*****************************************
Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com
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Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com
****************************************
I really wasn't expecting them to keep coming back for suet, but for a week now there a family 4 Brown Thrashers coming out into the yard frequently and behaving comfortably around the feeder station. They've always been in our area but usually secretive in the way the species normally is. These ones sometimes don't care if I open the window 10 feet away from them. They are still a bit wary, but I'd put these ones below the Cardinals in terms of general flightiness. Brown Thrashers hop in an unusually fast and powerful way, something I never noticed about the species until seeing them so frequently.
Sean Smith
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Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com
****************************************
I was birding Basket Island causeway last evening and noticed a significantly diminished presence of birds which I initially attributed to the ebb and flow of such things and didn’t pay it much mind. Then I was puzzled by a sudden flush of the birds that were roosting on the main sandbar that lifted off for no apparent reason. I wasn’t close enough to even register to them, there were a couple dogs running but also distant, no BAEA coursing through. So I went about my walk and then heard the cause—the high-pitched whirr of a drone. These things automatically set me off regardless but when they’re in areas where birds are stressed by them, forget it. So I locked on to the drone in the bins and watched and watched and watched, a very tedious exercise, until it paid off by seeing it come in for a landing at a house fronting Hills Beach. So I went and paid a visit. There was a couple sitting on the deck. I asked them if they were flying the drone. It was their son. I requested they keep the drone away from the beach, that it stresses the birds and there are at least three nesting sites for rare birds currently that have recently hatched young. They asked if there was a height limitation above which they are allowed to fly it. I responded that any height is a disturbance and walked away. Knowing full well I don’t know the first thing about the legalities of drones in questionable places. Does anyone have any insight on this? Or know where I might get information. I would like to come to it with more than just my utter contempt for these things. Otherwise happy birding. Richard Garrigus -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/B4F9CB9D-2A12-4B8B-B105-A9D0CC6ACF30%40gmail.com.
Hi all… I’m going to be in Maine the first two weeks of July (near Waterville/Augusta, but willing to drive a bit) and would love to try for an American Goshawk. Any suggestions on where to go, other than the obvious default tactic of checking out recent eBird sightings? Thanks! Chris Spurgeon La Crescenta, CA -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/0940B0D4-2B7E-48EA-B430-CBE4F5ACB89D%40spurgeonworld.com.
We suspected a pair of catbirds were nesting in a prickle pile of juniper below the house. Having catbirds around all spring is a new thing here and we enjoy them a lot. Sunday one took flight carrying what was either a fecal sack or a chunk of eggshell. I'll give them a few more days before I peer in to check out the nest. Steve -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/A461A8D6-A6DB-4806-BCEE-A458C635BB58%40gmail.com.
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Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com
****************************************
Female American Redstart is the web's answer > On Jun 13, 2026, at 07:55, 'Jennifer Cummings' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com> wrote: > > > > -- > Maine birds mailing list > maine-birds@googlegroups.com > http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds > https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/E9D5A4CD-09F5-4E52-A067-1F8294E7FFBA%40yahoo.com. -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/C0920D87-726C-4765-9536-74987B37C1E6%40gmail.com.
--
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-- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/E9D5A4CD-09F5-4E52-A067-1F8294E7FFBA%40yahoo.com.
