I firmly believe that there is NO such thing as a BAD day of birding. Any day of birding is better than just about anything else! However, there are certainly SLOW days of birding. Today was one of those days!

I began at Popham Beach State Park. The woods were dead quiet. The high tide and rough surf inundated the beach, right up to the dunes, and with little exposed sand, shorebirds and roosting gulls were absent. Furthermore, seaducks were virtually nonexistent offshore. At nearby Fort Baldwin, the woods were also very quiet (although I maintain that this location – specifically the woodland edge around the grassy bunkers atop the hill – will someday produce something very, very good. Not today though.

However, the mouth of the Kennebec River – as viewed from Fort Popham - was absolutely filthy with birds! About 75 Bonaparte’s Gulls gracefully bounded about, while multiple rafts of Common Eider floating in the river numbered at least 800, with around 100 White-winged Scoters mixed in. One Bald Eagle soared overhead – rare is the day that I don’t spot at least one eagle here! (Oh, and speaking of Bald Eagles, rumor has it one created quite a stir - and attracted quite a crowd as one fed on a seal carcass in Portland's Back Cove today; it even attracted the attention of the local news stations - I'll have to watch for it on tonight's broadcasts).

I then met Mike for a tour of Hermit Island. Mike has been telling me how good the birding has been there this fall, and he has produced a handful of very good birds here. Not today! It was as dead as a doornail, save for a few Black-capped Chickadees, Golden-crowned Kinglets, a couple of Dark-eyed Juncos, and 2 American Tree Sparrows. Oh well, maybe next time (and the habitat does look very, very good).

So, after a slow day like today, one may think that fall is over, and we should be switching gears to more winter-season birding (i.e. ducks, gulls, and other waterbirds). HOWEVER, there’s a very intriguing storm system approaching.

Some days’ outings are less about the birds you saw, but the birds you WILL see next time! Such was the case as Jeannette and I wandered around Sebago Lake yesterday. While the birding was quite slow, we further refined our route for surveying this large lake.

I think with good coverage, Sebago Lake could produce some great birds – visions of Long-billed Murrelet and Yellow-billed Loon danced through our heads as we set out yesterday. Our guess is that duck numbers were still quite low (and lower than about this time last year) due to the lack of ice to our north; ponds, lakes, and rivers are still wide open. It might be more productive to check here in a few weeks, when waterfowl are chased out of smaller bodies of water by building ice (unless, of course, it’s as mild as last year).

In addition to such “Mega Rarities” as the aforementioned Long-billed Murrelet and Yellow-billed Loon, other rarity fever visions included inland jaegers, Ancient Murrelet, storm-tossed phalaropes or other seabirds, or maybe an Eared Grebe or even a Large-billed Tern! Rarities aside, I wonder if the lake can get large flocks of scaup or other more common ducks. How about migrants scoters, terns, and odd gulls? If no one is looking, we’ll never know!

But, Jeannette and I now have a good route for covering the lake. Although public access is limited, boat launches, dead-end streets, etc can all be useful in providing views of the open water. Furthermore, future value was added by our trip to Portland from Sebago Lake via Rte 237, a “life” road for us. Intriguing, and worth a few marks on the map, was the small sod farm that we discovered – good to know for future reference, i.e. Buff-breasted Sandpipers next fall.

Here are the totals of Waterbirds from the day:
Common Goldeneye: 62
Canada Goose: 28
Mallard: 18
Ring-billed Gull: 15
Hooded Merganser: 11
Horned Grebe: 6
Common Merganser: 4
Common Loon: 4
Bufflehead: 2

This morning, in the fog and drizzle, I enjoyed a Northern Shrike, probably an immature bird, at Hedgehog Mountain Park – already my second here of the season. Hopefully, the good number of shrike sightings in Maine already this year foreshadow a good winter for this fascinating species in this area.

I decided to be greedy and go for another look at the Ash-throated Flycatcher this morning – hey, I earned it, right? But, due to the cloud cover, the sun was slow in getting up this morning, and as expected, the bird was slow in getting out of bed. By 8:20, the sun was just beginning to make it through the clouds, but I decided to take one for the team and be the sacrificial birder – it showed up, to everyone’s delight, 20 minutes after I left!

