I am learning what I don't know

 1;15 to 2:30pm, 78 Degrees, Cloudy, Wind 9mph S, Bar 29.75 rise

I have been thinking about the bird list for the Little Forrest. I am trying to post pictures for the bird list. Seventy plus birds on the list and pictures of maybe twenty. I was thinking that the Common Grackles had gone south. I saw a hundred or so in the canopy flying around together. I saw three at one time (above) so clearly they have not all gone. They flew off towards Hall Street. Not staying in the Little Forrest. I am learning a lot about the comings and goings of the Little Forrest. Mostly, I am learning what I do not know. It seems the more I learn, the less I know. Really, learning allows me to see what else there is.

I wanted to find out the names of a tree and a shrub. I went to a tree expert and showed him pictures. Surely, he will know. I found out books for tree scientists do not have pictures! Who knew? They have illustrations of the buds to identify. At this point I do not care that much. Perhaps in the spring when the buds happen. It is a willow of some sort. A neighbor said black willow. the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker loves the willow. The feeder is under a shrub. A Common Buckthorn. I now know that plant. The birds love to move around it. I have learned two of how many. Before it was trees and brush. There is a small bush with red berries under the common buckthorn. The White-throated Sparrows like the berries. Now I want to know. I am learning I want to know what this bush is.

The birds were slow today. I did not see one Downy Woodpecker. I see them almost every time. Still a good bit of activity. No Cooper's Hawk. A fourth day in a row was really asking for too much. The robins were in the brook when I got there. They do not appreciate my company and moved on. Low flow today. Will probably be puddles tomorrow. The robins like the slow flow better. At least from what little I have seen. 

I saw a deer print in the "Dry Run" it is still muddy. I have seen squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs. I have hear tell of skunks, raccoon's, and deer. Number 7 I heard has or had a trail camera. Will have to ask him about it. 

Merlin identified 16 bird species. I saw ten of them. I also saw a grackle and a yellow-bellied. I have no doubt the other six species were there. They were all usual birds. 

Blue Jay

 

Blue Jay October 2026. the watchers of The Little Forrest. 

The Watchers

2:45 to 4:15pm, 68 Degrees, Partly Sunny, Wind 8mph S, Bar 29.90 fall

The Blue Jays are the watchers of The Little Forrest. The one pictured above was definitely checking me out. Their flight patters avoid me. Giving my sit spot a wide berth. Probably the largest bird that lives in the Little Forrest. The crows I suspect live across the Ocean(ave). I was talking with Number 2 today. She said the Blue Jays are watching her. She will throw peanuts out for the chipmunks and the jays often get them first. Also, they hang around her deck when she is in front of her slider. Hoping for peanuts no doubt. I was in my sit spot when she filled her feeders. First bird was a blue jay. It squawked loud and clear! Not only did the jays come but so did the cardinals. Their voices carry. If there is a lot of squuwking there is an intruder and they will drive it off. Always vigilant! 

This afternoon, the birds were active. However, there were several times when everything was quiet. No alarms just quiet. This happens in the Little Forrest for no discernible reason. Or at least not discernible to me. Still fun to watch in the quiet. A squirrel walked five feet from me. Sitting still allows our non human friends to get close. Even if they know we are there. The chipmunks and squirrels no longer give alarm calls when I am sitting by Fall Brook. Today its flow is down. In a few days without rain it will stop and be puddles. 

As, I was looking towards the feeder at Number 2, A Coopers Hawk! Three days running. It came from behind maybe twenty feet from my right shoulder maybe less. Flew over the bog, low. I was above it! It  turned maybe twenty feet in front of me and went down the brook. It is not often that one is above a hawk. This is the second time I have been in the Little Forrest and been above a cooper's. And close. 

And here it is in all its glory! It flew down the brook and pulled in to see what prey it could see. And then the watchers came. Blue Jays squawking alarms at it. Lots of jays. They chased it to the other side of the brook. Before I could find it and get a picture, the jays chased it off again. This is the secong time a cooper's has been close to me in two days. Sitting still for the win! I suspect this is the same bird I have seen the last two days. They have started their migrations south. Not sure how long this one will terrorize the inhabitants of the Little Forrest before heading south. 

