Even though 1-2 pairs of Red-necked Grebes have oversummered off of Ocean Avenue in Biddeford Pool for at least 6 years, I still get a kick out of seeing RNGR in spiffy breeding plumage, especially while wearing shorts and sandals! Not my “best” bird of the week, but definitely my best photo session.
I enjoyed some excellent birding over the eight days, from oodles of shorebirds to a State Bird! I also covered a lot of ground but had some great birding right in the backyard as well. Since I covered all of my shorebird “data points” in the last week, and with so many observations of note, I thought it was best to post now.
Highlights from our Durham property this week included a Yellow-billed Cuckoo on 8/18, 2 Cape May Warblers on 8/19, and a juvenile Peregrine Falcon on 8/20 that was our 161st property bird!
1 imm. FORSTER’S TERN, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty and Bill Thompson).
1 continuing imm. FORSTER’S TERN, Great Pond, Biddeford Pool, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty).
20+ Roseate Terns, Biddeford Pool Beach, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty). Quite a few continue elsewhere around the area as well, many with juveniles in tow. High numbers for this late in the summer continue.
4 continuing adult Red-necked Grebes, Ocean Avenue, Biddeford Pool, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty). See above.
1 imm. Great Cormorant and 1 female Black Scoter, Ocean Ave, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty).
Migrant passerines at Florida Lake Park in Freeport on 8/15 included one each of Cape May and Prairie Warblers (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
THE continuing THICK-BILLED MURRE, Western Beach as viewed from Pine Point Beach, Scarborough, 8/16 (with Birds on Tap – Shorebirds and Steins! Tour group).
1 continuing CRESTED CARACARA, Rustlewood Farm, York, 8/18 (with m.obs). Present here for at least three days, I caught up with the bird on the morning of its final (for now?) morning here. This was my 409th species in Maine, and #6 on my “My Next Birds in Maine” list thanks to the spate of regional sightings over the last few years. Due to fog and distance, my phone-scoped photos don’t quite do this Mega justice!
And here are my shorebird high counts over the past 8 days (see previous blogs for an explanation of the “data” included here), with a goodly total of 20 species:
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER: 4, Pine Point, Scarborough, 8/16 (with Birds on Tap – Shorebirds and Steins! Tour group).
Black-bellied Plover: 124, The Pool, Biddeford Pool, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty).
Killdeer: 5, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 8/15 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
Semipalmated Plover: 345, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty).
Piping Plover: 5, Hill’s Beach, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty).
Ruddy Turnstone: 28, Biddeford Pool Beach, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty).
Sanderling: 4, Hill’s Beach, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty).
BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: 1 juv (FOY), Great Pond, Biddeford Pool, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty).
Least Sandpiper: 40+, Pelreco Marsh, Scarborough Marsh, 8/16 (with Birds on Tap – Shorebirds and Steins! Tour group.
White-rumped Sandpiper: 1, Hill’s Beach, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty) and 1 Pine Point, Scarborough, 8/16 (with Birds on Tap – Shorebirds and Steins! Tour group).
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 296, Biddeford Pool Beach, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty). Still a low single-location high count for this time of year.
Short-billed Dowitcher: 52, The Pool, Biddeford, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty)
Spotted Sandpiper: 6, Great Pond, Biddeford Pool, 8/14 (with Ian Doherty).
Solitary Sandpiper: 6-7, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 8/15 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: 8, First Chance Whale Watch, Kennebunk, 8/19 (with Ian Doherty and Bill Thompson).
RED PHALAROPE: 1, First Chance Whale Watch, 8/19 (with Ian Doherty and Bill Thompson).
Bill Thompson and I joined Ian Doherty on a First Chance Whale Watch out of Kennebunkport on the 19th, and enjoyed a great day of sea life. In addition to the phalaropes mentioned above, we tallied 297 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, including this one, 6 Great Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Terns, 8 Northern Gannets, 1 most-cooperative Humpback Whale, 1-2 Minke Whales, and 2 Blue Sharks.
The last of the locally-breeding Roseate Terns have been been putting on quite a show around Pine Point, including this one that still showed a mostly all-black bill.