But, I couldn’t ask for any better views than yesterday, and it was getting a bit crowded there this morning! Plus, I wanted to hit a few Scarborough Marsh spots – that I was planning on getting to yesterday, before being distracted by the Ash-throat!

No flycatchers or anything else too rare, but it was a productive couple of hours. A male Ring-necked Pheasant was along Pine Point Rd – one of the few pheasants that I have seen in Maine away from Cape Elizabeth and Monhegan Island. I wonder if it was a “wild” bird, or just a so-far-lucky hunting-club release.

Pine Point Narrows was absolutely filthy with birds on the low tide this morning. Lots of Common Eiders, Red-breasted Mergansers, with very good numbers of Red-necked and Horned Grebes, and White-winged Scoters led the way. Smaller numbers of Common and Red-throated Loons, along with Long-tailed Ducks, Bufflehead, and Surf Scoters were also in the mix. About 20 Bonaparte’s Gulls flitted around, two Black Guillemots were in very close, and two Double-crested Cormorants (they’re mostly gone now) fished the straights as well. Meanwhile, out on the mudflats, 19 Dunlin were joined by two lingering Black-bellied Plovers.

After a few other stops in the marsh, I dropped by Grondin Pond (32 American Black Ducks, 22 Lesser Scaup, 12 American Coot – they’re really making a good showing this fall!, 11 Mallards, 11 Canada Geese, and 2 Ring-necked Ducks) and Prout’s Pond (26 Ruddy Ducks and 3 Common Mergansers), before heading into the store.

And, don’t forget, tomorrow night’s Merrymeeting Audubon program by Louis Bevier. Louis, now a Research Associate at Colby College and a trip leader for Field Guides gained further notoriety this past spring when he joined with David Sibley and others to write a critique of the evidence supporting the rediscovery of the Ivory-billed woodpecker, specifically the “Luneau video.” Detailed, scientific analysis shows there’s more than reasonable doubt that this is not a Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Louis’s presentation will focus on this, and other pertinent questions about this topic. We’re lucky to have such a great ornithological resource nearby to present this program, and I am very much looking forward to it. Join us on Tuesday (the 28th) at 7:00pm at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. (See you there!)

Last Sunday I was moping around the Eastern Promenade, devastated by Rutgers’ implosion at Cincinnati. Today, bolstered by Rutgers’ smashing of the ‘Cuse – and now at an amazing 10-1, with the Big East Championship and a Bowl bid one win away, by the way - I was enjoying a glorious morning at Biddeford Pool.

Birding was a bit slow, but with winter approaching, this is to be expected. However, lots of ducks, loons, and grebes were offshore, and the neighborhood produced a few surprises, led by a very late male Black-throated Blue Warbler. It’s always a good day, especially in November, when I see my favorite warbler! A lingering Hermit Thrush, a hardy Carolina Wren, a few tardy Black-bellied Plovers, and a couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers were also noteworthy finds.

The ponds at Fortunes Rocks Beach did not produce too much, except for more Bufflehead, and I struck out on the Curtis Cove King Eider that has been reported of late. However, a late Northern Flicker and two Belted Kingfishers were added to the daylist.

A few brief stops later, and I was heading in to work. One of my last stops for the morning was the Saco “Yacht Club.” Actually, the place I check is a brushy hillside under some powerlines, across Front Street from the Saco Yacht Club, and a public boat launch. Rich showed me this site a few months back, and suggested that I check it now and again. A warm, south-facing hillside, next to the Saco River, covered in fruit-bearing multiflora rose, some Oriental Bittersweet, and some apple trees – perfect for those rarity-season rarities.

But not today, I thought, as I was about to get back into the car. Then, I heard an unfamiliar sound. A soft, mellow “perp” or “pip” sound that I did not recognize. I brought me bins to my eyes and was shocked to see . . . an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

A long walk this morning was necessary to work off the gluttonous consumption from yesterday, that’s for sure! The woods aren’t too birdy these days, but the walk was fantastic, and Mike and I enjoyed the view and the plethora of Red-necked and Horned Grebes at the point.