*****************************************
Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com
****************************************
*****************************************
Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com
****************************************
Ben Griffith and I led an all-day pelagic trip yesterday for the Seacoast Chapter of NH Audubon aboard the "Granite State" out of Rye Harbor, NH. After leaving Rye Harbor, we headed offshore toward the Isles of Shoals where we made a brief stop at the Tern colony at White and Seavey Islands. Here we we tried (in vain) to locate the mega-rare Bridled Tern seen recently. We then continued east to a southwestern portion of Jeffrey’s Ledge known as Old Scantum and followed the inside edge of Jeffrey’s Ledge east and then north until we crossed over to the outside edge of Jeffrey’s Ledge into deep water (over 700’) before returning. On the way back to Rye harbor we cruised through “The Gut” (between Appledore Island and Lunging Island) and inspected a few islands before returning. https://caltopo.com/m/RDVK0BA Highlights for the trip included huge numbers of recently arrived Wilson’s Storm-Petrels as well as high numbers of Red-necked Phalaropes and Northern Fulmar. Only a small number of shearwaters were seen, but we got nice close views of both Great and Sooty. One of the most unusual sightings of the day was a Thick-billed Murre INSIDE RYE HARBOR as we returned! Thanks to Zeke Cornell and Holly Bauer for organizing this trip and to Captain Pete Reynolds and crew for helping to spot whales and birds! 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM Mostly sunny with some afternoon clouds, but excellent visibility. Calm winds and long 4' seas created a roller coaster ocean in the morning. The seas subsided a bit in the afternoon with a light breeze and chop. Thanks to Ben Griffith for doing his best to estimate numbers for the day. Canada Goose 61 - Mostly in Rye harbor, but also a single bird swimming in the ocean by the Isles of Shoals. Common Eider 70 - Including babies Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 5 - Rye Harbor only Mourning Dove 2 - Rye Harbor only Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 - OFFSHORE. Surprise bird over Jeffrey's Ledge. American Oystercatcher 2 - Includes one which was counted in both Maine and New Hampshire as it flew across Gosport Harbor at the Isles of Shoals. Killdeer 1 - Rye Harbor only Red Phalarope 0 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE 123 Willet 2 - Rye Harbor only Ruddy Turnstone 1 Black Guillemot 32 THICK-BILLED MURRE 2 - Incredibly TWO Thick-billed Murres in June! One distant flyby identified by photos. Another incredible bird INSIDE RYE HARBOR! COMMON MURRE 1 - Unfortunately a distant flyby only. Bonaparte's Gull 24 Laughing Gull 3 Ring-billed Gull 1 American Herring Gull 302 Great Black-backed Gull 247 Common Tern 550 - Mostly over White & Seavey Islands, but many foraging offshore Roseate Tern 5 - Picked out over White & Seavey Islands ARCTIC TERN 1 - Spotted by Eric Masterson and others on top deck. Red-throated Loon 4 - Late migrating birds Common Loon 12 WILSON'S STORM-PETREL 3,552 - Likely a record high daily count for NH. The great majority of birds were concentrated over shallow waters of Jeffrey's Ledge. NORTHERN FULMAR 28 - High count for date. Many in area off the back side of Jeffrey's Ledge. GREAT SHEARWATER 3 - Finally got a nice close view of one. Sooty Shearwater 1 - Only one, but nice close views. Northern Gannet 20 - All immature birds. Double-crested Cormorant 393 - Most at breeding colony at Lunging Island. Some small groups of immatures apparently migrating. Glossy Ibis 11 - Flying offshore going to or from the Isles of Shoals. Snowy Egret 2 - Flying offshore going to or from the Isles of Shoals. Great Egret 2 - Flying offshore going to or from the Isles of Shoals. Bald Eagle 1 - Rye Harbor only American Crow 1 - Rye Harbor only Tree Swallow 1 - OFFSHORE. Strange bird out on Jeffrey's Ledge. Purple Martin 3 - Rye Harbor only Barn Swallow 6 - Rye Harbor only European Starling 1 - Rye Harbor only American Robin 2 - Rye Harbor only House Finch 1 - Rye Harbor only Song Sparrow 1 - Rye Harbor only Red-winged Blackbird 2 - Rye Harbor only Common Grackle 10 - Rye Harbor only Northern Yellow Warbler 1 - Rye Harbor only Marine Mammals ------------------------ Humpback Whale – 3 (Identified as "Scylla" & "Slope" Fin Whale - 1 Minke Whale - 1 Gray Seal - 1 Steve Mirick Bradford, MA -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/2b159cec-01a0-44ea-88d1-22204061a99a%40comcast.net.
