You may be waiting for warblers, but spring migration is already ON here in Western Maine. Various blackbirds such as Red-winged Blackbirds, crackles, and cowbirds starting making their way into this part of Maine about two weeks ago. While it happens most years it does seem just a bit out of place to hear a Red-winged Blackbird singing above a frozen lake.
Ice-out may yet to have come but in open sections near inlets and outlets I’ve seen loads of Hooded Mergansers along with a few Canada Goose, Common Merganser, and Common Goldeneye. This American Kestrel was reported by Spence B. may not be too happy with the snowy forecast.
What to look for next?
Species like Eastern Phoebe, Northern Flickr, Winter Wren (misnamed, from our perspective) and other ducks like Wood Duck and Ring-necked Duck should appear any day. (Several of those are likely already here.)
And it is time to say goodbye to a few species as well. It was a poor winter for Pine Grosbeak, Redpoll, and Bohemian Waxwings so if you didn’t catch one yet you may need to cross your fingers for fall. American Tree Sparrows will soon vacate Western Maine on their way to the tundra. And Dark-eyed Juncos are a bit of an interesting one… for many people in southern and central Maine Juncos are a “snow bird” and seen more often during winter. However in the northern points of Western Maine and at higher elevations they are found more commonly during the summer!
Don’t wait until May to start birding spring migration, get out there today!