Yesterday, on our way to Massachusetts, we stopped by Fort Foster for a little birding. Unfortunately, the cold rain just began to fall as we arrived, limiting the duration and productivity of our visit.

Feeder watching at the family’s place was quite productive though, highlighted by a partial albino Common Grackle – its head was nearly pure white, save for a random flecks of blackish. A very unique individual indeed!

In other news, I am always amused by the coverage of birds and birding by the mainstream media. One, it’s good to see that birding is becoming something mainstream media picks up on. On the other hand, there always seems to be a hint of sarcasm, or disbelief, or just, “what are these weirdoes doing?”

. . . Or so I repeated as Jeannette gave her “This is why I don’t chase birds,” quip as we left New Hampshire’s Odiorne State Park without a Fork-tailed Flycatcher yesterday. It seems we were a day too late – it was last seen Monday afternoon.

The morning vigil had grown to about 20 birders scattered throughout the park, checking every bush and cluster of fruit, but alas, it has departed. Oh, well. . .remember it’s the thrill of the CHASE.

Two adult male Peregrine Falcons – one with a full crop – were perched on rocks along the park’s shoreline – trying not to look guilty. We’ll never know . . .

Our next stop was Fort Foster in Kittery – always worth a stop. And, as usual, it produced a treat - a very bright Orange-crowned Warbler. More surprising, however, were two Clouded Sulfur butterflies, and one unidentified dragonfly – a testament to how warm it has been until recently. Great Cormorants and seaducks are really increasing now, reminding us of the true nature of the season.

The Fork-tailed Flycatcher is still in New Hampshire, torturing me! Come on, hang out for just one more day . . . I’m coming! . . . Add a nearby Cave Swallow at Rye Harbor State Park, and it seems that there’s an outbreak of Rarity Fever in New Hampshire!

Meanwhile, this morning I decided to find my own rarities instead, and visited Pemaquid Point. It was a lovely morning (at least while the sun was out!), and this is a very scenic area to bird. I haven’t been here for a little while, and desiring a change of scenery for the morning, a long peninsula jutting south seemed like the perfect destination for an outing during Rarity Season.

At Pemaquid Point, a number of Red-throated and Common Loons bobbed offshore, along with a smorgasbord of seaducks, and at least 8 Black Guillemots. The neighborhood, via the Loop Rd, however, was rather slow – a few Song Sparrows, and a handful of Dark-eyed Juncos joined the usual resident cast of characters. However, the brushy edges, thick tangles, and rich fruit supply (especially winterberry and Mountain Ash) made the place look ripe (pun intended) for a rarity!

A nice, high pile of warming wrack on Pemaquid Beach Park was producing a good crop of flies, but nothing was feasting on them this particular morning (the insect life on rotting wrack can be a great food source for wayward insectivores this time of year).

Colonial Pemaquid is such a picturesque spot, and although the bird life here today was limited, the visit was still very enjoyable. Two majestic Bald Eagles soared high overhead, while a migrating Gray Ghost (male Northern Harrier) gracefully winged by. A small feeding frenzy of Red-breasted Mergansers attracted the attention of a dozen Bonaparte’s Gulls.

Duck numbers have not yet built up in Salt Bay/Damariscotta Mills, however, but a quick check of some of the better vantage points produced Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, and numerous Bufflehead.

I must admit, I am feeling a bit shell-shocked after last night’s game. It wasn’t that we lost to Cincinnati, but it was how we lost. Forget the clichés like “trap game,” “let-down,” and “thinking about the next game.” No, none of these apply – this was nothing more than a good ol’ fashion ass-whoopin’. So much for National Championship dreams, but hey, Rutgers is 9-1 and that is nothing to feel down about.

Or so I told myself.

Nothing would provide a pick-me-up better than a great bird, so I headed out this morning. Since this was Jeannette’s day off, I only had a couple of hours. Since the Portland peninsula has been so productive for me so far this season, I began there, on the Eastern Promenade.

