Tag Archives: First of Year

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.

Recent highlights, 3/1-3/14/2025.

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Don’t panic – this wasn’t in Maine!  But it was my bird photo highlight over the past two weeks. This Boreal Owl was spotted a short distance north of Duluth along the famous North Shore Road on the first day of a visit there with friends on March 1st. I don’t usually chase birds out of state, but this winter has been incredible for Boreal (and Great Gray) Owls and we just couldn’t resist any longer!  Photos from this, and other recent trips, are currently being posted regularly to the store’s Facebook page.

After a quick last-minute trip to Duluth, Minnesota for a birding weekend with friends (Boreal and Great Gray Owls!), Jeannette and I did our usual pre-hawkwatch long weekend and used it to visit friends in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (Green Jay fix and other Lower Rio Grande specialties!). In between and thereafter, it’s been mostly catching up at the store and life, but in some free moments, I had a few observations of note, including the vanguard of spring migration.

  • Our overwintering Fox Sparrow here at the store continued through week’s end, although it has become much more sporadic at the feeders.  
  • Our Fox Sparrow at home in Durham continues as well, often singing in the morning.
  • 1 Red-winged Blackbird (FOS), our feeders in Durham on 3/5. Increased to 3 on the 6th. 20-25 by the 12th, etc.
  • 1 Common Grackle (FOY), our feeders in Durham, 3/12.
  • 3 Brown-headed Cowbirds (FOY), our feeders in Durham, 3/12.
  • There was a nice little arrival of Song Sparrows to the area on the morning of the 12th.
  • 1 probable CACKLING GOOSE, Rte 136, Durham, 3/12. Among 600+ Canadas, I had to reposition for a better and confirming view and shortly thereafter all geese were flushed by an eagle. Subsequent searches failed to relocate the suspect bird.  
  • 4 Fish Crows (FOY), Anniversary Park, Auburn, 3/13.
  • 1 Killdeer (FOY), Thornhurst Farm, North Yarmouth, 3/13.

Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch

The 19th season of the Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch starts tomorrow! Free and open to the public, we welcome Zane Baker back for his 7th season as Official Counter. 9-5 every day, weather permitting.

Daily counts will be posted here and weekly summaries will be posted here.

Upcoming Tours:

  1. Woodcocks Gone Wild: Saturday, March 29th. One space remains; call for waitlist.