Like Summer!

 9:15 to 10:15am, 41 Degrees, Cloudy, Wind 6 NE, Bar 29.80 fall

It did not feel like summer, however, the bird activity was like summer. I saw my first Blue Bird in The Little Forrest. Above. It is always nice to get a look at a bird that has been on Merlin a lot. I also, got a shot of a Purple Finch female! I sat for about an hour. The first 35 minutes were just birds everywhere. Then the crows came. They were unhappy about something. I never did see what they were after. 

Towards the end of my sit a large bird glided over The Little Forrest. It was all black. Seemed to big for a crow. Also, it could have had color. Just a grey sky. It did not feel like a crow. It glide seemed different. Maybe a raven. it landed in the pines on the north side of the gulley. The squirrels were unhappy. A short while later I heard a Red-tailed hawk in that direction. Could have been. Maybe it evaded the crows and came back. Much more is observable with the leaves gone. 

Merlin Identified 27 species. I saw 15 of those. 27 is the most Merlin has identified. 17 is the most I have seen. Blue bird was not on Merlin. Also, I saw a herring gull. 

Purple Finch

 Purple Finch November 2026

Blue Bird

 Blue Bird November 2026 

Red

 1:00 to 2:00pm, 49 Degrees, Partly Cloudy, Wind 7 NW, Bar 29.93 rise

I went screenless again on Tuesday. However, I did sit in the Little Forrest. After a couple of slow days, the birds are back! Some great looks at the Red-bellied Woodpecker. Above. The leaves are down and it is way easier to find and follow these guys. The Blue Jays were waiting for me to move away from the feeder. Right on top of me both days. Something moved two of the feeders on the pole last night. Might have to get a trail cam. 

I saw an immature female Purple Finch! At first I thought it was an Ovenbird. I really just want to see an ovenbird. Or maybe a thrush. I suspect they are gone for the season. I looked at the options of birds on Merlin and yes! A purple finch. 

Today Merlin Identified 17 species.I saw 10 of those. The mallard was an angry squirrel. Yesterday, I saw 10 species. I heard 2 more. Not bad for no computer assistance.

Fallen

 1:30 to 2:30pm, 54 Degrees, Sunny to Cloudy, Wind 14 N, 29.66 rise

The Downy Woodpecker, above, is looking for the leaves. They are all on the ground. Well, most of them are. A rainy weekend. i got out Saturday for a half an hour. Not much going on before the rain drove me back in. Did not sit Sunday. I have not seen the Blue Jays since Friday. I believe they are year round in The Little Forrest. 

With the leaves down I can see much further than before. I can tell birds are flying to Unit 5. I can not see a feeder because of tree trunks, However there is a lot of activity from the east side of Fall Brook up to Number 5. Birds were to small and fast for me to identify. Most likely sparrows, finches, chickadees. It is nice to see something new. Also, there are a lot of dreys visible now. Dreys are squirrel nests. It seems to me squirrels pick spots that hold their leaves longer. 

Merlin Identified 10 species. I saw 3 of those. The downy was not identified, I also saw herring gulls. 

Falling

 9:30 to 10am, 62 Degrees, Cloudy to Rain, Wind 1 N, Bar 29.92 even

The leaves will all be gone soon. I am seeing way more birds. Not more species, more individuals. I can just see farther. I have a better idea of the flight paths of the birds. I am loving the looks I am getting of the Red-bellied Woodpeckers. (above)

The Blue Jays remain vigilant. I walk down to my sit spot. Put my chair down. Add peanuts to the feeder. In the minute it takes to get back to the chair, the jays are on it! I looked to see if there were any before walking to the feeder. I did not see one. And Bam! 

Merlin Identified 14 species. I saw 6 species. I was only out for a short time. I would have seen more had I sat in the rain.

Murder!

 1:00 to 2:00pm, 68 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 5 SSE, Bar 29.96 fall

Many things going on in The Little Forrest. I went out yesterday, but did not post. I am turning my phone off on Monday nights and not back on until Wednesday morning. That includes computers, tablets etcetera. Analog for a day. Richard Louv in the book Last Child in The Woods says television steals our time. Nature amplifies it. Micah Mortali's modern version says Screens steal our time, Nature amplifies our time. I think of it as Screens depletes our souls, nature feeds our souls. So, I am doing less screens. 

When I am in my sit spot I have Merlin on. I check occasionally to see what birds it has heard. Also, I check if I hear a bird and am not sure what it is. Otherwise, I am not using my phone. I took a paper and pen to record what birds I heard and saw. I think my hearing was heightened by not having Merlin on. I identified 10 birds. the only one I did not see was the Carolina Wren. It was a really good experience. I will experiment more with my use/non use of Merlin. 

The crow above was part of a Murder! A group of crows is called a murder. They do not live in The Little Forrest. However, they do come over when they are chasing something out of their woods over across the Ocean ave. They were  lynch mob angry chasing a red-tailed hawk. I saw them chasing it on the north side of The Little Forrest. The hawk stopped in the trees. The crows were not having that. And chased it off towards the south. I got to see the chase through the trees as the leaves are falling. it took three or four murder mobs before the hawk was gone. It was nice to see what was going on. In the summer because of all the leaves it would have been a mystery. 

