We occasionally find ourselves stuck in a bit of birding doldrums in March. When the weather turns cold – as it has in the past couple weeks – the flow of migration is reduced. While many of the winter birds have moved out, fewer returning migrants show up – at least until the next warm front. While weather is not the CAUSE of most species’ migrations, it certainly does affect it.

Short-distance migrants (such as blackbirds, bluebirds, and many puddle ducks) winter just to our south, and their return is often dependent on weather conditions. Many ducks will move north as ice begins to break up, and many blackbirds begin to flow north as snow begins to melt. With little ice and little snow this winter, ducks arrived quite early, and blackbirds – among other species such as Turkey Vultures – arrived even earlier. (By the way, long-distance migrants – such as an oriole overwintering in Central America – are less affected in terms of arrival dates as their migration is tied more closely to changes in daylight – a yearly constant – than weather on the breeding grounds, in part because they have no way of knowing the weather up here!).

Take a look at this past week’s Southcoastal Maine Rare Bird Alert as compared to the corresponding week last year. As you look at this, and compare the other transcripts from the past few weeks (this ability to compare “back issues” of the SCMRBA to identify year-to-year differences is one of the reasons that we archive the alerts on our website). You can see how much further spring arrivals have progressed compared to last year’s snowy early spring.

However, this weather pattern that has produced a broad northwesterly flow – a scenario more typical of mid-winter – and lack of southerly winds and warm temperatures has slowed the recent progress of many short-distance migrants. Although there are plenty of Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds around, and slowly increasing amounts of dabbling ducks, there is not a whole lot else.

I have covered a lot of ground the last two days, but I have very little to show for it! Hours of walking yesterday morning in a number of South Portland and northern Cape Elizabeth sites produced very, very little, with the only apparent migrants being two Brant that flew by Bug Light Park. A Common Loon off of Portland Head Light in full breeding plumage was nice to see however.

Today, I covered more ground by car, traveling south to Fort Foster in Kittery. On the way down, I spotted my first Osprey of the year, soaring over the mouth of the Fore River on the Falmouth/Portland border from 295. Down at Fort Foster, I enjoyed my first Fox Sparrow of the year as well. I worked my way along the coast through York Beach to Cape Neddick, where I walked around the neighborhood around The Nubble. A total of 14 Song Sparrows at Fort Foster and 12 around Cape Neddick were the vanguards of spring sparrow migration. 4 spiffy Harlequin Ducks at The Nubble were, as usual, a wonderful treat – it’s tough to beat the gaudy plumage of the drake!

But, the best birding of the past few days has been within a stone’s throw of the store! On Saturday afternoon, I took Sasha for a quick walk from the store. As we finished our jaunt to Royal River Park, we were passing by the Town Hall when I heard – through the gusty winds – what I thought was the call of a Bohemian Waxwing. We checked it out – and there was not one, but 40 of this dapper northern visitor feeding on crabapples by the library. They were even joined by 20 Cedar Waxwings, allow for good studies and photography opportunities (flocks of these two species do not commonly mix). I ran back to the store, grabbed my scope and camera, and took a few shots. Unfortunately, a car door slammed just as I got the perfect lighting on the feeding Bohemians.

This Cedar Waxwing cooperated nicely . . .

. . . but the Bohemians were more of a challenge as they roosted much higher.

Between feeding bouts, the waxwings would all roost in a few tall trees next to the Town Hall – making them visible via a spotting scope right from the store’s window! The waxwings – now diminishing in number – have been visible on and off from the window for the past three days, and many visitors to the store - both birders and non – have been able to enjoy this elegant bird – one of my absolute favorite species.

And, since today is in fact the first day of spring, our Field Sparrow has officially overwintered successfully at the feeders here at the store.