Cape Elizabeth birding report for June 26 through July 15

This time of year, there are many stellar birds to be spotted and heard across Cape Elizabeth. The last week of June into the 4th of July yielded good numbers of Baltimore Orioles – both young and older –and many good looks at molting adults. Long distance neotropical migrants like Baltimore Orioles molt twice a year and the younger birds have already begun to migrate south to the tropics (arrival is still three or so months out from now).

The 4th of July was a rather oppressive day to be deep in the woods. Alas from the depths of Robinson Woods 2, I heard and saw encouraging numbers of Black-throated Green Warblers - Common Yellowthroats were entirely common too. Amidst the whining masses of mosquitoes, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the song of Pine warblers. I also spotted a Rose-breasted Grosbeak with what appeared to be a fledgling high above in the canopy. A second, separate female Grosbeak appeared on one of our hummingbird feeders around 7:45 a.m. on July 4. Great crested Flycatchers are still making their presence known as well.

A pair of Brown Thrashers were seen comingling along the fringes of the soccer fields bordering the Gull crest trails. Tangled masses of shrubbery make this area an excellent possible nesting place for Thrashers.

On July 8 a single Eastern Towhee was heard along the back of the Transfer site of the Gull Crest trails thick undergrowth. This was the first Towhee I have come across since May. Populations of this bird in the Northeast have declined seriously in recent decades. One thing that this secretive creature does not have going for it is that Towhee nests on or very near to the ground. The breezy ethereal song of the Veery can be still be heard from dawn to dusk.

Ruby throated Hummingbirds have been consistent and always a welcome site. An Eastern Phoebe has been waking me up every morning, starting around dawn.

Lastly – as we move into the latter part of July we should see shorebirds beginning to migrate. Black-bellied Plovers, Piping Plovers, Sandpipers, Lesser and Greater Yellow Legs have all been spotted.

Other mentionable include: Common and Least Terns patrolling the coastlines. A female Common Eider teaching a gaggle of chicks to dive for crustaceans, several Swamp Sparrow fledglings - Song Sparrow and Chickadee fledglings are out and about as well. Chimney swifts, Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows dart gracefully over our meadows and farmyards.