Another year, another successful season of Saco Bay Trails' Spring Bird Walks! Led by the ever-enthusiastic Josh Fecteau, these walks at Laurel Hill Cemetery have become a beloved tradition. This year was no exception, filled with exciting bird sightings, record-breaking discoveries, and a chance to connect with the wonders of nature.
Let's revisit the highlights that made these birding adventures truly unforgettable!
A Strong Flock: Walk attendance averaged 18 people per walk, and avian observations averaged 40 species of birds per walk.
Weather on Our Wings: While the forecast threatened rain for several of our walks, we stayed dry for all of them. Each outing was warmer than the last. The starting temperature for our first walk on April 25th, was below freezing, at 28F, while that for our May 23 walk was a balmy 66F.
Breaking Records: At the end of last spring, our all-years' species total for these walks was 91 species. This year, we topped 100. We added 14 new species, bringing our total to 105! These new birds included: Spotted Sandpiper, Bobolink, and three types of thrushes (Swainson's, Hermit, and Wood).
Nesting Instincts: We had the opportunity to watch a few species gathering/carrying nesting materials, including a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches outfitting a nest in a maple tree by the parking area.
Beyond the Birds: In addition to observing birds, we observed other types of animals. We heard American Toads trilling at the base of the riverside hill, and we saw a Woodchuck and a Snapping Turtle.
A Day to Remember: Our third walk of the season, on May 9th, was our busiest day, with a total of 49 species observed, including: our first Baltimore Oriole of the year; Bobolinks singing from a treetop by the river; and several gorgeous Scarlet Tanagers who gave us close looks. Also, an immature Red-tailed Hawk (no red in tail yet) landed above the parking area (and some participants) as the walk ended.
Connecting with Nature: As is our tradition for these walks, we started each morning with a circle, to share names and answer a question of the day. One of the questions was "If you could be any bird for a day, which bird would you be?" Answers varied widely, from Hummingbirds to Hawks! What bird would you be, and why?
Thank you to all who attended these birding outings. What a wonderful way to celebrate spring, learn about birds, and meet other folks who enjoy nature connection. We hope to see you next year!
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