The Great-crested Flycatcher has been the “king bird” of our driveway, declaring dominance over the kestrel house we placed on an abandoned telephone pole. They have nested in it for the last three years.
June is a great month for birding in Maine, and this June has been very good so far with rarities around the state. Meanwhile, staying closer to home for much of the week, my observations of note over the last 6 days included the following:
Red Crossbills continue on the coastal plain including 5 at Florida Lake Park in Freeport on 6/6 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
1 adult Red Knot, 1 American Oystercatcher, etc, The Pool, Biddeford Pool, 6/7 (with Ian Doherty).
3 Red-necked Grebes, 1 1st summer Great Cormorant, continuing lingering Black and White-winged Scoters, etc, Ocean Avenue, Biddeford Pool, 6/7 (with Ian Doherty).
1 continuing 1st summer LITTLE GULL, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 6/7 (with Ian Doherty).
1 Louisiana Waterthrush, North River Road, Auburn, 6/8.
1 continuing 1st summer LITTLE GULL (same paler individual as 6/7), 1 American Oystercatcher, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, etc, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 6/9 (with clients from California).
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, our property in Durham, 6/11.
Sorry for the delay on scheduling these tours, but we now have set dates. Derek will once again be onboard as Guest Naturalist for this special “Whale Watch & Birding Buffs Combo” Cruise. The itinerary will include a visit to Eastern Egg Rock as well as whale feeding grounds. Nesting colonies and pelagic sightings will be highlighted. Around EER at this time we can expect to find Atlantic Puffins, Common Terns, Arctic Terns, Roseate Terns, Laughing Gulls, Double-Crested Cormorants, Common Eider, Black Guillemots, with a chance of Razorbill and Common Murre. Off-shore sightings may include Northern Gannets, up to 4 species of Shearwaters (Great, Sooty, Cory’s, and Manx), and Wilson’s Storm Petrels. Who knows? Perhaps the wandering TUFTED PUFFIN will be spotted! Sorry, no chumming this time, but we tend to get a little more time around Eastern Egg, and if there’s enough of us, a little more freedom to chase birds offshore!
Little Gulls are simply adorable. This is a scientific fact. This continuing 1st-cycle (born last year) individual was at Hill’s Beach in Biddeford on the 31st.
While there are still plenty of migrants moving through the region, especially shorebirds, breeding season is fully upon us now. This June, I have intentionally reduced my tour schedule to take full advantage of what June has to offer, including exploring new areas and enjoying Maine’s astounding array of breeding diversity, and yeah, doing some scouting, too. Here are my observations of note over the past seven days:
Scattered Red Crossbills continue around the area, including here on the coastal plain. Blackpoll Warblers and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were among the later migrant passerines still on the move this week; I had several sightings of both species well outside breeding range. A Common Nighthawk over our yard in Durham on 6/2 was also likely a migrant.
200+ Chimney Swifts, Maine Street and Androscoggin River, Brunswick, 5/30 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
1 continuing 1st cycle LITTLE GULL, 2 Brant, 6 Roseate Terns (FOY), etc, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 5/31 (photo above).
13 species of shorebirds, led by 85 Black-bellied Plovers but including 1 White-rumped Sandpiper (FOY), and 5-7 American Oystercatchers, between The Pool and Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 5/31.
Lingering seaducks around the Biddeford Pool area on 5/31 included 120+ Black Scoters, a small number of White-winged and Surf Scoters, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, and 2 RED-NECKED GREBES (off Ocean Avenue. Back for another summer?).
2 1st summer Great Cormorants, East Point to Ocean Ave, Biddeford Pool, 5/31.
5 Long-tailed Ducks, 1-2 American Oystercatchers, 16 Semipalmated Sandpipers, etc, Pine Point Beach, Scarborough, 6/5.
2026 Monhegan Spring Migration Weekend Tour Report.
Another remarkable Monhegan Spring Migration Weekend is in the books. Every day out here is different in migration, and every tour is unique. But this one was particularly full of superlatives.
