The pair of Peregrine Falcons that have been overwintering in Lewiston-Auburn for the past decade or so continue to frequent the area around the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge and Cedar Street, as here on the 10th.
I’ve been spending extended time feeder watching at home in preparation for my upcoming annual “Feeder Birds in Winter” snapshot blog. Unfortunately, we are not being frequented by as many winter finches as a lot of people are right now, but it’s been an interesting project once again. I’ll have a blog posted in the coming days. A few birding mornings elsewhere yielded some following observations of note.
1 pair Barrow’s Goldeneye, Winslow Park, Freeport, 2/13.
At least one Turkey Vulture continues along the I-295 corridor between Cumberland and Freeport as of this week.
This Week in Irruptives.
An absolutely incredible Saturday Morning Birdwalk on the 7th included a most-unexpected tally of 7 species of winter finches – which was wholly unexpected given the dearth of most finches locally! The “Winter Finch Big Day” that developed was actually a secondary goal, with the original one: 20 species of birds in Freeport, west of I-295 only (and therefore no open water) also being reached. This was an outing that will not soon be forgotten. Highlights included 8 PINE GROSBEAKS and 26 COMMON REDPOLLS at Hidden Pond Preserve in Freeport and 16 EVENING GROSBEAKS at the Old Brunswick Road/Ross Road intersection in Durham. We also had Pine Siskins at two locations, two feeders full of Purple Finches, and of course found some House Finches and American Goldfinches to pad the list. Full trip report can be seen here.
Purple Finches have increased overall this week, and Evening Grosbeaks continue to be around, but rather sporadic. One Pine Siskin flew over our Durham yard on the 12th.
It has been quite some time since I have seen a flock of Evening Grosbeaks this large in Maine. Here are a few of the 45+ that I happened upon while driving past the corner of Ross Road and Old Brunswick Road in Durham on the 25th.
Between snow cleanup, brutally cold temperatures, and other commitments, I didn’t get out birding much beyond the windows this week. Nonetheless, I still had several observations of note over the past seven days, mostly during the two frigid tours I led this week!
1 GRAY CATBIRD (even more surprising with the severity of the winter so far!) and 1 Hermit Thrush, Leon Gorman Park, Freeport, 1/24 (with Saturday Morning Birdwlak group).
1 drake Barrow’s Goldeneye, Winslow Park, Freeport, 1/28.
3 hen and 1 drake Northern Pintail, Ogunquit Rivermouth, Ogunquit, 1/29 (with Down East Adventures Winter Waterbird Workshop group).
1 Greater Scaup, Perkin’s Cove, Ogunquit, 1/29 (with Down East Adventures Winter Waterbird Workshop group).
1+ continuing FISH CROWS, Anniversary Park, Auburn, 1/30.
This Week in Irruptives.
EVENING GROSBEAKS continued to be scattered about, with my high count this week being at least 40 birds – the largest flock I have seen this winter – feeding on White Ash seeds at the corner of Ross and Old Brunswick Roads in Durham on the 25th. Still very few other finches in the immediate area other than plentiful American Goldfinches.
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
May 17, 2026.
(See Northern Parula photo at the header above. Yes, that was enjoyed on our 2025 tour!)
This half-day workshop will focus 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’ll learn how to identify these charismatic birds, and we’ll discuss their mind-boggling migration and what they’re up to in Maine.
Whether it’s the kind of migration day that legends are made of or a slow day (every day of migration is different), we’ll take advantage of whatever species are present to truly get to know them. Sure, we’ll work on “the list,” but our focus will be on preparing for your next birding outing, giving you the tools to identify birds on your own, maximize your time in the field by predicting where and when to be birding based on NEXRAD radar, geography, habitat, and much more. Of course, if there are too many warblers around, we might just have to simply enjoy them!
We’ll meet at the main entrance on Stevens Ave. to Evergreen Cemetery at 7 a.m. (or as soon as the front gate is opened), near the first building on the right. From there, we’ll caravan to the best birding location, returning to the entrance around 11. If the birding is slow, we’ll relocate in the mid-morning to another nearby park.
To get an idea of what you may see, read the 2022 , 2023,2024 and 2025 trip reports.
A side-by-side comparison of “Eastern” vs “Western” Willets was one of the highlights of the 2025 shorebirds workshop.
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.
