Winter 2010

	Winter 2010
	The winter of 2010 was short and warm in Maine, offering up some of the best offseason birding imaginable. Under such circumstances, a dash to the boreal areas of Maine's forest often leads to an abundance of northern birds. Such was the case for a jaunt to the Long Falls Dam Road on March 12th. This road is on the back side of Bigelow Mountain, bordering Flagstaff Lake. It can be found on p152 of The Official Guide to the Maine Birding Trail. The sunny, warm, windless day was loud with the chatter of winter finches. Purple Finches (left) and Pine Siskins (right) were in full voice celebrating the return of spring. American Goldfinches added to the chorus.
	White-winged Crossbills were numerous, often flocking into the road to pick up gravel and exposed seeds not covered by snow. Many of the finches followed their example, making close photography a simple affair. Red-breasted Nuthatches (far right) were laughably abundant. Often, four or more were within earshot at any one time.
	Nearby, the Bowtown Road is a good place to look for boreal species. The road is unplowed in winter but used extensively by snowmobiles. Thus, the packed trail offered an easy walk into the spruce forest. The Gray Jays were looking for us. in general, Gray Jays are tame and they are notorious camp robbers. But this particular pair was clearly accustomed to snacks provided by amused snowmobilers, and they followed us for almost two miles, begging the whole way. Leslie Starr of Baltimore offers up a little granola (right). This road is also populated by Boreal Chickadees, though only one offered itself up to the lens (below left) on this particular day. A Northern Goshawk made an even briefer appearance.
	We almost walked right by a stationary Spruce Grouse, lurking in an opening in the woods. Only a glimpse out the corner of an eye spotted him in the shadows. It stepped into the sunlight long enough for Joe Starr to snap this photo (left). Later in the day, a Ruffed Grouse stepped onto the Long Falls Dam Road, giving us both grouse for the day.
	Several trips to the Golden Road in the North Maine Woods produced similar experiences. Mt. Katahdin (above right) was still snow-covered during an early May trip to the outskirts of Baxter State Park. This particular day's quest was for rare woodpeckers. A walk into the boreal section produced both an American Three-toed Woodpecker (left) and a female Black-backed Woodpecker (right.) A boisterous family of Gray Jays, a few Boreal Chickadees, and one female Spruce Grouse rounded out a good list of boreal specialists in that part of Baxter. There were still abundant crossbills and other finches in the area, too, including Red Crossbills. Not many warblers had yet arrived during this preseason visit, but the Fox Sparrows were already teed up and singing and the Winter Wrens were in full voice from every thicket.
	Maine has the largest population of black bears in the eastern United States. Because the population is large and healthy, Maine is a favorite destination for bear hunters and the state's bears are particularly wary of people. Encounters are rare and these woodland ghosts are seldom seen by visitors. Nonetheless, a drive along the Golden Road is one good way to see one. It's an even better way to see moose, which are plentiful. The Golden Road traverses the North Maine Woods from Millinocket to the Quebec border. In summer, the North Maine Woods Association collects day use fees at its checkpoints. In the offseason, the roads are free but can be rough and muddy. Indeed, in the mud season of April and May, birders may have the woods virtually to themselves.
	Winter is also an excellent time to visit the Maine coast. Sea ducks are often plentiful and close to shore. Marginal Way is Site #3 on the Maine Birding Trail. A walk along this paved footpath in Ogunquit (left) on February 8, 2010 provided a warm day, light breeze, and excellent photographic opportunities. Although Harlequin Ducks (right) can be found in a number of places along the Maine coast in winter, Marginal Way consistently offers the easiest and best views. All waterfowl along this path are accustomed to people strolling by and they seldom display much wariness.
	Marginal Way is also a good place for many other sea ducks such as Black Scoters (left). White-winged and Surf Scoters are equally likely. Purple Sandpipers are commonplace among the rocks, though their unique coloration allows them to blend into the granite ledges they favor, and birders have to stay alert to find them. Generally, any shorebird fly-by in the dead of winter is probably a flock of Purple Sandpipers, though Sanderlings and Ruddy Turnstones are possible. Always search through the flocks of Common Eiders, since King Eiders occasionally associate with them in winter.
	Long-tailed Ducks (left) and Buffleheads (right) are predictable along Marginal Way in the winter. Be vigilant for alcids. Thick-billed Murres are generally seen only in winter, but Razorbills and Common Murres can occur year-round and Dovekies are noted on rare occasions in migration.