Tag Archives: Cape Elizabeth

No, You Do Not Have a Gray Heron in Your Yard/Pond/Marsh, but There is One in Cape Elizabeth and it is Awesome!

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On Sunday, October 18th, a Gray Heron was discovered by an alert birder, Peter Griffin, on Jordan’s Farm along Wells Road in Cape Elizabeth. By the afternoon, its suspected identification came to light, and the word was spread.

I got a text, and Jeannette turned around on her way home to come back to the store to cover me. The chase was on!  I arrived at 4:58pm, with the light rapidly fading, joining about a dozen other birders, including my friend Bill Thompson whose photos I once again have pilfered for my blog.

A very short while earlier, I was sent some photos, which I viewed on my phone. They sure looked like a Gray Heron, but I wanted to be sure! On the scene, Bill, Josh Fecteau, and I studied and debated it together (with similar conversations likely up and down the road), and we all felt pretty confident in the identification. Nonetheless, we were relieved to hear from a couple of friends – especially one with more extensive experience with Gray Heron than I – that they were convinced, too. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind. This was Maine’s first ever Gray Heron.

Several of us enjoyed watching it forage, studying its structure and movements, and later, its diet, including a presumed grasshopper and this unlucky Meadow Vole!

See, the thing is, this is actually a somewhat tricky identification, as the bird is very similar to our common Great Blue Heron. In juvenile/first winter plumage, which the Cape Elizabeth Gray Heron is (aged by the gray crown and uniform wing coverts and flight feathers on the spread wing) the head and especially crown pattern of Great Blue Heron (hereafter, GBHE) and Gray Heron (hereafter, GRAH) are essentially identical, but the two species are readily separable using the following traits.

Let’s start with the undersides.  Here’s our GBHE; this one happens to be from our yard in Durham about this time last fall.

Note the neck, chest, and belly are heavily streaked with grayish-brown and the background color is whitish or very pale gray. On GRAH, the streaks are fewer, blacker, straighter, and contrast more with a purer white background. GRAH looks white-fronted, GBHE does not. Also note how the appearance of those streaks changes based on posture. Perhaps most importantly, the “thighs” (or more specifically, the feathers covering the upper leg) on GRAH are white or off-white, sometimes with a hint of buff, but on GBHE, they are usually reddish-brown, even at this age. Some can be quite pale, and keep in mind, these feathers are usually obscured when resting (Howell, et al, 2014).

In flight, there is one important difference. On both species, there are two small “headlights” on the leading edge of the forewing, at the bend in the wing near the alula and in the primary coverts. In GBHE, these two pale patches, which can vary in overall color, usually appear buffy or brown. They are pretty small, sometimes hard to see, and can appear very pale on some birds and in strong light.

However, in GRAH these two patches are big, bold, and pure white. (I’ll insert a photo of the GRAH in flight when I get permission to use one)

And then, there is structure. While we all wished there was a GBHE nearby when we were viewing the GRAH, its differing structure was still obvious. It’s short-legged and stumpy, the body seems more compact, and the neck is shorter and thicker. The bill appears shorter and somewhat more stout. GBHE looks like an elegant Great Egret on steroids. GRAH looks more like a Hulked-out Yellow-crowned Night-Heron or American Bittern.

Look at how long and relatively skinny-necked a Great Blue Heron looks. Compare this to the first photo above.

I saw my first Gray Herons in Norway, and I thought they looked and were shaped quite different from the Great Blue Herons I knew from home. In August of 2022, Jeannette and I happened to be taking our summer vacation to Prince Edward Island, where a Gray Heron had been present for much of the summer. Happily, it was still present in Brackley Marsh, but we arrived on a rainy day, and a small group of herons were way out in the marsh, hunkered down, and obscured by water on our scopes and fog. One looked paler, but it was not obvious.

Even at this odd angle, and even when hunting, GRAH looks less elegant, long-necked, and dare I say “dumpy.”

We went back the next day, when conveniently, other birders were already on the scene, and we thought, “oh, that one.” And it was the structure, conveniently positioned adjacent to several GBHE that first stuck out.

Got that? Structural differences coupled with the key field marks of underpart pattern and color, thighs, and different color and intensity of the “headlight” on the open wing are how we identify a wayward GRAH from our common and conspicuous GBHE.

Still think you have a GRAH in your yard? Or at your local pond/marsh/farm field? Unless you live in and around Spurwink Marsh in Cape Elizabeth, I am sorry to say it, and I will be blunt: you do not.

“Our” GBHE are found throughout the state, and while many have departed for points south by now, there are plenty still around. They often hunt voles and insects in upland fields, especially in fall, and single birds can look really out of place and unusual when seen out of context like that. (For more information on our resident heron, and how you can help them out since they have declined by as much as 82% along the coast of Maine, please visit the website for the Maine Heron Observation Network).

And while common birds can sometimes have uncommon appearances (such as plumage abnormalities), structure rarely differs. So, unless you are sure you have a thorough understanding of the nuances of the field marks and have the vast field experience to evaluate the subjective structural differences, can we please stop the comments such as “I have one here.” “I saw one too,” and my favorite “These aren’t rare, they are all over!”

Yeah, I made the mistake of looking at comments on the posts made by the local TV outlets and media sites that all covered this extraordinary visitor. I know, “NEVER read the comments in the (online) newspaper!” I sometimes forget.

But this is indeed, a very, very rare bird. A “MEGA” in birding parlance. The first record for Maine (it was, however, #7 on my Next Birds for Maine predictions list! Or, 7.7 based on the wonky formatting I never figured out how to correct in that post back in January). In fact, it’s one of only about 15 records ever anywhere in North America, including only the (likely) second individual ever in the Lower 48, with most records coming from the Canadian Maritimes, such as the 2022 PEI bird. These growing number of records to our northeast prompted me to bump it up on my predictions list recently.

2026 “Next Maine Birds” Predictions Blog

So, now that I hope you are convinced that you do not in fact have one on your pond, or have seen them all over, how about going to see the real deal in Cape Elizabeth? A good “twitch” (when birders chase a rare bird) can be quite the sight, even just for the people-watching value! We’re an excitable bunch, and yeah, our antics can be entertaining.

But like internet comments, we can also be infuriating. There have been numerous reports of dangerous driving, inattentive pedestrians, improper parking, and other inconveniences to locals and landowners. Doug Hitchcox at Maine Audubon put together this helpful blog post which nicely describes the parking situation in the area, and how best to safely and conscientiously view the bird.

Additionally, the bird has been moving around a bit, so if it’s not in view (or the line of birders is not to be found) along Wells Road, you’ll want to check other places around the marsh. Recently, it has been viewed commuting to and from the fields and the marsh and has been spotted in the marsh from along Spurwink Rd and from the Spurwink Cemetery. But please, for the love of humanity, wherever it is or it isn’t, please be absolutely careful and respectful of the people and land and vehicles around you, and try to use some common sense!

So now that you know you don’t have a GRAH in you yard, and you had a wonderful visit with the bird, let’s think about the “how and why” a little bit.

GRAH is the ecological equivalent of our GBHE in the “Old World,” with the migratory subspecies having an extensive breeding range from mid-latitude western Europe to western Russia and Japan. They winter from western Europe to Southeast Asia and Africa, where migrants join year-round residents (Howell, et al, 2014). Like our GBHE, they are resident throughout much of its range, however, just like GBHE (including just about all of those in Maine), the birds clear out of the northern edge of their breeding range for points further south. Having to “leap frog” over residents, the northernmost birds often fly the furthest, and this long-distance migration is powered by the birds’ massive wings, but also by their ability to soar effortless for hundreds of (ground) miles, especially by soaring on rising thermals of warm air, just as migrant raptors do. We often see small groups of GBHE soaring high above the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch when they return to Maine, for example.

GRAH is regular in Iceland, and there are records from Bermuda and the eastern Caribbean. They’re even now regular residents in Barbados! In other words, GRAH can travel far, so if one sets off in the wrong direction (the mechanisms that cause vagrancy are complex, poorly understood, and beyond the scope of this already too-long blog) they can end up in far-away places. They can also land on ships (several records listed in Howell, et al, 2014 for example), and take a ride as they rest, or even, scrounge up enough food (like handouts of fish or perhaps even disoriented songbirds) to live aboard a vessel for some period of time. The potential for “ship assisted vagrancy” in GRAH reaching North America is very real, and some birders still disparage this with an Asterix.

