This Week’s Highlights 4/25– 5/1/2026.

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The Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch has been running below average for the season, but the Northern Harrier count has been above average. Recently, views of harriers have also been above average as well.

While it wasn’t “warm” the weather pattern was a little more conducive to migration for the first half of the week. But things are definitely behind schedule right now, and the woods remain uncomfortably quiet. That will change with a weather pattern shift, but for now, my observations of note over the past seven days included the following:

  • 1 Rusty Blackbird Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/25 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS are getting quite late now, but there are some still around the area. This week, I had 1 at the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch on 4/26 (with Birds on Tap Roadtrip: Hawks and Hops! tour group) and 20-25 from Rte. 136 in Auburn on the 27th.
  • 1 American Oystercatcher, East Point, Biddeford Pool, Biddeford, 4/30.
  • With warbler migration in particular continuing to be quite delayed, it wasn’t until 5/1 at Morgan Meadow WMA that I saw 5 species at one location, led by 60+ Yellow-rumped Warblers and 9 Pine Warblers.

My few personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week included:

  • 1 Cliff Swallow, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/25 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 3 Blue-headed Vireos, Mt Apatite Park, Auburn, 4/27.
  • 1 Black-and-white Warbler, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 4/28.
  • 1 PURPLE MARTIN, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 4/28.
  • 3 Laughing Gulls, East Point, Biddeford Pool, 4/30.
  • 1 LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, Morgan Meadow WMA, 5/1.
  • 1 YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (early, which is surprising since almost nothing else is!), Morgan Meadow WMA, 5/1.
  • 9 Lesser Yellowlegs, Walsh Preserve, Freeport, 5/1.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch.

The 20th 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 on the website link above. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website. Here’s the Week 6 report.

Upcoming Tours (with space available).

Birds On Tap℠ – Roadtrip! Warblers and Wort

May 10, 2026; 8:00am – 2:00pm

​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!

We’re bringing back the “Mother’s Day Special” in 2026, with a return to Portland on one of our most popular annual itineraries. May means warbler migration, and the destination for Warblers and Wort will hit two of Maine’s most famous springtime migrant traps, Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery and nearby Capisic Pond Park. Two oases in the urban jungle, featuring water sources and a mix of various habitats, help concentrate migrant birds that found themselves in or over the city come sunrise. After migrating all night, tired travelers look for refuge: food, water, and shelter, and urban greenspaces are absolutely critical for refueling.  

Warbler diversity will rapidly be increasing, over 15 species possible by the middle of May, depending on the progression of the season. Other species, such as sparrows, raptors, and other Neotropical Migrants such as orioles and tanagers are also on the move, increasing our chances of seeing a diversity of species. If the cemetery’s apples and cherries are blooming, we may be in for quite a treat as these are absolute magnets for hungry migrants.  Meanwhile, most trees have yet to fully leaf out, making them easier to spot! 

​It’s sometimes hard to leave Evergreen on a busy spring morning, but if we do, it will be for the very short trip over to Capisic Pond Park, where we’ll continue to seek migrants of all shapes and sizes.

​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 Foundation and Rising Tide Brewing Company.

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