Last week I received an e-mail from Sam Garwood in Orono. He thought he had seen a prothonotary warbler in Old Town, but he doubted his birding expertise and concluded he was mistaken when no one more experienced reported it. But I am not so… Read More
Autumn in Maine is wonderful, despite the migration of most of our breeding birds. Their departure serves as an incentive – and a challenge – to spend more time outside next spring and summer, observing their behaviors and activities. I could spend my time berating… Read More
The fall raptor migration is under way and there is no better time to view these birds, which are ordinarily inconspicuous during the breeding season. Except for one individual I encountered last summer along the University of Maine bike path. The unmistakable high-pitched whistle of… Read More
It’s that time of year again – birders are talking about kettles, updrafts, thermals and cold fronts. Raptors are on the move. The jargon of migration isn’t hard to decipher once you get a mental picture of what it represents. Raptors must expend more energy… Read More
I always look forward to autumn with its crisp, cool days, brilliant foliage, and absence of bugs. But these changes bring about something I don’t especially look forward to, although I am always fascinated by it – bird migration. Now the late summer silence broods… Read More
Driving home from a visit to Hirundo Wildlife Refuge last week, I was treated to the sight of a large flock of common nighthawks foraging near the Penobscot River in Old Town. I was barely able to count the birds because their flight was so… Read More
Earlier this summer I received correspondence from readers who had observed fewer numbers of swallows in their neighborhoods. Marcy Gagne, in western Maine, wrote, “Last year, our neighbor mentioned the absence of the barn swallows, with only about seven pair coming back to his barn,… Read More
There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds existing in the world today, all in the Western Hemisphere. Most live in the equatorial rain forests of Columbia and Ecuador. Only 15 species breed in the United States, and only one – the ruby-throated-breeds east of the Mississippi. How… Read More
Mention that you saw a yellow-bellied sapsucker to a non-birder and you’ll likely get stared at as if you were off your rocker. The mixture of incredulity and downright amusement is a typical reaction from people who hear this name for the first time. Some… Read More
Recently I received an e-mail from Sharon Smith, in Monroe, regarding common loons. She has watched them from her family’s camp on Sebec Lake and has come to be familiar with their habits and behaviors. She noted they did not produce young this year. “Not… Read More
“Stake-driver,” “thunder-pumper,” “mire-drum.” Characters in some new science-fiction-fantasy movie? No, just nicknames for a secretive bird of freshwater marshes. The American bittern is perhaps best known for its odd vocalization, the genesis of its bizarre nicknames. The bird produces the noises deep within its throat,… Read More
My hiking group is going to the birds. This is a good thing. I have written in the past of how my birding friend and I are viewed by the rest of our group when we stop to gawk at birds during a trek. I… Read More
The more I learn about birds, the more they fascinate me. Their complexities are endlessly intriguing. An acquaintance of mine recently asked if birds are born knowing their respective songs, or if they had to learn them. The answer may surprise you. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Certain spring nights are perfect for witnessing the migration of birds. I’ve been out during the dark hours recently and heard the call notes of songbirds as they passed, invisible, overhead. This never fails to fill me with wonder and awe. During the most recent… Read More
The warblers are back! There are many other birds whose return I eagerly anticipate every spring; however, these small songsters seem to be the epitome of the season. They are strikingly, if not brilliantly, colored, and catching a glimpse of one is an exciting event. Read More
I led the small group of people into the Fields Pond Nature Center in Holden in preparation for heading out on the property’s trails. The excursion was to be a fun outing to learn bird identification, as well as a way to raise money for the Nature Center… Read More
Spring has been frustratingly fickle so far this year, but I did manage to get out on one of the few warm, sunny days we’ve had in the last week. I visited Maine Audubon’s property bordering the Penjajawoc Marsh in Bangor. The last time I… Read More
The topic of this column is a complex one, but before I go into it I’d like to mention that the second Saturday of May is designated International Migratory Bird Day. First created in 1993 by members of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and the… Read More
Last weekend I helped get the Fields Pond Nature Center ready for summer use. I helped clear trails of fallen branches and trees, while others cleared up roadside debris and replaced footbridges that had been dislodged by snow and ice. As we worked, the day turned bright and… Read More
