Birds & Curds: A Minnesota Birding Adventure

by Laurie Pocher

A Trip Report from the MYBC Coordinators

January 18-24, 2026

What do Maine Young Birders Club coordinators do on vacation? Bird, of course! Last year we headed to Florida to bird the Space Coast in the heat and humidity of the Sunshine State. This year we decided to try the opposite extreme: northern Minnesota in January, where the challenge wasn’t staying cool but staying warm. The three of us headed north for a week of sub-zero temperatures and truly memorable winter birding. Based in Duluth, we spent our days exploring the legendary Sax-Zim Bog, where extreme cold tested both our gear and our determination.

About Sax-Zim Bog

Sax-Zim Bog is a vast 300-square-mile peatland ecosystem in St. Louis County, Minnesota, renowned as one of North America’s premier winter birding destinations. This boreal habitat features a mosaic of black spruce bogs, tamarack swamps, and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests that attract an extraordinary concentration of northern specialties during winter months. The bog’s network of rural roads, well-maintained trails and boardwalks, and feeding stations make it accessible to birders seeking species rarely found elsewhere in the Lower 48.

A highlight of any visit is the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog Visitor Center. The Center became our refuge from the extreme cold—a place to warm up our frozen fingers and toes while chatting with the wonderful and knowledgeable staff. Sparky, the FOSZB Director, interviewed Brit for his YouTube channel, sharing our Maine birding experiences and our reactions to the Minnesota winter spectacle.

Friends of Sax-Zim Bog is a non-profit dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and understanding of this unique ecosystem through education, research, and sustainable recreation. We were happy to support their important work by purchasing hats, tote bags, sweatshirts, magnets, and stickers—both as mementos of our trip and as a way to contribute to the bog’s conservation. The feeders at the visitor center drew in Canada Jays, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, Pileated Woodpecker, and the ever-present Black-capped Chickadees.

The Weather: A Test of Endurance

We will remember this trip as much for its extreme cold as for its birds. Living in Maine, we thought we could handle Minnesota cold—this week knocked us down a few pegs. Temperatures ranged from a ‘balmy’ 12°F on Wednesday to a bone-chilling -26°F (feeling like -40°F) on Friday morning, with Extreme Cold Warnings in effect for most of the week. At one point we noted it was literally 100 degrees warmer inside our heated vehicle (68°F) than the outside air (-32°F). Friday morning our rental car refused to start at our Airbnb—after AAA jump-started the battery, we kept the engine running until lunch, a sobering reminder of the genuine dangers of northern Minnesota winters.

Layering Up: Winter Birding Gear

Preparation was everything. We bundled in multiple wool layers, deployed hand and toe warmers liberally, and relied on heated gloves and vests to maintain dexterity and core warmth. It was so cold the windows didn’t steam—instead, frost formed on the inside of the glass, forcing us to buy an ice scraper so the back seat passengers could see out. We walked on most days, braving the boardwalks and trails for 10-45 minutes at a time when we could manage it. Friday—the day our car wouldn’t start—was the only day we stayed vehicle-bound, birding from the car and stepping out only briefly for an occasional photo. The car became both our warming station and our observation blind, though we tried to get out and stretch our legs whenever the combination of temperature and wind allowed.

The Birding: Northern Treasures

Despite—or perhaps because of—the extreme cold, the birding was productive. We tallied 26 species, a respectable total given the limited diversity of Minnesota’s winter avifauna.

Sunday, January 18 marked our arrival day. During our drive from the airport to our Airbnb, we saw a Red-tailed Hawk near Saint Paul, a Rough-legged Hawk hunting along I-35 north of Columbus, followed by a Bald Eagle near Barnum. Near Cloquet, we spotted a flock of 30 Snow Buntings in an agricultural field visible from the highway—a welcome bonus species. Rock Pigeons near Duluth rounded out our arrival day sightings. By 9pm that first night in Duluth, temperatures had already dropped to -1°F (feeling like -23°F) with a Severe Weather Advisory in effect.

Monday, January 19 brought our first major target birds. We spotted Pine Grosbeaks feeding along the roadside on our way to the Brimson Burn area, where we found two Black-backed Woodpeckers. Later, we located a Northern Hawk Owl at its well-established hunting territory near Meadowlands on CR-47—a bird that would prove faithful to this same spot throughout the week. At Warren Nelson Memorial Bog, the end of the boardwalk yielded both Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, and a pair of Redpolls. The day’s highlight came at Admiral Road feeding station, where a half-hour visit produced our first Canada Jay and, thrillingly, a Boreal Chickadee—one of our primary target species.

Tuesday, January 20 was our most productive day. We started before dawn in brutal -16°F temperatures (feeling like -21°F) and found a Short-eared Owl perched along Sax Road near Cotton—a rare sighting for the bog. We returned at lunchtime and at sunset to see it twice more, though it would prove to be a one-day wonder that was not reported again that week. At Mary Lou’s Feeding Station, we spent an hour watching an incredible assemblage of winter finches: 60 Evening Grosbeaks and 5 Pine Grosbeaks dominated the feeders, joined by Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Black-Capped Chickadees, White-Breasted Nuthatches, Blue Jays, and even a European Starling.

