*No Cave Swallows for you (me)!
I spent this morning, once again, in pursuit of Cave Swallows. I birded some of the sheltered coves and old forts (where they could potentially roost) in South Portland and Cape Elizabeth. I began at Bug Light Park (“Ipswich” Savannah Sparrow, ~30 Horned Larks, Merlin), then to Spring Point Light, followed by Willard Beach (more Larks, ~40 Red-winged Blackbirds), Pond Cove (quiet), and Fort Williams Park (Merlin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet), but alas, no Cave Swallow. I’ll have to try again tomorrow!

*Rarity Fever Continues.
As food for thought, some of the rarities that have been found in the last few days in surrounding states include Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cave Swallow, Franklin’s Gull, Purple Gallinule, and Western Kingbird in Massachusetts, another Franklin’s Gull in New Hampshire, and Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, and Townsend’s Warbler in New Brunswick.

*The United States Forest Service has recently new regulations that are supposed to protect habitat, wildlife, private property, and people from unauthorized, renegade all-terrain vehicle abuse. This is a major issue, but one that has received little media attention, especially compared to such issues as ANWAR. However, the Forest Service is charged with maintaining “multiple uses” in each forest, not allowing one specific interest – whether it’s birders or ATV users – to dominate policy and the land. Learn more about this very important issue at www.naturaltrails.org

*ANWAR safe- for now.
Late last night House of Representatives leadership pulled the provision to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWAR) to drilling from the budget bill they are now debating. However, the fight is not over. The Senate version does include the shortsighted drilling in ANWAR provision, and this could still be included when the House and Senate meet to hammer out a final budget bill next month. Maine Congressman Tom Allen has been a vocal opponent of drilling in ANWAR, Representative Mike Michaud continues to vote against it, and Maine’s two Republican Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snow have crossed party lines to (unsuccessfully) strip the Senate budget bill of the ANWAR provision. We should be thankful that Maine’s delegation has the vision to see beyond the short-term profit of the oil industry at the expense of one of the most amazing places on Earth. (One year’s supply of oil 6 or 7 years from now is just not worth it!) . Write, call, or email them to thank them for their continued support in protecting ANWAR, and urge them to keep up the good fight and vote NO on the budget reconciliation if drilling in ANWAR is included:

Representative Tom Allen
1127 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6116
rep.tomallen@mail.house.gov

Representative Michael Michaud
437 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
rep.mike.Michaud@mail.house.gov

Senator Susan Collins
461 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-224-2523
(web form)Collins.senate.gov/low/conactemail.htm

Senator Olympia Snow
154 Russel Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5344
Olympia@snowe.senate.gov