Date: 5/30/26 6:53 am From: Jay Pitocchelli <jpitocch...> Subject: [Maine-birds] Prairie Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Mere Creek Golf course, Brunswick, ME 5/29/26
Prairie Warbler, Indigo Bunting, both singing, hole 5 near the southern end of the airport, Mere Creek Golf course, Brunswick, ME 5/29/26
Dr. Jay Pitocchelli, Professor Emeritus Biology Department Saint Anselm College Manchester, NH 03102
Date: 5/28/26 6:13 am From: Sharon F. <sfinley111...> Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Catbird behavior
We have had several pairs of cat birds nesting around us for many years. 9-10 madly chase each other upon returning and feed on all the suet to be found! Also indulge in grape jelly and meal worms at every possible opportunity. Statins may not be a bad idea!
They are very cheery and entertaining to share a yard with. Noise level here is constant due to catbirds, Carolina wrens(incessant!),cardinals,Orioles and nesting house wrens!🐦
Redstarts that nest near yard have returned again this spring as have a pair of Baltimore orioles. Worth getting through another winter!
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From: <maine-birds...> <maine-birds...> on behalf of David Gulick <dvdgu741...>
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 11:57 AM
To: Sean S <therefromhere168...>
Cc: <maine-birds...> <maine-birds...>
Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Catbird behavior
Our catbirds practically live on the suet! Can they develop coronary artery disease? Can catbirds have heart attacks or strokes? Perhaps I should grind up a statin and mix it in with the suet.
On May 27, 2026, at 9:46 AM, Sean S <therefromhere168...> wrote:
Catbirds are fun birds to have around and they're always welcome at our suet. The downside of having an accessible suet block is that Starlings (annoying) and Grackles (even more annoying because of the way they use their saw-like bills to hack off huge chunks) can partake at will. And then there's the issue of Squirrels, which sometimes have to be bribed away with peanuts and other treats. But it's still worth it to be able to allow Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and other species to have access to suet during times, as it seems this year, when insects are in short supply. I haven't seen any ticks this year (in itself, a welcome first), and only a couple of mosquitoes... very few moths on the window screens at night, not even many house flies vs. past years.
Catbirds have been nesting fixtures around the yard for several years now, I think in large part because of the suet feeder. They have such colorful personalities and vocal talents. Recently the male has been singing from a lilac bush at odd times during the night. Last night he was doing a perfect, but louder imitation of a Gray Treefrog, mixed in with other mimicry.
Date: 5/27/26 6:46 am From: Sean S <therefromhere168...> Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Catbird behavior
Catbirds are fun birds to have around and they're always welcome at our suet. The downside of having an accessible suet block is that Starlings (annoying) and Grackles (even more annoying because of the way they use their saw-like bills to hack off huge chunks) can partake at will. And then there's the issue of Squirrels, which sometimes have to be bribed away with peanuts and other treats. But it's still worth it to be able to allow Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and other species to have access to suet during times, as it seems this year, when insects are in short supply. I haven't seen any ticks this year (in itself, a welcome first), and only a couple of mosquitoes... very few moths on the window screens at night, not even many house flies vs. past years.
Catbirds have been nesting fixtures around the yard for several years now, I think in large part because of the suet feeder. They have such colorful personalities and vocal talents. Recently the male has been singing from a lilac bush at odd times during the night. Last night he was doing a perfect, but louder imitation of a Gray Treefrog, mixed in with other mimicry.