Later stops at Admiral Road feeding station and Winterberry Bog added more close looks at Canada Jays and winter finches. We checked on the Northern Hawk Owl at its usual territory on CR-47, spending a half hour with this bird. The day concluded with two Ruffed Grouse encounters near Forbes.

Wednesday, January 21 brought a welcome temperature increase to a ‘balmy’ 12°F in Cotton—warm enough that we could actually feel our faces again. Mary Lou’s feeding station once again produced Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Grosbeaks, and both Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. At the Northern Hawk Owl’s usual spot, we were treated to an incredible show: the owl repositioned to a tree very close to the road, then swooped down to snatch a meadow vole from the roadside. We photographed and recorded video of it returning to the treetop, where it quickly devoured the vole. Later that afternoon while looking for Great Gray Owls, we added a Northern Shrike and Wild Turkey to our trip list. Rock Pigeons, typically considered mundane, seemed almost exotic in this frozen landscape.

Thursday, January 22 started with temperatures slightly more moderate around 1°F in Forbes. The Northern Hawk Owl remained faithful to its territory, and we added more observations of Pileated Woodpecker and Wild Turkey. We saw Redpolls again. A gorgeous red fox crossed the road in front of us during our travels—a stunning reminder that the bog’s wildlife extends well beyond birds. We had some intel for other potential Great Gray Owl sightings about an hour outside the bog, so we drove around scanning trees at dusk as the temperature started to plummet.

Friday, January 23 began with a dramatic wake-up call when our rental car refused to start in the extreme cold: -26°F in Duluth (feeling like -40°F). Fortunately, we discovered this at our Airbnb rather than stranded at a remote bog location. After AAA jump-started the battery, we made another attempt to find Great Gray Owl, and on our return to the bog stopped at Brimson Burn to visit with the pair of Black-backed Woodpeckers again. Our final rounds of the feeding stations produced the Boreal Chickadee once more at Admiral Road, a Northern Shrike at a different location, and one last look at the faithful Northern Hawk Owl at its established territory.

Saturday, January 24 was our departure day. As we drove back to the airport, we encountered another Rough-legged Hawk hunting along I-35 in roughly the same area where we’d seen our first one on arrival—a perfect bookend to the week. We spotted a House Sparrow en route, and a pair of coyotes loping across a snowy field added another wildlife highlight to our journey home.

As we landed in Boston Saturday evening, the pilot announced that it was a “very cold 10°F” and we laughed. We now know what very cold really means… and 10°F isn’t it!

Target Species: The Final Tally

Of our primary target birds, we successfully found Northern Hawk Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Canada Jay, and lots of Pine and Evening Grosbeaks.

The species that eluded us were Great Gray Owl, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and Pine Marten. But that only gives us a good reason to return!

Additional Highlights

Beyond our target birds, the trip delivered several memorable moments. Mammal sightings added their own dimension to the experience. White-tailed deer were a constant presence throughout the bog, Red Squirrels enjoyed the feeders as much as the birds did, and a gorgeous red fox crossed the road in front of us one afternoon.

The Rough-legged Hawks we spotted on both arrival and departure were a special treat—we rarely see them in Maine. And who could forget bundling up in the pre-dawn darkness to search for owls when the thermometer read -40°F windchill?

The Other Mission: Cheese Curds

While owls and winter finches were our primary targets, we had another objective: to have cheese curds every day. This quintessential Wisconsin and Minnesota specialty—fresh cheese in its unaged form, ideally with a satisfying squeak against your teeth—became our daily ritual. Good cheese curds should be fresh (preferably made that day), lightly battered if fried, and served hot enough that the cheese is melty inside while the exterior stays crispy. The squeak when you bite into fresh curds is the hallmark of quality.

The best we had all week were at Wilbert Cafe near the bog, where the curds were perfectly fried with a light, crispy batter that didn’t overwhelm the cheese.

Reflections

Birding in extreme cold demands physical preparation, mental fortitude, and flexible expectations. The 100-degree difference between outside and inside our vehicle wasn’t just a number—it represented the thin margin between comfort and danger, between successful birding and hypothermia. Our heated gloves and vests weren’t luxuries; they were essential tools that allowed us to maintain the finger dexterity needed to operate binoculars and cameras.

The morning our rental car refused to start drove home just how serious these conditions were. Had we been at a remote location rather than safely at our Airbnb, the situation could have become dangerous quickly. It was a humbling reminder that extreme cold birding requires constant vigilance and backup plans.

Yet these challenges made the rewards sweeter. Finding the Boreal Chickadee, watching the Northern Hawk Owl hunt, seeing Redpolls and Grosbeaks in large numbers—each sighting felt earned in a way that summer birding rarely does. The cold sharpened our focus and deepened our appreciation.

