Heading south on Friday of last week, I could not resist some quality time with the continuing King Eider on the Kittery Waterfront!
I enjoyed a weekend in Rhode Island thanks to being invited to lead a walk and speak at the Annual Meeting of the Ocean State Bird Club. Thanks to everyone there for the invitation and the great turnout! My bird of the weekend were these three continuing “Black” Brant in Providence that Jess Bishop and I caught up with on the 12th before I headed north.
Meanwhile, here in Maine, the migratory floodgates (and not just for birds!) really began to open with the warm weekend weather and conducive winds, at least to start the week. Here are my observations of note over the past 8 days (5.5 of which were in Maine):
1 continuing drake KING EIDER, Oak Terrace overlook, Kittery, 4/10 (photos above).
I spent some time watching the Rock Row, Westbrook Peregrine Falcon nest on the 13th – much better than sitting in the waiting room of a car service center!
Not directly bird-related, but Jeannette and I enjoyed a productive “Big Night” in Durham on the evening of 4/14, highlighted as usual by Blue-spotted and Spotted Salamanders.
BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS continue to be a highlight this week – they are always a highlight for me! – around the area. About 100 on Stonewood Drive in Freeport on the 17th was my high count this week, with 35-40 here at the store at the same time. 2 were with 20 Cedars at the Walgreens on Route 1/9 in Scarborough earlier that morning. Some have been around the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch on and off this week, and a flock of 24-30 in our property in Durham was our 156th Yard Bird!
4 breeding-plumaged (FOY) Dunlin, 4 Greater with 23 Lesser Scaup, and hundreds of Black and White-winged Scoters, etc, Pine Point, Scarborough, 4/17.
My other personal “first of years” (aka “FOYs”) in Maine this week included:
1 Broad-winged Hawk, Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch, 4/13.
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, our property in Durham, 4/14.
1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 4/15.
1 Barn Swallow, Florida Lake Park, 4/15.
1 Brown Thrasher, our property in Durham, 4/16.
1 Field Sparrow, Cedar Pond Road, Durham, 4/16.
4 Black-bellied Plovers, Pine Point, Scarborough, 4/17.
The 20th year of the project began on March 15th. The quickest and clearest way to view daily reports is by clicking on the Hawkcount link contained here. Meanwhile, we will continue to post weekly summaries on the News Page of our website. Here’s the Week 4 report.
***LIKELY POSTPONED from April 19, 2026 until 4/26 due to weather. Please let us know if you are interested in the new date!***
Portland Explorer (formerly Maine Brew Bus) and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are excited to continue our collaboration for 3 very special outings in 2026.
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!
This brand-new itinerary takes us to the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal in the peak of northbound raptor migration. Now in its 20th year, this research project by Freeport Wild Bird Supply tallies an average of 4,180 migrating birds of prey each spring from the summit!
After a gentle 1-mile climb through the woods, looking and listening for migrant and resident songbirds, we’ll arrive at the summit and join the project’s Official Counter. Derek will discuss the history and methodology of the project, as the counter points out migrating raptors. Derek will lead us through the basics of hawk identification to give us a hawkwatch primer, and then if the migration action allows, we’ll sit back and enjoy the show until it is time to depart (the walk down is a steep ¼ of a mile on a wide, well-worn trail with rocks and roots and some steps; hiking sticks are suggested if you use them). This is the only Hawkwatch Workshop program that FWBS will be offering this year, so this is a tour you won’t want to miss!
After about 3 hours of birding, we will be transported to two of our great local producers to sample their offerings and learn their styles. Our brewery destinations are subject to change, but the current plan is to visit Maine Beer Company and Goodfire Brewing.
Bill Thompson and I birded from Bowdoinham through Gardiner on Tuesday, seeking migrant waterfowl and especially Bohemian Waxwings. We hit paydirt while working the side roads in downtown Gardiner, finding a flock of 110 (with 1-2 Cedars) feeding on multiflora rose behind a parking lot on Summer Street. They were, how shall we say, cooperative. A couple of short phone videos of our experience can be seen here.Of course, the next day, 30-40 were right outside the store!
Last week I was lamenting that I have not had enough Bohemian Waxwing time this winter. Happily, that changed this week! My BOWA-laden observations of note over the past seven days included:
1 Fish Crow, Cumberland Town Landing, 3/21 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
Portland Explorer (formerly Maine Brew Bus) and Freeport Wild Bird Supply are excited to continue our collaboration for 3 very special outings in 2026.
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!
