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 LYSLE BRINKER of Cumberland, Maine, has been an avid naturalist and birder for more than 30 years. He has been a volunteer and trip leader for the Maine Audubon Society since 1990.
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Q: How did you get started in bird-watching?
A: My grandfather and father inspired me when I was very young. I really got interested in what birds are, how they differ and what kind of habitat they select, and to learn about where they come from and where they go.
Q: Where's a good place to get started in Maine?
A: For a beginner, a marsh is a good place to go. It's an open area and easy to see birds, as opposed to the skulking woodland species, although there are some skulkers in a marsh, too. Waterfront areas are good for the same reason - the birds are easier to see. At the beach you can see ocean ducks, gulls, terns and other water birds. Shorebirds are also good for beginners because there are usually lots of them, which is good for size comparisons, and they tend to be bigger.
Q: What are your favorite places in Maine to go birding?
A: I really enjoy watching shorebirds, and Scarborough Marsh is one of my favorite places. Monhegan Island during the spring and fall migrations is a great place to see songbirds. In southern Maine, Biddeford Pool and the Kennebunk plains are good places.
Q: What's your most treasured piece of gear?
A: Binoculars. [Lysle carries Swarovski 10x42 binoculars.]
Q: What should someone keep in mind when selecting binoculars:
A: The Maine Audubon Society holds an annual binocular clinic. That would be a great place to learn about them hands-on. Another good source for information is the American Birding Association.
Q: What's the best time of year to go birding in Maine?
A: For shorebirds, it's the fall migration from late July to early September when they head south from Canada or the Arctic Circle to South America. August is the peak period, although some start their migration in July. May and September are good times to look for woodland species because of the spring and fall migrations, and winter is a good time for owls and coastal species.
Q: How many species can you see in Maine?
A: In North America, there are 700-800 species, and of those more than 400 species have been recorded in Maine. In any one year there are at least 300 species that are here at some point, including migrants. But many don't occur every year, and it would be a challenge for any birder to see all 300. But for an average birder it wouldn't be too difficult to see 200 or more.
Q: What's the most unusual bird you have seen?
A: In Maine, probably a Willow Ptarmigan that was present for a few weeks on Great Chebeague island in the Spring of 2000. This bird is normally found in the Arctic, but strayed south for some reason only it knew.
Q: What bird have you been looking for in Maine that you haven't seen yet?
A: This summer there have been reports of a black skimmer. Although they're common in the south, they don't normally go north of Cape Cod. That's a bird that only occurs in Maine a few times in a decade. I'd love to see one in Maine.
Q: What's the most important gear you need to get started?
A: You've got to get a bird book, probably a general one that's for beginners. There are plenty of them, and it's usually good to have more than one. Get a book, a good pair of binoculars and go on walks.
Q: It's hard for many beginners to identify birds. What's a good way to learn how to do this?
A: Plumage is important, as well as the structure, habitat, behavior and song, but probably the best advice is to get out in the field, watch the birds, study the field guides and go on walks with more experienced birders.
— Interview by Zachary Gaulkin, MaineToday.com (August 2001)
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MaineToday.com photo by Zachary Gaulkin
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Lysle Brinker, a birder for more than 30 years, trains his telescope on a distant "pan" of water on the Scarborough Marsh in search of migratory shorebirds during an August, 2001, trip he led for the Maine Audubon Society. The marsh and other open areas, such as meadows or beaches, are good spots for the novice bird-watcher. The Sibley Guide to Birds, a field book for serious birders, is tucked under his belt.
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Don Tucker of North Berwick joins other early-morning bird-watchers at the Pine Point Narrows pier, a good spot for watching the fall migration of shorebirds from northern Canada to South America. August is the peak month for migrating shorebirds, which only spend a short time along the Maine coast as they fly south.
Places to go birding:
Maine has many nature preserves and other places to go bird-watching. Listings are arranged by region.
More resources:
The Maine Audubon Society's birdwatching guide and checklist page has information on bird-watching locations, trips, books and field guides.
Some recommended field guides:
A Birder's Guide to Maine, by Elizabeth C.Pierson, Jan E. Pierson and Peter VIckery, Down East Books, 1996.
The Sibley Guide to Birds, (Audubon Society Nature Guides) by David Sibley, Knopf, 2000.
Field Guide to the Birds of North America, (National Geographic Field Guide) by Jn Dunn, National Geographic Society, 3rd ed. 1999.
A Field Guide to the Birds, by Roger Tory Peterson, Houghton Mifflin, 4th ed. 1998
Bird Alert:
Maine Audubon Society staff naturalist Judy Walker compiles bird-sightings from around the state in a weekly bird alert.
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Lysle Brinker's Bird-watching Gear List
Binoculars
Field guides
Bug spray (if insects bother you)
Pack snacks or water for longer walks
Sunglasses
Hat
Dress appropriately for the weather and walking conditions
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