Final Thoughts

Would we do it again? Absolutely! Northern Minnesota in January is not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to embrace the challenge, it offers birding experiences found nowhere else in the eastern United States. The boreal specialties, the winter-hardy resident species, and the raw beauty of a frozen landscape make Sax-Zim Bog a destination every serious birder should experience at least once.

Trip Statistics:

  • Dates: January 18-24, 2026

  • Total Species: 26

  • Temperature Range: -26°F to 12°F (actual); -40°F to 0°F (wind chill)

  • Coldest Morning: Friday, January 23 at 6am: -26°F in Duluth (feels like -40°F)

  • Warmest Moment: 12°F in Cotton, Wednesday, January 21 (feels like 0°F)

  • Target Species Found: Northern Hawk Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak

  • Target Species Missed: Great Gray Owl, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Pine Marten

2026 Winter Tracking and Center for Wildlife

by Britney Fox

Our outing to the Center for Wildlife for our 2026 winter tracking trip with Dan Gardoqui took place on a truly beautiful morning. Winter trips can be unpredictable, but for this one we experienced the best that a Maine winter has to offer. When we met Dan Gardoqui in the Center for Wildlife parking lot, the morning was cold and icy, but it quickly warmed into an unseasonably mild winter day. While waiting for the rest of the group to arrive, we spent time examining an incredible collection of animal track casts that Dan has created over the years. Dan’s depth of knowledge is remarkable, and his teaching style—part storytelling, part science—is endlessly engaging. Before we even set foot on the trail, we had already learned something new.

We then set off behind the Center on its network of trails. Just enough snow remained on the ground to preserve clues and evidence of the many animals that had passed through. Using size, symmetry, shape, and pattern, we studied prints to determine who had been there, what they were doing, and where they were headed. We identified squirrel tracks and discussed the many ways animals move, including hopping, bounding, and leaping. We noticed small squirrel caches and signs of recent meals in the snow. We also found raccoon and domestic dog prints, which provided a great opportunity to compare how wild animals move versus domestic pets.

On another trail, we picked up the signs of a porcupine. We followed tracks, scat, hemlock snips, discoloration on trees marking travel paths, and even scent. We learned that tracking is a truly full-sensory activity. Eventually, we came upon a porcupine den—an outcropping of moss-covered stones—where we found fur, scat, and unmistakable porcupine odor tucked among the craggy rocks. Nearby, we also discovered bobcat scat perched on one of the stones, a reminder that unlikely companions often share and travel through the same spaces. Dissecting bobcat poop turned out to be surprisingly informative. Our adventure with porcupines ended at a hollowed out tree that that these animals climb into and use as a place to snooze and protection from predators.

One of our objectives for the day was to find pileated woodpecker scat, which differs from the bird droppings we’re most familiar with. Beneath clear evidence of pileated excavation on a dead tree, we found unusual scat containing the exoskeletons of carpenter ants. Bingo! Pileated woodpeckers are voracious predators of carpenter ants and expel the hard, indigestible outer shells of their favorite prey.

After a wonderful time on the trails, we returned to the Center for Wildlife to meet their animal ambassadors. It is always special to see the creatures that call the Center home, but hearing their individual stories through Dan’s firsthand knowledge allowed us to experience them in an entirely new way. We were especially fortunate to meet Nyx, a gorgeous female northern saw-whet owl who is unable to fly. She lives with her companion owl, Ollie, who is still adjusting to being around people. Nyx is a stunning example of her species—a minuscule, secretive owl that lives life as both predator and prey. We were completely in awe of her and deeply grateful for the opportunity to be in her presence.

Of course, we kept an eBird checklist for the outing. We heard a wild barred owl, along with white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatches. While tracking, we also heard chickadee alarm calls and watched a small sharp-shinned hawk careen through the forest.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S293539891

It was a fun, memorable day, and we can’t thank Dan enough for all he does for both humans and animals. Please keep an eye out for our February trip announcement—and until then, happy birding!

2025 Biddeford/Kennebunkport CBC

by Laurie Pocher

The Christmas Bird Count, running since 1900, is one of the longest-running community science projects in North America. Each winter, thousands of volunteers across the Western Hemisphere venture out to count birds within designated 15-mile diameter circles, providing crucial data on bird population trends and early warnings about environmental health. This year marked the 126th annual count and the 66th for the Biddeford/Kennebunkport (MEBK) circle.

Eight MYBC members braved bone-chilling temperatures on December 27th—starting at 11°F and eventually “warming” to 17°F—to cover most of Section 1 of the MEBK circle and contribute to this important census effort.

Here’s how our frigid day unfolded.

Early Morning — Saco

We started the morning with incidental sightings of Common Ravens and American Crows as we drove through Saco. Apple Ridge Parcel yielded Dark-eyed Juncos, a Downy Woodpecker, and a White-breasted Nuthatch.

New County Road in Biddeford added our first waterfowl of the day—a Common Goldeneye—along with Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, and American Goldfinches, all while dodging snow plows treating the icy roads. Smutty Lane proved productive with a small flock of 4 Dark-eyed Juncos and a pair of Eastern Bluebirds huddled against the cold.