Jeannette and I returned from our summer vacation on the 3rd, and with shorebird migration in full swing, so I went right back to work, both personally and professionally! Here are my observations of note over the past 10 days:
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher has been present in our Durham yard since 8/8.
3 Gadwall, Walsh Preserve, Freeport, 8/4.
1 Louisiana Waterthrush, River Winds Farm and Estate (Private), Saco, 8/5.
1 juvenile Little Blue Heron, Walsh Preserve, Freeport, 8/8 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
3 continuing FORSTER’S TERNS, Great Pond, Biddeford Pool, 8/9 (with Down East Magazine Shorebird Workshop tour group).
1 continuing THICK-BILLED MURRE, Ferry/Western Beach, Scarborough, 8/10 (with Jeannette). Present since 7/18, this first summer bird is in heavy wing molt, but otherwise appears healthy, actively diving, and surviving just fine. Please, just give it some room! We have been monitoring its health in consultation with Avian Haven, but even though it is well south of normal summertime range and it’s standing on the beach, it appears absolutely fine. Murres cannot take off from flat land, plus it’s in heavy molt, so perceptions of it being “sick” are just well-intentioned misunderstanding. It is being monitored, however!
(as viewed across the river from the Pine Point Jetty)
Prior to our trip, I had a couple of notable observations in the two days after my last post before we departed :
1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo (FOY, finally) and 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Old Town House Park, 7/25 (with Saturday Morning Birdwalk group).
Highlights from my 7/26 “Whale Watch and Puffin Combo” birder’s special tour with Cap’n Fish’s Cruises out of Boothbay Harbor included: 206 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, 16 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, 3-4 RED PHALAROPES (upon photo review), a mere one Great Shearwater, 1 Northern Gannet, and of course all three terns and a great Atlantic Puffin show (especially for the date) at Eastern Egg Rock.
And here are my shorebird high counts over the past 10 days (see previous blog for an explanation of the “data” included here):
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER: 8, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 8/9 (with Down East Magazine Shorebird Workshop tour group).
Black-bellied Plover: 64, Wharton Point, Brunswick, 8/7.
Killdeer: 7, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 8/12.
Semipalmated Plover: 125, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 8/9 (with Down East Magazine Shorebird Workshop tour group).
Piping Plover: 3 each at Biddeford Pool Beach and Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 8/9 (with Down East Magazine Shorebird Workshop tour group).
Hudsonian Whimbrel: 1 each at The Pool and Jones Creek, Scarborough Marsh, 8/9 (with Down East Magazine Shorebird Workshop tour group).
Ruddy Turnstone: 16 Biddeford Pool Beach, 8/9 (with Down East Magazine Shorebird Workshop tour group).
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 125, Biddeford Pool Beach, 8/9 (with Down East Magazine Shorebird Workshop tour group). Very low high count for the season as I was unable to visit the best locations at the perfect tides this week.
Short-billed Dowitcher: 85, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 8/9 (with Down East Magazine Shorebird Workshop tour group).
Spotted Sandpiper: 6, Great Pond, Biddeford Pool, 8/9 (with Down East Magazine Shorebird Workshop tour group).
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!
The original BoT Roadtrip! Way back in 2015, our most popular tour returns to Scarborough Marsh at prime time for a good variety of migrant shorebirds. We’ll learn how to identify our common species, and search for the rare. Up to 20 species of shorebirds are possible! We’ll practice identifying our “peeps” (Least, Semipalmated, and White-rumped Sandpipers) and attempt to tease out a rare Western or even a Baird’s among the masses. We’ll look for local breeding American Oystercatchers and Willets, while searching for migrants such as Red Knots on their way from the high Arctic to the southern tip of Argentina.
Juvenile Little Blue Heron, Scarborough Marsh, 8/10.
These atrocious “doc shots” of the Gull-billed Tern as it flew even further down Seawall Beach as I was viewing from Popham Beach State Park in the late morning on 7/1. Unfortunately for me, this was the closest I would get! But note the whiteish wings and very pale upperparts, with the narrow black trailing edge on the primaries and the thick, blunt namesake bill. Its swooping feeding behavior was also evident. I wondered if it was feeding on tiger beetles, or hopefully, greenheads, on the beach!
