I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!

A damp and dreary Thanksgiving morning dog-walk at Old Townhouse Park in North Yarmouth was brightened by 5 Pine Grosbeaks (2 males and 3 females) feasting on some Highbush Cranberry, plus a late Wood Duck. Meanwhile, since we hosted turkey day, and therefore were spending a rare full-day at home, I decided to keep a feeder list:

Wild Turkey (most appropriate): 21
Mourning Dove: 4
Downy Woodpecker: 2+
Hairy Woodpecker: 2
Blue Jay: 2 (odd; we’ve usually been seeing 10-12 every day)
American Crow: 2
Black-capped Chickadee: 8+
Tufted Titmouse: 6
Red-breasted Nuthatch: 2-4
White-breasted Nuthatch: 2
Brown Creeper: 1
American Goldfinch: 4

Meanwhile, after a week-long absence, 2 Dark-eyed Juncos were under the feeders this morning. I wonder if these were new arrivals on the northwesterly winds overnight?

Other than a quick swing through the crabapples at the L.L.Bean headquarters in Freeport on my way to work this morning (they were bird-less), I spent the morning relaxing and visiting with family instead of hitting the field.

So, as fall rolls into winter, we have begun our spring planning. One of the first orders of business is to hire our second Official Counter for the Bradbury Mountain Spring Hawkwatch. In case you, or someone you know, is interested, here’s the job description:

HAWKCOUNTER needed to conduct the second official, full-season raptor migration count at Bradbury Mountain State Park in south-central Maine from 15 Mar – 15 May. Applicants must be adept at identifying eastern hawks, falcons, and eagles at a distance. This site is popular with birding and non-birding visitors, so good communication skills are a must, along with an enthusiasm for repeatedly answering, “How do you know you’re not counting the same birds?” Expect some brutally cold, windy, and slow days early on, with busy days of Northern Goshawks (hopefully) and Broad-winged Hawks, among others, as the season progresses. A stipend of $1250/month will be provided, plus free housing. Counter must be able to provide own transportation for the 3-mile commute between the count site and housing. There is the potential to share the season with another counter. Please send cover letter, resume, and 3 reference contacts to Jeannette and Derek Lovitch at wildbirdcenter@yarmouthbirds.com, or Bradbury Mtn Raptor Research Project, Wild Bird Center, 500 Route One, Suite 9, Yarmouth, ME 04096. Open until filled.

Unfortunately, I end today’s entry with the story of the toll that the recent San Fransisco Bay oil spill is taking on the Bay’s birds. Apparently, Surf Scoters are being hit especially hard.