We added 26 Wild Turkeys at Sokokis Drive and 10 Canada Geese at Foss Road before heading toward the coast.

Mid-Morning — Old Orchard Beach

Old Orchard Beach was particularly brutal—the wind off the ocean made the already frigid temperature feel even colder. But the birding made it worthwhile. We tallied 23 Sanderlings scurrying along the shoreline, 17 Black Scoters bobbing in the surf, and a pair of Horned Grebes. On the sand, 42 American Herring Gulls huddled together against the cold, while 67 Rock Pigeons flew around the pier.

A brief stop at Ocean Park Memorial Bandstand added 17 more Canada Geese before we moved inland to warm up a bit.

Late Morning — Guild Park Area

Free Street, a neighborhood near Guild Park with active bird feeders, turned into our most productive stop of the day with 18 species. The highlight? A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker—always a treat during the CBC. We also spotted 5 Bald Eagles soaring overhead, a Gray Catbird (a late lingerer), and a nice variety of backyard birds including Northern Cardinals, House Finches, Purple Finch, Tufted Titmouse, and both Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches.

Rachel Carson NWR at Goosefare Brook gave us good waterfowl diversity: 8 American Black Ducks, 6 Buffleheads, 3 Black Scoters, 2 White-winged Scoters, and a Common Goldeneye.

The Final Push

Middle Goosefare Trail presented a challenge with about 8 inches of snow in the unplowed parking lot, but our 4WD Honda Pilot powered through! The effort was worth it—we spotted 7 Eastern Bluebirds flitting around enjoying winterberries and a Red-shouldered Hawk on a fly-by.

Our final stop at Woodman Avenue added a Brown Creeper and a Carolina Wren to round out the day.

MYBC by the Numbers:

  • Total Species: 42

  • Checklists Submitted: 21

  • Total Individual Birds: 491

  • Highlights: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 5 Bald Eagles

  • Temperature Range: 11°F to 17°F

Another group of birders covered parts of Section 1 and added American Robin, Fox Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Golden-crowned Kinglet, bringing the Section 1 total to 47 species. You can see our combined eBird Trip report here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/452144

Despite the brutal cold and relatively quiet birding conditions, we contributed valuable data to the 126th Christmas Bird Count. The low temperatures likely kept many birds hunkered down and less active, but we still managed a respectable species count for a frigid December day in southern Maine.

Our next outing will be a combination of birding and wildlife tracking with Dan Gardoqui. Stay tuned for details about how to join us. Until then… happy birding!

Fort Foster - November 2025

by Laurie Pocher

November often serves up rarities as migration winds down and winter visitors arrive. Last year's November trip yielded an incredible Long-Eared Owl in a location where one hadn't been seen in 40+ years, and we were hoping for similar rare bird luck this time around. Twelve MYBC members headed to Maine's southern coast on a chilly morning in search of early winter arrivals. Our target species were Clay-Colored Sparrow and Redpolls at Fort Foster, a rare Western Kingbird at nearby Seapoint Beach, and Snow Buntings, which are slowly arriving to their winter grounds.

Here's how our morning unfolded.

Fort Foster

We started at Fort Foster, where we were immediately treated to fly-overs by small flocks of Pine Siskins and Eastern Bluebirds. A quick walk out onto the pier gave us great looks at many Red-breasted Mergansers and Common Loons, as well as Common Eiders, Surf Scoters, Bufflehead, and Long-tailed Ducks. From a distance, we spotted a couple of Bonaparte's Gulls and a Great Black-backed Gull among a group of Ring-billed Gulls.

A group of Common Loons were starting to gather here for the winter. These divers nest on freshwater lakes and ponds across the northern United States and Canada during breeding season, but once their young fledge, they migrate to the coast where they'll spend the winter months alongside seaducks in the nutrient-rich marine waters. A single Red-throated Loon and a Great Cormorant — along with a few Harbor Seals and Gray Seals peeking out of the water — rounded out our observations at the pier.

Seapoint and Crescent Beaches

We headed over to Seapoint Beach in search of the Western Kingbird. A Common Raven and a Downy Woodpecker called out to greet us as we arrived. Walking onto the beach, we spotted an Ipswich Savannah Sparrow hanging out with an American Tree Sparrow and a Song Sparrow. Not a bad start! A birder told us that just a few minutes earlier, the Western Kingbird had been foraging along the wrack line when it was flushed by some off-leash dogs. We decided to bird Seapoint and Crescent Beach anyway, in the hopes that it would return after 10am when dogs are required to be on leash.

About a dozen Snow Buntings were working the wrack line, joined by two Horned Larks. We spent quite a bit of time watching these charming Arctic breeders as they foraged along the beach — observing that they resemble toasted marshmallows and listening to their soft, rambling calls. The birds were fairly tame, and a couple of birders were able to approach within 12-15 feet without disturbing them — perfect for photos and prolonged observation.