Winter is certainly settling in – it not only felt like it this morning (upper 30’s with a cold wind off the water), the brush was quieter, but the water was much busier with seaducks. A Surf Scoter and a White-winged Scoter west of the railroad bridge might just have been the first of these open water ducks that I have seen west of the bridge here. Building numbers of Bufflehead, Red-breasted Mergansers, and Long-tailed Ducks dove and frolicked throughout the bay.

Hey, guess what? It’s raining again! Well, at least we saw a few rays of sunshine yesterday!

Waking to dense fog, I scrapped plans to head to Biddeford Pool, and instead headed inland, up the Androscoggin River towards L-A. While the fog was in fact thinner here, it – contrary to weather forecasts and even “current conditions” – it was already raining. Oh well, no point in going back to bed now!

I began in the drizzle at the Auburn Riverwalk. I thought this sight might hold potential for a late-lingering flycatcher, or even a vagrant. The closest I cam however, was a European Starling doing a PERFECT Eastern Phoebe imitation.

The next stop was Riverside Cemetery in Lewiston. This is one of those locales that I have been meaning to get to for a while now, but I finally made my first stop today in the light rain and fog. There wasn’t much around today, not unexpectedly, but the place looks very good – a nice long, wooded perimeter and riparian edge should be great in migration. Add this to the “need to check in season” roster.

Other than a quick walk with the dog yesterday at Florida Lake Park after then rain subsided, Jeannette and I spent the rest of the day working on our Ark. Goodness, there’s been a lot of rain!

A ramble through Hedgehog Mountain Park this morning produced only a handful of Dark-eyed Juncos among the various resident birds. However, there are a lot of Golden-crowned Kinglets around right now – more than I can remember seeing last year, at least. Hopefully, they’ll stick around to provide sights and sounds to the Christmas Counts (which frighteningly are only a month away!!!)

So, the persistent onshore winds and abundant rainfall have certainly not been conducive to producing rarities, not to mention promoting birder activity to go out and find the rarities!

So far this late fall, the news has been the (relative) abundance of Yellow-breasted Chats. Although regular, there have been more in Portland alone then have been reported in the past few falls (Monhegan and Appledore Islands aside). Chats are a Southeastern species. Another Southeastern species that has been making a good showing are Carolina Wrens. Are these events related?

We have not had an unusual abundance of southerly winds, and we haven’t had a significant number of reports of other more southerly species – such as Yellow-billed Cuckoos – that would lead us to believe a southerly winds (which would either aid “wrong-way” migrants, or simply “blow” things northwards) were the only factor. If it was just the winds, why wouldn’t we have more (any?) Hooded Warblers for example.

I certainly don’t have an explanation. Global Warming perhaps (it's certainly aiding the expansion of Carolina Wrens and other Southeastern species, such as Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Tufted Titmice)?

Speaking of, here’s a news item today, which although it might be a touch alarmist, is something that we should all be thinking about – Global Warming’s effect on birds.

After our success with Operation Cave Swallow last year, Luke, Rich and I planned our “Operation Ash-throated Flycatcher.” Yesterday was the day, but as of Saturday night, there was considerable doubt as to the day’s weather. However, there was enough uncertainty in the forecasts that we decided to give it a shot.

With rain falling as we rendezvoused at Back Cove, we all began to rethink our plans – and sanity. The decision was made to head south, and just start birding. When the rain resumed, we’d pack it in. Suprisingly, we stayed dry until lunch (when the first downpour began while we were refueling on hot dogs from Flo’s.). Actually, we were dry – since we had been inside – until I had the bright idea of birding Beach Plum Farm in Ogunquit – during a break in the rain. Unfortunately, the next downpour began as we were at the far end of the field. So much for that idea, so we packed it in.

However, before the rain began to fall, we had a very productive outing. There wasn’t a lot of birds around, volume-wise, but the quality and diversity was quite good. For the most part, we focused on habitats that would be most interesting to a wayward Ash-throated Flycatcher. Brushy, scrubby edge habitat with lots of fruit – whether native like inkberry and winterberry, or invasives like Oriental Bittersweet and Amur Honeysuckle.

