Thursday, February 20, 2014

Notes From my (New) Nest: At Home in Maine

I am sitting here on a snowy morning by my great room windows watching birds. Soon I will be leaving for Connecticut and then on to Florida. It has been a whirlwind of experiences over the past 3 weeks and I am not done yet! I wish that I had pictures to show you but I have not gotten my computer set up yet and so have not been able to offload photos. We just got internet last Saturday and I am using my laptop at home for the first time.

We have had storm after storm after storm since moving here. All the way across the country we dodged storms and only got caught once on the second morning as we left Abilene, Texas. We drove in sleet and slush for about an hour but soon drove out of it as we neared Dallas. Then it was just rain, rain, rain. What a long day! We arrived in New England on February 6th and moved into the house on the 10th. The day before the movers arrived I bought some inexpensive feeders and hung them up so I could already start attracting birds. At first I just had chickadees by the hoards, but then a few other birds started to show up. On Tuesday of this week my feeders were mobbed as yet another storm was headed our way. This morning I saw my first House Finch in the yard as well as my first gray squirrel sitting atop the seed block in the feeder cage that Chris Rohrer gave me before I left. It's been all birds and bliss until now. Let the feeders wars begin!

Here is a list of the birds I have seen so far since moving in:

Kathie's Mere Point Cottage Yard Birds 2014
  1. Black-capped chickadee 2-7-14
  2. American Crow
  3. American Robin
  4. American Goldfinch
  5. Herring Gull 2-10-14
  6. Tufted Titmouse
  7. White-breasted Nuthatch 2-11-14
  8. Downy Woodpecker
  9. Red-tailed Hawk 2-12-14
  10. Blue Jay
  11. Hairy Woodpecker
  12. Northern Cardinal 2-17-14
  13. Cooper's Hawk
  14. Dark-eyed Junco 2-18-14
  15. American Tree Sparrow
  16. House Finch 2-20-14
I cannot believe the beauty of the place I am living or the proximity to the ocean! I will have to learn all my sea and shore birds. I will finally get to use my spotting scope! There are so many places to explore, but I am off to Florida with my Mom for now and will check back in when I can. It's time to finish packing my suitcase and get in the car and drive once more! I'm beginning to think I was born with wheels!
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14 comments:

  1. Cheryl AnnFebruary 20, 2014 at 8:41 AM

    Katie, did I miss something? Did you move again? Are you in Maine now? I'm sorry...I've been SICK and I am behind on visiting blogs!
    Cheryl Ann, Desert Horses

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  2. Kathie BrownFebruary 20, 2014 at 8:52 AM

    Cheryl Ann, yes. I moved at the beginning of the month but it's been in the works since last Thanksgiving! I hope you are well now. Sorry that you were so sick!

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  3. SonjaFebruary 20, 2014 at 10:26 AM

    Well done on achieving the move and getting straight into knowing your new birds, Kathie. I wondered a few times how it was all going while hearing about the east coast weather - it's been good on the west for us.

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    1. Kathie BrownFebruary 21, 2014 at 12:44 PM

      Happy wanderer, it's been crazy but fun and I an looking forward to a break from all the moving chaos and seeing more birds!

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  4. Margaret Birding For PleasureFebruary 20, 2014 at 11:47 AM

    HI Kristie Well you certainly have quite a lot of birds in your yard. Hope you have a great time with your Mum.

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    1. Kathie BrownFebruary 21, 2014 at 12:46 PM

      Thanks Margaret. I know I will see more as spring arrives!

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  5. grammie gFebruary 20, 2014 at 10:34 PM

    HI Katie.... Well welcome to living in Maine!! Your probably not more then 30 minutes from me! It sure was a beautiful morning today!!
    Sounds like it is a hectic time for you, so I hope your trip with your Mom goes well!!

    I see your name on the eBird list for Cumberland county !! : )

    Grace

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    1. Kathie BrownFebruary 21, 2014 at 12:49 PM

      Grace, I thought of you as I drove through Lisbon on my way to Auburn Wednesday night. Snow was awful so didn't stop to count birds anywhere. I see you have become quite the brdr yourself!

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  6. DeniseinVAFebruary 20, 2014 at 11:55 PM

    Welcome to your new home Kathie. and safe and happy travels to Florida with your Mom.

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    Replies
    1. Kathie BrownFebruary 21, 2014 at 12:51 PM

      Thanks Denise! Should I wave as we pass through? ;-)

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  7. GaelynFebruary 23, 2014 at 11:52 AM

    How fun it is to read about your new yard birds. Safe journey.

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  8. GuyFebruary 25, 2014 at 9:45 AM

    Hi Kathie

    All the best in your new home. I did wonder about your trip as I watched the weather in the various parts of the US. I am glad you got there safely.

    Regards
    Guy

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  9. KaHollyFebruary 26, 2014 at 10:46 AM

    Welcome to Maine! I'll be passing through in April. I'd like you to connect with my brother-in-law for some birding adventures. He's a passionate birder but has been caught up with work lately.

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Welcome to my nest! I hope you will enjoy spending time here with me and the birds. Thank you for your comments. I will try to get back to you as soon as I get back from counting more birds.

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