Lots more (19) Red-breasted Mergansers were actively fishing near the rocks, putting on quite a show. The gull congregation included 2 Great Black-backed, 2 Herring, and 20 Ring-billed. We added 2 more Common Loons and another Red-throated Loon, along with a Horned Grebe, 8 Canada Geese, and 3 Turkey Vultures to round out our morning.

We tallied 29 species across three Kittery locations. While we dipped on a few targets, we still had a great morning birding together.

You can see our eBird checklist here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/435188.

Stay tuned for our December trip announcement. Until then… happy birding!

A Morning at Rustlewood

by Marion Sprague

It was a crisp October morning when five enthusiastic young birders gathered at Rustlewood in Kittery. The air had that unmistakable fall chill, but before long the sun warmed things up, making for a perfect morning of birding.

We kicked off the outing with an impressive sight — a huge flock of Red-winged Blackbirds filling the trees above the cornfield. There were far too many to count, but their chorus set a lively tone for the morning. Along the field edge, we spotted a pair of Swamp Sparrows, the first of several that we would see throughout the day.

As we continued, White-throated, Song, and House Sparrows made steady appearances. One of the highlights came when we were able to observe an adult and juvenile White-crowned Sparrow side by side — a great opportunity to compare their plumage differences up close.

Other notable sightings included a large, noisy flock of American Crows and a single Common Raven soaring overhead. We were also treated to two late migrant warblers: a Palm Warbler and a particularly elusive Nashville Warbler that kept us busy as it darted through the thickets before finally giving us a good look.

It was a wonderful morning of birding, filled with great company, lively discussion, and a fine mix of familiar fall birds and late-season surprises.

For a full list of birds seen, please checkout our eBird checklist:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S281611374

Thanks to everyone who joined for a beautiful fall morning at Rustlewood! It was wonderful to share the morning with good birds, great birders, and a bit of October sunshine. Stay tuned for details about our November outing!

A Perfect Day for the Fall 2025 MYBC Trip to Monhegan

by Brit Fox

We couldn't have asked for more perfect conditions for our 2025 MYBC trip to Monhegan Island. This highly anticipated annual trip depends entirely on favorable weather and sea conditions, and this year delivered: bright sunny skies, warm air with a refreshing sea breeze, calm seas, and ideal wind conditions that brought migrants to the island and kept them there all day.

Ferry Crossing Several BLACK GUILLEMOTS greeted us in the harbor as we boarded the Hardy ferry. The boat ride wasn't particularly birdy, but highlights included multiple harbor porpoise sightings, large rafts of COMMON EIDERS, and a lone NORTHERN GANNET that provided excellent viewing opportunities. As we approached the island, a magnificent BALD EAGLE stood guard on a rocky outcropping, surrounded by DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS.

Morning Birding Thanks to intel from our friends Eli and Jess, we knew where to focus our search. Just up the hill at the schoolhouse, we found a LARK SPARROW feeding alongside a CHIPPING SPARROW—the LARK SPARROW being a lifer for many in our group and an excellent way to start the day.

We moved to the garden area behind the library, where a DICKCISSEL flew overhead but didn't provide good views. Between there and the pump house, we encountered a nice variety of migrants: INDIGO BUNTING, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, NORTHERN PARULA, and BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS. At the pump house pond, an elusive WILSON'S SNIPE hid in the shadows while PALM WARBLERS foraged in the mud. As we left this area, we witnessed an aerial spectacle—a PEREGRINE FALCON dive-bombing and harassing two soaring OSPREYS.

Ice Pond The ice pond lived up to reports of good bird activity. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS and numerous CEDAR WAXWINGS welcomed us, while a LINCOLN'S SPARROW skulked along the far bank and YELLOW WARBLERS flitted about. We spent considerable time here working through the various species before activity subsided.

Afternoon After lunch at Lobster Cove, the pace slowed but remained rewarding. PALM WARBLERS continued moving through the spruce trees, and we spotted soaring MERLINS throughout the day across the island.

As our day concluded, we reflected on an absolutely beautiful experience. One day on Monhegan never feels like enough—we're already looking forward to our next visit.

Special Thanks We extend our gratitude to the Acadia Birding Festival for sponsoring this trip and to Magill Weber (and Hattie) for joining us and helping with bird identification.

For a full list of birds seen, please checkout our eBird checklists:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S274512068

https://ebird.org/checklist/S274897072

Until we meet again, Monhegan!

Shorbing at ScarMar - August 2025

by Laurie Pocher

Sometimes it seems like birders have their own language (case in point: even the word ‘birder’ is short for birdwatcher). Back in the day – before online apps like eBird – birders would carry notebooks and manually keep track of what they saw, using abbreviations to save time. As they shared information with each other, it became apparent that there was a need for consistency in how species were abbreviated, leading the American Birding Association to formalize a 4-character system in the 1980s-90s.

  • If a bird name is two words, the code typically uses the first two letters from each word (AMRO for American Robin).

