Why Maine Birding is DIFFERENT

[@1zip0pop]

Been feeding birds for 45 years out back and wasn't till I did an upgrade to different feeders and food this year that I had a mid-western bird the Dickcissel show up. Been here since Nov 28th. So you never can tell what's going to show up. Having fun adding him to the eBird site and any pictures I have too. Love watching your videos.

[@Bob_Duchesne]

The videos have led to similar surprises. The 400mm lens is only about the equivalent of 6x magnification. Several times this year, what I thought I shot turned out to be something different when I started to edit, and more exciting.

[@dasreich8307]

Yes, Maine is weird, but I wouldn't want to live any place else. The Winters are long, cold, and dark, but it has its own beauty and wonderful wildlife. What we have here are so of the most diverse and amazing flora and fauna. I was in the Army from 1980-2005 (12B5PS) and spent many years in places in the U.S. like Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolina's, California and Washington State, so I have varied experiences outside of Maine. I love the deep, dark, woods of Maine. I love the wildlife. I love the peace and tranquility.

[@ebinmaine]

Absolutely agreed

[@Hummingbirder1]

Another weird fact, non-birding related: Maine is often the backdrop to John Connolly's Charlie Parker-novels... they're spooky.

[@nancyjaebrownfoley]

This may be our favorite video yet! And perfect to share with all our friends, birder or not!

[@louisswaim7024]

Now I’m inspired to re-read Thoreau’s The Maine Woods.

[@victorvargas4120]

Wow, this was interesting. This makes me want to go to Maine for my next vacation.

[@patricialad2326]

Fascinating information that I never knew - thank you, Bob!!

[@markheatherington8367]

Informative and entertaining video Bob! I was about to click next at the portion about Morrocco being closest to Maine thinking something along the lines of "who ever figured that out has way too much time on their hands." But then you brought me back with the plate techtonics process and how that formed unique wildlife habitats. 😀 Nice to see bird from the complete opposite side of the continent from Oregon.

[@tonycritcher3419]

Really interesting and I live in England but found it fascinating!

[@ChromatophoneNature]

Super interesting! Well done.

[@olenskafanboy]

Had no idea Maine is such a great birding spot. Definitely on my list now.

[@fullercrowley]

Bob, bless your heart! I get such a kick out of you. :)

[@1coolkitty]

The nature looks so beautiful up there! I hope to visit one day.

[@HusbandnWifeDuo]

Love from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada! We watched this informative video on our TV and liked it immensely. Our main thing about Maine is that Mount Katahdin provides for the start/finish point for the Appalachian Trail. Btw, the two closest US national Parks to Maine would be Shenandoah and Cuyahoga.

[@Bob_Duchesne]

Thanks. I'm getting very anxious to do more birding in Ontario. If I can figure out the best place to search for boreal owls, I'd do it this spring! I've never done much in the western part of the province, even though that is some of my favorite habitat. Plus, it's not really all that far from home.

[@HusbandnWifeDuo]

@@Bob_Duchesne We are not much of birders, but do like visiting national, provincial and state parks. When there, we do take opportunistic shots of wildlife though LOL!

[@PolarisOssifragus]

I went to Umaine Machias up there and I miss it so much. The nearby Roosevelt Campobello Island is incredible and also worth a visit. You can often see minke whales from shore as well. I plan on moving up there eventually, my heart yearns to be back there. Ive lived in MA my whole life but its becoming ruined by the increasing amount of people who don't respect the natural resources. Rich people housing popping up everywhere destroying vast swaths of forest.

[@goodkebo]

Great video! I learned a few new things.

[@billieburton2023]

Love your videos, Bob. My wife and I just got back from camping at Schoodic, and I swear we saw a family of Spruce Grouse up at Schoodic Head. I'm sure we will be back!

[@Bob_Duchesne]

I suspect you certainly did see spruce grouse. They've been spotted around the campground, and they have historically been up on the head. I really want to do a good search in the spring, when males are on territory and easier to find. I've looked before, spring is my busiest birding time.

[@SGredblitz]

I'm glad I've lived here my whole life. I feel so connected to the beauty of nature, that I'm not sure if I could handle living anywhere other than MDI 😭

[@NaturallyCuriousUK]

Terrific video! Great wildlife / nature footage, and engagingly presented with just a twist or two of toungue-in-cheek humour! Some nifty green-screen use in there if I'm not mistaken.. If I ever want to head over from UK to the USA for some birding then Maine sure looks like a good bet! 👍👍👍

[@Bob_Duchesne]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@leobachand8408]

Excellent video!! We really love the Maine coast! Also both grew up on Cape Cod, appreciate the sand!

