Cape Elizabeth birding report

In the last two weeks of October southbound migrants are becoming more scarce, however they can still be observed. The threadlike high-pitched call notes of the Golden-crowned Kinglet rings through Robinson Woods and the chatter of Tufted Titmice and White-breasted Nuthatches busying themselves for the coming winter months is hard to ignore.

I am always grateful for the late season travelers, one in particular is the Orange-crowned Warbler which I came across on the morning drizzly morning of Oct. 28 as I was pulling out of my driveway.

Plainly colored in grayish olive-green, this tiny fellow has a tawny- orange patch on top its head that is largely veiled from prying eyes, except for a short period during breeding season. Interestingly, sighting this bird would be considered somewhat rare in Cape Elizabeth during any other time of year than late fall. Its normal spring northbound migration route is by way of the Mississippi valley region and the bird consequently avoids the more easterly flyway path. This little songbird does breed in eastern Maine.

As confusing as warblers can be in the fall, a warbler seen in November or later in our neck of the woods, and that is not immediately recognized (e.g. Yellow-rumped Warbler), stands a very good chance of being an Orange-crowned. Another way to assist with identification is to keep in mind that this warbler seldom is found anywhere but the lower sections of bushes and small trees.

On Oct. 26 a Pileated female, Red-bellied, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers of both sexes visited our suet cages. Although I technically just missed having a five woodpecker day, the following morning I happened upon a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker along the forest fringes of our property. Close enough.

Other noteworthy mentionings: on Oct. 20 there was a large gathering of lingering Tree Swallows along Crescent Beach State Park. On this same day echelons of Double breasted Cormorants (one flock I roughly counted nearly 200 birds) flew overhead.

Additionally, four Greater Yellowlegs were spotted in the marsh off Sawyer Road in the Rachel Carson Preserve. Last but not least, my mother-in-law reported Great Horned Owls duetting in the early morning hours off Two Lights Road.

In other birding news, The American Birding Association has recently overhauled its ABA Code of Birding Ethics. After nearly 50 years between updates, the ABA released a working draft, version 2.0 to reflect the ever-evolving world of birding while continuing to promote the welfare of birds and their environments.