It seemed slow. Low numbers, low diversity, but yet with new birds being seen every day we ended up with a very good, above-average tally of 95 species, with the 18 species of warblers being just about the long-term average.
While numbers of individuals, especially warblers, were dreadfully low, we more than made up for it with quality. Quality of species, but especially quality of sightings. Just about everything was seen so well. A recurring theme of the weekend was definitely “wow, that was a great view!” or “what a fascinating behavior!” The bird-watching was simply divine!
Here’s the photo-laden tour report, including daily birdlists.
A Mississippi Kite was discovered by a group of visiting birders from Rhode Island on Monhegan on Saturday morning. Moments later, it was seen by two other parties, and then the chase was on. I did a wind-sprint up Horn’s Hill and managed to catch a most unsatisfactory view of it as it disappeared behind trees. Unfortunately, my tour group could not relocate it in the afternoon, and it was considered a 1.5 hour-wonder. Then, on Tuesday morning, right after breakfast, I stepped out of our Trailing Yew cabin and started yelling across the lawn to Jeannette, who was looking down, photographing an (uncommon on the island) Eastern Bluebird. It then proceeded to pass right over our heads, and a few minutes later, it was even lower and closer. This was most definitely not an unsatisfactory view!
I spent 5 of the past 8 days on Monhegan, first with a tour from Friday the 22nd through Monday the 24th, and remaining with Jeannette through the next day. I’ll have a trip report, chock full of photos, by next week, but for now, here are some of my daily highlights. We had a total of 107 species, but only 18 species of warblers. But the rarities and the overall quality of observations and experiences, really did make up for it.
5/22: Port Clyde ferry to Monhegan:
10 Purple Sandpipers, Shag Ledge
4 Atlantic Puffins
1 1st summer Great Cormorant
5/22: Monhegan:
1 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS, fly-byoff of Deadman’s Cove. ~7th Island Record. My 229th Monhegan species!
1 continuing LARK SPARROW
2 Sora (FOY)
Red Crossbills, including young juveniles, were widespread all five days.
1 drake Long-tailed Duck
5/23:
1 MISSISSIPPI KITE (see story above).
1 adult BROAD-WINGED HAWK (very rare, especially in spring out here).
1 GLOSSY IBIS, fly-by at dusk (with Mik Oyler)
5/24:
1 fly-by Arctic Tern (FOY)
1 continuing Virginia Rail (FOY)
1 continuing female Pine Warbler
1 continuing hen Long-tailed Duck
5/25:
1 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (unusually easy twitch with the group, found a short while prior by M. McKnight).
10 Greater Yellowlegs (first spotted from Island Inn window by Bill Thompson).
1 continuing female Pine Warbler
5/26 (with Jeannette):
1 presumed returning MISSISSIPPI KITE (see above).
1 presumed returning BROAD-WINGED HAWK.
1 Arctic Tern
2-3 Olive-sided Flycatchers (FOY)
3 White-winged Scoters
1 1st summer Great Cormorant
1 continuing female Pine Warbler
Ferry to Port Clyde:
2 Atlantic Puffins
Back here in the real world, my observations of note over the past three days included:
The latest incarnation of our Bicknell’s Thrush weekend offers more chances to see the enigmatic Bicknell’s Thrush and even better boreal birding opportunities!
With two full mornings in the area, we’ll have flexibility to offer two visits to the realm of the Bicknell’s. While Bicknell’s Thrush is the primary target, this enhanced itinerary will also give us an even better chance at other boreal species, including Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Palm and Blackpoll Warblers, and especially Philadelphia Vireo and Mourning Warbler. By staying in Colebrook, NH we have the opportunity to look for additional boreal targets anywhere from Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom (the famous hotspots are only 30 minutes from Colebrook!) to the Umbagog NWR area.
Dan Nickerson and I enjoyed quality time with a foraging Louisiana Waterthrush at a regular location in West Poland on the 21st. We enjoyed watching its foraging technique in and out of the water.