Merlin heard 20 species. I saw 10 of them.

What Did I Miss?

 1:00 to 2:30pm, 71 Degrees, Cloudy Skies, Wind 8 W, Bar 03.17 fall

What did I miss today? Not the Red-bellied Woodpecker. (Above) I can only look in one direction. Maybe 180 degrees. This is the first time I saw one today. No calls or songs. I just happened to be looking in the right spot. I usually hear them and not see them. On three occasions I saw a red-bellied. The other times I heard the calls and looked. Much lower in the trees today. Also, less leaves. I know I missed my neighbor at Number 2 fill her feeder. I sit with a view of it. I turned around and it was full. Even when I am in The Little Forrest I do not see what is going on everywhere. 

No two people have the same experience. Even sitting next to each other at the same time and place. We bring our different experiences and perspectives. 

Merlin Identified 18 birds. I saw 9 of those. Common Merganser is unlikely in The Little Forrest. It could have flown over. They will winter in Casco Bay. Not far away. 

Not a Mystery

 2:00 to 3:00pm, 53 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 7 mph S, Bar 30.34 fall

A kids part east of Fall Brook. The birds were subdued for a while in the beginning. I am not sure if it started just before I sat or if it had been going on for a while. A slow start to the activity of the birds when I got down there. Also, things have been slower. The Blue Jays (above) came in for their peanuts first. 

I saw a Red-tailed Hawk come flying low over the condominiums. Followed it as it flew from west to east. And out of sight. Crows called alarms shortly after I saw the hawk. Then crows coming from the west. Big alarms! Then the hawk came flying from east to west with three crows encouraging to move elsewhere. the leaves have fallen enough that I got to see a lot play out. A month ago it would have been a mystery as to why the crows were alarmed. 

Merlin Identified 13 species. I saw 6 of them. I also saw the hawk! 

New Baseline

 2:00 to 3:00pm, 50 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 8mph NW, Bar 30.28 even

Is this the new baseline? The past few days it has been under ten bird species. Definitely less activity. There was a wintery feel Wednesday. Things have quieted since. I suspect the birds that are here are staying for the winter. The migrating birds are through for the most part. It shall be interesting to see what happens.

I took some peanuts to the feeder, after I set up my chair. I did not get back to the chair before a Blue Jay was on the feeder! They know I bring the peanuts. I still can not tell the individual birds. Time and practice will help. They know me however. 

Merlin Identified 10 species. I saw 6 of them. I heard a Carolina Wren for the first time in five days. I thought they had gone. They can be year round here. Although there are less. 

Maybe

 2:30 to 3:30pm, 65 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 9mph S, Bar 29.87 even

Maybe this is what winter is like only colder. A good bit of activity in The Little Forrest. However the bird species number is down again. I brought peanuts again. The Blue Jays come in for those. No Titmice today however. The Northern Cardinals (above) are much more curious when the jays are grabbing peanuts. They come much closer than they normally do. The birds are paying attention to the other birds. I do not know if they communicate directly or not. 

Merlin Identified 9 species. I saw 6 species. I heard a Red-tailed Hawk up on the wind. Nice to have merlin confirm that. I can see a lot more sky than a month ago. I was hoping to see the hawk. 

Winter is coming

 3:00 to 4:00pm, 62 Degrees, Clear, Wind 6mph S, Bar 29.99 fall

Winter is coming! It was nice out. However, the birds were not terribly active. Not really a lot of bird chatter. Sunset is 5:35 today. It is the closest I have come to sunset yet. The Blue Jays heard me coming in. They were at the feeder for peanuts within two minutes. Got some really good looks at them. Jon Young in, What the Robin Knows,  talks about building threads with individual birds that eventually become a rope. I have yet to identify an individual bird. I am trying. I suspect some of the birds know me. It seems as if there are two flocks of the jays. The western are more timid. The eastern are bold. One came from behind so close to my head I could feel it. Perhaps one day it will click and I will recognize one.

Merlin identified 6 species. I saw 5 of them. Lowest total for Merlin since I moved down to the brook. I also, saw Downy Woodpecker, (above) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, House finch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Herring Gulls. The birds were subdued.

Wintery

 1:30 to 2:30pm, 49 degrees, Cloudy, Wind 4mph S, Bar 30.39 fall

It felt wintery in the sit spot this afternoon. I have sat there and felt more comfortable at lower temperatures. Nothing of note happened. 

Merlin Identified 18 species. I saw 9 species.

What is Baseline

 8:00 to 9:00am, 42 Degrees, Clear, Wind 7mph 9, Bar 30.35 rise

The birds activity can vary so much. What actually is baseline behavior? I don't think I saw a bird in The Little Forrest for the first half an hour. In the summer an hour after sunrise the birds would be everywhere. Activity seemed to pick up about the time the sun started to reach the forrest floor. I sit down in the Fall Brook Valley with tall trees all around. I suspect that the birds are conserving energy by not being in the colder spots. I will see birds sometimes in the sunny areas around the buildings and then nothing in my sit spot. There are many variables that I do not know or understand yet. I am still learning. An hour of observation at a time. 