This brand-new itinerary takes us to the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch at Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal in the peak of northbound raptor migration. Now in its 20th year, this research project by Freeport Wild Bird Supply tallies an average of 4,180 migrating birds of prey each spring from the summit!
After a gentle 1-mile climb through the woods, looking and listening for migrant and resident songbirds, we’ll arrive at the summit and join the project’s Official Counter. Derek will discuss the history and methodology of the project, as the counter points out migrating raptors. Derek will lead us through the basics of hawk identification to give us a hawkwatch primer, and then if the migration action allows, we’ll sit back and enjoy the show until it is time to depart (the walk down is a steep ¼ of a mile on a wide, well-worn trail with rocks and roots and some steps; hiking sticks are suggested if you use them). This is the only Hawkwatch Workshop program that FWBS will be offering this year, so this is a tour you won’t want to miss!
After about 3 hours of birding, we will be transported to two of our great local producers to sample their offerings and learn their styles. Our brewery destinations are subject to change, but the current plan is to visit Maine Beer Company and Goodfire Brewing.
While I didn’t look at many birds in Maine this week, we drove a whole 6 minutes from our regular motel in New Jersey to chase this spiffy Harris’s Sparrow in Wall Township, my 352nd species in my native state! Does 6 minutes even count as a chase?
Much has changed since we left for our vacation on February 23rd. Immediately upon our return, we had to depart the state for a few more days for a family matter. In the meantime, the vanguard of spring migration both literally and figuratively passed over our heads. Here are a few observations of note over the past four days since returning to the state.
8 Common Grackles (Maine FOY), Over Exit 25, Kennebunk, 3/10.
In the following days blackbird numbers continued to increase, as did migrant Song Sparrows.
10 Green-winged Teal, Bernard Lown Peace Bridge, Auburn-Lewiston, 3/12.
1 drake Gadwall, 11 Northern Pintails, 5 Red Crossbills (including 1-2 singing males), etc, Reid State Park, Georgetown, 3/13.
Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch gets underway on Sunday!
But the main reason I am posting this week despite the few days of observation is that Sunday, March 15th begins the 20TH YEAR of the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch! Join Zane Baker and project volunteers at the summit from 9-5 every day (weather permitting) from March 15th through May 15th. Can we reach least year’s record count?
March 28th or 29th. This tour is currently sold out. Please contact us to be added to the waiting list.
Portland Explorer Collab Tours.
Our collaboration with Portland Explorer has expanded once again, with the 12th season of the Birds on Tap – Roadtrip! series, but also new Birding and History tours. All of the 2026 outings are now posted and are open for registration. To learn more about these unique experiences, check out my recent blog entry.
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.
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!
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: 9:00am – 2:00pm
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!)
But this time we’re leaving the van in the garage, and hitting the water! That’s right, we’re taking a cruise, and we’re returning to the private House Island in Porland Harbor!
During our previous outings in which we became the first birding groups ever on the island, we found oodles of Yellow-rumped Warblers, other migrants, and learned about the island’s ecology. But we were also captivated by Captain Pete, who guided us through the historic fort, sharing a wealth of historical knowledge and fascinating stories.
Once again, we’ve been granted special permission to come ashore and scour the island here in the peak of fall migration. We’ll follow well-maintained trails through the island’s mosaic of open habitats, scrub, and young woods. These are great habitats to search for a variety of migrants, and perhaps even a rarity!
Returning in October, rarities will once again be on our mind. While rare birds are rare, we are still going to expect the unexpected. But more likely are regular migrants of the season such as Yellow-rumped Warblers, a variety of sparrows, and a growing diversity of waterbirds. At the very least, we’ll have resident waterbirds and several species of gulls to sort through.
As we motor back across the harbor, we’ll continue to familiarize ourselves with some of the common waterbirds, such as Common Eiders, Common Loons, and perhaps some lingering Ospreys and others from the summer, all while enjoying a local craft beverage produced in the city of Portland. While the exact plan is subject to change, we’ll be sure to come up with a plan to adequately celebrate our discoveries – or the one that got away!
Portland Explorer will supply a light snack and everyone is welcome to a free drink (alcoholic or non during the boat ride back). Bring binoculars. We also recommend bringing a 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.
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).
*Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your departure time.*
We’ll return to Portland Beer Hub at 2:00pm
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.
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.
*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.
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).
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!
