feathers Over Freeport!

April 17: 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Maine Beer Company – Freeport
Join us for a Community Pizza Night to benefit Feathers over Freeport. Proceeds from a raffle along with 20% of all food sales from 4-8:00 p.m. will be donated to support the annual birdwatching and nature discovery weekend hosted by the Bureau of Parks and Lands. Park and event staff will host an activity & information table and be on hand to answer questions about birding, the Hawk Watch, and Feathers Over Freeport. Location: Maine Beer Company, in the Tasting Room, 525 US-1, Freeport, ME 04342.

3. Birds on Tap! Kick-off event at the Portland Beer Hub!

Thursday, April 25, 2024; 5:00 – 7:00pm. Free!

​Join Birding Guide and owner of Freeport Wild Bird Supply Derek Lovitch, and Brew’s Cruise owner Zach Poole, for an exclusive gathering at the Portland Beer Hub to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Birds on Tap! and kick off our new tour lineup.

During this casual meetup, guests will mingle with other bird and beer enthusiasts, discuss the exciting lineup of upcoming Birds on Tap tours, and can enjoy flights of bird-themed local beers (for purchase). 

It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of birdwatching and craft beers. For a bit of fun, be prepared for some impromptu bird trivia and birding games.

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