Merlin Identified 15 species. No red dots. I saw 11 of them. I suspect they were all there. Plus, the Cooper"s Hawk. It was hunting and not calling. Stealth mode. 
 

Carolina Wren

 Carolina Wren September 2026

Northern Waterthrush

 

Northern Waterthrush September 2026

Swainson's Thrush

 Swainson's Thrush September 2026

Common Yellowthroat

 Common Yellowthroat September 2026

Mourning Dove

 

Mourning Dove August of 2026

Eastern Phoebe

 Eastern Phoebe September 2026

Tufted Titmouse

 

Tufted Titmouse August of 2026.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak September 2026
 

Black-capped Chickadee

 Black-capped Chickadee September 2026. 

American Robin

 

American Robin September 2026

American Goldfinch

 American Goldfinch September 2026. 

Gray Catbird

 

Gray Catbird drinking from Fall Brook. September 2026 

Song Sparrow

 Song Sparrow picture  taken in September of 2026.

Coopers Hawk

Coopers Hawk in The Little Forrest September 2026.

Another Coopers Hawk in the little Forrest. October 2026. This one came flying through not twenty feet from me

 

Northern Cardinal

 

Northern Cardinals in The Little Forrest. Males are red. First picture has a male and female. Bottom picture is Fall Brook. 

White-throated Sparrow

 White-throated Sparrow in The Little Forrest. September 2026. 

Downy Woodpecker

Downy woodpeckers pictures taken in the Little Forrest. September 2026. The middle one is a female. Red patch is the male.
 

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 9/30/26
 

Red-bellied Woodpecker

 Red-bellied Woodpecker in the Little Forrest 9/30/26 

Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker drinking from a puddle next to Fall Brook in the Little Forrest. 

More...

8:00 to 9:30am, 59 Degrees, Cloudy, Wind 2mph SSW, Bar 30.07 steady

As an active alcoholic I always wanted more. Folks in recovery will sometimes say there favorite drink was the next one. I feel that way about the sit spot. What is coming next? Is there more? Can't wait to see what is happening with my non human friends in the Little Forrest. Went down to Fall Brook yesterday afternoon for a bit. I had nothing going on. I saw the Coopers Hawk above. Not the first time I have seen a Coopers in the Little Forrest. I saw one fly through the Gulley when I sat up there. Wild to see it from above. I was trying to get myself to leave this morning. I was having a hard time because so much was happening. I swiveled in my chair towards the brook and a Northern Flicker took off and then I heard large wings furiously flapping. A coopers must have been drinking right behind me! It was not twenty feet from me when I first saw it! Gone too fast for a photograph. 

There is more! I must have seen a hundred Common Grackles fly over and through the canopy. I saw a group of birds flying from behind me and over at first. I thought there was a predator chasing the birds of the Little Forrest. Then there were more. Some birds gather together before making their migrations. I am now guessing that grackles do that. 

But wait, there's more! I saw a flicker down at the brook drinking. Also, I took some good pictures of it! Not only that I got my first decent pictures of the elusive Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Some more good looks at the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. And More! I saw some Downy Woodpeckers too! So much activity this morning it was hard to know where to look. 

Merlin Identified 27 species! The most ever. It did not identify the Coopers Hawk. I also saw a couple of warbles through the binoculars. By the time I got the camera up they were gone. Several red dots. The waterthrush, Ovenbird, Eastern Towhee, Brown Thrasher. Waterthrush was there. Others are possible. 

Balance is important. I need to be careful of too much. It does not really matter what the thing is. 

 

Seasons are Changing

 8:00 to 9:30am, 57 Degrees, Cloudy/Drizzle, Wind 6mph NNE, Bar 29.91 rise

Winter is coming! The American Goldfinches are starting to change into their winter plumage. Definitely lees colorful than summer. It will be interesting to see how much things change in the Little Forrest after the Northeaster. It was hard to hear the birdsong this morning with Fall Brook babbling away. There was also a crew grinding tree limbs not to far away. The birds took their time getting to the feeder this morning. Almost five minutes before a chickadee came to visit. 