I brought peanuts down with me. The first birds in were the Blue Jays. They brought a Tufted Titmouse with them. (above) Again the ones from the north and west took a more circuitous route to the feeder. The ones from the east were more direct. A couple of times the eastern ones flew really close to my head. It was turned away from their flight pattern. It is a fairly large bird! They cleaned the peanuts out faster today than yesterday. I wish I had time to observe the behavior after the nuts were gone. Or lack of behavior. When they were really feeding, robins and a cardinal came in to observe. Also, when the nuts were gone the a jay made a call that sounded specific to the nuts are gone. Sounded a bit whiney. Another landed in the basket the nuts were in and made the same sound. Observing and learning.

Merlin identified 14 species. I saw 7 species. Pine siskin has come up a few times lately. It would be nice to see that migrant bird. 

Mysteries

1:30 to 3:00pm, 62 Degrees, Clear to Cloudy, Wind 4 mph SE, Bar 30.10 fall

It was quiet for the first twenty minutes or so. Lots of crows about when I left my home. They have not really been in The Little Forrest in a while. Something was up. At one point they came down in the valley from the north then down the brook and started a ruckus south of me. My guess is there was a hawk, eagle, or raven they were none too happy about. What actually happened will remain a mystery. 

the Blue Jays came into the feeder first today. It is usually the chickadees. However, they spotted the peanuts. Jays make a bit of noise when they are on the feeder at Number 2. However, with me sitting not to far away, they are stealthy. I have yet to identify individual birds. I did notice different behavior. The Jays coming from the east across Fall Brook made long straight flight paths. Mostly directly to the feeder. No stopping on the branches near by before going for the peanuts. These birds are more comfortable with me. One left the feeder on a beeline for me. We both flinched! After a while a group came from the west. These stopped up high for a bit then slowly moved towards the peanuts. Always keeping something in between us. I saw one bury a peanut, come back for another before disappearing. Lots of new and interesting behavior.

Something large was moving on the other side of the brook. It was definitely larger than a squirrel. It was hard to tell more than that. I was hoping for a bear or moose. Highly unlikely, however there a=was a bear in a parking garage in downtown this year. So, not out of the realm of possibilities. Also, several years ago one of my neighbors got a picture of a moose in front of his condominium! Another mystery.

Merlin identified a mystery amount of species. (my guess 20) If the battery on your phone dies, merlin does not save the recording. I saw at least 10 species. It is hard with out the list.

 

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker October 2026
 

What an I Missing?

 1:00 to 2:30pm, 60 Degrees, Clear, Wind 6mph S, Bar 30.42 fall

How much do I miss? I could have easily missed this Pileated Woodpecker. I usually am looking over The Bog and not across Fall Brook. I do spin around from time to time. Today,  I saw this beauty. I saw it fly onto a tree and was just in awe. This picture really do not do the bird justice. It was there for maybe a minute. Moved to three or four trees and was gone. No calls or songs. Merlin was none the wiser. It is amazing what can be missed while still being fully present. 

I brought peanuts down for the Blue Jays. Today, they saw them almost immediately. I sit with a bush in between myself and the feeder. It was interesting to watch the different flight paths they took to the feeder. Quite a few flew below the island. Down low in the dry run. They were mostly out of sight on this path. Most flew around and behind trees to the Buckthorn and then down to the feeder. The Tufted Titmice also came in for the peanuts. 

I was able to get some good views of a Red-bellied Woodpecker. What a beautiful head they have. Birds were active for most of my time in The Little Forrest. So much going on. At the end of my sit the squirrels were calling alarms across the brook. Who knows what will come next.

Merlin Identified 19 species. I saw 9 of those. Plus I saw the Pileated Woodpecker. I think the mallard was a false reading. It identified a Snow Bunting. A little early for them. Who knows? 

Small Victories

 9:30 to 10:30am, 45 Degrees, Clear, Wind 4mph W, Bar 30.49 even

Yesterday was the first time in a good while that Merlin did not hear Carolina Wren. What a difference a day makes. I got some really good looks at a pair of them this morning. They were just on the other side of Fall Brook. A month ago I doubt I could have seen the wren on this dead tree. There would have been too many leaves in between. Also, On the way out I saw one way up the gulley, near where I used to sit. It is the first time I saw one up there. it will take a lot of time to learn the movements and habits of my more than human friends. 

I sometimes confuse the calls of the White-breasted Nuthatch with the Tufted Titmouse. They both have very guttural sounds. Today I heard a tufty call and new it. Then saw a bird fly from across the brook, over the bog, and up to the feeder at Number 2. I new it was the tufty. Confirmed on the feeder. A small victory! I love the little moments were I know I am right and then get actual confirmation. It just takes time and paying attention. Practice makes progress. 

I have come a long way since I read Jon Young's What the Robin Knows. I have learned a lot by sitting and paying attention. What I have learned the most is just how much I do not know. Maybe I do not realize that I know less than that!