A picture can offer much inspiration, as last week’s Bangor Daily News’ front page photo did. A friend of mine saw it before I did and exclaimed, “Well, now you know what to write about in your next column!” For those of you who didn’t… Read More
Finally – a bit of spring weather. I didn’t expect to find many of our spring migrants yet, but still I was not disappointed when I heard the spring song of the brown creeper for the first time. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
I saw my first eastern phoebe of the season last week. A few days after the snow I was walking alongside a small stream at the edge of a hayfield. The snow was melting, albeit slowly, and temperatures hadn’t yet risen much beyond the 30s. Read More
Well, here I am sitting at my computer; outside the weather has turned wintry – 2 inches of snow have fallen and meteorologists report temperatures will dip into the teens tonight. And just a few days before it had been so warm and spring-like! I… Read More
Near the east entrance into the University of Maine’s Fogler Library, where I work, the first small spring crocuses are poking out of the sodden earth. So far they are tiny and few, but they haven’t escaped notice. “Have you seen the crocuses yet?” googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Goshawks, red-tailed hawks differ Encounters with crows help explain differences between two raptors
Sometimes it is the subtle details that reveal the truth – or essence – of a thing. This was driven home to me some weeks ago as I observed two birds of prey passing through the neighborhood. The first was a red-tailed hawk that I… Read More
The month of March is the most frustrating time of year for me, and it seems to be worse this year than in years past. I would even welcome “mud season” gladly, since it would mean an end to the ice, dirty snow, and below freezing – even… Read More
As March begins, thoughts turn to spring and the return of migrant birds that have spent their winter in warmer climes. The question is, do birds fly south just to escape cold weather? If this is so, then why do some birds stay here? The… Read More
It was bitterly cold the day we took the Maine State Ferry out to Vinalhaven Island. Several days of below-zero temperatures had created sheets of ice that stretched far out into Rockland’s harbor and strong winds blew freezing spray and mist from the surface of the Atlantic. The… Read More
Robins not always sign of spring Males will stay in Maine to ‘stake out a prime territory in Canada’
A coworker of mine at Fogler Library came to the desk the other day and commented on the robins that had appeared the day before. “They must be confused,” he said, voicing the surprise of many who see robins around here during the winter. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Eight years ago I moved here from New Jersey. When I told my employer that I was moving to Maine, his reply was, “I hope you like to ski!” I would like to ski (cross country – never downhill!), but so far have not tried… Read More
Winter is biting down hard. The temperature hovers in the single digits, and the wind chill drives it still lower, making any exposed skin go numb within seconds. And here I am, out looking for an owl. It is still light, with about an hour… Read More
It was a fine day for snowshoeing. A fresh snow had fallen two days before, and the forest floor was decently covered by about a foot of soft powder. The day was overcast, conveying a slightly forbidding and gloomy mien, although nothing more was forecast… Read More
We’ve had our first real snow this season. Those of us who feed birds have stocked feeders, put out suet, and waited for the birds to arrive. However, in this some of us were disappointed. Comments posted on birder e-mail lists, as well as those… Read More
During the spring and summer months, it is just about impossible not to see what you want, due to the sheer numbers and varieties of birds. It is also easier to find birds then because they are advertising their whereabouts with their mating and territorial songs. Read More
As I thought about writing this column, I decided to veer away from the format I’ve been using lately and try something different. So, in keeping with the holiday spirit, here are several vignettes of bird encounters I’ve had over the years. Enjoy! googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
Way out at the entrance to the cove, a lone bird bobbed with the waves. The winter sunlight reflected off it, causing it to shine dazzlingly white. I was ready to dismiss it as a gull – possibly a Bonaparte’s – but Bob Duchesne wasn’t so sure (Bob’s… Read More
A recent trip that Bob Duchesne (of Q106.5 radio) and I made to Acadia National Park turned up some great sightings, one of which was a first for me. The trip was Bob’s idea; he is in the midst of writing an updated, extended birding… Read More
The day ended up being as close to perfect as it could get. The morning had been cold, with gusty winds chopping up the Atlantic and making warm clothes imperative. Throughout the day, though, the winds had moderated; when we reached protected coves, the bright… Read More
The many birds I and other Maine Audubon members saw on our recent trip to Isle au Haut were both a delight and a challenge. This was especially so in the case of the great cormorant seen – or, not seen – by a few of our group. Read More
