Even at winter’s worst, bird-watching’s worth it

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Now that we’re heading into January and it’s below-zero weather, bird-watching is probably the last thing on most people’s minds, even those who are passionate about it. After all, it often doesn’t involve the kind of strenuous activity that keeps you warm. It doesn’t even guarantee results – you may see several birds or none at all. The element of chance, and a large amount of luck, plays a big part in this hobby-obsession.

Even going to a well-known area that has produced good bird sightings in the past doesn’t mean you’ll see them every time. They may be just out of your sight, or in a different place altogether, foraging for food. Or it may just be a case of not looking in the right direction at the right time.

So, those of you who are either nonbirders or new to birding may ask: Why go out in freezing weather for this if you don’t know whether you’ll see anything? Are you crazy?

Well, yes, some of us are crazy – and I speak for myself – but there is also the thrill of possibility. You may see a rare bird, a cherished addition to your life list, or observe a fascinating behavior you’ve never seen before. The different moods of the environment may have a calming, inspiring effect on your psyche. There is the challenge of identifying new birds, learning to differentiate among slight variations in plumage, size and shape. You may even have an encounter like the one I had last winter.

I’d been walking through the University of Maine forest one early March afternoon. Temperatures were still dipping to below freezing, and several inches of snow packed the trails. In the distance, I could see flocks of ducks slicing through the late afternoon sky – spring would not be denied. As I approached a stand of young coniferous trees, I heard the soft “tsee, tsee” of golden-crowned kinglets. The small, plump birds were foraging along the branches and trunks of the trees, searching for dormant insects. I stood quietly and was rewarded with some exceptionally close-up views of the birds.

Soon I realized that a flock of chickadees was also moving through the trees, for these birds often forage together. One by one, the chickadees began flitting across the trail to the trees on the other side. They were quite close to me, flying about two feet away from my face. What a treat, I thought, but I was yet to be surprised.

As the last chickadee reached the opposite side, it suddenly reversed its course, and flew to within inches of my left ear. I could hear the “thripp-thripp-thripp” of its wings beating as it stationed itself there in the air. Then it alighted on my shoulder.

I stood absolutely still and stopped breathing. The curious little blackcap sat for a few seconds, then it rejoined its fellows, and I was left agog with wonder.

I must clarify that last week’s list of sightings were not of the Christmas Bird Count, but reports from over the last few weeks. The official CBC counts are:

Great blue heron – 1;

Black duck – 7;

Mallard – 346;

Common goldeneye – 82;

Barrow’s goldeneye- 28;

Hooded merganser – 1;

Common merganser -19;

Red-breasted merganser – 1;

Bald eagle – 4;

Sharp-shinned hawk – 2;

Goshawk – 1;

Ruffed grouse – 6;

Wild turkey – 11;

Herring gull – 26;

Great black-backed gull – 3;

Ring-billed gull – 7;

Iceland gull – 1;

Rock dove – 471;

Mourning dove – 606;

Downy woodpecker – 43,

Hairy woodpecker – 36;

Pileated woodpecker – 4;

Blue jay – 222;

Crow – 313;

Raven – 40;

Black-capped chickadee – 532;

Tufted titmouse – 9;

Red-breasted nuthatch – 58;

White-breasted nuthatch – 41;

Brown creeper – 9;

Golden-crowned kinglet – 33;

Mockingbird – 1;

Robin – 280;

Cedar waxwing – 154;

Northern shrike – 1;

Starling – 732;

Cardinal – 6;

Tree sparrow – 41;

Song sparrow – 5;

White-throated sparrow – 1;

Junco – 60;

Pine grosbeak – 83;

Purple finch – 40;

House finch – 151;

Red crossbill – 1;

White-winged crossbill – 25;

Pine siskin – 162;

Goldfinch – 620;

Evening grosbeak – 0;

House sparrow – 75.

Also, some sightings around Bangor last week: 27 common goldeneye; 3 barrow’s goldeneye; 1 bald eagle- adult; 15 ring-billed gulls; 18 herring gulls; 3 great black-backed gulls; 11 rock doves; 20 mourning doves; 1 downy woodpecker; 3 blue jays; 12 American crows 1 common raven; 35 black-capped chickadees 9 red-breasted nuthatchers; 3 white-breasted nuthatchers; 1 brown creeper; 3 golden-crowned kinglets; 35 American robins; 29 European starlings; 2 northern cardinals; 3 song sparrows; 82 pine grosbeaks; 1 red crossbils and 32 American goldfinches.