Freeport Wild Bird Supply is proud to once again partner with Down East Magazine’s Down East Adventures for the sixth year of offering exclusive birding workshops focused on gaining greater knowledge and field skills in a focused group of seasonally accessible birds. Focused on skill-builder rather than list-building, there will be plenty of “life birds,” but also more knowledge and education about birds, habitats, birding, and much more about the natural world. We are honored to be their provider for a series of unique and exclusive birdwatching endeavors. In 2026, we will once again offer four exclusive outings.
As usual, Harlequin Ducks were the stars of the show.
First and foremost, I must commend everyone in the group for being such troopers today! Brutally cold temperatures and a barely broken trail to start the day, with a frigid day barely warming into the low 20’s. But everyone was prepared, everyone was ready to bird, and we all learned a lot.
Between astronomical low tides, days of offshore winds, and recent bitter cold, we encountered many fewer waterbirds overall than expected at this season. We did see some of the stars of the winter show well, such as Harlequin Ducks – always the crowd favorite! – and Great Cormorants. At two sites, we worked our way through learning the various seaducks, while at two other sites we studied dabbling ducks. A short gull workshop was also included. We even finished with another family of waterfowl when a hen Greater Scaup landed in Perkin’s Cove when we returned at the end of the day.
It was nice of this hen Greater Scaup to join us for one last species to learn about.
The Ogunquit Rivermouth was one of the most productive destinations today, with an unexpected 4 Northern Pintails pioneering amongst hundreds of Mallards and American Black Ducks, Canada Geese, and really close views of White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, and Common Loon, plus a Belted Kingfisher – one of our “honorary waterbirds.” Elsewhere, Black Scoters were the dominant species, with large rafts witnessed at multiple locations.
What is this mess? Impossible to identify, you say? Well, with a little comparative experience, we learned just how quickly we can identify this 2nd cycle Herring Gull.
As rewarding and educational the birding was, I think most people will end up remembering more about the domestic duck roundup attempt that we witnessed at Abbott’s Pond. We were there to study Mallards, American Black Ducks, and hybrids thereof, learning the differences and nuances in plumage of some of our most commonly seen waterfowl. We did that, and then sat back and enjoyed the show as the pond’s caretakers were bringing some “dumped” domestic hybrids to a better home.
We put special emphasis on learning female ducks as well, especially when in direct comparison to the respective distinctive males and other hens around them. We also took time to appreciate the gorgeous intricacies of their plumage, such as on this female Mallard.
2. Spring Migrant Songbird Workshop
Spring Migrant Songbird Workshop
Portland. May 17, 2026.
This half-day workshop focused on the migrant songbirds, especially warblers, that are passing through Maine’s most famous migrant trap, Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery. At the peak of warbler migration, we learned how to identify these charismatic birds, and discussed their mind-boggling migration and what they’re up to in Maine.
We began with making some predictions of what the morning would produce, and later analyzed the winds and radar images to draw some conclusions about what we did and did not see. And while we expected more than the 13 species of warblers we saw and/or heard, and more “passage migrants” overall, we still had a really enjoyable day, and yeah, 13 species of warblers!
Beginning at Evergreen Cemetery, we were greeted by newly-arrived Red-eyed Vireos, and a nice variety of warblers. More were in the tops of oak trees (we learned why) than down low, but we still enjoyed great views of a variety of species, such as Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, and especially Magnolia Warbler. After hearing them all morning, we were finally treated to a stunning view of a Great-crested Flycatcher, and we finished off with an unexpected immature Orchard Oriole! We also had exceptionally good views of two different perched and hunting Cooper’s Hawks – although this was a songbird workshop, I jokingly justified it as songbird-eating raptor identification is more important for a songbird to workshop than songbird identification is for us to workshop!
Moving over to nearby Capisic Pond Park to continue our birding by habitat lessons, we soon added plentiful Yellow Warblers and a migrant female Canada Warbler to our warbler tally, while later enjoying more quality time with American Redstarts. Baltimore Orioles abound here, and we spotted the local male Orchard Oriole here, where they are regular breeders (one of the few places in the state they are found annually), making for a two OROR day. Gray Catbirds were conspicuous, Warbling Vireos were seen, but mostly heard, and we found a nest brimming with soon-to-fledge-already American Robins. As for non-songbirds, we took time to study Red-tailed Hawks in flight and especially soaked in the stunning plumes and high-breeding facial skin of a confiding Great Egret.
With temperatures rising into the 70’s and abundant sunshine, we were all complaining (mildly) about being overdressed for the first time this spring! But also, how it was “too nice out” to have seen a ton of birds, despite what the overnight radar image suggested! But this is the challenge of birding in migration, and thankfully, the weather was delightful and there were plenty of birds to look at all morning!
