We’ve all heard it, right? The unexpected bit of song or surprise call…from a bird? OK, maybe you need to be bird-oriented to key into sounds like that. We certainly are! Evidence: Over the weekend, while our dog was making his final sniffs around the yard and otherwise taking care of doggy business, we heard, Read More
About Jeffrey and Allison Wells
Spring Trill-ogy
These last few weeks, as we’ve taken our dog on his morning neighborhood walk, one thing is clear: the spring trill-ogy is in full song. Rarely have we been out of earshot of the trilling music of Dark-eyed Juncos and Chipping Sparrows—two examples among the vast numbers of birds that produce a song made up Read More
Cooper Flagg Fans, Meet Cholao 2
As we write this, Cooper Flagg, the superstar basketball player from Newport, Maine, now playing for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, has just won the award for Rookie of the Year. He’s accomplished so much – good for him! A well-deserved honor. Flagg isn’t the only individual soaring to incredible heights of success. For us, Cholao Read More
Bird Aftermath of the 2026 Bomb Cyclone
In our last blog, we wondered what kind of an impact the ferocious bomb cyclone might have on seabirds that winter on the open ocean off Maine. For instance, would Dovekies, those smallest of the alcids (the bird family that includes Atlantic Puffins and Black Guillemots), appear in high numbers along Maine shores? Dovekies are Read More
The Bomb Cyclone and Birds at Sea
There was the hype. There was the footage of swirling, blowing snow, of waves piling up and spilling across oceanside streets. Brave weather people, geared up and giddy with anticipation, ignored their own advice and reported from the frontlines of Winter Storm Hernando, aka, the “bomb cyclone.” Whether or not it was the bomb, or Read More
Which Feeder Bird is the Toughest?
Our bird feeders have seen an increase in bird activity with all of the recent snow. Often, many birds are stopping in for a meal at the same time. But, that doesn’t mean they all are able to sit at the table, so to speak. With limited space, it’s not surprising that situations arise in Read More
Security Cam Birding
You’ve seen them. Those video clips of porch pirates helping themselves to packages left on doorsteps. If you’re fortunate, the ones you see include a satisfying gotcha at the end, when the thief gets dusted with spray paint or some other tell-tail punishment for their illegal behavior. Consider adding another element to your viewing: birding! Case in point: A Read More
Finch Fever: This Year’s Forecast and a New(ish) Book
While walking our dog through the neighborhood recently, we heard what sounded like the soft, mellow notes of Pine Grosbeaks. We were surprised; it seemed too early for these northern finches to be showing up in Maine. But as we approached the source of the calls, there they were: six beautiful Pine Grosbeaks in the Read More
Musings about Fall Birds in Maine
Fall is, by default, a time of contemplation, as life’s giant cog moves a notch and is expressed in all sorts of ways. Birders like us note that swell of migration from late August to early October, with dribbles of migrants continuing for several more weeks. That’s where we are now, in the birding cycle Read More
