Local birding report

Over the last couple of weeks the shorter days and no shortage of yardwork have made it challenging to keep an eye and ear out for lingering migrants. A few observations from around town are worth mentioning though.

Through late October into the first two weeks of November there was a noticeable uptick of Golden-crowned Kinglets from the last four previous autumns. According to Christmas Bird Count (CBC) data every five or so years large numbers of these conspicuous fall migrants remain in the state. The Golden-crowned Kinglet is the smallest insectivorous bird wintering in Maine and weighs in at a fifth of an once. The other local kinglet species, the Ruby-crowned, tips the scales at one-quarter of an once. Fittingly, the golden crown patch atop this dainty birdlets head gives it its Latin name Satrapa, meaning ruler wearing a golden crown.

On October 30 a female Baltimore Oriole appeared in an old Crab apple tree above our suet. Although it is not totally uncommon to see stragglers so late in the season, it was nonetheless a treat to see this neotropical migrant perched beside a blue bird and a male cardinal for a few seconds before continuing along on her southbound journey.

On November 4 around dusk my son and I witnessed a Great-blue Heron circle over our house while uttering a persistent, barking squawk . These herons typically migrate both during the day and night, alone or in groups of three to twelve. On this same day I spotted six Surf Scoters off of Crescent Beach State Park and a solo Orange Crowned Warbler along Pond Cove.

As for new arrivals, on November 7 from Trundy Point’s undeveloped rocky headland I noted White-winged Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, a single Black Guillemot and a lone Razorbill. Additionally, on the starry night of November 15 along the stretch of route 77 that runs parallel to the Purpoodock Golf Course, I heard a single call from a Great-horned Owl.

On a bird related note, author Holly Merker and bird photographer Richard Crossley recently published a groundbreaking new book entitled, “Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul.” Forming a deeper understanding of birds through exploration and introspection, the author brings mindfulness together with observation in a way that teaches the reader to begin to understand more – not only about birds, but about ourselves.