Counters spot varied thrush, northern shrike Sightings unusual for area census

I’ve been in a birding slump. Of course, shortened days tend to limit any birding after work; but on the weekends I haven’t been disciplined enough to parcel my time between chores and my other hobby. Again, sunset finds me regretting I did not schedule my day more carefully.

So I’m left scrambling to see what news I can dig up for you. You’ve probably already read about the Old Town/Orono Christmas Bird Count results – about the one unusual bird (a varied thrush) and about an uncommon but not so unexpected visitor (a northern shrike).

For those of you not familiar with these birds, here’s a brief recount.

The varied thrush was a completely unexpected bonus on this year’s Christmas count. Its normal ranges – both breeding and winter – are in the western United States, western Canada, and Alaska. It really shouldn’t be anywhere near the East Coast, but, as do other birds, it occasionally wanders – far. However, it isn’t the first time one has been seen in Maine.

Data from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch, as well as birding hotline reports, show these thrushes are apparently being sighted more often here on the East Coast (during winter) than in the past. They are beautiful and striking, quite unlike our more subdued-hued thrushes, such as the hermit or veery. Even the robin, with its bright red breast, pales by comparison. No wonder Rose Caldwell had trouble identifying the bird when it first appeared in her Old Town yard!

Our other bird-count notable, the northern shrike, is a Nearctic bird that breeds in extremely remote, wild places. If its prey (small birds, mice, voles) is abundant, it may not travel very far from its breeding range at all. When prey is scarce it comes farther south, and so can be an expected winter visitor depending upon conditions.

And it seems conditions are right, as several shrikes – as well as other northern birds – have been reported in Maine so far this season. Bill Sheehan of Woodland has been tracking and reporting sightings and offered to share some insight into them.

“As I understand it,” he said, “when vole populations are low to the north of us, the shrikes appear in Maine in good numbers. Other vole eaters, like the rough-legged hawk and the northern hawk owl, have appeared in good numbers this year as well. I’ve already seen 10 rough-legs (a record) and the hawk owl in Presque Isle right now is the second reported in this area this season.”

So far, this winter is shaping up to be a good one for birders. So here is my New Year’s resolution: get out and go birding more often. And, following that, be more faithful in recording my sightings. Actually, this is something I’d encourage everyone to do, especially when it comes to a rare or unusual bird. Detailed, specific documentation is often the clincher when it comes to verifying such a bird. And Maine has a newly formed Bird Records Committee, which will serve as both an archive of bird observations in the state and as a review board for new Maine records. Observations can be submitted to committee secretary Bill Sheehan at: me-brc@maine.rr.com.

Happy New Year, and happy birding.

NEWS bird columnist Chris Corio can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net