Ed and I spent this beautifully warm, calm (the calm before the storm) morning birding a few sites in Cape Elizabeth. It was a very quiet morning, but the pleasant weather was sufficient to keep the spirits high. We birding Kettle Cove (increasing numbers of ducks), Crescent Beach State Park (a few American Tree Sparrows and a late Gray Catbird), Great Pond (duckless), and Village Crossings (a few White-throated Sparrows and American Robins).

A more noteworthy event, however, occurred yesterday morning. For the first time in over 2 months, I DID NOT GO BIRDING! Usually, Jeannette and I split Sundays, but she had the day off today to make up for my day off for the Rarity Roundup. So, I actually had to show up on time! Therefore, I slept in (a little) for a change, and relaxed in the morning eating pancakes while watching the feeders (And of course, I also spent time in front of the window at the store, so I guess I couldn’t make it through a whole day without some bird watching) and then getting yard projects done – like setting up the heated birdbath and cleaning feeders.

And finally, it seems that my prediction for the end of the Great Northeast Cave Swallow Invasion of ’05 came to fruition. Bad news for birders, but good news if you are a bird that needs to feed on aerial insects! It seems the last of the Cave Swallows have moved out, with the last reports being singles at Pemaquid Point and York Beach between 12 and 1 on Friday. I have not heard of any reports from anywhere else in New England or Maritime Canada this weekend either. However, with the southerly winds ahead of the approaching storm, there’s always a chance for some more to be blown in. I’ll be waiting!

And, if you are looking for something to do Tuesday evening, Merrymeeting Audubon is hosting a program by Norman Smith of Massachusetts Audubon on the charismatic Snowy Owl. Norman will be discussing and showing photographs of his work coordinating a long-term research project studying the migration pattern and ecological requirements of this species, especially by working to put satellite transmitters on Snowies wintering at Boston’s Logan Airport. The program is at 7:00pm ay the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. See you there!