Merlin Identified 20 species. I saw 9 of those. I also saw a Northern Flicker and a hawk. I believe it was a Coopers Hawk. Flying fast over The Little Forrest. It must have landed not to far out of sight judging by the Blue Jays calls. They were none to happy with a hawk being there.

What ?

 1:30 to 3:00pm, 56 Degrees, Sunny, Wind 7mph N, Bar 30.24 even

What do you know for sure? I had myself convinced the Blue Jays were scouting for peanuts. I brought peanuts today. The jays did not come into the feeder for them. I still believe they have checked for them. It has been a week or so, since I brought some. 

Felt a little quiet this afternoon. Lots of jays flying about. A flock of Robins were around the entire time. Some Black-capped Chickadees came into the feeder. However it was not a whole flock of them. It is something when a large flock comes in. Sometimes they are referred to as a banditry of chickadees. When a large group of bandits raids the feeder it is wild!

Merlin Identified 18 species. I saw 9 species. I definitely saw a Yellow-rumped Warbler. I have been pretty sure before. It was across the brook and mostly behind leaves. White-throated Sparrow above. 

More will be revealed

 3:00 to 4:00pm, 62 Degrees, Clear, Wind 11mph N, Bar 29.93 even

Going down the gully to the sit spot American Robins were everywhere. They were not happy I was walking through. Going through the bog, birds were active and flying about. So nice to see that kind of activity. The battery for my camera was dead. Walked out to get a new one. Birds were still active! However things got quiet in a hurry. I think my second coming was not appreciated. Still, I saw a lot of activity. 

A Red-bellied Woodpecker came very near. Lower in the trees than normal. Always behind a branch or dancing to the far side of a trunk. Still, some nice looks. I saw a Northern Flicker the second time I crossed the bog. Way more Blue Jay activity than usual. Or at least more around me. I must get more peanuts for them. Some were moving a few feet off the ground just on the other side of the brook. Not sure what it was. Just new activity for me. If I spend more time in The Little Forrest, more will be revealed.

Merlin Identified 13 species. I saw 11. Well above average for me. 

Practice

12:30 to 2:00pm, 58 Degrees, Sunny, Wind 9mphW, Bar 30.24 fall

It is all practice. All we are doing is practicing being human. I have been practicing sitting in the woods, being human. Sometimes at Kripalu you will hear folks say "Human-being is a verb not a noun. Having sat for a while in The Little Forrest, it seems like I am not learning much at this point. However, I am learning things I am not noticing. Perhaps, I am getting faster at recognizing birds. At a pace just too slow to notice. Daily practices are like that. Sometimes, it feels as if I am going backwards. Practice makes progress! 

A Carolina Wren took a direct  route to the feeder from across Fall Brook. When I am there they have taken a route that crosses the brook south of me. Then move through the brush on the other side of the dry run. The Tufted Titmice were flying a route that went between myself and the Buckthorn and up to the feeder at Number 2. They usually take a route around me. The past couple of days Northern Cardinals have been in the Buckthorn when I was down there. Perhaps, my more than human friends are getting used to my being in The Little Forrest. 

Merlin Identified 16 species. I saw 11. A really good percentage for me! Swamp Sparrow was new. Hopefully, I can get a picture as they come through. I saw a song sparrow and no matter how hard I tried to will it to be a swamp sparrow, it remained a song sparrow.

 

Slow

 8:30 to 9:30am, 43 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 3mph SW, Bar 30.51 even

A beautiful fall morning in the Little Forrest. I think I saw my first bird at twenty six minutes. The birds were hiding. The Carolina Wrens were singing up a storm somewhere on the other side of Fall Brook. Towards the end of my sit the Black-capped Chickadees and White-throated Sparrows made a good bit of noise and went silent. Amazing how different an day or hour can make. The Blue Jay above was wondering where the peanuts are. 

Merlin Identified 21 species. I saw 7. Fox sparrow is new. Also, it has the red dot. It appears it is a bit early for them. Also, killdeer which was probably not there. The rest are regular visitors. Just out of sight today.

Wonderful

 10:30 to 11:30am, 45 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 6mph S, Bar 30.54 even

The Black-capped Chickadees were in full riot today. They were just everywhere. The chickadees are the bird that is most fearless around me. Almost always the species I see the most. Today they truly did not care if I was there. Their flight path is usually around me. Coming over Fall Brook either to the north or the south of me. Today it was right over me. Almost through me. A couple of times I had to duck or move my head because I thought they were going to fly into my face. I know intellectually they wont fly into me, as they do not fly into trees and rocks. However, they were close. At one point I heard one chirp. it was close. A branch is about a foot from my left ear. It took off and flew right past me. It is truly amazing how much noise the wings of a half once bird can make! 

A Carolina Wren came into the feeder at one point. I heard it calling/chatting in a way I did not recognize. I did not think it was a Carolina Wren until I saw it. I followed the call and motion from the other side of the brook. Then into the brush along the dry run. Calling the whole way. Another wren was singing across the brook the whole time. I got the impression it was calling to its partner to let it know it was going in to the feeder. Also it knew I was there. It was interesting. 