We will hit some of the marshes, beaches, and rocky roosts that shorebirds prefer at the peak of their migration. The ebbs and flows of the season, daily and recent weather, and other factors could produce more than 20 species of shorebirds in our time together. Our focus will be in comparative experience, learning how to recognize each species both near and far. Starting with the basics, such as plover vs. sandpiper, we’ll work our way up to the identification quandaries such as the “peeps” and the yellowlegs. We will provide you with a “toolkit” to approach shorebird identification on your own, using a combination of habitat, shape, size, structure, behavior, and plumage to identify this wonderfully diverse and attractive group of birds. Migration, conservation, and natural history will also be discussed.
We’ll meet at the public Park & Ride lot between Sea Dog Brewery and Cabela’s, off Payne Road at exit 42 of the Maine Turnpike, at 8 a.m. (please arrive 15 minutes early so we can depart on time) to carpool to the day’s birding destinations, based on tides, weather, and especially the birds themselves! We’ll return by 4 p.m., with an hour break for lunch (not included), likely at a place with multiple nearby options
For an idea of what to expect, see the trip report from our 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2020 outings.
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.
This drake Barrow’s Goldeneye was one of the foursome currently in the Androscoggin River between Auburn and Lewiston, most often in view from the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge. Jeannette paid them a visit on the 6th, where she found this one male just below the bridge.
Except for a delightful morning at Reid State Park, my birding outings were short and local, but I did enjoy catching up with local patches and their winter denizens, especially Barrow’s Goldeneyes. Here are my observations of note over the past seven days.
2 drake and 2 hen Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Winslow Park, Freeport, 1/4.
1 drake Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Sandy Point Beach, Cousin’s Island, Yarmouth, 1/6.
1 SNOWY OWL (FOS), 9-11 Red Crossbills, 58 Red-necked Grebes, 1 Savannah Sparrow (subspecies undetermined), 26 Sanderling, etc, Reid State Park, Georgetown, 1/8.
1 hen Barrow’s Goldeneye, Front Street Boat Launch, Bath, 1/8.
This is how I like my Snowy Owls…safe in the distance, backlit, poorly phone-binned, and otherwise unconcerned with my presence. Later, I spent 30 minutes observing it in the distance as it moved around, perhaps to get in position for hunting, or perhaps because it was getting too warm!
This Week in Irruptives.
American Goldfinches and Red-breasted Nuthatches remain very abundant. While a number of customers at the store have continued to report scattered small flocks of Evening Grosbeaks at feeding stations, I did not hear or see any yet again this week. In fact, my only irruptive in limited time birding was a single Pine Siskin at Florida Lake Park on the 7th, until I re-entered the Red Spruce zone at Reid State Park on the 8th. There, there were several Pine Siskins and at least 9-11 Red Crossbills – including two singing males suggestive of upcoming mid-winter breeding!
This Rufous Hummingbird graced a Bath yard for almost two months. The story below.
Life in retail during the holiday season, followed by a trip to the Motherland of New Jersey for Christmas resulted in limited Maine birding for me over the past two weeks. However, a couple of good days in the field here in Maine produced several observations of note:
Recent ice and more snow resulted in a nice little surge of Dark-eyed Juncos and American Goldfinches into our Durham yard. A male Purple Finch on ½ was the first I have seen locally in at least a month, and a Northern Flicker dropped in on 12/30.
1 continuing drake Green-winged Teal and 1+ Fish Crow, Auburn Riverwalk, 12/23.
2 drake and one hen BARROW’S GOLDENEYES, Bernard Lowne Peace Bridge, Auburn-Lewiston, 12/30 (with Kelley Sharp)
3 Fish Crows and 1 1st-cycle Iceland Gull, Auburn Riverwalk, Auburn, 12/30 (with Kelley Sharp).
1 pair American Wigeon, Rockland waterfront, 1/1 (with Jeannette).
Rufous Hummingbird in Bath, 10/31-12/26, 2025.
A Rufous Hummingbird arrived in a Bath yard on Halloween. And she stayed until the 26th of December! These birds are just incredible! Unfortunately, it was not in a yard that was conducive to visitation, so we had to keep the sighting under wraps. I really am sincerely sorry about that, but the homeowner’s rights and the bird’s welfare will always be put first and foremost with us. But it was well photographed, well studied, and well monitored. Here’s the story, identification particulars, and more.
We only had one morning for birding after visiting family, and we chose to spend it with an estimated 100,000 American Robins!
It was awesome and I hope these videos do it a modicum of justice! This was in Oldwick, NJ, discovered by Evan Obercian (yup, a birding friend of mine since high school who also now lives in Maine!) around 2021 (although he heard of a former roost not far away before this one). This was the largest gathering he has seen, at least around Christmastime. We just enjoyed the show, but he recently made the estimate (based on counting sample minutes and extrapolating). There were also about 1,000 European Starlings – look for a couple of dense flocks exiting the leaning bamboo during the videos. A few hundred Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds were also present (mostly exited before sunrise in the first video), and Jeannette and I picked out a single Hermit Thrush. 3 Cooper’s Hawks and a Sharp-shinned Hawk were present, but they too seemed to be overwhelmed by the masses!
