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 20^th 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.