Sean Smith Hiram
On Tue, May 26, 2026, 5:47 PM Michelle Gregoire <m4gregoire...> wrote:
We have a suet cage with a roof so only woodpeckers, nuthatches and other birds that are comfortable upside down are able to feed from it - keeps the starlings away. A very clever Gray Catbird has learned how to jump from the deck railing and hover for a second, long enough to reach up and grab a bit from the underside of the cage. Perhaps it learned to hover by watching the hummingbirds (just kidding)? Michelle Gregoire Westbrook
Date: 5/23/26 12:09 pm From: Bob Knight <bob...> Subject: [Maine-birds] Brooksville :Rose Breasted Grosbeak 5/19 and Great Blue Herron 5/21
Hi Birders, Been a dit "drove up" with my garden and forgot to post that for last 4 days have had Rose Breasted Grosbeak hangin out around the feeders And our "Fishing Long Legs" otherwise known as Great Blue Herron has returned for the summer on 5/21
Date: 5/15/26 12:25 pm From: 'Derek and Jeannette Lovitch' via Maine birds <maine-birds...> Subject: [Maine-birds] This Week's Highlights, 5/9 to 5/15
Hi all,
Here are my observations of note over the pasts seven days:https://mebirdingfieldnotes.blog/2026/05/15/this-weeks-highlights-5-9-5-15-2026/
-Derek
Here, too, in our yard we have been seeing a scarlet tanager for 3 days, male and today we saw a female. Indigo bunting has been here, too. Baltimore Orioles and many cat birds, ruby throated hummingbirds, Easter phoebe, rose breasted grosbeaks, bluebirds, house wrens, carolina wrens, woodcock in the swamp, and other regulars.
Date: 5/14/26 3:31 pm From: Sarah Caputo <catbird338...> Subject: [Maine-birds] FOY Tanager and Swamp Sparrow
I also had the first scarlet tanager here today, along with significant warbler and songbird activity, BT greens, chestnut sided, black & white, ovenbirds, wood thrush, hermit thrush and a least flycatcher descended upon the pond and orchard. , A male oriole returned last weekend and several hummingbirds this week.
Sarah
Montville
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: <maine-birds...> <maine-birds...> on behalf of Susan Bloomfield <owlet18...>
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2026 10:21:17 AM
To: <maine-birds...> <maine-birds...>
Subject: [Maine-birds] FOY Tanager and Swamp Sparrow
We had our first scarlet tanager right out the window this morning, fairly low as things go.
Also, a few days ago, we found a swamp sparrow skulking in and around a rivulet just down our road.
Susan Bloomfield and Kenny DeCoster
West Kennebunk
Date: 5/14/26 8:50 am From: Jay Pitocchelli <jpitocch...> Subject: [Maine-birds] Yellow Warbler singing along the cove, Basin Cove, Harpswell, ME 5/14/26
Yellow Warbler singing along the cove, Basin Cove, Harpswell, ME 5/14/26
Dr. Jay Pitocchelli, Professor Emeritus Biology Department Saint Anselm College Manchester, NH 03102
Date: 5/13/26 8:51 am From: Janelle Hayman <hockeymum20...> Subject: [Maine-birds] Black throated blue warbler Saco Heath
While out on the Saco Heath today trying to beat the rain, I had stopped to try and glimpsed the black throated greens I could hear. Instead I caught a glimpse of this handsome fellow hopping around in the bushes. I watched him for 15 minutes until another group came by. Such a treat!
Date: 5/12/26 4:38 pm From: Sharon F. <sfinley111...> Subject: [Maine-birds] White crown in Saco
Has been here for 3 days; finally recognized song. Had never heard before or had one stay for more than a day. Female hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles have arrived as well. Sharon in Saco
Date: 5/11/26 11:41 am From: Sean S <therefromhere168...> Subject: Re: [Maine-birds] Bird List Hacked
Today's spam and malware bots have gotten so sophisticated that this is
concerning. I'm wondering if requiring 2-factor authentication for email
senders to the group list might somehow be possible? If so, it could help
weed out the deceptive spam emails, because frankly I think the status quo
is just likely to get worse over time.
Sean Smith
On Mon, May 11, 2026 at 9:01 AM Bill Grabin <grabin...> wrote:
Hello. Our feeder and yard has been visited by many these last days: Baltimore orioles catbirds (at least 5) Blue Jays house wrens carolina wrens bluebirds Easter towhee on the ground finches (house and purple) white throated sparrows white breasted nuthatches American Robins Goldfinches Rose breasted Grosbeaks woodpeckers (hairy, downy, red bellied) chickadees red wing blackbirds starlings
....and other sparrows and warbles
Close to us, on Smutty Lane, on a beautiful lawn we saw about 30 glossy Ibis.