We’re not talking about a bird kept in a cage onboard on ocean liner for weeks on end, or some pirate’s escaped parrot, but a wild bird that was unrestrained landed on the boat and took the proverbial any port in a (likely) storm. Floating islands have been traversing the Atlantic Ocean for over 500 years now, and everything from massive cruise ships to oil tankers to cargo ships the size of stadiums are criss-crossing the world’s oceans at all times. This is very part a reality of the Anthropocene as a conscientious backyard birder keeping their hummingbird feeders out well into the fall in the hopes of attracting, feeding, and usually, saving the life of a vagrant (like Freeport’s Broad-tailed Hummingbird, New England’s first record, in 2022. Heck, we even did catch that one!)

A wild bird finding a way to survive in the face of a degrading ecosystem by taking advantage of humanity, whether it’s a feeder or a ship, does not seem worthy of an Asterix to me. In fact, they deserve a pat on the back (also proverbial; wild birds don’t like pats on the back).

So, if it rode a ship for all or part of its journey, so be it. I give it credit. But I don’t think we need to default to this as how it got here. As a growing record of European vagrants to northeastern North America attests, some weather conditions can aid in the vagrancy, or at least, facilitate their arrival (after some “mistake” has been made) in the “wrong” place, even the other side of an ocean.

For more on vagrancy and its mechanisms and the detection of rare birds, see my book, How to Be a Better Birder (Princeton University Press, 2012) and Rare Birds of North America (Howell, Lewington, and Russell, 2014).

And when weather patterns in the North Atlantic include extensively easterly winds, reaching as far as Greenland and Iceland and sometimes even beyond – such as on the backside of massive tropical systems or Nor’easters. OK, I can go down a wormhole, as you all know, with vagrancy and the mechanisms thereof, but let’s just agree for the moment that it got here somehow. That much is fact.

Peter Griffin has received the credit, and deserves all the accolades for his attention, carefulness, and simply being out in the field looking for birds. Afterall the best way to not find rare birds is to not go birding. Peter was birding, was looking, and noticed (I assume; I have not talked to him about it) that this did not appear to be a Great Blue Heron.

And unlike everyone else commenting on various Facebook pages right now, he was right! But a few days later, game camera footage from the farm proved the bird has been present since at least October 1st (fide Alex Lamoreaux)! How many birders drove by this field, and how many even noticed “just” a Great Blue Heron out looking for some vole treats?

Which brings us to another topic: detection. This bird was around for three weeks, when there were many more GBHE present than there are now, so would it have even been noticed by a passing birder. Detection bias is real…but that’s yet another blog for another day. This has gone on long enough. But the lesson is we should always look ay every bird carefully, even “just” our common ones, because every now and then, they are anything but common!

Here’s the summary: you do not have a Gray Heron in your yard or area. But holy shit, there’s one in Cape Elizabeth and it’s wicked cool! You should go see it. Just don’t be a dumbass when you do. And may I suggest taking an extra moment to study it, to appreciate it, and to watch what it does. This could be a once in a lifetime occurrence. Savor it. Add it to the list, sure, but take a moment to think about how amazing it is that it got here, was discovered, and now, here you are getting to see it…and what the hell is that guy wearing!? Because yeah, the people watching at these events can be fun, too.

References:

  • Howell, Steve N.G, Ian Lewington, and Will Russell. 2014. Rare Birds of North America. Princeton University Press: Princeton and Oxford.
  • Lovitch, Derek. 2012. How to Be a Better Birder. Princeton University Press: Princeton and Oxford.
  • Mullarney, Killian, Lars Svensson, and Dan Zetterstrom. 2023. Birds of Europe: Third Edition. Princeton University Press: Princeton and Oxford.

This Week’s Highlights 10/14 – 10/21/2026.

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The star of the show this week, and perhaps the bird of the year in Maine, this Gray Heron graced Jordan’s Farm in Cape Elizabeth since at least 10/16, but was identified on 10/18 and word soon spread far and wide. Here’s a photo from Bill as dusk approached that day, shortly after my arrival.

After returning from a trip to Chicago where Jeannette ran the Chicago Marathon (and finally visiting the Magic Hedge at Montrose Bird Sanctuary!), I tried to hit the ground running here in my favorite month of birding in Maine.  While a weekend walk and tour didn’t produce any rarities, they were chock full of expected October migrants, as were local patches. I swung for the fences with finding a rarity with a visit to Bailey Island on the 16th, and Bill Thompson and I combed Peak’s Island on the 20th. Neither produced anything of note, but chances are they would have been a little anticlimactic with the Mega that was discovered in Cape Elizabeth on Sunday!  Therefore, here are my observations of note over the past 8 days.

  • Highlights from our property in Durham included 1 Fox Sparrow (FOF) on 10/14; 2 American Woodcocks on the 19th; but all was eclipsed by 2 Bobcats in the afternoon on the 14th!
  • Pine Siskins staged a major incursion into the area this week.

Sandy Point Morning Flight, 10/15.

A light flight passed over and through Sandy Point Beach, Cousin’s Island, Yarmouth this morning. A lighter than expected flight overnight (likely due to strong winds and turbulence) and stronger than expected winds this morning reduced the flight.

  • 6:56-9:00.
  • 54F, clear, NW 11.8-14.6 to 12.3-16.2mph.
  • 85 Yellow-rumped Warblers
  • 26 Blackpoll Warblers
  • 24 American Robins
  • 22 White-throated Sparrows
  • 21 Palm Warblers
  • 16 Unidentified
  • 13 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
  • 3 Rusty Blackbirds
  • 3 Hermit Thrushes
  • 3 American Goldfinches
  • 2 American Pipits
  • 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks
  • 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
  • 2 White-crowned Sparrows
  • 2 Black-throated Green Warblers
  • 1 Cape May Warbler
  • 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • 1 Pine Siskin
  • 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
  • 1 Purple Finch
  • 1 Northern Flicker
  • 1 Eastern Phoebe
  • 1 Turkey Vulture
  • 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch

T = 239

  • THE GRAY HERON! Spurwink Marsh, Cape Elizabeth, 10/18 (see photo above). Found earlier in the day by Peter Griffin, I raced down in the afternoon when the news broke, joining a growing legion of admirers watching the bird in the fields of Jordan’s Farm on Wells Road. Careful consideration of identification, and some other details will be included in an upcoming post.
  • 2 Pectoral Sandpipers and a Lesser Yellowlegs were still with 15 Greater Yellowlegs at the Walsh Preserve, Freeport, as of the 21st.

Upcoming Tours (with Space Available):

  1. Forts and Feathers: The Beaks of Peaks! November 1, 2026; 8:45am – 3:00pm

As our collaboration with Portland Explorer enters its 12th season, we’re mixing things up with a brand new series of joint history and birding tours. These unique, relaxed birding and history adventures combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with educational journeys through some of our local history. Join two experts in their field on this brand new collaboration! (Sorry, no beer tastings here!)

Once there, we’ll plan on walking 3-4 easy miles (paved or dirt roads and a few narrow trails including one with irregular boards over wet areas) to cover the prime birding hotspots of the island, including the thickets that were made famous last year when Derek discovered Maine’s 5th-ever Virginia’s Warbler (and first away from Monhegan). We’ll make our way along the shoreline, looking at resident and recently-arrived migrant waterbirds, but checking various nooks and crannies that can hold unexpected vagrants.

We’ll make our way to the famous Battery Steele – famous for its access, its impressive graffiti, and yes, its birding. Here, a complex of wetlands and scrubby areas combine to attract and hold a wide range of avian species, often including some that are usually long gone from Maine by now. We’ll then explore the open-access fort and even get to experience total darkness!

Birding will continue as we traverse the island to return to town. There will be an opportunity to purchase a delicious lunch, or bring your own, and we’ll relax for a spell as we await our ferry departure.

2. The Rarity Roundup Van Tour 2026 – November 8, 2026; 8:00am – 3:00pm​

Portland Explorer and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are teaming up to offer a very special, very exclusive road trip outing in 2026.

Early November is a fantastic time of year in Maine for vagrants – birds normally seen in far-off places.  Due to a combination of weather patterns, changing seasonal food resources, falling temperatures, and other factors – some of which are not completely understood – birds that may have ended up in Maine by “accident” begin to concentrate at the coast in “migrant traps” and “hotspots.”  In other words, this is the time of year to expect the unexpected.