It was another fabulous week of birding, and the season has finally (mostly) caught up with the date on the calendar. Several great nights of nocturnal migration allowed a lot of breeding birds and passage migrants to arrive, although there were few concentrations of migrants this week as most birds went overhead, unimpeded. The 19th was my best day of the spring so far, however! My observations of note over the past 6 days, before I head off to Monhegan, are as follows:
In addition to the usual handful of breeding locales, the recent spring overshoot event has brought quite a few more ORCHARD ORIOLES to the state than usual. I saw three this week, including at known breeding locations(*): 1 female Old Town House Park*, North Yarmouth, 5/16 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group); 1 immature male, Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, 5/17 (with Down East Adventures Spring Songbird Workshop tour group), and 1 adult male Capisic Pond Park*, Portland, 5/17 (with Down East Adventures Spring Songbird Workshop tour group).
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Old Town House Park, North Yarmouth, 5/16 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
2 Yellow-throated Vireos, Morgan Meadow WMA, 5/18 (with Jeannette).
10+ BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, our property in Durham, 5/18. Unfortunately were flushing out of the woods (likely eating Amelanchier blossoms) before I could get an accurate count of the flock size. Incredibly late date.
Incredible day for migrants on Bailey Island in Harpswell on 5/19 (with Ian Doherty). We tallied 18 species of warblers, led by ~60 Common Yellowthroats and ~40 Yellow Warblers, at least 18 Swainson’s Thrushes (FOY), 25+ Red-eyed Vireos, 10+ Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, etc. Best day of migrant observation for me this season so far!
2 American Oystercatchers, Bailey Island, 5/19 (with Ian Doherty).
1 Vesper Sparrow, Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport, Auburn, 5/21 (with Dan Nickerson).
1 Louisiana Waterthrush, Johnson Hill Road, West Poland, 5/21 (with Dan Nickerson).
My other personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week also included:
3 Red-eyed Vireos, Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, 5/17 (with Down East Adventures Spring Songbird Workshop tour group).
1 Canada Warbler, Capisic Pond Park, Portland 5/17 (with Down East Adventures Spring Songbird Workshop tour group).
1 Eastern Wood-Pewee, Morgan Meadow WMA, 5/18 (with Jeannette).
1 Indigo Bunting, our property in Durham, 5/18.
25+ Common Terns, Bailey Island, Harspwell, 5/19 (with Ian Doherty).
1 Willow Flycatcher, Bailey Island, 5/19 (with Ian Doherty).
4 Blackpoll Warblers, Bailey Island, 5/19 (with Ian Doherty).
6 Bay-breasted Warblers, Bailey Island, 5/19 (with Ian Doherty).
1 Tennessee Warbler, Bailey Island, 5/19 (with Ian Doherty).
3+ Common Nighthawks, our property in Durham, 5/19.
2 Alder Flycatchers, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 5/20 (with Evan Obercian).
The 20th year of the project began on March 15th officially concluded at 5:00pm on May 15th, but Zane went up for a few hours on the 16th…and yeah, the rest of the week looked pretty decent, too. Where was this weather during the count period!? Here’s the final, Week 9 report.
The latest incarnation of our Bicknell’s Thrush weekend offers more chances to see the enigmatic Bicknell’s Thrush and even better boreal birding opportunities!
With two full mornings in the area, we’ll have flexibility to offer two visits to the realm of the Bicknell’s. While Bicknell’s Thrush is the primary target, this enhanced itinerary will also give us an even better chance at other boreal species, including Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Palm and Blackpoll Warblers, and especially Philadelphia Vireo and Mourning Warbler. By staying in Colebrook, NH we have the opportunity to look for additional boreal targets anywhere from Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom (the famous hotspots are only 30 minutes from Colebrook!) to the Umbagog NWR area.
This immature male Orchard Oriole, and a female it was foraging with, that I found on Peak’s Island on the 11th are likely part of a continuing influx of “southern overshoots” that arrived after last week’s weather pattern (see last week’s blog).
