-
1 week ago | 
bangordailynews.com | Bob Duchesne
The curtain rises on the big show in a week, when the first major wave of migrant songbirds returns to Maine. Three warbler species will lead the way: palm, pine, and yellow-rumped. Ruby-crowned kinglets may overwhelm them all, at least vocally. It’s hard to shut ‘em up this time of year. Yellow-bellied sapsuckers will fly in overnight. At dawn, they will begin drumming on the loudest thing they can find. I’ve been amusing myself with the antics of our year-round resident birds while I wait.
-
2 weeks ago | 
bangordailynews.com | Bob Duchesne
This story was originally published in March 2021. I know this may seem crazy, but I can hear what a forest looks like. I see with my ears. There are nearly 300 breeding birds in Maine, and they’re all about to have sex. That means the woods are about to get loud with song, as the birds go about the business of attracting mates and defending territories. These 300 birds do not settle down randomly. Each one has a specific habitat preference.
-
2 weeks ago | 
bangordailynews.com | Bob Duchesne
I was in the dentist’s office recently, reclining for an hour in the hygienist’s chair with no other duties but to rinse and spit. My mind wandered, as it often does. Suddenly, it hit me. America’s recent desire to take over Canada is partially the fault of the birding community. Just look at the way we name birds.
-
2 weeks ago | 
bangordailynews.com | Bob Duchesne
I was in the dentist’s office recently, reclining for an hour in the hygienist’s chair with no other duties but to rinse and spit. My mind wandered, as it often does. Suddenly, it hit me. America’s recent desire to take over Canada is partially the fault of the birding community. Just look at the way we name birds.
-
3 weeks ago | 
bangordailynews.com | Bob Duchesne
North American seabirds stream down from Canada into the Gulf of Maine every winter, yet most ocean birds remain out of sight for Maine birders. Every tour boat from Kittery to Eastport gets tarped, drydocked or hauled out around October. All except one. In truth, the Isle au Haut Ferry is not exactly a tour boat. Its main function is to carry passengers between Stonington and the small residential community on Isle au Haut.
-
4 weeks ago | 
bangordailynews.com | Bob Duchesne
This story was originally published in March 2022. Someday I may write a book containing everything I don’t know about birds. I expect it will be at least a three-volume set. So, when the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife offered a Zoom presentation on owls two weeks ago, two lines in the description caught my immediate attention. “What we know about Maine’s owls … What is still a mystery.”Thus intrigued, I was one of the 189 people who tuned in to watch.
-
1 month ago | 
bangordailynews.com | Bob Duchesne
In one week, song sparrows will start singing in every neighborhood. American robins will do likewise. About three weeks later, more songbirds will return and offer up their own melodies. Until then, we’ll just have to listen to a bunch of weird bird sounds. Birds make noises for many reasons. This time of year, the main reason is all about mating, either wooing a partner or declaring a territory. Some of these noises could hardly be called songs.
-
1 month ago | 
bangordailynews.com | Bob Duchesne
Spring migrants are moving north. The first blackbirds have crossed the state line, and flocks of common grackles have appeared in the Bangor area. While we wait for the other migrants to arrive, we can amuse ourselves with the resident local birds that are gearing up for spring. I refer to eagles, crows and ravens. Bald eagles nest early. Crows and ravens aren’t far behind. They may not be on specific territories yet, but they’re thinking about it. Hence, they’re angry with each other.
-
1 month ago | 
bangordailynews.com | Bob Duchesne
I just returned from Fundy National Park in New Brunswick. Up next, I’ll spend some time birding our own Acadia National Park. I’m a little worried about the latter. It’s clear Canadians cherish their national parks, even in winter. Fundy has a variety of camping and glamping options, served with flush toilets, hot showers and heated cooking pavilions. Trails are maintained and groomed for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking. The welcome center is open and well-staffed.
-
1 month ago | 
bangordailynews.com | Bob Duchesne
This story was originally published in February 2024. Birds will begin migrating back into Maine next week. Or the week after. Well, soon anyhow. It’s time for a quick identification workshop. After all, the birds aren’t going to identify themselves. Well, yes, they are, but only to each other. But I digress. When it comes to building bird identification skills, I propose that there are five levels of proficiency. For each level, I’ll give you one big tip for rapid improvement.