​A traditional “Rarity Roundup” involves teams of birders heading out on a given day during rarity prime time, looking for species that are not supposed to be around. And in honor of that tradition, that’s exactly what we are going to do on this unique tour. We may “chase” a rarity (go to see something that has already been found, aka “twitch”) or we might choose a destination known for rare birds in an attempt to find one of our own. Or perhaps, we’ll do both

​Anything in southern Maine is fair game, and we might not even know where we will head until we are on the bus and the latest rare bird alert is received. For those who love adding a bird to your Life or State List, and/or basking in the thrill of discovery, well then this is the tour for you! In between seeing great birds, we’ll discuss the complex factors that are involved in delivering rarities to an area, and how we go about finding them.

For example, last year, our Birds on Tap – Roadtrip: Rarity Roundup traveled to Yarmouth to see one of the few MacGillivray’s Warblers ever recorded in the state, then ventured all of the way to Kittery to try and find our own vagrant at the famous Fort Foster Park. For a taste of what’s in store, here’s the trip report from our very exciting outing in 2025 (but note we will not be offering the beer tasting component in 2026).

This Week’s Highlights 3/14– 3/20/2026

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There has been an unusual amount of Brant in and around Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth over the past week, with some counts well over 100 birds. I only tallied 59 on 3/20, but enjoyed some close studies and photo ops.

Happy to be back to “normal,” I got out a few times this week in addition to spending time at the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch. It was nice to be birding again in the north, catching up with some winter favorites before they depart. And of course, enjoying each and every new arrival. My observations of note over the past seven days included the following:

  • 1 pair Barrow’s Goldeneye, Winslow Park, Freeport, 3/14 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).

1 adult GOLDEN EAGLE (FOY), Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 3/15. A few details can be seen here on the daily report. 

Zane somehow managed some phone-scoped “doc-shots” of the eagle. Luckily, it was much closer when we first saw it. But even in these shots, you can see the distinct dihedral, and the relatively small head and overall shape of this magnificent bird.

  • 70 Bohemian Waxwings, 12 Evening Grosbeaks, 1 Merlin, etc, Brown’s Point Road, Bowdoinham, 3/17 (with Jeannette).
  • ~40 Bohemian Waxwings, Route 9, Pownal, 3/18.
  • 9 Razorbills, Dyer Point, Cape Elizabeth, 3/20.
  • 59 Brant, 6 Greater Scaup, 20 Purple Sandpipers, etc., Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, 3/20.
  • 1 Red Crossbill and 17 Razorbills, Two Lights State Park, Cape Elizabeth, 3/20.
  • 1 adult Iceland Gull and 2 Razorbills, Trundy Point, Cape Elizabeth, 3/20.
  • 1 continuing 1st-cycle Glaucous Gull, Mill Creek Cove, South Portland, 3/20 (with Bill Thompson).
  • Pine Siskins arrived this week, with widespread small numbers around the area now. I tallied 28 northbound from the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch during the morning of the 15th.

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

  • 1 American Woodcock, our property in Durham, 3/13.
  • 3 Brown-headed Cowbirds, our feeders in Durham, 3/13.
  • 1 Killdeer, Brown’s Point Road, Bowdoinham, 3/17 (with Jeannette).

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch is Underway!

The 20th year of the project began on Sunday. The quickest and clearest way to view daily reports is by clicking on the Hawkcount link contained here.

Upcoming Tours.

March 28th or 29th.  One space has opened for this tour. Please contact us to be added to the waiting list.

2026 Birding Tours in Portland, Maine with Portland Explorer and Freeport Wild Bird Supply !

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Seasonal hotspots. Local expertise. Small-group experiences.

For the 12th season, Portland Explorer and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are teaming up to offer Maine’s most unique guided birding tours — combining peak birding hotspots, expert instruction, comfortable transportation, and in select outings, visits to some of our favorite local breweries.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder, just getting started, or traveling with someone whose main interest might be craft beer until they become a avid birder, these relaxed and educational outings offer something special.

For more information, and to register for all of these tours, visit our website, here.

This blog will be updated with trip reports after each tour, so check back in to see what you missed and to sign up for upcoming outings!

The 2026 Birds on Tap – Roadtrip Series!

Our collaboration with Portland Explorer (formerly The Maine Brew Bus) enters its 12th season, with three exciting itineraries. These unique, relaxed birding and beer-ing adventures that you have come to love combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with approachable opportunities to sample the delicious creations of some of our favorite Maine breweries. These events are a perfect introduction to birding and/or craft beer, and a great opportunity to enjoy our favorite pastimes with significant others, friends, and family that have interest in one topic, while your interest is primarily in the other (for now!). Educational, enjoyable, and eye-opening you won’t want to miss out our unique Birds on Tap series, including a brand new outing for 2026.

The three tours are as follows. After completion, tour reports will be posted here so this blog is your one-stop shopping for tour reports and upcoming itineraries.

  • Birds on Tap -Roadtrip: Hawks and Hops! (Sunday, April 26th)

Originally scheduled for the prior week, we decided to postpone the tour. In doing so, we avoided a full day of rain and dense fog, and instead only complained about being overdressed in the bright sun and surging warmth. That was a win. And the birds cooperated for us today as well!

The delayed progression of the season and resultant slowed progress for many songbirds produced a rather quiet walk in the woods, although we had some good practice with the songs of Pine Warbler vs Chipping Sparrow, learned the songs and calls of several resident species, and watched a pair of Broad-winged Hawks moving through the woods and vocalizing repeatedly.

Taking the gentle one-mile Northern Loop Trail also gave us some time for some tree identification and made sure we weren’t too out of breath for our arrival at the summit. While we were talking about raptors during our walk, we now focused on the hawkwatch project, first at the count board with season numbers and averages, and then at the summit watch site, covering some of the science behind the project.

SONY DSC

It’s always a risk to offer a hawkwatch “workshop” since we can’t guarantee there will be birds in the air to talk about! But the weather was sure conducive to a flight today, and before long, we had hawks in the air.  In just over an hour at the summit, we had workshop-worthy views of a variety of species both near and far. Low and close Sharp-shinned Hawk vs Cooper’s Hawk. A distant Broad-winged Hawk mobbing the much larger and a stronger Red-tailed Hawk. Close Turkey Vultures, several views of Bald Eagles from different altitudes and angles, and a stunning view of a low and close Northern Harrier. It was really a perfect sample of watch hawkwatching, and hawkcounting, is all about, and just as we were about to leave, a special treat: a lone Bohemian Waxwing dropped in and landed next to the summit, affording long close looks of this fantastic bird.

If it wasn’t for the temptation of beer, we may not have departed, but the draw of Maine Beer Company was too strong. We sipped a refreshing and clean Spring, their seasonal Kolsch-style ale while we split into two groups to get an overview of their impressive brewhouse. Next up was Lunch, their flagship West Coast IPA with its bright citrus notes and perfect balance with sweet tropical fruit and a slight resinous/pine dankness. It deserves all the awards and accolades bestowed upon it. And finally, a Nitro pour of Mean Old Tom was served, and we enjoyed a switch to roasty, nutty, coffee, and chocolate notes and talked about why that nitrogen makes this beer taste different (and in our opinions, much better!).

A short distance down the road, we then visited Goodfire Brewing. Goodfire has such a range of beer styles, all executed so well, that instead of the usual flight of samples, we enjoyed two half-pours of our own choice. Some of us, like myself, chose what we had not had from this underrated brewery. Others, quite a few who were brand new to Goodfire, often started with Prime, their thick and luscious New England IPA bursting with fruit juice flavors. Everything from an Italian Pilsner to a fruited sour to the brand new “Sierra Missed,” (a lager with lemongrass and lime leaf) were enjoyed by all. Meanwhile, we continued the discussion of birds, beer and beer brewing, and touched on many other topics of the modern world.

  • Birds On Tap℠ – Warblers and Wort (Sunday, May 10, 2026).
Chestnut-sided Warbler was a crowd-pleaser today.

This annual favorite usually visits both Evergreen Cemetery and Capisic Pond Park in Portland. It’s a good sign that we never made it to Capisic!

We arrived at Evergreen to find the main entrance unexpectedly closed. We relocated to a side entrance and began birding. Well, that worked out swimmingly! We soon stopped dead in our tracks with a group of busy Gray Catbirds, two stunning male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and a cooperative Chestnut-sided Warbler. Then, while enjoying a Great-crested Flycatcher, we spotted an intriguing tanager. Following her across the cemetery, we finally had good views, and sure enough, we had indeed found a very rare Summer Tanager! Her bog, pale horn-colored bill, and light yellow-green body with virtually no contrast between the yellow-green wings and the rest of the upperparts finally yielded a conclusive identification before she launched up and away, heading for a far tree line. I had completely whiffed on photos – but if you want to see the branch she was on, I have a perfect photo of that!

