Finally heading north today, but not after one last walk in the neighborhood (although calling this massive, disgustingly sprawling condo complex a neighborhood is a stretch – what I should of said was I walked the edge of deer-ravaged strip of young trees and non-native scrub that borders the edge of the complex and the little stream that drains the retention pond). But whatever you call it, this morning, it hosted a fair amount of migrants – more of the same that I have been seeing down here – but definitely a significant increase in White-throated Sparrows. I also got good looks at two Wilson’s Snipe, and two Great Egrets passed overhead, beating languidly.

Yesterday, at Duke Island Park, an increase in Palm Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets was also evident. A single female Common Merganser continues to hang around there as well.

So, as I return to Maine, I will be very much looking forward to two upcoming events. On Tuesday the 18th, I will be leading an evening stroll at Pineland Farms to enjoy displaying American Woodcocks. We will also likely hear, and perhaps even see, Wilson’s Snipe and Barred Owls. Email me, or Sarah Hunt at shunt@pinelandfarms.org, for more info.

Then, a week later on Tuesday the 25th, Merrymeeting Audubon will be hosting its annual meeting. The meeting will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Church Meeting Room on McKeen Street in Brunswick at 6:00pm. Soups, bread, and salad from the Humble Gourmet will be served, as well as homemade treats for dessert. There will be a silent auction, with everything from books and gift certificates to guides and travel available (bids can also be submitted by email). Proceeds of the auction support the Merrymeeting Audubon Scholarship Program, which annually sends twenty or more children and young adults to learn more about the natural history of Maine at Tanglewood 4-H, the Maine Conservation School, and Maine Audubon's Hog Island.

And, to top things off, the Guest Speaker for the evening is Phillip Hoose the author of “The Race to Save the Lord God Bird” with a presentation on the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. This is a most timely presentation, and we will be looking forward to Phillip’s comments on the lastest developments from the swamps of Arkansas. Reservations are required for the annual meeting, see the Merrymeeting Website for more info.