Cape Elizabeth bird report: late winter 2018

No matter the season, Cape Elizabeth is a treasure trove for birders. February 2018 yielded reasonable numbers of Pelagic Alcids along the shorelines of Cape and Scarborough – Dovekies and Thick-billed Murres in particular. Harlequin Ducks (Two Lights and Fort Williams, Common Eiders, at least one King Eider (Dyer Point), Black and White-winged Scoters (Crescent Beach), Pintails (Ferry Beach), Red-breasted Mergansers, Red-necked Grebes, and numerous Common Loons.

Although this winter will not match the mega-irruption winter of 2013-2014, Snowy owls have been spotted with some frequency up and down our coastline, including Higgins Beach, Dyer Point and Two Lights State Park. Brown Creepers and Golden Crowned Kinglets could be seen and heard during most days this winter in Robinson Woods I & II.

Impressive numbers of non-migratory Eastern Bluebirds have made it through another winter. Overwintering Gray Catbirds were spied in Delano Park, Pond Cove, Kettle Cove and Prout’s Neck.

Noteworthy indeed is the local population of Carolina wrens, seen and heard in Pond Cove, along Julie Ann Lane, Gull Crest, Cranbrook and a duetting pair on Hannover Cove Road! Pileated, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers are all regular winter residents, as are the increasing number of Red-bellied woodpeckers choosing to not vacation south. Purple Finches and Red-breasted Nuthatches have been noticably absent when compared to this time last year.

As for raptors, a Merlin was seen perched atop the rocky bluffs along the Pond Cove shore line. Four boisterous adult Bald Eagles gave chase over Richmond Island and Crescent Beach in late February. Additionally, Sharp-shinned hawk sightings have been relatively frequent this winter.

Spring Migrants are beginning to show up. Song Sparrows and good numbers of male Red-winged Blackbirds arrived the last week in February - staking out their territories along the Scarborough Marsh and Gull Crest wetlands, as did Common Grackles - announcing their arrival with croak like whistles and iridescent bluish hoods. Very early arriving - February 22nd - American Woodcocks were displaying deep within the Gull Crest Marsh.