On Saturday, I joined the Jordanelle Reservoir field trip. Our first stop was the Heber City farmlands, for grassland birds such as Bobolink (very local in Utah) Savannah Sparrow, and great looks at displaying Wilson’s Snipe. We then birded the reservoir’s spillway, which yielded the expected riparian birds, and produced a Yellow-breasted Chat. A real highlight was a Sandhill Crane with a colt (probably less than a week old) foraging in some short grass of a dike – it’s rare to see colts this young, as they are usually hidden in tall grass, so this was a real treat.

Our local guide, Colby – who was also the one who took us to the Flammulated Owls the other night – had a few unexpected tricks up his sleeve, including a stop at a new subdivision, that produced a few good birds, including an exceptional view of a Virginia’s Warbler – a life bird for some (including me!), and a “life-look” for most everyone else. This rather shy warbler – looking like a bleached version of a Nashville Warbler – is usually not nearly this cooperative. Of course, this stop was rather bittersweet, as the habitat – such as the rock pile inhabited by a Rock Wren – will not be here much longer (which apparently, is par for the course in the rapidly expanding Park City area).

When we finally reached the reservoir itself, we were treated to great studies of both Western and Clark’s Grebe – and a possible hybrid thereof, along with a very unseasonable Common Loon (a real rarity in the summer in these parts). A highlight here for many was the show put on by foraging Common Nighthawks overhead. Surely busy foraging to feed hungry nestlings, the birds were out and about despite the afternoon heat and sun. A few would land on occasion, providing excellent scope views. One last stop on our way back to Snowbird did produce a good look at Dusky Flycatcher, among others, but a brilliant wildflower show was a real treat.

Early Sunday morning, I begrudgingly hopped into the shuttle to the airport, to begin the trek home. I left Utah with a real appreciation for the diversity of habitats and birdlife that it holds. Four life birds, out of 116 species total for me, weren’t bad, and as always, the chance to catch up and hang out with friends, both new and old, adds to the excitement. And hopefully, I convinced a few folks that they must visit St. Paul Island!

So, my plan was to arrive at work early on Monday, and immediately begin getting caught up, including sorting photos and posting a photojournal for the trip. Instead, I am sitting here typing away on the tarmac at Chicago O’Hare Airport, continuing my travel day from hell.

I spent another day here in Little Cottonwood Canyon, taking the tram up another 2900’ (in 8 minutes; much more efficient than hiking it!) to 11,000ft. There’s not much at this height, other than Violet-green Swallows nesting in the rafters of the tram building, and some “Audubon’s” Yellow-rumped Warblers bouncing around. But, as I slowly trudged through soft snow down the hill back to Snowbird, I picked up a few more species here and there, including gorgeous Mountain Bluebirds and at least one calling Black Rosy-Finch.

The bigger adventure was in the evening, when a group of us set out owling, with Flammulated Owl being the primary target. We tried a little “fishing” here in Little Cottonwood Canyon, but then our local expert, Colby, took us to nearby Mill Creek Canyon. There, we hiked about ¾ of a mile in the dark (flashlights were of some help) to some prime habitat.

To make a long story short – and due to serious exhaustion at the moment, a short version will have to suffice – we called a “Flam” in to within about 30-40 feet, providing unbelievably crippling views of what is quite likely the hardest owl to SEE in North America. In the flashlight beams, we could even see its distinctive purple eye-shine. A few members of our group of 8, who had experience with this species before, were downright flabbergasted by our views. Plus, at least 3, likely four other “Flams” were heard. Really, this was a remarkable experience. This was not only my “lifer” Flammulated Owl, but it was also likely the best look that I will ever get in my life! Now, that’s how all Life Birds should be!

Although my life and “ABA area” lists are of very little consequence to me - I rarely even know that number any given species will be - this one was a little more special, as it marked my 600th species in the ABA area (the continental US and Canada). Lists are unimportant to me – well except my local patch lists, as you all know! – but milestones, such as #600 are pretty neat!

Anyway, after a mere 2 hours of sleep, Robert and I played hooky from the convention today, and escaped for a half-day of birding and good conversation. We began with Black Swifts (another lifer!) tooling around with a number of White-throated Swifts near their only nesting location in the state. Black Swifts are wicked cool birds, who nest only in caves behind cliff-face waterfalls – it doesn’t get more specific of a niche than that! An American Dipper fledgling being fed by its parents, however, did indeed steal the show.