The day was cool and overcast, with strong, gusty winds. The rain predicted for the day seemed imminent. Yet not one member of our group regretted coming out to Acadia National Park on Isle au Haut; we were there to spot harlequin ducks and assist biologist Glen Mittelhauser… Read More
The weekend started out perfectly for our trip to Isle au Haut. We were going to assist biologist Glen Mittelhauser in his study of harlequin ducks on the island’s coast, and the journey there was a tantalizing hint of what was to come. The 30-… Read More
Our little group walked single file along the shoreline in the slanting, early afternoon sunlight. Pebbles hissed and rattled as they were washed by the waves sweeping up the cobblestone beach. The call notes of yellow-rumped warblers twinkled down from the spruce trees in the nearby forest, contributing… Read More
The day could not have been better if we had planned it. It is a well-known fact in birding circles that even exhaustive knowledge of birds, their habits, and their habitats does not guarantee sightings. More often, it produces frustration instead, as expectations go unmet. Read More
A board meeting may be a good setting for spirited debate, not necessarily one of excitement and surprise. However, that’s exactly what we got when we gathered to discuss our Audubon chapter’s progress at board members Bob and Sandi Duchesne’s house. The Duchesne’s backyard, a… Read More
The sighting of the American white pelican on the Penobscot River in September, which I wrote about in last week’s column, has captured a lot of attention. Since so many people have expressed interest in the bird, this week’s column will explore its life history in more detail. Read More
A little drama unfolded a few weeks ago when people sighted an unusual bird here in Maine: an American white pelican. I got an inkling of it when I came home to a message from Edmond Sirois in Veazie. He had seen what he believed… Read More
It’s always the unexpected that yields the best results. I would not normally expect, for example, to be able to view a wild bird of prey from only 20 feet away. Especially on Stillwater Avenue near the Old Town Shop ‘N Save. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Woodsman lore reserves special place for gray jays ‘Gorbies’ bold, cheerful companions in the forest
I love reader feedback, especially when it involves people’s own observations, experiences, or appreciation of birds or nature in general. Some columns generate more interest than others, and I never know which ones will do so. I was surprised, therefore, at the response I got about the gray,… Read More
A small group of people clustered together on the rocky ledges of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. Some stood, some sat; some had binoculars or spotting scopes. All of us waited patiently for the passage of migrating hawks along the mountain’s ridge. It was… Read More
The day dawned bright and clear, with a hint of fall’s chill in the air. These conditions were perfect for our group’s hike up to Cranberry Peak. I hoped they would also be perfect for viewing some migrating birds. Cranberry Peak is located in Stratton… Read More
I had more than a few reservations as I prepared to lead my first canoe trip down the Sedgeunkedunk Stream into Fields Pond. I had gone on one of the trips before, for they were part of a series of moonlight paddles organized by the Penobscot Valley Chapter… Read More
Dear Readers: Many of you may be familiar with the ongoing struggle to protect the Penjajawoc Marsh in Bangor from the effects of development. In June, the Board of Environmental Protection began hearings that addressed both sides of this issue. Events took a new turn… Read More
I try to make at least one whale-watching trip every summer. I enjoy seeing these great, mysterious mammals in their element. But there is also a bonus for us who are interested in birds: where there are whales, there are also seabirds. In fact, the presence of birds… Read More
I first learned about the common nighthawk while I was working in New York City. As a veterinary technician, I had built up a base of clients for whom I would cat-sit while they were away. One owner had a penthouse apartment in a building… Read More
A visit to Chimney Pond in Baxter State Park just wouldn’t be the same without the boreal chickadee. The presence of this endearing little bird is an integral part of the ecology of the region. As its name suggests, it inhabits only the northern coniferous… Read More
The warm, hazy days of mid-July to August invariably turn my mind to shorebirds, for this is the start of their southward migration. Reports of several species have been sent in to the Maine Audubon Bird Alert since early July. Dunlins, short-billed dowitchers, black-bellied plovers,… Read More
I was able to take part in the 19th Maine Audubon statewide loon count two years ago, and was glad of any excuse (as if I needed any!) to get out and see or hear a loon. Most often, I would hear loons long before… Read More
The recently fledged raptor perched at the end of a towering white pine branch. It seemed excited about something as it called continually, then launched itself from its tree. It traveled easily across the clearing, heading for another pine. Its descent into the tree had… Read More