The rare bird excitement subsiding, we finally made it to the pond, where we spent the next two and a half hours, not feeling the motivation to head anywhere else. Several pockets of warbler activity produced a total of 12 species, with just fantastic views of most of them, including American Redstart, Magnolia, Northern Parula, and our first two Wilson’s Warblers of the year. Newly arrived Lincoln’s Sparrows were noted, a small group of Ruby-crowned Kinglets were enjoyed, we heard an uncommon Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and we became familiar with the incredible camouflage of a Solitary Sandpiper. Ospreys with fish, Belted Kingfishers, and much more were seen well and thoroughly enjoyed. While it wasn’t the day legends our made of in spring migration, the diversity was good, and the consistently good views of many species were most welcome.

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Our first brewery stop was Foundation Brewing Company, known for its clean, focused approach to craft beer, with a strong reputation for hop-forward ales and thoughtfully balanced lagers. Their lineup often showcases precision and consistency, with beers that highlight both modern techniques and traditional brewing fundamentals. A visit to Foundation offers an opportunity to explore how attention to detail and quality ingredients come together to create approachable yet expressive beers that reflect Portland’s thriving craft scene. Co-owner and Head of Brewing Operations John Bonney joined us for a detailed explanation of Foundation’s wide range of styles. He described his brewing philosophy, beer interests, and learned how Foundation differentiates itself. Everyone selected their own flight, so we all sampled a wide range of styles. I refreshed with a crips Riverton Flyer, tried the Coffee Burnside (Brown) for the first time, noted the difference in the newly reformulated Afterglow IPA, before sipping on the 12th Anniversary DIPA, Prototype 12, with the big juicy hop notes followed by a crisp and clean finish from the use of lager yeast.

Then, we crossed town to Rising Tide Brewing Company, a cornerstone of Portland’s craft beer community since its early growth years and home of the Birds on Tap! Origin Story. With a diverse portfolio that ranges from crisp, easy-drinking favorites to bold, hop-driven offerings and seasonal specialties, Rising Tide emphasizes accessibility and craftsmanship. Their beers often reflect a balance between innovation and tradition, making them a great representation of the evolution of Maine’s brewing culture.  Here, another self-chosen flight represented the spectrum. Of course, I had to include the flagship Maine Island Trail Ale, and, to keep the Birds on Tap theme alive, the juicy Puffin Party. Once again, there was something for everyone, showcasing the range of Portland’s craft brewers.  There were a couple of Ospreys over head as well.

  • Birds on Tap℠ – Road Trip! Shorebirds and Steins (Sunday, August 16)

The original BoT Roadtrip! Way back in 2015, our most popular tour returned to Scarborough Marsh at prime time for a good variety of migrant shorebirds. We set out to learn how to identify our common species, and search for the rare, enjoying the birds of the shore as we studied our shorebirds (sandpipers and plovers).

This time, I decided to audible and begin with a non-shorebird. But a Thick-billed Murre – rare in Maine, unheard of in summer, and unreasonably reliable – has been spending the last month in and around the Pine Point area. I decided that, given the time and the tide, we would take a walk to Pine Point Beach to hope it was there.

And it was, across the river, but easily viewed through our spotting scopes! This local celebrity was just chillin, doing its thing, and thankfully being left alone.

Then we reverted to the task at hand, focusing on shorebirds: sandpipers and plovers. From the Pine Point Co-op and nearby Jones Creek, we began with shorebird basics and then started sorting through the masses. We spotted a family group of charismatic American Oystercatchers (as per request!) and enjoyed sorting through Semipalmated Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers nearly at our feet. We picked out an uncommon White-rumped Sandpiper from the multitudes and looked at several other species. After some time there, we stopped at the Pelreco Marsh, getting a chance to study Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs side-by-side, and adding three other species of shorebird to our list, bringing the morning’s tally to 11 species of plovers, sandpipers, and allies.

Christian took over the guiding lead as we arrived at the new Allagash Bungalow. No one in the group had been here before, so even driving through what used to be Scarborough Downs was eye-opening! We enjoyed our well-earned samples, starting with the world-famous flagship Allagash – the “most awarded white beer in the world.”  New to most was the Maine Blueberry Ale with subtle but distinct notes of wild blueberries that shine through with the use of a neutral yeast. And finally, we sampled Two Lights, one of Allagash’s most popular summer beers which uses white wine must and champagne yeast to make a light but flavorful and complex refresher.

Allagash’s growth and preeminence in the Maine craft beer industry, along with the early trials and tribulations of the now-respected-as-visionary founder, makes for revealing story of one of the most influential breweries in Maine.

Our second brewery stop was Nonesuch River Brewing, only a few minutes away. While Allagash is known for their use of different yeasts to flavor their Belgisn style beers, Nonsuch is most known for their IPAs and lagers. Therefore, it was fun to see their range as we began with Patio Garden, their hefeweizen, where the flavor is dominated by esters from the yeast, with clove spiciness and banana being very forward.

We sipped My Beer to Be, a hazy IPA dominated by the candied tropical fruit flavors of Galaxy hops as we learned about the brewing process and the history of Nonesuch. A special treat – which I always love – is when the brewers bring out the base ingredients, as it is so instructive. Today, we tried a variety of malted barley (a few grains go a long way in producing a burst of flavor in your mouth) and took some deep inhales of hops to help understand the process. Finally, we enjoyed a taster of Space Ghost, which adds a variety of New Zealand-grown hops to Galaxy for an additional burst of flavor, and a much more gentle finish (to my palette).

On the short drive home, we summarized the birding day and took in the revealing history of beer brewing in Maine thanks to Christian’s expertise. While this was the last Birds on Tap Roadtrip of 2026, we look forward to gearing up the new Fort and Feathers Series this fall, beginning with our annual trip to House Island in October!

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The New 2026 Fort and Feathers Series!

Our collaboration with Portland Explorer (formerly The Maine Brew Bus) enters its 12th season, and our collaboration continues with a new series of joint history and birding tours. These unique, relaxed birding and history adventures combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with educational journeys through some of our local history. Join two experts in their field on this brand new collaboration! (Sorry, no beer tastings here!)

The three tours are as follows. After completion, tour reports will be posted here so this blog is your one-stop shopping for tour reports and upcoming itineraries.

  • Forts and Feathers: House Island!

Sunday, October 18.

A simply divine fall day greeted us as we boarded our boat for the short ride over to this privately owned island for not one, but two, exclusive tours!

First up was the birding, and immediately upon arrival, the number of Yellow-rumped Warblers this island hosts at this time of year became readily apparent. A Winter Wren was unexpected here and a Hermit Thrush put on a good show, as they don’t often do. Other migrants were limited to Song Sparrows, a couple of White-throated Sparrows, a single Dark-eyed Junco, and one Greater Yellowlegs. However, after hearing a couple of Pine Siskins earlier, we had a flock of 12 or so come zipping in from Cushing Island, passing over our heads and then onward towards Great Diamond Island – “visible migration” and the “morning redetermined migration” in action!  Speaking of connections, we talked about the ecology and food resources offered by the island, especially the connection between the multitudes of Yellow-rumped Warblers and the island’s Northern Bayberry. Finding a rarity on the island will have to wait for another year.

Captain Pete then took over, teaching us about the island’s history before we headed inside to explore Fort Scammell. Despite this being my 4th visit to the fort, I was still dumbstruck by how pristine it is inside, and by Pete’s incredible wealth of knowledge and ability to articulate it all. Naval strategy, cannon size, and wartime life were among the topics. Seriously, forget the birding, hearing Pete is worth the trip!

We took a moment to visit with a roosting Big Brown Bat, too.

Back on the boat, we once again enjoyed a good study of plumage maturation in Common Loons, checked out Common Eiders, and were visited by this young Herring Gull who chose a unique perch and a most comical angle for study. The results are in: Herring Gulls are not ticklish, at least not through canvas.

We finished up at the dock with both Gray and Harbor Seals before heading our separate ways, already looking forward to the next visit to this special place, hidden in plain sight right in Portland Harbor.

  • Forts and Feathers: The Beaks of Peaks!

Sunday, November 1st (weather date 11/8): 9:00am – 3:00pm.

This “Mega” rare Virginia’s Warbler was Maine’s 5th ever, and found by Derek on Peak’s Island on the weekend we’ll be returning this year…just in time to find the next rarity!