It’s hard to not have a great week of birding in the middle of May, and this week was certainly no different. Some “southern overshoots” added to the mix of migrants and new arrivals, and some rather surprising lingering winter birds as well, all making for a fun-filled week of bird watching. Here are my observations of note over the past seven days.
1 female SUMMER TANAGER, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 12 species of warblers, etc, Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, 5/10 (with Birds on Tap Roadtrip: Warblers and Wort! Tour group). Unfortunately, I whiffed on photos as we all struggled to follow her across the cemetery!
16 species of warblers, led by 35 Yellow and 16 Common Yellowthroats, Peak’s Island, Portland, 5/11.
6+ Red Crossbills including 2+ fledglings, Peak’s Island, 5/11.
1 SANDHILL CRANE, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, (the 14th of the season here, but my first from the summit this spring), 5/12.
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, our property in Durham, 5/13.
15 species of warblers, led by 13 Black-and-white Warblers and 11 Common Yellowthroats, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 5/14 (with Bill Thompson).
52 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS (with 1 Cedar Waxwing), Union Street, Brunswick, 5/14 (with Bill Thompson). Even more incredible than seeing so many Bohemians so late in May, is that we saw them on the same day we easily recorded 17 species of warblers. Not sure that will happen again for a very long time around here!
16 species of warblers, led by 13 Black-and-white Warblers and 11 Ovenbirds, our property in Durham, 5/15.
My personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week also included:
4 UPLAND SANDPIPERS (been present for a few weeks now, but I hadn’t made the time to visit!), Brunswick Landing, Brunswick, 5/9 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group). Bill Thompson and I had 1-2 on 5/14, with one singing from the Bowdoin Sandplain proper.
2 Lincoln’s Sparrows, Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, 5/9 (with Birds on Tap Roadtrip: Warblers and Wort! Tour group).
2 Wilson’s Warblers, Evergreen Cemetery, 5/9 (with Birds on Tap Roadtrip: Warblers and Wort! Tour group).
The 20th year of the project began on March 15th and concludes at 5:00pm today, May 15th (maybe! But tomorrow looks so good!) 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 8 report. I’ll post a season summary next week.
The latest incarnation of our Bicknell’s Thrush weekend offers more chances to see the enigmatic Bicknell’s Thrush and even better boreal birding opportunities!
With two full mornings in the area, we’ll have flexibility to offer two visits to the realm of the Bicknell’s. While Bicknell’s Thrush is the primary target, this enhanced itinerary will also give us an even better chance at other boreal species, including Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Palm and Blackpoll Warblers, and especially Philadelphia Vireo and Mourning Warbler. By staying in Colebrook, NH we have the opportunity to look for additional boreal targets anywhere from Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom (the famous hotspots are only 30 minutes from Colebrook!) to the Umbagog NWR area.
It’s May, and May means Neotropical Migrants, like this stunning Scarlet Tanager that graced the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch on 5/5.
It’s May, and things are happening whether the weather wants it to or not! But finally, the migratory floodgates opened, with huge overnight flights Monday into Tuesday and Wednesday into Thursday. It’s on! The flood of new arrivals those days got things back closer to schedule, until the second half of the week, when progress slowed down once again. The warm weather ushered in by an extensive southwesterly flow all of the way down to the Gulf Coast and South Atlantic Bight from Monday night into Wednesday ushered in a wave of “southern overshoots’ around the state. Here, for example, is the wind map from mid-day on Wednesday, showing the extensive southwesterly flow originating way down in the Gulf of Mexico.
I didn’t try to chase any of the reports but was certainly monitoring my feeders and local patches with extra vigilance! Not surprisingly then, most of my observations of note over the past seven days were of the FOY variety.
The 20th year of the project began on March 15th and will conclude on May 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 7 report.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yellow-rumped Warblers increased significantly this week. I am certain that this stunning bird would be more people’s favorite warbler if they weren’t so darn abundant! This spiffy male was one of at least 40 at Florida Lake Park in Freeport on the 22nd.