Ben Griffith and I led an all-day pelagic trip yesterday for the Seacoast Chapter of NH Audubon aboard the "Granite State" out of Rye Harbor, NH. After leaving Rye Harbor, we headed offshore toward the Isles of Shoals where we made a brief stop at the Tern colony at White and Seavey Islands. Here we we tried (in vain) to locate the mega-rare Bridled Tern seen recently. We then continued east to a southwestern portion of Jeffrey’s Ledge known as Old Scantum and followed the inside edge of Jeffrey’s Ledge east and then north until we crossed over to the outside edge of Jeffrey’s Ledge into deep water (over 700’) before returning. On the way back to Rye harbor we cruised through “The Gut” (between Appledore Island and Lunging Island) and inspected a few islands before returning. https://caltopo.com/m/RDVK0BA Highlights for the trip included huge numbers of recently arrived Wilson’s Storm-Petrels as well as high numbers of Red-necked Phalaropes and Northern Fulmar. Only a small number of shearwaters were seen, but we got nice close views of both Great and Sooty. One of the most unusual sightings of the day was a Thick-billed Murre INSIDE RYE HARBOR as we returned! Thanks to Zeke Cornell and Holly Bauer for organizing this trip and to Captain Pete Reynolds and crew for helping to spot whales and birds! 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM Mostly sunny with some afternoon clouds, but excellent visibility. Calm winds and long 4' seas created a roller coaster ocean in the morning. The seas subsided a bit in the afternoon with a light breeze and chop. Thanks to Ben Griffith for doing his best to estimate numbers for the day. Canada Goose 61 - Mostly in Rye harbor, but also a single bird swimming in the ocean by the Isles of Shoals. Common Eider 70 - Including babies Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 5 - Rye Harbor only Mourning Dove 2 - Rye Harbor only Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 - OFFSHORE. Surprise bird over Jeffrey's Ledge. American Oystercatcher 2 - Includes one which was counted in both Maine and New Hampshire as it flew across Gosport Harbor at the Isles of Shoals. Killdeer 1 - Rye Harbor only Red Phalarope 0 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE 123 Willet 2 - Rye Harbor only Ruddy Turnstone 1 Black Guillemot 32 THICK-BILLED MURRE 2 - Incredibly TWO Thick-billed Murres in June! One distant flyby identified by photos. Another incredible bird INSIDE RYE HARBOR! COMMON MURRE 1 - Unfortunately a distant flyby only. Bonaparte's Gull 24 Laughing Gull 3 Ring-billed Gull 1 American Herring Gull 302 Great Black-backed Gull 247 Common Tern 550 - Mostly over White & Seavey Islands, but many foraging offshore Roseate Tern 5 - Picked out over White & Seavey Islands ARCTIC TERN 1 - Spotted by Eric Masterson and others on top deck. Red-throated Loon 4 - Late migrating birds Common Loon 12 WILSON'S STORM-PETREL 3,552 - Likely a record high daily count for NH. The great majority of birds were concentrated over shallow waters of Jeffrey's Ledge. NORTHERN FULMAR 28 - High count for date. Many in area off the back side of Jeffrey's Ledge. GREAT SHEARWATER 3 - Finally got a nice close view of one. Sooty Shearwater 1 - Only one, but nice close views. Northern Gannet 20 - All immature birds. Double-crested Cormorant 393 - Most at breeding colony at Lunging Island. Some small groups of immatures apparently migrating. Glossy Ibis 11 - Flying offshore going to or from the Isles of Shoals. Snowy Egret 2 - Flying offshore going to or from the Isles of Shoals. Great Egret 2 - Flying offshore going to or from the Isles of Shoals. Bald Eagle 1 - Rye Harbor only American Crow 1 - Rye Harbor only Tree Swallow 1 - OFFSHORE. Strange bird out on Jeffrey's Ledge. Purple Martin 3 - Rye Harbor only Barn Swallow 6 - Rye Harbor only European Starling 1 - Rye Harbor only American Robin 2 - Rye Harbor only House Finch 1 - Rye Harbor only Song Sparrow 1 - Rye Harbor only Red-winged Blackbird 2 - Rye Harbor only Common Grackle 10 - Rye Harbor only Northern Yellow Warbler 1 - Rye Harbor only Marine Mammals ------------------------ Humpback Whale – 3 (Identified as "Scylla" & "Slope" Fin Whale - 1 Minke Whale - 1 Gray Seal - 1 Steve Mirick Bradford, MA -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/849311ac-a034-4c7b-bd2e-6b494ab5c634%40gmail.com.
