What’s that I see? A forecast of southerly winds beginning tomorrow? If that hold true, Wednesday morning could be a good morning to hit the woods looking for early migrants – and that would only get better if the forecast holds true and those southerly winds continue through Friday. Keep an eye on that forecast - spring birds (and temperatures) are on the way!

But, few migrants were around this morning as that stiff northerly wind continued. I spent the morning down at Biddeford Pool, and while birding was less than impressive, the surf certainly was most impressive! Seven Great Cormorants loafing on an offshore rock off of East Point Sanctuary were in showy breeding plumage. I tallied 42 Brant in various spots, and there were quite a few Common Loons around.

Great Pond held a drake Redhead – an excellent bird in Maine, but a species that has been unusually frequent in the state this spring (and last fall). This individual was likely the same bird that has been in ponds at nearby Fortunes Rocks for a couple of weeks. Nevertheless, it was a great bird to see. Another highlight from the edges of the ponds were Painted Turtles – my first reptiles of spring!

The aforementioned ponds at Fortunes Rocks, although no longer containing the Redhead, did host a pair of Blue-winged Teal – the drake is such a sharp bird, and a female Gadwall among the usual cast of characters.

A brief visit to Saco's Laurel Hill Cemetery produced my first Double-crested Cormorant of spring.

Later in the afternoon, while at the store, a sugar craving (it’s Peeps season!) led me to step outside for a brief walk to Rite-Aid. I looked up, as I always do when I first step outside, and I happened to spot a Red-shouldered Hawk passing overhead – the 107th bird on our store’s “Yard List!” It was also the last of the regularly-occurring raptor species to be added to the list. How serendipitous!