3. Shorebird Workshop
August 18, 2026; 9:00am – 4:00pm
The first shorebird species of the day was this beautiful, fresh juvenile Least Sandpiper nearly at our feet at our first stop
With more than 35 species of shorebirds (a diverse group including plovers and sandpipers) regularly appearing in Maine, this workshop is designed to appreciate the diversity and beauty of this fascinating family.
With recent sighting reports and the desire to avoid really long walks with a rapidly increasing temperature, we began the day in Biddeford Pool, starting at Great Pond with Least Sandpipers at our feet. We began our shorebird identification journey here with Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs as well, and a nice performance from Spotted Sandpipers. Despite our focused agenda today, it was impossible not to enjoy all of the other birdlife at the pond, including 3 locally-rare Forster’s Terns among Common Terns feeding just in front of us. There were lots of juvenile Glossy Ibis and juvenile Laughing Gulls, Great and Snowy Egrets, and a few Black-crowned Night-Herons as well.
Over the dunes at the nearby beach, we went back to work with shorebirds, with close-up views of Piping (3) and Semipalmated Plovers (about 125 of them!), Semipalmated Sandpipers, and spiffy Ruddy Turnstones plowing through seaweed mats.
Juvenile Piping Plover
Then, with the outgoing tide, we watched birds come and go from Hill’s Beach, adding Short-billed Dowitchers (85!), Black-bellied Plovers, and spotted 8 American Oystercatchers in the distance. We practiced plover vs sandpiper some more, this time at a distance, and later had a Whimbrel (shorebird species #12) fly across the street at The Pool.
After our lunch break, we relocated to the environs of Scarborough, beginning with Pine Point. We had much better looks at a couple of American Oystercatchers and another Whimbrel and caught up with another new shorebird species that offered good studies in 8 Willets. We walked to the beach to check for rarities and then finished up at the Pelreco Marsh where a few Killdeer were our 14th and final shorebird species on the day.
More importantly than the species count, however, we learned how approachable (both literally and figuratively!) shorebirds can be, and how breaking it down to family goes a long way in narrowing down our choices that lead to a successful identification – which for most shorebirds, most of the time, is just not that hard!
4. Monhegan Birding Workshop
September 11-13, 2026
We save the best for last as our final Workshop with Downeast Adventures for the year visits the birding Mecca that is Monhegan Island.
Birding got underway as we departed New Harbor on our ferry, with a surprising number of Wilson’s Storm-Petrels for the date ushering us on our way across. Three Red-necked Phalaropes were also a treat, but even more so was the lovely, calm waters!
We were greeted upon our arrival by a family group of Bald Eagles (2 adults and 2-3 juveniles), including a fantastic show of the kids “kiting” over Manana Island. Stepping onto the dock, my introduction and orientation was continuously interrupted by raptors, with Merlins and an American Kestrel passing right overhead, along with a Peregrine Falcon that flew over before landing on Manana – how’s that for a subject for our introduction to spotting scope use?
In fact, throughout the first day, raptors were the stars of the show, with constant views of Merlins and Sharp-shinned Hawks (often involved in dogfights!) and even a rare-for-the-island Cooper’s Hawk.
We checked out our first of several daily Lesser Black-backed Gulls, gained an introduction to some of the common birds of the island, like Common Eiders and Ring-necked Pheasants, but it was very slow for migrant passerines.
We made sure to take time to appreciate the beauty of the hens, not just the gaudy males.
Stepping outside at dawn on Saturday morning, with the anticipation following a strong nocturnal migration overnight, we found the weather was simply too nice, and a lot of migrants had simply passed overhead overnight, or reoriented their way to the mainland before sunrise. So while it was not exactly the morning Monhegan legends are made of, we had some “new” birds around and throughout the day managed some great sightings and numerous “workshop” teaching moments.
A Dickcissel, a Monhegan birding specialty, called as it flew around in the morning, but our pre-breakfast stroll was highlighted by an incredible view of a Rusty Blackbird joining Cedar Waxwings and a Cape May Warbler feeding on midges at the top of a spruce tree just outside the hotel entrance. Prolonged scope views of a Rusty Blackbird are few and far between, and this bird had little interest in returning to the shadows -the midges were too good to pass up.
