Cape Birding Report: mid-March 2018

Bird sightings for the last couple of weeks have not in particular pointed toward springtime. As for noteworthy birding observations from across Cape Elizabeth and slightly beyond, there was a Snowy Owl spotted within Two Lights State Park. If left undisturbed this Artic gem would prefer to sleep during the day - hunting (sea ducks) along the coastline and well out into the ocean, starting just past dusk.

Speaking of ducks, fair numbers of Black and White-winged Scoters, Long-tailed, aka “Oldsquaw’s”, Common Loons and Eiders can still be seen without too much effort off Crescent Beach and rocky bluffs along Fort Williams State Park. Northbound Canada Geese can be heard on many of these frigid mid-March nights. Eastern Bluebirds have begun to court from one end of Shore Road to the other - noticeably chatty this time of year. Turkey vultures have also arrived, spotted in pairs or individually along the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Preserve, Pond Cove and Delano Park.

Alas, this cold and snowy March has very likely slowed down any migration movements. However, heading into the last two weeks of the month Purple Finches seemed to have made a rather noteworthy return to our beloved Cape woodlands. When trying to determine whether the finch in question is a “Purple” or a “House” I have found it helpful to envision the female Purple finch as a miniature version of a female Rose-breasted grosbeak. The strong facial markings (white eyebrow in particular) of the female Purple finch is always a clear give away - and with closer inspection you might just find a raspberry red male nearby.