As our collaboration with Portland Explorer enters its 12th season, we’re mixing things up with a brand new series of joint history and birding tours. These unique, relaxed birding and history adventures combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with educational journeys through some of our local history. Join two experts in their field on this brand new collaboration! (Sorry, no beer tastings here!)

But this time we’re leaving the van in the garage and hit the water once again! We’re going to hop aboard the Casco Bay Ferry Lines for the short, 20-minute trip across Portland Harbor to Peak’s Island.

Once there, we’ll plan on walking 3-4 easy miles (paved or dirt roads and a few narrow trails including one with irregular boards over wet areas) to cover the prime birding hotspots of the island, including the thickets that were made famous last year when Derek discovered Maine’s 5th-ever Virginia’s Warbler (and first away from Monhegan). We’ll make our way along the shoreline, looking at resident and recently-arrived migrant waterbirds, but checking various nooks and crannies that can hold unexpected vagrants.

We’ll make our way to the famous Battery Steele – famous for its access, it’s impressive graffiti, and yes, its birding. Here, a complex of wetlands and scrubby areas combine to attract and hold a wide range of avian species, often including some that are usually long gone from Maine by now. We’ll then explore the open-access fort and even get to experience total darkness!

Birding will continue as we traverse the island to return to town. There will be an opportunity to purchase a delicious lunch, or bring your own, and we’ll relax for a spell as we await our ferry departure.

Portland Explorer will supply a light snack and water. Bring binoculars and a flashlight. We also recommend bringing lunch or additional snack if you so desire. Sturdy comfortable walking shoes are also recommended, as are a variety of layers as it can be quite chilly on the water by the end of October. 

Meeting Location ; 8:45am – Portland Beer Hub: 320 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101

*Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your departure time.*

We’ll return to Portland Beer Hub at 3:00pm

This tour is limited to 15 participants, so sign up soon! This is a one-of-a-kind tour, and we think one you won’t want to miss!

  • Forts and Feathers: Fort Williams and Portland Head Light!

Sunday, November 29: 8:00am to 1:00pm

It’s a perfect time of year to find late migrants such as Orange-crowned Warblers
in the scrubby habitats of the park.

As our collaboration with Portland Explorer enters its 12th season, we’re mixing things up with a brand new series of joint history and birding tours. These unique, relaxed birding and history adventures combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with educational journeys through some of our local history. Join two experts in their field on this brand new collaboration! (Sorry, no beer tastings here!).

With arriving winter waterbirds – from Great Cormorants to all three species of scoters – and truant migrants (and sometimes, even rarities!) – late November is a great time to hit the coast of Maine for productive birding. On this tour, we’ll take the Portland Explorer van over to Cape Elizabeth to bird the cliffs and uplands of Fort Williams Park.

But that’s not all! We’ll also be diving into the history of the Fort and the world-famous Portland Head Lighthouse. At Fort Williams Park, we’ll explore a scenic coastal landscape rich with history and sweeping views of Casco Bay. The park features historic military structures, open green space, and dramatic rocky shoreline—offering a glimpse into Maine’s past alongside some of its most iconic ocean vistas.

Just beyond the fort grounds stands Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest lighthouse. Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, it has guided mariners for more than two centuries and remains one of the most recognizable landmarks on the New England coast.

We’ll be doing all of the driving, so you can relax. There will be one pickup location for this tour:

8:00am – Marginal Way Park & Ride (opposite the intersection with Diamond St, just east of Franklin Ave), Portland.

(Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your departure time).

This tour is limited to 12 participants, so sign up soon! This is a one-of-a-kind tour, and we think one you won’t want to miss! To conveniently pay online, click on the “Book Now” link here.

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But, wait, there’s even more!

  • The Rarity Roundup Van Tour 2026

Sunday, November 8: 8:00am – 3:00pm​

Portland Explorer and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are teaming up to offer a very special, very exclusive road trip outing in 2026.  

Early November is a fantastic time of year in Maine for vagrants – birds normally seen in far-off places.  Due to a combination of weather patterns, changing seasonal food resources, falling temperatures, and other factors – some of which are not completely understood – birds that may have ended up in Maine by “accident” begin to concentrate at the coast in “migrant traps” and “hotspots.”  In other words, this is the time of year to expect the unexpected.  

​A traditional “Rarity Roundup” involves teams of birders heading out on a given day during rarity prime time, looking for species that are not supposed to be around. And in honor of that tradition, that’s exactly what we are going to do on this unique tour. We may “chase” a rarity (go to see something that has already been found, aka “twitch”) or we might choose a destination known for rare birds in an attempt to find one of our own. Or perhaps, we’ll do both!

​Anything in southern Maine is fair game, and we might not even know where we will head until we are on the bus and the latest rare bird alert is received. For those who love adding a bird to your Life or State List, and/or basking in the thrill of discovery, well then this is the tour for you! In between seeing great birds, we’ll discuss the complex factors that are involved in delivering rarities to an area, and how we go about finding them.

For example, last year, our Birds on Tap – Roadtrip: Rarity Roundup traveled to Yarmouth to see one of the few MacGillivray’s Warblers ever recorded in the state, then ventured all of the way to Kittery to try and find our own vagrant and the famous Fort Foster Park. For a taste of what’s in store, here’s the trip report from our very exciting outing in 2025 (but note we will not be offering the beer tasting component in 2026).

The 2025 Birds on Tap – Roadtrip and Boat Trip Series!

Portland Explorer will supply a light snack (TBA) and water. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. We also recommend bringing a lunch or additional snack if you so desire. Sunscreen, an extra layer or two, and sturdy comfortable walking shoes are also recommended as we will want to be comfortable during both a long drive or a standing vigil outside. 

We’ll be doing all of the driving, so you can relax. There will be one pickup location for this van tour.

8:00 am – Marginal Way Park & Ride (opposite the intersection with Diamond St, just east of Franklin Ave), Portland.

(Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your departure time)

This tour is limited to 12 participants, so sign up soon! This is a one-of-a-kind tour, and we think one you won’t want to miss!

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For more information, and to register for all of these tours, visit our website, here.

This Week’s Highlights 1/17– 1/23/2026.

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Need help identifying all of the exciting gulls at Mill Creek Cove this winter (such as this 1st winter Iceland Gull present on the 23rd)? Well, we have just the workshop coming up for you (see below)!

After being out of town for a week, we returned late on the 16th and got back to work. Sneaking in some morning birding on most days yielded a nice array of winter notables, without needing to venture too far afield. Here are my observations of note over the past 7 days.

  • For at least the second consecutive winter, an adult Red-shouldered Hawk has been frequenting the edges of Rte 136 in Durham, near the Freeport Town Line.
  • 3 drake and 1 hen Barrow’s Goldeneye, Winslow Park, Freeport, 1/17 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 2 1st-cycle Iceland Gulls, Auburn Riverwalk, 1/18.
  • 1 continuing drake Barrow’s Goldeneye, Sandy Point Beach, Cousin’s Island, Yarmouth, 1/22.
  • 1 drake Barrow’s Goldeneye, Cumberland Town Landing, 1/22
  • 4 continuing GADWALL, 1 continuing pair Green-winged Teal, and 1 1st-cycle Iceland Gull, Mill Creek Cove, 1/23 (with Bill Thompson).
  • 8 Greater Scaup, Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, 1/23.
  • Like clockwork, Brant arrived in Cape Elizabeth in the 3rd week of January. I had 30 (FOY) at Kettle Cove, with another 24 (or part of the same group) at Dyer Point a short while later on 1/23.
Some of the 24 Brant off the rocks at Dyer Point on the 23rd.

This Week in Irruptives.

I encountered a few more Purple Finches here and there this week, mostly singletons. A lone Red Crossbill at Mt Apatite Park in Auburn on 1/21 (with Jeannette) was the first I have seen away from Red Spruce in a while, but one singing in flight at Village Crossings in Cape Elizabeth on the 23rd was a surprise. Meanwhile, EVENING GROSBEAKS continued to be scattered about, with 3 visiting our feeders in Durham on the 19th.

Upcoming Trips and Tours.

  • Gull Identification Workshop -THIS WEEKEND!

It’s not too late to join us for our Gull Identification Workshop! The classroom session will be held tomorrow, Saturday, 1/24, but the field trip has been postponed until Sunday, February 1st due to the dangerously cold weather expected. You can sign up for just the lecture portion.

Thursday, January 29th (3 spaces remain).