Fort Foster has a lot of this, so after a quick check of Legion’s Pond for the Mute Swans (and whatever else was among the Mallards and black ducks, which today was a spiffy drake Wood Duck) and Fort McClary, we went over Fort Foster with a fine-toothed comb. Two flocks of blackbirds, one mostly Common Grackles and the other mostly Red-winged Blackbirds passed over, and the resident Carolina Wren scolded from the shrubbery. Luke also spotted an American Bittern as it made a brief flight over the marsh. Spring Peepers were calling from the woods, a sound that I do not expect to be hearing in mid-November!

I must say it was a bit of a struggle to get going this morning. First, it was rather difficult falling asleep after the adrenaline rush of one of the greatest comebacks in college football history (ESPN’s words, not mine!). Then, it was rather difficult to tear myself off the couch – I considered spending the morning watching Sportscenter over and over again.

Frankly, I must admit that I had only a glimmer of hope of beating #3 Louisville last night, but that fact that we not only won, but so thoroughly dominated both sides of the ball after falling behind 25-7 was truly amazing. (If you missed it, you can watch it on ESPN Classic tonight, by the way). But folks, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is 9-0 – and has a real chance at a BCS Bowl Game. Wow! (By the way, the next person who bashes NJ on Colleen’s “From Away” blog is going to be hearing it from me – the Jersey pride is beaming today!)

And if it was December, I would likely still be at home, still watching Sportscenter over and over again. But, it’s rarity season, so with coffee in-hand, I struggled out the door. Sunny skies, and more unseasonably warm temps (by the way, the 69 degree high temp in Portland yesterday was a new record) added to the allure – especially during Rarity Season.

After my success on Sunday on the Portland Peninsula, I began there again today. The Eastern Promenade, was warm, sunny, and fairly active. Not as many birds overall today, but pockets of sparrows flitted through the brush. A Fox Sparrow, a few Hermit Thrushes, and a late Common Yellowthroat joined the more common sparrows, including a noticeable increase in American Tree Sparrows. A few Snow Buntings and Horned Larks were moving overhead, and a Merlin zipped by.

I ran into Leon, who mentioned, “I had a Great-crested Flycatcher in Scarborough yesterday.” “ARE YOU SURE?!” I blurted. See, many – if not most – Great-crested Flycatcher reports this late in the season in the Northeast turn out to be – if they are ever seen again – Ash-throated Flycatchers! (The species, which you may have noticed I have been mentioning now and again of late). Unfortunately, Leon’s description was perfect for a Great-crested. But, there’s always the chance, so I suggested, “Hey, let’s make a run down there and I’ll try and prove you wrong.” “Please do!” So we headed out.

I just hope the day finishes up as good as it started! Tonight, Rutgers plays Louisville in a Big East battle of the unbeatens – this one ain’t going to be easy for the Scarlet Knights. However, I’m decked out in Rutgers Scarlet today, and hopefully that will help. Not sure which win would be bigger – the Senate or tonight’s game!?

Maybe this Insight.com Bowl shirt from last year is good luck – I have worn it on every Saturday this season (don’t worry, it’s been washed plenty of time in between!)– and they haven’t lost yet! Plus, it seemed to produce some good luck while birding this morning!

I headed north to Sabattus Pond to enjoy the duckage there. After all, ducks don’t mind the rain. In fact, sometimes coastal storms can “ground” migrant ducks on inland water bodies. Whether or not that was the case, the quantity of ducks was truly extraordinary on Sabattus Pond this morning.

But first, a quick stop at the Lisbon Falls Fishing Park to check for Common Mergansers failed to produce Mergs, but I did stumble upon a Carolina Wren – my first of this expanding species in Androscoggin County. There have been more Carolinas around of late – so maybe another small incursion of this species is occurring this fall. Regardless, this one was in a new, non-coastal location.

By the time I arrived at my first stop, the drizzle had ended, and I even was treated to a few rays of sunshine. Sabattus Pond is by far the best place in the state for large numbers of the adorable Ruddy Duck – but the 656 that I tallied this morning was truly outstanding – and by far the most I have ever seen in one place at one time! The 275 Common Mergansers – mostly in one large, massive flotilla, was not too shabby either! 70 Mallards, 56 Common Goldeneyes, 65 mixed Scaup (one group a bit far too bother identifying every individual), 56 Lesser Scaup, 37 Greater Scaup, 9 Hooded Mergansers, 4 Common Loons, 2 American Coots, and 1 Red-breasted Merganser were also present today. But, wow, 656 Ruddies!