The videos can be seen here:
New Year Predictions Blog!
I know you are waiting with bated breath, but I’ll publish this soon. Of course, when I am delayed in getting it posted, something really rare shows up! So keep you eyes open!
These three female Greater Scaup appeared with the Mallard flock off of the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge between Lewiston and Auburn last week, and continued through the 25th
I had an excellent week of late-winter birding this week, with a nice mix of overwintering birds and some new, spring-like arrivals. Towards week’s end, birdsong from our resident species increased dramatically, and winter concentrations of waterfowl are beginning to disperse. But – at the risk of sounding a little corny – I have to say, showing people their first ever Harlequin Duck is always a winter highlight for me! It was also nice to have a tour run, and not postponed or cancelled due to weather. My observations of note over the past seven days included the following:
The single Fox Sparrows continues here at the store, and our one at our Durham feeders reappeared in the snow on the 27th after being absent for a few days.
At least 2 Turkey Vultures continue in the Cumberland-Freeport corridor of I-295. Part of the local overwintering flock (up to 15 total roosting in Brunswick at the peak), the first northbound migrants of spring are now arriving. This appears to now be a year-round species along Maine’s southern coast, as birds have overwintered locally for the last three years.
1 Northern Shrike (FOY/3rd of winter), Bridge St, Newfield, 2/24 with Jeannette).
1 RUSTY BLACKBIRD and 1 Winter Wren, Florida Lake Park, Freeport, 2/24 (with Jeannette).
2 continuing drake Green-winged Teal and 3 continuing female Greater Scaup, Anniversary Park – Bernard Lown Peace Bridge area, Auburn-Lewiston, 2/25 (with Jeannette).
1 continuing hen AMERICAN WIGEON and 3 Barrow’s Goldeneyes (1 pair plus 1 immature male), Winslow Park, Freeport, 2/26.
Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch
We’re only two weeks away from the start of our 19th season! Free and open to the public, we welcome Zane Baker back for his record 7th season as Official Counter. 9-5 every day, weather permitting. More information and a link to counts can be found here.
The waterfowl concentration in the open stretch of river between downtown Lewiston and Auburn continues to grow. On Thursday, Dan Nickerson and I had over 1700 ducks of 9 species, most of which were here, off of the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge.
Most of my birding time this week was spent driving to and from Montreal to not see a Boreal Owl on Monday and Tuesday, but away from that sojourn, my observations of note over the past seven days still included the following:
The single Fox Sparrows continue here at the store and at our feeders at home in Durham.
Speaking of feeder birds, last weekend, I posted a blog comparing feeder bird counts at our home in Durham to roughly the same ten-day period over the past two years. You can find that here:
The stretch of Androscoggin River in downtown Auburn and Lewiston continues to be exceptionally productive. Another uptick in waterfowl this week was evident, with at least 1500 Mallards now just downriver of the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge. There, on 2/20, Dan Nickerson and I teased out a drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL and 3 female Greater Scaup. A hen Bufflehead continues as well. Then, upriver at the Auburn Riverwalk, a second GREEN-WINGED TEAL (likely the continuing bird present since at least 1/30 and a drake WOOD DUCK, present in the area since at least 1/13 and at this location since 1/30.
1 Hermit Thrush, North River Road, Auburn, 2/20 (with Dan Nickerson).
A Fox Sparrow, present at our feeders in Durham since mid-December has been a welcome addition to our winter feeder watching sessions.
After beginning a “feeder watching blog” while stuck at home from shoulder surgery in the winter of 2023 (here and here), I continued the tradition last year in an attempt to gauge the difference between the two winters. A lot of folks were commenting at the store at the time about how few birds there were at feeders in the winter of 2023-24, but this was changing by the time I collected my data in February of 2024.
This year, a lack of feeder birds has most definitely not been the complaint. In fact, bird seed sales are through the roof in much of the East, and at our store, we are really, really busy. Most folks are commenting about how much birds are eating at their feeders. And while recent snowfall is part of that, this pattern began in the fall.
My perception, however, is that there is actually somewhat lower diversity at our feeders (especially the complete dearth of any “winter finches”), and perhaps the number of individuals at the feeders is a little lower than usual, but those species and individuals that are at our feeders are eating a lot more.