In this workshop, we’ll hit a few of the prime viewing locations along Maine’s southern coast. But we won’t just be working on the checklist today. Instead, we’ll be focused on learning how to search for these birds – the how, when, and why – and how to identify them. We’ll learn about microhabitats, weather considerations, and seasonal timing to aid our search today and in the future. By visiting several seasonally-productive sites, we’ll compare similar species while taking time to savor the splashes of color offered by winter seaducks in an otherwise gray and white landscape.

This Week’s Highlights 11/21 – 11/28/2025.

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I found Maine’s 4th or 5th Virginia’s Warbler on Peak’s Island on Monday, the 24th. Or at least I was confident that I did. I returned two days later to alleviate any lingering doubt, re-found it, saw it much better, and managed to photographed it! Many other birders have seen it through the 28th among a flock of other late/lingering warblers. Details below.

It was simply another incredible week of birding. Frustrated by not having found a mega-rarity since Monhegan (in an otherwise amazing fall for vagrants), I went to Peak’s Island on Monday. It worked! It was a six-warbler week for me, highlighted of course by the Virginia’s Warbler – a new state bird for me! My “Rarity Fever” is raging now! Here are my observations of note over the past eight days:

  • Evening Grosbeaks have become more regular locally this week, with single birds, mostly flyovers, here and there.  Scattered 1 to a few Red Crossbills continue as well. Additionally, there was also a nice little surge in American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin numbers this week locally.
  • Plenty of the typical “late” migrants still around, such as Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, scattered Swamp Sparrows and Northern Flickers, Red-shouldered Hawk, etc.
  • 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, Trout Brook Preserve, South Portland, 11/23.
  • Peak’s Island, 11/24: 1 almost-definite VIRGINIA’S WARBLER with 2 NASHVILLE WARBLERS (see below) on Seashore Ave, and 1 COMMON YELLOWTHROAT at Battery Steele.
  • 1 NASHVILLE WARBLER, Commercial Street (near the cruise ship terminal), Portland, 11/26.
  • Back to Peak’s Island, 11/26: 1 VIRGINIA’S WARBLER (confirmed! Photo above) with 2+ NASHVILLE WARBLERS, 1++ Orange-crowned Warbler, and 1+ Yellow-rumped Warbler, Seashore Avenue. Complete details here:
Virginia’s Warbler on Peak’s Island, 11/2025.
  • 1 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, 1 TENNESSEE WARBLER, 1 BALTIMORE ORIOLE, and 1-2 Gray Catbirds, Saco Riverwalk, 11/28.
  • 4-5 NASHVILLE WARBLERS (4 continuing since being found by B. McKay et al on 11/26; I had a single bird at the other end of the hillside that was likely a 5th individual) and 1 Hermit Thrush, West Commercial Street, Portland, 11/28. This has been an insane fall for “late/lingering/pioneering/vagrant” Nashville Warblers here in Maine. Interestingly, this phenomenon appears to be rather widespread, as well above average numbers of NAWA are being seen along the Northeast coast as far south as Cape May this fall. Fascinating!  
My best photo of the week was not of of the rarities, but I enjoyed this photo of one of four very cooperative Snow Buntings at Kettle Cove on the 23rd that I caught this one mid-stretch-break.

This Week’s Highlights 10/23 – 10/29/2025.

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I’m just a big fan of “Ipswich” Savannah Sparrows, so it was nice to spend some quality time with them this week, including these two at Kettle Cove on Monday.

Most of my birding over the past seven days was very local, especially on our property and out the store’s window. While those were both pleasantly birdy, my few days in the field were even more rewarding. Rarity season is certainly upon us, and while I didn’t chase anything that has been seen recently, I made sure to check spots on my own that could be productive at this time of year. Here are my observations of note over the last seven days.

  • I spent a lot of time birding our property in Durham this week, with the most notable sighting being a late AMERICAN REDSTART on 10/23.
  • 292 Ruddy Ducks, 131 Lesser Scaup, 124 Greater Scaup, 21 distant scaup, 6 Greater Yellowlegs, 3 Semipalmated Plovers, etc, Sabattus Pond, Sabattus, 10/23.
  • 1 Nashville Warbler, Auburn Riverwalk, 10/23.
  • 1 Nashville Warbler, garden here at the store, 10/25.
  • 1 VESPER SPARROW, 2 Orange-crowned Warblers, 3 Common Yellowthroats, 2-3 “Ispwich” Savannah Sparrows, etc, Kettle Cove-Crescent Beach State Parks, Cape Elizabeth, 10/27.
  • 1 “Ipswich” Savannah Sparrow, 3 Great Egrets, etc, Back Cove, Portland, 10/27.

Our Last Tour of 2025 still has some space remaining, speaking of rarity season!

  • Birds on Tap℠ – Roadtrip! Rarity Roundup

November 9, 2025; 8:00am – 3:00pm.

Portland Explorer (formerly Maine Brews Cruise) and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are excited to continue our collaboration for six very special outings in 2025. 

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!

Early November is a fantastic time of year in Maine for vagrants – birds normally seen in far-off places.  Due to a combination of weather patterns, changing seasonal food resources, falling temperatures, and other factors – some of which are not completely understood – birds that may have ended up in Maine by “accident” begin to concentrate at the coast in “migrant traps” and “hotspots.”  In other words, this is the time of year to expect the unexpected.  

A traditional “Rarity Roundup” involves teams of birders heading out on a given day during rarity prime time, looking for species that are not supposed to be around. And in honor of that tradition, that’s exactly what we are going to do on this unique tour. We may “chase” a rarity (go to see something that has already been found, aka “twitch”) or we might choose a destination known for rare birds in an attempt to find one of our own. Or perhaps, we’ll do both!

​Anything between Portland and Kittery is fair game, and we might not even know where we will head until we are on the bus and the latest rare bird alert is received. For those who love adding a bird to your Life or State List, and/or basking in the thrill of discovery, well then this is the tour for you! In between seeing great birds, we’ll discuss the complex factors that are involved in delivering rarities to an area, and how we go about finding them.

​After about 3-4 hours of birding, depending on drive time, we will be transported to two of our great local producers to sample their offerings and learn their styles.

This Week’s Highlights, 2/22 – 2/28/2025

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These three female Greater Scaup appeared with the Mallard flock off of the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge between Lewiston and Auburn last week, and continued through the 25th

I had an excellent week of late-winter birding this week, with a nice mix of overwintering birds and some new, spring-like arrivals. Towards week’s end, birdsong from our resident species increased dramatically, and winter concentrations of waterfowl are beginning to disperse. But – at the risk of sounding a little corny – I have to say, showing people their first ever Harlequin Duck is always a winter highlight for me! It was also nice to have a tour run, and not postponed or cancelled due to weather. My observations of note over the past seven days included the following:

  • The single Fox Sparrows continues here at the store, and our one at our Durham feeders reappeared in the snow on the 27th after being absent for a few days.
  • At least 2 Turkey Vultures continue in the Cumberland-Freeport corridor of I-295. Part of the local overwintering flock (up to 15 total roosting in Brunswick at the peak), the first northbound migrants of spring are now arriving. This appears to now be a year-round species along Maine’s southern coast, as birds have overwintered locally for the last three years.
  • 1 drake GADWALL, Falmouth Town Landing, Falmouth, 2/22 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
  • 4 Brant (FOY), Dyer Point, Cape Elizabeth, 2/23 (with Birds on Tap – Roadtrip! Tour group).
  • 1 Merlin and 1 Horned Lark, Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, 2/23 (with Birds on Tap – Roadtrip! Tour group).
  • Full trip report here.
  • 1 Northern Shrike (FOY/3rd of winter), Bridge St, Newfield, 2/24 with Jeannette).
  • 1 RUSTY BLACKBIRD and 1 Winter Wren, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 2/24 (with Jeannette).
  • 2 continuing drake Green-winged Teal and 3 continuing female Greater Scaup, Anniversary Park – Bernard Lown Peace Bridge area, Auburn-Lewiston, 2/25 (with Jeannette).
  • 1 continuing hen AMERICAN WIGEON and 3 Barrow’s Goldeneyes (1 pair plus 1 immature male), Winslow Park, Freeport, 2/26.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch

We’re only two weeks away from the start of our 19th season! Free and open to the public, we welcome Zane Baker back for his record 7th season as Official Counter. 9-5 every day, weather permitting. More information and a link to counts can be found here.

Upcoming Tours:

  1. Woodcocks Gone Wild: Saturday, March 29th.  Registration and more information is here.

The 2025 Birds on Tap – Roadtrip and Boat Trip Series!