At times I had a child like sense of wonder during my sit. The leaves in yellows, oranges and reds were floating all around The Little Forrest. The chickadees flying, singing, calling, exclaiming everywhere. I was at times not really looking at any one thing, rather I was taking it all in. Like when I was a child in a field at night full of fireflies. It was really wonderful!

Merlin identified 19 species. I saw 9 species. 

Gusty

 8:15 to 9:15am, 44 Degrees, Cloudy, Wind 15mph NW, Bar 30.03 rise

Gusty morning. I could feel the wind down in the Fall Brook Valley. That is unusual. Birds were chattier than I thoght they would be. A good number of Black-capped Chickadees flitting about. A larger number of Tufted Titmice than normal. The wind has noticeably thinned the foliage overnight. Winter comes early to Maine. Going to have to think about warm clothes for sitting in the cold. 

If you do not show up, you can not get lucky! 

Merlin Identified 13 species. I saw 7. I also saw a Downy Woodpecker(above) and a Mourning Dove. Not bad considering the wind.

Tapas

 9:00 to 9:40am, 51 Degrees, Cloudy/Drizzle/Rain, Wind 12mph S, Bar 29.87 fall

Tapas: the Sanskrit word for heat. I yoga's ethical guides, The Yamas and Niyamas, Tapas means self discipline. Leaves coming down as consistently  as a gentle snow. Motion calling my eyes to see if it was my more than human friends. As I sat in the wind and rain, I thought about discipline. Consistent practice. Frequent practice. Practice makes progress! 

Some birds were chatty today. The Black-capped Chickadees were about and boisterous as always. A couple of Blue Jays came in. No doubt looking for peanuts. I had been bringing a handful of peanuts down for my sits. They will grab peanuts when I am there but not eat at the feeder. Today the one pictured above, let out a bunch of calls right above me. Was my friend saying that dude forgot the peanuts! Loudly so all the creatures in The Little Forrest would know. Or was it something else. It shall remain a mystery. 

As the rain increased, I was thinking of why I am doing the practice of sitting. Just sitting in a forrest being has health benefits: physical and mental. There is that. Also, It is my home project for KSMOL level 2. I wish to tell the story of The Little Forrest. It has become more than just that project. I am excited to see what comes next. The seasons change. I do not really enjoy the cold, however I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the winter. 

Merlin Identified 10 species. I saw 3. Merlin showed Cedar Waxwing for the first time in weeks. I had thought they had gone for the winter. Maybe a few stick around. More will be revealled.

Fall

 2:30 to 3:30 pm, 59 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 10mph NNW, Bar 30.15 even

It is definitely fall in the Fall Brook Valley. It is that time of year. Clear and cool. The leaves are falling. It is easier to see into The Little Forrest. I am not sure what the gusts were. I could feel the wind down by the brook. The brook sits about twenty feet below the north and west rims of the valley. The condominiums on the west are another thirty feet above that. Wind does not come down to the floor often.  today most of the motion was from wind and the leaves falling. 

The only real bird highlight was a Red-bellied Woodpecker giving loud clear calls above my head. I wish I could have found it. Their heads are such a wonderful bright red. The wind kept most of my more than human friends in their quiet spots. Mostly I sat with the wind.

Merlin Identified 9 species. I saw 5 of those. I also saw White-breasted Nuthatch and Goldfinches. With the wind Merlin does not pick up as much. 

If A Tree Falls...

 8:30 to 10:00am, 48 Degrees, Cloudy, Wind 5mph NW, Bar 29.75 even

If a tree falls in The Little Forrest it makes a lot of noise! A tree fell during my sit. In grade school there was some philosophical debate. If a tree falls in the forrest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a noise? Having spent time in The Little Forrest these past few months, I think, what a ridiculous debate. Only someone totally removed from nature would think of such a thing. It is so human centric. Our more than human friends are always there. And they hear! There is no hermetically sealed forrest without them. Nature abhors a vacuum. 

It was an interesting experience. Yes, it made noise. A good bit for sure. The tree was partly down and covered in vines. A wall of green just across Fall Brook from where I sit. I swiveled around to see the tree and what happened. I was amazed by the amount of bird activity. Many birds flying up and away from the tree on the ground. I do not know what kind as they were in silhouette. Or how many. When you add in the bird chatter, it is hard to estimate. Certainly, more than a hundred. Five hundred is believable. A thousand seems a stretch. The bird chatter went on for about five minutes. Before it returned to todays baseline. 

The birds were active and visible today. The past two days not so much. I am not so in tune with The Little Forrest that I can discern what is different. The only way to get in tune more is time in The Little Forrest. Practice makes progress. There was a five minute period where the birds were quiet. I, and Merlin, heard a Red Tailed Hawk. It was loud, close. Then back to todays baseline. At one point, I thought a Carolina Wren sounded funny. I looked at Merlin and saw Marsh Wren. Unlikely in Portland Today. Was it there? I do not know. Probably, is my guess. 

