I began my day at Kettle Cove. Not too much around, but a Lapland Longspur flew over, calling. I walked down the beach of Crescent Beach State Park – one Snow Bunting and 6 Horned Larks, and a Hooded Merganser flew by. The pinewoods were quite – no crossbills or any other finches as I had hoped.

But, the scrubby area inland from the dunes was much more productive. Winterberry, Multiflora Rose, and Oriental Bittersweet provided a bounty of berries for hungry frugivores (fruit-eaters) and today, a flock of at least 100 American Robins had descended upon them.

While it is not completely unexpected to find a Gray Catbird along Maine’s coast in winter – when there is a good supply of fruit around – this year are being found a little more often (likely a combination of the good fruit crop and a mild fall). So, when I observed one in the bushes today, I was not surprised. But, I was surprised to find two more. 3 Gray Catbirds in January in Maine is not to be expected. A lingering Hermit Thrush also joined in the festivities.

Meanwhile, off of Two Lights State Park the large raft of Black Scoters numbered between 800-900 birds. This is the most of this species that I have seen in one spot in winter in Maine. They were being quite vociferous as well, and many males were beginning to display. Toss in a few hundred Common Eiders, a few Harlequin Ducks, White-winged Scoters, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Surf Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, and Red-breasted Mergansers and you have quite a sight to see!

I finished off the morning at Village Crossings, where a low pass by a Cooper’s Hawk caused 55 American Robins, 30 Cedar Waxwings, and a small number of European Starlings, House Finches, and American Goldfinches to take flight.