I have been enjoying my first few days here at Snowbird in Utah – even if I have not had a life bird yet! The scenery is absolutely breathtaking – literally, the air is thin up here at 7,800ft!, and the local birding has been a lot of fun for an Easterner like me.

I arrived Sunday afternoon (6/22), and in the evening, J.B, and I took a walk around the grounds of the Snowbird ski resort, our host for the 2008 American Birding Association Annual Convention. Our short stroll was a good way to sample some of the common birds of the area, many of which – such as Violet-green Swallow, Western Tanager, and MacGillavray’s Warbler – I have not seen in a few years.

Monday morning, I began my day walking up the road from the resort, through the village of Alta. A short while later, Steve, Mike, and Michael joined me, and the four of us continued up hill, following a closed-off dirt road. A Pink-sided x Gray-headed Junco hybrid may have been our “best” bird, but I was more impressed with fun stuff like Lazuli Buntings and Mountain Chickadees. Five Clark’s Nutcrackers flew overhead; always a treat.

On Tuesday, I was not taking part in any field trips, so I spent the first half of the day hiking. I walked about 1 to 1.5 miles downhill this time, and then took the White Pine Trail, climbing a couple of thousand feet in about 3 – 3.5 miles. It was a beautiful, and quite birdy walk, and the trail was fairly gentle. I had hoped to make it to a lake 4.1 miles from the trailhead, but I got tired of post-holing in the snow! There’s still quite a bit of snow in the high elevations here this year, and I was having flashbacks to marching up my driveway all winter, so I decided to turn back. Besides, I thought it would be best to have some energy remaining when the trade show opened – considering that’s the reason I am here, afterall.

Although my hike did not turn up a Dusky Grouse, as I had hoped, I did get ample opportunity to study more Western species that I have limited experience with, and seeing a pair of Golden Eagles soaring low overhead, slowly gaining altitude in the warming morning air, effortless gliding over and past a snow-capped peak more than made up for the lack of any life-birds!

So, in the past three days, exploring this canyon, I have gotten a good feel for the birds of the area. Pine Siskins and Warbling Vireos are amazingly abundant, but all of us – including those with significant Western experience – are most impressed by the quantity of MacGillavray’s Warblers. I never thought I would tire of seeing ANY member of the genus Oporornis! For me, a highlight so far has been the “Slate-colored” Fox Sparrows, a subspecies that I have not seen before this trip, but have been enjoying the last few days.

Today is a full-day manning the booth for St. Paul Island Tours, so my birding will be limited to the windows until this evening. But, I’ll probably take part in a field trip tomorrow to get a bit farther afield and see some new birds and new habitats.

I enjoyed a very pleasant – and dry! – morning in and around Biddeford Pool on Friday. Birding was quite good, beginning with a Fish Crow calling over the Starbuck’s in Saco. At Hill’s Beach, a Red Knot and 7 Black-bellied Plovers were lingering, with a few more Black-bellied Plovers in the Pool as well. Three Surf and one White-winged Scoter, along with a single immature Great Cormorant, were lingering off Biddeford Pool Beach. Quite a few Northern Gannets were offshore from various locations, and I spotted my first three Wilson’s Storm-Petrels of the season (finally – but this is only due to my lack of seawatching effort in the past month) off of Ocean Avenue.

Meanwhile, it was good to see a number of terns feeding on baitfish nearshore. At least one or two Roseate Terns joined each of the three feeding flocks of Commons that I encountered at Hill’s Beach, the Pool, and the beach. I particularly enjoyed the feeding frenzy in the Pool - as observed from behind Hattie’s – as 13 Snowy Egrets were performing their spastic feeding routine, while two Roseate and about 20 Common Terns were diving after baitfish a mere 50 feet from me.

My last stop of the morning was Biddeford’s Rotary Park, where I encountered two singing Blue-winged Warblers. One male in particular provided an enjoyable prolonged study for me, as it went about its business of foraging and singing. This little park is certainly the most – if not the only – reliable location for this species in the state. Two Indigo Buntings were also proclaiming their territory here today.