In fact, after breakfast, she was still there and the second serving of Rusty Blackbird further cemented this as the “bird of the trip” for several folks by the end of the weekend. A fly-by Whimbrel was even more noteworthy. It was a very slow day by Monhegan standards, but that still meant enjoying flocks of Cedar Waxwings, the occasional migrant here and there, and of course, a rarity – what birding on Monhegan is really known for! It took some effort, but we managed to track down a female King Eider – very, very rare south of the Arctic in the summer – that had been present for much of the summer.
A slower birding day and a gorgeous afternoon led many folks to take advantage of open Lighthouse Day, visit the museum, or go for a hike. Those who elected to join me on our last bird walk of the afternoon, however, explored some of the woods of the island on our way to and from a visit to Burnt Head for a view of the cliffs. As we hiked, we encountered several mixed species foraging flocks of resident birds with migrants in tow, which yielded a great view of a Philadelphia Vireo in one flock, more warblers than we had seen all morning, and in the last flock, a self-found vagrant in the form of an adult Blue-winged Warbler! Wow!
Unfortunately, my documentation shot proves once again why I don’t lead the photography workshops for DownEast!
It was rain-free when we began our walk on Sunday morning, but with a light south wind and clouds overnight, there wasn’t much in the way of arrival of birds, but this was another instructive example of how migration works, and we used radar and wind maps to understand what we did and did not see throughout the weekend.
We learned that this overnight radar image showed migratory birds…going right over our headson Friday night into Saturday morning.
Light rain arrived just before we settled in for breakfast, but it never got to the point of being unbirdable, so several folks stuck with me right up until it was time to board the ferry. And they were rewarded amply! While it was still slow by Monhegan standards, the light rain kept birds down low, so great views were to be had from the likes of Red-eyed Vireos. We improved our looks at Cape May and Blackpoll Warblers, had a stunning view of a normally-secretive Northern Waterthrush, and even found a “drift-vagrant” with this Clay-colored Sparrow
There were now 4 Spotted Sandpipers at Lobster Cove, where we also had a crushing look at a Bobolink. A Barn Swallow was a new arrival, among a few others as well.
Reconvening after lunch on the porch of the Island Inn, I spotted a pod of Atlantic White-sided Dolphins well offshore. Four of us kept birding after lunch, too, right up until the ferry. A forest ecology walk focused on the trees, but we took the time to find the island’s only resident amphibian – Red-backed Salamander – and came across a Black-and-white Warbler among a band of Golden-crowned Kinglets. A fly-over Lesser Yellowlegs was our 8th shorebird species of the trip – that was certainly above normal for three days on the island, and the raptor show continued.
More Wilson’s Storm-Petrels guided us on the return trip, and we all said goodbye on the wharf, promising to see each other, and Monhegan Island, again.
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.
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.
Swamp Sparrows have been common and conspicuous on our Durham property, and elsewhere this week. I feel this, like most sparrows, is an underappreciated beauty!
My observations of note over a very productive and exciting eight days of birding included the following:
Highlights from our Durham property this week included near-daily American Woodcocks and Rusty Blackbirds, and a nice little arrival of more Swamp Sparrows and Purple Finches in particular on 10/21.
Sandy Point Morning Flight, 10/15.
A very light flight passed over and through Sandy Point Beach, Cousin’s Island, Yarmouth this morning.
6:55-8:30 (with Bill Thompson).
48F, mostly cloudy to partly cloudy, NW 1.7-2.5mph diminishing to calm.
51 American Robins
33 Yellow-rumped Warblers
28 Dark-eyed Juncos
17 American Goldfinches
16 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
8 Eastern Bluebirds
7 White-throated Sparrows
6 Chipping Sparrows
5 Palm Warblers
4 Hermit Thrushes
4 Golden-crowned Kinglets
3 Blue-headed Vireos
3 Purple Finches
3 Swamp Sparrows
2 Pine Siskins
2 Rusty Blackbirds
2 Tufted Titmice (4 false-starts and counting)
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch
1 Blackpoll Warbler
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Downy Woodpecker (2+ false-starts)
1 House Finch
1 American Pipit
1 Northern Flicker
1 Magnolia Warbler
1 unidentified
Total = 203
1 continuing CACKLING GOOSE, Thornhurst Farm, North Yarmouth, 10/15 (with Bill Thompson).
1 Least Sandpiper, 1 White-rumped Sandpipers, and 2 Pectoral Sandpipers, Walsh Preserve, Freeport, 10/15 (with Bill Thompson).
Sandy Point Morning Flight, 10/16.
An excellent flight passed over and through Sandy Point Beach, Cousin’s Island, Yarmouth this morning.
6:55 to 10:40am.