  • If it’s a single word, the code uses the first four letters (MALL for Mallard).

  • If the bird name is three words, the code uses the first letter of the first two words plus the first two letters of the third word (GBHE for Great Blue Heron).

  • There are plenty of additional backup rules to handle tricky cases and ensure every species gets its own unique identifier.

Today’s trip report will use these ABA codes and a few other abbreviations – how many can you figure out without referring to the key at the bottom? Let’s find out…

Our shorbing visit to ScarMar started out slowly, on a seasonably warm and sunny late summer morning. We timed our visit to coincide with the incoming tide, as birds typically become more active as the marsh and estuary water levels rise. Unfortunately, the recent drought kept water levels low overall, and many birds stayed a fair distance from the trail. A few songbirds – AMGO, NOCA, and BLJA – were flitting about the tree tops, and a group of six CEWA flew overhead as we arrived.

Just a few steps onto the Eastern trail, we saw a couple of sandpipers working the bank of the Nonesuch River. We debated whether they were SPSA or SOSA, and eventually concluded that the non-breeding plumage was throwing us off – they were unspotted SPSA. A little further up, a much smaller LESA was also working the banks.

In the flats on the other side of the trail, we noticed a few small sandpipers. It was tough to see with the glare of the sun, but we eventually identified a handful of SESA and SEPL. The ‘SE’ is for semipalmated, which refers to some webbing between their toes, which is not a very helpful field mark on a tiny bird foraging in the mud 50+ yards away! Luckily, their plumage, habitat and behavior gave us enough clues to identify them. As we were counting, a bigger flock of about 30 more SESA and SEPL flew in and landed nearby.

We heard the unmistakable chattering call of a BEKI, who flew upriver and landed on the riverbank. He – the lack of rust-colored feathers on the breast identified him as male – relocated to the other side of the trail, apparently taking a break from fishing. We got some good looks at him from the wooden footbridge that spans the river, where a GBHE was also on a break. Way off across the marsh, we saw a RTHA perched in a tree.

On the other side of the trail, we could see several GREG foraging in the marsh. A NOHA was taking advantage of the incoming tide pushing small rodents to move, and his flight stirred up a large and vocal murder of AMCR. Another BOP flew over our heads, backlit by the sun, and we debated whether it was a BWHA or the RTHA we’d seen earlier. Looking at the photos later, the lack of dark bars (called ‘patagium’) on the leading edge of the underwing led us to conclude it was a BWHA.

As we continued along the trail, we could see little white heads popping in and out of view but couldn’t tell from that distance if they were GREG (with their big chunky yellow bills) or SNEG (with their more delicate black bills). We eventually saw both species and were treated to flyovers where we could also see the bright yellow feet attached to the SNEG’s black legs.

A few LBJ were flitting about, and most of them were SOSP. One was showing some yellow on its face – it was tough to see with bins, but Marion got the scope on it and we identified it as a SALS. A few of us ticked a lifer with this sighting! Just as we were celebrating that sighting, a feisty little RTHU chased a TRES right over our heads. A short time later, a large mixed flock of TRES and BARS treated us to an aerial display as they hunted insects over the marsh.

A couple of dead tree snags provided perches for a trio of EAKI, until they were chased off by an unruly gang of juvenile EUST. Talk about invasive species!

Further down the trail, we saw two birds hanging out together in shallow water. We assumed they were the same species – which turned out to be a mistake. One had a long, slightly upturned bill and was standing up straight on one brightly colored yellow leg – great field marks for GRYE. Reviewing photos later in the day, we noticed that the other bird had a much chunkier straight dark bill, indicating that it was a WILL.

From that point, we were also able to get better looks at several GREG and SNEG. We were hoping for a more uncommon TRHE or LBHE, which both resemble SNEG. Unfortunately, we dipped on both of those.

Looking at the mud flats across the trail, we noticed some movement that looked like a handful of small shorbs. Then some more movement – we’d misjudged how many were there. Then even more movement. So many small plovers and peeps were working the flats – mostly SESA and SEPL with a few LESA mixed in. We were trying to count them (our best estimate in the moment was 90+), when a PEFA swooped in and flushed them all. The peeps managed to avoid the BOP this time, and the PEFA flew off in search of an easier meal.

On our walk back, we tallied the species and counts for the morning: an impressive 30 species with 249 individual birds. You can view our eBird checklist here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S268978601.

See below for a list of abbreviations used in this report or check out The Institute for Bird Populations for a complete listing.

Stay tuned for our next trip announcement. We’ll be heading to Monhegan Island in September, hoping for a fall migration fallout! In the meantime, here’s to fog-free bins and cooperative nemesis birds. Happy twitching and may all your dips become lifers!

