“Lingering” seasonal rarities and concentrating waterfowl with the growth of river and lake ice this week produced some great mid-January birds despite limited dedicated birding outings.
- The Fox Sparrow continues at the store since 12/21, but has been very sporadic this week.
- 1 GRAY CATBIRD and 1 Fox Sparrow continue at our feeders in Durham through week’s end.
- At least two Turkey Vultures continued in the I-295 corridor between Brunswick and Cumberland, and scattered others continue in the area as well.
- 4 BARROW’S GOLDENEYES, Winslow Park, Freeport, 1/11 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
- 2 Swamp Sparrows, 1 Hermit Thrush, and 1 Northern Flicker, Village Crossings/Cape Elizabeth Greenbelt Trail, Cape Elizabeth, 1/12.
- 1 drake WOOD DUCK, North River Road Boat Launch, Auburn, 1/13 (with Jeannette). Photo above.
- 1 drake Ring-necked Duck, Lincoln Street Riverfront park, Lewiston, 1/14.
- 2 Northern Flickers, Cedar Pond Road, Durham, 1/16.
- 1 Rough-legged Hawk, Portland Jetport, 1/17.
Upcoming Tours
- Birds on Tap – Roadtrip! “Harlequins and Hops” Sunday, February 2nd: https://www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/birds-on-tap
2. Winter Waterbirds Workshop with Down East Adventures: Sunday, February 9: https://www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/downeast-adventures-tours
3. Gull Identification Workshop: Freeport, Saturday, February 15, 2025 (1:00-4:00pm) and Part II in Portland: Sunday, February 16, 2025 (8:00am-12:00pm). https://www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com/workshops-and-programs
Maine Birding Field Notes 
Mr. Lovitch,
I was doing a google search to see if black-throated sparrows have ever been spotted in Maine after my husband and I went through a struggle determining what bird we saw at our feeder yesterday. We couldn’t find it in Sibley’s Eastern Birds book, so looked by shape on Cornell’s Bird ID site. We were so certain it was a black-throated sparrow, until we saw the map. Then, I realized that sometimes birds do go outside their typical areas, so I googled my question to see if anyone had ever seen these. Yeah! You did! So, I wanted you to know that on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, a black-throated sparrow was seen in Belfast, Maine on the Hunt Road in a grass and woods setting.
Melinda & Gary Bosk
Hello Melinda,
Indeed, I was lucky enough to see one of the two Black-throated Sparrows to ever be seen a few years back. In fact, there was just one previous record in the state, so this is a very rare bird indeed! Did you happen to snap a photo, even a horrific one with just a phone? If so, could you send it to us at info@freeportwildbirdsupply.com? And have you seen it again since your initial sighting?
Many thanks for reaching out and for any additional info!
-Derek