44F, Mostly cloudy, NW 4.3 – 9.0 increasing to 15.1 – 19.7mph with higher gusts.
2186 American Robins (*NEW RECORD! – just barely).
1776 Yellow-rumped Warblers
167 unidentified
127 Dark-eyed Juncos (One was quite likely not a Slate-colored, but my photos of it are not useful)
61 Common Grackles
48 Cedar Waxwings
43 Canada Geese
31 Chipping Sparrows
21 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
19 Rusty Blackbirds
18 White-throated Sparrows
13 Northern Flickers
11 Golden-crowned Kinglets
11 Purple Finches
9 Pine Siskins
7 Palm Warblers
4 Blue-headed Vireos
4 unidentified finches
4 Hermit Thrushes
4 Song Sparrows (crossed together at 8:29. This is only my second or third observation of SOSP engaging in Morning Flight after sunrise here; plenty more in and around the parking lot as usual)
3 Merlins
3 Common Loons
3 Turkey Vultures
2 Red-winged Blackbirds
2 White-crowned Sparrows
2 Eastern Phoebes
1 Northern Parula
1 Blackpoll Warbler
1 Brown Creeper
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 American Goldfinch
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Cape May Warbler
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Tennessee Warbler (from Bill Thompson’s photo review)
1 Black-throated Blue Warbler (from Bill Thompson’s photo review).
Total = 4,592
Notables from a delightfully birdy morning on Bailey Island, Harpswell on 10/17 included a decent, and relaxingly unquantified, morning flight mostly of Yellow-rumped Warblers; 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and 1 Cape May Warbler among the migrants found here and there around the island.
1 DICKCISSEL, feeders here at the store, 10/19, continuing through at least 10/21. Was this the same bird seen on 10/4 and then again on 10/13-14?
4 continuing FORSTER’S TERNS, Pine Point, Scarborough, 10/20 (with clients from California and Massachusetts).
2 “Ipswich” Savannah Sparrows, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 10/20 (with clients from California and Massachusetts).
Our Last Tour of 2025 still has some space remaining!
Birds on Tap℠ – Roadtrip! Rarity Roundup
November 9, 2025; 8:00am – 3:00pm
Cost – $125
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.
Next, my observations of note over the last seven days included the following:
Highlights from our Durham property this week included 1 Rusty Blackbird 10/8-9 and 3 American Woodcocks on 10/14.
Sandy Point Morning Flight, 10/9: A record-shattering day!
An exceptional Morning Flight passed over and through Sandy Point Beach, Cousin’s Island, Yarmouth this morning. In fact, it was record-breaking!
6:48-10:48am
41, clear, lt-mod NW (did not take early wind reading) decreasing then increasing back to 7.7-10.5mph before becoming increasingly gusty)
3244 Yellow-rumped Warblers (NEW RECORD!)
1423 American Robins
585 Unidentified (mostly high bunches or too far to north or south)
576 Dark-eyed Juncos (NEW RECORD!)
100+ White-throated Sparrows (Conservative estimate in parking lot area after flight; a handful appeared to cross at dawn).
59 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
50 Palm Warblers
74 Northern Flickers
72 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
44 Rusty Blackbirds (NEW RECORD)
43 Golden-crowned Kinglets
18 Chipping Sparrows
16 Black-throated Green Warblers
15 Northern Parulas
14 Cedar Waxwings
11 Purple Finches
10 unidentified kinglets
9 American Pipits
8 Blue-headed Vireos
6 Blackpoll Warblers
6 Hermit Thrushes (minimum, with two or several repeatedly visiting pasture rose hips at bridge base)
4 Eastern Bluebirds
4 Eastern Phoebes
4 American Goldfinches
3 Red-bellied Woodpeckers (NEW RECORD!)
2 Black-throated Blue Warblers
2 White-crowned Sparrows
2 Brown Creepers
2 Swamp Sparrows
2 Tufted Titmice (several false starts)
2 Merlins
2 Magnolia Warblers
2 Common Loons
1 Swainson’s Thrush (confirmed by Bill Thompson)
1 Yellow Warbler
1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
1 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (from photo review by Bill Thompson)
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 American Redstart
1 Blue Jay
1 Turkey Vulture
1 unidentified sparrow (probably a Field)
1 Eastern Towhee
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Pine Siskin
X Song Sparrows (significant increase in parking lot area but did not count)
***Total = 6,428 *** 2ND HIGHEST ALL-TIME COUNT and HIGHEST OCTOBER COUNT!***
Sandy Point Morning Flight, 10/10:
A good morning flight passed over and through Sandy Point Beach, Cousin’s Island, Yarmouth this morning. Given the calm winds of much of the night, and the completely calm dawn, it was much more active than I expected. Kinglets were swirling all over, so my counts may be too high or very low. The Ruby-crowned count seems a touch high, while the Golden-crowned count feels low. Meanwhile, the slower and lower flight, with more birds pausing before crossing despite the lack of wind made for excellent viewing and much more relaxing and enjoyable morning!
