It was one of those weeks with lots to do, and therefore I didn’t get out as much as usual, as if often the case in the buys holiday shopping season. Nonetheless, when I was out (or inside watching feeders), there was plenty of good birding to be had. “Late/lingering” species continue to dominate the news.

• 3 Fox Sparrows continued at the feeders here at the store through 12/8, with a single bird continuing through week’s end.

• 1 drake and 1 hen Barrow’s Goldeneye, Winslow Park, Freeport, 12/7 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group). Early compared to recent years here.

• 1 Wilson’s Snipe and 1 American Wigeon, Moody Marsh, Ogunquit/Wells, 12/8.
• 1 immature Red-shouldered Hawk, 1 Northern Flicker, and 1 Swamp Sparrow, Community Park, Wells, 12/8.

• 1 Fox Sparrow, our feeders in Durham, 12/10-12.

• 1 FISH CROW (my first inland Dec/winter record), Auburn Riverwalk, 12/13.
• 1 drake Green-winged Teal, North River Road Boat Launch, Auburn, 12/13.
• 1 GRAY CATBIRD, 2 Hermit Thrushes, and 2 Fox Sparrows, North River Road, Auburn, 12/13.

• Snow Buntings and Horned Larks were encountered in a bunch of locales this week, and Turkey Vultures are clearly no longer rare in early to mid December in southern Maine!