Lots of activity in the bog this morning. The goldfinch above had a few friends. Mostly, they stayed in sight above the plants in the bog. At least twice the Common Yellowthroats came through. Much harder to see. They move around below the top leaves. Occasionally, they come up. It is hard to get some glass on them in focus before they dive back into the bracken. At one point I heard a bird and thought Northern Waterthrush. It was! I suspect I will have to learn some of the birds calls again, next season. The waterthrush will be heading to Central America, South America and the Caribbean soon. Safe travels! 

Merlin heard 17 bird species. I saw the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers up in the Black Willows. A lot goes on up in those trees. Merlin "identified" a Sanderling, a shore bird. While shore habitat is only a half mile away, I do not think so. Will not add it to the list. However it is possible. 

Feelings aren't Facts!

 2:30 to 3:30pm, 57 Degrees, Cloudy some rain, Wind 12 NNE, Bar 29.91 steady

It was good to get out. We are at the tail end of a Northeaster. Went out this morning during a break in the rain. It was still really windy and it kept blowing water off the leaves. I was soaked in under ten minutes. I scared up some birds from the usually dry run before the island. When Fall Brook is slow the birds are there. It was a babbling brook today. 

It felt quiet this afternoon. Feelings are not facts! The babbling of the brook, no doubt, made the bird song hard to hear. There was a fair amount of bird activity. I saw a catbird coming across the bog. Merlin did not pick up any calls for that bird. One of the birds that chatters prolifically in the Little Forrest. I saw quite a few birds flying around the Black Willows. Birds love them. I also saw a Black and White Warbler. (pics) Stayed in the rain a bit longer than I wanted to get those pictures. I really like the picture of the Downy Woodpecker above. 

Merlin Identified 11 species. I saw a Black and White Warbler, Gray Catbird, Song Sparrow, Mallard, Herring Gull,. That Merlin did not "hear" Also, quite a few mystery birds. Usually when Merlin hears a mallard it is an agitated squirrel. 

Feelings aren't facts. When I am emotionally involved in something it is hard to see things clearly. Always good to run things by a friend, mentor, or sponsor, when things get emotionally charged!

Black and White Warbler

 Not the best pictures Of this Black and White Warbler. But happy to get them on a rainy afternoon. In the Common Buckthorn behind the feeder in my sit spot. As far as I could tell there was only one. Merlin did not hear it. Fall Brook was flowing.

Acceptance

 8:00 to 9:15am, 59 Degrees, Cloudy Skies, Wind 12 NE, Bat 30.03 fall, Full Moon

I am sure some of my non human friends have accepted me into The Little Forrest. For the last couple of days the Carolina Wrens have been getting closer to my sit spot. Today, they were in the tree/bush above the feeder. (Above) I saw quite a few of them today. First time, I actually saw them in The Little Forrest. I have to accept what gifts The Little Forrest wants to show me. Also, more importantly, accept what it does not want to show me. Today The Little Forrest showed a lot. It was alive with energy! Surprisingly Fall Brook was running. I do not think it rained last night. And certainly not enough for the flow it had. A Northeaster is moving in. It will be flowing and maybe over its banks!

As I was coming across the bog, I could see birds moving away from the feeder. It looked like quite a few. The birds were super active even as I was setting up my chair. Perhaps, it is the water in the brook. The wren was on the feeder for a bit. More avian friends in the Btree than ever before. At least, when I was present. Mostly staying on the far side. New to the Btree for me were: Carolina Wren, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Waterthrush. It was nice to see the waterthrush move. It was moving its but just like the Merlin ID video.  