6:49-9:52am
33F, clear, calm with a developing puff of WNW.
449 Yellow-rumped Warblers
138 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
106 American Robins
52 Golden-crowned Kinglets
37 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
35 Dark-eyed Juncos
25 Cedar Waxwings
16 Northern Flickers
10 Eastern Bluebirds
9 Blue-headed Vireos
8 Palm Warblers
8 Chipping Sparrows
8 White-throated Sparrows
5 Red-breasted Mergansers
5 Nashville Warblers
5 Northern Parulas
4 Brown Creepers
3 Tennessee Warblers
3 Black-throated Blue Warblers
3 Hermit Thrushes
2 Blue Jays
2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers (2nd highest tally after yesterday’s record 3!)
2 American Goldfinches
2 Common Loons
2 Eastern Phoebes
2 Tufted Titmice (numerous “false starts.” Same two as yesterday?)
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!). But this time we’re leaving the van in the garage, and hitting the water! That’s right, we’re taking a cruise, and we’re returning to the private House Island in Porland Harbor twice in 2025.
During last year’s wildly successful outing in which we became the first birding group ever on the island, we found oodles of Yellow-rumped Wabrlers, an uncommon Field Sparrow, and other migrants. But we were truly captivated by Captain Pete, who guided us through the historic fort, sharing a wealth of historical knowledge and fascinating stories. The beer was pretty darn good too, as we sampled the history of Maine’s craft beer scene.
Building on that success, we’re visiting the private House Island in Portland Harbor twice in 2025. We’ve been granted special permission to come ashore and scour the island here in the peak of fall migration. We’ll follow well-maintained trails through the island’s mosaic of open habitats, scrub, and young woods. These are great habitats to search for a variety of migrants, and perhaps even a rarity!
Returning in late October, once again rarities will be on our mind. While rare birds are rare, we are still going to expect the unexpected. But more likely are regular migrants of the season such as Yellow-rumped Warblers, a variety of sparrows, and a growing diversity of waterbirds. At the very least, we’ll have resident waterbirds and several species of gulls to sort through. We are having daydreams of a rare flycatcher!
As we motor back across the harbor, we’ll continue to familiarize ourselves with some of the common waterbirds, such as Common Eiders, Common Loons, and the vanguard of our winter diving ducks while enjoying a local craft beverage produced in the city of Portland. While the exact plan is subject to change, we’ll be sure to come up with a plan to adequately celebrate our discoveries.
Suspected of breeding in 2022 and confirmed in 2023, a pair of American Oystercatchers has now nested annual on the tiny Upper Green Islands way up in Casco Bay off Yarmouth. On the 17th, our annual shorebird-focuses Birds of Casco Bay with Seacoast Tours collaboration documented a pair of adults with a juvenile once again. Since we discovered them on this tour in 2022, it’s been exciting to visit them each summer. Who would have thought this tiny island and ledge could support one of only a dozen or so pairs in the entire state? Full trip report here.
Two birdwalks, two shorebird-centric tours, and two whale-watches made for a very nice, diverse array of observations of note for me over the last 10 days (see note in shorebird high counts):
3 Long-tailed Ducks (2 continuing from previous week), Simpson’s Point, Brunswick, 8/9 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
1 Bonaparte’s Gull and 6 Great Egrets, Sabattus Pond, 8/11 (with Jeannette).
8/12 morning Puffin/Whale Combo cruise with Cap’n Fish’s Cruises out of Boothbay Harbor (with Bill Thompson): 2 American Oystercatchers at Eastern Egg Rock. Offshore of EER = 159 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, 17 Cory’s Shearwaters, 11 Great Shearwaters, 2 Northern Gannets, 1 Sooty Shearwater (Bill added a second Sooty and 1 Common Murre).
We checked the underwing patterns of every Cory’s Shearwater we could.
8/12 afternoon Puffin/Whale Combo cruise with Cap’n Fish’s Cruises out of Boothbay Harbor: 5 American Oystercatchers at Eastern Egg Rock. Offshore of EER = 104 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, 6 Cory’s Shearwaters, 3 Great Shearwaters, 2 Northern Gannets, 1 MANX SHEARWATER.