And, I topped off the morning’s outing with two “Jersey Joe” sandwiches to go (one as I bribe for Jeannette for letting me play all morning, of course) from the Saco Island Deli – the BEST sandwich in Maine, in my opinion, although Jeannette – being a loyal Colby grad after all! – does give the nod (in a close race) to Big G’s in Waterville.

“But, wait,” you might be asking, “weren’t you supposed to be in the mountains today?” Uh, yeah. I was.

I found myself in Scarborough Marsh early Tuesday morning, once again. And once again, I was with a client in search of Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows. Maxine, who was visiting us all the way from Sacramento, California, was making her first trip to the northeast, so we had a number of species to find.

We began on the Eastern Road Trail, which is always productive for both sharp-tailed, but also because we were after a Seaside Sparrow that Ed found here about a week ago. In addition to many long, scope views of both species of sharp-tailed sparrows, we found the Seaside – and heard and saw it very well from the road. Tough to beat this start to the day!

We had 10 target birds today, and our first stop produced three of them. Swamp Sparrow soon followed. After a short stop at Pine Point to check on the activity (2 lingering Black-bellied Plovers and terns – Common and two Roseate – were finally active in the channel) and to use the bathrooms, we headed north to Freeport. Much like my clients last week, we got our marsh birds, and then moved inland to utilize my local patches to pick up the other target species.

Canada Warbler, Chimney Swift, Scarlet Tanager, Alder Flycatcher, and Prairie Warbler - got ‘em all! Plus, a Great Horned Owl perched in the open, being mobbed by crows, at Florida Lake Park provided an extra bonus! Unfortunately, I failed on my attempt at going 10 for 10, when we were unable to locate the Orchard Orioles at Capisic Pond Park.

Meanwhile, on a dark and drippy morning of dense fog, my usual Wednesday morning walk at Hedgehog Mountain Park was fairly quiet, but I did enjoy seeing fledgling Brown Creepers and a raucous family group of Common Ravens.

So, our unsettled weather continues, with weak disturbances continuing to rotate around the stubborn upper-level low. The next couple of days could be interesting – unsettled weather and a chance of strong thunderstorms each afternoon could make my next mission a bit more challenging. I’ll be taking a client up to the mountains to camp overnight for Bicknell’s Thrush. Rain (especially thunderstorms!) can make camping, let alone bird-finding, a bit challenging, so here’s to hoping for a break in the weathah!

Our Saturday morning birdwalk group enjoyed a glorious morning, and very active birding at Portland’s Dragon Field. One of our goals was Indigo Bunting, and while we did indeed see one female, and hear one male, the star of the day – at least for me! – was a Black-crowned Night-Heron that flew out of the marsh in the quarry, providing me with my 153rd species for this Patch. (see www.yarmouthbirds.com/bird_news.asp for a complete rundown, as always).

The weather was not-so-glorious on Sunday morning, unfortunately, as I set out for the Libby Hill Forest in Gray to lead a fundraiser birdwalk. While we did raise a few dollars today (enough to protect about 2,000 square feet of the 29 acre parcel that the group needs to purchase in order to guarantee access to the trail system and the rest of the properties 6 miles of trails), the outing was also to raise awareness of the property, and the birds that inhabit it.

We’ve needed the rain, and I am especially grateful to see all of that pollen that has been kicking my butt for the last few days being washed away. However, I really would have liked the rain to hold off for just a few more hours. It began raining between 6 and 6:30, and by 7:00 (the walk’s start time), light rain was falling fairly steadily. However, it remained light – and birdable – for about two hours, when the skies really opened up. I was having flashbacks to last week’s hike in the rainforest of Guatemala and our guide’s proclamation of “long-time rain.” Oh, and for the record, it ended at about 10:30. The walk ended just before 10. Timing is everything, isn’t it!?

Nevertheless, our outing – considering the conditions – was fairly productive, producing 30 species of birds. A Luna Moth on a light at the school kicked off (and ended) the outing, and a Prairie Warbler in the woods was an unexpected highlight.

Back in April, I once again contemplated what my next “patch” would be.

During the spring, I continued to check each of these local parks regularly, trying to decide which of them would become my second local patch (in addition to Hedgehog Mountain Park).

1) Winslow Park, Freeport:
- no additions, list stands at 110. Limited habitat for migrants precludes spring birding success.

2) Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal:
- of course I was here regularly through the end of the hawkwatch, and I picked up a couple of new additions as they migrated by the summit.
#108: Bobolink, 5/6.
#109: Indigo Bunting, 5/15.

3) Bayview Preserve, Yarmouth:
- no additions, list stands at 129.

4) Florida Lake Park, Freeport:
- it was a great season at Florida Lake, with a lot of very good birding, and a few nice additions to the patch list.
#124: Cape May Warbler, 5/5
#125: Solitary Sandpiper, 5/14
#126: Wood Thrush, 5/21.

Last week, I spoke of the joys of birding in early June. One of the things that I mentioned were rarities. Well, in the past week, Maine has had some stellar discoveries: a Loggerhead Shrike, a Glossy x White-faced Ibis hybrid, the return of our Red-billed Tropicbird, and Acadian Flycatcher, and something few of us had expected to be adding to the state’s list anytime soon – a Kirtland’s Warbler! (Photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trevorpersons/) Now that I am back in town, and (mostly) caught up on work, I need to get out there and find some of this festive stuff!

Meanwhile, since I have been busy catching up on work (and on Sunday, sleep), my birding has been a bit limited. However, on Monday, I spent the first couple of hours of the day conducting an extremely informal breeding bird survey of Hedgehog Mountain Park. By slowly walking the same route that I walked last year at about the same time, I tallied singing males of most of the migratory species. Resident species, like Black-capped Chickadees, are busy nesting already, so there’s not many singing. If this was a true breeding bird survey, it would be conducted repeatedly over a longer period of time to tally everything that’s around. Even early June is too late to tally migrants like Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Hermit Thrushes, all of which have become much more quiet now – and all of which are more common than indicated by the tallies below.

I made this same loop last year, and here I report my findings from both last year and this year.

Species: 6/6/07/ 6/9/08
Blackburnian Warbler: 1/1.
Black-and-white Warbler: 4/6.
Black-throated Blue Warbler: 2/5
Black-throated Green Warbler: 6/12
Blue-headed Vireo: 3/1
Canada Warbler: 1/1
Chestnut-sided Warbler: 2/2
Chipping Sparrow: 3/ 0 (but they were present today, however, none were singing)
Common Yellowthroat: 0/2
Eastern Bluebird: 1 pair nest building/1 pair with occupied nest box.
Eastern Kingbird: 1/0
Eastern Phoebe: 1/1
Eastern Towhee: 1/1
Eastern Wood-Pewee: 4/5
Field Sparrow: 1/1.
Great-crested Flycatcher: 0/1
Hermit Thrush: 3/2
House Wren: 1
Nashville Warbler: 2/4
Northern Parula: 1/2
Ovenbird: 19/26
Pine Warbler: 1/2
Purple Finch: 0/1
Red-eyed Vireo: 11/19
Red-winged Blackbird: 0/2
Scarlet Tanager: 1/4
Veery: 3/7
Winter Wren: 0 (but present last year)/2
White-throated Sparrow: 1/1
Wood Thrush: 2/4
Yellow-rumped Warbler: 2/1

I returned late Saturday night (once again, sans luggage by the way!) from a fantastic – albeit far too short – journey to Guatemala. I was extremely fortunate to be one of twenty people invited by Nikon to celebrate the unveiling of the brand-new Nikon EDG binoculars. It was an extreme honor to be included in this select group, and I am very grateful for the opportunity. I must also admit, it was also a bit intimidating to be included with some the “big names” in the business and in birding, and I must admit to some insecurity about considering myself equally as worthy of inclusion as most of the folks in this group.

Obviously, it goes without saying that this was a special event. Unfortunately, optics manufacturers don’t go around flying people to the rainforest every time they role out another new product (but, if anyone else want to send me places, you know where to find me!). But, the EDG is Nikon’s first product developed by, and for, birders, and the unveiling of this creation called for a celebration.

The plane touched down shortly after noon local time, and Great-tailed Grackles foraging in the short grass between runways greeted me. Cynthia (the owner of the Wild Bird Center of Chapel Hill, NC) and I ended our “shop-talk” that lasted the better part of the flight between Charlotte and Guatemala City as we rolled up to the gate. The deal was that we could spend the flight discussing (read: complain) about our business, but once we landed we could not discuss, complain, and/or gossip about “work.” Half way through the flight, we realized Pete and Linda were right in front of us, so at least we talked to someone about something other than grain futures for some of the trip!

