I was so shocked how well we saw a particular Bicknell’s Thrush in New Hampshire over the weekend that I first forgot I had my camera on me, and then I butchered the settings and photographs. I refuse to share them as they don’t do the bird justice! Therefore, enjoy Jeannette’s photo of a productively provisioning Common Yellowthroat from Shirley Bog last week.

I covered a lot of ground over the past ten days, both personally and professionally. From two days in the mountains of New Hampshire with my annual Bicknell’s Thrush Weekend tour to an anniversary getaway in Monson for two days, I was lucky enough to spend lots of time in spruce forest this week. Outside of our wildly successful visit to New Hampshire (incredible views of Bicknell’s Thrush, Black-backed Woodpecker, Canada Jays, Boreal Chickadee, Bay-breasted and Mourning Warblers, and much more), my less expected observations of note over the past ten days also included the following:

• 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 American Oystercatcher, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 6/24.
• 1 adult LITTLE BLUE HERON and 8 Black-bellied Plovers, The Pool, Biddeford Pool, 6/24.
• 3-4 continuing RED-NECKED GREBES, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Surf Scoters, and 1 Black Scoter, Ocean Avenue, Biddeford Pool, 6/24 (see last week’s report for notes on the grebes).

• 1 Greater Yellowlegs, Simpson’s Point, Brunswick, 6/26.

• 3-4 singing Tennessee Warblers, Shirley Bog and rail trail, Shirley, 6/28 (with Jeannette).
• Scattered few Red Crossbills, Shirley-Greenville, 6/28 (with Jeannette).

• A personal yard highlight was confirming a pair of Great-crested Flycatchers are occupying our kestrel box.

Tours and Events:

• There will not be a Saturday Morning Birdwalk on 7/13.