*****************************************
Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com
****************************************
Report of birds encountered during research trip aboard UNH Research Vessel Gulf Challenger. Boat did not stop or steer toward birds. I was a guest yesterday on a UNH boat that was performing ocean experiments offshore. The boat traveled offshore to a point north of the Isles of Shoals (CO2 buoy) and collected water samples. It then continued east over Jeffrey's Ledge to the "Wilkinson's Basin" location where it deployed the water sampler, collected plankton samples, and deployed a specialized plankton laser camera aboard "wire walker". It then returned following the outbound route. The bird highlights included the return of southern hemisphere nesting species, three nice rarities, and an overall good diverse list of pelagic species. Wilson's Storm-Petrels are back in good numbers. And although there were only a small number of shearwaters, both Great and Sooty are back and a handful of Northern Fulmar are lingering from the winter. Rarities included a Leach's Storm-Petrel, two Arctic Terns and two Atlantic Puffins. The only offshore migrant of note was a single hummingbird over Jeffrey's Ledge! Weather and seas - Light northerly winds becoming calm, then increasing out of south. Seas 2 feet becoming flat late in day. Sunny with brief patches of fog offshore becoming mostly cloudy with nearby showers. We mostly avoided spotty showers. Time - 9:15 AM to 4:00 PM. eBird checklists submitted and eBird trip list with documentation photos at this link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/530782 Total list of birds offshore (east of Isles of Shoals CO2 buoy) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 - Single bird buzzing over boat from over Jeffrey's Ledge! Red-necked Phalarope 8 Red/Red-necked Phalarope 3 ATLANTIC PUFFIN 2 - Nice flyby of two adults inside of Jeffrey's Ledge. Rarely seen in summer. American Herring Gull 86 Great Black-backed Gull 48 ARCTIC TERN 2 - Although they've nested on White/Seavey, this species is rarely recorded offshore. My first record from the boat. Common Tern 13 Common Loon 2 Wilson's Storm-Petrel 464 - My first of year. High count as big pulse of birds newly arrived. Very concentrated on center of Jeffrey's Ledge. LEACH'S STORM-PETREL 1 - Rare. My first record from this boat. While stopped at Wilkinson's. Northern Fulmar 7 - Lingering birds. Great Shearwater 1 - My first of year. Sooty Shearwater 4 - My first of year. 1 of these close to shore near longitude of Isles of Shoals. Northern Gannet 1 Double-crested Cormorant 9 Marine Mammals ------------------------ Harbor Porpoise - 2 Whales - 0. I think most of the whale activity recently has been further south toward Old Scantum. Steve Mirick Bradford, MA -- Maine birds mailing list maine-birds@googlegroups.com http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds https://sites.google.com/site/birding207 --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/maine-birds/d47ae09c-9b62-44b1-b9b4-4c427022ccae%40gmail.com.
On May 27, 2026, at 9:46 AM, Sean S <therefromhere168@gmail.com> wrote:
Catbirds are fun birds to have around and they're always welcome at our suet. The downside of having an accessible suet block is that Starlings (annoying) and Grackles (even more annoying because of the way they use their saw-like bills to hack off huge chunks) can partake at will. And then there's the issue of Squirrels, which sometimes have to be bribed away with peanuts and other treats. But it's still worth it to be able to allow Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and other species to have access to suet during times, as it seems this year, when insects are in short supply. I haven't seen any ticks this year (in itself, a welcome first), and only a couple of mosquitoes... very few moths on the window screens at night, not even many house flies vs. past years.
Catbirds have been nesting fixtures around the yard for several years now, I think in large part because of the suet feeder. They have such colorful personalities and vocal talents. Recently the male has been singing from a lilac bush at odd times during the night. Last night he was doing a perfect, but louder imitation of a Gray Treefrog, mixed in with other mimicry.
