The Greater Portland Christmas Bird Count took place on Sunday, December 15 under sunny but extremely windy conditions. The 49 participants in 13 teams found 99 species. By far the most unusual tally was 195 Tree Swallows --a species only recorded on one previous count in the last 40 years, and that was for a single bird. The birds were found by multiple teams all along the coast and in the marshes, and counters generally felt their totals were conservative, as these aerialists don't stay too still this time of year. Not sure exactly what they are feeding on. Very rough seas kept most waterfowl counts down, but among the 23 species seen were a Snow Goose, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, and Northern Pintail. Loons, however, were well represented with 21 Red-throateds and a record 346 Commons. Other high counts included 49 Sanderlings, 24 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 14 Carolina Wrens, and 18 American Pipits. Notable also were 3 Northern Saw-whet Owls, 3 Northern Shrikes, a Field Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, 3 Pine Warblers, and a Dickcissel.
Bill Hancock
Gray
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