Merlin Identified 22 species. I saw 12. Herring Gull and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker were not on the Merlin list. I saw a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. My bird of the day. 

What other philososphical debates seem silly after sitting in nature long enough?

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

 Red-breasted Nuthatch October 2026. In Maine they are known as Lobster-breasted Nuthatches. 

Dark and Dreary

 7:30 to 8:40am, 45 Degrees, Cloudy Skies, Wind 9mph ENE, Bar 30.11 rise

Really not much visible bird activity. I did not see one bird hit the feeder at Number 2! Usually, it has a fair amount of activity. It is going to rain today. I kind of expected there to be some good activity down in The Little Forrest. I think the first bird I saw was a seagull flying over the canopy. The seagull was probably thirty minutes in to my sit. 

There were some birds that I heard. Despite the listed wind, it was quite still down by Fall Brook. I was definitely sitting with stillness. I was not swiveling to look at my more than human friends. Siting with stillness. I could hear the Carolina Wrens singing. It is my favorite song of The Little Forrest. Well, one of my favorites. Some Black-capped Chickadees came in to the feeder at about forty-five minutes. A couple of White-throated Sparrows. That was about it. The Red-breasted Nuthatch above was on my walk out. What a gift! In Maine we know they are really Lobster-breasted Nuthatches. 

Merlin identified 25 species. I saw 4. One was a seagull that Merlin did not "hear." Black Scoter and Hooded Merganser are red dots. Not there. The rest were probably there just hiding. 

About Yesterday

 this is a place holder

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

 Ruby-crowned Kinglet October 2026

Outside Issues

 11:00am to 12:30pm,  55 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 9mph SSW, Bar 30.33 fall

I brought a lot to the Sit Spot today. An unpleasant person experience and the childhood events it evoked. It was at times hard to stay present. Nature has a wonderful calming effect. It is wonderful, however it is not a replacement for professional help. 

The birds were active and helpful to to get me into a better place. I spotted for sure my first Ruby-crowned Kinglet. (above) I saw a pair yesterday but was not sure. Now I am sure. Wonderful little birds. I even saw the ruby crown go up. What a gift! Also, I saw a house finch not on a feeder down in the Bog. 

The Blue Jays came in for peanuts again. They can be surprisingly quiet for such a noisy bird. The first ones I saw, were after I swiveled towards the feeder. The birds know where I am looking. Not just the jays. After a bit they were less stealthy. 

The leaves are thinning out. I am able to see farther into The Little Forrest. I saw my first adult male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Wow, far more impressive than the juveniles. It will be interesting to see what happens as fall progresses. 

Merlin Identified 25 species. I saw 15. One of which was a Hermit Thrush, that I saw and Merlin did not hear. I suspect most of the rest were there. Ruby-crowned Kinglet went from a red dot to Likely in Portland Today. They had that right. I saw a few!

If you are in a recovery program, it will not fix all your problems. It is not a substitute for medical care. No matter how many meeting I go to it will not fix my blood pressure! Heck, if I have an unpleasant person experience at a meeting it might even go up. Profesional help is good and sometimes neccesary!

Another Gift

 8:30 to 10:00am, 45 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 10mph NNW, Bar 30.40 rise

There were White-throated Sparrows all over the mouth of the Gulley. Just all over the place. It is hard to tell just how many are there. They feed on the ground and in among the plants. Lots of plants moving but do not perch that often. I took the picture of the one above as I was walking out. What a gift! The sparrow perched and stayed for a few moments. 

At times it felt slow in my sit spot today, Even though the white-throats were active just about the whole time. They were in The Bog too. Many hopped up into the Buckthorn above the feeder. They occasionally wandered around in the dry run below the feeder. At one point I saw birds flying low across Fall Brook. Not a usual thing. White throats! Were there thirty, forty, or a hundred. I am not sure how to count them. They were everywhere.

Merlin Identified 25 species. I saw 7 species. I am confident that most of them were there. Or flew over. I did not see the geese. I did hear them. Purple Finch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White Crowned Sparrow would alll be new to the list. I am not sure if I should add things I do not see or have confidence they are there. If I hear a clear call and Merlin says what it is yes. 

What feels like a gift to you in this moment?

Peanuts

8:00 to 9:40, 51 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 7mph W, Bar 29.98 even

It was really quiet and then birds were everywhere! Not sure why it was so quiet. I heard a few squirrels and chipmunks being alarmed. But not the whole forrest at once.  Not too windy for the birds, just quiet. It took over an hour for the first Black-capped Chickadee to come to the feeder. Even if it is only a pair or two hear and there they are around. I at least hear them. As does Merlin. Not today. I have been puttting a few peanuts out when I sit. Hoping that the Blue Jays will come in. 

