Snowy owl.
I’ve seen snowy owls before. Quite a few times, in fact—including a winter or two years ago when the same bird seemed to be perched atop the Finnish Congregational Church in South Thomaston every time I drove down 131. But my pupils widen and my pulse rate quickens a bit with every sighting of this impressive-looking bird. Plus, it had been a while.
Purple sandpiper.
Today during our local Christmas Bird Count (an annual Audubon Society census performed since 1900) we saw two of ’em. Our CBC first—and second.
Team member Paul Doiron spotted the first one on the snowy Samoset Resort golf course—a young bird judging by its dark plumage and what looked almost like a grayish hood. It sat near a bush at the edge of a couple of rocks—which, frankly, it resembled—turning its head occasionally and getting hollered at by a couple of crows. It was too far away to photograph, and getting near it was not easy. The second owl, though, was a real treat.
We’d pulled into the parking lot of a Rockland church that overlooks the harbor when, as we got out of our vehicles, the owl swooped up onto the church roof. It sat for a minute or so looking around, considering the crows, considering us humans. Finally the crows got too annoying, and it took flight, veering around the church before reappearing and sailing off over the harbor, trailed by at least one crow.
It was sweet.
Canada goose.
As was the flock of dozens of purple sandpipers that wheeled around and lit at the very tip of the Rockland Breakwater when we happened to be right there. Also the young eagle Ron spotted at Chickawaukie Lake. The horned grebe at the harbor. The geese, the kinglets, the downy woodpecker.
The day wasn’t as miserable as forecast—no rain or ice, not overly frigid, only faint drizzle—and after lunch I left the group to rescue dog from his long nap. As we bulled our way into the Beech Hill Parking lot, I glanced up at the big dead tree and caught sight of the pileated woodpecker. The fourth straight day he’s been there (three of which I’ve seen him there). Pretty sure Jack saw him, too. I inched open the pickup door and grabbed a few photos before he took notice, climbed to the top snag, and flapped away.
Despite all the packed, semi-thawed snow, the hike wasn’t too difficult. Just as we began, I heard a raven call (a new call to these ears) and spied two of them winging off to the northwest, where I believe a nest is. At my first glimpse of the summit, I checked the tops of the spruce trees and sure enough spotted something up there. Just as I trained my binocs on it, the red-tailed hawk soared away.
Pileated woodpecker.
I wonder if tonight I’ll dream of owls.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 2:45 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Pileated woodpecker
2. Common raven
3. Northern flicker (v)
4. Black-capped chickadee***
5. White-breasted nuthatch*** (v)
6. Tufted titmouse*** (v)
Christmas Bird Count List
Beginning at 7:45 p.m., we covered parts of Rockport and Rockland.
(Note: other species were listed after midday, when I left the group.)
14. Surf scoter
15. White-winged scoter
16. Common goldeneye
19. Northern harrier
20. Bald eagle
21. Purple sandpiper
22. Ring-billed gull*
23. Herring gull*
24. Great black-backed gull
25. Black guillemot
26. Mourning dove
27. Hairy woodpecker
28. Downy woodpecker
29. Snowy owl
30. Blue jay
31. American crow*
32. Golden-crowned kinglet
33. Brown creeper (v)
34. European starling
35. Northern cardinal
37. Song sparrow
38. House finch
39. American goldfinch
40. House sparrow
*Also elsewhere
*** Also on the Christmas Count List