Sean SmithHiram
On Tue, May 26, 2026, 5:47 PM Michelle Gregoire <m4gregoire@gmail.com> wrote:We have a suet cage with a roof so only woodpeckers, nuthatches and other birds that are comfortable upside down are able to feed from it - keeps the starlings away. A very cleverGray Catbird has learned how to jump from the deck railing and hover for a second, long enough to reach up and grab a bit from the underside of the cage. Perhaps it learned to hover by watching the hummingbirds (just kidding)?Michelle GregoireWestbrook--
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On May 27, 2026, at 9:46 AM, Sean S <therefromhere168@gmail.com> wrote:
Catbirds are fun birds to have around and they're always welcome at our suet. The downside of having an accessible suet block is that Starlings (annoying) and Grackles (even more annoying because of the way they use their saw-like bills to hack off huge chunks) can partake at will. And then there's the issue of Squirrels, which sometimes have to be bribed away with peanuts and other treats. But it's still worth it to be able to allow Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and other species to have access to suet during times, as it seems this year, when insects are in short supply. I haven't seen any ticks this year (in itself, a welcome first), and only a couple of mosquitoes... very few moths on the window screens at night, not even many house flies vs. past years.
Catbirds have been nesting fixtures around the yard for several years now, I think in large part because of the suet feeder. They have such colorful personalities and vocal talents. Recently the male has been singing from a lilac bush at odd times during the night. Last night he was doing a perfect, but louder imitation of a Gray Treefrog, mixed in with other mimicry.
Sean SmithHiram
On Tue, May 26, 2026, 5:47 PM Michelle Gregoire <m4gregoire@gmail.com> wrote:We have a suet cage with a roof so only woodpeckers, nuthatches and other birds that are comfortable upside down are able to feed from it - keeps the starlings away. A very cleverGray Catbird has learned how to jump from the deck railing and hover for a second, long enough to reach up and grab a bit from the underside of the cage. Perhaps it learned to hover by watching the hummingbirds (just kidding)?Michelle GregoireWestbrook--
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On May 27, 2026, at 9:46 AM, Sean S <therefromhere168@gmail.com> wrote:
Catbirds are fun birds to have around and they're always welcome at our suet. The downside of having an accessible suet block is that Starlings (annoying) and Grackles (even more annoying because of the way they use their saw-like bills to hack off huge chunks) can partake at will. And then there's the issue of Squirrels, which sometimes have to be bribed away with peanuts and other treats. But it's still worth it to be able to allow Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and other species to have access to suet during times, as it seems this year, when insects are in short supply. I haven't seen any ticks this year (in itself, a welcome first), and only a couple of mosquitoes... very few moths on the window screens at night, not even many house flies vs. past years.
Catbirds have been nesting fixtures around the yard for several years now, I think in large part because of the suet feeder. They have such colorful personalities and vocal talents. Recently the male has been singing from a lilac bush at odd times during the night. Last night he was doing a perfect, but louder imitation of a Gray Treefrog, mixed in with other mimicry.
Sean SmithHiram
--On Tue, May 26, 2026, 5:47 PM Michelle Gregoire <m4gregoire@gmail.com> wrote:
--We have a suet cage with a roof so only woodpeckers, nuthatches and other birds that are comfortable upside down are able to feed from it - keeps the starlings away. A very cleverGray Catbird has learned how to jump from the deck railing and hover for a second, long enough to reach up and grab a bit from the underside of the cage. Perhaps it learned to hover by watching the hummingbirds (just kidding)?Michelle GregoireWestbrook
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--We have a suet cage with a roof so only woodpeckers, nuthatches and other birds that are comfortable upside down are able to feed from it - keeps the starlings away. A very cleverGray Catbird has learned how to jump from the deck railing and hover for a second, long enough to reach up and grab a bit from the underside of the cage. Perhaps it learned to hover by watching the hummingbirds (just kidding)?Michelle GregoireWestbrook
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