1-2+ Red Crossbills, Popham Beach State Park, Phippsburg, 8/14.
1 molting adult Bay-breasted Warbler (more evidence of a limited molt-migration in Boreal birds to the southern coastal plain), Old Town House Park, North Yarmouth, 8/16 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
For my “shorebird high counts,” I prefer to visit at least one of each: high tide hotspot, low tide spot, “grasspiper spot,” and a freshwater location, and it must include a visit to local hotspots Wharton Point and the Walsh Preserve as I attempt to make these comparisons comparable week-to-week and year-to-year, which, for my own notes if nothing else, is why I put these together (but hope you find them of value, too). Just due to life and scheduling, it now often takes me more than a week to hit all of these “requirements,” so I am going to try and do every 10 days instead of weekly. Therefore, here are my high counts over these past 10 days:
One of two Baird’s Sandpipers that were in the salt pannes of the Eastern Road Trail through Scarborough Marsh on the 7th, it was one of an estimated 3500+ shorebirds present that day. Low water conditions are currently ideal, but they are drying out fast, and without some rain in the next week, this hotspot might just become too dry to hold many birds.
With a busy few days of catching up, my birding was limited immediately upon our return from our summer vacation. However, I made up for it this week with a couple of tours and two birding outings with friends. There is a surprising number and quality of summertime rarities around the state right now, but I stayed fairly local and tried to find my own rare shorebird or two! Here are my observations of note over the past 12 days here in Maine.
A vocal Yellow-billed Cuckoo continues daily in our yard all week.
1 Great Egret, flying over downtown Waterville at dusk, 7/28 (with Jeannette).
2 Long-tailed Ducks, Simpson’s Point, Brunswick, 8/1.
1 TRICOLORED HERON (FOY), Pelreco Marsh, Scarborough Marsh, 8/3 (with Birds on Tap – Roadtrip! Tour Group). Photo in trip report here.
3 adult RED-NECKED GREBES, 1 White-winged Scoter, and 1 Black Scoter, Ocean Avenue-Biddeford Pool Beach, Biddeford, 8/5 (with Bill Thompson)
1 female PURPLE MARTIN, Timber Point, Biddeford, 8/5 (with Bill Thompson). Confirmed breeding as it entered a powerline visual marker ball with food and exited with a fecal sac!
PATCHES! Perhaps Patches the IVth? Presumed TRICOLORED HERON X SNOWY EGRET X LITTLE EGRET HYBRID that now may be a fourth-generation bird that’s a backcross again with a TRICOLORED HERON as this year’s bird has significantly more bluish color than previous years, and in all the right places for a Tricolored. In other words, “Tricolored Heron x Small White Egretta SPP”, or, “Patches.” But the hybrid heron was in the salt pannes of the Eastern Road Trail on 8/7 (with Ian Doherty). My phone-scoped photos in the heat shimmer don’t do it justice!
7 Bonaparte’s Gulls, Sabattus Pond, 8/8.
And as expected for the season, shorebird migration is now in full swing and that was the focus of my birding attention, resulting in a solid 21 species. Here were my high counts over these past 12 days:
American Oystercatcher: 7 (4 ad, 3 juv), Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 8/5 (with Bill Thompson).
Black-bellied Plover: 60+, The Pool, Biddeford Pool, 8/5 (with Bill Thompson).
Killdeer: 11, Sabattus Pond, 8/8.
Semipalmated Plover: 375, Hill’s Beach, 8/5 (with Bill Thompson).
Least Sandpiper: 350+, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 8/7 (with Ian Doherty).
White-rumped Sandpiper: 75+ (wow! Great count!), Eastern Road Trail, 8/7 (with Ian Doherty).
Pectoral Sandpiper: 1, Eastern Road Trail, 8/7 (with Ian Doherty).
Semipalmated Sandpiper: Incredible concentration of 2750-3000+ at Eastern Road Trail, 8/7 (with Ian Doherty), but an honorable mention of 2500+ at Pine Point, Scarborough, 8/3 (with Birds on Tap – Roadtrip! Tour Group).
WESTERN SANDPIPER (FOY): 1 ad, Eastern Road Trail, 8/7 (with Ian Doherty).
Short-billed Dowitcher: 58, Hill’s Beach, 8/5 (with Bill Thompson).
American Woodcock: 2, our property in Durham, 8/1.
Spotted Sandpiper: 2, several locations this week.