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Our collaboration with The Maine Brews Cruise enters its 11th season, with six exciting itineraries. These unique, relaxed birding and beer-ing adventures that you have come to love combine great local birding at seasonal hotspots with approachable opportunities to sample the delicious creations of some of our favorite Maine breweries. These events are a perfect introduction to birding and/or craft beer, and a great opportunity to enjoy our favorite pastimes with significant others, friends, and family that have interest in one topic, while your interest is primarily in the other (for now!). Educational, enjoyable, and eye-opening you won’t want to miss out our unique Birds on Tap series. In 2025, we’re excited to bring back more of these special birding and beer tours, perfectly blending nature exploration and craft beer tasting.

The six tours are as follows. After completion, tour reports will be posted here so this blog is your one-stop shopping for tour reports and upcoming itineraries.

1. Birds On Trip℠ – Roadtrip! Harlequins and Hops

Sunday, February 23rd, 2025:

After postponing our original date due to extreme cold, it was a full 30 degrees warmer today at start time!  And while there was a chilly wind at a couple of stops, we also had some lovely calm and sunny conditions. As much as we hate to reschedule, this one worked, and therefore the day was already a success before we even departed for our birding destination!

We began at Dyer Point in Cape Elizabeth, where we found our highest concentration of seaducks on the day, including at least 20 Harlequin Ducks – the tour’s eponymous bird.

And what a stunner they were, with males in perfect light and some small groups pleasantly close to shore. Large numbers of Common Eider and Black Scoters were present, along with several other species, introducing us to winter waterfowl identification. And as a special treat, 4 uncommon and local Brant were foraging in a tidepool before us.

Most of the ducks were here today, and not at nearby Two Lights State Park, but there we saw another 8 Harlequin Ducks, discussed American Robin winter foraging ecology, and practiced our basic duck and gull identification before we headed to nearby Kettle Cove. There were not a lot of ducks here today, but we did get a surprise Merlin whipping through, perhaps the reason a Horned Lark was calling high overhead.

As a final stop, we checked Mill Creek Cove in South Portland for a very quick gull ID introduction to augment earlier conversation, compared Mallards and American Black Ducks (taking time to marvel at the beautiful drake Mallard!), soaked in a sunning drake Red-breasted Merganser, and enjoyed the sight of all of the gulls and ducks in the cove taking flight as our second Bald Eagle of the day soared overhead.

Part two of the tour began at Belleflower Brewing in Portland, one of my favorite Maine breweries. Keeping with the bird theme, we started by sampling their Magpie Pale Ale and then compared it to their Double-dry Hopped Finch & Thistle. Beginning with the recommended way of smelling and sipping a new beer, we discussed the basics of beer style, what the hell “double-dry hopping” means, the origins of the “New England” style, and then shifted gears with their brand new Just Like Home, a maple coffee brown ale. I thought the subtle maple sweetness was just right with a roasty coffee hint but the lighter body of a brown compared to a stout.

Crossing the Bayside neighborhood brought us to Argenta Brewing, one of Portland’s newest breweries. Exclusively brewing lagers, it was a nice contrast to our focus on ales at Belleflower. Starting with a generous half-pour of their Generic American Lager, we enjoyed the light, refreshing, “crushability” of a craft version of the popular lawnmower beer style. Craft beer truly is for everyone, and simple beers like Argenta’s Generic American Lager shows its not all about “hop-heads” and alcohol bombs.

We were given a choice for our next pour, and several folks tried the Mexican Lager to compare corn verses barley as the primary malt, while other tried everything from their hard seltzer to their Munich Dunkel- new to me, I found the mild roastiness and hint of sweetness on point for the style. 

With a pleasant day (compared to the rest of the month), lots of beautiful and accessible wintering waterfowl – of course and especially including Harlequin Ducks – a few avian surprises, and newly-broadened palettes (I love it when folks say they really liked a beer in a style they didn’t think they liked), we kicked off the 11th year of the Birds on Tap – Roadtrip! the right way!

2. Birds On Tap℠ – Roadtrip! Warblers and Wort

Thursday, May 8, 2025.

While the rarest bird of the day came early, the rest of the trip was far from anticlimactic. Even better, it was the only warm and dry day of the week!

As planned, we began at Evergreen Cemetery, but our goal was set forth for us in the continuing presence of a very rare Cerulean Warbler. In fact, when I saw her a few days prior, it was the first Cerulean Warbler I have ever seen in Maine and at least a “state bird” for the several hundred folks who have seen it since. Even if you have never heard of a Cerulean Warbler, the excitement of the dozens of other birds present today was contagious. Luckily, we saw her not just once, but twice, without any concerted effort, and the second view was long and fantastic. Unfortunately, my sad attempt at a photo did not do it any justice.

There were other birds, too! We heard Ovenbirds and Wood Thrushes, saw some close-up Black-and-white Warblers, found our first Wilson’s Warbler of the year, and enjoyed basking Painted and Snapping Turtles.

Other than the Cerulean excitement (do we have to rename this tour Cerulean and Cervezas!?), it was actually rather slow today for mid-May, so we relocated to Capisic Pond Park as the last of the fog burned off and the sun (remember that?) came out. Here, birds were easier to see, including stunners like Baltimore Orioles fighting over territories, and some really close and insanely cooperative Northern Parulas that fed right in front of our faces. A sharp eye yielded a Black-crowned Night-Heron as well.

After some productive and instructive birding, we headed back into town to visit Belleflower Brewing, one of my favorite Maine breweries. Keeping with the bird theme for a little longer, we began with their pale ale, Magpie, with its great citrus and resinous balance, followed by the more grapefruity Finch and Thistle. Belleflower treated us to a third sample, of our choice, and we covered a nice range of their offerings from a Vienna lager to a double-dry-hopped double IPA to savor as we discussed some beer history and mythology.

Next up was Definitive Brewing on the other side of town. With so many options, everyone was able to choose their two samples, and there are no shortages of choices here. I went with Robin (because bird names!) their Imperial Pastry Stout and Blueberry Waffles, a pastry sour. I saw lagers, an IPA, and several sours among the group, and this photo captured the rainbow of colors here, with my choices and those of two of the members of the group. Our birding had something for everyone: a rarity for the “life list” and cool behavior from some of our common and beautiful birds as we learned about the mind-blowing feat of migration. And between Belleflower and Definitive, there was most certainly something for every beer drinker!

3. Birds on Tap℠ – Road Trip! Shorebirds and Steins

Sunday, August 3rd: 9:00am – 3:00pm​

The original BoT Roadtrip! Way back in 2015, our most popular tour returned to Scarborough Marsh at prime time for a good variety of migrant shorebirds. And we had absolutely gorgeous, perfect weather to do it!

Beginning at the “Pelreco Marsh” high water levels limited our shorebird numbers a bit, but we were introduced to some of the basics of shorebird identification thanks to a flock of Short-billed Dowitchers and scattered Least Sandpipers. We spied a Saltmarsh Sparrow and talked about its fascinating ecology and peril, and were surprised by the arrival of a rare Tricolored Heron!

Relocating to Pine Point, we hit the tide perfectly, and soon, thousands of shorebirds were before us! The rapidly exposing mudflats steadily sucked in birds, with long-legged sandpipers appearing first, including 3 Whimbrel, with their massive curved bills, 8 Willets, and 3 Black-bellied Plovers. But as usual, it was the masses of the smallest shorebirds that stole the show, with an estimate of 2500+ Semipalmated Sandpipers and 225+ Semipalmated Plovers spread out before us. What looked like the first exposed sandbar was actually solid shorebirds! Learning the basics of sandpiper vs plover and moving on to sorting through the “peeps” for a White-rumped Sandpiper or two, we were introduced to the joys and challenges of shorebird identification, while mostly just enjoying the sight of so many birds!  A few of us picked out a couple of Roseate Terns among Common Terns, and later, a mostly-adult-plumaged Bonaparte’s Gull was especially cooperative for photo-ops.

In the photo above, a Black-bellied Plover, Whimbrel, and Willet are in one field of view for comparative study, while I always insist on taking a moment to gawk at the eye of a Double-crested Cormorant.

Eric then led us to our first brewery, Modestman in South Portland. Originally founded in Keene, NH, owner/operator Ash Sheehan opened this second location closer to home here in SoPo. Tucked in a neighborhood down a side street off of Rte 1, someone on the tour who lived a mile and a half away didn’t even know it was there…there were all sorts of discoveries on this tour today, from rare herons to hidden gem breweries.