 

Abbreviation Key:

AMCR: American Crows

AMGO: American Goldfinch

BARS: Barn Swallow (tricky one! To avoid a code collision, Barn Swallow is BARS and Bank Swallow is BANS)

BEKI: Belted Kingfisher

Bins: Binoculars

BLJA: Blue Jay

BOP: Bird of prey

BWHA: Broad-winged Hawk

CEWA: Cedar Waxwing

Dip: Missing a target bird

EAKI: Eastern Kingbird

EUST: European Starling

Fallout: Large numbers of migratory birds forced down by weather conditions

GBHE: Great Blue Heron

GREG: Great Egret

GRYE: Greater Yellowlegs

LBHE: Little Blue Heron

LBJ: Little Brown Jobs – small brown birds like sparrows or wrens (aka LBB, Little Brown Birds)

LESA: Least Sandpiper

Lifer: First-time bird sighting (aka Lifebird)

Nemesis bird: A species that constantly eludes a birder

NOCA: Northern Cardinal

NOHA: Northern Harrier

Peeps: Small sandpipers that give peeping calls. The three common peeps in North America are Least Sandpiper (LESA), Semipalmated Sandpiper (SESA) and Western Sandpiper (WESA). Two similar small shorebirds are Baird’s (BASA) and White-rumped Sandpipers (WRSA).

PEFA: Peregrine Falcon

RTHA: Red-tailed Hawk

SALS: Saltmarsh Sparrow (another tricky one! To avoid a code collision, Saltmarsh Sparrow is abbreviated SALS and Savannah Sparrow is SASP)

ScarMar: Scarborough Marsh

SEPL: Semipalmated Plover

SESA: Semipalmated Sandpiper

Shorbing: Shore-birding or Shorebird-watching, the act of observing and identifying shorebirds

SNEG: Snowy Egret

SOSA: Solitary Sandpiper

SOSP: Song Sparrow

SPSA: Spotted Sandpiper

Tick: Adding a bird to one’s life list

TRES: Tree Swallow (another tricky one! To avoid a code collision, Tree Swallow is TRES and Trumpeter Swan is TRUS)

TRHE: Tricolored Heron

Twitch: Travel a long distance to see a rare bird

WILL: Willet

 

MYBC's First Trip to Hog Island!

By Brit Fox

On a misty Saturday morning, MYBC joined members of Downeast MYBC and Hog Island educators Rosy and Nathaniel for our first-ever trip to Hog Island. We met at the Hog Island headquarters in Bremen, ME, and walked down the long driveway to the dock, where we heard birds calling through the fog. Warblers like Common Yellowthroats and Northern Parulas sang nearby, while Osprey and Common Terns called from the water. We watched Common Terns hunting and diving, and spotted Double-crested Cormorants and Great Blue Herons flying overhead. Small fish swam below the dock—prey for the birds above. Nathaniel pointed out an empty Osprey nest atop a dock building, explaining how a pair of Great Horned Owls had been harassing the local Ospreys.

After a very brief (maybe 1 minute) boat ride, we were on Hog Island! We landed at their Queen Mary lab and proceeded up to the camp and fish house where Rosy told us about the history of Hog Island and how Project Puffin began in the very room we were sitting. It was fascinating to learn about the history of how Atlantic Puffins returned to Maine islands and it felt surreal to be in the place where it all started. The fish house had an amazing array of carved, life-sized wooden bird decoys used all over the world for different seabird reintroduction projects. It was incredible to see how small a Least Tern is compared to a Laysan Albatross and we spent some time musing how many Least Terns would fit inside of one of these massive birds. Our answer was somewhere between 40-60!

After our informative talk, we began a nature walk around the northern peninsula of the island. The mist in the air illuminated the MANY beautiful spiderwebs on the island and gave us a chance to learn about the Lichen Orb Weavers and Funnel Web Spiders who spin these masterful webs. We heard and spotted several Northern Parula Warblers who make their nests in the plentiful Old Man’s Beard lichen draping from the spruce trees on the island. We spotted a baby warbler and watched until a parent came to feed it in order to identify the species — and discovered we had been observing a fledgling Yellow-rumped Warbler. Later we heard more of these beautiful warblers singing in the forest.

We stopped at a popular tidepooling beach where we were able to explore the wrack line for interesting objects. Someone found a very cool clump of what we determined were Whelk egg casings. There were many Common Terns hunting close to shore here and we were able to watch them dive and plunge for food. We learned that these terns are nesting out on Eastern Egg Rock and that Hog Island is one of their fishing spots. Rosy also told us about Native American shell mounds and showed us the remnants of one under and around an upturned tree. We discussed the importance of trying to understand and preserve these shell mounds and all of the information that they can tell us about life on these islands thousands of years in the past. A shell mound on the southern tip of Hog Island is estimated to be 2,000 years old and was likely used by Native Americans for hundreds of years to discard their waste. These shell mounds include really interesting pieces of Native American history as well as natural history as they contain bone fragments of now extinct birds like the Great Auk.