Let’s start with the numbers. Once again, I dedicated time to counting feeder birds at our feeding station in Durham each day for at least one hour. I was unable to dedicate the time on two dates, so I counted for 10 of 12 days between February 2nd and February 13th – a window that began three days earlier than last year. Like last year, I used the standard methodology of using “high counts” (maximum number of individuals seen at any one time, unless they were readily identifiable as being different).
February 2 – February 13(minus 2/8 and 2/11), 2025.
Species
Avg./day 2023
Avg./day 2024
Avg./day 2025
Average 3 years
Difference 24vs25
Difference 25 vs 3yr
Wild Turkey
0.2
0
0
0.07
0
-0.07
Mourning Dove
13.5
26.5
29.6
23.2
-3.1
+6.4
Sharp-shinned Hawk
0.4
0.2
0
0.2
-0.2
-0.2
American Goshawk
0
0.1
0
0.03
-0.1
-0.03
Red-bellied Woodpecker
1
1
1.2
1.07
+0.2
+0.13
Downy Wo-odpecker
2.4
2.9
2.5
2.6
-0.4
-0.01
Hairy Wo-odpecker
2
2
2
2
0
0
Pileated Woodpecker
1
0.1
0
0.37
-0.1
-0.37
Blue Jay
7.8
3.0
9.2
6.67
+6.2
+2.53
American Crow
0.7
0
1.8
0.83
+1.83
+0.97
Black-capped Chickadee
7.4
2.9
5.2
5.17
+2.3
+0.03
Tufted Titmouse
4
3
4
3.67
+1
+0.33
White-breasted Nuthatch
2
1.4
2.4
1.93
-1
+0.47
Red-breasted Nuthatch
0.7
0
0.6
0.43
+0.6
+0.17
Brown Creeper
0.4
0
0
0.13
0
-0.13
Carolina Wren
0.9
1
1.8
1.23
+0.8
+0.57
GRAY CATBIRD
0
0
0.1
0
+0.1
+0.1
European Starling
1.1
2.7
8.7
4.17
+6
+4.53
Eastern Bluebird
4.4
3
5.7
4.37
+2.7
+1.33
House Finch
2.1
0
0.4
0.83
+0.4
-0.43
Purple Finch
0.5
0.3
0
0.03
-0.3
-0.03
Pine Siskin
0
0.2
0
0.01
-0.2
-0.01
American Goldfinch
26.6
46.8
25
32.8
-21.8
-7.8
FOX SPARROW
0
0
1
0.3
+1
+0.7
American Tree Sparrow
8.0
4.2
6
6.07
+1.8
-0.07
Dark-eyed Junco
16.6
30.3
13.2
20.03
-17.1
-6.83
White-throated Sparrow
2
2.3
0
1.43
-2.3
-1.43
Song Sparrow
0
0.9
0.6
0.5
-0.3
+0.1
Northern Cardinal
5.2
3.8
6.7
5.2
-2.9
+1.5
Total individuals/day
110.9
138.6
127.5
125
-11.1
+2.5
Every year is different, and every yard is different. Controlling here for time and place, we can make some comparisons, however.
Once again, I am sure I undercounted Black-capped Chickadees, and likely Tufted Titmice and White-breasted Nuthatches as I think there could be two small mixed species foraging-flocks around. I also think there are more than one pair each of Hairy and definitely Downy Woodpeckers, but using the “high count” method, I only tabulated the maximum seen at one time.
Two seasonal rarities graced us with their presence this winter. Our Gray Catbird, present since January 2nd, made it long enough to just make it on the list. Meanwhile, a Fox Sparrow that arrived in mid-December continues through today. I won’t expect either of these species to be at our feeders every year.
When our catbird first arrived, it was growing in most of its tail feathers. When it departed, the tail was mostly restored, it survived the coldest night of the season to date, and it coincided with the depletion of the last of the Winterberry in our yard – all a good sign that it simply moved on and did not perish. Here’s it’s taking a serving of semi-frozen grape jelly, but it mostly ate suet while it was here.
American Goldfinches were down from last year in our yard, but they were extremely abundant from the fall through early winter. The difference now is most of our birch catkin crops have now been consumed. Dark-eyed Juncos were way down for us this year, and we don’t have any White-throated Sparrows around. This is likely a direct function of increasing snow depths and the lack of dense coniferous cover in the part of our property that our home and feeders are in.
I’m not going to out a lot of weight into three-year averages, but a few early trends coincide with region-wide trends, such as the steady increase in Eastern Bluebirds and Northern Cardinals. I’m not liking this trend of rapidly increasing European Starlings in our yard, however. At least for now, this is only a winter occurrence for us, however.
