birds

The family fishing trip this morning started off with a sighting of a flock of eleven loons working over a school of perch on Megunticook Lake in Camden. As autumn gets going the loons gather where the fishing is the best so that we are often in the same places. There were other loons in other parts of the lake.

But no stripers yet. Captain George Harris of Superfly Charters and I make our early trips searching for fish together. Saves gas and makes for a much more enjoyable outing. Not to mention we each solve the same problem of catching fish for clients a little differently. So it is a gret chance to learn from each other. While there were no stripers to report this morning we were treated to the early season Saint George River wildlife show.

Mothers Day is our annual trip to the fish ladder in Damariscotta Mills to see the alewife run. For those of you that do not know alewives are a river herring that return to many of our local rivers to spawn each spring. They are about a foot long and silvery. It has been a Mother’s day tradition for us since the boys were born that includes a late lunch out, usually in Damariscotta.

Argy and I have been walking in the evenings this week. We are taking advantage of the pleasant March weather and the switch to Daylight savings time. Two evenings ago I heard a single Beeep.. and I knew that spring was here for sure. For those who do not know it is the sound that the male woodcock makes when getting ready to perform his territory / mating ritual.

This afternoon is the perfect winter day. Forty degrees Fahrenheit, warm for February. A little breeze out of the west and not a cloud in the sky! As you can see most of the snow is gone from the fields but there is there is still plenty in the woods.

Just in from a long walk around the neighborhood. It is cold today but not too, high of twenty degrees Fahrenheit. A breeze out of the North at about fifteen miles per hour and brilliant sunshine blocked by only a few wispy clouds. It has been a while since we have had fresh snow and the stories in the snow are really showing up!

This morning on our walk Argy and I heard a loud tapping in a dead maple tree. We looked up and saw a Pileated Woodpecker working on the tree. We stood for a while and watched as he worked intently. After a few minutes I wished for my camera and Argy responded, “Go get it. Worst case he is gone when you come back.”

In the last few days clients have had more to see than just great weather and beautiful scenery. The critters have been showing up more than usual and in unusual ways. One afternoon on a perch fishing trip we were anchored in a cove out of the breeze. I heard a splash and looked up to see a young osprey about twenty yards away, nothing unusual here. Except the young bird was floating on the surface of the pond, wings outstretched, rather than launching himself (or herself) back into the air.

Our great stretch of September weather continues, clear blue skies, cool nights and warm days. A great time of year to get out and fish or explore. Clients from around the country have taken advantage of the great weather this week. Changes in the flowers are noticeable this week. Purple and white wild asters began to show in the roadside ditches this week and goldenrod is everywhere. The young goldfinches are out flying with their parents we have a small flock here in the yard.

I just finished two mornings of trips that were part of the Nature Discovery package that Maine Outdoors offers in cooperation with LeVatout in Waldoboro. Yesterday seemed hot and muggy when I picked up my guests Waldoboro but when I pushed the boat from the trailer in Thomaston it was foggy and cool.