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
About Jeffrey and Allison Wells
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
Caching Up for the Winter
It was one of those crip, golden days that couldn’t decide if it was summer or autumn. The sun lit the treetops along the late-afternoon street. Most leaves were still green, but the maple at the corner was showing off its bright yellows and reds. A tall, brilliant yellow-orange goldenrod at the corner of our Read More
Watching Hurricane Waves and Forster’s Terns
Like many an adventurer, we took time out of our weekend to observe the drama of the surf riled up by Hurricane Erin passing far offshore—of course, with the hope of seeing nice birds. On Friday, we zipped over to Pemaquid Point and saw…a Black Guillemot. One of our favorite little seabirds, but nothing Read More
Two Rare Birds Show Up in Downeast Maine
Who would have guessed that Downeast Maine would be where the Canadian Arctic and South Florida come together (sort of)? If you’re a birder, you may already know what we’re talking about. That’s right, two birds from two seemingly different worlds. A little over a week ago, a visitor from Florida was in the small Read More
Potato Chip Birds: Five Cool and Surprising Facts
Actually, if you don’t know which bird the “potato chip bird” is, then consider the subtitle “Six Surprising Facts.” And if you didn’t know that the potato chip bird, unlike most songbird species, form flocks in the non-breeding season, knock that cool factoid count up to seven. Never mind, let’s just jump in. You Read More
