The Bird Word 2026 Season

The local bird nesting season is well underway. We have nests containing eggs on five of the six land trust preserves with nest boxes. As of today, Bluebirds lead the way with a total of 27 eggs in six different nests. Singing Meadows has three nest boxes containing 4, 5, and 6 eggs, respectively, all of which are expected to hatch on or about May 6th. Lobster Cove, Oak Point Farm, and Penny Lake have at least one nest box, each containing 4 eggs. Most of those are expected to hatch within a week.

Tree Swallows are just beginning to establish nests on each of the preserves, but as of yet have not deposited any eggs in those nests. That should change as the weather warms up, leading to an increase in the flying insects needed by the adults to feed themselves and their young.

The Spring bird migration is really ramping up here in Maine, where we are seeing a daily increase in the number of birds returning from their winter vacations down south. Many of those birds are making their way to breeding grounds not just in Maine but beyond into Canada and as far north as the Canadian Arctic.

Recent local sightings include Broad-winged Hawks, several Warbler species, including Pine, Yellow-rumped, Northern Parula, Yellow, and Common Yellow-throat, as well as both varieties of Kinglets. Chipping, Swamp, White-throated, and Savannah Sparrows are becoming more frequently seen and heard as well. A few of the sea ducks (Surf Scoter, Long-tailed, and Common Eider) that winter here in Maine are still hanging around in the harbor and along the coast before they head north to their breeding areas.

Peak migration in Maine will occur in the next couple of weeks, with millions of birds flying every night and settling in the morning to rest and feed before resuming their flights north. This will be a great time to get out on Boothbay Region Land Trust preserves to witness this incredible miracle of nature at its best.

Despite some cooler-than-usual weather, spring bird breeding activity is off to a good start on the Boothbay peninsula. Eastern Bluebirds have not only started building nests on most of our land trust preserves, but they also have already laid eggs in at least four of those nests. Singing Meadows is currently in the lead with four nests, one of which already has four eggs. Eggs are anticipated in the other three nests in the near term.

So far, Oak Point Farm and Penny Lake Preserves each have one Bluebird egg each in a nest, with more anticipated this week.

Lobster Cove Meadow and Zak preserves have one nest each with Bluebird eggs expected soon.  Autumn View has Bluebirds and Tree Swallows hanging around, and nests with eggs are anticipated there as well.

The spring bird migration is well underway, as exemplified by the birdsong that is easily heard on the preserves.  By far, the most vocal birds you are likely to hear during a walk on the trails include Song Sparrows, Goldfinches, Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, Titmice, Black-capped Chickadees, and Cardinals.  Many other bird species will be arriving daily, adding their songs to the avian symphony.

For those of you who like to walk at Oak Point Farm, you will likely see a new bird-related “structure” on the property.  An Osprey nest platform was recently installed to the right of the trail from the farmhouse to the dock. We are hopeful that a pair of Ospreys will soon find the platform to their liking and build a nest on it this season.