I think the chickadees do not care if I am there. There flight paths had been a good bit away from me. At least fifteen or twenty feet. Not today. They were flying right past me. Over my head and shoulders. A few times they left the feeder and flew right at me. So close to my head that I flinched and moved my head so they did not hit my face! That was really wild. A couple of White-breasted Nuthatches came close as well. The titmice are less skittish than they were. Some Red-eyed Vireos sat on a branch across the brook for a bit. They usually stay up in the canopy. Maybe the water brought my avian friends to me. 

The exciting bird action came to an end when Alarming Cat went by the feeder at Number 2. the Chickadees carried on for a bit. The alarm sounds from chipmunks and squirrels quiet things down in the Little Forrest. 

Merlin identified 19 bird species. The mallard was an agitated squirrel. Red dots for the waterthrush and a Great Horned Owl. I saw the waterthrush. I saw a woodpecker up in the Willow Oak. 

Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. I have to accept it as it is. I do not have to like it!

A Gift

 8:15 to 9:30am, 58 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 9 NNE, Bar 30.24 fall

This bird is a gift. Every new bird is a gift. Really, every bird is a gift. Behold the Northern Waterthrush! I did not believe there was one in the Little Forrest. I would think there needs to be more reliable water than there has been. It just goes to show how little I know about the Little Forrest and my non human friends there. I usually just sit in my chair and don't move. However, I saw this bird in the sun and had to investigate. I was curious as to what bird was overlooking the Bog. 

I saw a White-breasted Nuthatch hit the feeder today. A gift! I am excited to see what comes next. Lots of new things today. Each a gift. The feeder is above a dry run. A place that water runs when Fall Brook overflows. It makes where I sit an "Island." Yesterday, I saw more chipmunks than I had before. Many making alarm calls about me. Today there was at least one chipmunk down in the dry run. What a difference a day makes. There is a bush/tree that overhangs the dry run. Birds usually stop in this tree/bush before dropping onto the feeder. Today there were Northern Cardinals in the Tree/bush. Not on "my" side mind you. However they were there checking things out. I would love it if they would feed while I was there. 

I saw at least two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers up in a willow oak. At least that is what I am calling the trees for now. Same tree I photographed the sap sucker in two days ago. I think I saw a Northern Flicker in the willow oak closer to me. Definitely, a woodpecker. I did not have a clear view. I am working on figuring out what the trees and bushes are. This too is a gift. 

Merlin Identified 20 bird species. Only one red dot. The now photographed Northern Waterthrush. It will now go on the list. Eastern Wood-pewee and Northern House Wren were Unlikely in Portland today. However, they could have been there. I also, Saw at least one woodpecker that was not on Merlin's sound identification. 

What feels like a gift to you today?

Patience

 2:30 to 4:00pm, 65 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 5mph ESE, Bar 30.39 fall

It takes time to gain the trust of the inhabitants of the Little Forrest. The Black-capped Chickadees are loving the thistle feeder. At this point I do not think they care that I am there. The Tufted Titmice (above) are not as sure about me. I was there for a while. At first the titmice were very skittish. If I so much as looked at the feeder when they were on it they were gone. They would not get on the side facing me. If I so much as lifted the camera...just gone. Ignoring them and sitting quietly made them more comfortable. I believe they live upstream of where I sit. On the other side of Fall Brook. In the beggining their flight pattern was more indirect. They would fly through the smaller trees, bushes and brush. Stopping along the way to see if it was safe. After a while they were flying out of the brush on the other side of the brook straight to the feeder. Sitting still is sometimes the right action. 

I saw more Grey Catbirds than I have seen before. They were not getting as close as the chickadees and the titmice. However they are getting closer. I suspect that they see me not bothering their smaller friends. Maybe, they think, I am okay. The Blue Jays are getting closer as well. Their flight pattern to the feeder at Number 2 was not over my feeder or sit spot. A couple of times they sat over the feeder. Quite high, close enough to check out what is going on though. I wonder if they will hit the feeder when I am there. Patience. Time in the Little Forrest. Time takes time. 

I heard a woodpecker banging on a tree above. I saw it a few times. Moving about. Probably the same bird that I posted yesterday. I believe a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, juvenile.  There are some holes on a dead branch in the tree it was moving about on. I wonder if it is its nest. More will be revealed in time. 

