[Maine-birds] Northern Maine Birds: Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler continue, Hoary Redpoll

My long-staying Brown Thrasher reached another milestone here in Woodland and I thought an update was in order.  

As of the 20th, the bird had successfully overwintered (according to the calendar).   My backyard however, still has plenty of snow and I suspect the bird will have to endure more chilly nights before it gets to scratch in the leaves again.  Today the bird began its sixth month at this location, having been first spotted back on October 25th...154 days ago.  https://flic.kr/p/FGhB8r

Even more notable, the Yellow-rumped Warbler at Connie McLellan's house on Cross Lake also made it through the winter and was photographed again on the 18th.  I beleive this to be the first record of any warbler overwintering in northern Maine.

A few early spring migrants have ventured into the area, but last week's subzero cold temps and the recent snow and icing has slowed movement for the time being. To date Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Robin, Ring-billed Gulls,Canada Geese and Hooded Mergansers have been seen in central Aroostook County.  

A Song Sparrow appeared under my feeders on the 19th, tying my previous record for early arrival here set back in 2006.

The finch flight continues unabated and feeders across the county are still being visited by big flocks of Pine Siskins and American Goldfinches.  Numbers of Common Redpolls seem only to have increased recently in the northern and central areas.  Evening Grosbeaks are still hitting the feeders hard, north of Penobscot county, though Pine Grosbeaks may have thinned out a bit.  Although they may soon be relegated to subspecific status, Hoary Redpolls made one last "countable" showing last week.  Hoaries were photographed in Presque Isle and here in Woodland on the 19th. https://flic.kr/p/FtJVpx  

Interestingly, we do not seem to be sharing in the crossbill bounty being reported just to the south and west of us.  A single Red Crossbill was reported from Chapman early in the month.

At least one Snowy Owl is still being seen in the St. John Valley.  Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings are cleaning up the last of the fruit right now.

Good birding

Bill

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Bill Sheehan
Woodland, Aroostook Co., Maine
http://northernmainebirds.blogspot.com/

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