Yesterday, I was rambling about the “voice” (or perhaps, lack thereof) of birders. I think this is a very important topic, and one that needs to be talked about more. There is a significant disconnect between many birders and issues that concern birds and their well-being. I want to help bridge that disconnect!

On a personal level, we start bridging this disconnect by creating awareness. Then, we need to foster education. Then, comes action.

In those regards, let me do my part to assist in each of those categories. Hopefully, I create awareness regularly (any of my birdwalk participants can vouch for that, as they are often subjected to environmental “soap-boxing,” or, as my friend Brad calls it, “hippy propaganda.”) When I was asked to do this blog, for example, I realized that it was a tool to - first and foremost – share with you my love of birds and birding. Appreciation of birds will help lead to awareness.

When I was a young fledgling, if you will, I somehow developed an interest in birding (and I don’t know how!). I soon joined New Jersey Audubon. Through their organization - from their magazines to their great nature centers – I soon became aware of all sorts of issues concerning birds. I fully credit this organization with developing a conservation ethic within me. My disconnect between birding and bird conservation was therefore bridged at an early age. I feel lucky for that.

After awareness, comes education. Hopefully, I am sometimes getting that across here as well. Speaking of, I highly recommend the following link. In December, Kutztown University in Pennsylvania hosted a conference on the affects of wind power development on wildlife. While hardly “light reading” to cuddle up with on the couch along with a hot cup of tea and a warm blanket while watching the snow fall and listen to the fire crackle, I think it is definitely worth checking out. There’s some great information included here.

That’s one example of how we can become educated about an issue, one of which we are hearing quite a bit about here in Maine. Then, we need to take action. For one thing, have the contact information of your legislators handy. Call them, email them, write them. Let them know what you think. I like birds, I want to protect birds, and I vote! I also make sure companies – from small, locally owned businesses to corporate giants – know that I like birds, I want to protect birds, and I vote with my wallet! Along those lines, here’s the link to contact information for your legislators in Maine and Washington, D.C.
Maine House of Representatives and Maine Senate.
US House of Representatives
US Senate

Hey, it’s a start, right?

I feel like I am “e-babbling”, as I am just throwing together a bunch of random thoughts. Basically, I am thinking out loud via this keyboard. Is any of this gobbledygook making sense? Do let me know if it is or isn’t!

OK, that’s enough of the advocacy stuff for now. Back to birding!

This morning, I had a limited amount of time, so I decided to just make a few quick stops. First, I stopped at the row of crabapple trees in front of the Pine Tree Academy on Pownal Road in Freeport, that has been hosting Cedar Waxwings and American Robins for the last few days. 74 Cedar Waxwings and about 10 American Robins were present this morning.

Then, I drove up to Bowdoinham to check if there was any open water at, or near, the mouth of the Abagadasset River. There was not. Frozen solid. In fact, there were even a couple of ice fishing shacks out on the bay. No ducks yet! However, on my way north on 295, I finally spotted the adult Red-shouldered Hawk that has spent yet another winter along this stretch of road. Today, it was about ½ mile north of Exit 31 along the southbound lanes. I had seen it in winters past, but I missed it this year until now (not that I drive this stretch of road very often, though) – including when Mike spotted it, but I, sitting next to him, didn’t see it as we cruised by a week or two ago.

Next on the agenda was to check on the Freeport Barrow’s Goldeneyes. I’ve been talking and thinking about them enough in the past few days, so I thought I should get out and enjoy them for a spell! 3 drakes were displaying for one female, as viewed from the Town Landing. Another pair was off of Winslow Park (and the first four were visible in the distance from here as well), along with 27 continuing Dunlin.

And tomorrow, is (drumroll please), the first day of the first season of the Bradbury Mountain Raptor Research Project. Join our Official Counter, Lionel Quirnon, atop the hill from 9-5 tomorrow, and EVERY DAY through May 20th to observe and enjoy migrating birds of prey. (More on the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch on Wednesday).