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 continuing WESTERN CATTLE EGRET, Highland Road, Brunswick, 5/9 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
- 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 1st/2nd cycle Iceland Gull (getting late!), Portland Harbor, 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).
- 2 ORCHARD ORIOLES, Peak’s Island, Portland, 5/11.
- 1 Cape May Warbler, Peak’s Island, 5/11.
- 1 Scarlet Tanager, Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch, 5/12.
- 1 Wood Thrush, our property in Durham, 5/13.
- 1 Short-billed Dowitcher, Walsh Preserve, Freeport, 5/13.
Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch ends today!
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.
Upcoming Tours (With Space Available)
June 12-14, 2026
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.
Maine Birding Field Notes 