A quick look at the listserves of the Northeast shows that rarity season is off to a relatively slow start. A few Cave Swallows in Connecticut, a continuing Green-tailed Towhee in Massachusetts, and a great find in a Gray Flycatcher, also in Mass. However, aside from the rare-but-regular stuff, northern New England’s rarity season has been rather slow. In fact, so far this month, only one “one-asterisk” bird has been found in Maine (1-3 asterisks are the somewhat arbitrary designation that I use to denote rarities on our Southcoastal Maine Rare Bird Alert.) By this time date last year, 1 triple-asterisk, one double-asterisk, and two single-asterisk species were discovered.

So, what’s the difference? Well, we don’t really know. But, weather is likely playing a large role. If you peruse the archives of the Southcoastal Maine Rare Bird Alert on our website, you can check back for transcripts from the two previous years. Since you can also reread the week’s weather summary, you can see what factors may have influenced the occurrence (or lack there of) of various species.

“Strong west winds on Monday followed an overnight cold front and associated rain. Northwest winds increased on Tuesday, following a weak disturbance. Overnight lows dipped down into the 20’s throughout the area. Mixed precipitation turned to all rain overnight on Wednesday, as a strong cold front pushed through the area. Cloudy skies, and cool northwest winds followed for Thursday and Friday. This continued dynamic weather pattern has helped to produce exciting rarities again this week,” read the November 11, 2006 SCMRBA. This time last year, we had already seen a number of very strong cold fronts sweep through the area. This year, we have had mostly weaker cold fronts, with high pressure dominating - none of those massive fronts that stretched from Canada to the Gulf sweeping birds to the coast (and none on the horizon).

Yesterday, 16 of us crazy birders got together for the 3rd Annual Southcoastal Maine Rarity Roundup. I’ve organized this event, after stealing the idea from those in the Mid-Atlantic, as an excuse for a bunch of us to gather up, go birding, look for rarities, and then drink some beer.

We split up into teams, and each covered an assigned area between Kittery and Portland. The goal was to go over the coast with a fine-toothed comb in search of vagrants. But, we also tallied other species of note, such as lingering birds and “somewhat-rarities.” In all, we tallied 117 species, including a number of first “Rarity Roundup Records.” Although we did not have any “Mega” Rarities, we had some very good birds throughout the day. Plus, the weather was beautiful. The forecast was for clouds and temperatures in the low 40’s, but by mid-morning the clouds were gone and temperature rose to around 50.

A complete summary of the highlights of the day is available in the Special Edition of the Southcoastal Maine Rare Bird Alert, but some of the best birds included a Grasshopper Sparrow (found by a visiting Vermont birding group but luckily twitched by our Cape Elizabeth team – just to make it official!), 1 Long-billed Dowitcher, and 7 species of warblers including 3 Yellow-breasted Chats, a Nashville Warbler, and what MAY have been a Northern Parula

Dan and I began at dawn on the Eastern Promenade. After enjoying the duckage for a while, we headed onto the hillside where I promptly scored a “Patch Bird,” when we flushed an American Woodcock. This was my 154th Eastern Promenade bird, and quite a surprise. Another surprise was a little while later when Dan yells, “I’ve got another Patch Bird for you!” He had just discovered a Yellow-breasted Chat (not only was this a great Patch Bird for me, but it was a great LIFE bird for Dan!). And as if three Patch Birds wasn’t enough, we stumbled upon a pair of Carolina Wrens (an overdue addition to my list here), Eastern Promenade #156! (And counting!).

It started out as just a couple of hours of birding in South Portland, but it turned into a half-day of superb birding – but the last two hours were just an unproductive search for a Palm Warbler, but more on that later.

