I’m not sure which was a more surprising juxtaposition, the Wood Thrush and American Tree Sparrows on Sunday, or a Painted Bunting and cross-country skiing yesterday!

Jeannette and I began the day in a kitchen in Waldoboro, awaiting the arrival of a female or young male Painted Bunting that has been frequenting a feeder. This “Mega” for Maine does occur every few years, but this is a first winter record. Arriving in November, and continuing through mid-January, the bird returned this past weekend. Since this was a state bird for me, and a North America bird for Jeannette, we just HAD to go!

With the unexpected snowfall (up to 8 inches fell, when only a few snow showers were originally predicted!), we made slow progress, being slowed by traffic and plows as we made our way east. On Monday, the bird visited at 7:45 am, and was not seen again. Our goal was to be there by 7:30, just in case, but as 7:45 passed we were just turning off of Route 1.

We arrived at 7:55, to the awful sound of “It just left.” Oh no! Luckily, with 15 minutes, the bird returned and sat on the feeder, posing for pictures. We stayed for an hour, enjoying the stunning neon lime-green (especially well set-off by the snow lighting the bird from below) bird. A real treat, and a major milestone for Jeannette: ABA # 550.

We headed south to Pemaquid Point, hoping our good luck in chasing of late would rub off and finally produce Jeannette’s lifer Dovekie, which really has become a major nemesis. No Dovekies today (choppy seas and brutal heat shimmer didn’t help), but there were plenty of Razorbills and Northern Gannets to keep us entertained.

After lunch at Morse’s Sauerkraut, we headed back home, grabbed the cross-country skies and finally got out on them for the first time this winter. Two Red-tailed Hawks frolicked about, while Sasha flushed a Ruffed Grouse, and we enjoyed the skiing through perfect light, fluffy powder under the setting sun, bringing to end a great winter day.