First the chickadees came in. Then a large flock of robins. At one point there were five or more in the Buckthorn above the feeder. Twenty or thirty all around! White-breasted Nuthatches were coming in. Then Downy Woodpeckers. The Tufted Titmice came too. Then the Blue Jays started coming closer. Above and around. Watching what is going on in the Little Forrest. High but watching the feeder and me no doubt. They saw the peanuts! I do not know if the other birds let them know. However, the jays got closer and closer. Into the Buckthorn first. Then one grabbed a peanut. And then another. Before long a flock of jays were grabbing peanuts. One at a time. They never hit the regular feeder. I guess there is enough reward for a peanut to grab those, when I am there. When the peanuts were gone so were the jays.

While the feeder frenzy was happening, other birds were feeding in the Bog. White-throated Sparrows were everywhere. A few Carolina Wrens were about. And my favorite the Mystery Birds. Not sure why they were quiet and then not. A mystery. Many mysteries in The Little Forrest.

Merlin Identified 20 species. I saw 9 species. I think the Mallard was a agitated squirrel. I suspect the rest were there mostly the birds common to the Little Forrest. 

Peanuts. Often an expression of I did not get much. However, the small often seemingly insignificant things can bring great gifts. Do not overlook the small things. They can be great gifts. I had a wonderful experience for peanuts. What a gift!

Windy

 3:00 to 4:00pm, 68 Degrees, Clear Skies, Wind 14mph W, Bar 29.73 rise

When It is windy the birds are less visible. Just not much happening out in the sit spot today. I saw no Black-capped Chickadees today. I believe that is the first time since I moved down to the banks of Fall Brook. I guess if you weigh a half an once, like a chickadee, 14mph winds is a big deal. It does not feel windy down in the Fall Brook Valley. Especially if the wind is from the west. I am sitting probably fifty feet below the tops of the condominiums. I knew it would be slow. I decided to go out anyway.

It is possible to learn even when you don't know what you are learning. My guess is the gut level stuff is being learned on a sit like today. the yogis of old believed much memory was stored in our guts and our hearts. Not just our brains. the expression "it was a visceral reaction", "a gut reaction", "a heart felt reaction", are all examples of this. I can often distinguish between a branch moving because of wind, bird, squirrel. I think those are more stored in my body than brain. Stuff connected to the fight or flight responses. I think these things come from lived experience. Also, I think some of them are multi-generational memories. Perhaps, the lived experiences bring them out. 

Merlin heard 10 species. I saw 1. The wind keeps the birds down. I have no doubt that all the species it heard were there. I heard most of them myself. 

Picture of Downy Woodpecker from a few days ago.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

 Ruby throated Hummingbird September 2026. I think the feeders around the Little Forrest count. Also, I really want to replace this one. Next year...

Brown Creeper

 Brown Creeper October 2026 in The Little Forrest.

The Time of Long Shadows

 8:30 to 10:00am, 41 Degrees, Clear skies, Wind 4mph SSW, Bar 30.01 even

We have entered the time of long shadows. In Maine this time of year, and until spring, the shadows are always long. There really is no midday sun. Summer days are glorious and wonderful, winter is long. It takes hours before the sun reaches the floor of the Fall Brook Valley this time of year. It does not last long now. Picture above of a Brown Creeper. I took a few pictures before and after it was in this sunny spot. It was hard to see the creeper in the pictures. Same with a few other bird shots.

The birds were active today. Many out in the open. I think the lack of wind is important. I saw a Hermit thrush again! They call them hermits because you do not see them often. I am once again amazed by luck. Looking in the right place at the right time. I saw the creeper fly into a tree. My thought was it was not a normal/regular bird. I used the binoculars and followed it around the trees for a bit. It eventually got to a spot where I could shoot it. Had I not seen it initially it could have moved around me for a minute or two and I would have been never the wiser. Now it was not total luck. I have been practicing finding birds. Practice makes progress! I know to look for motion. I was in a place where I can find a creeper. Luck never happens on the couch. I/you can take actions to be in the right place and time to be lucky.

I finally saw a Red-Breasted Nuthatch. Always nice to see a bird for the first time in The Little Forrest. The creeper was a first. I thought they might have gone south. I checked and they are a year round resident! Who knew? Some good looks at a Red-bellied Woodpecker. They tend to be elusive. 

Merlin Identified 27 species. I saw 17 of them plus a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. I also saw some kind of raptor flying above the Little Forrest On my way out. A really good day for bird watching in my sit spot today. 

Remember, you can create your own luck. Study. Practice. Practice makes progress! Putting yourself out there. You can find the right place and time. You will never be discovered sitting on the couch!

Mysteries

 

8:00 to 9:00am, 47 Degrees, Clear, Wind 14mph W, Bar 29.94 rise

I am sure the squirrel is wondering what the man is doing over there. So many mysteries in The Little Forrest. While I heard a fair amount of bird chatter, I did not see many species of birds. It seems lately, the birds are hiding more. Perhaps, they know there is a man with a camera over there. The American Robins I saw were mostly in the sun. Up high where the sun was illuminating the trees. I saw something move. First thoght was a bird. It was down low. I could see gray fur so I thought squirrel. It was not moving like a squirrel. It moved further into the brush. I could still see parts of it. I was thinking maybe skunk. It shall remain a mystery. I also, heard an animal scream. Perhaps, a cat or squirrel being attacked. Then quiet. I listened for squirrel and Jays alarms but the did not come. Another mystery. I do not have enough time in The Little Forrest to know yet. More will be revealed. I am getting better at noticing which birds are which in silhouette. At least the birds I see most often. Practice makes progress.