We continued on to explore some of the microhabitats of Hog Island including a small salt marsh and a bog. MYBC got a great chance to observe some amazing carnivorous plants in the bog including Purple Pitcher Plants and Sundews. We learned that because of constant water flow, bogs are very nutrient deficient for plants and this caused carnivorous plants to evolve this kind of feeding strategy. Along the way, we heard and observed more birds such as a juvenile Hermit Thrush flitting about on tree limbs and the most covered forest floor and a Red-breasted Nuthatch high up in a spruce. While standing in a lush grove of ferns, the group heard the “jib jib jib” of Red Crossbills flying over.

We ended our walk back at the main camp area where we explored the Queen Mary lab before taking the boat back to the mainland. The lab contained many interesting skins of birds and animals to study. From the dock, we spotted three Harbor Seals and watched nine Short-billed Dowitchers fly by. A noisy Common Tern perched on the tide marker to bid us farewell. Overall, we had a very fun and informative day on the island and many of us were not ready to leave. There’s so much to explore on Hog Island and MYBC can’t wait to go back to this beautiful place!

Our full checklists for the trip can be seen here:

Stay tuned for our August trip details and until then, happy birding!

An Evening at Kennebunk Plains

By Marion Sprague

Four enthusiastic young birders joined us for a memorable evening exploring the Kennebunk Plains, led by special guest Magill Weber. After weeks of rainy Saturdays, we were thrilled to finally catch a break in the weather. Saturday evening brought us clear skies, crisp air, and the perfect early summer backdrop for birding.

Things started off quietly, but the trail soon came alive. Along the path just left of the parking area, we picked up several Field Sparrows and heard the distinctive “drink your tea” call of an Eastern Towhee. As we headed toward the back edge of the plains the action picked up with sightings of a small group of Cedar Waxwings, a flitting Prairie Warbler, and the call of a Common Yellowthroat echoing from the thickets.

As we moved down the trail, excitement sparked when we spotted a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker darting between birches and maples. To our surprise, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird zipped around it—possibly defending territory or sneaking a sip from the sapsucker’s sap wells.

Then came a highlight of the evening: the rich, melodic song of a Scarlet Tanager led us to a stunning male perched nearby. We got fantastic looks—and even a few audio recordings. For several birders, it was a lifer, and we took a quiet moment to soak it in.

Heading back along the right edge of the plains, we were treated to an especially photogenic Field Sparrow, perched low in the brush and showing off its pink bill and legs in perfect light.

Our top targets for the night—Vesper Sparrow and Grasshopper Sparrow, both state-endangered—had eluded us so far. But patience paid off! A small sparrow appeared at the edge of the gravel path: our first Vesper Sparrow of the evening. It later landed in a low shrub along the trail and posed for several minutes, giving everyone a great look.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we heard the high-pitched call of an American Kestrel near a stand of pines. Just as we turned to investigate, it flew out across the plains!

Back at the parking area, while we waited for dusk to fully settle, a Grasshopper Sparrows buzzed from the grass and Vesper Sparrows chimed in. Just as the clock struck 9:00 PM, we were rewarded as the unmistakable “whip-poor-will” call rang out across the plains—then another, and another. We counted at least three calling across the darkening landscape.

A huge thank-you to Magill for lending her time, knowledge, and great energy—it made for a truly fun and rewarding outing! We're always grateful for these chances to explore Maine’s birds and wild places together.

Our full checklists for the trip can be seen here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S250538064

We hope to see you all in July!

2025 Flycatcher Day at Evergreen Cemetery

by Brit Fox

We kicked off our outing full of excitement and gratitude—the rain held off, allowing us to enjoy our first MYBC trip in a couple of months! While spring weekends have almost consistently been rained out, we were thrilled to have dry weather. It may not have been warm or sunny to start, but there wasn’t a drop of rain in sight—we’ll take it!

As we waited for all of our young birders to arrive, we spotted eight mallard ducklings with their mother and enjoyed the sight (and sound!) of three lively, cooperative chestnut-sided warblers. We also heard some strange noises from two red-eyed vireos having a territorial dispute, which brought them unusually close to the ground.

We talked about how the major wave of migrants had already moved through the area, but we remained hopeful for some late stragglers and nesting species. Fortunately, we weren’t disappointed! The theme of the outing quickly became all about flycatchers. We heard and saw several great-crested flycatchers and many eastern wood-pewees, including one nesting high in a deciduous tree. We also spotted an eastern kingbird. Listening carefully, we picked out the calls of least and alder flycatchers as well. A few special highlights included a brief look at a yellow-bellied flycatcher and an olive-sided flycatcher that made an appearance right at the end of the outing. We missed willow flycatchers and phoebes this time, but we’re sure they were out there somewhere.

Another standout moment was getting great views of a beautiful male prairie warbler near the powerline cuts. We also heard and observed other warbler species such as American redstarts, a black-throated green warbler, and a pine warbler. Near the pond, we watched a female Baltimore oriole collecting nesting material from cattails and enjoyed close looks at a stunning male oriole as well.

Non-birding highlights included a lovely native wildflower, jack-in-the-pulpit, and a few turtle sightings.

All in all, we observed 42 different bird species on our outing! You can view the full list here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S245482034

Stay tuned—our next trip announcement is coming soon!