Eastern Bluebirds are no longer rare at feeders throughout at least the southern half of Maine in winter.
The average morning low at our home during this period was a measly 6.5F. That was 13.1 degrees colder than the ten days I looked at last year. That’s a lot more calories that need to be burned each night! While total number of individuals is down this year from last, we are going through more seed than we were at this time last year, and the cold and snow is a part of this equation.
However, I think the biggest reason for the difference between the two years can be explained in three words: Eastern White Pine. Last year, our state tree had a “generational” mast; crowns of trees were absolutely covered in cones. This year, it’s hard to find any cones anywhere in the state. Therefore, last winter our local birds had such an overabundance of their most preferred food that they spent much less time at feeders. This year, they’re eating more because there is less natural food available. And with the weather – especially with recent snowfall and ice accumulations making some food resources harder to find – birds are taking advantage of supplemental food more often. The woods, away from yards with well-stocked feeders, are exceptionally quiet this winter.
While some Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches vacated the northern woods this year, it was not a major irruption. They, and Tufted Titmice and White-breasted Nuthatches did seem to have a good breeding season, perhaps having been supplemented by caches of all of that pine seed. Meanwhile, Blue Jays are around in good numbers thanks to a very good Red Oak acorn crop that has kept them here this winter.
Like last year (and as opposed to 2023), we didn’t have a lot of accipiter presence: I only glimpsed one unidentified accipiter back on the 4th, but there were times without any birds at the feeders suggestive of an avian predator hanging around. It’s possible this might just have been due to a pair of regular Red-tailed Hawks in our yard. Despite having little interest in small birds, few birds are willing to take the chance.
Now, to really take this “study” to the next level, I would be keeping track of the amount of seed and other foodstuffs that we are putting out each year. But that’s getting to sound like work, and real research! We’re filling almost all of our feeders at least daily (often twice daily when we are home in another snowstorm), and that concurs with comments we receive at the store. But every yard is different, and not everyone has the same results. If your feeders have seemed comparatively slow, consider what you are feeding, and how fresh the seed and suet is. These are important and we can help you with that here at the store. It’s worth exploring some of my previous blog posts on the topic that discuss reasons why feeder activity ebbs and flows.
American Goldfinches and Morning Doves were once again the most common birds at our feeding station.
We’ve only lived at this location for three years, so it’s too soon to tell what an “average” winter is like in terms of volume and diversity. Furthermore, we are rapidly accelerating plantings and habitat improvement that should increase the number of birds our property sustains. Given that feeders are only a supplement to natural food supplies, I believe our habitat work will pay dividends for our feeder-watching in years to come.
I enjoy this little project, and time permitting, I’ll plan on doing it again next year. It’s only one yard, but it’s a case study that can answer some questions or at least offer a little detailed context as to what others are reporting. How does our feeder activity compare to yours? Are you seeing anything different? Or do some of our observations and hypotheses fit with your observations?
This Greater White-fronted Goose has been making the rounds in Greater Portland this winter, most recently hanging out along Shoreline Drive in Falmouth, where I stopped by to visit it on the 2nd.
It sure feels and looks like winter out there now, but there are still quite a few “lingering” species to add to our usual winter mix. Here are my observations of note over the past seven days:
The GRAY CATBIRD that has been at our feeders since January 2nd was last seen on February 2nd. Hopefully it has just moved on as Winterberry and other fruits in and around our property have been exhausted.
1 Fox Sparrow (continuing since early December) continue at our feeders in Durham.
1 Fox Sparrow (since 12/21) continues here at the store through week’s end as well.
1-2 Turkey Vultures continue in the Cumberland-Freeport corridor of I-295.
2. Gull Identification Workshop: Freeport, Saturday, February 15, 2025 (1:00-4:00pm) and Part II in Portland: Sunday, February 16, 2025 (8:00am-12:00pm).
Nothing can brighten up a cold, gray winter’s day like a drake Wood Duck! This hardy drake was toughing it out amongst the Mallards at the North River Road Boat Launch in Auburn on the 13th.
“Lingering” seasonal rarities and concentrating waterfowl with the growth of river and lake ice this week produced some great mid-January birds despite limited dedicated birding outings.
The Fox Sparrow continues at the store since 12/21, but has been very sporadic this week.
1 GRAY CATBIRD and 1 Fox Sparrow continue at our feeders in Durham through week’s end.
At least two Turkey Vultures continued in the I-295 corridor between Brunswick and Cumberland, and scattered others continue in the area as well.
Maine Birding Field Notes 