There was a good bit of bird song for the first twenty minutes or so. Then things got quiet. Maybe a bit after the animal scream. I was just looking over the bog and hoping something would move down in the bramble of plants down there. A hawk came flying over the Bog from the north. Over the Bog down Fall Brook then east to the far side of the brook. It went out of my sight. I expected the jays to call up a storm. However it remained silent. I wonder if the hawk, probably a coopers, came down the Gulley or from the North outsside the Little Forrest. It will remain a mystery. I could easily have missed the hawk. It went through in maybe two seconds. How many times has something gone through and I just did not notice? 

Merlin Identified 20 species of birds. I saw a coopers hawk as well. I saw 5 species. Not a great average. 

Hermit Thrush

 I went down to my sit spot and this Hermit Thrush was in the open! One was moving around me in the brush this morning for twenty minutes or so. Only one unobstructed view. 

Still Gold

 8:00 to 9:30am 55 Degrees, Clear, Wind 9mph W, Bar 29.82 fall

The shine may be gone but they are still gold to me! American Goldfinch above has lost its summer plumage. Shortly after I sat every squirrel on the North side of the Littles Forrest was shouting alarms. Not sure what had them agitated, I did not see anything obvious. So, I added new thistle to that feeder. When I came back I saw red-shouldered hawk on Merlin. I did see a bird that could have been a red shouldered. it also, could not have been. The Black-capped Chickadees have been kind of quiet at the feeder. After adding new thistle, they were excited. What had been there had caked a bit and was less palatable, i guess. An explosion of chickadees! I have been putting a couple of peanuts in shell out when I come down. Hoping to entice the Blue Jays closer. The Titmice can fly off with them. I saw no Blue Jays. Not even on the feeder at Number 2. 

Most birds seemed to be hiding today. I heard them. However, they were not showing themselves. The White-breasted Nuthatches and the Downys have been shy the last few days. Not sure why. I usually see several of them. I hear both, though. I did finally see a Hermit Thrush! They love to move in the underbrush. Only once did I have a direct line of sight. Not long enough for a picture. Birds know where I am. Many times I am try to get a look at a bird. All I can see is its head. they will quite often be looking at me between leaves. I have seen enough of the behavior to think it is intentional.

The Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers were active for a while. Lots of calls. I usually only see them up in the Black Willows. They were chasing each other out of the willows and around the canopy and back. Fun to watch! Looked like they were having fun!

Merlin Identified 26 species. I saw 8. Not a great average. Mallard was  from the squirrels most likely. Pileated Woodpecker came up. Would love to see one. Ruby-crowned Kinglet was a first time. Likely in Portland today. I did not see it. 

"Stay gold Pony Boy"- The Outsiders

Red eyed Vireo

September 2026

Common Grackle

 October 2026

White-breasted Nuthatch

 

Warm and Cold

 8:30 to 10:00am, 58 degrees, Clear, Wind 10mph N, Bar 30.24 rise

As I walked across the parking, a dozen robins, maybe more, scattered. They were on the ground. Up into the trees and bushes. A few other birds as well. I was thinking it is gong to be non stop birds in the sit spot. However, it was relatively quiet. It was sunny on the grass. The sun had yet to come down into the Fall Brook Valley. A few Black-capped Chickadees and a sparrow or two. I assumed the sparrows were white throated and did not look to closely. Then I looked at Merlin. It showed white-throated and white-crowned! The white-crowned move through in migration. I can not say for sure. 

About twenty minutes in the Blue Jays set off an alarm. Then the squirrels and chipmunks added to it. A good ten minutes for my four legged friends. I saw nothing alarming. Another mystery. 

I saw my first Northern Mockingbirds. It is nice to see birds for the first time in The Little Forrest. I did not doubt that they would come through. I followed them across the canopy for a bit. At one point I thought, I have a direct line of sight, I should take a picture. After lowering the binoculars and raising the camera, I could not find it. It could have been in the same spot. I do not know. I could follow it because of the motion. However, the canopy in places is just a wall of leaves. It is hard to know where I was looking. How many times has a bird been in my direct sight and not seen? How many times was a bird watching me and I did not notice? I bet every time I am in the Little Forrest. The Blue Jays are always watching. 

As the sunlight started to come down to the valley floor, bird activity picked up. I saw a male common Yellow-throat come into the Bog. It would not come up and pose. A flock of white throated sparrows came through. I think they were all white-throats. I do not know if there are mixed flocks. thirty or forty scooting through the underbrush. Mostly on the other side of the brook. I saw a yellow warbler up in the willow. Looked at Merlin and Tennessee Warbler was there so new to the Little Forrest.

Merlin Identified 28 species. Three red dots. Eastern Wood-Pewee, EasternTowhee and Tennessee Warbler. I saw twelve, plus  a few Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Mallard was probably an alarmed squirrel.