Upon landing in Guatemala City, our group, arriving from various corners of the US began to coalesce as friends embraced and new acquaintances were made. We boarded a bus and were taken to a local market, where we were able to pick up some beverages, treats, and souvenirs. I promptly stocked up on some homemade candies to fuel me in the coming days. And, a Rufous-collared Sparrow in the market’s gardens was my first of dozens of life birds to come.

The bus took us from the city to the IRTRA hotel and resort complex in Retalhuleu, which was to be our base camp for the next few days. There was plenty of traffic, and lots of unidentified birds zipping by. Although I only confidently identified 5 species by the time darkness fell, two of those (the aforementioned sparrow and Roadside Hawk) were life birds. But, this bus ride was really dedicated to great conversation with old and new friends.

From the IRTRA hotel, we set out on a different destination each day. 4:00 am wake-up calls were followed by 4:30 coffee (I was hoping for a caffeine IV drip while on the bus, but I had to do take in my “liquid brain” the old fashioned way) and a 5:00 departure. Boarding very comfortable mini-buses, we headed out for a finca (plantation) and a home-cooked breakfast upon our arrival.

Day one took us to the Patrocinio Private Reserve. In the subtropical humid forest biome, this reserve featured primary forest, shade coffee plantations, and orchards of various fruits and Macadamia nuts. We began the day – as we would for each of the next three days – birding around the farm buildings, as breakfasts were prepared. And, you’re simply not going to get any fresher coffee than we had on this trip! This locale was not very birdy today by Neotropical standards, but our visit here was designed as an introduction to the Guatemalan avifauna, which was especially welcome by a Neotropical neophyte such as myself. Stunning Violet Sabrewings and somewhat comical, yet still stately Laughing Falcons were two of the highlights.

The roads into the fincas were quite adventurous themselves, at times.

Checking the flow on Rubber Trees.

Finca Patrocinio

Birding from the porch before breakfast.

Coffee, aka "Liquid Brain"

Macadamia Nuts are a bit difficult to eat in the field, we learn.

Laughing Falcon.

Bill does his best Mary Poppins imitation.

Diane and Mike cross the bridge. Can't say I was a huge fan of this particular crossing.

The Canopy Tower.

I'm glad I don't have to crack all of those!

"Tourist Police" followed our buses as we traveled between fincas. I was under the impression that this was as much - or even more - a show of support, as it was a need for our safety.

I believe that the first week or two of June is one of the most under appreciated times of the birding year. At least up here in Maine, passerine migration is still underway. Meanwhile, the passage of the high-arctic breeding shorebirds is only now peaking. And finally, our excellent diversity of breeding birds are now on territory and busy doing the things that they need to be doing. Oh yeah, it’s a good time for rarities too!

Meanwhile, as the month goes on, and passerine migration does in fact come to a virtual end, shorebird migration continues. By the time the last stragglers are still moseying north, the first southbound birds will be on the move. Yup, by the last week of June, we can see our first migrant of “fall!” However, since we usually have a few oversummering individuals of varying species lingering in places like Sprawlborough Marsh, we’re not always sure which way – if any way – some birds are (or are not) going! ‘Tis the season for breeding bird surveys – both formal and non, or just checking local patches and new locations to see what is residing there.

But, in the first few days of June, it is passerine migration that is still on my mind. The radar images from Saturday night into Sunday morning showed us that plenty of birds are still migrating. Here are the 10:00pm, 1:00am, and 4:00am radar images:

On Sunday, I began my day at Evergreen Cemetery. It was truly a fantastic morning:
1) 13 species of warblers:
1 Mourning (first of year)
4 Blackpoll
1 Canada
American Redstart, Ovenbird, Pine, Yellow, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided, Common Yellowthroat, Black-and-white, and Northern Parula.

2) 6 species of flycatchers:
1 Olive-sided (first of year)
1-2 Yellow-bellied
Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great-crested, Alder, and Least

3) Other highlights included a Common Nighthawk, a Fish Crow, and my first Swainson’s Thrush (finally!!) of the season.

4) Other birders: 2 (compare that to the 40+ often seen 1 ½ to 2 weeks ago). Ya’all don’t know what you’re missing by not being out in the field in early June!