Merlin Identified 22 bird species. No red dots today! The sapsucker was Likely in Portland Today. There was a American Golden Plover on the list. Not Likely in Portland Today. Also, It is a shore bird. It is less than a half mile to shore habitat as the plover flies. Not going to add it to the list. It is a beautiful bird though. 

Suit up and Show up!

 8:00 to 9:15am, 55 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 8mph NE, Bar 30.60 rise

You have to show up to see what is going to happen. Much of life is just showing up. So, I showed up to sit this morning. Mornings seem hit or miss on the Island. I got down there and could hear Black-capped Chickadees on the feeder. I fumbled with the chair and then they were gone. Birds were quiet for a bit. Then I saw Alarming Cat! Walking behind units 1-4. Past the feeder at Number 2. Chipmunks and squirrels were sounding the alarm. Birds were quiet after that. 

I saw the woodpecker in the picture above. I was hoping that it was a red-bellied. Because of its size. When looking at the bird books and apps. As close to an identification as I get is Hairy Woodpecker. I thought is was too large for that. Hairy would be a new bird for The Little Forrest. 

After a while the chickadees came back to the feeder. Oh man, did they come back. I try to avoid looking at and pointing my camera lens at the first birds. I do not know how many there were. The most I saw was five at one time. However, they are in the trees waiting to drop down on the feeder. When the chickadees are feeding the other inhabitants are paying attention. The first ones are not very noisy. After a while my part of the Little Forrest was alive with chickadee song. Some Tufted Titmice came around for a bit too. Much more skittish than their smaller friends. 

More seems to be visible during a chickadee frenzy. I tend to no pay attention and look beyond them. I think they know where I am looking. When I am engaged with watching other birds, the chickadees will fly closer than when I am watching them. I can see them in my peripheral vision and feel them. Sometimes under ten feet from me. Some Common Yellowthroats in the bog during the frenzy. Also, I was looking for flycatchers over one of the pools and noticed birds using it as a bath. (cardinal/catbird) 

I am glad I moved down into the Fall Brook Valley. Much more bird behavior to observe. Who knows what will happen next. What will show up. Gotta suit up and show up!

Merlin identified 21 species. It did not identify the hairy above. I also, saw a Downy Woodpecker. A Rock Pigeon is new to the Little Forrest. Baltimore Oriole was the only red dot. Could be one from farther north making its way to the Caribbean or Central America. 

Update: I put the picture up on Maine Birds in Facebook. Juvenile Yellow Bellied Sapsucker. 

Swivel

 

3:00 to 4:00pm, 64 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 5mph SSE, Bar 30.39 steady

`I bought  a swivel chair. I wanted to be able to see in all directions. If I sit in a chair that is stationary, it is almost imposable to turn and see behind me. I was following the movements of a bird in the canopy. A Great Crested Flycatcher! And ended up looking towards a pool in Fall Brook. I have not been sitting looking in this direction. the crested took me in this direction. I would never have seen this Eastern Phoebe if I had not chased the first flycatcher. I got to watch this one dive on the pond and come back up several times. Just fun to watch. How much do I miss with my lack of 360 vision? 

I moved the bird feeder that was above the Gulley to down near the island. I have seen Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice on it. They found it fast. It sits under a tree that the birds sit in anyway. I never saw the titmice on it above the Gulley. Location, location, location! I saw a pair of titmice hit the tree, see me, then fly for the feeder at Number 2. The feeder I put up is in the middle of The Little Forrest. I suspect it will be popular with the inhabitants of the Little Forrest. I saw Blue Jays down and around the Island today. It is not on what I think of as their flight routes. I suspect they know about the feeder. 

Merlin identified 22 species of birds. Red dots: Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Towhee, Hermit Thrush, Great Horned Owl. I saw the crested flycatcher. Wish I could have gotten a picture. I heard a Belted Kingfisher! as did Merlin. Not enough water in the brook for it to fish. However it is not that far so maybe a scouting mission. Northern Cardinal was my bird of the day. Saw that one!