Our small group sat on the weathered gray deck as the clouds lowered and a strong wind swept tendrils of mist over the mountaintop. The day had started out warm, with the sun shining through a muggy haze. Now our entire world seemed different. I felt as if… Read More
The raptor sat immobile atop the bare branches of a dead pine. Nothing moved except its feathers, which were being blown by the wind sighing down the center of the Penjajawoc Marsh in Bangor. Its quiet demeanor belied its intent, for it was hunting. Finally… Read More
If you are patient enough, a marsh will give up its secrets. I realized this as I stood at the edge of the Penjajawoc Marsh in Bangor. Many of the wetland’s shy denizens seem to excel in the art of concealment; only their voices give… Read More
I never know what to expect when I visit the Penjajawoc Marsh in Bangor, but one thing is guaranteed: I am always pleasantly surprised. This was especially so when we did our Birdathon three weeks ago. We went there in the hopes of adding particular… Read More
It might not have been a do-or-die, 24-hour effort, but our participation in this year’s Birdathon was a success and surpassed our expectations. Last year we did the fund-raising event without planning it or driving any distances and got 53 species for our list. This… Read More
Spring means many things to people, but to me the essence of the season is bird song. Each day introduces more voices to the avian chorus, and it is a joy to pick them out from the rest. This is especially so with the small… Read More
The people stirred in their chairs, ready to venture outside to do some birding. They had spent the morning at the Fields Pond Nature Center participating in an “animal sounds workshop,” put on by Don Tarbet of the Natural History Education, Science, Technology organization. It… Read More
It’s no coincidence that this column is in the sports section. Yep -I’m saying that watching birds is a sport. Competitions do take place, and one is coming up later this month. It’s National Audubon’s yearly “Bird-a-thon.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
The sunshine was a welcome treat after a week of much-needed rain. Determined to ignore the cooler temperatures and blustery winds, we went out to do some serious birding. The early migrants made their presence known to us immediately. The one that really stood out,… Read More
It isn’t often that I get to investigate rare bird reports, as time constraints limit my ability to travel very far. However, I recently received an e-mail from Fields Pond Nature Center director Judy Markowsky that gave me an opportunity to do so. A resident… Read More
Explaining your interest in a favorite hobby or passion to the skeptical onlooker is a challenging task. A recent segment on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” led me to think about how I would do it. The segment focused on the advent of spring… Read More
Many birders mark the progress of spring by noting migrants’ dates of arrival. A woman I talked to in Blue Hill, for instance, kept her eye on a particular osprey nest. She remarked that its owners would show up within a day or two of April 15 each… Read More
Our birding trip down south brought us into contact with many birds we hadn’t seen before. We were delighted with their abundance and variety; every day brought surprises. However, the most remarkable event was our face-to-face (literally!) encounter with the Florida scrub jay. We picked… Read More
Maine can be a capricious flirt at this time of the year, I thought, as I contemplated the forecast of snow on the first day of spring. However, I did get my warm-weather fix -and more than two dozen birds to add to my life list – down… Read More
It is such a thrill at this time of year to witness the beginning of avian courtship rituals in response to the coming of spring. Our walk on a sunny, near-balmy morning gave us the chance to hear the high, tinkling notes of a brown… Read More
Although I am excited about the return of spring with its vanguard of long-distance migrants, after seven Maine winters I find myself longing for something more. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve come to appreciate the subtlety of spring in this state. But because it will… Read More
I can see spring on the way, but not because of the weather. Last week’s 40-degree days were quickly followed by colder temps, and snow and ice remain. Because this is Maine, spring needs to sneak in through a side door. And sneak she does. Read More
People new to birding have expressed some trepidation to me about their lack of knowledge in the field. They enjoy watching and feeding birds, yet denigrate their ability to identify more than the occasional blue jay, house sparrow, or cardinal. But the great thing about this hobby is… Read More
Where are all the birds? That is the question many people are calling into the Fields Pond Nature Center to ask. All through spring, summer and fall, they have faithfully kept feeding stations filled with all manner of delectable morsels for their birds. Come mid… Read More
I would have missed the bird if it hadn’t let loose with one of its distinctive calls. My mind was preoccupied as I left Fogler Library, and I wasn’t paying much attention to my surroundings. From the corner of my eye, I saw a large, dark object hanging… Read More