Coming in from the sun, we began with a refreshing and quenching light berliner Weiss sour, Black Reign with blackberry and boysenberry. Next up was It’s a Beautiful Thing, their flagship single-hope pale ale. Loaded with Citra hops, it blurs the line between a pale and an IPA, but it nicely progressed the palette and the ABV. When Life Gives You Lemons, loaded up with Citra and Simcoe was next up, providing a nice fruity/dank balance that Modestman is known for. I think this beer really nicely captured the essence of what people I know like most about their brews. Everyone got to choose their own last 4oz sample, and I went with Hard Rass Imperial Sour for a big and bold raspberry juice bomb.

Our next destination was the latest tasting room for Westbrook-based Mast Landing, a short distance away on Cottage Street in South Portland. We continued to cover the basics of beer varieties here, starting with the clean and crushable Champ Lager. No visit to Mast Landing – especially a first visit for most of our crew today – is complete without trying their famous flagship Gunner’s Daughter peanut butter milk stout, and enjoying it on Nitro is always a special treat. Like a creamy liquid peanut butter cup (sans the allergens), Gunner’s Daughter deserves its accolades. Once again, our last sample was a personal choice, and since Mast Landing has something for everyone and I believe there were over 10 beers chosen among the 13 people (unfortunately, everyone but Eric, our trusty brewery guide and driver). Since it’s a Birds on Tap – Roadtrip, I for one had no choice but to go with a bird named beer. There are several here, but today I tried the 2025 incarnation of Song of the Swallow, which was laden with 5 varieties of hops for a really smooth and juicy final toast.

5. Birds on Tap – The Boat Trip! Rare Birds and Island Exploration.

Sunday, October 19th , 9:00am to 2:00pm

Here are some photo highlights from this annual favorite!

Big Brown Bat
DeKay’s Brown Snake
Fort Gorges

6. Birds on Tap℠ – Road Trip! Rarity Roundup!

Sunday, November 9: 8:00am – 3:00pm​

Our final Birds on Tap! tour of 2025 was our Roadtrip: “Rarity Roundup” on 11/9. Unlike most tours, where we know our destination – chosen to provide the best birding opportunities and highest rates of success possible – this trip didn’t have a destination until we were pulling out of the parking lot in Portland!

Designed to take advantage of the latest rare bird reports, our itinerary was to work our way south, either looking for rarities that had previously been reported, or finding our own by checking the seasonal vagrant hotspots. The southern coast of Maine is usually the best area for really rare birds this time of year, but I threw the plan out the window immediately and we turned northward.

I just couldn’t resist taking people to see a long-staying (since November 2nd!) MacGillivray’s Warbler (only the 7th ever in the state of Maine) in Yarmouth. I felt confident I could find it quickly, thanks to its constant vocalizations, we’d get a look and then we would move on to the next bird. I did not expect, however, to find it that quickly!

In fact, I heard it the very second we entered the trail. It was calling nearby and we slowly and quietly moved in position. We found it foraging low on the ground, in some perennials, only a handful of feet away. Now this skulky bird didn’t exactly sit out in the open, but over the next 15 minutes or so, we all had satisfying (or better) looks, until anxious birders (who had apparently been waiting too far down the trail for up to two hours!) overwhelmed us. We slowly moved away, following the bird’s call notes, eventually finding it again, and then watching as it flew about 2 feet from one of us where it disappeared into a dense thicket.

Wow! What a thrill!

I refreshed the rare bird alerts (and all the different places rare birds get reported these days) as we began our journey south, spending the time in the van working on a little game to practice our “status and distribution” knowledge during this exciting time of year for rare birds.

I didn’t want to ask folks to stand still in Scarborough Marsh for the rest of the morning to maybe hear a Clapper Rail call once, and there were no further reports of the Seaside Sparrow in Wells. So with each passing exit of the Turnpike, I decided to go all in in Kittery, beginning at Seapoint Beach. Yeah, there wasn’t much there, and nothing of note.

So the rest of our time was spent at the delightful Fort Foster, the host of so many vagrants over the years. We hoped the Cave Swallow from two days prior would reappear, or we would find something even better. Um, we did not.

In fact, it was pretty darn slow, at least in the brush and the woods. Offshore, waterbirds were building, and we had some good looks at Surf Scoters, for example. And overhead, there was an absolute massive Double-crested Cormorant migration going on. Numerous large flocks of several hundred were winging it south, in their usual “drunken v’s.”

We swung for the fences and combed Fort Foster, but alas, we were not heroes today: we found nothing rare. But it was fun to try!

And besides, not only did we get a “mega rarity” with the MacGillivray’s Warbler, we got another “mega” rarity when we arrived at Tributary Brewing. There, we found Mott The Lesser, their 10.5% ABV Imperial Stout, released twice a year, and only available at the brewery. And yesterday it was released, so this was quite the “twitch.”  You think people drive far to see a MacGillivray’s Warbler!? Well, rare beers are no different. This year’s version was aged in red, white, and tawny port wine barrels and then a rare apple wood rye barrel for additional complexity.

Of course, we didn’t want to destroy our palates, and we were here to learn about a wide range of Tributary’s beers, so we began with their flagship Pale Ale and compared this West Coast American standard to Affluente, an Italian-style Pilsner, with Adriatic barley and a light dry hopping of lemon-forward hops. Moving on to their new Zwicklebier, an “immature” lager, which was more malt-forward thanks to 100% Maine grown and malted barley. Then we tried the Mott the Lesser. And it was good. And bottles were purchased.

Our driver and beer guide Joe started us off with the basics of beer tasting and an overview of styles, but during our tasting, we were treated to a visit from head brewer and owner, Woody, who gave us the history of the brewery, started by his beer-legendary father, and guided us through the tasting. He discussed their commitments to Old World styles of beer and answered questions from the crowd.

Not to be outdone, apparently, Woodland Farms just up the road also laid out the red carpet for us, with owner Pat not only guiding us through our tasting, but providing a tour of the brewery itself, from first boil to final packaging. Woodland Farms is becoming known for their wide variety of offerings, and it was amazing to see how they can pull so much off in this small space!

Their Flagship is Blinky, an IPA with a very complex dry hop bill. We then tried Rossa Matrimonial, their version of an Italian Pilsner, a dry beer made with red malts. We once again remained in the Old World with Tmavy Piro, which means “dark beer” in Czech. A dark lager, it offered the “crushability” of a lager, but with more malt flavors before the crisp lager finish. And finally, everyone got to choose a final sample, with most people choosing the Big Effin Porter, a robust 8.2% porter. I went with the masses and tried this, too, and enjoyed how rich it was without the thickness and weight of an imperial stout.

Woodland Farms is also becoming known for their non-alcoholic beers, a rapidly growing segment of the beer economy. Out back, we learned about the differences in making non-alcoholic beer that tastes good verses beer with alcohol, and especially, mass-produced NA beer that usually tastes like, well, not much. To demonstrate what NA beer means in 2025, we were treated to two bonus samples: the NA Dogwalker with an abundance of sticky, piney-resinous hops, and their NA Festbier, an easy-drinking seasonal malt-forward Oktober-fest style.

So from a mega rare bird and a mega rare beer, learning how to search for rare birds and how to make beer, and trying everything from non-alcoholic to a 10.5% imperial flavor-bomb, we most surely enjoyed an educational, enjoyable, and often enlightening day!

This Week’s Highlights, 12/21– 12/28/2024

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With temperatures in the single digits, this Carolina Wren seemed to be questioning the concept of range expansion in Cape Elizabeth in the early morning on the 22nd.

With the final days of the holiday shopping season and a couple of days out of state for Christmas, my birding was rather limited this week. I did have several productive mornings, however with seasonal observations of note.

  • 1 Fox Sparrow appeared/re-appeared at the store’s feeders on 12/21 and continued through at least 12/23. One also returned/arrived at our feeders in Durham on 12/23.
  • Although far from rare, a Red-necked Grebe was a highlight for me during our Saturday Morning Birdwalk on 12/21 as it fed close by within the marina at the South Freeport Town Wharf, offering exceptional views.
  • While Swamp Sparrows aren’t all that rare along the south coast this time of year, 4 at Village Crossings/Cape Elizabeth Green Belt Trail on 12/22 was of note. And speaking of things that are not all that rare around here in December anymore, a Hermit Thrush and Northern Flicker were also present.
  • 1 Red-shouldered Hawk, Sebago Lake State Park, 12/23 (with Jeannette).
  • 1 drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, Bernard Lown Peace Bridge, Auburn, 12/27.
  • 36 Horned Larks, Upper Street, Turner, 12/27.
  • Yup, still scattered Turkey Vultures around, with at least two regular in the I-295 corridor here in Freeport.