In last week’s report, I complained about the dearth of vagrants in Maine this November, but that changed dramatically this week. Several rarities around the state included Maine’s first confirmed Spotted Towhee that I found at Fort Foster in Kittery on 11/19. A Prairie Warbler,  1-2 “Western” Palm Warblers, 1 Gray Catbird, 1 Hermit Thrush, Type 12 Red Crossbills, and 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet were also present that day.

Photos from myself and Luke Seitz, as well as observation notes and some information are all here:

Maine’s First Confirmed Spotted Towhee at Fort Foster!

My other observations of note over the past eight days included the following:

• 1 Great Egret, Fore River from I-295S, South Portland, 11/19.

• 1 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and 1 White-rumped Sandpiper, Seapoint Beach, Kittery, 11/19.

• 1 HOUSE WREN, 1 BLUE-HEADED VIREO, 1 Northern Flicker, and 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Bailey Island, Harpswell, 11/21 (with Jeannette).

• Sabattus Pond, Sabattus, 11/23: 415 Ruddy Ducks, 383 Common Mergansers, 256 Mallards, 168 active mixed scaup, 105 Greater Scaup, 70 American Black Ducks, 63 Hooded Mergansers, 41 Buffleheads, 5 Ring-necked Ducks, 4 Common Goldeneyes, 2 continuing American Wigeon, 2 continuing KILLDEER, 2 Lesser Scaup, 1 continuing AMERICAN COOT, 1 American Pipit, etc.

• 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 Northern Pintail, 2 Savannah Sparrows, 1 Northern Flicker, etc, Wolfe’s Neck Center, Freeport, 11/25 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).

Meanwhile, at our feeders in Durham, a nice uptick in sparrow activity including up to 14 Dark-eyed Juncos, 4 continuing White-throated and 1-2 continuing Song Sparrows, with our first American Tree Sparrow arriving on 11/22. 30+ American Goldfinches and 1-2 Purple Finches continue daily, but this week, we only had Pine Siskins in the woods and not at the feeders.

ISSUES and ADVOCACY:

The amazing birding and migration site – especially for fall “morning flights” – in the Mid-Coast is once again under direct threat. Birders need to help convince the state to find an alternative location for a massive new port and its infrastructure. Our most significant places of concentration for migratory birds need to be protected. Here is our Statement in Opposition to a New Port on Sears Island in Searsport.