[@tomarmstrong5061]

LOL re this first scene. Great entertaining and educational video.

[@npwalker6780]

Great video! Maine certainly is weird, but in a really good way, an example being Maine’s “anything-goes” licenses plates; -we’ve seen some real doozies!

[@thatsmyjam6065]

It sounds amazing!!

[@roymeljoturrentine5774]

Wonderful reasons to vidit, again, too!

[@Puddlez325]

I was born in maine and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. It is truly beautiful here

[@all-out-quotes]

greeting from Canada 🇨🇦 I love your video, great informative content

[@Bob_Duchesne]

And I love Canada. Not many places in Canada I haven't been. Great beauty, adventure and birds.

[@thesatsumonster]

i wanna see allll the birds in maine ever. like the pokedex but for birding.

[@birdman5223]

Excellent👏🏼👏🏼

[@piccadillypie]

Fun video, Bob! Thanks!

[@Tsamokie]

I live in Norridgewock and since a storm in May all of the birds that were coming to my feeder have disappeared. The used to come in droves. In the past two to three months I have had a male Cardinal visit and in the past two months I have had a couple of Chickadees off and on but not daily. Prior to last May I had Black-capped chickadees, Dark-eyed juncos, Tufted-titmice, Doves, Red finches, Blue jays, Red and White-breasted Nuthaches, Gold finches, Purple Finches, Downy and Hairy woodpeckers, Rose-breasted grosbeaks, House finches, Chipping sparrow, Field sparrows, American tree sparrows, Song sparrows and Cedar Waxwings (to my crab apple trees). Where are they? Where have they gone. Have they been wiped out? I hope not. Any feed folks?

[@jenniebaker7180]

I'm sorry to say that I also notice a huge decline in bird species and numbers where I live in woodland some 20 miles inland from Belfast. Very little bird song. Also fewer bulldogs last summer. Not time for them yet. Not so many insects either. That makes being outside more comfortable, but it's not right! It's like Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring". I'm writing in May 2024. This has been increasingly noticeable for about 6 springs....

[@jenniebaker7180]

Hahaha. Bullfrogs, not bulldogs

[@jrenema]

Excellent borbs

[@zacharyholderby9181]

That eider drake in the middle of the frame at 1:22 looks odd. Maybe just transitioning form eclipse, but still odd plumage.

[@Bob_Duchesne]

Yes, it is an odd plumage. Like you, I took it to be a common transitioning.

[@frednorman1]

Love the green screen!… just wondering if you were born in Maine or are a transplant. You sound like somebody from the West Coast.

[@Bob_Duchesne]

My green screening is getting better, but still have a ways to go. Actually, born in New Hampshire, but lived most of my life in Maine. I spent over 30 years in radio, so I beat most of my accent out of myself. 😉

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

What's really weird is that I never got a chance to go there. Bad for me.

[@waterbuck]

What the best birding season for someone to visit Maine?

[@Bob_Duchesne]

Depends on the target, but spring is awesome. From mid-May to late June, most birds are singing, making them easier to find.

[@Chris_Wolfgram]

I'd like to visit "at the right time". I'm a bird photographer and I know I could get some get some birds that I would not be likely to find elsewhere. But I HATE snow and ice, so I wouldn't ever live there.

[@Bob_Duchesne]

What birds would you like to see?

[@notsohandytim5090]

Well, while we're promoting our states, let me tell you about Oregon. This state which also had a reputation for being soaking wet for 9 months out of the year, has since 2016 become almost inhabitable with summer time temperatures now 5-7 degrees above historic average. The wildfire season now begins in early June and continues through October. Along with the fire hazards and poor air quality, the campgrounds are closed most of the Summer. So, if you're an outdoorsman, you should probably continue further toward the northern states. Our primary crops have become wine grapes (I still don't know why that works) and fescue. So, if you're looking for a place to spend most of you life in front of an air conditioner, Oregon is for you. 🤢

[@Bob_Duchesne]

Well, that's wicked funny. I'll be there in a month. Glad to hear I don't have to bring my own wine.

[@notsohandytim5090]

@@Bob_Duchesne:Rest assured, plenty on hand. 🤤

[@pauraque]

If you stretch out any coastline in the world it will be infinitely long…