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.
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 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.
***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.
Heading south on Friday of last week, I could not resist some quality time with the continuing King Eider on the Kittery Waterfront!
I enjoyed a weekend in Rhode Island thanks to being invited to lead a walk and speak at the Annual Meeting of the Ocean State Bird Club. Thanks to everyone there for the invitation and the great turnout! My bird of the weekend were these three continuing “Black” Brant in Providence that Jess Bishop and I caught up with on the 12th before I headed north.
Meanwhile, here in Maine, the migratory floodgates (and not just for birds!) really began to open with the warm weekend weather and conducive winds, at least to start the week. Here are my observations of note over the past 8 days (5.5 of which were in Maine):
1 continuing drake KING EIDER, Oak Terrace overlook, Kittery, 4/10 (photos above).
I spent some time watching the Rock Row, Westbrook Peregrine Falcon nest on the 13th – much better than sitting in the waiting room of a car service center!
Not directly bird-related, but Jeannette and I enjoyed a productive “Big Night” in Durham on the evening of 4/14, highlighted as usual by Blue-spotted and Spotted Salamanders.
BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS continue to be a highlight this week – they are always a highlight for me! – around the area. About 100 on Stonewood Drive in Freeport on the 17th was my high count this week, with 35-40 here at the store at the same time. 2 were with 20 Cedars at the Walgreens on Route 1/9 in Scarborough earlier that morning. Some have been around the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch on and off this week, and a flock of 24-30 in our property in Durham was our 156th Yard Bird!
4 breeding-plumaged (FOY) Dunlin, 4 Greater with 23 Lesser Scaup, and hundreds of Black and White-winged Scoters, etc, Pine Point, Scarborough, 4/17.
My other personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) in Maine this week included:
1 Broad-winged Hawk, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 4/13.
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, our property in Durham, 4/14.
1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/15.
1 Barn Swallow, Florida Lake Park, 4/15.
1 Brown Thrasher, our property in Durham, 4/16.
1 Field Sparrow, Cedar Pond Road, Durham, 4/16.
4 Black-bellied Plovers, Pine Point, Scarborough, 4/17.
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 here. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website. Here’s the Week 4 report.
***LIKELY POSTPONED from April 19, 2026 until 4/26 due to weather. Please let us know if you are interested in the new date!***
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.
Jeannette and I had a great weekend of Bohemian Waxwing quality time, including this photo session at University of Maine – Orono’s Littlefield Garden on 4/6.
Apparently, Jeannette and I weren’t ready for spring yet, as we used a few days off to go further north, back into (on those days) winter and winter birds! Nonetheless, new arrivals are showing up regularly, and the radar on the night of 4/8-4/9 showed the first substantial migration of the season. These are my observations of note over the past 6 days.
1 Rusty Blackbird, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/4 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were the bird of the trip for Jeannette and I as we spent two nights in Bangor over our weekend. We started with 35 on Rte 9 in Lisbon on our drive north on 4/5 followed by a flock of 15-20 that flew by the window of Timber Kitchen and Bar in Bangor as we enjoyed a scrumptious brunch. On 4/6, we had 23 at the Littlefield Gardens on the University of Maine – Orono campus, a total of 30 at Saxl Park in Bangor, and then 38 at Essex Marsh. We were sad to not keep the streak alive as we worked our way back home the next day!
3 Evening Grosbeaks, Littlefield Gardens, University of Maine – Orono, 4/6 (with Jeannette).
Searched the Corrina-Newport area for the Pink-footed Goose that hadn’t been reported for a few days on 4/7 and found a mere 28 Canada Geese. Plenty of migrant waterfowl on lakes and ponds, however, the highlight of which was 533 Ring-necked Ducks, etc, on Corinna Marsh (with Jeannette).
My other personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) this week included:
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/4 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
1 Pied-billed Grebe, Florida Lake Park, 4/4 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
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 here. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website. Here’s the Week 3 report.
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.
Maine Birding Field Notes 