I have been thoroughly enjoying local breeding birds with my self-limited tour schedule in June. However, my tour season is ramping up again, led by several boat trips, the first of which was last weekend, and the next is Monday. Meanwhile, despite the heat, “fall” southbound shorebird migration is underway! Here are my observations of note over the past 10 days, even with 3.5 of them being out of state:
2 RAZORBILLS, including one carrying food or nesting material, Eastern Egg Rock, 6/28 (with Cap’n Fish’s Cruises/Freeport Wild Bird Supply “Puffin and Whale Combo Tour” tour group). The Puffin Project recently reported the first nesting of RAZO on EER in over 100 years!
39 Great Shearwaters and 30+ Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, offshore, 6/28 (with Cap’n Fish’s Cruises/Freeport Wild Bird Supply “Puffin and Whale Combo Tour” tour group).
22 Short-billed Dowitchers and 2 Least Sandpipers (first of “fall!”) and 8 Black-bellied Plovers, Popham Beach State Park, 6/30 (with Jeannette).
The continuing GULL-BILLED TERN, Seawall Beach/Popham Beach State Park, 7/1 (with m.obs. Photo above). This was #11 on my personal “Next State Birds for Me” list.
Migrant shorebirds between Hill’s Beach and The Pool, Biddeford, 7/3: 7 Least Sandpipers, 5 Short-billed Dowitchers, 2 Semipalmated Plovers (first of fall), 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers (FOF), 2 Black-bellied Plovers, and 1 Greater Yellowlegs.
This is the second of the two trips this summer where Derek will be onboard as a Guest Naturalist for this special “Whale Watch & Birding Buffs Combo” Cruise. The itinerary will include a visit to Eastern Egg Rock as well as whale feeding grounds. Nesting colonies and pelagic sightings will be highlighted. Around EER at this time we can expect to find Atlantic Puffins, Common Terns, Arctic Terns, Roseate Terns, Laughing Gulls, Double-Crested Cormorants, Common Eider, Black Guillemots, with a chance of Razorbill and Common Murre. Off-shore sightings may include Northern Gannets, up to 4 species of Shearwaters (Great, Sooty, Cory’s, and Manx), and Wilson’s Storm Petrels. Who knows? Perhaps the wandering TUFTED PUFFIN will be spotted! Sorry, no chumming this time, but we tend to get a little more time around Eastern Egg, and if there’s enough of us, a little more freedom to chase birds offshore!
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
Join Derek Lovitch for three days of birding at Maine’s famous Migration Mecca. As the summer crowds dwindle, the island becomes a birders’ paradise, with birding opportunities around every corner. This tour will spend three days sampling what the island has to offer during the peak of migration, from warblers to hawks to sparrows to the unexpected. Weather (and sometimes, lack thereof) will dictate how much we do or do not see, but every day is different out there. We’ll learn that fall warblers are rarely if ever “confusing” and why migrants – and vagrants from any direction – drop by this offshore migrant trap.
While finding and seeing birds will be the priority, we will also do a bit of informal workshopping in the afternoons to learn more about the mechanisms and marvels of bird migration. Day one will begin at the dock for the Hardy Boat in New Harbor. We’ll keep an eye out for birds from the top deck of the boat as we make the hour-long crossing to the island. Upon our arrival, we’ll hit the ground running to make the most out of our first morning at this special place. Once we’re on land, we’ll be on foot for the next 2 days, with several walks throughout the day. We’ll mostly be on dirt roads with some steep sections, but we’ll also traverse some narrow trails full of roots and rocks. Expect to spend time on “unimproved surfaces.” You will set a new personal record on your step-counter – especially when the bird we most want to see gets discovered on the opposite end of the island just before mealtime!
On the first day, after we check in lunch will be on your own, with a variety of options scattered about the town. After a break, we’ll head back out later in the afternoon for some more birding, before assembling again for an evening “cocktail hour” (BYOB; also available on the island) and our migration workshop where we’ll discuss the birds of the day, how and why we saw (and didn’t see) what we did, and more (when time and energy levels permit). The next two mornings we’ll once again maximize our time on the island. Following a short walk shortly after sunrise, we’ll enjoy the famous Monhegan House breakfast before birding for the remainder of the morning. Once again, we’ll break for lunch before reconvening for some afternoon birding: on the second day until we prepare for our evening “cocktail hour and migration review, and on the third day, right up until it’s time to head to the ferry.
