Penobscot Lake Lodge:      July 13-15, 2007     What a weekend at Penobscot Lake Lodge! We didn't have to find the Boreal Chickadees - they found us. This traditional Maine sporting camp is one of two remaining camps in Maine that are accessible only by boat or floatplane. It is located a mere mile from the Quebec border, and so it combines the best of two worlds. Here, Canada's boreal forest overlaps America's hardwood forest, giving birders a chance at the species of both habitats. In fact, the chickadees foraging behind the cabins are equally likely to be Boreal or Black-capped, which is what the weekend guests enjoyed almost as much as the chorus of Common Loons lulling them to sleep.     Many species were added to the weekend list without ever leaving the porch. Cedar Waxwings were just fledging their chicks in the front yard as we arrived for the weekend. Nesting American Robins were also incubating their second brood above the nearest cabin. It's not unusual to find Common Terns nesting on inland lakes in Maine, but the pair of Bonaparte's Gulls in breeding plumage proved to be one of the weekend's bigger surprises. Common Yellowthroats are abundant next to the lake and they must have been preparing for a second nesting because the males spent the weekend doing their aerial mating displays. Since the Northern Parulas ordinarily confine themselves to the treetops, it seemed a little odd to have them foraging in the low growth next to the water, but we quickly got used to it.     Of the well-maintained trails behind the Lodge, one leads directly to Canada - an apt place to find Canada Warblers, which were singing in abundance just a couple of hundred yards down the path. Swainson's Thrushes were so numerous that they nearly drowned out the songs of the relatively fewer Hermit Thrushes. Winter Wrens, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and White-throated Sparrows were also commonplace. The trail to Canada alternates between thick spruces, birch-maple hardwoods, and wetlands. We picked up Ovenbirds, Red-eyed Vireos and Black-throated Blue Warblers in the hardwoods, Nashville Warblers, Blue-headed Vireos and Magnolia Warblers in the softwoods, Northern Waterthrushes and Swamp Sparrows in the wetlands...and Yellow-rumped and Black-throated Green Warblers everywhere. A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher came in for a close look and was quickly added to a life list or two. On a trail that leads in the opposite direction to waterfowl nesting habitat, we nearly stepped on an American Woodcock as it flushed from beneath our feet. Flushing grouse is not unusual, especially Ruffed Grouse - Spruce Grouse are present though less common - but woodcocks are so well camouflaged that they are seldom seen after they've ceased their spectacular mating rituals in the Spring.     Mid-day birding is lazy birding. We took a boat ride around the lake, casually adding Broad-winged Hawk, Bald Eagle, Spotted Sandpiper, Common Goldeneye, and Ring-necked Duck to the weekend tally, before disembarking on the far shore. The jeep path from the boat landing to the logging road on the hilltop turns boreal very quickly. In no time, we added more Boreal Chickadees, a Blackpoll, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk to our sightings. Thanks to a little advance scouting from the guides, it was not a surprise when we reached the gate and were instantly scolded by Lincoln's Sparrows. It did take a few more minutes of diligent searching to turn up great looks at the Bay-breasted Warbler the guides said would be there. While Red-breasted Nuthatches are common to Mainers, they're a novelty to birders from Virginia, and their presence was appreciated. This was also the week that Northern Flickers fledged their young, so family units were seen traveling together on many occasions.    Not everything the guides scouted out remained on site for the weekend. A few days earlier, a Northern Goshawk, four Red Crossbills, one Olive-sided Flycatcher, and numerous Gray Jays were fixed on the map but failed to linger in place. Birds are like that.