As I stepped out of the car at Portland’s Dragon Field this morning, the sounds of spring filled the air – birdsong, and lots of it, rang through the trees. Tufted Titmice and Black-capped Chickadees and a Northern Cardinal. A Brown Creeper chimed in from deeper in the woods, and a Downy Woodpecker drummed in the distance. Birds must be taking advantage of this calm before the storm!

In addition to the expected residents vocalizing en masse this morning, a single American Tree Sparrow was in a weedy patch. The chorus continued at Capisic Pond Park, but despite a decent quantity of fruit available, no frugivores were to be found. The woods at Evergreen Cemetery were equally alive this morning.

The highlight, however, was in the pond – or what small patch of open water passes for as a pond on March 1 in Maine. The concentration of waterfowl was impressive this morning, and many were posing in perfect light.

Among the multitudes . . .

Dominated by Mallards . . .

With a handful of American Black Ducks and hybrids thereof mixed in . . .

Was this spiffy drake American Wigeon.

This fellow has been hanging out around Portland all winter, traveling with Mallards between the cemetery, Back Cove, and the Eastern Promenade.