I began shortly after dawn at Bug Light Park. I thought this was a good sign of a great day to come: the first bird I saw turned out to be a late Blackpoll Warbler. The second, right next to it, was a late Pine Warbler. The third (plus) was a flock of 21 Snow Buntings. Wow, what a start. By the time I finished birding The Bug, I was up to 8 species of sparrows! (the Snow Buntings, plus Chipping (getting late), Savannah, Junco, American Tree, Swamp, Song, and White-throated).

Unfortunately, the Bug was where it was at this morning, as the next few stops weren’t too productive. Nothing of note at Spring Point Light, but I did pick up an immature White-crowned Sparrow at a feeder on the Southern Maine Community College campus – my ninth species of sparrow for the day. Fort Williams Park wasn’t too busy, except for a single Pine Siskin and a Carolina Wren near its usual spot there.

Nothing at Pond Cove, little at Joe’s Pond Park, and Mill Creek Cove and Park didn’t produce much, except for a single Yellow-rumped Warbler – suprisingly my only one of the day.

After such a great start with two good warblers, I thought I had a chance for a great November tally (5 would be nice), but I had bogged down now at 3. However, at Hinckley Park, I stumbled into an Orange-crowned Warbler (my third this fall in Maine, quite a few below my average). I had some great looks, and even managed a decent picture through the binoculars of it.

A female Bufflehead in the pond there looked a touch out of place.

I must admit that it’s tough for me to get motivated to get out of bed when it’s in the low 40’s and raining! Yuck. The only thing worse is the mid-30’s and raining. But, it’s Rarity Season, so there’s no time to sleep in! (I catch up briefly at the end of the month, just before Christmas Count season begins!) Sleep deprivation is, afterall, one of the prime symptoms of Rarity Fever!

But, face it, in weather like this, few people want to be out. Therefore, I sought refuge once again under the roof at the Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth for some seawatching. No real rarities, but a nice steady flight, and I really enjoyed the steady stream of near-shore Northern Gannets. A subadult Pomarine Jaeger was a treat, but it was a little too distant to be thoroughly enjoyed. No complaints from me about 5 close-up adult Black-legged Kittiwakes – my first of the fall here in Maine. (Complete totals below)

With the rain tapering to a drizzle as I began to head north, I quickly checked a few nooks and crannies in Cape Elizabeth and South Portland, but didn’t turn up much.

But, this is a great time to be out – and a great time to expect the unexpected! Although we’re nearing the peak of Rarity Season, there has been a bit of a paucity of vagrants around the North East. A perusal of some of the region’s listserves yielded the following: Green-tailed Towhee on Plum Island, Mass; Painted Bunting and Eurasian Collared-Dove on Cape Cod; Swainson’s Hawk and a Frigatebird in Cape May; an Eared Grebe in Rhode Island; and a Western Kingbird and Summer Tanager in New Brunswick.

I enjoyed a busy, but fun, weekend full of friends, family, and Rutgers Football. Unfortunately, birding was limited due to late nights and uncooperative weather! My attempts at keeping a “Tailgating List” prior to Sunday night’s game was thwarted by extremely strong winds. In four hours of daylight, the list only managed to accumulate 7 species (Ring-billed and Herring Gull, American Robin, European Starling, Mourning Dove, American Crow, and Canada Goose).

A few hours at the Montclair Hawkwatch on Monday were much more productive (about 40 raptors in 2 ¾ hours), but I was pretty much showing withdrawal symptoms by the time Jeannette and I arrived at Biddeford Pool yesterday to meet up with our friend Marshall for a ½ day of rarity searching. Luckily, a very productive morning has eased those withdrawal symptoms (then again, the symptoms may also be in response to the two pork roll, egg, and cheese on a bagel sandwiches that I consumed this weekend!).

Jeannette and I arrived at East Point Sanctuary and were excited to find a Short-eared Owl – a species that neither of us had seen in a while. It flushed from the short grass and circled overhead before flying out over to, and disappearing into, the grass of Wood Island. What a treat - I love that bird!

Marshall was in the neighborhood, sorting through scattered migrant groups, and he soon joined up with us at East Point before we all headed back into the neighborhood. Lots of Long-tailed Ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore, along with a plethora of Common Loons, Red-necked Grebes, and a few Horned Grebes. Oh yes, the seasons they are a’changin”