For 2026, we’ll be staying at the venerable Island Inn. More details will soon follow. Stay tuned!
See Derek’s blog entry to see how the 2025, 2024, and 2023 trips went.
One of three Little Gulls encountered in Head Harbor Passage, New Brunswick via Eastport on the 2nd, this one posed nicely for us as Captain Butch adeptly drifted the stern inshore for a close approach and photo ops.
A delightful ten days of birding, from Lubec to Biddeford, including the following observations of note:
Migrant highlights from our property in Durham included 2 Prairie Warblers on 8/31 and 13 species of warblers including 2-3 Bay-breasted on 9/1.
2 continuing COMMON GALLINULES, Essex Marsh, Bangor, 9/1 (with Jeannette).
Red Crossbills: scattered 1’s and 2’s throughout coastal Washington County, 9/1-4 (with Jeannette, et al).
1 Snowy Egret with 1 Great Egret, Downeast Sunrise Trail Marsh, Machias, 9/1.
1 continuing juvenile FORSTER’S TERN and 3 LITTLE GULLS, 1 Common Murre, high number of Artic Terns, etc, Head Harbor Passage via Eastport Windjammers, Eastport, 9/2 (with Beth Edmonds, Dan Nickerson, Renee Patterson, Cynthia Phinney, Jeannette, et al).
I was pretty excited to pull out this long-staying juvenile Forster’s Tern as it was a new bird for New Brunswick (and Canada!) for me!
1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, 5 White-winged Scoters, etc, Lubec Bar and Flats, 9/3 (with Beth Edmonds, Dan Nickerson, Cynthia Phinney, and Jeannette).
1 Spruce Grouse and 25 nearshore Razorbills, Great Wass Island, Jonesport, 9/4 (with Jeannette).
An great count of 6 FORSTER’S TERNS foraging together in The Pool from the Hill’s Beach side, 9/7.
3 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 9/7.
1 adult and 1 2nd cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull, Biddeford Pool Beach, 9/7.
Recent forays yielded a decent 21 species of shorebirds this period, with my high counts over these past 10 days being the following. With the progressing season and other priorities and destinations, this will be my last shorebird high count report for the year.
American Oystercatcher: 5, Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 9/7.
Black-bellied Plover: 179, The Pool, Biddeford, 9/7.
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER: 2, Winding Brook Turf Farm, Lyman, 9/7, plus singles at: Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 9/5 and Hill’s Beach, 9/7.
Killdeer: 13, Crystal Spring Farm, Brunswick, 9/7.
Ruddy Turnstone: 15, Biddeford Pool Beach, Biddeford, 9/7.
Red Knot: 2 juveniles, The Pool, 9/7.
Sanderling: 112, Biddeford Pool Beach, 9/7.
Least Sandpiper: 125, Lubec Bar and Flats, 9/3 (with Beth Edmonds, Dan Nickerson, Cynthia Phinney, and Jeannette).
White-rumped Sandpiper: 26, Biddeford Pool Beach, 9/7.
Pectoral Sandpiper: 3, Eastern Road Trail, 9/5.
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 1800-2000, Biddeford Pool Beach, 9/7 with an honorable mention of 1500, Lubec Bar and Flats, 9/3 (with Brandon Baldwin, Shenna Bellows, Beth Edmonds, Dan Nickerson, Cynthia Phinney, and Jeannette).
WESTERN SANDPIPER: 1 juv, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 9/5.
Short-billed Dowitcher: 14, The Pool, 9/7.
Spotted Sandpiper: 8, Sabattus Pond, 8/31.
Solitary Sandpiper: 1, multiple locations this week.