I worked as a veterinary technician at a small clinic on the coast when I first moved here, and one of the more memorable cases we saw involved a cat. Our feline patient was in good shape despite the presence of four gashes on its… Read More
I’ve always enjoyed being out after sunset, especially on clear, moonlit winter nights. In the coming weeks, I’ll have an even greater incentive to venture out: I will be a volunteer in Maine’s first statewide owl survey, a cooperative effort between Maine Audubon and the Maine Department of… Read More
Although winter birding may be pretty bleak – especially inland – it could be the perfect opportunity to get to know our stalwart year-round residents. Some of my most memorable avian encounters involve our state bird, the ubiquitous black-capped chickadee. They visited my feeders when… Read More
Since many neotropical migrants head south every fall, it is easy to forget that one songbird hangs around to brave Northeast winters – and warm our hearts in the process. The aptly named golden-crowned kinglet is a small, extremely energetic bird that is currently classified… Read More
The results of this year’s Christmas Bird Count have demonstrated population trends and borne out birders’ expectations on species’ range increases. One bird that has been extending its range into more northerly areas each year is the tufted titmouse. This sparrow-sized bird with the incongruous… Read More
The Old Town-Orono Christmas Bird Count on December 15th revealed a record number of winter birds, thanks to the efforts of many dedicated birders. Participants noted a total of 56 bird species. The unusually high number for this area was the result of the warm… Read More
The long-awaited snowfall last Friday night, which softly blanketed the ground and outlined every branch, twig, and stalk, created the perfect – and appropriate – setting for the 102nd annual National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. We started out at 9 a.m. Saturday for the… Read More
Flocks of common redpolls are among the lists of irruptive migrants being reported throughout Maine this season. Redpolls are finches that breed and winter in portions of the Canadian Arctic and Alaska. When the trees that they depend on -such as spruce and birch –… Read More
This has been a great year for sighting irruptive migrants. Bohemian waxwings, pine grosbeaks, redpolls, snowy owls – and now northern shrikes are being reported throughout the state. Just last week someone sighted a shrike off of the Witter Farm Road in Orono. In this… Read More
Ok, I’m still obsessed with seeing a snowy owl this winter, especially since I missed the perfect opportunity when one showed up in Orono four weeks ago. The bird had stationed itself atop somebody’s roof long enough to be photographed. At the time, I felt too overwhelmed with… Read More
Learning to identify birds similar to one another is a challenge to novice and experienced birders alike. In this case, it is important to remember that “in the field of observation, chance favors the prepared mind,” as Louis Pasteur once said. Being prepared entails keeping… Read More
Spring birding is guaranteed to be rewarding and exciting – migrants have returned from their wintering grounds and are conspicuous in their breeding plumages and songs. Autumn and winter birding can also be as rewarding if you are patient. This was so last week as… Read More
Someone asked me the other day about a great blue heron he had observed at a small pond beside a road. The bird routinely hunted there, despite the close proximity of traffic, and he was surprised to see it hanging around so late in the season. Read More
Recently, I had the opportunity to go birding with someone more experienced at identifying birds than I. Through this, I learned what to look for in identifying birds new to me, and was able to positively identify them on my own several weeks later. But… Read More
The flock rose as one and disappeared into the trees as we approached. The combined sound of their wings was distinctive – much louder than what any individual could produce. I could only liken it to that of a large, heavy rug being shaken. Although… Read More
One of the keys to being a successful birder is to expect the unexpected. The unexpected was exactly what I got as I stepped out the door the other morning. The first thing I became aware of was the insistent, perturbed cawing of a crow. Read More
Since I’ve visited the Penjajawoc Marsh off Stillwater Avenue in Bangor, I’ve made myself familiar with what types of birds may be found there. It is fascinating to discover the interconnectedness of each species with its surroundings as a whole. I’ve found that there are… Read More
I have to admit I’ve always had an affinity for birds of prey. They are exciting to watch in action, if one is so lucky to witness hunting behavior. Even if they’re sitting immobile, their fierce and noble countenance is inspiring to behold. Most raptors… Read More
I can’t believe I’ve lived in the Bangor area for more than four years and never visited the Penjajawoc Marsh. I didn’t know what to expect as our little group hiked in from the north end of the marsh, through the Bangor City Forest. Our… Read More