On December 14, 17 hardy observers set about counting the birds of the Pemaquid-Damariscotta area as part of the 114th annual National Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
The area searched is a 15-mile circle that centers on the junction of Route 32 and Bristol Mills Road, including the entire towns of Damariscotta, Bristol, South Bristol and parts of East Boothbay, Edgecomb, Newcastle, Bremen and Friendship. The five groups that covered the circle in the field were augmented by the efforts of observers who closely monitored their home feeders.
A total of 66 species were found comprising 4,653 individual birds. This number compares unfavorably with the 73 species and 5,172 individual birds found on last year's count, most likely a reflection of the inclement weather the observers experienced and also less open water than in 2012's count.
Nonetheless, excellent birds were found:

• One snowy owl was observed by an alert home owner on Pemaquid Point. This species is occurring in unprecedented numbers in the northern United States this year.
• A Baltimore oriole has been visiting feeders on Lewis Point Road for a few weeks, and was viewed and photographed on Count Day.
• Two Barrow's goldeneyes were found on the Damariscotta River among dozens of common goldeneyes. This rare species is becoming a regular in this region during the winter months.

• A peregrine falcon was spotted in Friendship. This species is making a gradual comeback after the elimination of DDT some years ago largely because of the efforts of local resident, the late Rachel Carson.
• South Bristol observers located a lingering white-crowned sparrow, a species that normally would be found far south of this area in winter.

What was not observed, however, were the irruptive species referred collectively as winter finches. Last year on this count, 66 pine grosbeaks were found almost wherever flowering crab apple trees were planted. This year none were found. White-winged crossbills, redpolls and pine siskins were found in 2012 with only one pine siskin and no redpolls or crossbills found this year. This phenomenon most likely reflects an adequate food supply to our north.
The enthusiasm and toughness of all observers in the field was heartening. In addition, the feeder-observers' contributions were well appreciated and significant (with one of the count's most worthy birds being found by a feeder observer). All in all, the Pemaquid-Damariscotta Christmas Count, 2013, was very successful.