For the last 13 summers now, hybrid herons have occurred in Scarborough Marsh, with one individual continuing this summer. Likely also present last summer, this bird is significantly darker on the neck and back than the only bird present from about 2021 to 2023, possibly suggesting yet another backcross (Gen 4?) with Tricolored Heron (especially when observed with its breeding plumes earlier in the summer). It does appear quite similar to my proposed 2nd or 3erd generation Tricolored Heron x Snowy Egret x Little Egret that was present from 2016 to at least 2020, so it could possibly by the same bird (Labeled 3A in my article Hybrid Herons of Maine from my North American Birds article in 2021, Volume 72, Number 3. At this point, I believe the hybrids are best described as “Tricolored Heron x small white Egretta species,” or, “Patches” as I dubbed it and most birders refer to it now. Whatever it is, this year’s individual cooperated for me along the Eastern Road Trail on the 26th.
It was another busy period for me, with most of my mornings spent only birding our property before work. Luckily, the yard has been fantastic as it turns out to be this time of year, with a nice variety of migrants, and lots of local breeders fattening up on our plentiful Black Cherry trees. Some of the migrants detected this week included a Prairie Warbler on 8/19, a Swainson’s Thrush on 8/20, Canada Warbler on 8/21, Cape May Warbler 8/24-25, a single Common Nighthawk at dusk on 8/26, and a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER on 8/27.
Otherwise, it was a weekend trip to Bar Harbor and a shorebird little-big day on the 26th that kept me going, with the following observations of note over the past 10 days.
1 continuing COMMON GALLINULE, Essex Marsh, Bangor, 8/22 (with Bill Thompson).
The big adventure this week was the 12-hour pelagic/whale watch out of Bar Harbor with Flukes and Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co to Cashes Ledge in the Gulf of Maine. I’ll leave the complete checklist to others, but my highlights from the trip were the total of 33* Leach’s Storm-Petrels, repeated great view of a total of 15* Pomarine Jaegers, the feeding frenzy of Wilson’s Storm-Petrels (day total of 1,573*) at Ammen Ledge, and the scattered flocks of Red-necked Phalaropes.
Pomarine Jaeger (above) and Great Shearwater (below)
2 Horned Grebes (oversummering or really early?) and 2 Red Crossbills, Hollingsworth Trail, Petit Manan NWR, Steuben, 8/24 (with Bill Thompson).
2 FORSTER’S TERNS, The Pool, Biddeford Pool, 8/26.
2-3 continuing adult RED-NECKED GREBES, Ocean Avenue, Biddeford Pool, 8/26.
1 continuing postulated TRICOLORED HERON X SMALL WHITE EGRETTA SPP, aka “Patches,” Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 8/26. Photo and notes above.
Fueled by a 19 shorebird species day on the 26th, I tallied 22 species of shorebirds this week, with my high counts over these past 10 days (see last week’s post for explanation) being the following:
American Oystercatcher: 7 (4 ad, 3 juv), Hill’s Beach, Biddeford, 8/26 (with Noah Gibb and Stacey Huth).
Black-bellied Plover: 156, The Pool, Biddeford Pool, 8/26.
Killdeer: 46, Crystal Spring Farm, Brunswick, 8/25.
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.
Any single martin away from a known colony is worth studying, especially “funny looking” ones, as vagrant martins have occurred in the Northeast. I spotted one such martin over Scarborough Marsh from the Eastern Road Trail while guiding on Thursday. Luckily, I shouted down the road to Bill Thompson and he was able to photograph the bird as it flew by. Together, we identified it as a 1st summer, likely female, Purple Martin. It sure looked strange as it was flying towards me.
A week of fairly-local birding at the height of nestling season – and the ramping up of southbound shorebird season – produced the following observations of note:
2 Red Crossbills, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, 7/6.
4 Orchard Orioles (pair with 2 fledglings), Old Town House Park, North Yarmouth, 7/7 (with clients from Maine).
3 Lesser Yellowlegs (first of “fall”) and 3-4 Least Sandpipers (first of fall), Walsh Preserve, Yarmouth, 7/8 (with clients from Maine).
Totals of 95+ Short-billed Dowitchers, 70+ Least Sandpipers, 4 Greater Yellowlegs, and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, Scarborough Marsh, Scarborough, 7/10 (with clients from Maine and New Hampshire).
1 PURPLE MARTIN, Eastern Road Trail, Scarborough Marsh, 7/10 (with clients from Maine and New Hampshire). Photos from Bill Thompson above.
1 continuing drake American Wigeon, Eastern Road Trail, 7/10 (with clients from Maine and New Hampshire).
Maine Birding Field Notes 